aphid777's avatar

aphid777

..zZz..
10.3K
Watchers
287 Deviations
746.1K
Pageviews

FAQ

7 min read


First of all, thank you for your ongoing support!  I feel guilty that I haven't had much time to respond to many of the comments and notes I've received.  I've been meaning to put together a "frequently asked questions" page for some time now.  I hope it helps!

  1. What type of yarn and hooks do you use?

    I usually use worsted weight (medium weight 4) acrylic yarn and a size F hook (3.75mm) for most of my works.  Occasionally, I will use a size E (3.50mm) to make smaller pieces as needed.

  2. What yarn brands do you use?

    I started off using mostly "Red Heart Supersaver" yarn since it was inexpensive.  I've expanded into other brands for a greater range of colors including: "I Love This Yarn", "Lion Brand", "Impeccable", "Vanna's Choice", and a few others.  Basically, I will use any brand of worsted weight yarn if it comes in the color I want.  I am easy to please :meow:

  3. Do you sell your patterns?

    I do not sell my patterns since I usually make copyrighted characters.  I do have a few patterns posted for free here: aphid777.deviantart.com/galler….  However, I do not have patterns for all of my works.  Most of the stuff I make comes from my head as I work, with the help of reference photos.  I have no idea what I'm doing a lot of the time, believe it or not.

  4. How do you make the eyes on your works?

    I used cut-out felt for my earlier works and sewed the pieces to the surface.  Nowadays, I needle felt directly onto the surface of my works after assembling it.  I have a simple, brief tutorial here:  Needle Felted Eyes: A basic picture tutorial by aphid777

  5. What materials do you use for needle felting?

    I use a special needle felting needle to make eyes.  These needles have notches that catch the wool fibers and condense it together as you stab.  I like using coarse needles because from my personal experience, the material sticks better to the crocheted surface.  Most of the time, I use wool roving for eyes and details.  Occasionally, I will brush out some yarn if I don't have the color I need and use it as my "wool".  I prefer wool over brushed out yarn because it layers on more smoothly, in my opinion.

  6. What do your abbreviations stand for?

    Ch: chain stitch
    Sc: single crochet
    Hdc: half double crochet
    Dc: double crochet
    Inc: single crochet increase
    Dec: single crochet decrease
    Sl st: slip stitch
    FO: fasten off

  7. Do you have any tutorials?

    I do not have any tutorials.  However, there are tons of resources on YouTube and online that teach the basics of crochet.  If you are a beginner and are interested in learning how to make 3-D stuff, I would recommend looking up these basic stitches:  chain stitch, single crochet stitch, single crochet increase, single crochet decrease, magic ring.

  8. Do you sell your work?

    Crocheting is just a hobby and a stress-reliever and I mostly make things based off of copyrighted characters, so I wouldn't feel right making a profit off of them.  Sorry!

  9. Can I sell things made from your patterns?

    I would prefer that you didn't sell stuff made from my patterns since I am posting them for free as a learning tool.  Thank you in advance!
I'll continue to update this periodically as needed!

Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
I am so sorry for the delay!  I've been having a rough past couple of weeks.  

I enjoyed seeing all the entries and the effort put forth!  Anyway, you guys really made this tough on me, but I decided on two entries that really impressed me!  :dummy: Both of these winners can each pick a cute-ified mythical creature they would like me to create for them.  Thank you to all the participants and for all the support!

Winners:

:iconimprobablesage:  Siren by improbablesage

I thought the ideas behind and execution of the legend of the siren were clever and so unique!  The story was well-written and kept me enthralled the entire time :)  Be sure to check it out!

and

:iconpickleweasel360:  
Secretary Bird/Cheetah Gryphon by Pickleweasel360

This entry was beautifully executed with a creative twist to the classic gryphon.  I had never heard of a secretary bird before until now, but I must say that they are impressive looking birds!  Combine that with a cheetah for something legendary :la:

Thank you, again, for all the entries!  I will definitely have to host more contests again in the future, so fear not if you didn't get a chance to participate this time!

