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Alice pattern DROP |  Today IS the day! Alice’s NEW pattern & NEW plush dolls are available in my Etsy shop (link in bio).  I absolutely LOVE how her barber shirt came out (no embroidery needed either) but I ALWAYS end up with super tangled yarn…that was pretty frustrating (I’m not very good at keeping track of my yarn! __ I’ll admit I’m definitely not the most organized or clean crocheter.  At times, I surprise myself with what I am able to create out of my chaos (like loosing my crochet hook every couple of hours!!)  Even with the tangling of the yarn during ALL the color changes for Alice’s tee I love how it looks in the end.  To remedy the tangling at the end of every row I’ll take the time to “untwist” my yarn so it can “re-tangle” during the next row, haha. __ I’ve begun work on remastering Mereingue’s pattern, so her old pattern has been deactivated from Etsy (sorry) until the new one is finished!  Don’t worry it won’t be too long! |  It’s Craftcratical “schedule” | July | *These dates may get pushed back. -- I am also working on remastering Merengue’s pattern & that will be dropping on Friday 7/10! So keep an eye out for those.   -- Also, the big winner of my twitter/IG polls for a new species of villager is: MAGGIE!!  So keep a look out for her merch on Friday 7/17! __ Until next time, stay safe & keep things Craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCEhtX1BTWx/?igshid=jt2xmct1vlys

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Throw-back Thursday | Here’s a fun little throw-back for everyone!  It’s Marshal (who is STILL for sale in my Etsy shop [link in bio]).  He is the 2nd squirrel villager from AC I ever made (the 1st being Poppy for my daughter).  Marshal is also an "old-style" doll so he is on sale too! I never officially made a pattern for Marshal BUT I am planning to create a squirrel villager pattern at some point in time.  I currently have a lot already planned out for the next few months & then it’s the HOLIDAYS @_@’ Yes I do know I am posting this a day late but I do have a good excuse!  My marriages 2nd anniversary to my amazing & loving husband was yesterday!!  So we spent the day not online or playing video games with each other & had a lot of fun watching TV and talking.  Speaking of busy here is a quick outline of what I have planned. |  It’s Craftcratical “schedule” | June | -- Remember that on Tuesday 6/30 Alice’s pattern & plush dolls will be dropping in my Etsy shop.   |  It’s Craftcratical “schedule” | July | -- I am also working on remastering Merengue’s pattern & that will be dropping on Friday 7/10! So keep an eye out for those.   -- Also, the big winner of my twitter/IG polls for a new species of villager is: MAGGIE!!  So keep a look out for her merch on Friday 7/17! So until next time, stay safe & keep things Craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6uHs-hdNt/?igshid=1t6udo8nsz4q4

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Alice the Details |  Getting Alice’s details juuusssstt right for her big debut on 6/30 in my Etsy shop.  Her pattern (my first EVER koala pattern) & plush dolls will be available just in time for the 4th of July, (her shirt is a perfect match to Independence Day) Guv’nor!  __ One of my favorite parts of making amigurumi is adding all the little details (usually embroidered).  It’s the small things that really make a character spring to life & that’s why I take my time on them to make sure they are done right!  As many of you know I do like to keep my details to crocheted pieces & embroidery.  This is mostly because I don’t like to use scissors to cut specific shapes, I’m not very skilled in the scissor use area (I also do not care for Xacto knives either), haha. __ My Twitter poll has only 45min left!! So cast your vote soon! If you aren't a fan of twitter don't worry I'll have a poll for which villager on IG! __ So after I’ve finished remastering Meringue’s pattern I will be starting on my brand-NEW pattern, so keep an eye out for that in the future! __ Until next time, stay safe & keep things Craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CB1lrXwhq5U/?igshid=1bbtkrnorbhw

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Alice WIP | If you follow me on @twitter then you already know that Alice is moving in on 6/30!! So keep your peepers open for It’s craftcratical’s FIRST Koala pattern!  It’s been super fun actually creating a brand-NEW pattern.  I had a lot of try pull out moments & funny enough her nose had more makeovers than any other part of her! __ Now, I do love “remastering” my old patterns.  Especially some older ones that are pretty out dated, lots of typos & simple pictures.  With that in mind my NEXT REMASTER will be Meringue’s pattern.  It is one of the more popular patterns selling right now & is one of the last remaining old patterns. __ If you want to have a say in my NEXT brand-NEW pattern, pop on over to Twitter & vote for the next species of villager you’d like to have a pattern made for next!  __ As I am writing this PIG is currently in the lead, so head to my BIO and follow the link there to my twitter or find me by looking up | @craftcratical  __ Until next time, stay safe & keep things Craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBwH_pTBs8t/?igshid=16f4dj7iu7l6r

