Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Crochet A Kookaburra

How To Crochet A Kookaburra
Some basic instructions

I am naming the Kookaburra, Kooka.

He now has a friend, Sammy the Koala
You can find the Koala pattern here.

To begin, find a picture of what you wish to make.

Now draw your project. I can't draw for nuts, but it helped me realise what components I will need to make my kookaburra.

Knowing what parts I needed to be making, I made a selection of textures and colours from my yarn stash. I've used a 5.00mm hook and changed to a 4.00mm hook for the facial features. The yarns vary from an 8 ply to a 12 ply.

I first made the body in simple single crochet rounds with out joining the rounds and increasing, working straight, then decreasing. The body began with 8 sc and increased to 40 sc, then reversed with the decrease to 8 sc.

The head was made the same beginning with 6 sc, increasing to 24 sc and ending with 12 sc.


Any stuffing will do. If you use snap on eye's this is the best time to do it.
Then sew head to body.
I made the beak next. The yarns were a different thickness, so I used the thinner one for the top of the beak.

I then weaved thin wire into the sides of the beak, so as I could shape them better.

I deliberately used a lighter shade of yarn to sew the beak parts together, to define the top and bottom parts of the beak.
Now with the embroidery of the face, I sc the sides of the eye's across the beak and across the other eye over the top of the face (not made seperate). I then hand sewed a contrasting yarn into the gaps. I'm not an embroiderer at all, but it just passes. The eye's are small buttons.
This is the beginning of the wings.

Trying the wings for size as I go.


And the finished wings.

The Kookaburra also has a feather tail which I made last and also sewed wire into for shaping.


Sunday, August 3, 2008

Crochet Lovers Victoria Australia. Group


Crochet Lovers. Victoria Australia, is a group created by Stramenda within Ravelry about 2 weeks ago.

I've been a member of ravelry since earlier on this year and have had little conversation with groups or members.

Stramenda did a little research within ravelry and invited residents of Victoria to join the group. I believe I was one of the first 10 to join and then followed by many others.

It was exciting to see the group grow and getting in on the ground level, gave me the chance to really see who was around and with in no time I was hooked.

But the most exciting thing was a planned meet up.

This happened today, it was a round trip of about 180 km's for me, but it sure was worth it.

Not only did I get to meet other people who enjoyed the art of crochet, but they were all so nice. Each one was accomplished in different fields of crochet, weaving and knitting, with the common interest of love for CROCHET!


As most of the group have children, the meet was held in a play centre for children and as the children played we had show and tell.

I had a lovely time and I'd love to do it again.

Thanks Ladies.


Saturday, August 2, 2008

Friday, August 1, 2008

Stay Out Of My Room!

Now this is my little room, where I crochet, get on the computer, watch tv or a movie.
It's set up for me and how I like it.
The room was once a bedroom that had to make way for the staircase to the upstairs extension.
My room is adjacent to the dining room and kitchen area, where I spend lot's of time too.
It never takes long for other family members to take over my little room. It must be the smallest room in the house with the most people in it, all at once.

From left to right, Nathan (my son-in-law), Danielle and Terrie, (2 of my 5 daughters).