Free pattern: Nameko Growly Amigurumi

Here's another Fungi for you guys: Growly - "He may look scary, but he's very kind. Is he part ogre?" The pattern is the same one as the original Nameko. You just have to add the horns. Have fun! ♥

Materials: 

• yarn: beige (COLOR A) and dark red (COLOR B) (I used Wolle Rödel Mille Fili Color-No. natur 5952 and kirsche 5904)
• 3.00 mm crochet hook
• fiberfill
• small amount of black and white felt
• small amount of black embroidery thread 
• fabric glue 
• textile scissors  
• wool or tapestry needle 
• optional: stitch marker (you can use a bobby pin as a stitch marker, too!)

Key:

• MR = Magic ring 
• ch = Chain 
• st = Stitch 
• sc = Single crochet 
• inc = Increase 
• inv dec = Invisible decrease
• ss = Slip stitch
• [  ] = Repeat 
• (  ) = Total number of stitches per row/round 
• F/O = Finish off

Instruction for Growly

Work in continuous rounds. Place stitch marker in first st from beginning of each round, move marker up as round is completed.
 

LEGS/BODY/HEAD:
Starting with COLOR A.

LEGS (make 2):
Rnd 1. MR with a base of 4 sts.
Rnd 2. [sc, inc] around. (6)
Rnd 3. sc around. (6)
Rnd 4. [2sc, inc] around. (8)

F/O and cut a 6" yarn tail for one leg and leave the second leg connected to your yarn ball. Use the 6" yarn tail to sew the legs together. Do this by sewing two sts at the top of one leg opening to two matching sts at the top of the other leg opening. After they are joined together you should now have 12 free sts around the opening of the legs in the shape of an 8.

BODY:
Rnd 5: ch1, 2sc, inc, 5sc, inc, 3sc, sl st. (14)
Rnd 6: ch1, 3sc, inc, 6sc, inc, 3sc, sl st. (16)
Rnd 7: ch1, sc around, sl st. (16)
Rnd 8: ch1, 4sc, inc, 7sc, inc, 3sc, sl st. (18)
Rnd 9.-13: ch1, sc around, sl st. (18)
Rnd 14: ch1, 5sc, inc, 8sc, inc, 3sc, sl st. (20)
Rnd 15: ch 1, 6sc, inc, 9sc, inc, 3sc, sl st. (22)

HEAD:
Change to COLOR B.
Rnd 16: ch1, 5sc, 3inc, 8sc, 3inc, 3sc, sl st. (28)
Rnd 17: ch1, 5sc, [inc, sc] x2, inc, 9 sc, [inc, sc] x2, inc, 4sc, sl st. (34)
Rnd 18-19: ch1, sc around, sl st. (34)
Start stuffing. Keep stuffing as you work on.
Rnd 20: ch1, 6sc, [inv dec, sc] x2, inv dec, 9 sc, [inv dec, sc] x2, inv dec, 3sc, sl st. (28)
Rnd 21: ch1, sc around, sl st. (28)
Rnd 22: ch1, 7sc, 2inv dec, 10sc, 2inv dec, 3sc, sl st. (24)
Rnd 23: ch1, sc around, sl st. (24)
Rnd 24: ch1, 6sc, 2inv dec, 8sc, 2inv dec, 2sc, sl st. (20)
Rnd 25: ch1, 5sc, 2inv dec, 6sc, 2inv dec, 1sc, sl st. (16)
Rnd 26: ch1, 4sc, 2inv dec, 4sc, 2 inv dec, sl st. (12)
Rnd 27: ch1, [sc, inv dec] x4, sl st. (8)

F/O and sew shut. 


ARMS (make 2):

Starting with COLOR A.

Rnd 1: MR with a base of 4 sts. 

Rnd 2-10: sc around. (4)

F/O and leave an 8” tail for sewing.


HORNS (make 2):

Starting with COLOR A.

