All About Ami

I can’t believe it’s been a year since my brother graduated from high school already!  Our family had a great time attending his commencement and grad, and he’s had a wonderful first year of university.  I made him this little ”Graduation Teddy” to help him commemorate this special time in his life, complete with a diploma, mortarboard and tassel matching his school colours.  Since graduation season is upon us once again, some others have used my free pattern to make sweet Graduation Teddies for their friends too!

Makayla of Illinois made this teddy for her cousin who is graduating!  I love the purple she used, and she did an absolutely fantastic job with the diploma, mortarboard, and yellow and red tassel. I’m sure her cousin loved this special, personalized gift!  What a cutie!

Emily was new to crochet, so she watched some videos and learned how to read crochet patterns as she attempted her own Graduation Teddy.  She did a wonderful job, particularly since this is her first amigurumi project!  I love the light, airy colours she chose, and I think she did a superb job stitching the nose.  Emily wanted to include the year on her hat, so she used glue!  Way to go, Emily :)

Nicollette of Louisiana found my pattern and made this bright orange Graduation Teddy for her sister-in-law!  I love how everyone uses such different colours for their teddies :)  She stitched on the year as well!

Maria of Indiana made this Graduation Teddy in a similar blue colour that I used!  He looks very dashing with his white and blue tassel!  She also did a fabulous job stitching “2012” on the hat as it is very bold and thick- the year really stands out!

Mandy made this Graduation Teddy using a yarn called “Oatmeal”- she decided to name her teddy “Oatmeal” too!  What a cute name :)  He has a lot of texture with this variegated yarn, and he looks very proud to be graduating!

Mandy had a great idea of also making a Graduation Cupcake Bear!  She said that this project went by really fast, and she added polly pellets to the cupcake liner to give it some weight.  This is such a great idea as not having to crochet the body and limbs and attach them together will save a lot of time!  And as Mandy says, there are so many fun and fabulous cupcake liners out there to really make this project unique!

Fadilah of Rojak made this bright green Graduation Teddy and even added a little bit of felt to the neck as his graduation robe!  That’s such a cute idea :)

Fadilah didn’t make just one teddy!  Her friend asked her to make one for her boyfriend, so she made this purple one for him and a green teddy keychain for her!  I love how Fadilah wrapped up the purple teddy so beautifully and even had the teddy holding a lovely bouquet of flowers!  I’m sure her friends were very touched when they received these special gifts.

Since Fadilah had many friends graduating, she made many Graduation Teddy keychains in a vast array of colours!  Similar to Mandy’s idea, this is a great way to save time when you have a lot of gifts to make.  It must’ve been fun handing out these special bears to her friends with their adorable sideways graduation caps :)

I love seeing how other people’s creations turn out using my patterns as well as how they modify them.  If you have a special grad in your life, do check out my free Graduation Teddy pattern as well as the step-by-step photos to personalize a special teddy for them!  Thanks for sharing your pictures and stories with me, everyone!  Congrats to all the new grads of 2012!

Last month I blogged about finding Calypso Gray’s wonderful free pattern for beautiful crocheted slippers and the modifications I made to her pattern.  Please refer to my blog post called “Crochet Slippers Part 1” to see step-by-step photos of the making of a pair of slippers from the toe-cap to the sole to the upper portion.  I love this pattern because the slippers are crocheted in one piece and no seams are required.  The sky’s the limit in terms of the modifications and additions you can make, so please join me as I show you how I made five different pairs of slippers, each unique in their own way!

I knew I wanted to make my mom a pair of slippers as soon as I found this pattern.  Mother’s Day was coming up, and it’s wonderful being able to give hand-made gifts that are so practical too!  I knew my mom would prefer a darker colour for her slippers so they wouldn’t get dirty as easily, so I chose a grey theme.  I used a dark grey for the body of the slipper and a light grey for the edging.  To add a little “pizzaz”, we picked up these small translucent buttons and sewed them on using hot pink thread.  The result is a clean, modern look that my mom absolutely loved!

