Friday, May 17, 2013

Friday Contest and Bizarre Crochet

Many years ago, when I was just starting out as a free-lance crochet designer, I got a letter from a publishing company. They were asking for submissions of quick and easy crochet designs, items folks could make to sell at craft shows or bazaars.  My daughter Robyn watched me reading the letter, then asked me what it said. "They want me to come up with some  bazaar designs," I told her. 
"Hmmm. How about one of those things people make to cover up their toilet paper," she said. "They are pretty bizarre!"
I don't remember now exactly what I ended up submitting for that book, but as the years went by, I have designed my share of 'bizarre' items, including several toilet paper covers.
One reason I love doing my Lovely Ladies Doilies, is that they give me an excuse to create tiny little creatures and accessories, something I love to do, but wouldn't have much reason to design otherwise.
Snail from Woodland Fairy
Dragonfly and mushroom from Woodland Fairy
Bat from Stella Luna
Cat and pumpkin from Harvest Moon
Scottie dog from Lucy and Jack
Turkey from Angel of Thanksgiving
A cro-tat pattern set I did for Annie's Attic.
The little doll's skirt covers up a roll of toilet paper. 

But,  it is Friday, so how about a contest? I will give one person their choice of any PDF pattern on my site, bellacrochet.com. 
I will select the winner at random, and send out the patterns in the morning (Saturday.) I will post the name of the winner here, so be sure to check back in the morning to see if you won. 
Also, if you post anonymously, please be sure I have a way to identify you (at least give your first name or a nick name in your comment; I have no way of knowing who is posting.)

To enter, just leave a comment answering this question:
What is the most unusual thing you have ever crocheted?


This contest is now closed. 
Please check back next Friday for my weekly contest.

28 comments:

Cara Louise said...

My most unusual? My little crocheted finger saver wrap! I made it to alleviate the stress of my crochet thread on my tension finger and thought it was pretty bizarre at the time... but a good friend encouraged me to write out the pattern and I am amazed that the little thing keeps selling! Bizarre, maybe- but useful too!

Shari said...

Hmmm. I can't really think of anything strange. Of course, I'm sure there have been many things that others would consider strange but to me seem perfectly normal!!

Beva said...

I think that most unusual thing I have crocheted was a mop cover or a sweater for a dog.

Monique van den Berg said...

The most unusual thing I have crocheted was a cover for a stove, but my husband didn't like it so I pull it out and made a bag instead.

Groetjes, Monique

Layne Madsen said...

I think the most bizarre thing I've ever crocheted (and I can't believe I'm sharing this! *blushing*) was for a 'Naughty Nuptials' party. Instead of having separate 'stag' parties a couple decided to turn it into a party for everyone and the gifts were to be gag gifts. I crocheted matching his & hers thongs with big red crocheted bows on them! Hers had a matching string bikini 'bra' to go with the thong. That was a first AND a last! lol!!!

Knot Forgotten Studio said...

Hi Ann,
A few weeks ago I crocheted a couple of bird feeders. :)
I love them! Flitter on over and
take a peek if you'd like. Have
a great weekend! :)
penny x
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Knot-Forgotten-Studio/107070466137206?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?fbid=157520844425501&set=pb.107070466137206.-2207520000.1368802195.&type=3&theater

crochethuahua said...

A doorknob cover

Lauren LaFLeur said...

I once crocheted a white elephant toilet paper cover lol My office was having a "White Elephant" Christmas party, to which we were to bring a white elephant gift, so I crocheted a toilet paper cover and a little white elephant I sewed to the top

Debbie Kos said...

Nothing ....yet...lol..but I loved reading what others have made ;)

Kathy Bear said...

my most unusual thing was a coin purse, I can't say what it looked liked because it was rated X and I don't want to offend anyone.. hmmmm, I will have to see if I still have my pattern I wrote out. I made alot of them back in the 90's

Dena said...

I guess it would be musical notes or the Starwars Death Star! lol

Unique2wh0 said...

a Yoda hat :-)

Marilyn said...

I crocheted bright colorful covers for the shepherd's hooks in our backyard that hold hummingbird feeders and hanging plants, using up scrap yarn. My garden is gorgeous even before the flowers bloom!

Pam said...

I think the most unusual thing I have crocheted is a Chenubchub, think that is what it was called. I tested a pattern that was essentially a flattened ball with eyes, 4 legs, 2 feely ear things and a tail, LOL my hubby still has it.

kim said...

The most unusual for me would be a gear shift cover

Sherri said...

I cant really remember a bizarre item that I have made. Most of what I make is very practical oh wait there was that ring that I made but that's not really bizareio

Debsydoo said...

i have a couple of unusual things i have made
1. boobie pillow
2. willy warmer

Gramma Rita said...

Hmmm...try as I might, I can't seem to recall crocheting anything unusual. I'm sure there's a first time for everything though...just hasn't happened yet. LOL :)

Anonymous said...

I haven't crocheted anything I would call bizarre; however, I will probably never crochet them again. The first was a dress for a 6" porcelain doll that I made, and then I crocheted a flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow for my niece's wedding (these were a lot of work for the little ones to play with and tear up the ribbon on).
Cynthia A.

Unknown said...

Truth is I have created some awesome doll clothes, but my most unusual project by far was the Woodland fairy doily I made from your pattern. I love working up all the little pieces and putting it together. :)

Faith said...

I can't recall making anything "I" thought was bizarre..other people a different issue. I am a thread junkie and love anything done in thread. I love the little accessories you create.

dragonswing said...

I think the most unusual item I have crocheted was a sweater for my kitten. It fit okay but she walked like she was drunk. Then she sat down and didn't give up til she pulled it off.

Debbie M said...

I didn't make it myself but for a while I was selling the pull tabs from soda/beer cans on eBay and donating the money to the Lymphoma society. A women bought 1000 and when I asked her what she used for she said she crocheted them into bustiers for exotic dancers. She said she could not make them fast enough to keep up with her sales.

jonamc said...

I can't say that I ever made anything bizarre, about the weirdest thing I made was the dishcloths that are put together to look like bloomers.

Anonymous said...

I guess the most bizarre thing that I've ever crocheted would be a hat made with scraps of yarn. I didn't weave in the loose ends, and it looked really different. Susan N.

Maria said...

I do not think I've ever done in crochet things inusualy (except a dragonfly on a pillow), but you can always start .... marid88

Anonymous said...

I have crochet an amigurumi slug!! It doesn't sound that great but she is very cute :) Kaylene

Cropperhopper said...


A wig that looked like hair for my mother using brown eyelash yarn. She had had breast cancer, and she wanted something that would breathe yet look like hair. I made wiggies, before they were called wiggies! I made her a light blue one too.