Upcoming Auction - Nov 2015

It is not often I take a public 'political stance' on anything.  That is one sure fired way to annoy or offend someone; and when you are in the people-pleasing-business, it's an area that you tend to tread very lightly into.  However this is a subject that I am extremely passionate about - and one that influences so much of my fiber art.

I am sure by now, everyone has heard of "Cecil the Lion" and the horrible occurrence that happened in Zimbabwe in July.  And no matter what your opinion on hunting in general, I think everyone can agree that this was a tragedy that should not have been allowed to have happened and the outcry of compassion, shock and anger has proven what the human species can accomplish when we work together with a single voice for change.

For anyone who missed it - Cecil was a majestic 13-year-old, Southwest African Lion living in the Hwange National Park in S. Africa.  He was part of an Oxford University/Wildlife Conservation Research Unit research project to help study lion populations (living structures, conservation, etc) in the wild. (Lions have declined in the past 3 decades by more than 50% due to humans.)  The research team had been monitoring Cecil since he was a cub and tracking his pride and territory until 01 July 2015.

That was when a MN (US) Dentist paid 50K USD, for the "privilege" of hunting a lion. 
Cecil's death was not a swift death.  He was first wounded by bow and arrow and suffered for nearly 40 hours, before finally being shot with a rifle and killed. This, after he was lead out of the safety of his Park Sanctuary.  I will not/cannot give the details of his death, as they are barbaric and what was done is NOT what a true hunter does with their kills. Cecil was a Trophy to his killer, not an animal, just an object. - This hunt was purely for sport and pleasure and to top it all off - it was ILLEGAL and the local guide & farmer are currently awaiting trial for their roles in the hunt.

Anyone who has followed my blog for a number of years, may remember when I wanted to help Cause an "UpROAR", so this isn't just an emotional thing to fit in with current sentiments or trends - this has been a nearly 10 year journey thus far.  
I have been a passionate supporter of endangered animals for years - from campaigning to help end "canned hunts" and private ownership of exotic animals, to financial support of 'sanctuaries' that take in "exotic pets" and making contributions to endangered wild life refuges that take in the sick and re-release healthy "endangered", "threatened" and "vulnerable" wildlife.  So when I speak about the future, of the legacy we leave behind us; I speak from the heart with a genuine hope that there are many more people who believe just as passionately as I do.


I BEG YOU, please do NOT turn a blind eye.  
It is not someone else's problem - it won't just go away or correct itself.  
100 people saying "no" is barely a blip on the radar, compared to the billions of people on this planet.
10 Million people screaming "No" will get a little more noticed.... 
but 100 BILLION people screaming "THIS CAN'T BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN!!" can really bring about change!! 
 

Once these iconic and majestic animals, that so many just take for granted will always be here/after all, they were here LONG before us; are gone - they are GONE FOR GOOD!  The truth is, we as a human species, have already caused the extinction of many, many magnificent creatures!

Without YOUR intervention and voice, by the time your great granddaughter's daughter is in grade school, the African Lion may be reduced to only a memory in a book...  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has predicted that African Lions face extinction by the year 2050.  And may other animals on the Endangered List, don't even have that long!

So what does this have to do with crochet?  
Everything and Nothing - all together and at the same time.  Because I crochet, I am blessed with people who read my blog - therefore it is my duty to make sure that people know what is going on... at the very least, if I can alert 10 people to what is happening and they choose to act - then I have reached 10 people - who may reach 10 more people and so on... 
a domino effect that could actually become a beneficial and critical step in stopping the current extinction crisis.

"Only one good thing comes out of this – thousands of people have read the story and have also been shocked. Their eyes opened to the dark side of human nature."

  - Jane Goodall

Now, think of some of your favorite amigurumi projects that you've made over the years... and I am willing to bet you that several of your favorite animals can also be found on the Endangered Lists!  
From bats, bears, birds and butterflies to sloths, tigers, lions and sharks - there are so many beautiful creatures that we've made with our hands, hooks and fibers that have made the list. From critically endangered to vulnerable of becoming extinct - these are animals that have a very real threat of existing no more...  during OUR TIME.

But ultimately, what this post has to do with "crochet" is that on 01 November 2015 - I will be holding an auction to raise funds, by crocheting a FDbyK4TT original. 

Roland the Lion Cub from the Friends Series, will be modified as a tribute to Cecil the Lion and will be auctioned off via Facebook for you to own a one of a kind fiber tribute! 

