Stegosaurus

Meet Stan the Stegosaurus. Yes this is unmistakeable as another pattern from Heidi Bears design catalogue.

The making up part of the Stegosaurus pattern is different from the Bluebird of Happinness, you make the outer edge of each hexagon as you put him together. It took me a while to appreciate quite how this would work, but neverthelesss I set to and made all the flowers. It was very satisfying sitting with all the lovely colours in a neat row like little soldiers whilst I worked down the line selecting each colour in turn to create the flower centres ready to create my historic creature.

It has to be said, the pattern is huge, I started to print it out and the pages just kept on coming off the printer, I started to wonder if I had asked the printer for several copies! Eventually it stopped and I browsed through the umpteen pages feeling more daunted by the page!

But don’t be put off, this story has a happy ending as you can see. Once I got started it was so easy to follow, it takes you step by step with great photo tutorials for every hexie you join. Starting with the tail………..

……………. then the hind legs……………

……………..the back, belly and fore legs…………

………………… finally the neck and head.

Then once the body is completed you make the spikes for along his back.

Once fully assembled Stan the steg took a little break on the stool before heading out for a forage in the garden.

If you fancy making a Stegosaurus yourself you can purchase the pattern from Heidi Bears

 

 

Hilda the Hippo

I was going to make a pink rabbit but fell in love with the hippo so made her instead. Another make from Edwards Menagerie, this is a great book with simple animal patterns great for beginners too.

That is a great thing about these animals, the main body parts are he same for most of the animals, it’s the head, ears and tails that are the defining features. You can start with a certain animal in mind and then change your mind as many times as you like while making the body, arms and legs. I applaude the author, Kerry Lord, for this simple idea.

I have named her Hilda, for some reason I think it suits her. I have used some of the lovely cotton yarn that was kindly donated to our Yarnbombing from Best of Crochet and the good news is I think I will have enough of leftovers from the other colours to make another one but in my favouite………. stripes! The plan is to make a collection of these gorgeous creatures for this years project, I just need to come up with a unique way of displaying them.

Any ideas?