Crochet

I never intended to crochet anything, but as winter approached, I was keen to knit a tea cosy so browsed the patterns on Pinterest and especially liked one with a crocheted sheep on top. Thus I learned amigurumi... and so began my love affair with crochet. 
Some research showed that many people benefit enormously from practising this craft, finding it therapeutic and even 'life-saving'. 
https://psychcentral.com/lib/crochet-saved-my-life/

Below is my first attempt at a sheep tea cosy.

Knitted tea cosy with amigurumi sheep

Six months later, here are more cosies:

Crochet sheep tea cosy

Crochet sheep tea cosy

Crochet mouse tea cosy

                                                                     

Crochet mouse tea cosy

I’m most grateful to all the crafters who freely share their skills and experience online. There are many sites offering tutorials and general advice. Planet June has an excellent video showing how to make a magic ring, which is essential knowledge in amigurumi patterns. 

One thing I found to be completely absent from patterns is the instruction to turn the work right side out! When working in the round, if you just keep going, the tail will hang outside and your work will be “wrong” side out as shown below (A). When you turn it to the “right” side (B), the tail will be inside your work and end up hidden. This is a much easier way to crochet but the patterns assume you already have this knowledge.
My photo shows the difference:

CATS have been my favourite item to crochet. 

Here are a few pictures of cats, amongst dozens I have made.

Crocheted cat & mouse

Crocheted cats - friends forever

                             

Crocheted cats - best mates

Crochet kitty

                                                                             

Meditating crochet cat

Crochet rainbow cat

Relaxing crochet rainbow cat

DOGS
After making cats it was interesting to try a dog and I crocheted a couple using the following pattern:   https://www.thelabradorsite.com/crochet-labrador/

Crocheted dog

Crochet dog

Crochet dogs - sharing secrets

DOG TREAT JARS

The jar cosies in this Etsy shop inspired me to try making a few, without buying a pattern, but I’m grateful to Angela for the wonderful idea!

https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/HookedbyAngel?ref=shop_sugg

Dog treat jar with cosy

HEDGEHOGS
Another animal that's fun to make (and quick!) is a hedgehog. I usually adapt a pattern to suit me, and it was very much the case with these pin cushions.

Hedgehog pin cushions

CACTI

Some people crochet quite elaborate cactus plants. I kept mine simple, following patterns freely available online.

Crochet cacti & hedgehog pin cushion

                       

Crochet cacti

MICE
The hedgehogs were intended as pin cushions, but when children started buying them I decided to make mice as well, using a pattern of my own design.

                                                   

Crochet mice