Further details will be forthcoming as this auction gets closer, so please continue to watch for updates.

Cecil may no longer be 'trending' on social media - but he is FAR from forgotten!

Don't want to wait until November to do something to help these animals?  Please visit any of the websites linked within this post to learn more or donate directly to : Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WILDCRU)

Oh... Can I Translate that for You?

Believe it or not, this simple - seemingly harmless offer, send chills down many a designer's spine.
It seems like it would be so beneficial to have someone offer to make your patterns available in language(s) that you are not fluent in.  You would be able to branch out into markets previously untapped by you and that means more profit.  And many designers jump at the chance to put more money in their pocket!  After all, the BIG companies do it.  They have their works translated into nearly ever major language on the planet!  It's Win-Win... right?

No - it's really not.  And it's not as simple as just having "John/Jane Doe" substitute one language equivalent for another.  

Large companies offer their products/instructions in different languages because they have hundreds, or even thousands of employees; often, in various satellite offices in the areas they are marketing to.  People who speak a 2nd or even 3rd language as fluently as they speak their common language.  
For example, DRG Publishing, who is well known in the paper and fabric crafts (Annie's Attic, Molly Makes, etc), has hundreds of employees, sales & advertising associates as well as paid translators - that all fall under the broad umbrella of DRG Publishing.  That means it is in the translator's best interest to translate the instructions with the true intent of the designer; not 'interpret the designer's intention' or use variations in dialect or slang.  
If a pattern or design is not translated correctly and is then put into distribution to it's language destination - the complaints are going to DRG and someone is going to get reprimanded or even fired.
Using someone from a country offering to do you a 'favor' for the paycheck of a few free patterns... obviously, THEY can read your language well enough to offer to translate - but what is the incentive that they will translate your instructions correctly?  They've already gotten their "payment".  There is no contract between you and them saying what will/can happen if J.Doe misrepresents your work.  Ultimately, mistakes do not fall on the translator, the mistakes and ill feelings fall on your small business and on YOU as the designer.


There is also to consider - and this is specifically why I do NOT allow my patterns to be translated.  How are you going to help someone if you don't understand their native language?  Are you going to try to use an online translator and hope/pray that it get's it accurate?  (Don't you think that the person asking you the questions has already tried that?)

I have online friends from Brazil (Portuguese), the Netherlands (Dutch), Canada & France (French), Mexico (Spanish) as well as Cape Verde and Jamaica; and in the real world I have friends who speak Portuguese, Spanish, French and Italian - heck, my X-sister inlaw taught high school French - but they know next to nothing about crocheting.  
Sure, I could get into a healthy conversation regarding food, home life or religion with any of them because we would be speaking in commonly used terms - actually we would be speaking primarily in English, with a few 'foreign' words tossed in here or there - but it is not about a specific craft with specific and not commonly used 'foreign words' (outside the craft). It's also with people who know and trust/understand you.

I have fellow designers who have also offered to translate my own works into other languages - languages which they offer their own works in their shops.  So I KNOW they are proficient in the regular language of the translations as well as the "crafting language"; and could translate the work accurately.
BUT.. are they going to take away from their crafting time or time away from assisting their own customers - to assist my client if there is an issue or someone has a question? 

Someone who has paid money for instructions in their own language doesn't "know you".  They are your customer.  They are expecting YOU to help them complete their project - and they are already probably a bit frustrated because something they paid money for isn't working for them.  In order for you to able to assist them, you need to be able to understand what they are having an issue with and explain to them how to fix it - in a way that they will be able to understand - IN THEIR LANGUAGE!   

And finally.. ... while no one likes to admit it - IT IS a very sad fact.  There are dishonest people out there!  In fact, there are a lot of dishonest people out there.  Maybe YOU don't know about it - because YOU are an honest person.  
You don't buy a pattern and turn around and put it on an illegal download site.. or translate it and sell it on a "specific language" site.  But there are MANY who do.. unscrupulous people looking to make a quick buck without actually working for it.  
I know of several artists, including myself, who have had their work fraudulently misrepresented and stolen by others; to be sold in online stores and even PUBLISHED in foreign MAGAZINES!  And how did they get their hands on the original?  At least one that I have personal knowledge of, offered to "translate" for a designer.   She translated nothing for the designer, but instead, translated the works for a local magazine and sold it to them.
 

