Beastly Crochet: 23 Critters to Wear and Love

170 Pages·2013·19.201 MB·English

by  Brenda K.B. Anderson

CrAfts / CroChet
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A collection of monstrously rr
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Join author Brenda Anderson in her fascination with adorably ee
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scary creatures to crochet. In this collection Brenda presents 23
accessories and toys, featuring furry monsters, carnivorous plants,
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mythical beasties, and menacing tiki figures. While there are plenty 3

of toys and amigurumi in the bunch, many of the projects in this C
collection are fun accessories and garments to wear and give. r
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Some projects, such as a robot-themed intarsia blanky and a Loch t
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Ness monster bib, are aimed specifically at children, while many
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others are for adults and teens who want to have a little fun.

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Brenda shows how to tackle all the sewing and appliqué techniques

required in her patterns, including how to install zippers, as well W
as subtle tricks for achieving personality in your critters. Beastly e
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Crochet is a book that’s as fun to read as it is to crochet from!
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Brenda K. B. Anderson is a native of St. Paul, where she designs o
costumes for Sesame Street Live and various sports team mascots. v
She has been featured in Interweave Crochet, Interweave Crochet e Cr it ter s to
Accessories, and Crochet Today. This is her first book.
An Wear and L ove
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13CR01 / US $22.95 / CAN $25.50 s
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Photography by Joe Hancock
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Brenda K. B. Anderson
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23
Critters to
WearandLove
Brenda K. B. Anderson
Editors
Erica Smith
Michelle Bredeson
Technical Editor and Illustrator
Jeannie Chin Acknowledgments
Associate Art Director
Julia Boyles
I am so grateful to all the amazing people who helped
Cover & Interior Design
Adrian Newman me write this book.
Photographers A great big thank-you to all of the fun and talented
Joe Hancock people at Interweave, especially Erica Smith, Michelle
Joe Coca Bredeson, and Jeannie Chin, whose editing expertise and
attention to detail certainly made this book a bajillion
Photo Stylist
Pamela Chavez times better, and to Allison Korleski, who always pointed
me in the right direction when I got lost.
Production
Katherine Jackson Also, thanks (and hugs) to Marcy Smith, Sarah
Read, Sharon Zientara, and all the wonderful people
© 2013 Brenda K. B. Anderson
at Interweave Crochet who believed in me in the
Photography © 2013 Joe Hancock, first place.
except pages 156–159
Thanks to all my super-talented co-workers at
All rights reserved.
Costumes and Creatures, who continue to allow
Interweave Molly and me to discuss crochet in the breakroom
A division of F+W Media, Inc. every single day.
201 East Fourth Street
Loveland, CO 80537 Thanks to all of my friends (and Grandma Oehrlein’s
interweave.com mint brownies) for reminding me that there are other
things to think about besides yarn.
Manufactured in China by RR Donnelley
Shenzhen. To all of my family, especially Aaron and my parents:
Library of Congress thank you all so much for your steadfast support
Cataloging-in-Publication Data and encouragement. This book would not have been
possible without it.
Anderson, Brenda K.B.
And last (but not least), thank you, [your name here]
Beastly crochet : 23 critters to wear and love /
for sharing my interest in crocheted beasties!
Brenda K.B. Anderson.

pages cm
Includes index.
ISBN 978-1-59668-574-1 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-1-62033-001-2 (PDF)
1. Crocheting--Patterns. 2. Decoration
and ornament--Animal forms. I.
Title.
TT825.A535 2013
746.43’4--dc23

2013005855
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
contents
4 Introduction
6 Chapter 1: Classic Monsters
8 Monster Mark
14 Bride of Mark
20 Lil’ Vampire Hat
26 A Zombie Named Skip
34 Chapter 2: Welcome to the Jungle
36 Invasive Species Mitts
40 Tiki Head Bolster
46 Bottom Dweller Bag
50 Chapter 3: Skulls Were People, Too
54 Zippy Skully Neck Warmer
58 Sugar Skull Shoulder Bag
64 Kitty Crossbones Sweater
72 Sweet Skull Hairpins
74 Chapter 4: Myths
(and Other True Stories)
76 Messy Nessie Bib
82 Sasquatch Slippers and Mittens
92 Gnome Coin Purse
96 Fang the Bunpire Slippers
102 Chapter 5: Silly Monsters
104 Little Joe
112 Big Mouth Coin Purse
116 Hubert and Cletus
122 Little Monster Sweater
130 Chapter 6: My Own Personal Robot
132 Robot Pillow
138 Robo-Blanky
146 Beep Bop Boop Sweater
154 Special Topics
154 The Principles of Cuteness
156 Get It Together!
158 Zip It!
160 Abbreviations
160 Glossary
166 Sources for Materials
167 Index
4
introduction
creepy
never
cute
looked so
There’s something magical about taking a piece of string
and one simple hook and creating something that has a
personality. Sometimes, this means making a sweater or
hat with just the right combination of stitch pattern and
yarn that evokes a certain feel. For this book, however,
I took it a step further. I wanted to create projects that
made me want to hug them as I finished them. I realized
that if I made a whole book of fuzzy ducklings, puppies,
and babies I would probably die of cuteness overload, so
I opted to steer clear of the mainstream. Instead, I set my
sights on a world of evil robots, angry plants, and fanged
bunnies. (They need hugs, too!)
Inside you’ll find a menagerie of amigurumi softies, critter-
themed accessories, and unusual gifts for creature-lovers
of all ages.
The next time you look at a skein of yarn, I hope that
you see the monster trapped inside, waiting for you to
let it out.
Gr r
r r !
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5

chapter 1
classic
monsters
Why do we love (or love to hate) these monsters so
much? Is it because we can identify with them in some
’
way? Maybe its because they get to wander around
aimlessly and never worry about how to pay their bills.
Whatever the reason, they certainly have widespread
appeal. Make these projects to proclaim your love for
the classics!
7

monster
mark
One year, my brother Mark and his girlfriend, Melissa, showed up to our
Halloween party dressed as one of the most famous couples in monster
history. I could read between the lines: they were in it for the long haul.
’
You dont commit to matching costumes unless you mean business, right?
Mark and Melissa are now happily married, proving my hunch to be true.
finished measurements notions gauge
About 8" (20.5 cm) tall. Stitch marker. 6 rnds = 2½" (6.5 cm) in diameter in
hair pattern and sc st using size G/6
yarn Yarn needle.
(4 mm) hook.
Worsted (#4 Medium). DMC embroidery floss (100% long staple
cotton): #367 Dark Pistachio Green, note
Shown here: Caron Simply Soft (100%
#310 Black, 1 skein each. × It is important to obtain a firm and
acrylic; 315 yd [288 m]/6 oz [170 g]):
sturdy fabric in the st pattern to
#9705 Sage (MC), #9727 Black (CC1), Plastic safety eyes with washer, size
hold the stuffing in place and keep
#9742 Grey Heather (CC2), and #9750 12 mm, 1 pair of brown.
its shape. If sts are loose, change
Chocolate (CC3), 1 skein each.
2 black ¼" (6 mm) buttons with shank, the hook to one size smaller.
hooks La Mode style 49162.
Size G/6 (4 mm). Adjust hook size Fairfield Poly-Fil Premium Polyester
if necessary to obtain correct gauge. Fiber, 12-oz bag.
Size 6 (1.6 mm) steel hook (for eyelids). Sewing pins.
Embroidery needle.
Sewing needle and thread.
Invisible thread (optional).
ClASSIC monSTErS 99