A while ago I posted a hedgehog on Facebook and I received several requests for the pattern.
This toy was a little bit of a challenge for me. I’ve always thought amigurumi was out of my league. So full disclosure: this is toy #3. The first went to Kid 2, the second to Kid 1, and this one will be going to a friend. Then I will need to remake the Kid 2’s toy because it was the first one and I now know how to do a better job.
Pattern: Hedgehog Fluffy by leami.
Modifications to pattern:
I wanted less of a baby hedgehog and more of a toddler hedgehog, so I added a few rounds to the belly and I made the back longer.
I didn’t stuff as tightly as the pattern suggested because I wanted a sharper shape to the face.
I also changed the location of the deepening of the eyes. The original method involved using a strong thread to loop around the eyes and pull them downward toward the chin. I found I like the eyes better when they are pulled diagonally upward. So if the face in profile is a clock, I pull them toward 2:00 while the original pattern calls more for 6:00.
Supplies used:
- Face, belly, and paws – Premier Parfait Plush. (1 skein some left over.)
- Back – Bernat Blanket Big Frosted. (1 skein, nothing left over.)
- Eyes – Sevensun Sparkling 25 mm
- Nose – Large Black Safety Eyes
- Stuffing – Polyfill stuffing (I am not sure, it might be this one.)
If you know of a pattern for a different creature that is similar in look or style or if you have any recommendations for fur-like yarn, please drop me a comment.
Lavender Sunsets
A friend was reading Maggie and asked about lavender sunsets. She couldn’t picture it. Fortunately, lavender sunsets happen a lot in Texas. Unfortunately, iPhone tries to correct the color, as you can see in the first image. I tried backing up so it would use the kitchen light as reference and show the full extent of the purple tint.
These are untouched. I didn’t mess with tint in any way, I just dropped the size and quality to make them load somewhat reasonably fast.
It’s otherworldly, isn’t it? I will never get used to this. Google says it’s the presence of dust in the atmosphere, and knowing Texas, it’s likely cedar pollen that we all deeply hate, but it looks magical. And it matches the hedgehog’s eyes.
The only other sunset that was more magical happened at sea. I only saw it for a moment, but the sun was setting and it turned green.
Catching up on Admin
I have a small admin salad of tasks. B.A. Books reports that they have completed all of merch orders. Since we are still hoping to get Augustine over to you, they might do another HL related run to correspond with the release. Let us know if you are looking for any HL quotes. The next time the store opens will likely be around This Kingdom’s release.
For people asking about the Augustine novella’s cover: we don’t want to lob it out there until we know it will come out. Maggie makes it very difficult to work on anything else and we are only working on it in the off time.
We have a lot of interviews coming up and a lot of them ask questions like why did you go self publish and what is your favorite thing about being an author. Do you guys want to read about any of that on the blog? I also updated the Road to Publication, which now includes the mention of BDH.
We will have a zoom chat with Jessie Mihalik, whose release is coming up, and we’ll do a formal announcement soon.
We should have a post explaining the many version of This Kingdom available to EU customers on Monday. I will work on that next after the interviews.
It looks like we might need extra help around March and April, so I’m still looking for a temporary social media manager to give Mod R backup during the release months. It is highly likely that will will be MIA, as we need to be writing and we may need someone to sit on Instagram full time for a little bit and make a few graphics.
I rarely use social media in the first place. Most of our updates are just links to blog posts. But we usually go into a complete blackout on social media as release approaches, because it is just too much. It gets overwhelming.
::looks through applications:: Oy.
Well, work isn’t going to do itself. I will see you Monday.
That lavender sunset was something else! Thanks for sharing.
Fingers crossed for the Augustine novella. Crossed very hard!!!
ditto!
Colourful sunsets are one of those things that always give me a “this is amazing” feeling. It’s just so surprising to see all of those colours up in the sky. We’re blessed to get a great variety of coloured sunsets and sunrises here in the UK – I particularly enjoy neon pink with flashes of gold over a dark blue. Sadly my phone is absolutely sh*te at taking pictures of them! We get great moonrises too and even some aurora.
“This Kingdom” just showed up on my library’s ebook list in preorder status and I was able to drop a hold on it *squee!* Time to check your library websites if you want to end up early in the hold queue.
+1 📚 Love my local library!!
When I lived in Arizona, the sunsets were spectacular, and quite a few of them were lavender. I ended up installing lace curtains in my living room windows so the color would come through while blocking looky-loos walking by my apartment windows. And the sunrises over the Superstition Mountains in the early mornings on my way to work were equally stunning. I think that’s what I miss most about no longer living there. I’ll never forget that jolt of pure joy that I would feel whenever I’d see the various colors rising over the mountains. And that is why, when I can finally retire, I will be moving back to Arizona.
So hot though. 🙂
I am a connoisseur of sunsets. I live near the Mohawk River in Upstate NY and in the Spring we get royal blue sunsets. Life provides such beauty
love the hedgehog, and very interesting about the lavender sunsets!
I was going to order a bunch more from B.A. Books but they don’t seem to be taking order 🙁
Have you read their banner info? They are on pause atm, something they announced from the start that they will need – but will return for orders in the future 🙂
I, as well, have seen the green flash at sea at sunset here in NZ.It is a rare optical phenomena.
Proud of you for getting help on admin tasks and trying not to do it all!
+1
You saw the green flash across the ocean! Wow! One for your memory book. Still on my bucket list….thanks for sharing.
That is the cutest hedgehog!! I can see why there is great rejoicing from Kid#1, Kid#2, and your friend who is getting the next one!! 🦔
Lavender is a lovely sunset color!! Sorry about the pollen, though – we have a few months here in Illinois before the season starts. (Invest in tissue company stock!!)
All the exciting news about Maggie – interviews, and all that goes with them!!
📚📚📚
HUGS! Please take your time. We don’t want all y’all to get sick! We are very chalant when it comes to your health!
The sunsets are stunning 😍
There is a link to a free cat pattern from Hobbii that would look cute with that yarn https://hobbii.ca/products/hp-1008893-kitty-soft-toy?utm_campaign=performanceplus_us_catalouge&utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_content=all&pp=0&epik=dj0yJnU9VTBJa1ZhM0czYlRvVlduQWxwbTN4TTZIdUVPc21FQkUmcD0xJm49anFYU21wMk41c0Z2SWFta0JSZlNvUSZ0PUFBQUFBR2xrRmdn&shpxid=4d42faa6-44bc-45f8-a773-0f33c97c4f3c
That lavender sunset is beautiful. I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and we have beautiful sunsets here, too. Mostly reds, oranges, and pinks recently but I have seen green during tornado season!
Thank you for recommending Silver and Blood by Jessie Mihalik. I was able to get an ARC and it was so good!
I too find that this blog is enough. When I can get to IG, it is usually referring to something on the blog or is minor. I’m doing good to get to the blog. Also, I hesitate to do FB since employers use it to find out what you do in off hours and my reading material is my business.