For those looking to 'translate' - the honest people, who just love the craft and want to 'help' - I know there are MANY of you out there too.  The "cold sell" (that is sending an eMail or private message to someone saying "hey I translate for others, I can translate for you") is not the best way to go.
I recommend that you build up a rapport with a designer or designers that you enjoy.  Support their craft by purchasing their patterns.  Show them photos of your finished works.  Talk to them and get to know them before making an offer to "help" by translating.  Once trust is established, and a friendship is developed - that is when the 'partnership' is mutually beneficial to everyone involved.   


I cannot say that FDbyK4TT will never offer patterns in a language other than English, but IF/when this ever happens.  It won't be "as a favor".  The translator is instrumental in making those foreign sales and they deserve compensation also (beyond a free pattern ).  
Translators, do not sell yourself short either - you are doing something for the designer that the designer cannot do for themselves.  Each foreign copy sold would not be possible without YOUR assistance in translating the instructions.  Whether you establish a "set fee" for your time or a % of each sale; you have added your name to that designer's team and you should be compensated for that.

While the gesture is kind and in MANY cases, very sincere and heart-felt.  Before you decide to just allow 'anyone' to translate your work, you must remember that YOUR NAME - YOUR REPUTATION is the one that is on the line, not theirs.

Shooting Yourself in the Foot

I have really, REALLY been surprised in the past few days at the sheer number of posts I have read from hobbyists, working with fiber, who allow their furry children around their works in progress. 
and even worse - taking to social media and complaining about an infestation issue they are having within their homes.
Then weeks later, these same people are complaining about low sales or having a clearance sale to move inventory - because nothing is selling.

Would YOU purchase an item from a home that has bedbugs?  fleas?  ants? lice?  or would you just be a tad concerned that you may get a hitchhiker along for the ride on the item that you have just purchased?

If you are only making items for your family and friends - then yes, the chances are that 'they' would already know about Fido bringing fleas into the home.  They would know that Fluffy thinks that fuzzy skein of yarn is just aces to sleep on.. whether it is in use or not.  These are family members who know and most likely support your furry children as well as your crafting endeavors, but ... you are also (most likely) not charging them at all - or not nearly what you are listing items for online.

Perhaps I have set a bad example.  Some of the photos that I have shared on social media do happen to have one of my furry beasties in it.  There was my Moose with his Moose in one - there was the Cat in my lap and the cat on the keys... 
but NONE of these items were for sale!  My original models ALWAYS go to the copyright office - well except for the ones who are stolen by said beastie.  What is photographed never sees anything more than a box and a storage shelf or the inside of a dog jowl.
I can afford to be more 'playful' with my photos because I am not making a finished item to sell to the public. 

When I do crochet pieces for charity or for sale - these items are always completed in what I refer to as the 'studio' .. this is the one room of the house which does not see animals often (it's in the basement by the laundry) and when I am in there, absolutely no one with fur or dander (and occasionally, the no one with questions or food either)  are granted access to my studio.  
Although primarily I design patterns - my finished items also say something about my work.  My WIPs, I make for sale, always have their own sealed bag to store in, are packaged (in many instances) immediately after finishing and photoshoot - to insure that when I advertise the item, it will be dust free, hair/dander free and ready to go upon it's sale.

Always remember that when you are treating your hobby as a business - your customers are expecting 'business quality' in all aspects.  While dog hair on a doll may be just a minor inconvenience to you - quickly brushed off... like 90% of your furniture, clothing and everything else in your home (we do love our beasties!) - to your BUYER, it's 'dirty'.
While a bit of cathair on that afghan is just a well loved 'comfy seat' seal of approval to you, to someone with a cat allergy, it's an annoyance that they paid to receive!  Smokers (and I am one of them) need to remember to wash those hands each and everytime you pick up that yarn to work (I have never smoked in the house - BUT, that smell can stick in your clothing and your fingers.. the same fingers that your yarn is filing through to make an item!) and reformed smokers as well as non-smokers can smell the faintest whiff of burnt nicotine on any fabric made item.


I am not trying to be preachy and I truly hope it doesn't come across that way.  I am merely trying to help point out that some really crafty people are shooting themselves (and their business) in the foot because they are turning potential clientele off, with seemingly harmless posts and rants - that in reality, most likely, doesn't reflect their work.

.

Wow! Just WOW!

I've been a bit out of it for a week or more - that is to say, my computer has been 'out of it'; but it's left me some time to do some 'surfing' and see what others are up to.
and WOW!  Just WOW!  

