Monsters & myths Archives - ReveDreams.com

Grain Monster

Reve — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 13:20:58 +0000

The grain monster requires very little yarn, but does require two sizes: worsted and bulky (or even super bulky). You’ll need about 1/4 oz (7 g) of the former and up to 6 yards of the latter (that’s for a triple tail plus arms; in super bulky allow 9 yards). I used Berroco Comfort and Comfort Chunky. You’ll also need a size F/5 hook (3.75mm), a small amount of fiberfill, and a small amount of yarn or embroidery floss for features.

Cartoon and some historical flour sacks are marked XXX, so that’s an appropriate option for embroidered features, but any standard amigurumi features will work just fine. The pattern is not deep enough to accommodate safety eyes.

The tail is a four-strand braid. Instructions are included, but for a more detailed photo tutorial I recommend visiting T.J. Potter’s page. Be warned that his instructions are mirrored front to back from mine; he makes the braid with strands crossing behind and then above, whereas my instructions are above and then behind, which I found much easier to do when the braid is lying on a table.

Stitches and techniques assumed: slip knot, chain, working on both sides of a chain, single crochet and its increase and decrease (standard or invisible), slip stitch, needle join (written instructions included in pattern, but no visual), in particular in the second stitch, sewing edges together, weaving in ends.

Pictures of the grain monster in its natural habitats are on the blog.

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Mud Monster

Reve — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 14:39:52 +0000

The mud monster works best in coarse worsted weight yarn with an F hook (3.75mm). The monster shown is in Red Heart Fiesta; I have also had success with Red Heart Super Saver and Bernat Waverly. Anything in that vein will produce legs sturdy enough to support the monster’s body in a variety of poses. If you use a finer or smoother yarn, you may want to drop to an E hook (3.5mm) so your stitches are tight.

In coarser yarn you’ll need about a half ounce (14g) of the main color and a small amount of two others for the eyes (you may replace one of those with embroidery floss). A small amount of fiberfill will finish the job.

Also in coarser yarn, the mud monster’s body is about 2.5″ long (about 6.5cm) and he has a wingspan of over 4.5″ (11.5cm).

The mud monster’s eyes are made ahead and crocheted in as you make the body; there are progress photos with the explanation. The legs are made separately and sewn on.

Stitches and techniques assumed: magic ring, slip knot, chain, working on both sides of a chain, single crochet and its increase, decrease (standard or invisible), and color change, managing off-color yarn, slip stitch, sewing up openings, weaving in ends, sewing pieces together

Photos of muddy and non-muddy adventures are on the blog.

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Baby Grump

Reve — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 22:09:16 +0000

A small Grumpasaurus Trogdoriensis. Quick and simple; pattern available on the blog.

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Ghosties

Reve — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:06:05 +0000

The body and base are crocheted separately in the round and sewn together. Each ghost requires just over a half ounce (about 15 grams) worsted weight yarn, an F/5 hook (3.75mm), a small amount of fiberfill, and safety eyes and/or floss or yarn for embroidering features. The variegated blue ghost was made with 15mm safety eyes. The dark blue ghost with white features was made with embroidery floss and a steel hook size 4 (2.00mm).

Stitches and techniques assumed: magic ring, chain, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, triple crochet, slip stitch, sewing edges together.

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Stumpy Monster

Reve — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:21:30 +0000

This pattern is crocheted in a spiral. There is no sewing to assemble it, but the arms, one leg, and the toes and soles of the feet are created with separate lengths of yarn slip-stitched onto the monster so far. This pattern requires about 2 oz (60 g) worsted weight yarn, an E/4 hook (3.5mm), two 12mm safety eyes, as much as 1 oz/30 g fiberfill, and a pet slicker brush if brushed crochet is desired. Slicker brushes have a panel of bent wire bristles and may be found in any pet store. For brushed crochet single-ply (roving) yarn is best, such as Stitch Nation’s Full O’ Sheep or Vickie Howell’s Sheep(ish).

Stitches and techniques assumed: magic ring, chain, slip stitch, single crochet and decrease, chaining out and stitching back along chain, working on both sides of a chain, skipping stitches, slip knot, attaching new yarn with slip stitch, half double crochet, double crochet, triple crochet, single crochet in chain space or front loop or back loop only, sewing up openings.

Good stitch-reading and -counting skills are essential for this pattern.

Note: this pattern does not include lefty instructions and it is very “sided.” If you would like to help test a lefty version of it, please contact me.

The green monster pictured is my chief spokesmonster, Stumpy, and all of his appearances on the blog are tagged as such. The blue monster, Cirrus, is less involved in the day to day business, but still appears from time to time.

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Coffee Monster

Reve — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:09:12 +0000

A surprise monster in a coffee mug. Pattern available on the blog.

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Spiky Fingers

Reve — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:08:51 +0000

Simple customizable finger puppets, on the blog.

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Grumpasaurus Trogdoriensis

Reve — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:09:12 +0000

A pattern on the blog for a large, looming Grumpasaurus Trogdoriensis.

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