Costumeology: The Knitted Pirate

Pirate garb is de rigueur at ChezLinoleum. As such, I've been knitting and crocheting my pirate-y stripes for the last few years in an attempt to create a fully knitted pirate look.

My costume began with this piece...



Draping oneself in one's flag is the ultimate display of one's pride methinks.

In succession, came the crocheted and knitted versions of this sweater...





I currently have three of these little sweaters in my closet. Great with skirts. Fantabulous with jeans. And absolutely amazing with...BLOOMERS!





Oh yes, upon immediate discovery of this Knitty pattern, I knew that I must knit a pirate-styled pair.

I wore this lovely ensemble to our annual Stitch N Witch gathering last night...



Even though I am just a mere deck hand at the moment, I did win the coveted "Best Use of Yarn" Prize while making merry at our fete. Yipee!

I see a knitted frock coat and perhaps a crocheted tricorn hat on my list of projects to complete for next year's Halloween season...Aaaarrrrggggghhhhh!

Costumeology: The Dark Fairy

NOTHING makes me happier than donning a pair of wings (or fangs, or tutu, or pirate garb, etc.) before hitting the streets of LaLaLand to go about my daily routine. Now, under normal circumstances, I would be looked upon as a few eggs short of a dozen if I decided to show up to the cube farm sporting a clown fro. However, October cannot be considered "normal circumstances" so digging the tutu(s) (yes, I have more than one) and wigs out of the back of the closet became priority one a few weeks ago for this is the most spooktacular time of the year!

This particular Halloween season brings three dress-up opportunities for moi and y'all know I'm not about to wear the same costume three times. Mon dieu! So, lets take a looksee at what I've thrown together for one of my upcoming alternate egos, shall we? Without further ado, I present to you my Dark Fairy garb...



Now, every femme fairy needs an ethereal little skirt, don't you agree? Yeah...So, even though I have a plethora of tulle in my closet, I didn't have any tulle related vestments in this keen red and black color combo and no standard pink sparkly fae wardrobe would do for me this Halloween. Nope, I'm looking to personify the classic trickster fae folkette. As such, I worked up this cute little dark netted number last night in the span of hour...And what a satisfying hour it twas too!



These beauties have been adorning the wall of my closet for months! Oh, don't worry, they weren't at all lonely for I have LOTS of wings.

Anyway, are they not spectacular???

You know you want a pair...And you can purchase them here along with many other amazing versions. Her wings are awesome and really well made.

Anyhoo, as I said, these lovelies were sitting in my closet for eons, urging me to marry them off to a sampling of perfect accompaniments. I was obliged to comply. Just look at how amazing my wings look with their tutu comrade...



But wait, there's more!



No self-respecting fae would be caught dead with the ears of a human! Nope, only pointy elfin ears will do this All Hallow's Eve!

Um, am I the only one around who has spirit gum in her cosmetic case year round???

Ahem...Let's move on.



Lastly, I purchased this very cool kit from Sephora to aid me in achieving each of my spooktacular looks this season. Methinks the store should offer these boxes of wonder the rest of the year as well. Come on, you can picture it. Ice Queen makeup for winter. Flower Fairy makeup for Spring. Golden Goddess makeup for summer. It would be amazing right? Yeah, I agree, retailers have no vision.

My Dark Fairy costume just needs a little liquid leather and fishnet to top it off. Then I'm good to go!

Ahhh, Halloween, how I love thee!

New Charts Available! From Head To Toe: The Skeleton!

I've got an early Halloween surprise for you, my peeps...

Remember my skeleton antimacassar? That Monster Crochet filet crochet classic?



Well, I finally finished translating my hand drawn charts into digital format (yeah, that took some time) and I am offering the set of 15 charts to you, dear reader, for a mere $15! Yes, that would be a buck a chart!



The set of charts comes to you in PDF format, each chart on a separate page. You get the skull, ribcage, pelvis, a right and left humerus, a right and left ulna, right and left hands, a right and left femur, a right and left tibia and, of course, both right and left feet! These charts can be used for knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, etc. Remember, these are "Just Charts!" so there are no needlework instructions accompanying the charts themselves. Charts are available on my sidebar.

It's never to early to get started on crafting your Halloween decor!

Copyright 2009 Regina Rioux and Monster Crochet. All rights reserved.

Renfield's Shawl

Here is my tribute to Dracula's sidekick...



Yes, it's Renfield's Shawl!

Covered in crocheted buggy delights, this woolly wonder is made up of woven diamonds that I subsequently crocheted together. Each diamond was woven on my 12" Hazel Rose Diamond Loom in a variety of yarns such as Colinette Point 5, Lamb's Pride Bulky as well as a little Vitreous Humor by Insubordiknit (which I love!).



Renfield's meal replacements...uh...buggy buddies were crocheted from scraps of Koigu KPPPM.



More details about the bug appliques can be found here.

All in all, not a bad accessory to drape about the shoulders while traipsing around the neighborhood in pursuit of candy on All Hallows Eve!

