Splashing and crocheting our way into autumn
October 23rd, 2007
I know in some parts of the country, the weather is almost wintry already, with cold winds and rain and even some snow. But around here, it seems like summer is never going to end. We have had one or two days of rain and cooler temps, but mostly it’s been gorgeous and warm for weeks on end.
I should be a little upset about this, because fall is my favorite season, but when the sky is so blue and clear, it’s hard to be upset about anything for long. We’ve been trying to take advantage of the unusual weather by spending a lot of time outside. Annalie’s very favorite thing to do outside is play in water. Puddles, sprinklers, wading pools—you name it, and she’s happy to get wet in it. I thought our last chance to play in the pool on the deck had come and gone, but here it is, weeks later and it’s still warm enough.
Warm as it is, though, Halloween is only a week away! Annalie has been firm in her costume choice for weeks now, but I still have not done much about it. You’d think since fall is my favorite season I would like Halloween more, and would be putting pumpkins on my porch and hanging garlands of leaves on at the first hint of harvest season. It’s not that I dislike Halloween, exactly; it’s just never been my favorite holiday. So I usually spend October not thinking about it, and then around the 29th realize I need to buy candy/scrounge up a costume/throw some decorations on my porch.
This year, however, I’ve been thinking about Halloween a little earlier. The talented Brenda Ponnay of Secret Agent Josephine, who made my lovely banner and midwifed this blog into existence, asked me if I could crochet a trick-or-treat bag for her daughter. She had an idea in her head of what she wanted, and had looked around online, but couldn’t find anything she liked. So she designed a pumpkin bag herself, and asked if I would be able to figure out a way to make it. I couldn’t resist the challenge—or the chance to get my hands on another SAJ design!
It was fun to figure out how to make something from only a drawing. I worked on the pumpkin in bits and pieces over the course of three days. The body was easy enough, especially once I hit on the simple yet brilliant (if I do say so myself) idea of crocheting with two strands of yarn. The extra thickness makes it sturdier, and keeps the bag from collapsing in on itself. All the details were fairly simple to make as well, though I would have had it done in two days if I hadn’t decided to start over on the eyes. But I am glad I did, because I love the finished product. I plan to make another pumpkin for Annalie in orange. Maybe if I get ambitious I’ll make these all year long, and then next fall I’ll sell them. It could pay for my pottery-painting habit.
View these photosets on Flickr: Jump & Splash! and Halloween Project for SAJ
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:51 pm
oh so cute! you totally need to sell them. I would buy one! it is the cutest thing ever!!!
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Wow, you and SAJ make a great team. Love the project and all of the photos of it along the way. Can’t wait to see photos of Baby Bug with it since Annalie was so cute modeling it :)
Enjoy the nice weather while it lasts. Before you know it the nasty ice and snow will be with us.
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:11 pm
I’m so excited! I wish I had a whole sweat shop of Bethany Actually’s.
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:20 pm
If you added ears it could be a gumball ghost pumpkin.
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Cute! You should make them all year. I would totally buy one in orange. Or two. Since I have two girls. Hee.
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:01 pm
THat is SO cute. Why don’t you make up a pattern and sell it on etsy? I’m always trying to think of ways to make a little money on the side. Maybe you can make one in time for Rocks In My Dryer’s Fall Giveaway next week. You’ll get AMAZING traffic on your blog all week. Hint hint!
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Okay, tell me the story about the pool being on the deck. Are there ants in the grass (that’s what we’ve dealt with when we pull out the slip-n-slide)? Either way, Annalie is obviously delighted that the weather hasn’t turned to Fall yet. She’s adorable.
And the crocheted ghost bag? Or is it a white pumpkin? Either way - it is too precious for words. You have quite a talent.
I made a granny square once.
ONCE.
It’s a ghost pumpkin! There really are white pumpkins, and that’s what they’re called. It was SAJ’s idea. :-)
The pool is on the deck because we have a weird, very hilly backyard.
October 24th, 2007 at 9:32 am
You HAVE to make more of these and sell them on etsy. I don’t even have kids and I’d buy one just because it’s so cute!
October 24th, 2007 at 10:29 am
I soooo love the bag. If you do decide to sell them, I would totally buy one (well, four, actually, for all my younger trick or treaters).
October 24th, 2007 at 10:46 am
So what has Annalie decided to be for Halloween? I’m sure she will be adorable :o) The pumpkin bag is too cute! Can’t wait to see pictures of the complete ensemble.
October 24th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
I would buy one of those bags from you now! For my nephew. Or for me. Whatever. LOVE THEM.
October 24th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
You are as talented as Brenda! And just as awesome :)
October 24th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Angella, you are very sweet. :-) I might be as talented as Brenda, but nowhere near as awesome. She is soooo creative!
October 24th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
I just love the pumpkin bag. Look at the two of you, oh my word, you guys could really be a hit working together like that. I look forward to seeing if you turn out a whole bunch for next year.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:29 am
[...] course, the day after I write about how gorgeous the weather has been, it cools down and rains. (I am not complaining! I love rain.) I earned my good mom points and let [...]
October 28th, 2007 at 6:08 am
Omg, Those are honestly the cutest thing I have seen in quite some time. You definetly need to sell them. Next year????
November 30th, 2007 at 12:53 am
[...] you this: I have an Etsy shop! I’ve been planning to open one eventually, maybe for selling crocheted pumpkin bags. I was nudged into doing so tonight because SAJ talked me into participating in Neilochka’s [...]