Rnd 1: MR with a base of 3 sts. 

Rnd 2: sc, inc, sc. (4)
Rnd 3: sc, 2sl st, sc. (4)
Rnd 4: inc, 2sl st, inc. (6)

F/O and leave an 6” tail for sewing.


FINISHING:

1. Cut eyes out of black felt and glue them on (two stitches apart).
2. Use black yarn to embroider the mouth onto the head. Cut teeth out of white felt and glue it on.
3. Sew the arms on either side of the body.
4. Sew the horns on either side of the head.

***This is an original pattern by ©nanaliciouz.com, 2015. All rights reserved. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. You may not in any form distribute or reproduce this pattern including images. You may keep a copy for your personal use only. Do not sell pattern and/or finished products made from this pattern without first obtaining permission from me.***

Free pattern: Sweet Coron Amigurumi

Have you known about my phobia of insects? I mean, I'm not only scared of cockroaches, bugs or wasps but also ants, ladybugs and even butterflies ... yes, it's true! And it's not advantageous to a biology/wildlife student lol. Working with insects during my studies was the worst nightmare ever! >_<

But this little bumble bee is anything but a nightmare! How can you be scared of this cutie, inspired by Sanrio's Sweet Coron, with its big eyes and these rosy cheeks? ♥

It's my first own design with so many sewing parts and I really like how it turned out. I'm quite happy with the result and even more to share the pattern with you guys. Actually I'm incredibly lazy when it comes to writing up a pattern but I did it! \ (^o^) /

Hope you like it!

Materials: 

• yarn: white (COLOR A), brown (COLOR B), yellow (COLOR C) and beige (COLOR D) (I used Wolle Rödel Mille Fili Color-No. weiß 5980, kaffee 5978, banane 5965 and natur 5952)
• 3.00 mm crochet hook
• fiberfill
• 9mm oval safety eyes
• small amount of pink felt
• small amount of black embroidery thread 
• fabric glue 
• textile scissors  
• wool or tapestry needle 
• optional: stitch marker (you can use a bobby pin as a stitch marker, too!)

Key:

• MR = Magic ring 
• ch = Chain 
• st = Stitch 
• sc = Single crochet 
• inc = Increase 
• inv dec = Invisible decrease
• hdc = Half double crochet
• dc = Double crochet
• trc = Treble crochet
• ss = Slip stitch
• [  ] = Repeat 
• (  ) = Total number of stitches per row/round 
• F/O = Finish off

Instruction for Sweet Coron

Work in continuous rounds. Place stitch marker in first st from beginning of each round, move marker up as round is completed.


HEAD: 
Starting with COLOR A.

Rnd 1: MR with a base of 6 sts.
Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] around. (18)
Rnd 4: [2sc, inc] around. (24)
Rnd 5: [3sc, inc] around. (30)
Rnd 6: [4sc, inc] around. (36)
Rnd 7: sc around. (36)
Rnd 8: [5sc, inc] around. (42)
Rnd 9: sc around. (42)
Rnd 10: [5sc, inv dec] around. (36) 
Rnd 11: sc around. (36)
Rnd 12: [4sc, inv dec] around. (30)
Rnd 13: [3sc, inv dec] around. (24)
Rnd 14: [2sc, inv dec] around. (18)
Rnd 15: [sc, inv dec] around. (12)
Stuff and add safety eyes (I placed mine between rounds 9 and 10 at about 10 stitches apart). F/O and leave long tail for sewing.


HOOD:
Starting with COLOR B.

Rnd 1: MR with a base of 6 sts.
Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] around. (18)
Rnd 4: [2sc, inc] around. (24)
Rnd 5: [3sc, inc] around. (30)
Rnd 6: [4sc, inc] around. (36)
Rnd 7-10: sc around. (36)
Rnd 11: 15sc, hdc, 2dc, 2trc, ch1, 2trc, 2dc, hdc, 15sc. (31)
F/O and leave long tail for sewing.