First a sidenote: Learn a lesson from my misfortune - be very careful when using your Anit-Spam/Virus/Maleware Software to run "Computer Cleanups" on your machine - do some research before just clicking 'clean' or 'repair' or whatever and thinking you are going to end up with enhanced performance. 
Apparently quite a few "anti" programs do not play nicely with the Windows OS (which backs up what I've always thought about the Windows OS... it's full of 'bugs') - and that can lead to critical errors that can slow down your computer, eat your memory and/or send your 'beast' to the fix-it shop!

Okay - back on task.
Although, after the week I've had, I think we can all agree: me forming & blogging clear and concise thoughts, would be the biggest win of the day.
So let's see how I do.

So, with the Beast in the clinic.. I've had idle time on my hands - something rare to be sure, but writing down instructions on paper (knowing I will have to retype it later) just hasn't had as much appeal - especially with everything else.  
And texting...  yeah,  "What time will u b home?" is fine... but trying to actually type a meaningful few lines of text using a phone keypad.. 
let's just say that I am totally convinced cellphones were designed for people between the ages of 14 & 25 and made to make the rest of us feel outdated.  

But webpages can be viewed just fine, so I went digging for "tips & tricks" that designers have posted - NEVER stop learning, evolving.. experimenting...
I brought up my favorite search engine and typed in "Crocheting Tips & Tricks"...
What a load of rubbish!

I don't mean that in some evil, nasty, Diva Designer, foot stomping show of disagreement...
No, I mean it in as a "are you freaking kidding me with this advice?" sort of way.  
Who is doling out this crap??  It's enough to intimidate anyone from wanting to pickup a hook and learn... 

"Oh this rule and that rule and omg.. I can't use such a small hook - but if it's the only way to get it right.. I will make myself miserable and just do it!"


I've read.. 

"you need to hold your crochet hook like a knife to get a tight stitch and get rid of holes in your work"
Hmm... really?  Well then I guess I am doing it all wrong!  I should just pack it up and call it a day!
No, you NEED to hold your crochet hook however it feels comfortable for you to hold your crochet hook.  
Your hand being comfortable with your hook is the only thing that matters when it comes to "how to hold".
I hold my hook differently at different times.  Most often, it's held like a pencil.. sometimes, when I am wearing my compression glove, I can't even tell you what that 'hold' would be titled but it's laying across my ring finger and pinkie.  And every so often, I hold my hook like I am ready to cut a piece of meat...  
It is CROCHET.  Crochet has 'holes' between stitches.  
Tighter (uniform) stitches and less 'holes' (aesthetically less gapping) will come when you learn how to control your tension - which in most cases is a TIME thing - NOT a position thing.


"Train yourself how to crochet right handed or you won't be able to make many of the patterns"
That's right.. you've used your left hand for 20+ years of your life to do everything from feeding yourself to signing your name... and now because you want to learn how to crochet, you need to modify your entire way of life. *Checks for a Catholic Nun with a wooden ruler standing near by*
I actually used a few not-so-lady-like words, directed at the phone screen and the author, behind this nugget of information, when I read it.

Two of my testers, a family member and 3 of my crocheting friends would strongly disagree. I am sure that there are plenty of other left-handed hookers out there that would also lend an opinion to that statement - but it is absolutely WRONG.  
I would be lying through my teeth if I said I could tell you what lefties do differently than righties - I've asked, but it's not something that has 'stuck' in my head - I am right handed... and my lefty friends have not 'needed' my assistance past a "how do you do this stitch" or "what does this instruction mean?" - so it's been one of those juicy little tidbits of information that wasn't held onto for very long.

But I do know that when I write patterns, I am writing them as a "right handed" person and my testers have NEVER had a problem testing any of my patterns or had finished items that looked vastly different than the instructions!  

If you are left-handed, NO, you do NOT have to learn to crochet with your right hand - and NO you are not limited to the handful of patterns which are specifically designed for "lefty"  HOWEVER, you will need to do a little research on the 'tricks'.. which I believe (and don't quote me) involves little more than just doing things backwards - Instead of "sc in ea of nxt 2, Inc in nxt st, sc in ea of nxt 5" you would do the sc in 5 first, then the Inc, then the 2.
I think... but this really is more for CLOTHING - most amigurumi can be competed easily by lefties or righties!
No, the only thing you NEED to do is ENJOY crocheting!


