Mermaid, Part 2

So my little mermaid now has a complete head, eyes, neck, chest and the beginnings of her fin and tail.  I'm a lot happier with how she's turning out than the last mermaid, but this one is about twice the size as my first attempt.  Lesson learned here: a bigger crochet hook does not necessarily produce a better/bigger piece.  In amigurumi, it's essential that there be no spaces between the stitches and that is just really impossible when using a bigger hook.  Who knew? Well, Ok.  Maybe just me, but I'm all for experimentation, trial and error and all that jazz.  I'm not starting over. 

This little gem is taking FOREVER, but it's not because it's difficult to make.  I am just so squeezed for time right now that when I do have the time, I'm tired and don't feel like counting stitches.  I only have two weeks to get her done, so time is ticking and it's time to make the time to get her completed.  I can't wait to see her done and in the hands of Princess's mentor.  The show is coming along beautifully and I'm so happy for these kids.  They've worked so hard - but more on that later.   Keep on stitching! <3 YO Mama

Amiguroooooom...whaaaat???

According to Wikipedia:  Amigurumi (編みぐるみ^?, lit. crocheted or knitted stuffed toy) is how Japanese call the trend of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. The word is derived from a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll.^[1] Amigurumi are typically animals, but can include artistic renderings or inanimate objects endowed with anthropomorphic features,^[2] as is typical in Japanese culture.

Yup, I didn't have a clue at first either.  I just thought crocheting had to do with scarves, hats and baby sweaters.  Japanese toys? Who knew?  But I have to tell you, I'm digging this amigurumi thing and I think I might have stumbled into a new hobby.  

Princess is participating in a local production of "The Little Mermaid Jr." and has a mentor who is helping her with her dancing, singing and lines.  So, as a thank you gift for this young lady, I took it upon myself to try a mermaid doll.  My first attempt looked like this:

She has no face, no arms and her seashells didn't come out the way I planned, but overall she's ok for my first attempt.  I think I got a little ambitious though, because her tail was super stitched (it's two pieces) and is messy in the back.  Her neck is all goofed up too and has gaping holes.  I used a hook that's too bit and she looks deformed.  Princess wants her, so I'll finish her off and give her to my budding thespian as a reminder of her time in the show.

So now, I'm onto mermaid #2.  Again, I chose a bigger hook (why, oh why oh why?) and a different pattern.  Her head worked up in one sitting and looks pretty good so far.  What do you think?  I still have a ways to go, but this doll will be done in one continuous round and then I'll add the arms.  None of that two-part tail business.  This next doll will be HUGE compared to mermaid #1, but hopefully she'll be really cute and a lot easier to make.  I'll post when she's complete, but here is my started project:

This ami stuff is fun and I've already collected patterns for my Dr.Whovians in the house.  That's a huge, overly ambitious project too, complete with Tardis, but I'm not one to back down from a challenge.  Pretty soon I'll be traveling through the time/space continuum to get it done before Christmas.....maybe.