ANTENNAE (make 2):
Starting with COLOR B.

Row 1: ch4, 2 knot sts.
Row 2: sl st back into 4ch.
F/O and leave long tail for sewing.

 
BODY: 
Starting with COLOR C.

Rnd 1: MR with a base of 6 sts.

Rnd 2: inc around. (12)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] around. (18)

Change to COLOR D.

Rnd 4: [2sc, inc] around. (24) 

Rnd 5: sc around. (24)

Change to COLOR C.

Rnd 6-7: sc around. (24)

Change to COLOR B.

Rnd 8-9: sc around. (24)

Change to COLOR C.

Rnd 10: [2sc, dec] around. (18) 

Rnd 11: [sc, dec] around. (12) 

Stuff. F/O and leave long tail for sewing.

ARMS (make 2):

Starting with COLOR D.

Rnd 1: MR with a base of 4 sts. 

Rnd 2: [sc, inc] around. (6)
Rnd 3-5: sc around. (6)

F/O and leave long tail for sewing.


LEGS (make 2):
Starting with COLOR D.

Rnd 1: MR with a base of 6 sts.
Rnd 2: [sc, inc] around. (9)
Rnd 3: sc around. (9)
Rnd 4: [sc, inv dec] around. (6)
F/O and leave long tail for sewing.


WINGS (make 2):
Starting with COLOR A.

Rnd 1: MR with a base of 6 sts.
Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] around. (18)
Rnd 4: sc around. (18)
Rnd 5: [sc, inv dec] around. (12)
Rnd 6: sc around. (12)
Rnd 7: [2sc, inv dec] around. (9)
Rnd 8: sc around. (9)
Rnd 9: [sc, inv dec] around. (6)
F/O and leave long tail for sewing.

FINISHING:

1. Cut cheeks out of pink felt and glue them on.
2. Use black thread to embroider mouth onto the head.
3. Sew head and body together.
4. Sew antennae onto the head. 
5. Sew arms and legs on either side of the body.
6. Sew wings onto the back of the body.

***This is an original pattern by ©nanaliciouz.com, 2015. All rights reserved. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. You may not in any form distribute or reproduce this pattern including images. You may keep a copy for your personal use only. Do not sell pattern and/or finished products made from this pattern without first obtaining permission from me.***

Free pattern: Nameko Funghi Amigurumi

Since the game was released I'm almost addicted to it. I waste precious time to harvest silly fungis. It's so ridiculous 'cause the game is so pointless but I just can't help it. It's fun collecting them all. xD Therefore it was an absolute MUST-DO to crochet my own Nameko. Have fun with the free pattern! ♥

Materials: 

• yarn: beige (COLOR A) and brown (COLOR B) (I used Wolle Rödel Mille Fili Color-No. natur 5952 and kaffee 5978)
• 3.00 mm crochet hook
• fiberfill
• small amount of black and white felt
• small amount of black embroidery thread 
• fabric glue 
• textile scissors  
• wool or tapestry needle 
• optional: stitch marker (you can use a bobby pin as a stitch marker, too!)

Key:

• MR = Magic ring 
• ch = Chain 
• st = Stitch 
• sc = Single crochet 
• inc = Increase 
• inv dec = Invisible decrease
• ss = Slip stitch
• [  ] = Repeat 
• (  ) = Total number of stitches per row/round 
• F/O = Finish off

Instruction for Nameko

Work in continuous rounds. Place stitch marker in first st from beginning of each round, move marker up as round is completed.
 

LEGS/BODY/HEAD:
Starting with COLOR A.

LEGS (make 2):
Rnd 1.  MR with a base of 4 sts.
Rnd 2.  [sc, inc] around. (6)
Rnd 3.  sc around. (6)
Rnd 4.  [2sc, inc] around. (8)

F/O and cut a 6" yarn tail for one leg and leave the second leg connected to your yarn ball. Use the 6" yarn tail to sew the legs together. Do this by sewing two sts at the top of one leg opening to two matching sts at the top of the other leg opening. After they are joined together you should now have 12 free sts around the opening of the legs in the shape of an 8.

