Dipping My Toe in to the Baby Yoda Craze

April 26, 2020Leave a comment

I’m finally able to peek out and post a completed project after a couple of really crazy months, and I’m not even talking about the pandemic. I hope each of you are doing well and staying safe and healthy. What a scary time this is with so much unknown. On to the post…

Firstly, a confession: I have never been able to get into Star Wars. I know it’s one of the biggest movie franchises of all time and has a lot of merit. For whatever reason, it just never spoke to me, although that’s not to say I can’t appreciate aspects of it, and certainly some of the characters.

After The Mandalorian came out and it was revealed there was a Baby Yoda character, I “Awww!”ed at it just like the rest of the globe, even without any context. I waited a pretty long while, comparatively speaking, but finally decided to try my hand at making an amigurumi doll. I have at least one friend who is obsessed and when I started out, I knew I would ultimately give her the doll if it turned out decently.

Fortunately, it did!

I started this little guy back in February and due to all sorts of craziness in life, I was only able to pick it up and work on it a teeny part at a time. Mid-April, I forced myself to figure out the coat and finish it so I could give it to my friend (curbside drop-off with proper distancing, no less).

I did end up tailoring the coat to fit my doll the way I wanted it to–I did not end up doing the folded down collar for the coat that the pattern will yield. There are more detailed dolls and patterns out there but for an initial project, certainly, but all in all, this free pattern from Bee Friends Crochet works really well for anyone who just wants to dip their toe in, as I did.

If you want to see the in-progress photos, you can go to my Instagram page where I have a saved highlight in Stories of the doll coming together.

My favorite details about the doll are the eyelids (chained 6 for the upper and another 6 for the lower and carefully sewed them on) and giving the doll a bit of fuzz on top of the head for a bit more authenticity. That’s why you’ll see a close-up of the top of his sweet little head.

After I posted the photos of the doll on social media, I had a few friends ask me to make them one, so now I have three going at one time. (I do not have this available in the shop at this time.) I know I will burn out after a while but for now, the Baby Yoda Machine is in full swing!

Are you a fan of Star Wars? Or just along for the ride on the Baby Yoda bandwagon like I am?

Lulu the Unicorn: Raising Funds for Lupus Foundation!

March 30, 2018April 18, 2018Leave a comment

Guys, I am so excited to share this finished creation and post with you!

A friend of mine is the President of the Lupus Foundation-Heartland Chapter in St. Louis, MO. Although I live 2.5 hours away, I do what I can to donate time and resources to this not-for-profit. Lupus is still undergoing research into how it operates, which means it’s more difficult to get a diagnosis, and treatment for the disease is challenging. Because it’s so “mysterious,” it doesn’t get the same kinds of attention that other illnesses do, such as breast cancer.

The types of services Lupus Foundation provides include support groups, camp for teenagers, and countless others to those of all ages.

The Heartland Chapter serves a large corner of the Midwest. As it goes with all not-for-profits, they have various fundraisers throughout the year. Their big event is The Purple Ball.

This year’s Purple Ball is at The Four Seasons on Saturday, April 7, 2018. It is a really fun affair; my husband and I were able to attend last year. We aren’t able to go this year so instead, I was asked to create something as an auction item.

I thought the unicorn pattern from My Krissie Dolls would be the perfect thing to be creative with, particularly if I made the unicorn with shades of purple for the mane and tail.

I gave myself plenty of time to make the doll (especially because you can’t rush a good mane) and honestly, it came out exactly as I’d hoped. I think she’s a stunner! She is a very large doll, too, at 18″ tall.

Currently, there is a post on the zavvy creations Facebook page with a “Donate now” button and the event information. If you are in the St. Louis metro area and want to inquire about attending the event OR if you would simply like to give to a terrific cause (with a small but mighty team of people who work for Lupus Foundation-Heartland Chapter), hit up that post or this link for more information and/or to donate on their website instead of through Facebook.

Every little bit counts, so if you are able to give even the smallest of donations, it means the world to me and to those who will be able to benefit from the services this organization provides.

If nothing else, happy Spring and pastel season! Bunnies and eggs and chocolate, oh my!

Update as of April 18, 2018: Lulu and the rest of the auction items helped the Purple Ball raise a significant chunk of change to make it an incredibly successful event! Thrilled for my friend and the organization.

Big Red Fox

February 2, 2017July 3, 2017Leave a comment

I’ve been making efforts to make projects that I like and would get enjoyment out of, even if there is no intended buyer (or person to give the item to just yet). Working a full-time job means I crochet in my spare time. I’ve discovered that if I start something and put it down, even for a little while, it will easily turn into months before I pick it up again or find the motivation to finish it.

(Case in point: Sepp the Seahorse, my first Lalylala doll, has been a work-in-progress since June of 2016 — yeesh!)

I bought this red fox pattern a couple of months ago and finally got around to making it. I tracked my progress on Ravelry and was surprised I finished it in five days. That is pretty quick for me, but I also realized afterwards that I prioritized it over other projects. I’m glad I did, though, because it kept the momentum going, and this handsome fella came out of it!

This pattern from Kristi Tullus calls for using joints, which I did not use. I labeled it as easy or medium-easy on Ravelry, but I would say that this pattern is definitely meant for an experienced crocheter and/or amigurumi-maker. I had to do some very careful sewing since I wasn’t using joints, and I made some mental notes about what to do for future foxes.

I do love the long limbs, and using Vanna’s Choice yarn was a great “choice,” since it yielded a bigger doll, even using a 4mm hook. Plus I just love that rich orange color, don’t you? The colorway is called Terracotta, for anyone who wants to use that. The pattern calls for using a dark brown but instead I used a Lion Brand yarn, colorway Smoky Mountains, which is dark gray and wisps of silver. I thought it gave the paws and accents a bit more depth.

All told, Big Red is 15″ from the top of his head to his tippy toes.

As much as I love the fox, I decided to list him in the Etsy shop because I feel like he could make a kid (or collector, whoever) very happy. So he is officially for sale! And I threw in free shipping, just ’cause. **Edited to say he sold!**

Here are some photos for your enjoyment! And if you have any questions about the making of the fox, please do comment below or send me a note at zavvycreations {at} gmail dot com.