A Joyful Return to the Show Circuit

It seems the  call of the craft fair season has beckoned me once again! After a well-deserved winter respite, during which I bid farewell to the burdens of canopies and tables, the arrival of spring has brought with it a renewed zest for vending and sharing my amigurumi!

Armed with a single 4-foot table and a little red wagon, I embark on this new chapter, embracing a more modest yet equally fulfilling approach to vending. The joy that radiates from the faces of the children who visit my humble setup is a reward beyond measure! As I build my inventory anew, the plush yarns are an obvious favorite.  Yet, I still have quite a bit of regular yarn in my stash, so I'll be working with both.This season, I plan to pace myself with a more manageable schedule of about one show per month.  I am finished with  the days of the relentless weekly grind and have replaced them with a more relaxed schedule  that allows me to enjoy the experience and then recover from the whirlwind of each event.

So I'm looking forward to a lovely summer of family, friends and fun as well as continued enjoyment of crafting and vending!  Hope to see some of you at some of these events this season!

Meanwhile, check out my online store to see current offerings and to place a custom order.

https://goimagine.com/whimseystitches/

Or visit my FaceBook page at  

https://www.facebook.com/Renycrochets

Or find me on Instagram at 

https://www.instagram.com/irenemcraven/

 In the whimsical world of crafting, where creativity knows no bounds, a delightful fusion has emerged 

This past week I have been just 'foolin around' with some patterns to see how they would turn out.  I made a basket of plush kittens for a craft show and they were so much fun I wondered if they would transfer over into other characters.  I suppose you could call these 'TransKittens' since they have transformed into Pokemon characters.  LOL!  But I thought they turned out cute.  

And while I was into characters I decided to try my hand on a mutant turtle.  I don't think you could call him trans since he is a mutant.  But the popularity of these guys just never ends!

So that's all I have for you today.  Must get busy making the rest of the Cowabunga Crew!  If you would like to make some of these adorable guys you can find the TNMT Pattern here.  Reasonable price and easy to  follow.  I did omit a lot of the slip stitches, using single crochet stitches instead.  He still turned out cute!

Blessings!

Reny

Opossum Time

My Latest Crochet Creation: A Plush Opossum

As a passionate crocheter, I'm always on the lookout for new projects to tackle. This time, I decided to challenge myself by creating a plush opossum.

I just happened to have all the right colors of plush chenille yarn on hand, so I set to work to create this fun project!  I have made several of these previously per request, but never in a plush yarn.  Because of the size and weight of the yarn, this possum turned out nearly life-sized!

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I am quite pleased with the finished product! I love working with this yarn and the soft, cuddly effect it yields.  This possum is impressive.

I'm thrilled to have this unique and impressive crochet creation as part of my collection.  And I must give credit to the pattern designer, CraftedByAlicia.  If you crochet, you should visit her shop and see her awesome designs!

And while you're at it,  have a look at my new online shop atWhimseyStitches.

Blessings!

Reny

The Marbled Moo

Who doesn't love a cute cow? And this one is definitely cute! 

Meet the Marbled Moo, the cuddliest crocheted cow ever.  This plush bovine friend was handcrafted of soft velvet yarn with chenille yarn accents.

For this cow I selected a cream colored velvet yarn with a darker cream marbling throughout.  The black spots are crocheted into the design rather than making separate spots to stitch on.  This creates a cow hide that more closely resembles the natural beauty of a real cow's coat.

I used my preferred method for making the eyes, shank buttons connected on the inside of the head with several strands of strong cord and securely stitched together and also to the inside of the head.  I then further reinforced the eyes with strong glue to the outside of the head to protect against them wiggling loose.  

The open mouth was a fun addition and I may use this technique more often on other amigurumi creations.

This cow is a bit of a hefty heifer standing about a foot tall from hoof to ear tips  and 10 inches long and boasting a chubby 6 inch width.

All in all I'm rather pleased with the way she turned out.    While there are a lot of cow patterns to be found, I wanted a cow that was standing on four legs.  This Pattern fit the bill perfectly.

Next project?  How about an opossum?  

Thanks for visiting my blog!  

My Shop

Blessings!

Reny

One Happy Little Car!

 VW Beetle

I was searching through my yarn stash the other day and ran across a half-finished project from several years ago.  I remembered when I put it aside.  I had most of the components done, but some of my parts were not proportional to the main body of the car for some reason.

The problem with laying aside a project to finish later is that when you come back to it you sometimes forget which yarn, which hook and other details important to the completion of the project.  Such was the case with this one.

After the first 'laying aside' I evidently forgot which size hook I was using, therefore when I did pick it up again I used a different and larger hook to try to complete it.  This is why I had disproportionate parts.  So in frustration I did what any crochet artist would do....I laid the project aside again!  

So, here I am, several years later and this project resurfaced once again.  Time to frog (unravel) and try again.  I do love the way this beetle turned out!  It only slightly resembles the original project, but in the process of remaking, it has become a one-of-a-kind little car with big eyes and a happy smile.  

I hope this one ends up in the hands of some car loving child that will love and cherish it and,  yes, perhaps wear it completely out.

To see this sweet little car visit my web store and give it some love!  VW Beetle

Blessings!

Reny

The Tale of a Giant Crocheted Plush Caterpillar

As I sit here, looking at the creature before me, I can't help but marvel at the sheer dedication and creativity that went into its creation. This giant crocheted plush caterpillar is a true work of art, a testament to the boundless imagination and skilled hands of its designer at 
Cottontail and Whiskers !  They have the most awesome crochet designs!

Meticulous Work

Recreating this caterpillar was no easy feat. It took weeks of painstaking work, with each stitch carefully placed to bring this whimsical creature to completion. The attention to detail is truly astounding, from the delicate texture of the plush fabric to the intricate patterns that adorn its body.  When I first decided to take on this project, I knew it would be a challenge. But the idea of crafting a larger-than-life plush caterpillar, one that would captivate and delight all who laid eyes on it, was simply too enticing to resist.

Almost Lifelike Hands

One of the most striking features of this plush caterpillar is its hands. Crafted with such precision and care, they appear almost lifelike, as if the creature could reach out and give you a hug. The delicate fingers, are even a bit posable!

Adorable and Huggable

This giant crocheted plush caterpillar is not only a visually interesting, but also a tactile delight. Its’ soft, cuddly texture invites you to reach out and give it a hug, and you can't help but feel a sense of whimsy and joy as you do so. The curly hair and long antennae add to his adorable charm.  My grandson just fell in love with him the first time he held him.

In the end, this captivating tale is not just about a giant crocheted plush caterpillar – it's about the passion, dedication, and love that went into its creation.  So, if you ever have the chance to encounter my magnificent crocheted caterpillar, be sure to give him a hug and let his charm and wonder captivate you, just as it has captivated me.

Click here to see this Big Boy

Blessings!

Reny