Carbuncle FF (Finally Finished) 8

I've been working on this Carbuncle from FF8 for weeks now. I had a hard time with it because I saw all these shapes that I didn't know how to reproduce like the legs or the shape of his head. I ended up free handing the whole thing which created a lot of trial appendages that ended up looking really odd. It's about a foot tall. I think the finished product looks close to the original and I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Carbuncle FF8

MC: Magic Circle or however you like to start.

SC: Single Crochet

INC: Standard increase (two single crochet in one stitch)

DEC: Invisible decrease

CH: Chain

()*: Repeat whats in the bracket all around the row

Head:

body color

1. MC5 (5)

2. (INC)* (10)

3. (SC)* (10)

4. (INC, 1 SC)* (15)

5. SC, INC, 2 SC, INC, 2 SC, INC, 7 SC (18)

6. 2 SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 7 SC (21)

7. INC, 2 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 2 SC, INC, 4 SC (26)

8. SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 5 SC, INC, 5 SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 4 SC (31)

9. 2 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 6 SC, INC, 6 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 4 SC (36)

10. 3 SC, INC, 5 SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 5 SC, INC, 4 SC (43)

11. 4 SC, INC, 6 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 6 SC, INC, 4 SC (50)

12. 5 SC, INC, 7 SC, INC, 5 SC, INC, 5 SC, INC, 5 SC, INC, 5 SC, INC, 7 SC, INC, 4 SC (57)

13. 6 SC, INC, 8 SC, INC, 6 SC, INC, 6 SC, INC, 6 SC, INC, 6 SC, INC, 8 SC, INC, 4 SC (64)

14. 6 SC, DEC, 8 SC, DEC, 7 SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, 7 SC, DEC, 8 SC, DEC, 3 SC (65)

15. 5 SC, DEC, 7 SC, DEC, 7 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 4 SC, INC, 6 SC, DEC, 7 SC, DEC, 3 SC (66)

16-26. (SC)* (11 rows)

Insert eyes and stuff

Spike 1: 9 SC, SLST with opposite chain, 9 SC

5 rows of head color, 10 rows of green

2 rows (1 SC, DEC)*

DEC all

Spike 2&3: 8 SC, SLST with opposite chain, 8 SC

5 rows of head color, 10 rows of green

2 rows (1 SC, DEC)*

DEC all

Spike 4: Remaining stitches SC

5 rows of head color, 10 rows of green

2 rows (1 SC, DEC)*

DEC all

Body:

body color

1. MC 6 (6)

2. (INC)* (12)

3. (1 SC, INC)* (18)

4. (1 SC, INC, 1 SC)* (24)

5. (3 SC, INC)* (30)

6. (2 SC, INC, 2 SC)* (36)

7. (5 SC, INC)* (42)

8. (3 SC, INC, 3 SC)* (48)

9. (7 SC, INC)* (54)

10. (4 SC, INC, 4 SC)* (60)

11. (9 SC, INC)* (66)

12. (5 SC, INC, 5 SC)* (72)

13-14. SC all (2 rows)

15. (9 SC, DEC)* (66)

16-17. SC all (2 rows)

18. (4 SC, DEC, 4 SC)* (60)

19-20. SC all (2 rows)

21. (7 SC, DEC)* (54)

22-23. SC all (2 rows)

24. (3 SC, DEC, 3 SC)* (48)

25-26. SC all (2 rows)

27. (5 SC, DEC)* (42)

28-29. SC all (2 rows)

30. (2 SC, DEC, 2 SC)* (36)

31-32. SC all (2 rows)

33. (3 SC, DEC)* (30)

34-35. SC all (2 rows)

stuff

Legs (Make 2)

body color

1. MC 6 (6)

2. (INC)* (12)

3. (1 SC, INC)* (18)

4. back loop SC all

5-9. SC all (5 rows)

10. 9 SC, (1 SC, INC) x 4, 1 SC (22)

11. 9 SC, (1 SC, INC, 1 SC) x 4, 1 SC (26)

