Fat babies love costumes

Buzzfeed is always fun, and today a friend sent me a link to:

31 F**king Adorable Things To Make For Babies

There are some great things, and some "how the hell did that make this list?" things - but since 'adorable' is an objective label, I'm pretty sure I should let it go.

However, a few brought me to near tears...check out what made got added to my do list:

mermaid tail for baby!

Oak Leaf Pixie Hat

Sock monkey baby!!

UGH. so much cuteness.

Also a notable shout out to Totoro ! While I probably won't be making this (I happen to have some other Totoro item up my sleeve presently) it's absolutely worth a share.

pretty much requires me to smush my computer screen right now

Also worth mentioning - it was nice to see Shwin and Shwin make the list with their bow tie onesies! I just finished a few Sunshine dresses this weekend from their Sun and Surf collection contribution...pics coming soon.

It's also interesting that I'm already familiar with so many of the sites these items were collected from. Or more likely, a sign that I've been spending too much time web-trolling and not enough time actually crafting!

If you're craving more, check out this similar list, also by Buzzfeed:

29 Easy And Adorable Things To Make For Babies

(This one is way more my speed and again, makes me cringe to realize how much time I spend on the internet looking at crafts.)

Have you got any projects planned right now?


UPDATE: talk about MORTIFYING but I forgot to include a link to the Totoro costume - which was made by my secret online blog crush, Cherie of you & mie. She recently talked about her favorite made items on this other awesome blog and (perhaps not surprisingly?) she mentioned that the Totoro costume is the most visited item in her whole blog. I'm guessing because it is INCREDIBLY AMAZING. Just a stab.

Knitspiration: Knitting octopus

A friend shared this with me recently. I think she puts it best:

1. It is a knit octopus
2. Wearing a top hat (obviously!)
3. WHO IS KNITTING

HOLY COW!! 

Even more amazing is that there is a pattern for this guy! Check it out, and a cool blog, {here}.

Yarn Geek

If you're familiar with our family, you'll know that my husband is obsessed with Batman. Which (fortunately?) has previously had no place in my knitting world...

Until now?

Check out this amazing crochet Bane mask (a la Christopher Nolan incarnation):

You can read more here and perhaps even buy one for yourself.
(Meanwhile, I will be deleting my browser history so Reed has no chance of seeing this.)

(And no, he doesn't read my blog....too boring for him!)

Knitspiration: MESMERIZED

I haven't been able to stop looking at this blanket:

So gorgeous.
Is it squares put together?
Did they plan the color ahead of time?
Is there a discernable pattern?
Sigh.

This is how I know 2013 is going to be awesome

Just came across this while looking at Knithacker and HAD to share:

Toddler Stardust

Can it get any more awesome!?

Since the post coincides with Bowie's birthday and the AWESOME announcement of his new, unexpected album, I think the answer is "no."

Knitspiration - Knitception

I really had to stare at this gorgeous photo when it came across my tumblr feed:

There is so much to love

I love looking at pictures without context because it always makes me contemplate how it was made, which I think is a good mental exercise. And fun. It's fun. 

Imagine my surprise when it turns out that rather than being knit and knit again (inception style, WE MUST GO DEEPER!) it's actually a super thick crazy yarn offered by Berroco!? 

You can find both the yarn and the pattern with a quick Google search. 

Color me surprised... Well played, Berroco, well played. 

Knitspiration - Superhero Knits

We went on a trip to the mall the other day and got to take in all the holiday displays that popped up after Halloween. Winter is one of my favorite holidays which is somewhat unfortunate since Los Angeles never sees a 'true' winter! Sweaters and boots and scarves and socks...that will never get worn here :( Oh well - that's what vacation is for!

In any case, since we are newly obsessed with baby girl clothing (completely different from baby boy clothing!) we visited several kid shops. The one that stuck out the most was, surprisingly, Gap Kids. Why? Because...

SUPERHERO KNITS!!

You get the idea. 

They are a bit pricey, but we picked up the Batman and the Spiderman mittens for my son. I'm scheming a pair of adult size Batman mitts for my husband, though, since he seemed pretty darn excited about them also.

Better Yarn, Better Work

The more I look at patterns and create finished pieces, the more I have seen evidenced that it's really much more about the yarn and the color choices than it is about the pattern. The right hue combination can really make something beautiful in a perfectly subtle way. There are definitely good patterns and there are bad patterns, but without the right yarn it's harder to tell the difference between the two. Likewise, a mediocre pattern can become beyond dreamy with a little ingenious use of color.

I know it probably goes without saying and this is the whole theory behind yarn lust and such, but I think perhaps I am getting more serious about it personally - what with the just-opened world of baby girl knit ideas. :)

A few examples of things made amazing by yarn choices:

rililie's Versio by ANKESTRICK

Taylasmum's Milo by Georgie Hallam

If you just look at the pattern you'll see there really aren't any tricks...and a standard, true-to-pattern knit up will yield a nice normal FO. But...! Add a little thought like the knitters did here and... you have a whole new level of intrigue and professionalism.

I also love this berry hat. 

Baby Berry Hat by Michele Sabatier

Zombie Bunny

Just in time for Halloween - check out this amazing creepy amigurumi posted by  Knit Hacker! Made by Mowglee Mo.

It looks like a standard bunny with a creepy eye and bloody bandage...brilliant. (More pictures at her Flickr stream. So creative!)

Happy early Halloween, everyone!!

Gator Scarf

Love this. What a project.

