PlanetJune Blog: Latest News, Patterns and Tutorials

One of the most popular suggestions in my contest (with 12 votes!) was for a penguin pattern, so… Look who I just finished making:

The Fuzzy Penguin pattern will be available some time this week!

UPDATE: Looking for the pattern? You can find the Fuzzy Penguin crochet pattern in my shop.

A huge thanks to everyone who entered my contest over the past two weeks! I have so many fantastic ideas now, it’s hard to know where to start… I have 2 new patterns in the works already, and plenty more ideas percolating. I’d love to make all the suggestions, but that may be a little ambitious!

The winner of a free pattern (randomly chosen using a clever Excel formula) is… thegothicl! Congratulations – I’ve sent you an e-mail with details so you can choose your prize.

And as a runner-up prize for all the other entrants, here’s a sneak peek at one of the new patterns I’m developing:

Thanks again to everyone who entered, and don’t forget to sign up for my mailing list if you’d like to be notified whenever a new Craftybits @ PlanetJune.com pattern is released 🙂

I try to stay away from much personal stuff on this blog, but I’ve been tagged by Kari for the “6 weird things” meme, so here’s a little dose of my weirdness.

RULES: People who get tagged need to write a blog post of 6 weird things about them as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names.

1. When I was in primary school, we always used to try to peel our satsumas/tangerines/small-orange-type-things so the peel would come off in one piece, for good luck. There was even more luck to be acquired if the fruit had 10 segments. I still try to peel them in one piece and *always* count the segments. Hey, a little extra luck can’t hurt, can it?
    
2. I am left-handed, but use my computer mouse right-handed. It wasn’t until I got carpal tunnel in my right wrist that I learned to mouse left-handed. So now I am just about mouse-ambidextrous (although I still prefer to use my right hand when my wrist is up to it). Luckily, I crochet left-handed…
    
3. When I exercise, my pulse goes very high. VERY high. Around 200 bpm. I’ve had tests for it but they haven’t been able to find anything wrong with me.
    
4. I like to eat frozen vegetables… while they are still frozen. Peas, green beans, or sweetcorn; my sister and I have always eaten them that way. Put them in a bowl and eat them as a snack – it’s also healthier than a bowl of peanuts. Sometimes my teeth are too sensitive to eat a whole bowlful these days, but I still always grab an extra handful to eat while I’m cooking the rest.
    
5. I am insanely competitive and can’t stand to lose. But I also feel terrible whenever I win – I know how badly I feel when I lose, and I don’t want to make anyone else feel that way. So I try to stay away from competitive games and situations because I always feel bad, whatever the outcome.
    
6. I love playing adventure games on the PC and all sorts of games on Nintendo Game Boy. I have owned a Game Boy since the original black and white version, and I’ve upgraded to almost every iteration since then: Pocket, Color, Advance, and now Micro.  When I bought my original one I couldn’t afford any extra games, so I am a Tetris master and can probably still run through Super Mario Land with my eyes closed.

And that’s my six! It was disturbingly easy to get there… 

Tagging time: I nominate Mia, Rina, Mindy, Claire, and I have 2 more spots up for grabs – let me know if you want to be tagged for this one too!

Whilst venturing deep into the heart of the jungles of Ontario, I managed to photograph these two monkeys in their natural habitat (click for full-size images):

 

…Okay, so what gave it away? The ‘natural’ floor lamp the monkeys are clinging to? 😉  

I decided to try making something a bit different for a change. Don’t worry, the cute fuzzy patterns will still keep coming; I just wanted to see if I could make a more realistic animal (as more of an ‘art’ thing).

I made these from Patons Carmen (possibly the softest yarn in the world!) with Bernat Satin for the faces and feet. I wired all the limbs and the tail so the monkeys are poseable, and daddy monkey can carry his baby on his back, just like in the real world.

I know these won’t have the same universal appeal as the Fuzzies, but what do you think of them? Please let me know in the comments or by e-mail…

And, on another note, thanks to everyone who has entered my contest so far! You’ve given me some great ideas for my next patterns. Current favourites seem to be cat, dog, monkey, skunk and penguin. There’s still time to enter, if you haven’t got around to it yet – the contest is open for another week, and remember, there’s a free pattern of your choice up for grabs for the winner!

UPDATE: Looking for the pattern? You can find the Fuzzy Monkeys crochet pattern in my shop.

The Fuzzy Lamb pattern is now available. You can order it directly from PlanetJune.com and the pdf will be e-mailed to you.

Get a head start on spring and be ready for Easter with the Fuzzy Lamb pattern!

Plus, if you haven’t already entered my contest to WIN the Fuzzy Friends pattern of your choice, head to my blog and enter now – the contest is open until March 10th.

Want to win the pattern of your choice from the PlanetJune.com online store? Just comment on this post with your ideas for future Fuzzy Friends patterns. What would be cute? What are your favourite animals? Let me know in the comments!

One entrant will be randomly selected to win a pattern of their choice from my store!

The Rules:

1. One entry per person – please submit all your ideas in one comment.
2. Repeat suggestions are good! I’d like to know what would be most popular, so if someone has already suggested your favourites, please cast your vote for them too.
3. The winner will receive their choice of Fuzzy Friends crochet pattern, which may be redeemed immediately, or at a later date, when more patterns are available.
4. Contest closing date:  March 10th, 2007, 10am EST. One winner will be randomly selected. The winner’s name will be published at www.planetjune.com/blog

Meet white fuzzy lamb!

She and her brother will be available (in pattern form) sometime this weekend in the store.

UPDATE: Looking for the pattern? You can find the Fuzzy Lamb crochet pattern in my shop.

I’m having so much fun making these fuzzy crocheted animals! 

Here is the latest – Fuzzy Lamb (continuing my spring/Easter theme).  If he doesn’t show up too well on your screen, click to see a bigger version:

This little guy will soon be joined by his big sister who will have a white curly fleece. Watch out for the pattern for the Fuzzy Lambs in the next couple of weeks.

UPDATE: Looking for the pattern? You can find the Fuzzy Lamb crochet pattern in my shop.