"use a smaller hook" - "do not use a hook larger than an F to avoid 'holes' in your work in your amigurumi"
Several bloggers have shared this 'tip'.
Hmm...  wonder if designers like Erin of ErinsToyStore, Debbie of DJonesGirlz, Sally of KTBDesigns, Amy Gaines,  Heidi of SnappyTots and of course, your's truly are aware that we are using the wrong hook!
Each of us are able to make use of a Size "G" (or larger) in the majority of our amigurumi crochet works without leaving unsightly gaps. 
And I am quite confident there are considerably MORE hookers, designers and hobbyists who use larger hooks - without cringing at the 'holes' left behind.  The designers mentioned here are those which I have personally used instruction from, tested for or have in my current library of patterns; are highly regarded and have been crocheting and selling patterns on etsy for many years.
So to suggest that the only way to remove 'gaps' and create a lovely piece of crochet work is to use a tiny hook is inaccurate. Again it comes down to experience and control.

So what's the big deal with just using a smaller hook?
Well, there are a few "big deals" with it.. 

1. Some people due to disabilities, age or even newness to the craft, cannot use a size "C", "D", "E" or "F" hook.  Have you seen these hooks? If not, the next time you are in your favorite craft store, just look at them - the tension that they are going to put on your hand and your wrist is going to be great.  This is coming from a person who used to crochet exclusively with a "size 00 steel thread hook".  
2. While gauge is not so critical for amigurumi that a smaller hook is going to completely destroy your project, it will produce a smaller project than what you think you are making or what has been advertised and what you paid for. When a designer creates a project, enticing enough that you want to make it yourself, you want to follow the designer's instructions on the yarns to use as well as the size hook to crochet with - just as you follow the rest of the designer's instructions on how many rounds to make or where to increase and decrease.
3.  Sooner or later, eventually you WILL want to make something at the proper gauge.  Be it a blanket for a new baby... a backpack for that first day of school ... or an article of clothing for some special occasion.  It is always more challenging to break bad habits once they've become the norm.
Learn control off the bat and you will forever have it.  It's actually funny that several bloggers have suggested using a smaller hook to get rid of holes.  Whenever someone asks me, I always recommend working with a LARGER hook..  if you can control your tension evenly and create something that doesn't have gaping holes with an "H" hook or "J" hook, then for a project that you really need a holeless G project, you will have the confidence to work the instructions as the designer intended.

These are not "tips nor tricks" in my opinion.  They are merely bad advice and hacks.
Well, okay - maybe not "bad" advice.. but definitely short-sighted.  
Well... okay, one is just absolutely HORRIBLE advice.. 
and "hacks" may only work with a specific 'designer' and their own personal style.

If you ONLY plan on making amigurumi then some of the advice & hacks out there might be "helpful'
But if you want to make magic.. dolls, toys, outwear, intimate wear, blankets.. household items - items to hold things.. items to store things... then you need to toss these sort of "tips" and "tricks" out the window!

Most Often Asked Question

The most often asked question I get is truly the most surprising to me.  And it doesn't matter how it's phrased, it's always the same..

"What do you use to..."

I guess I find it surprising because I had never thought it was any different than what everyone else is/was using. As if I had some sort of magical tool that made things work as intended each and every time.  Mostly, it's just whatever makes the process easier.
So I will show you my "Crochet Arsenal" and see how it compares with what you use.


1.  Hook(s):  Every crocheter has hooks, this is a given - but what hooks are in your arsenal?  
Mine range from size 14 (thread) to Size P (at least I think that is currently the biggest hook I have, although I rarely use it).  But comfort and weight are the most important factor in your hook - it should feel comfortable to YOU.  It doesn't matter what the designer uses, what your best friend uses... you need a hook that feels good in YOUR hand .. an extension of your hand.

About 2 years ago, I had a client ask me if I used ergonomic hooks... and at the time, I did not.  
I was using the standard ole' Boye hook that could be purchased at any chain store that also sold crafts. Heck, once or twice, I had even seen Boye (or was it Bates) hooks in a Dollar Store.
But,  I was happy, didn't feel I needed anything 'fancy'... my 'standard' hooks did their job!  Then a client sent me a Crochet Dude ergonomic hook because that is what she used and loved... and  boy oh boy how my opinion changed!!
Now, I hate working with standard hooks.. I love my soft-grips and bulkier handle :)   I won't go into all the 'reasons' behind ergonomic hooks - there are plenty of pros/cons and blogs about what is so great (or horrible) about them.

