Happy Independence Day, America! Today’s Thing is for you.

His name is Genghis. His head and body are acrylic, the beak and feet are cotton, all crocheted with a 2.5mm hook. I attached the feet a bit too far back so he looks extra patriotic in his stance, with his chest puffed out and his shoulders back.

“May these gates never be closed.”

For non-West Coasters, that is the inscription on the Peace Arch at the main Canada-U.S. border crossing near Vancouver, now represented symbolically by my crochet projects. I must be feeling homesick this week.

And since I live in Holland, let’s go even more multi-cultural…

Oh, say can you see…

Cost of this Thing: 0
Cost of all Things to date: €263.44

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Today’s milestone Thing is not a particularly big or impressive project but it is dear to me.
I’ve lived away from Canada for fifteen years and while I love my adopted homeland
I remain Canadian, in heart and passport.

So in honour of Canada Day, I crocheted a maple leaf.

I used cotton, a 2mm hook and this free pattern from Larkcrafts.com.

Martina got all photo-creative, pairing the leaf with the Flying Dutchman…

… a World Cup hamster…

… some sheet music to make our hearts sing…

… and a sloth of bears, a blue elephant and an owl that resembles an ear of corn…

Such a versatile leaf, the maple leaf. I think I’ll attach it to a toque this fall.
And in the meantime, I could really go for a box of Timbits…

Cost of this Thing: 0
Cost of all Things to date: €263.44

Today we had a wonderful day catching up with old friends. The sun was shining (mostly) so we spent the day in the back garden. I did not sew, I did not crochet. I just enjoyed my company. So tonight, as I sit down to write this blog post, I am thankful for the summer buffer I’ve been working on over the past few days.

Thing 191 is another Incy Wincy Elephant from Lucy’s blog, crocheted with a 2.5mm hook and the light blue acrylic from Elsa’s dress.

I made him at the swimming pool yesterday morning while Esther was having her lesson. In 45 minutes I finished all but the last two rows of his back end.

This little fellow will be added to my summer gift stash.

Cost of this Thing: 0
Cost of all Things to date: €235.99

* Here in the Netherlands we’re enjoying the long summer days. I took these photos outside at 9:30 this evening. It’s now after 10:00 and still light out. Other than the allergies I love this time of year.

Martina is writing a movie script in which Esther will be playing the role of Annabelle. As part of her costume Esther was supposed to wear a fancy flowered hair clip that a friend brought her from Spain–until I stepped on it and broke it beyond any hope of repair.

I salvaged all the fabric flower bits and promised an even fancier hairband. The show could go on.

First I crocheted a long white chain and attached it to the first stitch, creating a loop. Then I crocheted rows of different shades of pink and red until it was the width I wanted. I also went back to the first row and added another row of pink on the other side.

I crocheted a tiny little flower to nest in the middle of the other flower layers and stitched it all to the hairband.

The lovely Annabelle is ready.

Roll cameras!

Cost of this Thing: 0
Cost of all Things to date: €235.99

Martina is going to a birthday party for a classmate Friday night. The panda, horse and sheep were a big hit so I told Martina to find out the birthday girl’s favourite animal. She asked a few discreet questions and got the information she was looking for.

I used a bunny pattern I bought last year from a really good crochet pattern designer, Planet June. I’ve bought other animal patterns from her as well. They’re well-designed, with clear directions and lots of pictures. They definitely take a bit longer than most of my amigurumi projects but I always love the end result.

I made the lop-eared version for reasons of cuteness. In fact, it’s the only version I’ve ever made.

This bunny is crocheted with acrylic and a 3.5mm hook. His eyes are 15mm safety eyes and I stitched a little nose with pink cotton.

I’m going to make a little drawstring pouch for him later this week. Or maybe a zip pouch for the whole gift (bunny, lip balm and cash). I’ll keep you posted.

Cost of this Thing: 0
Cost of all Things to date: €235.99

Football fever has taken over this country, especially after Friday night’s game. The Netherlands crushed Spain, 5-1, a sweet, sweet win for the Dutch. And then there’s the goal that everyone’s talking about.

Today’s post is dedicated to Robin van Persie, the Flying Dutchman, in honour of the most spectacular football goal ever.

Robin is crocheted entirely in cotton with a 2.5mm hook. I made up the pattern using what I’ve learned from Elsa and Darth Vader, and then added wings from the Golden Snitch pattern.

For those who missed the game, here are a couple of live action shots of the goal:

Hup Holland Hup!

Cost of this Thing: 0
Cost of all Things to date: €235.99

Last year I made a baby blanket for my friend, Kathryn, who was expecting a baby boy. Early this year I pulled out the last tiny scraps from that project and made Thing 5, a tiny zip pouch.

Kathryn and baby Eben are visiting and today’s Thing is a little gift for Eben: a purple crocheted elephant to go with the elephant zip pouch to match his cosy blanket.

The pattern is Incy Wincy Elephant from Lucy’s blog. I used a 2mm hook and purple Catania cotton.

A cute little elephant for an even cuter little boy!

Cost of this Thing: 0
Cost of all Things to date: €235.99

Last week I crocheted a bunny for a four-year-old friend of mine. I haven’t had a chance to give it to her yet so I decided to make a sibling. Bunnies rarely live alone.

I had three small balls of apricot wool that were exactly enough for one bunny.

I used a 2.5mm hook and the same pattern used for Thing 67.

Bunny brothers:

I better deliver this gift soon before the rabbit population explodes. I still have more of the apricot wool…

Cost of this Thing: 0
Cost of all Things to date: €199.62

The sloth of bears is complete.

This time I used the Tiny Teddy pattern (the others were Little Teddy) from the Mini Teddy Bear post at Lucy’s blog.

I used a 2.5mm hook and the apricot wool from my yarn lady. It should have been a quick, easy make, but I was busy off and on for much of the afternoon. I was distracted and crabby and kept losing my place.

But I’m done, and I’d like to think we’re all just a little bit more aware of Crocheted bears. 

Next week I’m getting back to my sewing room. I have a long list of projects to complete before the summer break, including skirts, blouses and shorts.

Cost of this Thing: 0
Cost of all Things to date: €199.62

Today I give you the next bear in Crocheted Bear Awareness Week. The pattern is Little Teddy from Lucy’s blog again but with a twist.

Bet you weren’t expecting a panda. Not after all my panda whinging.

I followed the pattern, just changing colours when needed, and then added a little tail. I used black felt and 6mm safety eyes for his eyes. The result is okay, but definitely not as cute as the pain-in-the-neck panda.

I do, however, love my sloth of bears.

The panda and the brown bear are crocheted with the same weight yarn but I used a 2.5mm hook for the brown and 3.5mm for the panda. I prefer the tight weave of the smaller one. Rainbow is my favourite bear.

I’m not sure if I’m done with Crocheted Bear Awareness Week. I thought the panda would be the last, but I may add to my sloth, just so I can keep using the word sloth.

Cost of this Thing: 0
Cost of all Things to date: €199.62

* To amuse myself I googled “Crocheted Bear Awareness Week.” My blog was listed for the first three hits. I’m not sure why I’m so proud.