Crochet Geekery

Good Snowy Morning!

Here in Bellevue, Nebraska, we are seeing some significant snowfall for the start of the holiday season. Significant?  At least 4 inches will be dropping by tonight.  I know there are neighbors to the northeast will probably see more but its an important turn of events as I try to get our adopted member of the family out into the snow. For a toy fox terrier, this is becoming a chore.

I would suggest to you dog lovers checking out this awesome site for crocheting dog sweaters.

A Dog in a Sweater

I learned to crochet some cute things there to keep my poor pup warm. Now if I can just get him to the shoveled green patch...

For our human companions, I have a friend out here that is amazing at making some great geek headwear. Her designs are full of detail, bulky for warmth, and they always turn heads when her gal wears them.  If you do not have time this season to crochet another project on your holiday gift list, I suggest you head to Snark Creations on Etsy.com to purchase one of her beautiful pieces.

I love this Dalek hat of hers

For the Zombie enthusiasts

Please go to her shop and take a look. There are things here for the Geeks and some very practical cute things too.

Snark Creations

Please be safe folks. This Season has started out with some very interesting drivers on the road. Make sure you have an emergency kit in your car stocked with some granola bars, a flare kit, a blanket and a small cooler with water so it does not freeze when you need it the most. Check your tires to see if they are properly aired up and have a decent tread.  Give yourself extra time when traveling and please make sure you have ample distance between you and the car ahead of you. At least 3 car lengths between you. If you are going faster on the highway, make that number 4 or 5. 

Happy Holidays, and keep creating!

Heroes of Cosplay??? More like Drama Divas of Cosplay

What has happened to our lovely world of creativity?

I am sorely disappointed tonight with the season finale of "Heroes of Cosplay" on SyFy. I watched in hopes that I can see my friends who went to Planet Comicon and perhaps catch a glimpse of their beautiful talent on a network TV. What I seen and what has hit home with friends makes me want to smack someone into sensibility.

When you become famous, shouldn't you remember your roots? Yeah I'm sure with a team of experts at your side, TV cameras in tow, your vision may be askew-ed by the lights in your eyes but has your manners and upbringing gone away?? Didn't your parents teach you better?  You may be the master but there are many padiwans about that would like to be inspired by you, not scoffed aside as you wander through. I had at least 3 friends snuffed by the entourage of these "Heroes", one was pushed out of the way by these people as if common trash. Did they know they just snuffed some of our most creative props designers in Omaha!!

For another thing, this show is being portrayed in the wrong way! Most of us create months in advance our costumes, not this Fedexed last minute bull you see on this show. Also, having local talents edited to paint a scathing picture just for drama's sake is completely uncool.

I encourage all of you to follow the posted link to a lady that was seen in the finale as the"villain". A female Dr Who character that was having some choice words with the "Heroes" backstage. There are two sides to each story and hers is far different from what was aired on the show.

http://wow-lawbringer.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-life-as-villain-of-cosplay.html

I am hoping this season finale is the series finale. SyFy is feeding itself too much on recreated dramas instead of reality. You know things were starting to go downhill when they started airing Wrestling as part of their lineup. If you are going for drama folks..... why not bring back something more wholesome and worthwhile to watch....like Firefly :')   (yes yes I know it can't be brought back but hey we can hope)

Hello Kitty Inspired Beanie

Well Folks.

Its about time. I am making the Hello Kitty beanie free to the public. Here's the pattern but since this is one of my original patterns the copyrights still apply. Please link to this pattern if you are showing on another site to give credit where due. As to selling?  Be careful! This is a copyrighted kitty because of its name, shape, and even the bow by the company laws say its copyrighted. How do I know?  The letter in my gmail inbox.

So I caution you to do as you will within reason. But the pattern itself is my own that's the only part that's technically mine. Any questions about what to do or about the pattern instructions, email me and I will assist as best as possible. Happy Hookin!

Hello Kitty Beanie

By Tattiana Talahandra  - September 2010
A variant from those currently seen on the web. Here’s my rendition. Please note copyright
following the pattern.

Difficulty Level is EASY

For this pattern you will need basic knowledge in Crocheting. In this pattern you will be working
in rounds. For the basic beanie, you will be creating a Ring with DC (double crochet) stitches. For
more information,

I found websites like crochetpatterncentral.com and youtube a big help.

