Crafty Queen

Sackboy Amigurumi Pattern

super adorable. definetly on my project list. just found this pattern today courtesy of nerdigurumi.com.

SC = Single Crochet
SL ST = Slip Stitch
INVDEC = Invisible Decrease
INC = Increase (2 SC in one stitch)

Sackboy was done using a 3.5mm crochet hook working really tightly. This pattern must be done going through both loops except for the first round after the slip stitch flat top of the head and flat bottoms of the feet, which is done in the front loop only. He should be stuff firmly to fill out the shape.

Head (For an explanation of rounds 5 and 6, have a look at the videos at the bottom of the page)
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. 6 SC in 2nd CH from hook or in Magic Ring (6)
2. INC in each ST (12)
3. INC six times; SC then INC 3 times (21)
4. SC then INC; repeat around (31)
5. SL ST around (31)
6. CH1 then hook through front loop of the first SC stitch of row 4 (under the SL ST you just did) and SC in each front loop all the way around (31) (this creates the fabric straight down away from the flat top without a real rounding or spherical shape)
7. SC around (using both loops again) (31)
8-9. Repeat row 7 (31)
10. SC 11, insert loop through button shank to add the first eye; SC x 2 then INVDEC then SC x 3; insert next button eye then SC x 12 (30) (both loops that hold a button count as a skipped stitch that gets picked up next round and are included in the stitch count)
11. SC x 14 then INVDEC then SC x 14 (29)
12. SC x 4 then INC; repeat around (34)
13. SC around (34)
14. SC x 14 then INC then SC x 2 then INC then SC x 2 then INC then SC 13 (37)
15. SC around (37)
16. SC around (37)
17. SC then INVDEC; repeat around (25)
18. SC then INVDEC; repeat around (17)
19. SC then INVDEC; repeat around (12)
20. INVDEC x 6 (6)
Finish Off and weave in tail

Body
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. 6 SC in 2nd CH from hook or in Magic Ring (6)
2. INC in each ST (12)
3. SC then INC; repeat around (18)
4. SC around (18)
5-6. SC around (18)
7. SC x 5 then INC; repeat around (21)
8. SC around (21)
9-10. SC around (21) (stuff)
11. SC then INVDEC; repeat around (14)
12. SC then INVDEC; repeat around (10)
13. SC around (10)
Finish off and keep a long tail for sewing neck to head.

Arm (make 2)
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. 6 SC in 2nd CH from hook or in Magic Ring (6)
2. SC around (6)
3. SC then INC; repeat around (9)
4. SC x 2 then INC; repeat around (12)
5. SC around (12)
6-9. SC around (12)
10. SC x 3 then INC; repeat around (15)
11. SC around (15)
12. SC around (15)
SL ST then Finish off and keep a long tail for stitch fingers in

Finger/Thumb (make 10)
CH 4
1. SC 3 (1 SC in each CH starting at the second CH from your hook) to make a “strip” of 3 SC (3)
Finish off and tie both ends of cut yarn in a knot. Trim and arrange in open end of arm, stitching the “fingers” to the inside of the open end and the thumb to the outside. Stuff arm and stitch open end closed sewing through fingers to secure them.

Leg (make 2)
CH2 or Magic Ring or however you like to start
1. 6 SC in 2nd CH from hook or in Magic Ring (6)
2. INC in each ST (12)
3. INC x 6 then STOP (12)
4. SL ST around (18)
5. CH1 then hook through front loop of the first SC stitch of row 3 (under the SL ST you just did) and SC in each front loop all the way around (18) (this creates the fabric straight up from the flat bottom of the foot without a real rounding or spherical shape)
6. (back to working in both loops as per normal) SC x 7 then INVDEC; repeat (16)
7. SC x 6 then INVDEC; repeat (14) (stuff)
8. SC x 5 then INVDEC; repeat (12)
9. SC around (12)
10. SC around (12)
11. SC x 4 then INVDEC; repeat (10)
12. SC around (10)
13. INVDEC x 4 then SC x 2 (6)
Finish off and keep a long tail for stitching legs to body.

Zipper Pull
CH 10
1. SL ST 4 beginning in the 2nd CH from hook, then SC 3 in same CH, then SC, SC 3 in same CH and SL ST to end of CH. Join with other end.
CH 6, pull CH through top of zipper and attach to Sackboy under chin. Stitch zipper pattern on body.

Lemon-Limoncello Cupcakes

So, I got a new cupcake corer for christmas, and I’ve been dying to try it out. I found this recipe at www.browneyedbaker.com (which has amazing recipes, btw).

I’m going to make them tomorrow, and will post photos of my results. :)

Well, I was going to make them today… however, I’ve discovered with much research that I can only order limoncello online. -.-

 I also will be working on a new crochet project, and probably a shrinky-dink or two. 0.0 I need to get back into the swing of things. I’ll start with a trip to Michael’s and a new CD to listen to. Mmm, and a cup of french roast coffee. Some doobs wouldn’t hurt either ;) especially after making those cupcakes. Anyway, here you go.

Lemon-Limoncello Cupcakes

Yield: 1 dozen

For the cupcakes:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 ounces (½ stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons limoncello
½ cup buttermilk
¼ cup lemon juice
Zest of one lemon

For the lemon curd:
Zest of 2 lemons
½ cup lemon juice
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 egg + 1 egg yolk

For the cream cheese limoncello frosting:
2 ounces (½ stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tablespoon limoncello
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1. Prepare the cupcakes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and position a rack in the center. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until light and creamy, 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the limoncello and beat an additional minute. On low speed, add flour mixture and buttermilk alternatively, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Add the lemon juice and zest and mix on low speed just until incorporated. Divide the batter between 12 muffin tins. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the middle comes out clean. Let cool completely.

2. Prepare the lemon curd. In a heavy medium saucepan, stir together the lemon zest, juice and sugar and bring to a simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and egg yolk. Whisk the lemon mixture into the eggs to temper them. Scrape the mixture back into the saucepan and place over medium heat, whisking constantly until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, and let cool completely.

3. Prepare the cream cheese limoncello frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until light and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the limoncello and beat for an additional minute. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and beat until fully incorporated and smooth.

4. Assemble the cupcakes. Cut a hole into each cupcake with the large end of a melon baller or the back end of a large pastry tip. Fill each cavity with the lemon curd. Fill a pastry bag with a star tip (I used Wilton 1M) with the cream cheese limoncello frosting and pipe onto each cupcake. Decorate with lemon and berries, if desired.