12. SC all (1 row)

13. 2 SC, SL ST, CH 1, turn

14. 19 SC, SL ST, CH 1, turn

15. 18 SC, SL ST, CH 1, turn

16. 17 SC, SL ST, CH 1, turn

17. 16 SC, SL ST, CH 1, turn

18. 15 SC, SL ST, CH 1, turn

19. 14 SC, SL ST, CH 1, turn

20. 13 SC, SL ST, CH 1, turn

21. 12 SC, SL ST, CH 1, turn

22. 11 SC, SL ST, CH 1, turn

stuff firmly and sew into place

Feet (Make 2):

start with body color
1. Pick up 14 stitches on the bottom of the legs
2-3. SC all (2 rows)
4. (1 SC, INC)* (21)
5-9. SC all (5 rows)
switch colors to green
10-19. SC all (10 rows)
stuff very firmly
20. create 3 toes of 7 stitches
SC all 2 rows, DEC until closed

Ears (Make 2)

start with dark blue

1. MC 6 (6)

2. (INC)* (12)

3-5. SC all (3 rows)

6. (1 SC, INC)* (18)

7-8. SC all (2 rows)

change colors to body color

9-12. SC all (4 rows)

13. (2 SC, INC)* (24)

14-18. SC all (5 rows)

19. (3 SC, INC)* (30)

20-24. SC all (5 rows)

25. 1 SC, 2 DEC, 13 SC, 2 DEC, 8 SC (26)

26. 2 DEC, 5 SC, DEC, 4 SC, 2 DEC, 7 SC (21)

flatten and sew to the head.

Tail

start with body color

1. pick up 17 stitches where the tail should be in a square shape. SL ST with first stitch to join. (16)

2. (INC)* (32)

3-12. SC all (10 rows)

13. (7 SC, INC)* (36)

14-18. SC all (5 rows)

19. (4 SC, INC, 4 SC)* (40)

20-27. SC all (8 rows)

change colors to green

28. SC all (1 row)

29-30. flatten the tail and separate into top and bottom half. For the top half back loop only and bottom half, front loop only. SC all (2 rows)

31. (3 SC, INC)* (50)

32. separate into 5 spikes of 10 stitches.

Spike 1&5:

1. SC all (4 rows)

2. DEC until closed

Spike 2&4:

1. SC all (6 rows)

2. DEC until closed

Spike 3:

1. SC all (8 rows)

2. DEC until closed

Belly:

start with cream

1. CH 16

2. INC, 13 SC, INC switch to the other side of the chain, INC, 13 SC, INC (34)

3. 2 INC, 13 SC, 4 INC, 13 SC, 2 INC (42)

4. 4 INC, 13 SC, 8 INC, 13 SC, 4 INC (58)

switch to body color

5. 4 INC, 21 SC, 8 INC, 21 SC, 4 INC (74)

sew onto belly

Arm (Make 2)

1. Pick up 12 stitches in a circle SL ST with first stitch to join

2. (INC)* (22)

3. SC all (1 row)

4-5. Flatten and separate into top half and bottom half. Top half only stitch in back loops, bottom half front loops. SC all (2 rows)

6. SC all (1 row)

7. (9 SC, DEC)* (20)

8-10. SC all (3 rows)

11. (4 SC, DEC, 4 SC)* (18)

12. (7 SC, DEC)* (16)

13. (3 SC, DEC, 3 SC)* (14)

14. (1 SC, DEC)* until closed

Diamond

use red

1. CH 7

2-7. 6 SC, CH 1, turn (6 rows)

finish off

1. CH 5

2-5. 4 SC, CH 1, turn (4 rows)

finish off

sew together then onto forehead.

I also worked on a few side projects to keep me sane. I have the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cozies and will move on to the Alice in Wonderland ones next. I have a few ideas but the characters have distinct features that I feel might not translate well onto cozies. I also made the Labbit which is a rabbit with a mustache. I weighted the feet with nickles so if I am ever in desperate need of 20 cents, I may need to take it apart. I also tried to do a Bavarian Square because I thought it looked really cool. It ended up looking odd, but I'm going to learn how to do Granny Squares from a friend (hopefully soon) and have an idea for a mat that we need for the front of the apartment.

