Valerean

I'm going to try to make some projects with just one skein of yarn, as I don't have many multiple of color in my stash, and it'll be fun to try new patterns that won't take me two weeks to make. I am particularly interested in making patterns using blanket yarn like this one, as currently I don't have any use for it. I just did a search for free printable patterns for Bernat baby blanket yarn, and found this one on Ravelry . Upfront warning: it's written in crochet shorthand, so unless you're accustomed to reading that it may get confusing. It took a couple of hours to make the bear, which was simple enough, and used a little over half a skein, as it takes slightly more than the 100 grams as specified in the pattern. Problems: not many. There were no instructions or template for embroidering the eyes and muzzle so I winged that, and it's not the best (it's the first time I've tried embroidery for eyes. I also should have used wor...

I've never tried to thrift toys before I went looking for some stuffies to alter, and for $10.67 I got four that were new or in new condition and a wee Halloween bow. The penguin and puppy still had their tags, and the butterfly and pig were in very clean shape. The puppy was a Valentine stuffy and still smelled of the chocolate scent added to it. I handwashed everything just to be on the safe side, and hung them to air-dry. Some words of caution about laundering thrifted stuffies: be sure the stuffing is of a washable variety (you can split a seam to have a look, and then sew it back up.) Remove all paper or tied-on tags and loose elements before laundering. Anything with wiring or electronics should not be immersed in water but instead spot cleaned. Hand wash the stuffies individually in the event the fabric dye bleeds. If you want to put them in your washing machine (I don't recommend this) you should put them in a pillowcase and pin it shut in the even...