Hey Dude Makers!Today we’re diving into one of my favorite parts of crochet design — the tiny stitch choices that turn a flat circle into a doll, a curve, an arm, an ankle, a belly, or whatever shape your imagination wants to build. Yep, I’m talking about increases and decreases — the true shape-shifters of […]
How Increases & Decreases Shape Your Crochet (a Little Dude Lesson!) Read More »
A nose might be small, but it can change everything. It’s one of those details that instantly gives a character life — from a sweet little button nose to a big, bold snout with attitude. When I start designing noses, I look for shapes that speak. A round, soft nose might make a character look
🐽 Behind the Scenes: Giving Characters a Nose for Personality Read More »
If you’ve ever gone hunting for the perfect pair of safety eyes, you already know: it’s a whole journey.Too glossy, too flat, too big, too tiny, too spooky, not spooky enough — it’s a vibe problem more than a supply problem. Over the years of making amigurumi, I’ve discovered that safety eyes are like the
My Favorite Safety Eyes for Little Dudes (And Why I Love Them!) Read More »
🪄 Big Yarn, Little Yarn, Big Impact One of the coolest things about crochet is how easily you can change the size of your project — without rewriting a single line of the pattern! If you want a larger doll, just grab a thicker yarn and a bigger hook.Want a smaller version? Go thinner and
Why Hook Size and Yarn Weight Matter (and How to Keep It Consistent) Read More »
Some characters need a good tail — one that swishes, curls, or flicks with attitude. Whether it’s a tabaxi’s sleek grace, a fox’s fluffy mischief, a dragon’s coiled power, or a tiefling’s sharp edge, tails are where movement and personality truly come alive. When I’m designing tails, I start with energy. I’ll scroll through references
🐉 Behind the Scenes: Designing Tails with Personality Read More »
If you’ve ever noticed that many handmade dolls don’t have mouths, you’re not alone — and you’re not the first to wonder why. There’s a quiet kind of magic in that blank space, and it’s a tradition that stretches back for generations. For some, a mouthless doll represents humility — a reminder that beauty can
🤫 Behind the Scenes: The Story of Mouthless Dolls Read More »
Wings are pure magic. They’re a symbol of freedom, transformation, and the kind of creativity that refuses to stay on the ground. When I design wings — whether butterfly, dragonfly, feathered, or scaly — I start with wonder. I collect images that catch my breath: the shimmer of translucent dragonfly wings, the graceful curve of
🪽 Behind the Scenes: Where Imagination Takes Flight Read More »
Big, small, pointed, round — ears might seem like a tiny detail, but to me, they’re pure storytelling magic. They can turn a character from a human to a tabaxi. When I’m dreaming up new ear shapes, I start by studying references — photos, sketches, and even fantasy art. I look for the little things:
🐾 Behind the Scenes: Shaping Character Through Ears Read More »
🪄 A Little Tool That Makes a Big Difference Some crochet tools are flashy. Others — like stitch markers — quietly keep your whole project from falling apart. 😆 I use plastic locking stitch markers, and over the years they’ve become one of my absolute crochet must-haves. They’re simple, inexpensive, and endlessly useful — whether
The Unsung Hero of Crochet: Why I Love Stitch Markers Read More »
Every once in a while, I stumble across a book that feels like opening a treasure chest — not the flimsy Halloween kind, but the heavy, real-deal kind that clinks when you lift the lid, and this week, I found one of those gems. Let me introduce you to my newest obsession: The Complete Encyclopedia
Behind the Scenes — My Newest Inspiration Book for Character Design Read More »
