Lately I’ve been fascinated by some craft blogs I’ve been lurking on. Craftapalooza, Plump Pudding, Molly Chicken, and Green Kitchen in particular. Several of the clever posts mention Japanese craft books. Wait a minute—I have two Japanese craft books, thanks to my wonderful Better Pal! Inspired, I got out the book on crocheted animal toys, and went to work.
I knew right away from previous browsings through the book which animal I wanted to make. This adorable little chickadee. How cute is she?
The directions are a bit dicey for a woman who is reasonably familiar with English and knows only a smattering of high-school German. Why? Take a look…
The bird looks pretty small, meaning worsted or lighter weight yarn and a small crochet hook. But…there’s a problem. I’m an instant gratification kinda-gal, which means I’m going to use materials I have on hand. Wool-Ease bulky yarn, and a huge-ass size K hook. The beak is supposed to be made of felt (I think), but I don’t have any on hand, so I improvised and made a nice pair of orange lips for my birdie. French knots in black Lamb’s Pride Bulky made for the eyes. She looks pretty…um….well, let’s just say she’s got a face only a mother can love.
The chickadee in the book has a tail somewhat like that of a tadpole that has just begun to turn into a frog. You know, kind of a little nubbie thing. If you’ve ever been intimate with my ex-husband, you’ll know just what I mean. Since I can never seem to make anything without modifying it, I replaced the tiny little tail with one shaped more like a fan and attached it to my little bird.
Several things I’ve learned in this process. Crochetwork doesn’t have to be flat. The creators of these patterns are brilliant, because even though I can’t read a word of Japanese I was able to come up with a reasonable fascimile of the project. I may have to rip off the lips and try some felt. What do you think?
14 responses so far ↓
1 Kathy // Mar 8, 2006 at 10:36 am
you might want to spring the 29 cents for felt-everyone knows that chickens don’t have lips! Good job interpreting the pattern-she’s cute!
2 Patti // Mar 8, 2006 at 11:55 am
That is SO cute!!! It would be fun to make a ginormous one, wouldn’t it? I do like the lips because they’re silly, but felt would be good. Um, does your ex read this blog? LOL!!!!
3 Michelle // Mar 8, 2006 at 1:14 pm
Thanks for delurking as it were. I love this little chick!!!! I might have to do an interpretation of it also. Looking forward to discovering your blog. –M
4 Brooke // Mar 8, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Very cute! I think it kinda looks like the chic over did it on the collogen injections. Too funny. I think you did a great job!
5 Pat // Mar 8, 2006 at 5:04 pm
How cute is that. Yes, definitely put on felt lips and he will be fine, unless this is a Angelina Jolie chick……..
6 margene // Mar 8, 2006 at 9:18 pm
I had no idea you’d moved and changed the blog! It’s looks great but you are not updating on Bloglines.
7 sandy // Mar 9, 2006 at 4:20 am
HOLY CRAP Am I behind the times or what? Here I am,waiting for bloglines to update you and you are over here with the best danged looking blog I’ve seen! GREAT JOB! I LOve it! The sheep? Well, you know I am partial to sheep on a blog! WHOOOHOO! I love love it! Thanks for clunking my head with a frying pan! I needed it, pal!
:)
LOVE your chickie. He/she? Is perfect! So adorable!
xoxo
8 AmyDe // Mar 9, 2006 at 7:03 am
I linked over from zeneedle - I almost fell out of my chair laughing my a** off at the ex comment. The chick is adorable - now I’ll add you to my reading list - thanks for the giggle this morning!
Amy
9 claudia // Mar 9, 2006 at 7:14 am
Look how cute it is over here!
10 rock chick // Mar 9, 2006 at 8:02 am
That bird looks disturbingly like Amanda Lepore. Go ahead, Google it. I’ll wait…
11 Norma // Mar 9, 2006 at 1:21 pm
KIM! You trashy talker, you! What’s gotten into you? (I like it, heh)
The new place is GAWGEOUS!!!!! I want mine to look like this. Soooo easy on the eyes. Well done, brainy woman. (you couldn’t tell that by my house, but….)
I’ve updated my bloglines. Thanks for the heads up.
12 marcia // Mar 9, 2006 at 6:13 pm
You are soooo bad! And I’m lovin’ it. Kathy took my chicken lips schtick, so I’ll venture a query as to whether or not there are any snakes with hips in your near future. Or Popes shittin in the woods?
that is a cute chick, chick.
13 Leah // Mar 9, 2006 at 8:57 pm
Depends on the look you are going for, but I have to say, I love the lips. Too cute!!
14 Li_B // Mar 15, 2006 at 7:15 am
Hope the ex lives far away and knows nothing about blogs
Cute chick!
Li
Leave a Comment