2015 in Video Games

This year has been pretty productive when it came down to reaching my goal of completing 1 game a month(12 overall). I think i did pretty well with total of 10. The last few years my ability to actually beat a game(or stick with it until i did) has been going downhill; this year i really made an effort to follow through. I plan to do the same this coming 2016! Yoshi's Wolly World is a recent completion and i've yet to have the chance to make something related; but i'll update accordingly.

The other part of this goal was to make something related to each game(that i completed). Chances are you already know that i'm a yarn crafter(crochet/knit). For some i created a pattern, for others i used existing ones and adapted them to my needs. I'm linking my project page(on ravelry) and adding any other related links applicable. For a more interesting and thorough look at all the projects, check out the video below.


Paper Mario: Super Star (3DS)

Wrote up the pattern for some mini-mushrooms.
'Mini Mushroom Amigurumi' - Free pattern published in my blog.

Yoshi's New Island (3DS)


Created and wrote up pattern for some amigurumi eggs.
'Amigurumi Egg'  - Free pattern published in my blog.

Bravely Default (3DS)
Projects inspired by character costumes

'Bravely Default - Pirate Fingerless Gloves' (no pattern) - Project Page


'Bravely Default - Kimono Inspired Cowl' (no pattern) - Project Page

DuckTales Remastered (Wii U)

Used a 16 bit character from the old verision of the game 
'Ducktales' Pillow - Tunisian Crochet(no pattern) - Project Page

LoZ: Majora's Mask (3DS)

3 tail fox amigurumi, character in game
'LOZ: Majora's Mark' - Keaton Fox Amigurumi (free pattern) - Project Page

Cate West: The Vanishing Files (DS)

Long red scarf as the main character wears
'Cate West' Inspired - One Row Lace Scarf (free pattern) - Project Page

Never Alone (Wii U)

Two adorable fox hats

'Never Alone' Inspired - Sly Fox Hats (free pattern) - Project Page

Heavy Rain (PS3)

A couple of hats in a colorway reminiscent of the game

'Heavy Rain' Inspired - Man Hat (free pattern) - Project Page

Year Walk(Wii U)

Tunisian crochet pillow inspired by the dark side of Year Walk.

'Year Walk' Inspired Tunisian Crochet Pillow (no pattern) - Project Page

Yoshi's Wooly World

Project still to come! Maybe a tunisian crochet pillow or perhaps a knitted item?

End of August Update & 1k YT Giveaway!

Hats were the theme this time around, knitted hats to be more exact. I completed 3 hats(free patterns, links in the description of the video) and am working on a 4th, a stripped Barley hat(also free).  Some life stuff has taken up my time recently which has left me with a rather small stash of worked on and finished projects. I also wasn't really into video games recently, surprisingly enough. However, i'm hoping to start on a few other projects and plan to get back to the old schedule as soon as possible.

Some very exciting news; we made it to over 1k subscribers on YouTube! That is AMAZING...thank you guys so much!! In order to celebrate we're doing a giveway of course. We will have 3 winners this time around. It's open internationally and will run for 1 week(8/31 - 9/7). To enter you need to leave a comment in the video stating you want to be entered and share what is/was your favorite craft project ever(any craft) and why.  I should have the results by the next update; good luck!

Hats, Bell Bags and Foxes!

I have quite a few fox items this time around. I had to make an artic fox after beating 'Forever Alone'; this free crochet pattern is very cute(view pattern links in the video description). It also made adult size hats which was a surprise; they would be great as some kind of costume and/or theme hat. The fox basket has also finally been finished. This project took a while(for being crochet), however it was worth it. I filled it up with all my odds and partials skeins; it's a little over 3/4 full at this time. It's huge, it's floppy(until it's filled), and it's cute... i love it!

The Uncle Scrooge pillow has also been completed(to pay homage to 'DuckTales: Remastered'). I finished the crochet panel quite some time ago but more recently sewed it up and put the backing on(i chose brown felt). I'm very  happy with it in general; the colors in this one aided a very awesome and very clear picture. I also recently posted a tutorial for bell bags, inspired by the bags currency is carried in the 'Animal Crossing' games. They are my favorite! It's very easy too; feel free to check out the pattern(and vid tutorial) here. 

Last but not least, i knitted up a couple of hats. One is inspired by the game 'Heavy Rain'...it was quite a different sort of game(for me), however i ended up replaying it a number of times. None of the characters wear hats in this game, however since it's raining most of the time i would think that they'd appreciate one. The color is also pretty reminiscent of rain/cloudy sky. I also made a cute little gray hat which i stripped with my final scraps of Red Heart's Peruvian Print(it's really one of my favorite colorways when knitted). For more blurbs; check out my video!

