I'm not very good at the needle arts. A couple of years ago I learned to knit. I made a couple of scarves, a few baby sweaters and two felted stuffed sheep. But I haven't knitted anything in oh, say about 17 and a half months. My problem is that in order to overcome my natural laziness (which is quite strong) I have to fall in head-over-heels in love with a project in order to muster the enthusiasm to tackle it instead of spending all of my free time reading or watching tv or taking naps (by the way, I got to take that nap I wanted yesterday. It lasted for three hours and it was AWESOME).
Back to the crafts: I've had my eye on this book, Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet
, for a while now. But I didn't get it because I didn't know how to crochet. But my multi-talented sister-in-law Mindy got the book and posted pictures of the adorable projects she had made from it. And, overcome by the cuteness of said projects, I ordered the book.
It you crochet (or want to learn) I really recommend this book. Amigurumi are little Japanese-style crocheted animals and the patterns in this book are really cute. The first project I'm tackling is the lion from the front cover. I bought my supplies at my favorite yarn store and got some free help from the sweet ladies who work there.
Since I never crocheted before, it took me a while to get the hang of it. I think I had to redo this part at least 5 times before it looked okay. This is all I have so far: the top of the head. I need to sew on the face before I finish the rest of the head. It's pretty slow going, but once I get farther along I'll take some other pictures.

I hope you have a lovely weekend. I'm looking forward to mine: E and I are about to leave for the gym and then this afternoon I've arranged for a babysitter and I'm going to go shopping for new silverware (the set we got at our wedding is pretty thrashed and somehow missing several spoons) and then get a massage. N gave me a gift certificate to a local spa and this seems like a great time to use it. And then tomorrow night N and I are going out to dinner and maybe a movie. I feel pretty cheerful: I think I'm finally out of the funk I've been in for the last few weeks.
I hope you have a great Friday!
Labels: books, projects, recommended