Happy Halloweeeeeeen!!

Copyright 2008 Regina Rioux Gonzalez. All rights reserved.

NEW PATTERN - Creepy Crawly Crochet Appliques

In the spirit of the season, I bring to you a suite of buggy delights in the form of crocheted appliques!

How about a handful of Red Worms...



Cock-A-Roaches...



Black Widows...



And of course Maggots in 3D!



Gross, huh?

You've got admit, they're a little cool though too...

Best part is that these crocheted, squashed examples of bug-dom are great stash busters! Yep, best use of my leftover sock yarn yet (if I do say so myself)!

Pattern for all four squiggly wonders is available on my sidebar for the low, LOW price of $7!

You know you want to make piles of bug carnage...

FREE PATTERN - Vampire Bat Applique

Are you all ready for this year's FREE Monster Crochet Halloween pattern???

Drumroll please!

Okay, forget the drumroll. Just keep reading.

Introducing the Vampire Bat Applique!


Bat made with black thread.

Materials:

~ Thread Bats~
DMC Pearl Cotton, size 8 - one ball will produce legions of bats
US size 6 steel hook
Tapestry or embroidery needle for sewing bats onto desired surface

~Worsted Weight Bats~
Worsted weight yarn of your choice - one skein or hank will produce legions of bats
US size F or G hook depending upon whether your yarn is a light or heavy worsted (aim for a dense fabric)
Tapestry or embroidery needle for sewing bats onto desired surface

Gauge:
These little batty bats can be crocheted in thread or yarn depending upon finished desired bat size. Little thread bats run about 4 1/2" from wing tip to wing tip, while their worsted weight yarn counterparts measure approximately 11 1/2" from tip to tip.

Abbreviations:
beg - beginning
ch - chain stitch
R - Row
rnd - round
sc - single crochet
sl st - slip stitch
st - stitch
sts - sts
tog - together

Directions:
Bat is worked from wing to wing utilizing short rows for shaping. Short rows are intended to be just that, rows made up of less stitches than the rows preceding. So, if I am directing to you work fewer stitches than the preceding row, I haven't lost my mind. Just follow the directions as written and your bat will thank you upon completion.
R 1 - ch 16, beg in second ch from hook work 5 sc into foundation ch, do not work remaining sts, turn.
R 2 - ch 1, 3 sc, turn.
R 3 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 4 sc, turn.
R 4 - ch 1, 5 sc, turn.
R 5 - ch 1, 8 sc, turn.
R 6 - ch 1, 7 sc, 2 sc in last st, turn.
R 7 - ch 1, 13 sc, turn.
R 8 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 10 sc, 2 sc in last st, turn.
R 9 - ch 1, 13 sc, turn.
R 10 - ch 1, 2 sc in first st, 11 sc, 2 sc in last st, turn.
R 11 - ch 1, 2 sc in first st, 14 sc, turn.
R 12 - ch 1, 16 sc, ch 3, turn.
R 13 - beg in second ch from hook 2 sc along ch sts, 16 sc, turn.
R 14 - ch 1, 17 sc, turn.
R 15 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 15 sc, ch 3, turn.
R 16 - beg in second ch from hook 2 sc along ch sts, 14 sc, sc last 2 sts tog, turn.
R 17 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 14 sc, turn.
R 18 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 13 sc, turn.
R 19 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 10 sc, sc last 2 sts tog, turn.
R 20 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 10 sc, turn.
R 21 - ch 1, 9 sc, sc last 2 sts tog, turn.
R 22 - ch 1, 10 sc, turn.
Rs 23 & 24 - ch 1, 5 sc, turn.
R 25 - ch 1, 2 sc in first st, 9 sc, ch 4, turn.
R 26 - beg in second ch from hook 3 sc along ch sts, 11 sc, turn.
R 27 - ch 1, 2 sc in first st, 13 sc, ch 3, turn.
R 28 - beg in second ch from hook 2 sc along ch sts, 15 sc, turn.
R 29 - ch 1, 2 sc in first st, 14 sc, turn.
R 30 - ch 1, 16 sc, turn.
R 31 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 14 sc, ch 3, turn.
R 32 - beg in second ch from hook 2 sc along ch sts, 15 sc, turn.
R 33 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 13 sc, turn.
R 34 - ch 1, 12 sc, sc 2 sts tog, turn.
Rs 35 & 36 - ch 1, 5 sc, turn.
Rs 37 & 38 - ch 1, 10 sc, turn.
R 39 - ch 1, 9 sc, 2 sc in last st, turn.
R 40 - ch 1, 2 sc in first st, 9 sc, 2 sc in last st, turn.
R 41 - ch 1, 12 sc, 2 sc last st, ch 3, turn.
R 42 - beg in second ch from hook 2 sc along ch sts, 13 sc, 2 sc in last st, turn.
R 43 - ch 1, 2 sc in first st, 14 sc, turn.
R 44 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 14 sc, ch 3, turn.
R 45 - beg in second ch from hook 2 sc along ch sts, 13 sc, sc last 2 sts tog, turn.
Rs 46 & 47 - ch 1, 14 sc, turn.
R 48 - ch 1, 2 sc in first st, 11 sc, sc last 2 sts tog, turn.
R 49 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 12 sc, turn.
R 50 - ch 1, 11 sc, sc last 2 sts tog, turn.
Rs 51 & 52 - ch 1, 12 sc, turn.
R 53 - ch 1, 8 sc, turn.
R 54 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 6 sc, turn.
R 55 - ch 1, 4 sc, turn.
R 56 - ch 1, sc first 2 sts tog, 2 sc, ch 3, turn.
R 57 - beg in second ch from hook 2 sc along ch sts, 1 sc, sc 2 sts tog.
Fasten off.

