Monday, April 11, 2016

Improvements

I took the donuts I'd crocheted to the person who requested them. Unfortunately, they were too big for what she needed them for.

(Not surprising, really. We didn't have a ruler, so dimensions were a guess. And I'm terrible at estimating size. On the plus side, I can sell these to anyone who wants them. Anyone?)

Back to the drawing board...

Although, not really. Now I had some experience with the pattern. And I'd been contemplating tweaks I wanted to make.

There were some things in the pattern that irked me. The thing is crocheted as a sphere with the ends cut off...


...which means that the thing gets sewn and stuffed from the center. This is kinda awkward. And because the last round is all decreases, there are some bigger than I'd like holes there. I compensated by sewing around those holes, but that process is time consuming. There had to be a better way.

First, instead of working a sphere, I worked the bottom half as before, but I joined the top half to the center.


Which turns the thing inside out, so to speak. Then, because I'm now attaching the top and bottom half on the outside (by crocheting them together, not sewing them), a little lip forms at the join. Which kind of makes it look like the frosting is on top of the donut.


And this whole thing goes much faster. (Of course, being smaller helps--fewer stitches.)


***

I also had a moment of inspiration. Remember these earrings?

Bauble Earrings Multicolored Knit
Bauble Earrings Multicolored Knit
It occurred to me that they might work better with vaguely metallic looking yarn...


They may become a future addition to my shop, Zizi Rho Designs...

***

I've been contemplating posting the tweaks I made for the crochet donut pattern next week. (I even found a title that'll make it work: Overhauling the Crochet Donut.) If you're interested, that is. (Maybe anyway. We'll see if I find anything interesting to knit or crochet this week.) 

Should I post the changed pattern for the crochet donut? What do you think of the earrings? Any ideas on what I should knit and/or crochet next? What sorts of projects have been rolling around in your head? 

Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter...

Knitted I, monogram I, gift card holder

I've gotten a few comments/questions about the knitted letters. It was something I did for A to Z last year. The full explanation is here. I still have them for sale if anyone is interested

41 comments:

  1. Your way of doing the donuts sounds a whole lot simpler and easier.
    Debbie

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    1. It's easier at the end. The crochet part, not so much.

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  2. They do look like donuts! I bet those would sell as donuts as well.

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  3. They look nice! I bet those donuts could be used for a few things

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    Replies
    1. I'd love to know what. Because I'm looking for a different angle.

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  4. Couldn't get those donuts; they would then want me to have the real things and that's not good since a new donut shop just opened up about 1/2 mile from here :)

    betty

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  5. I love your knitted donuts! Super cute!

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  6. Liz, keep the knitted donuts away from DH! lol One thing would be neat, if you haven't already considered it is to place potpourri inside the donuts. That would be a cool idea, I think. :)


    ~Curious as a Cathy
    All Things Vintage: Ivory Soap #AprilA2Z

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  7. Those donuts look amazing, Liz. Would make a nice gift for someone who loves donuts but can no longer have them.. like a diabetic. I still need to finish a blanket I've been working on for ages. Good luck with new projects!
    Many Blessings,
    Lori

    My A2Zs @ As the Fates Would Have It & Promptly Written
    Follow Me (Ravyne) Twitter|Facebook

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    1. Then again, that might be a not so pleasant reminder...

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  8. Those donuts are cute, and I think the change of yarn is a good idea for those who might like the look of the earrings, but don't want something so colorful. Good luck with your shop.

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    Replies
    1. Well, I do have a tendency to go bright...

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  9. These are very cute! Who wouldn't have a need for a couple of crocheted donuts!

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    Replies
    1. I don't get it myself. But I guess there's a market for it.

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  10. I'm loving the donuts! I need to come back here more often. I keep trying to learn to crochet, then giving up a few terrible chains later and looking for the wine ;-)

    Really Real Housewives of America

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  11. What was the person who requested the donuts planning to do with them? Glad you found an easier and quicker way to assemble them.

    I like the metallic-looking yarn!

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  12. I envy your ability to work things out. The earrings look neat in metallic.
    I have about three projects going. I'm almost finished with a granny square afghan that will be a present for my aunt for her 80th birthday. It will be a long while before I do another one of those.

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  13. They are adorable donuts and I wish I could make stuff like that.

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    Replies
    1. You could. You just would have to learn to crochet first.

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  14. Your stitches are so perfect looking. They make for very fine donuts. And now I kind of feel hungry...

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  15. Personally, I like scarves and mittens - but those aren't very practical where you live.

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  16. The donuts are so FUN! I tried crocheting once and nearly threw the needles across the room! Embroidery and I are best friends though so I'll stick to that! Love the earrings and I think the metallic thread looks good!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!

    Cheers!
    Jen
    Jen Chandler was Here

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  17. Sounds like a lot of people would enjoy the pattern. I would but don't know if I would ever get around to making them. (If I did, I would make them in "chocolate", of course). They sure are cute, though! Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    1. Yep, I'm going to need to make a chocolate donut one of these days. Perhaps a base a little lighter so that it's all chocolate. And chocolate sprinkles...

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  18. The metallic-looking yarn on the earrings is a nice idea!

    Yvonne V

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  19. Your improved upon donut looks SSOO much better than the original, it isn't even funny.
    Revisit the Tender Years with me during the #AtoZChallenge at Life & Faith in Caneyhead!

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  20. Not sure what I will be crochet next. But I like the metallic looking earrings. But I believe I would of done them as for Christmas ornaments...Coffee is on

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  21. You're so clever! Love the little sprinkles on the pink donut!

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  22. not sure about the brown ones :) I'd avoid that colour in that shape :)

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  23. You are clever. I like the idea of potpourri in the donuts. They could be spicy ones and you could call them pantry scents or something. Pantry smelly nice things haven't been done yet!

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    Replies
    1. That was a good idea. That's why I do these posts, some of you have such great ideas.

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  24. my mom used to make such tiny stuff when i was in school ,your work is so amazing and adorable ,i liked them so much whish i can have time and such talent to do this ,
    have a lovely spring dear

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  25. "I took the donuts I'd crocheted to the person who requested them." Now there's a sentence you don't see often! They look great.
    That's Purrfect

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  26. I like the donuts...they look good. Maybe a poncho will be next?

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  27. Aw that's too bad they ended up being too big but they look great :D The tweak sounds much easier in the long run.

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