Animal Crossing Bell Bag ~ Free Crochet Pattern and Tutorial

Animal Crossing is one of my favorite game series and i've made quite a few related projects... but this is one of the cutest and most functional. I've used this as 'giftwrap' before, making it a gift in itself...for an Animal Crossing fan that was a huge win!

You can view the video tutorial below(or here); i used Red Heart Super Saver yarns(worsted weight acrylic) and an H size hook(5mm). You can change up the yarn and hook size as you please of course. Changing up the size of the bag is also pretty easy; if you're familiar with crocheting hats it's about the same concept(the bag in itself is really a long upside down hat); to make it bigger you would do more increase rows in the crown/beginning of the bag, and to make it smaller you would do less.

The star i used for this bag comes from an existing free pattern which can be found here: https://amysodyssey.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/super-stars-amigurumi/ . I did not include how to crochet the star in my tutorial since i'm not the owner of the pattern, but it should be pretty easy to whip up. If you prefer to use another star pattern(and/or use felt which would also look great), please do so! The red tie is also pretty easy to do, however i've also used ribbon instead which also works pretty well(just tie the ends with a knot or two to avoid fraying).


Bag Pattern:
Row 1: 10 hdc in magic circle - 10 total
Row 2: Inc in all - 20
Row 3: *1 hdc, 1 inc*, repeat until the end of the row - 30
Row 4: *2 hdc, 1 inc*, repeat until the end of the row - 40
Row 5-14: hdc in each - 40
Row 15: dc in each - 40
Row 16-17: hdc in each - 40
Finish off.

Star Pattern:
Find the free crochet pattern here: https://amysodyssey.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/super-stars-amigurumi/
Sew the star approximately 2 hdc rows under the dc row.

Bag Tie:
Chain about 80-85(less if you want a shorter tie, more if you want a longer tie). Slip stitch into every stitch and finish off. Weave through the dc row.

End of July Update ~ WIP's and FO's

This update seems to be largely based on video games(as it should, lol). I finished a couple of items related to some games i completed recently; both of which i love. Inspired by the 'Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask', the amigurumi Keaton(aka 3 tailed fox) is done! The pattern i used is free; i also included legs for the character, however i chose not to add those to mine. You can find more info/details on my Ravelry project page. The red scarf inspired by 'Cate West: The Vanishing Files' is also done! That was a pretty neat(and quick) game. You play as Cate, which is always styling this awesome red scarf(hence the project).

Not totally a 'completed' project, but i'm still sort of counting it....i'm speaking of the Uncle Scrooge panel inspired by 'DuckTales: Remastered'. An awesome game from back in the day for sure. Hoping to get it completed before my next update for sure. I'm also working on a very awesome(and too adorable) fox crochet basket. Mine will be huge, in order to contain all my yarny odds and ends(and probably more!). I failed to mention this one may be the project inspired by 'Never Alone', another currently completed game which also features a fox(i say maybe 'cause i have another fox project coming up).

My Nintendo inspired afghan is also closer to completion. The 3rd panel(the shoe) was a nightmare. In short, it was pretty boring to do; mostly one color. It took me forever and i'm so glad it's done(it was totally worth it). The last and final panel will feature Boo, aka the ghost.  I assume i'll be working on it through October(if not finished beforehand of course), which would be fine with me...and it would be quite fitting too, 

Last but not least, i'm working on a gray hat...that would totally remind you of rain clouds. Perfect, because this one's inspired by 'Heavy Rain', which is such a(sad) ride of a game. I had to replay this one various times to see all there is to see; all i can say is check it out if you haven't already. I know i missed mentioning a few items, as well as a few other things; if you want to know more, check out my video below.

Nintendo World Haul! NYC

During my New York visit at the beginning of the month i visited the Nintendo World store in New York City and left with a small haul. I was fortunate enough to stay at the Millennium Hotel(about 2-3 blocks away) which enabled me to visit it on a daily basis. I would have loved to shop there daily, but my real reason to visit was to make use of the Street Pass feature on my 3DS'. I don't leave my house without it :).

They had a Legend of Zelda display section that featured most, if not all of the games in the series; it was pretty amazing. It included Zelda merchandise and collectibles - my favorite had to be the character figurines; i wouldn't mind having some to add to my collection eventually. They also had a specific section based on Majora's Mask. I don't think my pictures captured it in its entirely... however it was pretty neat. My favorite game(other than Occarina of Time) is The WindWaker, the display for this was my favorite section as well. They had these tiny figures that i've yet to start collecting(that's if i decide to, lol).  They also had an awesome larger figure of Princes Zelda, i was looking for Link but unfortunately i didn't find him(perhaps i just missed it?).

