Making things and stuff

There's crocheting and then there's making stuff - like, finished projects-type stuff. So far the only thing I'm doing is crocheting, like practicing stitches using a crochet needle and a ball of yarn. Yay, good for me, but still not quite doing what I WANT.

I want to make the Fuzzy Alien! (see post below) That is my first step. However, I'm missing a few items in order to craft it: I need Lion Brand Cotton-Ease Yarn in: Terracotta, Snow, and I need Bernat Bling-Bling in Moulin Rouge. I will also need the clay to make the eyes, the polyfill to stuff it with, and the right crochet hook, which I believe I may already have: it's a US size 1.

Hmmm ... well, well, well, it's probably a good thing I snatched up a roll of Bernat's Bling-Bling while I had the chance - seems it's discontinued now! *cries* ... but I'm not crying too long, mainly for the peeps who didn't get some while it was still being made. I, however, have some, enough to craft as many Fuzzy Aliens as I want!

Well, I hope I'm able to at least get the other yarn I need in order to start this thing. I also hope to make some of the projects on Howie Woo's blog, they are so dang CUTE!!!!

...

Dear Bernat,

Why, why, why would you discontinue your coolest yarns ever???

Crocheting, and Amigurumi

I'm on a mission. I've decided I'm going to make the Fuzzy Alien pictured below if it's the last thing I do!

I sat down the other night with my crochet hook and a ball of yarn, just to practice reading the directions. Well after I discovered I was unable to execute Row 2, because I don't know what the hell I'm doing, I got on the internet and found a treasure trove of information out there, check these out:

Top mention here: Craftster.org. Let's just say, this ain't your grandma's crafting website.

Next: Crochetville.org. Obviously this website focuses on just crocheting, but it is an active site with what appears to be a very knowledgeable base of members.

Ravelry is another absolutely fantastic knitting/crocheting community. I was just reading their latest blog post about an art workshop that takes place in New Hampshire twice a year that sounds absolutely divine, and I'm going to try and make it to the next spring one, but oh, it's going to take a plan and some good old-fashioned dedication!

WooWork.com - this is a wonderful blog with AWESOME pictures of the amigurumi created by Howie Woo. A guy who crochets, and crochets amigurumi is WICKED COOL in my book!!! Plus, he sports an orange mohawk - what's not to love!!!

Craftzine.com found me on Twitter, and although I haven't exhaustively perused their website, just skimming the surface proves this is one to adore.

And of course there are my two favorite yarn-maker brands: Lion Brand Yarn which I discovered first through Christen Haden's book Creepy Cute Crochet, and Lily's Sugar n' Cream. I'm registered on both websites and receive their newsletters.

This is the book that got all this started for me:

I'm not even particularly big on horror movies, which is primarily what the book is based on.

I just want to learn how to make these adorable dolls. In fact, through all this research I've done I've developed quite an appreciation for the craft and the amigurumi genre.