Abbreviations:
Ch= Chain
SL= Slip Stitch
SC= Single Crochet
DC= Double Crochet
HDC= Half Double Crochet

Supplies:
Hook size H
Worst weight yarn (a skein of each) in White and Pink -- I used Caron’s Natura in White and Soft
Pink
2 Black Buttons - I used La-Petite #769 size 9/16 found at Hancock Fabric
Scrap Black yarn for whiskers later
Scrap yellow yarn for the nose
Small bit of Polyfill fiber for stuffing the ears

Basic Beanie
Last round of your hat use pink to give it a nice finished edge
Create Ring
1. Chain 3, SL to join
2. DC 10 in the ring, SL to join

Rest of the Beanie you will be working with rounds in the ring you created.
Round 1: CH 2, 2 DC in each stitch. Around. SL to Join (20 stitches)
Round 2: CH 2, 1 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (30 stitches)
Round 3: CH 2, 2 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. SL to join (40 stitches)
Round 4: CH 2, 3 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. (50 stitches)
Round 5: CH 2, 4 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. (60 stitches)

**Round 6: CH 2, 5 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. (70 stitches)
**If making for a smaller head then skip round 6. If making for a larger head then proceed with
round 6 and if you need to make it larger, add another round (ex 6 DC then 2DC in next stitch, 7 DC
then 2 in
next stitch….etc) until the hat is wide enough for the intended head. On the ones I have made for
people, I haven’t gone over 5 DC then 2. Who knows… you might have someone who has a big ego, in
that case, you may need more yarn :’)

Round 7- 16 or more: CH 2,  1 DC in each stitch around. Continue making rounds until the beanie is of a
desired length for the wearer.

Ears (Make 2)
Use white yarn to start with
1.  Chain 3, SL to join
2. DC 6 in loop (7 stitches)
3.  2 DC in each DC (14 stitches)
4.  1 DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around. (21 stitches)
5.  2DC then 2 DC in the next stitch. Around (28 stitches) Finish off then turn inside out for a
more finished look

Bow
ch 25
Row 1  Ch2 then HDC across (start in 3rd Ch from hook). Turn
Row 2: Ch 2 then HDC across
Stitch ends together to form a cuff
I wound white yarn about the middle to make it a bow.

Assembly

Assemble as shown…..When it comes to the ears, you want them slightly oval when sewing them onto
the hat with a yarn needle around the bottom of the ear. Don't forget to add a small bit of
polyfill before you secure it firmly. If unsure how put the ears on, flatten your hat and then
guage how high you want them on your head. Place those ears on the flattened edge.
Add your little crocheted bow to the ear.  Sew in place
Add some yellow yarn or black yarn for extra touches or leave plain….up to you. Sew in black
buttons for eyes and there’s your hat!

This crochet pattern is copyright of Tattiana Talahandra (September 2010). DO NOT reprint this 
pattern, or post it on any other website. You may make a copy of this pattern for your own personal 
use, but do not include it in any collections, website, or cds. You are welcome to link to this 
pattern and if you post your own pictures of what you create, please credit accordingly and include 
a link to this original pattern.

A Day in the Life of AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Good Afternoon Folks

Please don't flog me yet (unless its made of yarn). My computer equipment was recently under 6 inches of water and I am finally making my way back onto the internet.

Good News?   All my yarn stashes were exempt from the muddy fingers of my basement flood. For once my attempts of organization pad off in my craft room so the things on the floor were minimal when the waters came in. My yarn was neatly tucked away by colors in their respective file boxes in a closet.

During my downtime, its come to my attention that my quiet blog gained followers from the recent influx of BBC viewers. I guess there are more like minded crochet people out there wanting geeky things made. HOORAY for US!!

Since certain hobbies of mine were taken away with the flood, its time to focus on the important things like crochet projects and things we need for the holidays. What this means for you lucky viewers is more patterns will be added to this site soon.  We need things that you can whip up in a pinch for people! I want people coming here to feel like they can create just about anything. You do not have to be fancy to make something memorable for your kids. I wrote down a few ideas on paper and crafted some things but I need to get the drafted works up here for you to read.  Crochet projects and a plastic canvas project I would love to see if you all can make something with.  I will still focus on gaming, geeky, and nerdy chic fun.

So stay tuned for more antics.

May Britishfest BBQ

Hello Everyone!!


The following is an announcement from the founder of Britishfest :

On May 25th, the Britishfest team is proudly hosting a BBQ cookout in Bellevue's Washington Park. It is encouraged that guests who are attending the BBQ bring a covered dish (excluding chips and 2 liter bottles of soda, no alcohol allowed) or to make a donation to help Britishfest become the best convention we can make it. There is also an opportunity to purchase weekend memberships at the BBQ and feature an exclusive Memorial Day BBQ discount of 10%. There is a list below of items that we still need which will be updated daily. Follow the link below to get your VIP in today.

https://www.facebook.com/events/513818391983631/


What is Britishfest you say?  its a new convention (in 2014) that is celebrating British entertainment! From Dr Who to Discworld. From Monty Python to The Prisoner.

Check it out here

http://britishfest.weebly.com/index.html