The first day in NY it was pouring. Don't ask me how but i totally forgot to take a jacket or something with a hood with me. In the case that it would rain again, i got a Zelda/Triforce themed hooded sweater. It didn't rain much more during the rest of my trip so didn't actually get to use it, but in general i know i definitely will. I also picked up a blue shirt that simply says 'Nintendo World, NY' as well as a shirt one of my friends picked up for me last month while the store celebrated their 10th year anniversary. They didn't offer the limited edition shirt online, so it was awesome that he was able to pick me up one. It came with a collectors coin as well(which you can see in the pics).


I got a Boo plushie to go along with my Goomba. I love him, he's so big and plump, lol! Talking about plushies, I got a small ? Block from the Toys R Us in Time's Square as well. It may be tiny but it's awesome, specially because it makes the sounds(and fortunately has an on/off switch lol). I picked up a couple of smaller things from Nintendo World as well; a cute Mario pin and a handy Bullet Bill keychain. Overall, it was an amazing time. Check out the video for more blurbs and pictures.

Yarn Haul & Lion Brand Studio

I visited the Lion Brand Studio while in NY and it was a great experience. I was able to take some pictures(view more in the video) and really enjoyed the atmosphere and found everyone there rather friendly. I walked out with a mug that reads 'No skein, no gain' which is probably my favorite find during this trip. I purchased some acrylic fiber, a couple of magnets and cards, and an adorable set of stitch markers. They also included a free bag for spending over $50... Huge win! Check out the video below for more on the Studio as well as Purl Soho.


This awesome haul is from discontinuedbrandnameyarn.com. I scored some more awesome skeins for my stash!





Berroco Comfort Chunky
Colorway: Ocean
50% Super Fine Nylon/50% Super Fine Acrylic
100 grams/150 yards







Berroco Comfort Chunky
Colorway: Faded Denim
50% Super Fine Nylon/50% Super Fine Acrylic
100 grams/150 yards








Berroco Comfort Chunky
Colorway: Snow
50% Super Fine Nylon/50% Super Fine Acrylic
100 grams/150 yards

Berroco Vintage DK
Colorway: Gold
50% Acrylic/40% Wool/10% Nylon
100 grams/288 yards








Berroco Vintage DK
Colorway: Emerald
50% Acrylic/40% Wool/10% Nylon
100 grams/288 yards








Berroco Vintage DK
Colorway: Brick
50% Acrylic/40% Wool/10% Nylon
100 grams/288 yards






Cascade 220 Quatro
Colorway: Grape Vine
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards







Cascade 220 Quatro
Colorway: Carnation
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards

Cascade 220
Colorway: Mint
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards







Cascade 220
Colorway: Fudge Ripple
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards







Cascade 220 Heathers
Colorway: Scarlet
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards








Cascade 220 Heathers
Colorway: Peachy
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards







Cascade 220 Heathers
Colorway: Patina
100% Wool
100 grams/220 yards







Plymouth Yarn Diversity
Colorway: Carnival
100% Wool
100 grams/420 yards








Plymouth Yarn Diversity
Colorway: Fiesta
100% Wool
100 grams/420 yards








Plymouth Yarn Diversity
Colorway: Earth
100% Wool
100 grams/420 yards

Hats, Shawl and Misc.

I got a few things done before leaving for NY and had some time to work on a few others during the drive(to and from). Hats seem to be the theme for this update, as i have quite a few completed this time around. I made some Poppy hats... this is a free pattern via ravelry and it has to be my favorite to date. I love the way it's worked, it's pretty quick and it's taught me a lot about short rows.

I aimed to use up all of one of my favorite Red Heart SS Colorway - Peruvia Print - and didn't have quite enough to make a second hat so used some gray as well. I also whipped one up with some DK weight in a blue/purple color that came from a swap and last but not least, i used some of my hand dyed Superwash in a pretty fun colorway. I don't use my own hand dyed yarns often enough... it's about time! More projects will be made out of this, as i found out i enjoy using yarns made or dyed by me quite a bit :).

