Week 6 – Pound Puppies and 80’s Nostalgia

This week has been all about 80’s nostalgia!

In my search for a project for the Royal Adelaide Show, I was considering designing a pattern of a puppy lying down (something nice and cuddly). I was planning it all out in my mind as I was falling asleep. I woke up the next morning and realised – I was literally picturing a Pound Puppy! Memory unlocked.

So, off I went to search for a pattern, and I found a vintage one for sale on Etsy. Yes – 1985 is VINTAGE. The patterns were originally published by Millcraft and include 4 different puppies and clothing.

I don’t normally crochet vintage patterns. They often contain typos and errors, and the instructions for assembly are sparse (to say the least). I was so excited by the nostalgia that I didn’t really think it through before buying. And, well, it was a real test of my skills to get this puppy together!

The pattern is nothing like a modern amigurumi design (crocheted in the round). Nope. It’s all made in flat pieces and then seamed together like a sewing pattern. Luckily, I helped my Mom with bunny air freshener covers in the 90’s, and I have sewn clothes, so the technique wasn’t completely foreign to me.

I still spent most of the week sending my sister videos of progress and reading and re-reading the instructions.

I ended up making a chart for the eyes based on pictures of the 80’s Pound Puppies (the eyes in the pattern were embroidered with floss, and I know how well they would stand up to cuddling).

The finished puppy is named Greg, and he got so much love on social media! I am making another one, and testing yarn to decide which puppy I will enter into The Show.

In fascism news this week:

– We now know that QAnon were correct about an evil kabal of pedos, thanks to the Epstein Files (they were just incredibly wrong about the identity of said pedos).

– Trump is suing the IRS for $10 billion (and guess who would pay that bill if he wins – the American people)

– The President of the United States shared an AI meme depicting the Obamas as monkeys, which the White House deleted and blamed on a ‘staffer’

– Trump wants to force school children to watch the horrible Melania documentary

– JD Vance was booed at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics

I only got 1 more panel of my Overlay Mosaic WIP done this week – Yeah Nah. I did manage to finish all the charts and get the written pattern nearly finished. I am so excited to get this pattern done! 

As I said above, I finished Greg the Pound Puppy, and now I’m working on another one. On Puppy #2, I am using Koosh yarn and a 3.5mm hook.

We’ve continued watching Breaking Bad, and I forgot how freaking good that show is! We’re on to Season 2, and I can’t remember much of what happened. So, I’m shocked by all the little plot twists. My husband, Alex, thinks it’s hilarious when I’m like, “Oh, shit!” every 10 minutes.

I finished The House in the Cerulean Sea. Meh. It got really good reviews, but the dialogue rubbed me the wrong way. It sounded trite and… fake. I know, as a writer, that dialogue can be incredibly difficult to get right, and I don’t think the author got there. The story was excellent, and I found myself really falling in love with the characters. I also finished Naomi Novik’s latest novella, The Summer War. 5 stars. No notes. She’s one of my favourite authors. I love all of her books. I’m now reading Hail Mary by Andy Weir (recommended by a friend), and I’m not feeling it. I love science, but this is too much math for my poor, crochet-addled brain. I am going to try to finish it, but I might dip out.

This week, people have been loving what may be my ultimate favourite Fox Creations pattern, the Old Gregg Doll. Yes, he has a downstairs mix-up, and yes, you can cuddle him while you drink Baileys in a shoe! 

I guess people are also getting ready for Easter because the Low Sew Bunny Lovey has also been popular this week. I am a huge fan of loveys, and this one is crocheted with the blanket attached to the head. You can crochet in the ears, so only the arms need to be sewn on. My husband stole the grey one, but I’ve made plenty of others in different yarn for little and big kids. 

Update on the animal hair clip fidgets: my sister has finished designing, so I will pick up the yarn on Monday, type up her patterns, photograph, and test them. Very exciting! I wonder if they will be more popular than my set of 6? Nothing wrong with a bit of friendly competition between crochet sisters!

We have a few ideas in the pipeline, and we’ve been trying to get a matching Howard Doll for Old Gregg, but it just hasn’t happened for a multitude of reasons (chronic illness, time, and lack of creativity due to the fuckery going on in the world being a few). Fingers crossed we get there because I desperately love Howard, and I want a doll for my crochet room!

I know this week has been particularly heavy due to all the information coming to light in the Epstein Files. Please, please take good care of yourselves. I know we may feel like we NEED to know everything, but protect your mental health. The stories have been incredibly triggering, and I can only imagine what people with SA trauma are experiencing. Go slowly and gently. Take breaks from social media and the news if you need them.