Craftside

Steampunk girl wearing a knit amigurumi octopus made with the pattern from the book Amigurumi Knits by Hansi Singh at Maker Faire

Maker Faire Bay Area 2011 was A-mazing!!!! I would have to say the highlight in the Craftside booth was this adorable Steampunk girl who was sporting a beautiful top hat that was embellished with an amigurumi octopus that she knit using the pattern from Amigurumi Knits: Patterns for 20 Cute Mini Knits.

Here is a close-up of the amigurumi octopus:

It is always so fun to see projects people make live and in-person!

Thanks to all who came by the Craftside booth; it was great crafting and chatting with you all!

I loved the amigurumi antlers from Amigurumi Knits: Patterns for 20 Cute Mini Knits and posted the pattern and how I used it to make a jackalope from a stuffed bunny in this post. If you would like to knit up some cute creatures, here is more about the fun book:

Amigurumi Knits: Patterns for 20 Cute Mini Knits

By

Hansi Singh

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. Typically they are kooky little animals but they can also be inanimate objects, like vegetables, that are given faces and limbs.

Amigurumi Knits has 20 designs, including animals and inanimate objects. A knitting basics section provides instructions for all the techniques needed to make the projects.

Hansi Singh (Seattle, WA) began designing knit amigurumi creatures as playmates for her infant son. Hansigurumi, a shop she opened on Etsy for selling her amigurumi patterns, caught the attention (and needles!) of knitters in the US and abroad, and became an overnight success. Hailed “an amazing up and coming crafter” by CRAFT magazine.

And it's Monday so I have some links to crafts for you:

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi starts a series of experiments with soy silk roving.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to make a two-headed girl in a cage photo op.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
See how Eileen used a 3D Valentine's Day card template to make a 3D card suitable for many special occasions.

Crafty Princess Diaries
The Crafty Princess has picked up knitting needles! Find out some resources she discovered to help you learn how to knit.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Trying to keep Provence in her life, Carmi makes up a new vision board.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen was back in the kitchen again baking up Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes! Stop by and snag her free printable recipe card!

About Family Crafts
If you are looking for a great family activity, learn how to make garden stepping stones together.

"N" is for the New Book: Amigurumi Knits: Patterns for 20 Cute Mini Knits by Hansi Singh

And when I say NEW, I mean this book isn't out yet (May 2009) but it is available for pre-order!

Amigurumi Knits: Patterns for 20 Cute Mini Knits

By

Hansi Singh

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. Typically they are kooky little animals but they can also be inanimate objects, like vegetables, that are given faces and limbs.

Amigurumi Knits has 20 designs, including animals and inanimate objects. A knitting basics section will provide instructions for all the techniques needed to make the projects.

Hansi Singh (Seattle, WA) began designing knit amigurumi creatures as playmates for her infant son. Hansigurumi, a shop she opened on Etsy for selling her amigurumi patterns, caught the attention (and needles!) of knitters in the US and abroad, and became an overnight success. Hailed “an amazing up and coming crafter” by CRAFT magazine.

If you flipped through this book and you know me, you know exactly what I had to make instantly!

Yes, that is a jackalope. (Click on image to enlarge) for the free antler pattern!

Well, I have just pulled out a bunch of Easter bunnies(more than the usual amount of bunnies around my house all year) and I thought I give the antlers a try right away.

I think I'll be knitting lots and lots of these! I think all my bunnies need antlers. They went great and I just used a straight pin to attach them to my stuffed bunny.

Oh if you need to read about those Sweater Surgery Eggs hop on over here.

This leads me to my question of the day:

Do you craft from scratch or embellish/alter a store bought item?

As usual, leave a note in the comments section and you'll be entered to win a free book!