I currently use (almost exclusively) Tulip Etimo Crochet Hooks. 
In fact, I love my Tulips so much; I purchased an extra set for myself in addition to purchasing a set for my lead associate.
It's all about comfort and I found these to be the most comfortable hook I've ever held.

Some suggestions before anyone rushes out and purchases a set, since these hooks can be quite expensive (Tulips are about $8 a hook/Crochet Dude Hooks are about $3).
     - Start by purchasing only 1 hook in the size you use most often.  It may take a little bit to get used to the new feel of the hook in your hand, and let's face it, you may not like it.  It feels different, bulkier.. heavier and may even feel a little 'off balanced' at first.  (I found these issues were easy to overcome - but that's me!  It took me about 2 days to feel completely comfortable with the new sensation in my hand)
     - Borrow a friend's extra hook 
     - Use coupons.  Now almost every major chain craft store offers 'deals' and discounts either through mailings or clubs. And yes, Michael's, ACMoore, Joann's and even WalMart carry "ergonomic hooks" now.

2.  Earring Findings??:  Well, okay - this one might not be as usual, but it's purpose sure is.  How do I use them?  These little beauties make EXCELLENT stitch markers!    I know many people use a snippet of yarn or a safety pin and some even purchase plastic stitch markers and that is what I used to use... until I had put my work down to grab the phone (out of my reach) and someone (a four legged someone) had snagged a toe on the working yarn while attempting to follow me.. and before I knew it.. I had 4 rounds pulled out.
For me, personally, I couldn't live without my earring findings.  They are very thin, so they don't gap the stitches.  They clasp closed, so I don't have to worry about accidentally pulling something out and they also can be used to "hold a loop" so that when you want to finish up for the night, you don't have to worry about your last few stitches going missing due to someone 'moving' your work!

3.  Knitting Needles:  Katt's got her crafts mixed up!  Knitting Needles are for KNITTING! what could they possibly have to do with Crochet?  Well, originally, I purchased knitting needles for, well, teaching myself how to knit... sadly there's just never been the time (or patience on my end).  
But one evening while working on a scuptgurumi, I could not locate a dowel to use for my neck - but there were these thin knitting needles sitting there.. so what could it hurt?
These long needles hold Amigurumi heads on very well!  Inserting the needle from butt (seated point) and out through neck and then into head or your doll can allow for optimal placement, posture and tilt!   This gives your creation it's own personality each and every time, before making that final commitment with needle and thread/yarn.  (They also work real good for leg placement(s).)  
** If you like this idea, remember to purchase very THIN needles as they WILL spread stitches.

4.  Quilting Pins/Long Pins:  I cannot live without my pins.  To me, they are nearly as valuable a crocheting item as the hook or yarn(s) I have at my disposal.
Well, you "design", I only follow instructions!  Of course you NEED pins as part of the designing - so you can tell me where to put things.
What most clients don't give themselves enough credit for is the art that they, themselves are also making!  I merely provide the 'recipe', it is YOU who provide the love and the "ingredients"... that is why handmade is always unique.
Your tension, flare, color choices... even how lightly or full you stuff your work can vastly change the 'look' of a project.  

Sometimes clients get a bit frustrated because I do not include in the instructions for the EXACT placements for items.  I tend to be more general. 

                "Between Rnds 9 &15 centered on Head" .. etc..  and this is intentional.  
Sure, I could write, top of eye should hit Rnd xx, bottom of eye to hit Rnd xx .... 12 sts out from center of Head.

But making art isn't an exact science.  What if you didn't use Red Heart Yarn?  What if you had to use a thinner yarn as many of my overseas clients are forced to do...  or if you do not stuff your head as firmly as I do?  What if you cannot maintain your tension throughout a project or cannot use the size hook that is listed in the materials?  (Not everyone can crochet with an F Hook or even a G.)
While in theory the placement(s) should still work ...  theory doesn't always match up with what actually happens.  

AESTHETICALLY.. (that is a viewer's perception), your project could be vastly to slightly different, due to the individuality of a client's work or even personal preference.  
In addition, feature placements can change a 'personality'.   It is in my own humble opinion, that how exactly to arrange a project's features should be a "personal one" based on general "rules" - eyes belong on head above the nose, ears belong either at the top or along the side and noses fall center of the face under the eyes.... but then again, you see something like this..