The only tricky thing about making these slippers and giving them as gifts is sizing.  The pattern calls for a 5 mm crochet hook, and my first pair of slippers that I made using this hook fit my size 8-8.5 feet perfectly.  However, all subsequent slippers I made ended up being a little too tight!  I tried my best to keep consistent gauge, but the end result can vary a lot depending on the yarn you use, even if it states that the weight is the same.  Thus, I used a 5.5 mm crochet hook for my own slippers so they fit me comfortably.  Knowing that my mom has slightly smaller feet than mine, I stuck with a 5 mm crochet hook for hers.  Don’t they look great on her?

I absolutely LOVED this yarn colour when I saw it at the store, so I picked it up to make a fun, bright pair of slippers.  The colour is called “lemongrass”, and we used a similar colour in our wedding theme along with a fuscia pink.  Isn’t it a gorgeous colour?  We used white on the edging for contrast.  Ryan and I found these stunning buttons at Michaels and thought they’d be a great statement piece on our slippers. 

They kind of remind me of the medallions found on the super chic Tory Burch flats!

I really wanted to make a pair of slippers adorned with sweet little bows.  They make the slippers look so dainty and ladylike, and it’s fun choosing bright colours and figuring out which colours go well together.

I followed this video here to get a general idea of how to crochet a bow.  Then I figured out what size i wanted for my slippers and made up the following pattern:

Using a 2 mm crochet hook, Ch 12

R1: Starting in second chain from hook, Sc 11.

R2-4: Ch 1.  Turn.  Sc 11

From there, I single crocheted up the right side of the resulting rectangle, across the top, down the left side and across the bottom, doing three single crochets in each corner stitch.  Please see the picture below for clarification.  Doing three single crochets in each corner gives the bow a nice rounded look.  I then scrunched the bow slightly and wrapped yarn around the centre, then attaching it to the slipper.

Prettyness!  Bows are just so cute :)  I made these slippers for my sister because she loves all things cute and pretty!

When I went shopping I noticed that many flats and heels had a modern twist on the traditional bow with straighter lines, giving the bows a more geometric shape.  A reader pointed out that they kind of look like ruffles too!

I thought these grey and pink flats from Zara were super cute!  The pink square in the middle was quite the statement.

And so, I tried to emulate these Zara flats by crocheting some grey and pink slippers with a similar pink design ontop.  I wanted to add more pink to this slipper so I used grey for the toe-cap, switched to pink for the sole, and then switched back to grey for the upper portion.  The pink sole adds a bright pop of colour!

I crocheted a long rectangular strip with the following pattern:

Using a 3.5 mm crochet hook, Ch 36

R1: Starting in second chain from hook, Sc 35.

R2-6: Ch 1.  Turn.  Sc 35

We folded the rectangular piece inwards towards the middle and sewed the piece in place, flattening it so it would not be too puffy.

I then sewed this pink piece onto the grey slippers.  They’re pretty unique-looking!  And they match perfectly with my pajama pants :)

Since it was so much fun crocheting a pair of slippers based on some flats I saw in store, I wanted to crochet another pair of slippers inspired by some of my favourite flats of all-time! I bought these white flats with elastic rainbow straps years ago from Town Shoes and I’ve managed to keep them fairly clean!  They are incredibly comfortable as the leather molds to my feet…it feels like I’m wearing socks when I wear these!  Aren’t these flats awesome?

To start off the rainbow strap, I did a series of chain stitches using red embroidery floss.  I then single crocheted ontop of the red embroidery floss using orange for about ten stitches and then did more chain stitches so that the orange would then be disconnected/independent from the red.  I then joined the orange back with the red by single crocheting the last ten stitches.

I continued with this pattern for the rest of the colours.  I followed good ol’ “ROY G. BIV” (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet) to get a range of colours for my rainbow strap!

We then attached the rainbow straps to my white crocheted slippers!  Ryan also embroidered a border across the edge of the slipper using brown embroidery floss to make them more similar to my flats.

The rainbow straps make these flats so fun, colourful and unexpected!

It was quite a whirlwind when I went on this slipper-making frenzy!

I felt like a shoe designer, dreaming up what designs I wanted to make and wear!

It is so simple to personalize these slippers as there are many great yarn colours to use and many fun buttons and great little crochet embellishments (bows, hearts, flowers) that you can add.

Which one of these crochet slippers are your favourite?

