Sunday 19 August 2012

Fat friends part 2

What is going on with the weather? Its hot, very hot. My room faces west and is on the first floor this means from about 11 in the morn till 8 at night it roasts in the sun, its like working in an oven. It makes crochet a nightmare to do. The yarn squeaks on the hook and the feel of wool is almost unbearable. I try to use cotton and bamboo yarn wherever I can but in this heat its the only yarn I've found that still works.

 as such I haven't got as much done this week as I would have liked but there are 2 new members to the fat friends family.

 I couldn't resist the suggestion to make a lion. The mane is made by loop stitch which is where you wrap the yarn around your finger to create a loopy finish. When you get you head round how to do it, its surprisingly easy and quick to do and gives a really nice effect. I had intended to make his face round but as I was pinning the mane in place it naturally caved in to create a heart shaped face which just melted my heart. I think he is my favourite of the family so far.


 Panda, why so sad?
 Maybe I was in a grump when I made her but she does look glum.
I had to make 3 body's for this panda as it just wasn't working out. First time the yarn I chose just worked out way too small. This can happen, even if a yarn says its a DK weight it can crochet up in completely different sizes and as test swatches are for baby's ;) sometimes its just a bit of trial and error.
 The next body I got the size right but I made it all in white and this didn't look right so I undid it and added the black stripe. I'm really happy with how she looks now but I think she might need a bit of bamboo to cheer her up.

 Panda and lion together :)

All the gang. How small is this photo. I'll have to play around with photoing the full family as this pics not going to do. You might notice what I was saying about yarn tension. All these are made from DK yarn but they have all come out different sizes. I don't mind this its one of the things that make amigurumi individual.

So there is only one more place in the family (for the time being anyway) I'm torn between a dog or a rhino so I'll leave the choice up to you :)

I'm linking in with handmade monday 

13 comments:

  1. Oh wow, the family is growing fast! Love the lion and panda - her expression may be slightly grumpy bit it's still very cute! x

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  2. It's horrible trying to knit/crochet when your hands are hot. Well done you perservering and making this adorable lion and little panda (not grumpy, just a little sad perhaps!) They both fit into your ever expanding family just nicely.

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  3. I really love the lion especially but they are all cute. My vote is for a rhino - fits in with the exotic.

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  4. so cute! poor panda, maybe she was too hot too.

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  5. Please do a rhino, I totally love rhinos!
    Really like how the face is a heart on the lion. I'm gonna have to look how to do a loop stitch correctly - I always make loops by wrapping the yarn round a strip of card on the yarn over, which works but isn't very secure until it's sewn on. Your way looks more secure :)

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  6. Oooh, I vote rhino too. That would be brilliant crocheted. I love the lions mane.

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  7. Oh, I don't think that the Panda is sad, it looks more 'dumpy' to me, but in a good way ! Like all his friends left him or something like that...

    That's dedication to stay in your craft room, when is so hot. I move around the house (if I can) to avoid the sun, but seems to leave loads of thread & ribbons behind me.

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  8. Definitely got to be a rhino! Can't wait to see what he looks like (or she!) :)

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  9. Great additions!I love the lion and I just want to pick the panda up and give him/her a big hug!

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  10. My room faces west too so I can sympathise with the heat situation. As much as I like dogs, a rhino would be more unusual and interesting so I would have to vote for the rhino.

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  11. I like the panda, but I'm in LOVE with the lion! That is too too cute! As for a dog or a rhino, I'm torn. I love dogs, but a rhino would be very exotic. I can't wait to see what you make next.
    Weather...well, it's been hot here too, but we are not on hurricane watch and wait. I hope I make it next Monday, as it is possible we will be without power. Let's hope Tropical Storm Isaac turns east and goes out to sea!

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  12. awwwwww these are so cute, those little chubby critters
    i love how you arranged them in a line! ive got not favourites, they are all lovely!
    fab!

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