Knitting Pretty: Simple Instructions for 30 Fabulous Projects by Kris Percival

Hip to Knit: 18 Contemporary Projects for Today’s Knitter by Judith L. Swartz

The Urban Knitter: A New Generation of Contemporary Designs and Creative Inspiration by Lily M. Chin

I have a new listing in my Etsy shop for the collection of three books; they’ll be sent via USPS Media Mail. Due to postal restrictions, US buyers only, please.

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If you’d like to try this pattern, it’s available on my Etsy store for just $3! All digital patterns ship FREE of charge.

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Take advantage of this now so that you’ll have plenty of time to make these up for holiday gifts. They’re super quick and easy, so you’ll be able to stuff everyone’s stockings with time to spare.

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Autumn Leaves, California

So it may not be “officially” autumn for another week or so, but I for one can’t wait! I’ve heard people say that we don’t have seasons in California, but we do. They are more subtle, but are every bit as enjoyable as anywhere else. To celebrate the changing season, I’d like to share a pattern for making a crochet pumpkin.

This pumpkin is made in spiral rounds (like amigurumi), using the same techniques as my “Increasingly Evenly” tutorial. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, a super bulky wool/acrylic blend with a size “L” (8mm) crochet hook. The finished project is 7″ across and 9″ tall.

Pumpkin

AmyGurumi Pumpkin

Rnd 1 – Work 6 sc into magic ring or chain start. Pull ring closed
Rnd 2-8 – Increase evenly to 48 sts.
Rnd 9-14 – Work even (48 sts).
Rnd 15-21 – Decrease evenly to 6 sts; work in ends and begin stuffing when you have 18 sts left. Fasten off leaving long tail. Use tail to catch the front loop of each stitch and pull the remaining circle closed.

Stem

Rnd 1 – Work 4 sc into magic ring or chain start. Pull ring closed.
Rnd 2 – Work 2 sc into each st around (8 sts).
Rnd 3-7 – Work even (8 sts).
Rnd 8 – [Sc into next st; ch 5; sc in each ch; sl st] repeat around. To make fewer points around, sl st instead. You can also vary the number of chains to create a more uneven, “natural” look.

Vine

Ch 20. Sl st in each ch; fasten off.

This is a simple project that can you can use as a starting point for many variations. Try increasing to a greater number of stitches before working even if you’d like a larger pumpkin. For a taller pumpkin, work even for more rounds.

You can also achieve a different look by using the same pattern with a worsted weight yarn. Keep in mind that your pumpkin will be much smaller unless you increase the number of stitches.

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Our friends over at CRAFT are hosting a crochet-along for a tiny, brushed amigurumi panda designed by Tamie Snow of Roxycraft. Check out the site to join in the fun. The project is co-sponsored by Lion Brand Yarn.

This is a great way to score a wonderful FREE pattern, and learn a new technique: brushed yarn, which seems to be all the rage these days.

There’s a Flickr group to show off your work, and Tamie will be giving a lesson September 7 at noon Pacific. Not sure how the lesson is going to work; I’m assuming that details will be forthcoming from CRAFT. Flickr group members who post pictures will be eligible to win giveaways including Tamie’s book, Tiny Yarn Animals.

Let me know if you’re planning on participating!

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Just finished writing up the pattern for Fielding the Mouse, my latest amigurumi pattern. He’d make a fun desk/cubicle buddy, and can’t avoid his destiny as a cat toy! Just stuff him with fiberfill and catnip, and let the games begin.

Pattern available on Etsy and Ravelry. Let me know what you think.

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Yay! I’ve posted the last of the four new patterns on Etsy. Whew. Time to take a break from all the computer work and pick up that crochet hook again, lol.

Pirouette is one of my favorite designs so far. She’s very simple, but I think she’s pretty charming. I wanted to keep all four of the pattterns quick and easy. I think they’ll make nice summer projects and would all be sweet gifts.

Enjoy the weekend!

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Sheldon is coming out of his shell just in time to make an appearance on my Etsy store. My son asked me to make a “turtle cuddle guy”, and Sheldon is the result.

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