Only 3 projects came with me while on my trip and only 2 got worked on. The one that was completed was a crochet shawl/kerchief which turned out pretty awesome actually; it's a free pattern as well, i'm not sure why it doesn't have more projects(i thought it was so nice and super fast). Check it out on Rav via my project page here. I used up my yarn pick for the month of June on this and it was a really great pairing. It was my first time using Vanna's Sequins yarn and my experience was positive regardless of the minor hiccups(ie shredded skein). The other i worked on was the Arabella Sahwl(also a free pattern), i got a panel of the shawl done and started on the 4th.

My current tunisian crochet project also came along but i didn't have a chance to work on it at all. This one is based on a current video game i completed, Ducktales Remastered. This pillow will feature Uncle Scrooge, the 8 bit version. I had also finished crocheting the pieces for an amigurumi i made inspired by the LoZ: Majora's Mask, just did not have the chance to stuff and put together yet. This will be the Keaton character and i already know it will come out adorable! I'm looking forward to what this week brings for sure. Check out my video for more blurbs!

Semiannual Fiber Project Update 2015! January to June

Half the year is already gone! I've have made a project page for every project so far(on Ravelry, find me as malonb). I've also tried to take (good) pictures of said projects, not only for my project page but to also feature in the video below. I do have an original blog post that lists all my projects throughout the year(you can view it here) but at this point you'd have to backtrack through my blog quite a bit so i'll bring the list here for easy access . If it's an available pattern(paid or not) i have a link for it, as well as for the appropriate project page for each item. Enjoy!

January:

• 'Harvest' by Tincanknits (free pattern) - Project page
• January Yarn Club Pick - Leg Warmers (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Cable Baby Blanket' by Bernat (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Cable and Gusset Mittens' from the Circular Knitting Workshop - Project Page
• 'Sockhead Hat' by Kelly McClure (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Bandana Cowl' by Purl Soho (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Father Pullover' by Melissa Leapman/Red Heart (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Purple & Green Scrap Cowl' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Ambleside Shawl' by Victoria Magnus(paid for pattern) - Project Page

February:

• 'Striped Cowl' (no pattern) - Project Page
• February Yarn Club Pick - 'The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief' by Orange Flower Yarn (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Poppy' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Unforgettable Hat Beanie' by Elizabeth Trantham (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Purple Swirl Hat' by Mandie Harrington (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Cardinal Tunisian Crochet Pillow' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Barley Color Blocked' by Tincanknits (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Nyan Cat Pillow - Tunisian Crochet' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Space Invaders Tunisian Crochet Pillow' (no pattern) - Project Page

March:

• 'Pikmin Tunisian Crochet Pillow' (no pattern) - Project Page
• February Yarn Club Pick - 'Fingerless Mitts' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Super Mario Character Pillow' (no pattern) - Project Page
• March Yarn Club Pick - 'Trapezoid Cowl' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Poppy' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• March YarnClub Pick - 'Purl Ridge Hat' by Roxanne Yelle (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Amigurumi Egg'  - Free pattern published in my blog - Crochet
• 'Mini Mushroom Amigurumi' - Free pattern published in my blog - Crochet
• 'Shy Little Unicorn - LOZ: :Epona - Horse Amigurumi' x2 by Anan Paula Rimoli published in 'Amigurmi Toy Box' - Project Page

April:

• 'Knit Mushroom Mini Pillow'  (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Cloud Cowl' (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Optimistic Handbrake Cowl' by Kay F. Jones (paid-for pattern) - Project Page 
• 'Bear Amigurumis' x2 (no pattern) - Project Page
• 'Yellow Handbrake Cowl' by Kay F. Jones (paid-for pattern) - Project Page 
• 'Bravely Default - Pirate Fingerless Gloves' (no pattern) - Project Page

May:

• April Yarn Club Pick - 'Sloane Shawl' by This.Bird.Knits (paid-for pattern) - Project Page
• 'Bravely Default - Kimono Inspired Cowl' (no pattern) - Project Page
• May Yarn Club Pick - 'Poppy' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• May Yarn Club Pick - 'Gidday Baby' by Georgie Hallam (free pattern) - Project Page

June:

• 'Poppy' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Poppy in Gray & Peruvian Print' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Poppy in Hand Painted Superwash Merino' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• 'Poppy in Purple' by Justine Turner (free pattern) - Project Page
• June Yarn Club Pick - 'Wisteria in Amaretto' by Stine Gudmand-Hoyer (free pattern) - Project Page

Update Time!

It feels like it's been quiet a while since my last update!! It's been about a month i think. I finished the cute baby cardigan i was working on, which used up most of my yarn pick for the month of May. I didn't have enough to do the sleeves still, adorable nonetheless. I also whipped up a Poppy hat, one of my favorite patterns ever.. which i paired with with one of my favorite Red Heart SS colorways, 'Peruvian Print', the outcome was awesome and random all at once. I'm going to try to squeeze another one out with the yarn i have left(not sure if i'll make it, but i'll try!).