Found here - modified from this pattern

Flip Flop Knitspiration

I always get sent links or told stories about how "Japanese people are SO WEIRD!" and then asked "WHY?!" because anyone with any Japanese blood is apparently an authority and automatically obligated to give insight to validate or sensationalize whatever obliquely racist idea is floating, half-formed, in their head.

Whoops, that's not what I was going to write.

Hey, different cultures are different! And I happen to be especially proud of mine. Especially when I see something like...

JAPANESE FLIP FLOP KNITTING PATTERNS!!!!

The multi-toe separation ones are my favorite. GENIUS!

Found them here, and apparently you can buy it here. 

Knitspiration sweater

Another coveted item...how will I ever make all of these? I guess it's just dreams.
Despite being an incomplete picture, I love this!

color schemes go perfectly with my hatred of daylight savings time

The whole blog is eye candy - check out Sunshine Avenue (borderline overwhelming...still haven't been able to extract what the heck the blog is). Thanks to Khadi for reblogging this - she always has fun posts (especially when she is supposed to be working on homework!)

Knitspiration, Domo style

I can't help but love all these ridiculous pants for kids, even tho my friends tell me that THIS is the line that I am not supposed to cross.

A few samples:

http://knithacker.com/2012/03/09/hey-yo-monkey-butt/

http://www.gizmodiva.com/fashion/hello_kitty_knit_pants_a_little_too_cute.php

http://knithacker.com/2011/01/10/monster-bum/

I'm starting to think that I may need to craft a pair of Domo-kun pants...to be ironic! Of course! Totally ironic!!
I bet it would be REALLY ironic if I made them adult sized....hmmmm...

Also, speaking of irony, I might need to make some Hipster Ariel pants too. And Totoro.

Anything else?

textured bag knitspiration

Just saw this posted on Knit Hacker (random image) from Green Rabbit Designs:

Gorgeous! I love the stitch pattern - a new one I hadn't ever thought of before but am really digging. Might even edge out my love of moss stitch. The flowers and buttons are so lovely- check them out up close.

layers, texture, adorbz

It looks like she did the buttons herself too - the bag is lined with the same material! Love this coordination and attention to detail.

No pattern up but the bag itself is for sale in her Etsy store. Verrrrry tempted...

Cool Blogs NEVER STOP

AAaaarg! Why are there so many cool blogs!? I think this is a scary black hole that I have jumped in to. Good thing I have a trail of yarn falling behind  me.

Latest ARRG-inducing blog features these incredible monster pants - not sure what else to say. Just look.

and PLEASE check out KnitHacker, my new invisible best friend that doesn't know I love them yet. Thanks to Andrea using Pinterest for the lead!

Knitspiration - Mermaid style

Another knit-envy picture I came across - mermaid shell bra!!! Sheer brilliance!!

Check out the rest of the set (albeit at your own risk...there is a little boobie action that might be nsfw).
She is smashingly creative, and I think this is the same woman that had a pattern possibly ripped off by a famous retail clothing store... (details escape me, I'm not trying to be vague).

I originally saw the mermaid at the Naughty Needles site, I believe. Am rolling is disbelief that this is the same woman who did the sweater, and knit a matching sweater for cat...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Another crochet treat for you today, courtesy of Lora:

"You turn my heart to algae colored yarn!" 

This adorable pattern can be found on Owlishly - an equally adorable crochet blog. Her hearts are a little more traditional looking, however lovely. Check it out!

I love this yarn... Lora definitely knows how to rock a color palate.

Hope everyone is having a rad day.

Boobie Update!

My awesome cousin has already knocked out a knocker!! Inspired by last week's post she found a pattern online and made magic. Check out her handiwork below... I am especially fond of the yarn she used.

looks so soft, I just wanna touch it!

She found a website with a FREE crochet pattern to use and to share - check out the pattern here. The Oxford Family is a really cool crochet and craft blog which is now added to my blogroll (did you see these yarn bowls?! Brilliant!!). I love how easy going the writer is, I feel like I could talk story with her for ages.

Also I don't know if I am biased, but for some reason Kim's beanie reminds me of a kooky Japanese novelty gift. I mean, she's Japanese, I'm half-Japanese, there's not a lot of room for Japanese finger pointing; but I instantly thought of these: 

Japanese boob pudding cups

I think it may also be because she is the person who first showed me boob pudding. (More info here.) 

Thanks for sharing, Kim!! Awesome work!

Boobie beanie makes one proud to breastfeed

I just saw this new take on boobie knitting - and it's adorable! What better way to show confidence without showing an actual breast.

I'd love to see this modeled with twins

Not sure where it originally came from, but had it passed to me on Facebook via a friend.

UPDATE: Kim found a free pattern for this beauty and made one herself! Check out both here

Monday Merkin Quandary

A while back I made this amazing beard:

The Gallantly Bearded Husband

And a friend joked "You should make a merkin!!"

DISCLAIMER: If you do not know what a merkin is, please do not immediately Google image search this. Ask someone knowledgeable that you trust and like to explain it to you. If this isn't possible, try Urban Dictionary. And whatever you do, don't search while you are at work!

SECOND DISCLAIMER: Ok that made it sound a whole lot more exciting that it really is, so don't get your hopes up too high.

Anyway back to the merkin quandary. The beard technique would be perfect...and it would be easy enough to design... This same friend did some searching and also informed me that there is a deep void in the world where merkin patterns should exist.

But...well... it's a merkin!

What do you think? Is that a little too far for a novelty joke? (Let's just presume she was asking for a joke BECAUSE IT WAS A JOKE LALA LA LA LA AL LA LA JUST A JOKE.)

Pondering.