Remember my dragon that I made from scratch? I made another one, in different colours.

I've almost perfected the pattern, but it's not quite up to publishing standards yet.

Just to prove I'm not all about the yarn craft, here is a simple thing we did at Master Four's recent birthday party. I wanted to have something open-ended, that could be dragged out to last a while, and that kids could jump into at any time, as an ice breaker, and also while waiting to see if anyone else was going to turn up (don't you just hate non-RSVPers?) This was fairly simple to set up, and mostly done before time too.

I cut out circles of cardboard, edged them with silver duct tape. That's it. Oh, well, I also cut out handle sized strips of cardboard, and taped along the longs sides of each, so they would be smooth for four year old hands to hold. Then I furnished the room of children with crayons and pencils, and let them draw their emblems on the blank side. (The one pictured above is Miss Six's Toothless shield, isn't she a great artist for a little kid?)
Then I taped a handle to the back. That way the young'uns could draw freely without their shields wobbling all over the place. Best part - it was all free, from the giant crayon collection my three kids have, to the cardboard from the sides of nappy boxes, to the duct tape I already had. And boy, did the kids love them!

Master Four had a kinder birthday party to go to - the one little girl who loves Toothless and How to train your dragon as much as he does. I combined two free patterns to make this cute hat that converts to a cowl-y scarf or can just leave a hole for her long blond ponytail.

The body of the hat is made from a free pattern by the same wonderful designer that created the pixie slouch I used for Master Four's dragon hat I posted last week, and my epic rainbow hat. The colour work charts and ear pattern came from a free knitting pattern on Raverly "My Favorite Dragon hat". Instead of making a chain cord to tie up with, I used Miss Six's knitting nancy to make a length of i-cord and finished it with blue and yellow beads. It's very cute, and the birthday girl was highly excited by it.


(And yes, I realised I missed last month's Color Me Katie post - I'll try to get two in this month for you!)

I made Master Four this Toothless beanie for Winter Solstice. It's the same pattern (but slightly extended - more no increase rows, less rows altogether, to get a more elongated triangle) as my Epic Rainbow Hatwith eyes and ears made up to be sewn on later.

Look Ma, Imma dragon!

Sorry I went missing last week. Master Four had a birthday party, so in the lead up and aftermath of that I was a little busy to write things up. I'll have a few party related craft posts coming up, but for now, I just want to share the funky food we had.

Pictured above you'll see Dragon's Scales (chips), Gronkle Rocks (cheese and bacon balls), Nadder Spikes (carrot sticks), Viking Hats and Shields (decorated biscuits) and the Toothless cake which deserves it's own post.

The Viking Hats were made from chocolate Royals - a marshmallow topped biscuit (cookie) with jam, and covered in chocolate. I took lolly bananas, cut them in half, and affixed them either side of the Royals with a little melted chocolate. So simple and quick to do, but they look so effective. Master Four had wanted me to make Viking Hat cupcakes (the perils of browsing Pinterest for party ideas with a child on your lap) but given how little children never eat more than the icing, I thought this was a better option. And it was - there were none left over, not even pieces.

The shields were even easier to do. I bought a packet of the Coles brand mini mint slice biscuits, (but anything chocolate coated and round would do) and a tube of white writing chocolate/icing. Then I just freehanded some shield designs on them. Too easy!

Who said a kids party had to be hard work? Probably the person who saw me staying up until 1am the night before finishing the cake decorating, but that's a story for another post...

I'd seen this dragon all over Pinterest and wists, though I was happy enough with my usual pattern, and never really got around to trying it. Then I was doing a swap with someone who really wanted one, so I thought I'd finally give it a go.

It had so many pieces, and the author was right, it was a pain in the ass. Gave up on the ears and arms, just winged them. I have a hate/hate relationship with excessive use of slip stitches. But it is cute, and the recipient loved it, so that's the main thing. Don't think I'll make another though.

Just a little custom job I made for the winner of a charity auction being run for the World's Greatest Shave. I really love this dragon pattern, because each turns out so individually and full of personality, but seriously, 16 pieces? Truly a labour of love, every single time. (This one had 18, because of the rose). I guess that's why I don't do customs of this pattern very often, and what makes them so special.