I've been spinning and working on some WIPs(works in progress) as well, however i decided to cut down on yarn time due to discomfort. Crochet used to cause this quite a lot, with the new ergonomic hooks i got a while ago it hasn't though, and i haven't been doing all that much crochet lately. This time around it has to be either the knitting or spinning, unfortunately even gaming, it seems like i'm working with my hands nonstop all day. I've been looking up other hobbies and/or looking for other ways i could do things in order to give my hands a rest; reading(an actual book as opposed to audio books) is a great way, as is any video game where you can play it via the Kinect, PS' Move controller or even some Wii/Wii U games that use the wand. It has me a little sad, but i think everything will work itself out in time.

Knitting wise i'm still working on my sweater as well as the cat themed cowl and a new project, a wedge shawl. Crochet wise i'm still working on my Nintendo Inspired blanket as well as a needle holder i can  hang on my wall. I don't have all the details yet, but i'll be updating on my Rav as i'm making progress. There is some spinning that's still waiting to be washed and i'm working on some awesome fiber i turned to rolags recently. I love this stuff! In my video update i also share my yarn pick for the month of June which is pretty awesome; i'm looking fwd to work on it!

Last but not least, my New York trip is coming up!! I plan to visit the Lion Brand Studio for sure and have a few other smaller yarn places on my list. I'll be staying in the Manhattan area for the week and am really looking fwd to it. Being a couple of blocks away from Nintendo World will be amazing, not to mention very close to Time's Square. I'll try to take some pictures and/or have an update for you guys. I will be taking some projects to work on, specially during the drive (it's about a 4-5hr drive from where i'm at) and of course, will be taking some gaming stuff as well.

Talking about gaming... i totally forgot to mention the ones i beat recently. DuckTales Remastered was pretty awesome, it really brought some memories from back in the day. I plan to make a Tunisian crochet pillow for this one, inspired by the 8bit version from the NES day. I also recently finished LoZ: Majora's Mask. I played this back in the day of N64 and i had forgotten how much there is to do, a lot of side quests and all of that. I thoroughly  enjoyed it(probably more than the first time). For this one i was thinking of making an amigurumi, but i still have to brainstorm a little to see what it is i would really want to make. Check out my video for more blurbs.

Yarn & Fiber Haul!

My first purchase was some amazing fiber from Expertly Dyed (check out her etsy shop here). I purchased from her before and always love her stuff; i also suggest checking out Jennifer's YouTube channel specially if you're into spinning dying and/or learning more about fiber in general. 

These 4 batts were purchased with the idea of spinning two of them together, as each are around 2oz each. I got two of the green batts (really did remind me of grass, i'm thinking if i should spin these next) in the 'Textured Grass Block' colorway. The other two have already been spun and are getting a few days of rest before plying; these will become a transitional 2-ply yarn. The yellow color was 'Banana Glama' while the orangy red is 'Harris & Donegal'. All these batts are a mix of many fibers, too many to list here but if you want more details check out my handspun project page on Rav here. These have really inspired me while making batts or rolags on my blending board. 

My other purchase from Etsy was a cute project bag from Southpaw Creations featuring some woodland animal. I didn't take a picture of it but do check out the cuteness in my video below. Erin also has a YouTube channel i suggest checking out if you like to see other's finished projects and/or if you're inspired by such(i know i am). I've also purchased from this shop before... i can only say good things. She's recently put up a couple of new styles as well. 

Last but not least, my yarn haul from Discontinued Brand Name Yarn... so much for being on a yarn freeze, lol. I stocked up on a sweater's quantity of Lamb's Pride Superwash in the 'Turf Green' colorway, 8 skeins in total. I have really been into green lately and am craving to make a sweater out of this sort of color, i just have to find the perfect one! I stocked up on a couple of yarns which i have purchased last time as well, these are the Cherry Tree Hill Yarn Supersock Select in the 'Bark' and 'Apricot' colorways, i got 2 skeins of each. They also had some Cherry Tree Hill Yarn that i had to get my hands on, the Broad Band Supersock. These have large color blocks in the most interesting palettes, i got 5 in total (African Gray, Cherry Blossom, Old Rose, Birches and Spring Frost). I plan to choose one of those to gift to a lucky person when my 1k YouTube subscriber giveaway happens as well so keep an eye out for that!