¡Rudolph es visto en un árbol de Navidad en NYC!

Se me había pasado decirles que Rudolph llegó sano y salvo a Nueva York, y llegó hasta lo más alto de una especie de árbol de Navidad. Más fotos en Flickr.




¡Feliz Navidad!

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I had neglected to tell you that Rudolph made it sound and safe to New York, and even got to spend some time on top of a (somewhat) Christmas tree! More of Rudolph at Flickr Merry Christmas!

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 30

And...

Day 30!: What’s your name on Ravelry? If you don’t have a Ravelry account, why?

Who's not on Ravelry? If you are not, you are missing!! I'm mariamagnetica.

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 29

Day 29: Do you have any tips, or things that you’ve learned from crochet?

• Crochet Is Art, but don't be scared, it is very friendly! Have fun!
• Yarn people are awesome! Go mingle! Have fun!
• Do not forget to eat, sleep, shower and talk to people. Also, open your hands often. You have to let go of the yarn and hook, yes, and that hurts, but it's important.
• Did I mention? HAVE FUN!

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 28

Day 28: Do you do any other crafts besides crochet? What are they, and did learning to crochet come before or after learning these other crafts?

I learned to do many things as a child (crafty mum, Catholic all-girls school...). I did a lot of cross stitch before, but then I got tired - it was too heavy on the eyes and required a lot of concentration and work (since I only worked on big projects).

Here's some of them:

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 27

Day 27: How do you acquire most of yarn? Online retailers, local yarn shops, swaps, or large chain craft stores? What’s your favourite?

I buy at local yarn shops. The ones "around the corner", their owners are not precisely the most amiable people on earth, so I mostly buy at this big store, where they have a ridiculously small selection but at least it is all at my hands (I can touch it all!!) and they give me all the time in the world. (Picture me juggling 5 different skeins back and forth checking if the colours go well together...)

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 26

Day 26: Have you ever been a part, or wanted to be a part of a crochet-a-long? What was it? If not, why?

No, I haven't and I am not much interested, although I haven't looked much into it either. Basically, any kind of structure, deadline or commitment, kills all the fun for me. I'm a rebel and a loner. ;-)

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 25

Day 25: Do you have a crocheting book or a place where you keep patterns, ideas, size measurements? Post a picture of it!

I have a regular boring gray cardboard file with a few printed patterns. Most of my stuff is digital, stored in my computer or Google doc.

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 24

Day 24: Have you ever made your own pattern or dyed your own yarn? How did it turn out?

Dye yarn? What for? (I'm kidding). I modified a pattern once. I would like to make my own patterns at some point.

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 23

Day 23: If you had the supplies (and patience) for it, what project would you start today?

Mmmm... I would like to make a doll house: all the furniture, objects, decoration, etc. And the resident dolls. And their pets.

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 22

Day 22: Have you ever stricken someone off your to-crochet-for list because they didn’t appreciate/take care of your last crochet gift to them?

It's never happened to me but of course I would, not out of bitterness, but this is a lot of work, and money too, even though we have fun with it, so better to do it for someone who can appreciate it!

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 21

Day 21: Do you crochet gifts for friends and family for the holidays or birthdays?

No, I'd rather catch them UNAWARE!

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 20

Day 20: Do you crochet in public? Was anyone offended/incredibly happy/curious that you were doing so?

No, I don't. No particular reason. I just... don't. I wouldn't be offended or incredibly happy to find someone crocheting in public, but I would definitely be curious!

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 19

Day 19: Do you watch movies and/or listen to podcasts while crocheting? What are your favorite things to crochet to?

Definitely! Although I don't pay much attention... I prefer to be listening to music or talk-shows on the radio.

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 18

Day 18: What are your preferred hooks made from (metal, steel, bamboo, wood, plastic)?

I've only used metal/steel hooks. Now I almost exclusively work with 3 and 4 mm. Clover hooks. They are so nice and comfortable!

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 17

Day 17: Have you ever had a project that you loved become ruined? What’s the story behind it?