© 2008 Sue PendletonSakura, A Little Japanese Bear

and he is ADORABLE!  Yet very unconventional!
Pins allow you to position and re-position before 'finalizing' your project.  You would be surprised at just how many looks can be made using the same features!
Do not under-estimate the artistic role YOU take in creating a project from FDbyK4TT pattern.

5.  General Purpose Tweezers:  I remember a few years ago watching as a designer marketed this plastic "stuffing tool" and I thought to myself.. OMG Really?!  Why on Earth would anyone need that?  I was surprised by how many people actually were interested in the little gadget.  Color me perplexed!

This item would be 1 of 2 items that I wouldn't be surprised to hear wasn't in a the casual crocheter's arsenal - but for any die-hard amigurumi hooker, it's a MUST HAVE!  Not only does a pair of tweezers help with stuffing - but also for those little tails that eventually will have to be hidden!
I also like to remove individual strands of stray fil with my tweezers, as sometimes these little strays aren't just laying on the project, but are weaved into the stitches or poking out a stitch.

7.  Yarn/Embroidery & Upholstery Needle(s):  I am probably the world's 2nd worst seamstress.  I say 2nd, because I am sure that there is someone out there that is worse than I am... perhaps a toddler or someone that may have to use fabricated materials (like a sturdy twig with an 'eye') to secure one thing to another... but I am really BAD.  
Because of this, I look for the simplest tools to help make the most challenging aspect of my work as easy as possible (and help it to look professional as possible).

In addition to needles like those photographed above, I also have several long needles which range from 6 inches in length to one that is 10 inches in length.  I use these very seldom, but they can be very useful when attaching limbs to a body of a doll!  (Example would be Pulp the Pumpkin)

8, 9 & 10  Yarn, Scissors & Fil: Obviously, in addition to hooks, the crocheter will need some form of working material.  Whether it is worsted weight yarn, baby yarn, sports yarn.. the list goes on and on.  Eventually, you will find a medium that you work best with.  
For amigurumi, I can't stress enough how good Red Heart's Acrylic Worsted Weight yarn is.  Unlike clothing items, like hats and afghans (for which I use cotton most of the time), toys need to be a little 'stiffer' to help hold their shape.  RH yarns I have found to be the best!

Scissors - You must have a sharp cutting instrument at your side at all times!  Dull cutting tools will only cause you more headaches in the long-run!  Let's face it, yarn is not always perfect - pulls, clumps and snags can show up anywhere in a skein of yarn; most often when you've got a good rhythm going.    Having your cutting tools with you makes quick work of little annoyances and get's you back to crocheting quickly!  The Clover Pendant (like in the photo above) was given to me a few years ago as a gift by an associate... and it's around my neck at all times :)

edit: oops!  I originally forgot to write in the fil.  I use a variety of fil - but the one I use most often, is Fairfield Polyfil.  It's inexpensive and it does not clump or get all yucky when I am filling it in my projects -  since I am a heavy stuffer, this is majorly important.


I hope that for the casual crocheter, this post helps you create projects that you find more rewarding and less 'stressful' to complete.   
Having the proper tools by your side, can truly make all the difference in your creations.
If this posts inspires you to create more handmade treats for your family and friends, then I have accomplished my mission.  
If you have suggestions that you wouldn't mind passing on, I'd be happy to share them as well.  Sharing great tips is how we all benefit.

Oh What a Beautiful Sight..

Have you ever seen such a beautiful sight in your life??
Well, okay, yeah... there's family - the birth of a child.. the first bloom of Spring, the sweet face of a baby animal...  I get it...
but as a designer, this sight ranks right up there.. it's definitely (well, probably) in the Top 10....20... 50 - definitely Top 100.

Yeah, well this time I was especially excited to see the "Oop's Truck" (as the people used to call it),  since I ran out of Polyfil and wouldn't be able to get to the store until the weekend (and it's not like it's entirely my fault, half of my studio is still packed away in boxes) 
... and of course, I was awaiting some new yarn colors.  I do get really excited about 'new' colors... is that weird?

Yarn deliveries always make me smile!  The Hub keeps telling me he is going to buy stock in Red Heart and Bernat, at the rate I use them up :)  He also said this Halloween he was going to charge the neighborhood kids admission to "FiberDoodle's Laboratory of Pain" - where heads, bodies and severed limbs can be found among the bookshelves, stands, baskets, chairs and workstation ... yeah.. he's funny... not-so-much!