I hope I’ve given you some ideas on how you can adapt and modify a basic pattern to make many different designs!  Do you have any favourite flats or shoes that could be made into a pair of slippers?  Inspiration can come from anywhere!  Once again, the free base pattern can be found here and you can check out my step-by-step blog post with plenty of pictures and a detailed list of the modifications I made here.  Thanks for reading this heavy post and continuing along this crochet journey with me!

A year ago I did a series of blog posts showing some simple ways to crochet cell phone cozies.  Cozies made using Tutorial #1 had crocheted edges while Tutorial #2 showed the “sock method”.  Tutorial #3 involved the use of fabric lining- the pink cozy with wooden button (the one I actually made for myself) was made using this method.  Back then I made it to fit my future iPhone which I did not get until several months later.  I love having a handmade cozy to protect my iPhone in my purse.  It’s fun popping it in and out too :)

Let’s take a look at some cell phone cozies that people have made for their own cell phones!

Audrey of Audrey’s Corner from Germany made three cell phone cozies using my tutorials!  She used the crocheted edges method and made some for her friends as well.  I love how she used a different yarn colour for crocheting the edges.  It gives the cell phone cozies a nice two-toned colour variation!

Audrey added a dainty flower to the bottom of this delicate cozy…

And she added a cute cherry button in the corner of this cozy which she made for herself!

Kai Yee of Alberta, Canada learned to crochet recently and has become a big supporter of my blog :)  She started by making cell phone cozies and has now learned how to read amigurumi patterns and make some beautiful amigurumi!  I love this bright green she used and how she added a cute giraffe and elephant on the bottom.  She used the sock method described in Tutorial #2.  It’s wonderful how so many young people are taking up this awesome hobby :)

Tiffany made a front flap and crocheted button for her cozy using the sock method!  The stitches in Tiffany’s cell phone cozy have a different look because she crocheted in the front loops only.  You can see the lines on the flap since the back loops are not crocheted in.  There are many variations you can do with these cell phone cozies!

Rahmeh of Exceptionally Ordinary of Jordan also made a cell phone cozy with a front flap and crocheted button using the sock method.  It’s nice having that extra protection of the front flap so you really know your cell phone won’t accidentaly pop out!

Kristi is a friend of mine who was interested in learning how to crochet.  I sent her some youtube videos and had her over a couple of times to give advice or answer any questions she had.  Kristi totally blew me away as she picked up crocheting so quickly and really took off with it.  She’s made some awesome creations, from adorable hats and baby bear suits to amigurumi food.  I absolutely love the cell phone cozy she made below.  The fuscia pink and lime green work so nicely together, and the added wristlet is a great way to carry this cozy around.  The little green heart is so adorable.  Learn how to crochet a heart here.

Kristi made these two as well: she used a technique called the “reverse single crochet” or “crab stitch” to do the unique top edging on the cell phone cozy on the left.  It gives a kind of roped effect.  See Planet June’s tutorial on how to do it here.

Brittany of Georgia, USA was a newcomer to crochet and she tweeted me this photo of her first cell phone cozy!  I think her cozy looks so mod with the colours and pink button in the corner. Brittany followed my third tutorial and used a beautiful pink lining to contrast the bright green.  Wonderful job, Brittany!

Babby tweeted me a photo of the cell phone cozy she made for her mom’s birthday!  She also used the fabric lining method and said her mom loved it!

Višnja of Serbia used a flower lining for her cell phone cozy and an animal-print button to pop against the pinkness!  You can get so creative choosing different colours, fun buttons and unique fabric- it’s neat seeing it all come together!

Amanda of Wisconsin was new to amigurumi and crochet when she stumbled upon my blog.  She sent me many photos of her work as she has grown to love her new hobby.  I included her “Sweetheart Bunny” in my last Crochet Corner post.  Here, you can see her yellow cell phone cozy.  Sometimes it’s hard to add charms to phone nowadays, but you can add charms to your cozies as Amanda has done!

Frau Shizzle tried crocheting again for the first time since elementary school to make these cozies.  She made one using fabric lining and one using the sock method- she says she likes the sock method most.  I love her colour choices as the taupe yarn, greenish button and beautiful lining work so well together in her first cozy.  The striped earth tones of her sock cozy look wonderful together as well!  I love them both :)

Lastly, here’s a great way to “amigurumi-fy” your cell phone cozy!  Studio Ami took inspiration from my tutorials and made this ADORABLE cell phone cozy based on the cat from Kiki’s Delivery Service.  The front flap serves as the face with the large round eyes and cute nose.  She also added triangles on the top of the flap for the ears.  How creative!

