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.

Anatomical Patches

Whew, where has the time gone? Since my last post I've work a bazillion hours, designed lots of goodies for Crochet Today mag, purchased a new car and managed to hit Disneyland for a little "Happiest Place on Earth" time.

I've also finished a few embroidered, anatomically correct, patches!

Yes indeedy! I have finished my embroidered brain...



A few eyeballs...





Uh, intestines....



And a heart...



I edged all of these anatomical gems with a bit of machine stitchery and all of the designs, except for the brain, are from Sublime Stitching's Vital Organs suite of patterns. The brain? Yeah, that's all moi.

Now, just wait until you see where I plan to paste these patches...

Embroidered Brain Patch: 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...

Tickle Me LadyLinoleum

I was looking around for cool Halloween stuff today (online while at the cube farm of course) and I came across a bunch of other, uh, everyday items that I must have. Mind you, cash flow is tight, but nonetheless, a girl can dream.

Squirrel Underpants. Got to love Archie McPhee. I spend more moola on stuff that I absolutely do not need at this store...um, err, on a regular basis. Case in point...squirrel panties. I really, really want these! Although, if I purchased a pair I'd have to fuzznap a squirrel for a little round o' dress up. OR I could have my African Senegal, Drumstick, model 'em...


Drumstick giving me the evil eye.

Toast Bandages. Yep, I'd like these to wear with my bacon bandages. Actually, I should probably invest in some bacon and egg bandies as well. This way I'll have a complete breakfast. Now, I just need to work up a few cuts and scrapes!

Budget Bucky. I have always, always wanted a full size skellie. My issue is that I have nowhere to store the bone-age in between Halloweens. So, in light of this knowledge, I've come up with a solution...year round Bucky costumes! C'mon, he'd look great in a Santa hat or bunny ears...or how 'bout a big turkey tail! Ahem, yeah.

Yoda Backpack. When traveling about the Dagobah System it is important to have your own personal Jedi master in tow (even better when your wallet fits in your Jedi master's tummy). Don't worry, I already own Chewy (to my daughter's dismay). Hell, while I'm at it I might as well get R2 as well, indulge in the complete set.

Gold Docs. My favorite colors are shiny and sparkly. I definitely need to be sporting these around the cube farm. Although I think these might do the trick too.

Magic Carpet. My car lease ends in December and I am looking for a more, um, eco-friendly form of travel. Okay, this particular model may not be my ticket, but you've got to admit that it's totally cool!

Ahhh, back to work...

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.

Sigur Ros

I rarely, if ever, write about music on this here green bloggy, which is strange because my musical preferences have traditionally been an important aspect of my definition of self. However, my tastes stray outside the confines of the proverbial box and rather than hold forth on the who, what and why of it all, it's easier just to skip the whole subject entirely and focus on the art and crafty side of my life. Also, I'm not exactly a musicologist. I like what I like and conversely don't like what I don't like, not feeling the need to dissect my provocations for listening to Radiohead this day, David Sylvian the next and oh, let's throw a little Byrne, Youssou N'Dour, Angelique Kidjo in there mixed with a few Sufi tunes for good measure. You know what I'm saying? My tastes are eclectic and I don't feel the need to explain or rationalize my choices of tunes.

So, without rationalization I bring you my musical contact high from last Thursday night...Sigur Ros.



I had the highly fortunate circumstance to be holding two tickets for their show at the Greek Theater, my lovely 15 year old offspring serving as my companion to the venue. Lucky girl, right? I mean, let's just say that there are plenty of performers/musicians out there who don't exactly qualify for the cool meter and I wasn't asking her to go with me to one of those shows. (I don't want to offend anyone, so I'll leave you to your own definitions of who you believe to be seriously cool-free.) Nonetheless, I say that she lucked out and I'm a cool mom for taking her to an awesome concert riddled with tons of cute boys. Oh yeah, and of course Sigur Ros is an amazing band that really puts on a superb show, which included confetti...



Got to love those Icelandic special effects.



And hugely talented Icelandic boys!



Actually, you all are very fortunate because when I began composing this post last Friday I had amassed a ton of verbiage about the nature of Sigur Ros's music. Needless to say, my contemplations were a bit obtuse. However, while typing away, Blogger's autosave function, uh, ceased to function. Simultaneously, my cube farm 'puter sputtered and I lost most of my post. Like I said, you're all very lucky for I am not exactly a music critic as I said at the start of this post-age.

Anyway, if you want to familiarize yourself with my Icelandic boys, just hit iTunes or their website. Their music might be an acquired taste for many, but some of you are sure to dig 'em from first audible note!

Three New Patterns!

Ready for some winter holiday crochet?

Me either, but what follows are my latest and greatest patterns for Crochet Today mag.

Check out this darling little pet bed...



Pretty in pink sleep mask...



And some cheery holiday cushions...



I am partial to the snowflake pillow meself. Uh, now that I've forgotten about the painful process of sewing down said flake to the front of the pillow that is. Oh yeah, not exactly a fast procedure. However, the result is one stunning fluffy square!

Hopefully I will be able to make some of these things for my family and friends. My "To Crochet" list is getting mighty long...

Anyway peeps, enjoy!!