Both or Back Better Brushed?

 Hello everyone!

Most of the time amigurimi is made by crocheting through both loops. Lately however, it seems to me that there are more and more people who are making amigurumi, that only crochet through the back loop. Which way is better is not the topic of this post. I have made amigurumi crocheting through both loops and using the back loop only method. When I was thinking about the differences between the two methods, I started wondering: "Which way is the best to brush?"

If you aren't familiar with brushing your crochet I will explain it quickly for you. Once you are finished crocheting your project, you take a pet brush like the one in the photo below and you brush your project until it is fuzzy.

Brush I used to brush my crochet circles

     I wanted to make a little experiment to find out if something crocheted through both loops or through the back loop only would get fuzziest/fluffiest when brushed.

     I  made two circles. I used the same hook size, the same yarn, and I made both circles the same size. The only difference between the two circles was one was crocheted through both loops and one was crocheted through the back loop only.

Before being brushed

Before being brushed

Here you can see the two circles next to each other before they were brushed.

After taking pictures of the circles, I began brushing them. I noticed that the circle that was crocheted through the back loop only seemed to get fuzzy quicker than the other circle. I brushed each circle until it was really fuzzy. Here are the results:

After being brushed

After being brushed

Here you can see the two circles next to each other after being brushed.

I did not notice a large difference between the two circles on how fuzzy they were. I think they ended up being about equally fuzzy. The back loop only circle took less time to become fuzzy than the both loop circle. If I were making a larger project that I was planning on brushing, I would use the back loop only method if possible.

Which do you think looks fuzziest?

This was a really fun experiment!

Happy crocheting everyone!

Elephant!

Let me get these links out of the way first.The links are to the pattern I used to make my Elephant (I find it easier to post links to patterns links in the beginning rather than posting them throughout my post)  Link to the Padma pattern on Ravelry: Padma pattern page on Ravelry. Here is the link directly to the pattern: Direct link to Padma pattern

I wasn't planning on making any amigurumi for the Ravellenic Games, but that changed. One of the patterns for my Ravelry group, Awesome Amigurumi, August CAL was Padma designed by Dawn Toussaint. All I can say is, "Wow!" One of my least favorite things about amigurumi is sewing on or together the pieces. I didn't have to do any sewing with this pattern! No sewing! It is fantastic! The ears are crocheted on! It is difficult to explain, so I am not going to try to explain it, I would just suggest you try this pattern out (or at least take a peak at it).

I did have trouble with my stitch count (my stitch count was off for nearly the entire body) I know where I went wrong, but I didn't go back and fix it because I wasn't really worried about it. In the end it turned out okay :)

I haven't finished an amigurumi project in a while and I have really missed making them. 

Here is my finished elephant

I decided to only do one hat for my Ravellenic Game projects. I don't think I will get too many more projects done for the games because school starts this Thursday for me (August 9th). I am going to try and start posting regularly. I am planning on trying to post once a week, but right now I am not sure what days. Hopefully, I will know a little bit more soon. I get the schedule of my classes tomorrow (August 7th)

Have a great day everyone!!

Olympic and Ravellenic Games

      As you may or may not know the Olympic Games start today and that also means that the Ravellenic Games start today as well. I have several projects planned for the Ravellenic Games. I have several crochet projects as well as knit projects planned. When choosing my projects I tried to choose projects that I could get done in a relatively short amount of time. I wanted to challenge myself with how many project I could get done but not over extend myself.

     Ravellenic Games Flag Logo Thingy

I have three crochet projects planned and three knitting projects planned.

Two of the three crochet projects are baby hats. I am using a different pattern for each hat. The pattern that I am using for the first hat is Lickety Split Crocheted Newborn Hats The pattern I am using for the other hat is Crochet Baby Beanie. I am planning on donating these hats to a charity so I am using acrylic yarn to make them. I am planning on using the purple yarn with the silver strand in it for the first hat and the sage green color yarn for the second hat.