I made this epic dragonborn helm for my friend's 30th birthday. It was from a free pattern on Reddit, but if you aren't of the crocheting bent, I will consider taking commissions on these through the Facebook page, just send me a message! ;) Normally I don't like making the same thing over and over, but this was pretty fun to do.

Yes, another Noro project - the last of my skein was exactly the perfect amount to make a funky cover for my phone. The crocodile stitch is extra thick and cushy, so it's good protection for when I drop my phone.

I didn't really use a pattern, just chained 28 and mostly followed the stitch instructions from this purse - I handsewed the bottom closed when I was done.

No, sorry to get your hopes up. I'm not giving away this cute dragon teddy. Evgenia over at Bears for people is. All you have to do is follow her blog, post her giveaway picture with a linky, and then enter your name and blog in the Mr Linky on the giveaway post. With over 200 entries, it's a slim chance, but hey, you've got to be in it to win it.

Regular broadcast will resume on Thursday, with more actual projects, and less spam and shameless plugging :D

My very first project made without a pattern. I've written down the pattern, and I might publish it later, if people want it. It needs retesting and a little tweaking first though.

He is trying so hard to be fierce, but he is just so cute, that the overall effect is that of a grumpy baby just woken from a nap. Teehee. I love when my amithingys come out with so much personality!

When Master Seven had his birthday, there was only one thing he wanted: a friend for 'Ra Baby' (the dragon I made him for Summer Soltice). Well, I couldn't argue with that! Gee I love that pattern!

Seven mini dragons for Master Seven's How to Train Your Dragon birthday party. The end of the party I lined these all up on top of the television, and the children got to pick a dragon, "tame" it by placing their hand on the nose of their chosen dragon, and then they got to take it home. Hit of the party!

Recently A friend of mine had her first baby, and I wanted to make her something special. Little girls never seem to be lacking for pink frilly dresses, teddies or dolls, but there is a shortage of girly dragons, so that's what I decided to make.

The six hanging dragons are tied on with fishing line, to really heighten the "flying effect, and they range in size from 2 to 4 inches long. I tied them to a small dream catcher which I'd edged in soft pink fleece.

The large dragon on the top of the dream catcher is tied on with a fleece bow, so it can be removed for play when Z is older. Here is Miss Five modeling it for us.

Yup, just can't stop making these dragons! I've got four to show you, so I thought I'd put them all in one big post so you don't get dragon burn out (as if there was such a thing!)

Richmond dragon for a footy fan


Twice as big as normal sparkly purple dragon (for my sister)


brother and sister camo dragons

While I do get sick of making the numerous bits that go into these dragons, and all the sewing these entail, I never get sick of how cute they turn out, and the massive freedom for customisation and creating of individual personalities.

Another custom charity dragon. This one started life as a red dragon, with contrast trim. Clearly I got as far as the neck and had to start playing with him. The hat is removable, from a squid pattern I found on Ravelry, but the peg leg I made up as I went.

I love the little gold piercing in his tail spike.

Another Flood Relief Auction dragon. This one was a custom job, to the winner's specs. She wanted a black dragon, with rainbow wings/spines/ears and to make it cheeky. I think I fulfilled that quite well don't you?

A real cutie I made for The Wrong Crowd Bar to auction off as part of their Burlesque Flood Relief Benefit Night. I was sad to let her go, but all for a good cause right?

She ended up raising $90, which is just incredible, and makes me feel a lot better about letting her go.

This cute little non-com has the same rank and medals as my brother in the RAAF, for whom this was a late xmas present. He is an officer in the little known RADF (Royal Australian Dragon Force) and stands at attention saluting all superior officers.

Which would appear to be everybody over 3 inches tall, since he has stood in that pose since I made him ;P

Another dragon, but this one is only 3 inches tall, plus the height of his top hat, the pattern I got from here. After making my green sheep, I knew that I needed to use the fuzzy green mohair from it's body to make a tiny dragon, specifically one for my sister, whose love of dragons influenced me back when I was very young to develop my own love of dragons. The top hat was all the dragon's idea though. As I was making him, he just seemed to need lopsided ears squooshed under a top hat. So that's what I did. I love when the yarn speaks to me like that.