No, I haven't (fingers crossed!). But that is my nightmare, and I get ANXIOUS every time I have to assemble or add details to an amigurumi, because any little thing can "ruin" a doll (or at least my "perfect" vision of it). With practice, I've become more confident and assembling is not such a big problem now, but things like glueing the eyes... Shivers!

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 16

Day 16: Have you ever had a crocheting related injury?

Sore fingers, yes. Occasional wrist pain, yes. Sleep deprivation, YES.

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 15

Day 15: What was your least favorite pattern and why?*

*Note: These questions are not meant to bash any yarn dyers, designers, or companies. Sometimes, a yarn or pattern will just gives us a terrible time.

Mmm, do I have to answer this?... So... The pattern I less enjoyed would be the Lili Rose Elfe. I thought it was unnecessarily complicated and instructions for the hair wig  were not very clear. That being said, it produced one of my most favourite dolls, so go figure!

Misi

Misi es una pequeña criatura de ojos verdes desparejados. Le puse esos ojos como una broma pero la verdad es que le dan mucha personalidad. Para seguir con el chiste, me lo probé como un colgante. Creo que quedará mejor como un broche, sólo necesito encontrar el imperdible perfecto.

El patrón es My Tiny Bunny by Irene Strange

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Misi is a tiny creature with mismatching green eyes. I used those eyes as a joke but they actually gave him a lot of character. In the same humorous vein, I tried it on as a pendant. I think it'll serve better as a brooch, I just need to find the right pin.The pattern is My Tiny Bunny by Irene Strange

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 14

Day 14: What’s the worst yarn/fiber that you’ve worked with and why?*

*Note: These questions are not meant to bash any yarn dyers, designers, or companies. Sometimes, a yarn or pattern will just gives us a terrible time.

Don't have a worst of. I have a white that I hate because it looks like it's dirty, if that counts.

Mi querida Marieta

Marieta fue la primera cosa que hice como Amigurumi allá por mayo de 2010 cuando probé esta técnica por primera vez. El patrón es "Amigurumi Doll Pattern" by Soph Stitch.

Está lejos de ser perfecta y sin embargo, es PERFECTA. :-)

Una aguja demasiado grande, colores que no conjuntan, quedarte sin hilo a mitad del trabajo, demasiado relleno (todas las instrucciones hacían énfasis en rellenar fuerte y me pasé), un cabello y detalles faciales espantosos... pero aprendí mucho.

Más fotos de Marieta en Flickr.

Luego volví a repetir este patrón, y el resultado fue Carlota. Creo que esta muñeca muestra mis progresos en esto del amigurumi, ¿no? ;-) Los detalles faciales siguen siendo regulares pero se ve que algo mejora.

Más fotos de Carlota en Flickr.







¡Y aquí están como las hermanas que son!

 

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Marieta was the first Amigurumi thing I made back in May 2010 when I first started trying this craft. The pattern is "Amigurumi Doll Pattern" by Soph Stitch. She is far from perfect, and yet she is PERFECT. :-) Too big size hook, mismatching colours, running out of yarn midway, too much stuffing (all the instructions told me to stuff tightly and I overdid it), awful amateur hair and face details, but it was a great learning experience. More photos of Marieta over at Flickr. Later I repeated this pattern again, and the result was Carlota. This second doll shows some progress in my amigurumi abilities, I think. ;-) Still not too good on the face details but definitely an improvement. Find more Carlota photos over at Flickr. And here they are together like the sisters they are!

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 13

Day 13: Do you have yarn that you love but can’t find a project for?

Ha! No! I haven't yet experienced the luxury of buying yarn that's not put to use immediately.

Giorgio

Cuando me empecé a aficionar al amigururmi, una de las primeras personas cuyos trabajos me hicieron babear fue Beth Doherty. Los increíbles detalles de sus muñecos son deliciosos.

Por eso me hizo muy feliz encontrar este libro mientras andaba de compras en internet. No había visto este libro en su web, lo que me parece extraño porque si yo tuviera un libro como este me aseguraría de que lo vieran, pero... Probablemente tenga una buena razón para ello.