My other crochet project is Round Bumpy Scrubbie. I am making this out of some cream colored cotton yarn. 

For my knitting projects, I chose projects that would help me get better at knitting and learn more knitting skills. 

My first knitting project I have planned to make is the Waffle Knit Dishcloth. I have not knit very many different stitch combinations so this will be an adventure to try. I chose this pattern because it isn't like anything I have knit before (which isn't really saying much haha) I am planning on making this in purple cotton. I will most likely not use it as a dishcloth but I will probably use it as a blanket square.

My second knitting project is one that I have made before it is Monster Chunks. The first time I made a Monster Chunk the stitches weren't very tight and I had to put lining in it so the stuffing wouldn't show through. I chose this project because I want to improve my knitting in the round. I am using a multicolored blue yarn for the body (I think, I might change my mind) and a light dusty blue color for the feet. 

Body Color (Maybe)

Feet Color (It is kind of hard to see but it is a gray blue color)

My last knitting project that I have planned is Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth. I have made this pattern before, but I did not do the increases and decreases that are suggested in the pattern. This time I am planning on doing the increases and decreases that are suggested in the pattern. I chose this pattern to learn and practice a different way to increase and decrease. I am not sure what yarn I am going to use for this project yet. Perhaps I will use scrap yarn.

I know this post had a lot about knitting in it that is why I am planning on starting a blog just about my knitting adventures. 

I will post updates on the progress of all my Ravellenic projects both knitting and crochet throughout the games. I am really excited for the Olympics and Ravellenic Games to start!! :D :D

I hope you all have great days today!! 

A question for the comments: Are you excited for the Olympics to start? 

Making a Hat

I am making a hat.

I have been crocheting for a while now and I have not completed an item that can be worn yet. I am not talking about a sweater or a shawl. I am just talking about a hat or a scarf. I have started a scarf for my mom, but I have not completed it yet. I would like to make myself something as well. That is why I am making a hat.

I have not made a hat before so I want to start of with a simple and basic hat pattern. Nothing fancy, I just want to make a basic hat. Luckily, I found exactly what I was looking for!! I am making Basic Hat Pattern Version 1 by Sherry Etheridge. I found it on Ravelry but the pattern is actually on her blog. Here is the link to  the pattern on her blog, Basic Hat Pattern Version 1 by Sherry Etheridge

I am off to start on it now! Hopefully I can finish it in one day!!
I will update you all when I have finished it :)

Multicolored Owl Free Pattern

The Multicolored Owl pattern is now available! Multicolored Owl is also available as a PDF! Here is the download link: Multicolored Owl Download Link

Multicolored Owl

Materials

Three different colors of Worsted weight Yarn

WhiteWorsted Weight Yarn

12mm Safety Eyes

5.5mm Hook

3.75mm Hook

Yarn Needle

Stitch Marker

Stuffing

Felt or small amount of different colored yarn for beak

**Multicolored Owl is worked from the bottomup**

Colors	Colors I Used
Color A u Color A will be used in both the bottom and top part of the owl.	Tan
Color B	Brown
Color C	Ivory

Body and Head

Using 5.5mm hook and Colors A and B

Placea knot towards the ends of the colors A and B (As seen in photo to the right)

Make a magic ring, 6 sc in ring (6)

R1: 2sc in each st around (12)

R2: 1sc, 2sc in next st(18)

R3: sc 2, 2sc in next st (24)

R4: sc 3, 2sc in next st (30)

R5-8: Sc around (30)

Change to Colors A and C

R9-13: Sc around (30)

R14: sc 7, 2hdc in next st, sc 14, 2hdc in next st, sc 7 (32)

Tie off

Leave a long strand for sewing

Eye Circles (Make 2) Using 3.75mm hook and White yarn (single strand)

Make magic ring, sc 6 in loop 
R1: 2sc in each st around (12) 
R2: 1sc, 2sc in next st (18) 
R3: 1sc in next st, make sl st in next st and use to tie off

Assembly

Attach the safety eyes to the white eye circles you made.