If you’re new to crochet, these cell phone cozies are a great beginner project since you do not need to know how to read patterns.  They are very practical and functional, and they also make great gifts for friends!  These would also make great last-minute Mother’s Day gifts too :)  Check out all three of my tutorials here to see the different methods and to learn how to make one for yourself!  Keep sending me photos of your work through my facebook page, twitter or e-mail!  Thanks, everyone :)

Hmmm…what are Ryan and I reading?

Some super awesome magazines we’ve been featured in!  I was thrilled when Anna M. Park, the editor-in-chief of Audrey Magazine contacted me, saying that she loved my crochet designs and wanted to include some of them in their upcoming spring issue!  Audrey is the “Asian American Women’s Lifestyle Magazine”, and I was so excited when my hard copies came in the mail.  Growing up, I used to read magazines such as “Cosmo Girl”, “Seventeen” and “Teen Vogue”, and I would get very excited whenever I saw an Asian face on a page, which of course was rare.  Audrey highlights Asian-Americans in entertainment, sports, and pop culture in general, and they also feature Asian-American models in their beauty and fashion sections.  I think it’s exciting where the Asian-American community is headed as the cultural landscape diversifies and more Asian-Americans are visible in the media!

Hannah Simone, of Indian and German-Italian-Greek-Cypriot descent and co-star of New Girl is on the cover of the Spring issue!  Previous stars who have graced the cover of Audrey include Jenna Ushkowitz of Glee, Jamie Chung, Freida Pinto, Tia Carrere, Mindy Kaling and Olivia Munn :)

My feature is on the very last page!  They included a large picture of my Dragon as well as a picture of my Spring Bunnies in the corner.  The feature also includes a little bit about me, including my inspiration, my blog name and how I got started in crocheting.  I am so thrilled and honoured to be featured in this great pioneering magazine!

My brother Corey is a big Nintendo fan (I’ve crocheted a Bob-omb and Luigi amiguurmi for him as well as a Pokemon cell phone cozy) and he’s always loved reading Nintendo Power.  I used to flip through his magazines as we played our fair share of Nintendo games together growing up (e.g. Super Mario 64, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Luigi’s Mansion, etc).  Corey told me about the “Community” section at the back of every issue of the magazine which features fanwork from all around the world.  I thought I would submit the amiugurumi Link I made since I was so proud of how my Hylian shield and accessories turned out!  I was thrilled when I heard back from Nintendo Power as they were very interested in my amigurumi!  Freelance writer and game journalist Nathan Meunier asked me some questions and began writing his article.

I did not know when my Link would be featured, but one day I got an excited message from Corey, telling me that he found Link in the March 2012 issue with Sora of Kingdom Hearts on the cover!

I quickly went out to the store and bought myself a hard copy!  I love the title of our feature: “Lover’s Link” with the description, “This Zelda-inspired amigurumi makes for matrimonial harmony”.  The article highlights how we work as a great husband and wife team and how we wanted to create our own accessories after following Japanese artist Becchin’s original design.  It’s so exciting being featured in a magazine that we used to read growing up! 

Lastly, I was contacted by the wonderful people over at Craftgawker.  Craftgawker was being featured in a crafts magazine in the UK called “Crafts Beautiful Magazine” (haha I’ve probably never used the word “crafts” so many times in one sentence before :P).  This magazine wanted to use some images from Craftgawker, so Craftgawker asked if they could have my permission to send them the photo of my amigurumi Dragon!  Of course, I happily obliged and was excited that such an awesome site with so many beautiful images wanted to use one of mine!  Craftgawker has been very instrumental in introducing people to my blog, and I highly recommend you check out their site if you haven’t so already: there are so many gorgeous images of inspiration for free tutorials and wonderful craft ideas.  You can see my Dragon featured on the page that appeared in the magazine!

We are so thankful to be featured in these wonderful magazines, particularly since Nintendo Power and Audrey Magazine are not targeted towards craft or crochet audiences.  They are mainstream magazines that can be bought in stores!  Hopefully some new people will be introduced to the wonderful world of amigurumi and crochet!  Thank you so much for all your continued support, everyone :)