Check out the other wonderful entries as well!

:iconaplittle78:  Say Hydra to my little friend by aplittle78                            :iconferngirl:  Centaur by Ferngirl

:iconcalicco:  Chibi Enfield by Calicco                             :iconhaida96:  Rose fairy by Haida96

:iconrosy009:  The Aquarium's Prize by Rosy009                            :iconhollowtemptation:  Valefor Aeon from Final Fantasy X by hollowtemptation


:iconperilousbard:  Tiny Plush Smaug by PerilousBard                            :icondeannarae:  Swamp Magic by DeannaRae

:icondanjaphotos:  Leo The Unigon/Dragcorn by DanjaPhotos                            :iconvivacia18:  Serena by Vivacia18                    

:iconartreall:  birds of luck peace and renewal by artReall                            :iconwhiteorchid14:  Volvagia Digital Painting by WhiteOrchid14                          

:iconjudithchen:  Clover the baby mammoth by judithchen                            :iconluckylily3496:  Nocturna: The Dark Celestial by LuckyLily3496 

:iconshrimprapidash123:  Pegasus: Fly Away! by ShrimpRapidash123                          :iconarinadream:  Cernunnos by arinadream                            

:iconcraftfan23: 
Mother Phoenix by craftfan23                            :iconskullkid1993:  Mandrake/Mandragora watercolor by skullkid1993                            

:iconluchusus: 
Desdentado by Luchusus                      :iconjhonie:  Two little Abras by Jhonie


Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In


3/22/2015:
Sorry for the delay, guys!  I will have a winner announced by next Sunday!  I've been swamped with schoolwork and exams among other things, and I want to make sure I judge all the entries carefully and fairly.  I'm also still deciding on the number of winners!  You guys really made this decision tough on me!  Thanks for your patience!

-------

3/14/2015:
A lot of great entries so far!  Less than 24 hours to submit yours!  I'm accepting entries until the end of Sunday, 3/15/2015!

-------

3/1/2015 EDIT:
It is now the 1st of March!  15 more days for contest entries!  Get 'em in! :)

-------

2/18/2015 EDIT:
Just a reminder, a little less than a month left to go!  A couple of entries have been submitted already! :la:

-------

Alright guys!  Votes are in.. the contest theme will be.. *drumroll*.. Mythical Creatures! :dummy:

Deadline for this contest will be March 15th.  This will give you about 2 months to submit your entry!  I am flexible to moving this deadline if enough people would like it changed!

Rules:
  1. You must be a watcher!  This contest is my "thank you" to all the people who have shown support during my time here :)
  2. You must have an address I can send your prize to, should you win!
  3. Any art medium will be accepted.
  4. You can be as creative as you want with this theme.  It is up to your interpretation!  Mentioning where your inspiration comes from, the story behind your work, etc. will up your chances!
  5. Fan-art or art inspired by a fandom will be accepted if it is related to the theme.
  6. If you use a pattern, stock, etc. please give proper credit!
  7. Entries must be made for this contest (anything made before this journal posting will not be accepted).
  8. Multiple winners may be chosen depending on the number of entries!
  9. Submit by commenting with a link to your deviation in this journal.  Be sure to indicate in your deviation description that you are entering in this contest!
  10. Only one entry per person will be accepted, so be sure to submit your best work!
  11. Entries will be judged based on creativity, quality of work, and presentation!
Prize:

I may choose multiple winners or there may be second, third, etc. places chosen if there are enough entries!  First prize will be a crocheted chibi/baby/derpy mythical creature.  I will allow the winner to give me some input on what kind of creature, special details to include, pose, etc.  Other places (second, third, etc.) will get surprise prizes from me!

Also, it will take me some time to design and create prizes after winners are chosen, but fear not, because your patience will pay off! :la:

All submissions will be featured in a journal at the end of the contest!


Good luck everyone!  I'll update this journal periodically with submissions and any details I may have forgotten!