BODY:
Rnd 5: ch1, 2sc, inc, 5sc, inc, 3sc, sl st. (14)
Rnd 6: ch1, 3sc, inc, 6sc, inc, 3sc, sl st. (16)
Rnd 7: ch1, sc around, sl st. (16)
Rnd 8: ch1, 4sc, inc, 7sc, inc, 3sc, sl st. (18)
Rnd 9.-13: ch1, sc around, sl st. (18)
Rnd 14: ch1, 5sc, inc, 8sc, inc, 3sc, sl st. (20)
Rnd 15: ch 1, 6sc, inc, 9sc, inc, 3sc, sl st. (22)

HEAD:
Change to COLOR B.
Rnd 16: ch1, 5sc, 3inc, 8sc, 3inc, 3sc, sl st. (28)
Rnd 17: ch1, 5sc, [inc, sc] x2, inc, 9 sc, [inc, sc] x2, inc, 4sc, sl st. (34)
Rnd 18-19: ch1, sc around, sl st. (34)
Start stuffing. Keep stuffing as you work on.
Rnd 20: ch1, 6sc, [inv dec, sc] x2, inv dec, 9 sc, [inv dec, sc] x2, inv dec, 3sc, sl st. (28)
Rnd 21: ch1, sc around, sl st. (28)
Rnd 22: ch1, 7sc, 2inv dec, 10sc, 2inv dec, 3sc, sl st. (24)
Rnd 23: ch1, sc around, sl st. (24)
Rnd 24: ch1, 6sc, 2inv dec, 8sc, 2inv dec, 2sc, sl st. (20)
Rnd 25: ch1, 5sc, 2inv dec, 6sc, 2inv dec, 1sc, sl st. (16)
Rnd 26: ch1, 4sc, 2inv dec, 4sc, 2 inv dec, sl st. (12)
Rnd 27: ch1, [sc, inv dec] x4, sl st. (8)

F/O and sew shut. 


ARMS (make 2):

Starting with COLOR A.

Rnd 1: MR with a base of 4 sts. 

Rnd 2-10: sc around. (4)

F/O and leave an 8” tail for sewing. 


FINISHING:

1. Cut eyes out of black felt and glue them on (two stitches apart).
2. Cut mouth out of white felt and glue it on. Use black yarn to embroider the "lips" onto the head.
3. Sew the arms on either side of the body.

***This is an original pattern by ©nanaliciouz.com, 2015. All rights reserved. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. You may not in any form distribute or reproduce this pattern including images. You may keep a copy for your personal use only. Do not sell pattern and/or finished products made from this pattern without first obtaining permission from me.***

How to make Banana Bread

Since I live alone, I get bored very quickly. Just procrastinating and being unproductive all day long. That's why I spent more time at my parents home and stayed there the last two weeks.
When I got back home, my kitchen had an intensive smell of bananas and after a sec I knew why. There were overripe bananas in my fruit bowl! Geez ... I rarely have fresh fruits at home, so I totally forgot them! -_- Fortunately it's still too cold for fruit flies! xD
I didn't want to throw them away because I hate wasting food and they also had this nice sweet smell. So what to do? Turn them into banana bread - what else! Banana bread has been on my TO-DO list for longer and now it was the perfect time to give it a try! Here we go:


Banana Bread (makes 1 loaf, approx. 12 servings)

adapted from allrecipes.de

• 250g all-purpose flour
• 100g almonds, chopped
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 pinch of salt
• 115g butter, unsalted
• 85g brown sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 midsize bananas, overripe and mashed

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 175°C. Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan or line with a baking paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, chopped almonds, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Gradually stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. 