Bat Border Directions:
To finish bat, work 1 rnd of sc around entire edge. To keep the points around outer edge, uh, pointy while working border rnd, make 1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc at tip of each point. To end border rnd, sl st to beg sc to join. Fasten off with enough thread/yarn to sew bat onto desired surface.


Bat made with variegated grey thread.

Happy Halloween everyone!!

Copyright 2008 Regina Rioux Gonzalez. All rights reserved.

Tis the Season!

In honor of my favorite fall month, my penchant for all fiber processes and of course my inability to employ any willpower where our favorite fuzzy strings are concerned, I purchased and began this little needlepoint diddy on Saturday and finished it on Sunday...



I think he's adorable in spite of my terrible needlepoint technique. Although, now that I've braved the needlepoint waters after having successfully avoided them for several years, I came to the realization that I love making stitches in canvas and therefore have a duty to add this art back into my repertoire. As such, I will be perusing the canvas collection at Abuelita's this weekend during my teaching escapades in search of more little Halloween treats similar to my cyclops mummy above.

I love Halloween!

The Saw That Dripped Blood...SCARF!

Ahhh, nothing like a bit of crocheted blood to get me in the holiday spirit! Direct from the Runway of the Wrongway, we have a very fashionable as well as functional example of Slasher Film Chic...



Oh yeah! The Saw That Dripped Blood...SCARF!

This was a quick crochet (at least until I got to the bloody portion of the program), made entirely from Cascade 220. The blood? Yeah, that took some time to accomplish as it is one continuous line of surface crochet. I rather like the results though.

Gruesome...

And quite fetching on my crafty cohort, Jenna!



Best part? Yep, pattern is available on my sidebar if you'd like to give it slice! I know, bad joke. Whatever. Anyway, if you do decide to make one, I suggest a few severed fingers as an accompaniment.

Happy, Happy Halloween!

Copyright 2007 Regina Rioux Gonzalez. All rights reserved.

A Day at the Patch

Last Sunday I piloted the hubby's truck with friend Jenna and daughter Lena in tow in order to acquire a few Octoberish needful things...Pumpkins! Yes, we three lovers of the cucurbit traversed many a mile to partake in some orangy goodness at a location which I believe to be the pinnacle of pumpkindom. A few snapshots of our squashy surroundings...





I have been making this pumpkin pilgrimage since I was a wee Linoleum flanked by my parental units. Truth be told, I don't believe I've missed a year of this Autumnal ritual since. The offspring and I look forward to our annual trip to the patch with much anticipation. Yep, the teen who complains about literally everything, doesn't seem to mind indulging in such an activity with her "weird mom". That is, until she tires of the pumpkin retrieval process...



A break from the work flow is always a good idea. How about a stroll around Scarecrow Alley??? We may even spot Elvis...



Yeah, that always does the trick. Back to her ubercool teen self...



Really though, we had a great time and overcoming the teen exhaustion factor quite nicely. So needless to say, my home is now densely populated with pumpkin-age. It's just spooktacular!

Definitely my favorite time of the year...

Jeepers Peepers Cape

Always trying to get a jump on the Halloween season here at ChezLinoleum. As such, there's nothing like a passel of felted bloodshot eyeballs to put me in the spirit of all things orange and black!

Presenting the Jeepers Peepers Cape...


Modeled by my co-cube farmer, Sunny!

This behemoth of knitdom was created using my favorite crunchy synthetic, Red Heart Super Saver, then adorned with a pile of felted balls.



It took me about 2 weeks (not working daily) and 1200 yards of acrylic to knit this puppy in stockinette stitch (with garter stitch border) from top to bottom. The points were worked individually. It 'twas actually a quick and easy knit for me as I knit continental and am a bit of a knitting speed demon.



In fact I think it took me longer to felt the eyeballs and hand sew them onto felt backing. Not to mention the fact that I then had to hand sew them onto the cape itself once backed. Yep, that took a while.



I like the effect though.

Now all I need is some matching headgear. No, wait. I've got it!

MATCHING GOGGLES!!!

Yeah, definitely more to come...

Copyright 2007 Regina Rioux Gonzalez. All rights reserved.