baby afghan and wooble and gifts

Firstly, I want to share what I got in the mail over the weekend. My friend Fran sent me the cutest little quilted pocket prayer cloth. I've never seen anything like it. It's adorable. So pretty. She also sent a prayer card which is so special and a pocket heart

Yarn:  Love This Yarn Soft Blue

Hook: H/5.0mm footprints in the sand by Laurie Whitaker

Size: 33" x 36"

Pattern: foundation chain 102. Call the Midwife, video by Fiber Spider for the body, for the border I referenced Jonna Martinez's Call the Midwife. I worked 2 rows of V stitches. I worked 6 "flowers" across and 10 pattern rows.

I have used Fiber Spider's videos many times in the past and this one in particular several times. I use it to get me started if I've not done a Call the Midwife in a while. Now YouTube has put ads within the video and even though they are short it takes you out of the groove you're in. You're crocheting along and wham an ad. I have to stop and skip it. Sometimes there are two ads so you have to wait a few seconds and then again for the second one. It's VERY annoying. I've noticed this on videos by others and usually it's not important and I just leave, but this time I wanted to go through the whole video. It did not make me happy. I did it though and finished one section which I can now use to continue.

I must note that I even see ads on my own videos. I could not find a way to turn them off for my visitors. So far as I am aware I do not get paid for these either.

In addition to finishing this blanket, I started working on a Barbie Wooble kit which comes with a Barbie crochet hook. You know I had to get it. I've not done amigurumi before and I thought this would be a good opportunity to try it since it was for beginners. I did think it was a bit high at $40 but it comes with a LOT of videos demonstrating each step and there is the hook too. All needed supplies are included.

I have to say the videos are very well done. She is thorough and I don't think a single step was missed in the ones I watched. I did have a knot in my yarn and that was not covered but it's not a part of the pattern and that wouldn't happen to everyone. The videos are really short so if a child is doing it they would not get bored by a long video.

They answer emails very quickly and actually answer the question one asks unlike some other places where you get a non-answer.

Now here's what I discovered. I do not particularly enjoy making amigurumi. Not their fault. This just isn't my thing right now but you know that could change. Here's what I've done so far. I did learn how to put in eyes and embroider a smile (sort of).  

I also learned something I didn't know. There is a right and wrong way to replace your hook after you take it out. When you place the yarn back on the hook, give a tug and if the strand closest to you moves, you've done it correctly. In 40+ years I've never heard anyone explain that. I don't know if I've explained it right myself but I understood what they meant.

This is the body. There are arms and ears and hair also but I haven't tackled those yet.

They have many kits and if you have a very beginner I would choose one without a lot of add-ons. They do have levels ... Beginner, Beginner +. Intermediate. The Barbie kit is a Beginner+. The project comes with the first round done for you and includes a cute hook - which is smart as it was the hook that drew me in. 

The Barbie kit is a limited edition. There are a number of parts to it so I would save this kit for once you've got a good understanding of the basics. I guess being able to sew would be an added benefit but it's really not that hard and it's explained well.

Note that you can download the printed pattern by going to your kit, putting in the password specific to your kit, and at the upper right-hand corner there is a download link.

If I were to do another one, I was looking at Clyde. He looks simple. :-) They may wear me down yet. LOL

Happy crocheting!

Sandie