WIP Wednesday 1 - Ninokuni

Tami's Amis and Other Crochet had a great idea to do a "Work-In-Progress Wednesdays" where fellow crafters can link to their WIPs! So here are my details I've been meaning to discuss about my latest WIP.

I've been really good at starting an amigurumi and not finishing it lately... I already posted about my "Tear Fairy" (I'm not really sure what his actual name is) from a new Studio Ghibli/Level 5 video game called Ninokuni. Isn't he cute? Check out the trailer if you have not seen it yet!





If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli movies, then I'm sure you'll be interested in this game! I was so excited when my boyfriend told me about this and showed me the video on IGN announcing that it will be on the PS3!!!!! Yay! From what I know it's only out in Japan on Nintendo DS. I either need to get my hands on the game and not understand what anyone is saying in the game, or wait for the PS3 version. I'm most likely going to wait for the latter, hehe.

So anyways, as usual, my boyfriend suggested I crochet him while I wait for the game :)
This is what I have so far and it's tough to tell! Crocheting his nose separate was the easiest thing I thought. I am also not really familiar with crocheting a curved shape--kind of like a cornucopia shape.

I was working on creating the lantern that he has, but I was unsatisfied with my yarn choices so I stopped and have not gotten back to it yet! I did buy some new yarn, but have been so busy with an online class I'm taking. This is the last week and I have a lot of work to submit still but starting next week, I'll be refreshed and ready to continue working on him! Once I figure out how to crochet the lantern appropriately I'll be able to attach the lantern, nose and body together then work on the limbs.




On another note, if you're reading this and have not entered my contest to win Gorge the Monster, please enter! It's on my Facebook page!

Giveaway! Win Gorge the Monster!

Ok, one more post for Gorge the Monster. I'm having a giveaway for his new brother on my Facebook page. You must "Like" the page to be eligible. Please visit my page to enter! Only good things can come from this!

All you have to do is comment on the Suravi Amigurumi Facebook Page and pick your favorite number from 1-100! (You cannot choose the same number as someone else, so you may have to choose your second or third favorite!)

The WINNER will be announced on August 18, ...2010. Why that day? Because I like the number 18 and 2 weeks from today sounded like a good amount of time! I will use the True Random Generator and post the Number/Winner around 8pm EST. Contact info can be dealt with later.

Don't forget to share this with your friends!

If you don't have a Facebook account, you can enter here :)

Gorge has a brother!

I had some leftover green yarn from the first time I made Gorge, so I decided it was time for his brother to make his entrance. I did have to buy another skein for less than half of his body (from his belly button down). Lucky for me, the colors matched perfectly! I hate when you don't buy enough the first time! Anyway, I followed my pattern exactly but for some reason he is a little larger overall. Maybe I stuffed him more? /shrug . His fangs are longer and sharper, too!


**I love this yarn and if you're wondering what it is, it's Sensations Angel Hair yarn. I believe it is made by Jo-Ann Fabrics, but their shopping pages are under construction now so I'll create a link later!

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On a side note, I found my very first amigurumi attempt! I don't know what was happening exactly, but I did manage to improve my skills! Lots of practice and a few sessions with online tutorials = Yes! You can learn how to crochet amigurumi! Yay!

Still a Work in Progress...

...more details to come...too much work to do in my online class... /sigh

Guess what I'm making!

Another word about photographing amigurumi...

When photographing amigurumis, I think it's important to make sure your background enhances your ami and lets the true colors stand out. In the first two photos with the blue and orange background, the colors don't look right. The blue against the blue doesn't work well and the orange makes the brown ears and limbs looks orange-tinted.
In this case of my bear amigurumi, the white was the best background.
Also, don't forget to use the Macro feature on your camera (it's the little flower symbol) and take your photos on a nice day outside. Too much or too little sun is bad. I can't give any tips on photographing inside because I don't have proper lighting.

Bad background colors (and unedited):



Good background color (and edited):



I just use iPhoto on my Mac to edit my photos. (I just switched Macs so I wish I could have shown the before pictures of the white background, but since it's a new Mac, I was not able to revert the photo to its original state). Anyways, I just use the "Enhance Photo" option (not always though, sometimes it's too much) as well as the "Effects" and manual "Adjust" features.

You don't want to change the colors, but you want them to be bright and true to the original quality. I am still working on perfecting my photography skills with amigurumi, but I think what I'm doing is pretty good!

Gorge the Monster - FREE PATTERN!

Hullo! I am back! It's been a while since I have posted anything on my blog! So let's kick it off to a good start!

Gorge the Monster Dude would like to make his appearance! He is a simple, easy-going guy who loves to eat (if you can't already tell). Food is always on his mind and he would have it no other way! He's a great friend too--one who will always listen. Be wary though, if you ask him for suggestions or advice or any conversation topic, it will always be...food! He's kind of like his creator to be honest! Although, he is never grumpy when he is hungry, lol. Gorge is always a good sport.


You can create your own Gorge if you'd like! He's really good at sitting on your tables, desks and shelves. He's also really good at being thrown and tossed gently in the air. He's not a ball, but he's pretty darn close to the shape...he's good at spinning and doing flips in the air. Maybe it's the spikes that help...?

Anyway, you can get the directions from my free pattern!

download now