3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

You can clearly see and taste the chopped almonds in it. So good! If you don't like almonds, of course you can replace them with walnuts, hazelnuts or whatever you like. :)

I like to have my banana bread with strawberry jam. Nothing's better - not even with Nutella! Even my Minion cannot resist. :P

Hope you like this recipe as much as I do. Have fun baking - Good luck! :)

Yeah, science!

Hi guys!

I've just worked with Windows Live Movie Maker for the first time to make a short stop motion movie for my biology studies. Never thought it's so easy (well, there were still some difficulties, however ;D). For this project I had to do some drawings and I haven't drawn anything for a long time. Also I've nearly forgotten how much fun it is! So I hope you will enjoy the animation!

 

Bye! ^_^

Valentine's Day: Hot Chocolate on Stick with Marshmallow Heart

My Hon and me, we've been together for more than 6 years now. Every year we have managed to ignore the hype about the Valentine's Day and all the lovey-dovey couples. Indeed we've always spent the day together but never made something special. For us it's a day like every other day - but not this year ...

Two weeks ago he moved to Munich for a new job and for the first time we will be spatially apart from each other on Valentine's Day. Suddenly that day becomes important to me. Ain't that silly?

This is why I ended up with these bunch of homemade Hot Chocolate on Stick. Oh boy, there will be one lucky guy on 14th February! ^_^

It was my very first time making treats for Valentine's Day and it was so much fun that I have to share with you guys - so let's get started!

Required kitchenware:

• cutting board
• sharp paring knife
• sharp kitchen knife
• microwave-safe bowl
• spatula
• big ice cube tray (cube size approx. 3x3cm. I got mine from ebay.de)
• skewer
• 15 lollipop sticks

What you need to garnish your Hot Chocolate Sticks:

• marshmallow hearts

I got mine from a local BUTLERS store for 1,99€ a bag. Don't they just look lovely? Almost too lovely to eat!

Hot Chocolate on Stick with Marshmallow Heart (makes 15 sticks)

• 450g chocolate of your choice; here I used milk, white and dark couverture chocolate, each bar 150g
• 1 vanilla bean
• 15 marshmallow hearts

Preparation:

1. On the cutting board cut the vanilla bean in halve, length wise with your sharp paring knife. Scrape out all of the oily seeds from the inside and put them into the bowl.

2. With your sharp kitchen knife chop the chocolate coarsely and add to the bowl with the vanilla seeds.

3. Put the bowl into the microwave and melt the chocolate on low power setting in short intervals (about 30sec.) and stir between each bout of heat until it is completely melted.

4. Pour melted chocolate into the silicone ice cube tray. Use the spatula for help.

5. Refrigerate 30min.

6. Meanwhile, use your skewers to carefully poke a hole through the marshmallow hearts. Then carefully insert a lollipop stick through each heart. Try not to squeeze them too much.

7. After 30min. poke the lollipop sticks into the center of each chocolate cube.

8. Refrigerate an hour then pop the chocolate cubes out of the mold.

9. Wrap stick in plastic wrap or small cellophane bags, tie a ribbon around and they are ready to give away.

10. Keep sticks refrigerated until ready to use.

How to use:

Heat up one cup of milk (approx. 200ml) and add a Hot Chocolate stick. Stir until chocolate has dissolved completely.

Enjoy your cup of Happiness!

New year - new projects!

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you had a great start into 2014! What's your New Year's resolutions? One of mine is to blog regularly. Actually I am really lazy about writing what is not paticularly advantageous for a blogger. *sigh* But I will do my best.

This year will bring a lot of new projects and adventures. Yet I am working on a new free pattern for you guys and I am sure you will like it! If I have enough time among my exam preparation, I will write a step-by-step pattern.

To stay updated follow me on Instagram if you haven't yet! See you soon!

Love, Nana

P.S. I used MomentCam to cartoon myself. A really fun app - check it out! :D