In all seriousness, I don’t know how other crochet designers do it, but sometimes, I have to take something apart many times before I finally achieve the look I am aiming for - I don't think too many "designers" create a flawless design on the first try every time they pick up their hook - I may be wrong, but that level of perfection is akin to "Crochet God". 
I, however, will try something one way for a few hours, decide I don't like it, unravel it, try it again, unravel it again - walk away, pout, tantrum, calm down and then start all over again.   
and then, sometimes, I just chuck it in the waste bin and start over from scratch a year or two later...

Many times, what looks so mind-blowingly perfect, in the moment; doesn't live up to my visual standards 24 hours later. (24 hours is my personal 'aesthetic test' - I set completed projects aside and out of sight for 24 hours, if I still am pleased with the result after that; off it goes to an associate for testing!)
While the end result (hopefully) appears streamlined and simple for you, the crocheter; you’ll never really hear about just how many hours went into deciding how big or small to make a feature, what features were needed or even what shape the project should be; or just how much yarn is chewed up and spat back out,for something that will take you less than 7oz of any one color and only a few hours to make.

Yup, sometimes, after working on a new pattern/project for 2 or 3 days, I still end up with a pile of unraveled yarn, and a nothing to show for it.. except an ever growing pile of unraveled yarn.

So how much yarn do you think I go through in a typical month? 

Well, on a good month, I purchase between 8-16 skeins of yarn a weekend (shh don't tell the hub!)  That doesn't mean I use all those skeins.. but sometimes you really just can't walk away from a good 'deal' on clearance yarns or that 'new color' sitting there, just released, in all it's .. ohh-what-can-I-make-with-that? glory...  ... or 1 of 700 different other reasons.  :)

I am a very visual person... and about 2 years ago, I began saving the yarn wrappers from my yearly yarn usage from January until December (this helps with inventory for the year.)

So, so far this year?
hmm..

Ohh!! Did you hear that??  That was my knitting friends, letting out their anguished cries of scratchy pain, just seeing all those Red Heart labels!  *grin*

I placed a Boye size H crochet hook in the middle of the second photo taken, so you can gain a truer perspective on the mass of labels that I have used since January of this year on "designing"... and that is with 3 months of Summer vaycay..  
for those 'counting' there's over 230 skein wrappers there.. and that is not counting my 'other brand usage'.. hee hee..

Told you I have a "supportive man in my life".  But, yeah, I am beginning to think he should buy stock too!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

"The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness. When you become a mother, you are no longer the center of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children."

~Jessica Lange

Enjoy Mother's Day!!

Happy Easter!

All I need to know about life,  I have learned from the Easter Bunny!

~  Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. ~

~  Everyone needs a friend who is all ears. ~

~  There’s no such thing as too much candy. ~

~  All work and no play can make you a basket case. ~

~  A cute tail attracts a lot of attention. ~

~  Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day. ~

~  Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits. ~

~  Some body parts should be floppy. ~

~  Keep your paws off of other people’s jelly beans. ~

~  Good things come in small, sugar coated packages. ~

~  The grass is always greener in someone else’s basket. ~

~  To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell. ~

~  The best things in life are still sweet and gooey. ~

Happy Easter!

Animal Safety Post - Easter Time

Lilies decorate homes and churches at this time of the year as a symbol of purity, joy, hope and life.  The lily is mentioned frequently throughout the Bible and serves today as a beautiful reminder of the significance of the Easter season.

In Christian tradition, the Easter Lily signifies rebirth and new beginnings. 
It is said that beautiful white lilies sprang up in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus wept in the last hours before he was betrayed by Judas. Another legend claims that the white lilies grew from the repentant tears shed by Eve upon her departure from Paradise.
Christian beliefs aside, the Lily is one of the most prominent flowers at this time of year - and to your cat, one of the most deadly items in your home.

All parts of the lily are toxic to cats. Lilies are actually so poisonous, that a cat can suffer fatal kidney failure just from nibbling a leaf, licking pollen off it's fur or even drinking the water from a vase with cut lilies in it.

Please feel free to pass the message on to all cat households where this beautiful flower may be a visual announcement of the Easter Season or Spring.

You can also download (in pdf format) and print this informational poster to place on Ad boards at your local super market, florist or wherever Lilies may be sold.