I’m still plugging away on the shawl, though I had hoped it would be closer to being finished by now. I had a brilliant idea…ahem… The execution of said idea was, however, less than brilliant and will have to be frogged and re-attempted in a modified fashion. Good thing this yarn is sturdy because I keep having to rip an re-knit it!
I did indulge in a bit of toy-making :)
I used this pattern, which is excellently designed. I did not do a very good job though because I had neither the right kind of eyes (and the crocheted jobs just don’t work for me - ugh!) nor enough stuffing. The ears are too far apart and there’s no tail because I didn’t have enough of the right color yarn either :) Enough excuses? Heh…
As I said though, the pattern is very good and I will be trying this again. This critter comes from an older Hayao Miyazaki film, My Neighbor Totoro. This is one of my favorites :) We have a sub-titled Japanese version and, having heard clips from the dubbed English piece, I recommend the Japanese. It is utterly charming and great fun.
By the way, these “safety eyes” that are often suggested for stuffed toys - are they available in the craft shops - Michael’s, A. C. Moore, etc.? I can’t seem to locate them and it seems like they should be easy to find. No doubt it’s a matter of just being blind in one eye and not being able to see out of the other :)
The animals all seem to be managing the warmer weather well.
Cocoa is busily chewing up a bit of cardboard here - her equivalent of a morning constitutional.
Jade is having her morning lie-in - resting up for her afternoon nap, no doubt. This cat “tower” is getting shabbier and shabbier by the minute, but she loves it and I don’t know if replacing it (it is structurally sound despite it’s disreputable appearance) would make her happy.
Dad came home yesterday and is doing reasonably well. As to what was really wrong and how it happened, who knows? If he does, he isn’t telling.
We’ll try for Chatters again tomorrow night. I think we’ve gotten things straightened out.
See the “Knitting Chatter” button on the side bar for more information.
Hope to see you there - and have a wonderful weekend!
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I think your stuffed bun is adorable. As are your living critters. Glad your Dad is home. I hope he continues to do improve. It must be very frustrating for you to not know what happened.
Tomorrow is the graduation party for my son, but I should be able to pop in and chat. The party starts at 2 PM - hopefully, the crowd I will need to entertain will have gone home by 8 PM! :)
A.C. Moore has some sew-on eyes in its doll making section: http://www.acmoore.com/p-30347-sew-on-googly-eyes-5mm-30mm-110pkg-8mm-18mm-black.aspx Are these what you are looking for? I only saw glue on ones at Michael’s and Joann’s.
Glad your dad is home and well.
I adore your Totoro! I have a friend with an obsession for Totoro. She’s knit many but I don’t believe she has ever crocheted one. He came out so well!
Jade looks darling in her tower. A true princess. :)
You’re BACK! How come I didn’t know you were back?! I’ve been missing you a lot. Sorry to hear about your father, and that you are short on the kind of info you need from him. And Chatters is tonight, on Friday? COOL! Great way to start the weekend. 
Neeeeever mind. I will catch you tomorrow night. 
Did someone say they liked your stuffed buns? I may have spent too much time in front of the computer today.
Chris - Thanks :) Stuffed bun - snort :)
Kathleen - I’ll hold a good thought that the ruckus has dies down enough for you to join us :) Congrats to your son!
Thanks for the link, but I did find those eyes too and they’re not really what I want. I suppose I could go with flat black shank buttons - 1/2” I think - if I can’t find anything else.
But many thanks for looking :)
Opal - I confess to being a Totoro follower too and even as I was making this, I was wondering about a knitted version. Something to think about…
Jade is indeed a princess - in every sense of the word. Sometimes I wonder why she doesn’t wear a tiara! She’s certainly got the attitude down :)
Rob - Yes, I’m back and glad to be. I missed you too. I see that you figured out that Chatters was tomorrow night :)
Stuffed buns - chortle! That’s my whole problem…
jade definitely has the right idea- a sleeping day might alleviate the discomfort of the heat- to heck with working!!
glad your dad is home again and seems to be doing well- we’ve played a version of ‘hospital bingo’ with mr. h for the past few months, and even when i have ‘full disclosure’ on his condition i usually stay slightly stumped- he pays no attention to his physicians when they speak, so he told someone he was suffering from ‘suggestive’ heart failure- when corrected, he announced people should ‘just know’ what he meant (after 100 years together, it has become obvious i didn’t marry him for his powerful thought processes!)- good luck with your dad and the whole communication issue-
cute little critter you made there- i have no idea about the eyes, as i am all thumbs when it comes to toy-making and only occasionally find myself using those ‘googly eyes’ i find at walmart etc in the craft deparments-
can’t wait for the shawl reveal in its finished glory- no comment about my productivity as i hate to admit to what a slacker i am!!
stay happy, you *and* your stuffed buns!!!
Love your stuffed buns!!
Very nice
Vicki
Barb - So I’m not the only caregiver of an uncommunicative patient - well, that helps a little. I assume it’s pretty much for the same reason too - they want to do what they want which may or may not be what the doctor orders…
And you are too productive - just so happens knitting isn’t on your must-do list right now :)
Vicki - Thanks! From me and my stuffed buns :)
Love the little crocheted critter. I’m not into Japanese anime but have grandkids (and a son) that are.
You might try a fabric store for the safety eyes. I know Lewiscraft (in Canada) used to carry them, but they’re now defunct. Most craft stores SHOULD carry them, but that doesn’t mean they do.
Glad to hear Dad’s doing better. Is there any way you could contact his doctor, find out for yourself what’s up? We had to do that with John’s dad. His Dr. may or may not talk to you, but what do you have to lose, really?
See you tonight!
Ev - Well, I don’t know if Miyazaki’s films are anime exactly except that they are animated and they are Japanese :)
I have found all kinds of online sources for the “safety eyes” and that’s probably the way I’ll go once I check for appropriate buttons. Buttons might solve the problem and I know where to go for those :)
Love the Totoro. That pattern has been in my queue, but I really need to make time for it soon.
I am glad to hear that things are going a little better with your dad. I have been thinking of you, and I had hoped to get to Chatters, but alas it was not to be. Maybe this week?
Omly - Thanks :) the Totoro is really a nicely designed piece and i think you will enjoy making it!
I know you’ve been hugely busy lately, but if you have the time drop into Chatters, I can personally assure you of a warm welcome :)
