A sign that I should really learn how to crochet

Quick post! So short and sweet that I won't even put a Read More break.

    

I made this minty fella for my cousin's child. The pattern is the Big Orange Elephant by Claire Fairall Designs knit with Red Heart Soft in Minty, held double on US 10 needles. This is an extremely easy pattern as you knit back and forth in garter stitch. The shape you end up with is a very rectangular and uncomplicated.

I don't think I like stuffing knitted toys because of the stretch factor. I'd rather sew multiple pieces for a plushie with a more defined shape. Plus you can see the polyfil stuffing through the holes in the stitches, even after I went down one from the suggested needle size. Shoulda gone down another!

I could solve the fabric density problem if I just learned amigurumi like any good fiber artist. I got one foundational skill down; I crocheted little wheels for the mint ele-phriend's chocolate brown eyes. If they hold up better than plastic buttons would, maybe I'll consider picking up crochet knowing my struggle was worth it. (Yes it was a struggle to make two simple circles. Do not judge me).

    

(Braided tail made from this video tutorial; this person's channel is legitimately one of my favorite crafting resources and I hope that this information is preserved long after our society has perished).

How to manipulate aluminum mesh or "chain mail"

 

    

Chain mail! The best metal "fabric." You may have seen this material in tiny novelty evening bags, 2000s-era slinky "going out" tops and... well that's probably the extent of its use. I'm no advocate for it becoming a widespread material for fashion but I'd like to showcase some of its characteristics as a material. Y'know, for the novelty. Let's get inspired!

Instant Classic

    

There must be something going on with me to go through a creative block and then frantically tackle a feat as laborious as knitting a sweater. Something simple and small to ease me back in? Nah.

It took me just over three weeks, without breaking for a single day (save for blocking and drying). That's just what happens when I see a potential closet staple: I want to get it done as fast as possible in order to maximize the chances I'll get to wear it. 

"The simplest things are the hardest to execute"

Now, that's generally a true statement but currently it feels like an excuse or a cop out. Because, rather than this being a difficult project (they're t-shirts, come on!) it's more that I got complacent. Now you can see me grump and grouse about it.

Fedorable

Yet another knitting project where I could not force myself to get away from plain stockinette stitch... but I'm not even sure this registers as knitting on most people's radars. The bulk of its creation was all things I'd never done before. Millinery is a whole other animal.

RPG dice and resin casting

Gilded waves

Having no event to go to is no reason to avoid making formalwear!*

Is what I'm telling myself. It's going to sit in my closet untouched for a very long time and I'm trying to justify it by calling it a project for refining my skills. Anyway! Wanna see my cool jumpsuit?

Eventual trash

If you make something and you toss it without posting it on the internet first, does it even exist? ...And why did you toss it in the first place?

Black basics

    

Quick makes! Here are some sweatpants and sweat-shorts made from my trusty self-drafted pants pattern. Not much to say about construction, they’re pull-on and dartless as all sweats should be.

Shirt 3: Dandy hands

 

The final shirt using remaining print from my Mood haul, a poplin long-sleeve version with the same classic collar and collar stand. It retains the curved, slight high-low hem instead of a straight hem all around, and unlike the first two I felt compelled to pattern-match where it counts.

Gift post

Two quick, instant gratification knitting projects and an appropriately quick post. The cardigan is for my cousin's baby and the beret is a birthday gift for my eclectically fashionable brother.

Shirt 2: Jungle Chic

 

It's the same shirt pattern! Number two! I feel like I need to keep this one brief to avoid being redundant, heh.

Lining up

Summer's here! I'm blogging this light, casual shirt this time, using the same pattern as my Mario print button-up. I drafted a different collar and facing to achieve a notched camp collar look instead of the traditional collar and collar stand. This is the first of a bunch of shirts modified from the same base pattern.

Neon 'pus

Completed April 2021.

I've been pining after the Embrace Octopus Sweater since my teens, when I first learned to knit, and I'm delighted to say I beat an instance of "hey this is cool and I would like to make it but likely never will" syndrome. Make no mistake, I will continue to catalogue stuff that will never be fully realized, but for the moment I can celebrate having conquered The Big One.

It's a Mario!

Completed September 2020.

It’s a he! And all of his go-kart buddies!

Dungarees is a funny word

Originally completed March 2019, some minor revisions since.

It's the overalls post! My favorite article of clothing, self-made or bought off the rack. Admittedly they're pretty plain in a solid black denim twill and visually, little else, but their strength is versatility in being so low-key. They're black jeans with a bib! They'll be in style forever! (?????)

There's a lot I like about my dung'ees, and this is going to be a long post.

Varsity schmarsity

Final version completed February 2020.

Project began in September 2016 ugh.

This jacket has been through two revisions and I truly can't remember when exactly the first two "completions" were. I bet I didn't take photos either time because I subconsciously knew how unsatisfied I was. I didn't want to admit it because the even the first version was a several months-long ordeal and I needed to feel like my time wasn't wasted. At least this time I know for a fact that I will not be making a third revision.

The easiest cosplay

Completed October 2016.

Halloween is the silliest, and therefore my favorite, of all holidays. It's also one of the most stressful holidays, personally, because I always feel like whatever I put on must be handmade, otherwise I've failed myself. The loophole is that I just put on the same self-made costume for years and years. It's fine! My creations are timeless, and so is this Pokemon costume, because Pokemon will always be relevant!

Poliwhirl isn't one of my favorite Pokemon but it is one of the cutest. Just look at how it moves!

And that's the jolly lil dance I did all Halloween season in 2016. I didn't need any other reason to want this to be my costume.

Throwback

Completed 2014.

This dress is a simple fit-and-flare with a gathered skirt made from cotton jersey. It’s the oldest self-made garment that is still currently in my possession. Meaning, it’s the only still-wearable apparel I ever made as a teenager, even if I never actually wear it due my tastes having changed. I know that it still fits perfectly fine. Hooray for easy silhouettes! As for difficulty in construction...