-------

Entries:

:iconaplittle78:  Say Hydra to my little friend by aplittle78                            :iconferngirl:  Centaur by Ferngirl

:iconcalicco:  Chibi Enfield by Calicco                             :iconhaida96:  Rose fairy by Haida96

:iconrosy009:  The Aquarium's Prize by Rosy009                            :iconhollowtemptation:  Valefor Aeon from Final Fantasy X by hollowtemptation


:iconperilousbard:  Tiny Plush Smaug by PerilousBard                            :icondeannarae:  Swamp Magic by DeannaRae

:icondanjaphotos:  Leo The Unigon/Dragcorn by DanjaPhotos                            :iconvivacia18:  Serena by Vivacia18                   

:iconartreall:  birds of luck peace and renewal by artReall                            :iconwhiteorchid14:  Volvagia Digital Painting by WhiteOrchid14                         

:iconjudithchen:  Clover the baby mammoth by judithchen                            :iconluckylily3496:  Nocturna: The Dark Celestial by LuckyLily3496 

:iconimprobablesage:  Siren by improbablesage                            :iconshrimprapidash123:  Pegasus: Fly Away! by ShrimpRapidash123                         

:iconarinadream:  Cernunnos by arinadream                            :iconcraftfan23:  Mother Phoenix by craftfan23                            

:iconskullkid1993:  Mandrake/Mandragora watercolor by skullkid1993                            :iconluchusus:  Desdentado by Luchusus         

:iconjhonie:  Two little Abras by Jhonie                            :iconpickleweasel360:  Secretary Bird/Cheetah Gryphon by Pickleweasel360






Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In


Hello all my lovely supporters!  It's been a while since my last journal update.  I just wanted to thank everyone for all the comments, faves, and watches during the time I've been here.  I know I've been a little (or a lot) slow at responding to messages and comments, but I do read everything and it always brightens up my day!  I have also looked at all the creations I have been tagged in, and I am overwhelmed by how many people tried out and successfully executed the patterns I've posted!  I am so proud of all the great work I'm seeing, and I can't express how much I appreciate that you've shared them with me :)

And because it is the season of giving, I am considering hosting a giveaway or perhaps to make it more interesting, a contest for my watchers as a thank you for the support!  I've never done anything like this before sooooo... suggestions are welcome!  Let me know what you think! :la:

And happy Friday in my part of the world! :dummy:

Edit:
Cast your vote on a contest theme here!
aphid777.deviantart.com/journa…


Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In

Update

3 min read
Hello!

I may not be finishing anything new for some time, so I figured I'd update you guys on what's going on in my yarn world and real life. :)  I also enjoyed reading where all of you are from in my recent poll!  I didn't realize I was in touch with so many aliens! =P

I decided to start a new project, despite all the unfinished stuff laying around.  I'm currently working on Deku Link!  It was meant to be a relatively quick project, but I of course started making him larger than I was planning to ^^;  And, after looking at all these photos online, there are so many details that I guess I had never noticed before I seriously decided to make him!  He may turn out proportional or slightly large compared to Skull Kid, but we shall see!  Cross your fingers for the former!  I am also almost done with an orange tiger in the same style as the white one.. it's just a matter of assembling.

End of crochet update so you may stop reading if you'd like :XD:

I'm currently fretting a little over taking my part I boards for school since my brain pretty much dumped 80% of what I've learned the past 2 years.  I have a little over a month to study, and on top of that, I'm trying not to seem completely clueless in clinic ^^;  I'm actually starting to enjoy meeting new people and improving my communication skills since I've always felt weak in that aspect.  I did run into a difficult patient the other day because of language barriers and probably age difference.  I won't go into too much detail with that.. she basically would not believe the explanation and treatment I proposed for her (a very quick, conservative, zero-cost procedure), even with my professor's support.  It was a good learning experience in dealing with patients, I suppose. :shrug:

Anyway, I am exhausted :faint:  Back to work!
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
Featured

FAQ by aphid777, journal

Watchers' Contest Winners! by aphid777, journal

Watchers' Contest Time! by aphid777, journal

Seasons Greetings! by aphid777, journal

Update by aphid777, journal