It's a Jack 'o Lantern, it's an octopus, it's a Oct 'o Lantern

I am also working on a new mini art kind of zine, I’m really excited about this because it combines lots of things that I enjoy all in one, ocean animals, painting and zines!

Lots of new and exciting projects going on in my little crafty world. I am really excited about all this. I think I am finally figuring about how to balance my crafting needs with my day job. Maybe someday soon I can quit and dedicate all of my time to crafts! Haha keep your fingers crossed!

xo

This pattern was in the first issue of my zine, Handmaiden’s Voyage,  but I thought I would share it. Feel free to ask any questions if you need to.

Supply List:

• Sport weight yarn in any color (I used a bright green) *since gauge isn’t important you can use any kind of yarn you want, just use the recommended hook size*
• 4mm Crochet Hook
• Embroidery Needle
• Felt any color (I used yellow)
• Black Embroidery Thread
• 2 6mm Safety Eyes (small buttons or beads will work just fine too)
• Stuffing Material
• Stitch Marker

For this pattern you will need basic crochet skills as well as an understanding of crocheting in the round. Milton is super easy to make so it’s a great pattern for a beginner Finished size is approx. 3″ including legs

Abbreviations:

• CH – chain
• SC – single crochet
• SC2TOG – single crochet 2 together (decrease)
• FO – finish off
• MM – move stitch marker
• St(s) – stitch(es)

 Body: Work in a spiral

5 SC into a ring (5 sts)

Rnd 1 2 SC in each st (10 sts) MM

Rnd 2 *2 SC in first st, SC in next st, repeat from * around (15 sts) MM

Rnd 3 *2 SC in first st, SC in next 2 sts, repeat from * around (20 sts) MM

Rnd 4 *2 SC in first st, SC in next 3 sts, repeat from * around (25 sts) MM

Rnds 5-12 SC in each st around,(25 sts) MM

Rnd 13 *SC2TOG, SC in next 3 sts, repeat from * around (20 sts) MM

Rnd 14 SC in each st around (20 sts) FO leave a 10″ tail

Face:

Cut 2 felt circles a little bit larger than the size of the eyes. If you are using safety eyes, cut a small slit in the felt to get the eyes thru. Attach the eyes. Using the embroidery thread, sew 2 slanted eyebrows above the eyes. Change his eyebrows to change his attitude!

Legs:

CH 15 (leave a 4″ tail), turn, SC 15, FO   leave 4″ tail (make

See how they curl up?? If they aren’t curling try pulling your stitches a little tighter on the second row. It’s not a curly-q, just a slight curve.

 Bottom: Work in a spiral

SC 5 into a ring (5 sts)

Rnd 1 2 SC in each st (10 sts) MM

Rnd 2 *2 SC in first st, SC in next st, repeat from * around (15 sts) MM

Rnd 3 *2 SC in first st, SC in next 2 sts, repeat from * around (20 sts) FO

Attach the legs to the bottom.

Use the tail left at the end and the tail from the beginning of your chain to secure the legs.

Using the embroidery needle, bring the yarn tails up from the bottom towards what will be the inside and tie a knot. Trim excess yarn.

Whip Stitch the bottom to the body using the tail left on the body. When there are about 5 stitches left, stuff him until he is all puffed out, then finish whip stitching him closed.

Ta-Da!! Mad Face Milton!!

I had some buttons made by Heather at http://www.flickr.com/photos/klingster/   They turned out so great! I plan to give them out to people that order a squid or octo and I’ll probably do a listing in my Etsy shop incase someone just wants one. I’m really excited about these because I love it when I get free buttons so hopefully other people feel the same way.

I recently did a trade with Doop and this is what she sent me! It’s a so amazing and I love it so much! Trades are so much fun!

Well that’s what has been going on in my life. I’ll post pics of new squids, octos and zines soon!

I have a lot to be thankful for. Life is going pretty good and I am happy we arent struggling as much this year as we did last year. It was really nice to be able to afford to make a delicious Thanksgiving meal.  All in all I’m pretty proud of how my food turned out, the turkey and dressing were the best part. Not to bad for my first turkey. I made cupcakes for dessert since Jeremy doesn’t like pie (crazy right!?) and they were soo yum!

On the crafty side of things, I made a coffee sweater today! Hee hee I think the coffee looks kinda cute in it’s little shirt.  Plus it keeps my hand cozy and comfortable. 

I feel like this time of year is hard for me to have the energy to make things. I work retail and Christmas is the worst time of year for that. People start going crazy the day after Halloween, what ever happened to waiting until the day after Thanksgiving? It get earlier every year. Anyway, when I get off work I feel exhausted by the day even if I only worked a short shift. I can’t wait until the holidays are over so things can get back to normal.

It’s just so freaking awesome! I plugged it in and it totally works too, well as far as I can tell so far, there’s even a light on the back that works. It needs a really good cleaning and a new needle.

I don’t really know much about it though, since there doesnt seem to be any brand labels on it. I know that “Bamberger” used to be a department store in New Jersey that sold out to Macy’s in like the 30′s, but thats about it. It will be fun to try to find out exactly what it is. Yay trash mystery! If anyone knows anything about it lemme know!

I am starting on my holiday crochet projects. Yay! I am going to make my mom some kind of scarf or cowl, I haven’t decided exactly what yet. I also have a few squids/octos to make for gifts. I am trading an octopussy & tampon buddy for this awesome plush cuttlefish, that one is  going to be a present for me! Yay trades are so exciting!

Those projects should keep me busy for a while! Pictures to come soon! xo

I just finished this lovely little classic cowl up. It’s made from a nice soft wool.  I think this is the first of many wintery things to come. 

The day I took this picture it was really beautiful outside tho, it was the perfect fall day. We took Dee to the park where she decided to roll in the huge mud puddle in the middle of the park.  It has been raining for the past 3 days so it was really nice to be outside.  I wish I had brought my camera to the park, Dee was solid brown.