JLA vs. Avengers

Just finished the Justice League of America.  Really like how Flash came out. Batman's ears are a little floppy for my liking but they look alright.

I only had these cans...

Also finished the Avengers.

Comic versions of everyone except for movie Fury because he was easier...

I still like the JLA better.

There were a lot of loose ends in the back for the color changes but half way through I used a technique that I learned for Fair Isle knitting for colors that were used close together in a row, like in Hawkeye's mask, where you twist the yarns around each other in the back.  It greatly reduces the amount of loose yarns though you do end up using a bit more yarn.

Another thing, the rows move in a spiral pattern so you have to adjust the design for that. I often offset a row in between in order to keep things straight.

Other than that, this made me realize how similar people's costumes were to each other.  I basically used the same colors over again.

I've run out of ideas for cozies but I might try a few more designs. I got a request for Alice in Wonderland and Ninja Turtles.

I'm hoping to go to the yarn store tomorrow so I can stock up before I find my next thing to make.  Let me know what you think and ideas are welcome.

Cozy Crazy

Went a little cozy crazy this week.  Made the Totoro one for my friend and she took it to her office.  The next thing I know, I'm making a ton!  I started off with the Cthulhu one because I was familiar with making tentacles.  The next day I had an order for a Doraemon one.   

The formula I use is one that I adjusted from Denton's Inventions.  I use the Red Heart yarn mostly so I found that my cozies weren't big enough.  The pattern is pretty forgiving and I mostly just freestyle the designs on after doing a rough approximation on graph paper.

Currently working through the Avengers.  I wanted to do the JLA since I love love love DC way more than Marvel but sadly, I'm lacking a few colors.  I still have to do Hawkeye and Fury.  I've been doing comic versions of the cast but can't decide whether to make Fury comic version or movie version.

Cozy:

1. CH 40, SL ST with first chain

2-4. SC all (3 Rows)

5. (9 SC, DEC, 9 SC)*

5-7. SC all (3 Rows)

8. (17 SC, DEC)*

9-10. SC all (2 Rows)

11. (8 SC, DEC, 8 SC)*
12. SC all

SL ST to end

All detailing was done with yarn, except for Totoro's eyes which were made with buttons.

Cthulhu Tentacles:

Coil A: CH 16, (2 SC, INC)x5

Coil B: CH 13, (2 SC, INC)x4

On Row 12: 15 SC, Coil A, SC, Coil B, SC, Coil A, SC, Coil B, SC, Coil A, 15 SC

For all extremity items like the wings and ears, I wove the long finished end through the outer edge of the wings/ ears to help them keep the shape.

Captain America's Wings:

1. CH 4, Turn

2. 3 SC, CH 4, Turn

3. 3 SC, 3 HDC, turn

4. 5 SC, CH 4, Turn

5. 3 SC, 5 HDC, Turn

6. 6 SC, CH 4, Turn

7. 3 SC, 6 HDC, finish

Totoro Ears:

1. CH 4, turn

2. 1 SC, INC, 1 SC, CH 1, Turn

3. 1 SC, DEC, 1 SC, CH 1, Turn

4. DEC, finish

Any ideas of what I should do next?

Moogle Making

This post goes out to shuraiya. Thanks for being interested. 
I learned most of my crocheting from my mom and goldenjellybean. This pattern's base, hands, and jacket are an adaption from goldenjellybean's link sackboy. Please look her up! 
If there are any questions feel free to leave a comment and I'll answer it as best as I am able. This is my first pattern so it may have a few errors >.< 

MC: Magic Circle or however you like to start. 
SC: Single Crochet 
INC: Standard increase (two single crochet in one stitch) 
DEC: Invisible decrease 
CH: Chain 
HDC: Half Double Chrochet 
()*: Repeat whats in the bracket all around the row 

Colors used: 
Gold-hair - nose 
light brown - body 
brown - pants/belt 
dark brown - gloves, boots, ears, eyebrows, stitches on pants 
white - shirt 
green - jacket 
yellow - details on jacket 
orange - wings, ball on head 
black - mouth 

