Crochet for Webkinz!

I've had quite a break from crocheting, but got the urge a while back and have been doing small projects off and on, mostly webkinz clothes. I finally got some pictures taken and thought I'd share! They are featured below in the order they were created.

First up is a strappy green dress worn by G's Jewel. The skirt is nice and fluttery. I actually made the skirt a while ago - back when I crocheted for H's bigger white teddy bear. Jewel wore just a skirt (which was quite cute on it's own) until I finally attached the dress top that G requested. I think it may have been cuter just as a skirt, but it still turned out well.

Next up is this wonderful blue dress worn by H's Cupcake the panda bear.


The side view shows better how cute it is. I made it with some "Elf Eyelash" Hobby Lobby yarn and that was a nice challenge. (and no, I will not be making anymore items out of elf eyelash - though the white would make a nice trim on a santa hat) It *is* quite soft, though, and wonderfully set off by the two white stripes. I added them when I thought I was done, and they took it from a minidress to a ball gown and much improved it!

Z's koala, whose name I can't recall right now is wearing his fuzzy black sweater with skull emblem. The skull is the only thing I used a pattern for and it didn't turn out that well (maybe I should have acutally followed the pattern? eh.) Thankfully it's a big hit with Z and Claw. Oh! Claw! That's his name. Claw the koala. Hope I got the spelling right. Sorry Claw!

One more note on Claw's sweater - it has a matching fuzzy beanie/skull cap, but it doesn't stay on very well. I may have to put on a strap and change it into a helmet.

Here we have G's 2nd webkinz, Snowy, modeling her birthday dress. I really felt like I made quite a step forward as a designer, taking advantage of the plain-ness of the yarn to show off some intricate stitch work.

This back view shows off the halter tie nicely. It matches the bow detailing on the front of the dress and the nice hair bow as well. G picked out the yarn, which really is a good color for Snowy. The dress was a birthday present to G, and was very well received.

Here we have H's newly earned reward, Cuddly the manatee. I was immediately inspired by Cuddly's natural body shape to go with a mermaid cut gown. The yarn choice was a no-brainer, because if H likes this yarn (which she does) she may as well have it, since I can't imagine anyone else who would! Although, now that it's done, I feel like it would have worked up nicer in a solid colored yarn. The varigated coloring makes it hard to see the flower detail up near Cuddly's head.

While this photo doesn't show Cuddly's face very well, you can nicely see the mermaid shaping with a double ruffle at the bottom. The ruffled detail wonderfully sets off the shape, and also used up nearly all of this *ahem* wonderful yarn. I also like the way the yarn comes together up the front, in a nice inverted v, which adds some unexpected sophistication to the gown.

I'm not sure what's up next. My own elephant, Electrona is without any special occaison wear (or any other clothing for that matter - you know what they say, the cobbler's kids always go with shoes!) But Z also has a lizzard, and a bat, and a couple others, too. I think the bat may be next, as I'm intrigued to work up something boy-ish and able to work around his wings...

Home Again, with a new diagnosis???

Well, we're home again. However, just before D was discharged we were thrown for another loop. They'd run some blood work to test for some wierd and rare immune system issues and one of them came back positive. They were so surprised they ran the test again the day we left, and it was positive again. My initial google research showed some pretty grim findings, but I was able to calm down when I considered that this is something he's had all along, not something new, and he wouldn't necessarily have all the lifethreatening conditions google listed! And on the plus side, now we had a name and treatment plan for the multiple infections he'd had.

And just as that was sinking in, I got another phone call from the doctor, this time saying they were considering that the tests might be showing a false positive, due to the way D's body works with rickets. So, they are not sure now. However, thankfully, they can do a genetic work up and look for specific gene mutations that will tell them whether he has this condition or not. So that's good news, although I think the genetic workup takes a while... So. We wait.

In the mean time, he is tube free while the doctors sort all this out, which means a lot more freedom for D and our family. And we plan to enjoy this time!

AND D is trying to crawl! He gets up on his elbows and knees and rocks and rocks! It's so fun to watch!

All else is well. We're glad to be home!