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Stitches Final |  The new Stitches pattern & plush doll are now available in my Etsy shop to purchase!  Also, I have REOPENED my commission plush dolls, head over and get yours today!  ___I had so much fun reworking this pattern into what I expect/hope my final form of “pattern flow” will be! ___My plan for my patterns is to alternate between a new species and an old pattern that needs updating. To try to get my shop ready for 2021 & have everything looking (and feeling) the same. ___IS THERE AN ACNH SPECIES YOU’D LIKE TO SEE ME MAKE NEXT?? Head over to my twitter (link in bio) (or just go to twitter and look up @craftcratical) and take part in my poll to decide which species will be next on my new pattern list! ___Until next time, stay safe & keep things craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBta5P8BcMR/?igshid=1989071n7uqp5

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Stitches PATTERN just dropped! | Yes it is true! The new ACNH Stitches pattern & plush doll are LIVE! Head to my Etsy shop to get yours (link in bio).  The pattern is an instant PDF digital download (English only, sorry).  The plush dolls are ready to ship & have NO shipping charges (domestic). ___Reworking this pattern & finding a yarn that I adore in the process as been so fulfilling these last 2 weeks! I’m just so happy I have found a great rhythm & that everything is slowly clicking into place!  I have a few more patterns I want to get out before I can open up my commission work again, so look forward to seeing those. ___ Getting my crochet groove back has been a great feeling as well.  Not to long ago I was contemplating giving it all up but kind words of fellow crafters really helped me refocus my energy. So I’m just so thankful for everyone who follows me. ___ Until next time happy crafting, stay safe & keep it craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBgRQZ8hSB8/?igshid=d4a0hlye4is4

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WIP: Stitches | It’s almost time! Stitches pattern will drop TUESDAY 6/16 in my Etsy shop (link in bio)!  This is the most excited I’ve been for releasing a pattern.  I really took a lot of time to clean up & streamline my pattern flow. I also took time to really get good photo’s and work up easy to understand collages for parts I think are too difficult to explain through words.    While I’ve been getting photo’s ready & making my last minute edits; I’ve started on my next project::Raymond’s pattern!  This pattern will be my FIRST to feature to full length clothing patterns: Raymond’s waistcoat & maid dress!  Find me across social media to keep up with NEW news & sales.    Until next time happy crafting, stay safe & keep it craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBboOQNh-Ui/?igshid=12srazggyzolv

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WIP: Stitches | Stitches pattern, dropping 6/16, is the first ACNH pattern that will have the toe beans incorporated into the pattern!  I am so happy I have been able to add this NEW feature to my softies!  Ever since I saw them (and everyone else lol) on the Nintendo direct I knew I had to add them to my plush toys.   The Paintbox story continues with the SURPRISE the yarn had in store for me!       Within the first few rows of the head piece I fell hard for the Paintbox yarn.  It felt so good in my hands & even though it WAS similar in size to my regular yarn I could move up a whole MM on my hooks!  Then I started taking pictures for my pattern & fell harder in love with this yarn.  I’m not sure if I’ve actually just gotten better at photography but the pictures coming out with this yarn have been spectacular as well; you’ll see what I mean in the pix I’ll be posting this week!    Until next time happy crafting, stay safe & keep it craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBRiuuUB-Ae/?igshid=1hiqgylmxz72s

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WIP: Stitches | My NEW Stitches pattern & dolls will drop 6/16 in my Etsy shop! (link in bio) I’ve been working hard “behind the scenes” on creating my new & updated ACNH Stitches the cub pattern and it has been coming out beautifully!      This is the FIRST plush doll I’ve created using Paintbox: Simply Chunky yarns & I have a little roller coaster story that goes along with it that I’ll post across a few of my WIP pictures.    When I first ordered it I had, had the hopes (since it was ‘bulky’ weight) it was going to be twice as thick as my Loops & threads Impeccable.  When it arrived I was upset that my expectation was not met, it looked virtually the same size!  Which was a huge disappointment since I had to have it shipped (luckily the shipping is a flat rate [or FREE over $60]).  So I put off using it for a while, until I decided it was time to just use it to get it out of my yarn stash.  I will say the yarn had a different idea for me though, lol.    Until next time happy crafting, stay safe & keep it craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBJZhAZhpq3/?igshid=1dt3cdv3vdc8l