Montblanc FFTA 

Head: light brown 

1.MC 6 
2.INC all 
3.(1 SC, INC)*
4.(2 SC, INC)* 
5.(3 SC, INC)* 
6.(4 SC, INC)* 
7.(5 SC, INC)* 
8.(6 SC, INC)* 
9-14.(SC)* 6 Rows 
15.13 SC, DEC, 8 SC, DEC, 8 SC, DEC, 13 SC 
16.(SC)* 
17.13 SC, INC, 7 SC, INC, 7 SC, INC, 13 SC 
18.14 SC, INC, 8 SC, INC, 8 SC, INC, 13 SC 
19.15 SC, INC, 9 SC, INC, 9 SC, INC, 13 SC 
20-23. (2 SC, DEC)* 4 Rows 
24.DEC untill 11 stitches left 

insert eyes and hair and stuff firmly 

Body: light brown 

1.INC all except for last stitch. 1 SC in last stitch. 
2.(SC)* change to white 
3-8.(SC)* 6 Rows change to brown 
9.(2 SC, INC)* 
10.(3 SC, INC)* 
11.(4 SC, INC)* 
12.(5 SC, INC)* 
13. back loop (5 SC, DEC)* 
14. back loop (4 SC, DEC)* stuff 
15. back loop DEC all until closed.

add details to pants (ie. stitches) with dark brown yarn. pull the front and back stitches tight so the pants bend inward in the middle to look like two legs of pants.

Legs: brown

(a.n. if you need help with this part, check out goldenjellybean's tutorial on picking up stitches on her youtube channel.) 

1.pick up 7 stitches where the leg should be 
2.(INC)* 
3-8.(SC)* 6 Rows change to dark brown 
9-10.(SC)* 2 Rows stuff 
11.DEC in back loop until closed 

Turtleneck: white 

1.CH 4 
2.3 SC, CH 1, Turn
3.continue untill desired length then sew around neck. 

Jacket: green 

1.CH 30 
2.SC for about 8 rows or untill desired length. change to yellow 
3.In original chain, SC with yellow in the side that doesn't have the green SC then sew around body. add yellow details on the front of the jacket. 

Arms (make 2): 

(a.n. also check out the tutorial on hands and fingers on goldenjellybean's youtube channel) green 

1.pick up 6 stitches from jacket
2.(INC)* 
3-4.stitch in back loops for the top half of arm (6 sc) and front loops for bottom half of the arm (6 SC). 2 Rows. 
5-8.(SC)* 4 Rows 
9.back loops (SC)* change to dark brown 
10-11.(SC)* 2 Rows 
12.start fingers. 1 Row dark brown 2 rows light brown. 

Ears (make 2): dark brown 

1.MC 6
2.(INC)* 
3.(1 SC, INC)* 
4.(2 SC, INC)* 
5.(INC, 3 SC)* 
6-8.(SC)* 3 Rows change to light brown 
9-18.(SC)* 10 Rows 
19.(DEC, 3 SC)* 
20-21.(SC)* 2 Rows 
22.(DEC, 2 SC)* tie off 

Belt (with smaller hook or thinner yarn): brown 

1.CH 3 
2.2 SC, CH 1, Turn 
3.repeat until desired length and sew onto waist. 

Wings (make 2): orange 

1.CH 5, Turn 
2.4 SC, CH 3, turn 
3.2 SC, 4 HDC, CH 1, turn 
4.5 SC, CH 1, turn 
5.5 SC, CH 1, turn 
6.5 SC, CH 3, turn 
7.2 SC, 5 HDC, CH 1, turn 
8.6 SC, CH 1, turn 
9.6 SC, CH 1, turn 
10.6 SC, CH 3, turn 
11.2 SC, 6 HDC tie off and sew to back 

Ball above head: orange

(a.n. I attatched it to the head and ball by using black 18 gauge craft wire and rolling the ends in masking tape then shoving it through the stuffing in both the head and ball.)

1.MC 6 
2.(INC)* 
3.(1 SC, INC)* 
4.(2 SC, INC)* 
5-10.(SC)* 6 Rows 
11.(2 SC, DEC)* stuff 
12.DEC untill closed add additional details with felt (ears) and yarn (face)

Completed Project: