I must apologize for being away for so long, even though nobody probably noticed. Last May I went back to college. Quite the experience for stay at home mom of 6 1/2 years and 37 years of age. In July I began working nights for an online business services company. My standard hours are 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Let me just note here that my kids are all early risers whether it is summer or not so my wake-up morning greetings came somewhere around 6:30 each morning. While the summer months weren't too crazy I have been absolutely overwhelmed since the twins started first grade in August, especially since our youngest stopped napping about two weeks later. So much for my nap. In addition to my job, my school, staying home with my just-turned-three-year-old, managing the school and extracurricular schedule for two 1st graders, I was asked to join the strategic planning committee at my children's elementary school. I felt honored to be asked and took that on as well. So, I have been just a tad busy and have been burning the candle at both ends. While I have made a lot of projects over the last several months I haven't spent much time promoting my little crochet shop or blogging.
I made my first Angry Bird this week. I found this wonderful pattern on Craftown.com . It is the first time in 7 1/2 years of avid crocheting that I have made a "single crochet" hat that I really love. The pattern is easy to understand and works of up quickly. I made a few minor changes to the eyes, brows and head wick.
Head wick changes: I followed the directions through round 8 but joined and fastened off at the end, leaving a long tail (16" or so). Instead of crocheting the yellow in rows 9 and 10 I tasseled them. I used 8" lengths of yarn folded in half. Then I folded them in half again to pull through each chain and make a tassel (here is a link to a video if you don't know how to do it, the same thing but with less yarn). After adding the yellow tassels I used the black tail to stitch the top of the head wick together, leaving the bottom part open to attach to the hat.
The eyes, I did the black and gray parts exactly as written but elongated the whites by using 3hdc in place of 3sc on each eye. Not much of a difference but I liked the shape.
The brows, I wanted some major brows for this bird so
Using F hook (I wanted the ends stiff)
CH 20
Row 1: SC in 2nd chain from hook across, CH1
Row 2: (BROW 1 ONLY) Turn, HDC in turn CH, HDC in next two, SC across. CH1
(BROW 2 ONLY) Turn, SC in turn CH, SC in next 16, HDC in last three. CH1
Row 3: Turn, SC in turning CH and across. Fasten off, leave long tail to stitch to hat.
I stitched about 14 chains down and left the last 5 to poke out like the bird on the game.
I made this for a customer (the pattern allows you to sell your items) but now both of my boys want one and my daughter wants to know where the pink and purple angry birds are....lol.