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Cute Octopus' | I've been distracting myself lately with these little cuties here. I'll be posting a free pattern for them on my blog soon; the link to the original pattern found below. A co-worker (the one that Tunisian crochets) is moving across the country with her daughter & gifted me all her yarn & hooks. I surprised her with a thank you gift, my Tom nook plush. She & her daughter are huge Animal Crossing fans and I knew it was a great way to day thank you. She did tell me her daughter has now stolen Nook n won't give him back lol. Original octopus pattern: https://www.thesunandtheturtle.com/2015/06/amigurumi-octopus-free-pattern.html?m=1 (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA345nmByiv/?igshid=jrxf8x7gfx0x

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Day 8 | In my hands!  DUCK FACE with Smoochum!! As you can see I’ve made a variety of sizes for my plushies.  From smallish keychain size up to the fantastic cuddly 10 inches (25.4 cm) tall Curlos plush! I’m still trying to figure out what I want my final size of animal crossing dolls to be.  I want to make them big for cuddles but that may mean I need to find a different bulkier yarn so I don’t have to add time to the creations (making them more expensive).    Does anyone have any recommendations for a more bulky (bigger than worsted weight) cost-effective yarn?  Let me know your choices/recommendations in the comments below! Or even just a yarn you’d like to see me create and animal crossing doll with!      Thank you to @airali_gray for this #AmiguruMAY #challange I keep plugging along! I am determined to make it through all 31!  Some more planning may be involved over my weekend! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_8lB3jB7oP/?igshid=1krl63jefoolj

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  Day 7 | Books!  Yes like most I do love books, but I actually only own 1 crochet book.  It was one my grandmother got me, recently before she passed.  It’s on granny squares/circles/triangles/etc… I love granny “shapes” and have made quite a few from it and have used it to help my ami work.  My first love, as you can see, is cooking though.  I LOVE food and I love making it.  Which is why I cherish my day job as a cake decorator so much.  I get to combine my love of food and art.  Thank you to @airali_gray for making #AmiguruMAY #challange I am starting to hit some blocks but I will push through! Keep tuned daily for more amiguruMAY post and learn more about me and what I love to do!  Until next stay Craftcratical all! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_6BNMvBx5-/?igshid=a6o236jvedpx

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Day 6 | Stripes! Ha, Ha! I almost forgot about today’s post! Stripes, so I have been known for a while now for my striping ability.  Specifically my vertical striping ability (as seen by my Circus Yoshi plush shown here).  I’ve been asked many times how I do them and I always didn’t seem to have an answer.  I had wanted to and worked hard on learning how to make vertical striping look as even as possible and it has been a long and slow road; sometimes leading to a dead end.  I’ve finally come up with a few tips (beside practice!) on how I get my stripes done.  First I am a person who finishes each row with a slip stitch and I think that definitely has something to do with it all.  Second when I switch colors I bring the yarn in on the 2 stitches BEFORE I need to change color and then when I finally do I use a ‘Yarn Under” technique then continue with regular ‘Yarn Over’.  That’s all I really do when I change colors.  So hopefully some of you try it out and it helps you or is at least a fun new technique to learn.    Finishing up some more #customorders then I'm diving into pattern making so keep an eye out for that and more #amiguruMAY #challenge (by @airali_grey) posts; it's certain to be fun! Until then stay Craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_3dUbYB0nj/?igshid=se8sidumezeo

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   Day 5 | Tools! So I know most of us typically use the same tools, so I’m going to go into specifics on what I use:    Crochet hook: Boye, fluted/tapered, 3.75 mm    Yarn: Loops and threads: Impeccable    Yarn needle: Pointed & Angled    Stuffing: Loops and threads: Supreme Fiber Fill    16 mm Black, oval safety eyes from glasseyesonline (Etsy)    9 mm & 12 mm Black, round safety eyes from 6060eyes (Etsy)    Any old kid scissors, standard straight pins and bobby pins (on occasion)   Help with pattern writing: worksheets from crochetpreneur.com    A bandaid: for my yarn finger to prevent that oh so painful yarn burn!   Like I said not TOO much variety when it comes to basic tools but when you boil down to what is preferred by different makers you can experiment (if you haven’t found your creative/crochet voice or style) to find what you like, that lets you create to the best of your ability.   My last two cents here: I will say I really do prefer the Boye hook when making amigurumi solely on the fact that I like that the top has a great point to it that allows me to quickly get the hook through the tighter gaps that are needed to make ami’s.    During my work week, I am going to continue to post the #AmiguruMAY #challange (designed by the lovely @airali_gray ) posts at 5 pm.  My mid-day posts will be postponed and saved for my days off when I have more time to dink around with staging and such.  So until then stay Craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_02f6ghgE-/?igshid=p37mjo2o2osg

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   Day 4 | Introduce yourself! So this is more of a reintroduction since I have posted pictures & videos of myself before.  It'll be nice since I particularly don't like to show my face (I'm like, super-duper shy/introvert).    So about me, I'm a married 34yrs old, mother of 1 (but planning on having another in the next year). I've been actively crocheting for 7 years now, but I was originally taught the basics by my grandmother (who passed sadly last year) when I was around 10yrs old.     Growing up I played Nintendo games with my younger brother through the '90s. As I got older it became harder to set aside time to play but my top 2 favorite games right are Don't starve and Animal crossing:New horizons.  I did marry a gamer, so I get a lot of real life “lets plays”.   Some “negatives” about myself are I suffer from allergies, perfectionism, anxiety, and depression.  I mostly keep these things under control but no one is perfect 🤷‍♀️. Something surprising about myself is I can play the cello, I can draw and I work as a cake decorator.     I originally started out as the Yoshi doll queen but after introducing my daughter to Animal Crossing on the 3DS I fell back in love with the game.  Now I’m the go-to crafter for Animal crossing plushies and patterns and I couldn’t be happier about that. I like to bring happiness through yarn and being a part of such a loving fandom has been spectacular!    So hopefully you learned a little something about me! Of course a big thank you to @airali_gray for coming up with the #AmiguruMAY #challange it’s been a fun to take part.  I’ll see you all next time and stay Craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_yRWhXhEI1/?igshid=g77hrfa5sk7n

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    It's MARINA!! |  Another Etsy commission I'm proud to say I've made ALL the original octopus 👾 villagers! It does help that they ARE the smallest group; but still, it's an accomplishment!    A pattern IS in the works but is currently NOT finished. Since there are so few octopus villagers I'll be selling the pattern as a multipack. I'll post more about it when I have an actual release date.  So keep 👀 a lookout 👀 for that.      I'll be continuing with the AmiguruMAY, Day 4:: Introduce yourself! But I have those posts slated for 5 pm! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xqjY3BbO9/?igshid=1agv3m8sp3jsv

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Day 3 | Collect or Play?  As an"adult" (I refuse to resign to maturity!) I LOVE collecting these guys, I'd even be down to trade with other amigurumists just to expand my collection. But even the husband would tell you he has to push me to sell them just because they begin to cover ALL the shelves & counters! Our apartment is pretty small so I get it.   That being said my creations are not ONLY for collecting, I do make them durable enough for play and travel!  I also offer a couple of different styles depending on how my customers plan to use their dolls.      I have my classic, cuddly standing version which allows children of any age to carry about, hug and love on their buddy.  Unfortunately they don’t stand up on their own with this style, I work in a chibi style with big heads.      Then there is my new sitting, “collectors” version which allows you to place your buddy on any (almost any) surface to showcase them.  So they can keep you company while you work or study. I created this style after the Geek Craft Expo here in PDX last year on customer feedback & I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.      ALSO, if you didn’t know, my plushies are also machine washable too.  So if you do take them out you can make them look like new once you get home!  A big thanks to @airali_gray for making this #AmiguruMAY #challange it has been a blast so far!  Thank you for tuning in today everyone I’ll see all of you tomorrow for my next AmiguruMAY post. Until then stay Craftcratical! (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_vsEOFBYTu/?igshid=1n5tuv9xt66lj