Después de echarle un vistazo y ver los patrones por encima, me decidí a empezar con el patrón de The Hep Cat, y este es el resultado:





Miren esos deditos, dan ganas de comérselos. ¡Marieta no podía quitarle sus ojos de botón de encima!





Más fotos de Giorgio en Flickr.

Ahora probaré con el patrón de Strawbeary, con alguna pequeña modificación. ;-)

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When I became interested in Amigurumi, one of the first people whose works made me just drool was Beth Doherty. The amazing fine detail of her dolls is just delicious. That is why I was so happy to find this book while randomly shopping online. I haven't seen this book on her website, which I found odd because if I had a book like this under my name I'm sure I would get to show it to you, but... There is probably a good reason for it. After some reading and flickering through the patterns, I decided to start working on The Hep Cat pattern, and here is the result. Look at those toes, sweet like candy. Marieta couldn't take her button eyes off him! Check out more Giorgio photos at Flickr. Next, I'm going to try the Strawbeary pattern with a twist. ;-)

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 12

(I was doing this on Tumblr but Tumblr has been down since yesterday, so... I'm moving all entries here, the tag is 30 days of crocheting . On day 11 I mention my favourite amigurumi crafters!)

Day 12: Where do you keep your stash? Post pictures!

Here!

Although I would love something like this...

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 11

Day 11: Do you have a “Crocheting Hero” or someone that is just way too awesome for their own good? Do share!

I have lots!

• Elisabeth Doherty (gourmetamigurumi.com): Just take a look at her works on Flickr and have a trip over the amazing sweet fine details.
• Rivka Wilkins (flickr.com/photos/rivkawilkins): I adore those dolls, and I want to make this hair! (I’m going to try)
• Howie, from WooWork (woowork.blogspot.com): His everything is so cool that it’s hard to describe.
• Kara, from Karabouts (karabouts.com): You’ve probably seen this guy doing the rounds here on Tumblr, but check this, or this. Amazing and funny!
• Croshame (croshame.com): Because you can take yarn to the dark side too! Sid and Nancy! The Exorcist! There is a slash of pink too, so check it out!
• Rowan Hellyer, from OutOfTheFrame (etsy.com/shop/outoftheframe): Kevin the Keytar Player!
• Nymphlings, whom I only found recently, has an amazing creativity.
• Berriiiz (etsy.com/shop/berriiiz): I love her designs, even though it’s not the kind of stuff I would spend my days making at the moment, but they are so cute and they are so neatly made they look as if a hooks, needles and hairy yarns were never involved in the making!
• Twinkie Chan: What to say??
• Beth (byhookbyhand.blogspot.com) makes amazing adorable dolls and clothes, AND, she offers all of her patterns for free!
• And the honourable mention goes to Muffa Miniatures because I honestly can’t understand how that stuff is made. I’m sure it’s Magik…

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 10

Day 10: Do you have a favourite pattern or designer?

I consider myself a beginner and I know very little about this world yet. So far, my favourite patterns are the Patch Doll pattern by reeneegurumi (www.irenestrange.co.uk) and the humanoids in the book “Amigurumi! Super Happy Crochet Cute” by Beth Doherty (www.gourmetamigurumi.com).

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 9

Day 9: What fiber or yarn do you love working with?

I use acrylics. I pick the best ones I can get in the cheapest range. I also like this kind of yarn to make funny hair. I don’t like anything that needs a thin hook.

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 8

Day 8: What’s your most challenging project?

Oh dear, I don’t know. I make amigurumi, I’m learning, so everything has been a challenge up to here! My current “challenge” is to make dolls in the style of Elisabeth Doherty and Rivka Wilkins. I can’t get tired of looking at those photos and dreaming!

30 Days of Crocheting Challenge - Day 7

Day 7: Your least favourite?

Mmm… That would be Pucca. Everybody loved her (I don’t exactly hate her either, I did all I could for her, hahaha), and she is, I think, my most popular photo on Tumblr, with an astonishing count of 25 notes (duh). BUT. Stuffing that head gave me nightmares, the hair wig didn’t fit and I had to improvise, and her cuteness factor was far too low in my book. So, yeah, sorry dolly. :-S