Weave in the ends. Sew eyes onto the owl.

Attach the beak.

Stuff the owl. Fold the opening to where the stitches are aligned across. Sew together.

More photos for reference are available on the PDF version of this pattern

©Carissa Teixeira

Donot sell this pattern

Donot distribute this pattern as your own

Free Purple Monster Pattern

Purple Monster Pattern

Purple Monster Pattern

Materials

Hook: 4mm

Purple Worsted Weight Yarn (or any color for a different colored monster)

A small amount of a different colored yarn for the mouth (optional)

12mm Safety Eyes (optional) (Safety eyes are not safe for small children)

Stitch Marker

Yarn needle

You need to know how to make a magic ring for this pattern.

Body

**Make a magic ring, sc 5 in the ring (5)**

R1: 2sc in each st around (10)

R2: Sc1, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (15)

R3: Sc 2, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (20)

R4: Sc 3, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (25)

R5: Sc 4, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (30)

R6: Sc 5, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (35)

R7: Sc 6, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (40)

R8: Sc 7, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (45)

R9: Sc 8, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (50)

R10-17: Sc in each st around (50)

R18: Sc 8, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (45)

R19: Sc in each st around (45)

R20: Sc 7, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (40)

R21: Sc 6, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (35)

R22-24: Sc in each st around (35)

R25: Sc 6, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (40)

R26: Sc 7, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (45)

R27-29: Sc in each st around (45)

R30:Sc 7, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (40)

R31:Sc 6, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (35)

R32:Sc 5, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (30)

Begin stuffing firmly

R33:Sc 4, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (25)

R34:Sc 3, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (20)

R35:Sc 2, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (15)

Continue stuffing firmly

Tie off, leave long end for sewing

Head

**Make a magic ring, sc 5 in the ring (5)**

R1: 2sc in each st around (10)

R2: Sc1, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (15)

R3: Sc 2, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (20)

R4: Sc 3, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (25)

R5: Sc 4, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (30)

R6: Sc 5, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (35)

R7: Sc 6, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (40)

R8: Sc 7, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (45)

R9: Sc 8, 2Sc in next st; Rep 5 times (50)

R10-13: Sc in each st around (50)

R14: Sc 8, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (45)

R15:Sc 7, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (40)

R16:Sc 6, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (35)

R17:Sc 5, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (30)

Place Safety eyes and begin stuffing firmly

R18:Sc 4, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (25)

R19:Sc 3, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (20)

R20:Sc 2, sc2tog; Rep 5 times (15)

Continue stuffing firmly

Tie off

Arms (Make 2 or more)

**Make a magic ring, sc 5 in the ring (5)**

R1: 2sc in each st around (10)

R2-23: Sc in each st around (10)

Stuff lightly

Tie off, leave long end for sewing

Sew the head and body together. Sew the arms on the body.

Sew a mouth (optional)

© Carissa Teixeira

Do not sell this pattern

Do not distribute this pattern as your own

Quick Update

Sorry I haven't been active lately! I have been really busy. I have been busy with crochet projects and my friends.

The main crochet project I am working on right now is a monkey. I will put the web address at the bottom. It is a fairly easy pattern. I am also making a simple scarf and a granny square blanket.

I really enjoy amigurumi but the one thing that bothers me is that some amigurumi projects require so much sewing (sewing the pieces together or on the body).

What is your favorite crochet project?

Monkey website address: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amigurumi-monkey-with-banana

Decisions! Decisions!

I finished my amigurumi elephant the other day. Now, I need to decide on my next project!! I am working on two VERY simple scarves of my own design. One scarf is single stitch and the other is double stitch and both are less than halfway complete. I am also about to make an octopus (from my own pattern that I still need to test) for my friend's birthday next week. I need to get started on that! My favorite types of projects are amigurumi. :)

These are just some random questions that I was curious about. Answer in a comment! :)
Do you guys have any projects that you're working on? Do you make you're own patterns? What is your favorite type of project to make?