I'm working on a few other projects that are secret 'cause they're presents, but this one's a present that the recipient is expecting, so you get to see her now:



I'm still waiting to hear from Katie to see if she needs any adjustment or whether the colour is what she had in mind, but it's nice to have another pony done!

As many of you know, I've been working on a pattern for making pones based on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

I finally sat down and stuck the pattern and the pictures together, so now you can all make ponies! And best of all, the pattern is free! (This is mostly 'cause I'm that kind of person, but it is complex for me to sell anything due to the conditions of my work visa here in the US. Which is to say please don't ask me if I can sell you a finished pony; I can't.)

The pattern as a pretty printable PDF
The pattern in HTML
The pattern on Ravelry
The pattern on DeviantArt (No good reason for this except that there's lots of bronies there and I might as well share where the community is!)

And to remind you, here's what you'd be making:







More photos here.

I'm really nervous about this because it's the most complex pattern I've ever posted online and because I know other people really want it. I hope people enjoy it!

I bought some baby yarn to finish out a bunny hat I was making for krayola 's daughter, and enjoyed the feel of it so much that I figured I should make something small. Very small. The bunny is about the size of my thumb. So I don't forget, here's the pattern I made up as I went:

Teensy Bunny (Amigurumi)

Row 0: Magic ring (6 total)
Row 1: 2sc in each ch (12 total)
Row 2: {1sc, 2sc in one ch} * 6 (18)
Row 3-6: sc around (18)
Row 6: {1sc, decr} * 6 (12) // this makes the neck

Stuff the body. I left a puff of stuffing sticking out as a tail.

Row 7: {2sc in one ch, 1sc} * 6 (18) // starting the head. I think I did some extra 2sc by accident
Row 8: sc around (18)

Stuff the head.

Rest: decr around until closed

Ears (make two, unless your bunny is actually a unicorn): ch 6, then carefully run the yarn back through the chains to add volume and make it so you have two threads on one side so you can fasten.

Fasten the ears to the head and embroider eyes, nose if you want.

Happy spring!

Way back when, I commented to maco that I was amazed at how much time she'd managed to find for crochet, and she sensibly pointed out that there's lots of time to be had while you're on the bus or whatever. I figured it wouldn't work for me because I use that time for other things (largely reading, as you might have divined, but also DS games, podcasts, and just plain thinking).

But then I found a pattern for Lemmings that I had to make for my mother, and quickly became hooked (har har) on crocheting during our semi-regular d&d games. And when I'm hanging out at a friends' place chatting. And now I'm finding my hands itching to do something while I'm listening to talks or in meetings at work...




So thanks maco for reminding me that this was totally something I could do if I was willing to look a bit harder for the time.

I've been doing stuff that isn't amigurumi, but I find the little toys incredibly satisfying because they take so little time and are easy to give as tiny little presents if I don't want them for myself.

What I'm most excited about is our Angry Birds. M and I have been trying out patterns and looking for materials and generally laughing ourselves silly over the idea of having a bunch of these to throw around and give away.




I feel a bit guilty about still being excited about PAX given how *terrible* (some of) the PA community has been to any woman they can find this week. But I'm determined not to let those useless folk ruin our vacation -- After the year M's had, I think it's really important that she's got a trip to look forwards to soon that isn't tacked on to a funeral or ends in a hospital stay. So looking forwards to it we are!

I finished one of the larger angry birds from Itsy Bitsy Spider's excellent pattern last night. It's super cute! I'll be finishing and writing up my pattern for smaller ones soon too, esp. since they'll likely be used to make the little blue trio of birds. And I'm probably going to go buy a pile of giant zellers pillows on sale because they're cheaper than buying stuffing!

Incidentally, anyone know where to buy safety eyes in Ottawa? Both the Michaels stores we went to were out of the one size they carry and Fabricland was a bust since they only had button googly eyes. I miss Lewiscraft and White Rose. It's looking like we may have to order them online, but shipping to Canada can be a pain/very slow, so we might just have to do without.