I'm working on this amigurumi. The pattern I'm using doesn't specify what size hook to use or any kind of gauge so I started with a H. As a "swatch" I only did an ear. It's not long enough, like it needs to be stretched out. The ear doesn't get stuffed (I know stuffing can do wonders lol). Does that mean I go up a hook or down a hook? I run into this problem all the time and usually just quit because I don't want to start over.

Sorry if I sound lazy, I'm having some major allergy issues and really don't want to fiddle around with stuff like this.

I'm funny, not?

I'm looking for a crochet hand pattern. Like, a flat hand, not an amigurumi (although that would be uber cool). I've tried googling but all I get is stuff like "crochet by hand" or "hand-made crochet". It's very frustrating.

And if you don't know of a pattern, do you have any suggestions on how to make one?

Thanks a ton!

Not 100% sure this topic goes here so sorry if it's in the wrong place.

Whenever I crochet for long periods of time, my right ring finger gets really swollen, to the point where I can't crochet anymore. It gets so bad I can't even bend my finger to hold the hook. It's happened three or four times before and I have no idea why.

Does anyone else have this problem? I've been using ice to bring the swelling down but I don't know if I should be concerned about it.

I'm in a bit of a pickle. Skip the story if you don't feel like reading.

I'm taking a ceramics class and I need to have 32 chess pieces completely done by this Wednesday. That includes glazing. I started really late on my project, due to mis-communication on the part of my teacher. I started making pieces last Wednesday. Only 3 have been fired for the first time and I am in the process of glazing them. I think four or five are in the kiln and four are at school ready to fire because there wasn't enough room. I'm stuck with 20-odd pieces of clay, all at varying degrees of dryness. I figured they would dry out at home (I still had to carve some details into them) but they aren't drying fast enough. By my calculations, I need to get all of them in the kiln on Monday so I can glaze them and get them in by the end of the day Tuesday.

Is there a way to make them dry faster? My mom suggested sticking them in the oven at a low temperature for a while, but that makes me nervous.

And is it safe to glaze them BEFORE they've been fired?

I really really really need help.

I decided to take on the amineko pattern but I can't figure out the mouth! I have everything up until the decreases. Every time I try, it ends up looking bunched up and there's huge holes in between the stitches.

This is my first amigurumi project. I have very little crochet experience, unless you count granny squares lol. I really want to get it done.

Have any of you made this before? I really need help.

Link to the pattern:
http://kinkylilblackdress.wordpress.com/little-black-cat-translated-amineko-pattern/

For a reference, this is what the cat is supposed to look like:
http://windloop.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/cat-011.jpg

Okay, so its not finished yet, but I've been working my butt off to get as far as I did, so I'm taking a break to enjoy my hard work lol.

For my Advanced Art class, we had to alter a book about a certain art movement. I chose pop art. So far, I've gotten the cover and the title page done. I still have ten spreads to do, though. And its due on Thursday... I won't be sleeping much this week haha.

Cover. Sorry about the crappy picture. My camera is weird.
I loved the rolled magazine tutorial, so I used it. I kinda wish I used different shades of orange and green, but it works. Oh and its POP ART, not PAORPT.


Both of these are very popular pictures from two of the three artists I'm going to be talking about in the book, so I guess it makes sense to put them on the title page? Maybe? haha. I'm thinking about putting another picture in the lower left hand corner, underneath the airplane comic.

My friend walked in the other day with this work of art:

She said her aunt got it for her when she went to the Philippines; the natives weave their trash together into nifty purses like this and give them out as gifts. I know I've seen this before, the question is how? and with what kind of wrappers?

Any ideas?

EDIT: Found this article on the internet.

I'm uber-new with knitting. Uber as in, made a reeeeeally simple scarf. I don't know any terms or anything, so... What now? I really,really want to be able to follow patterns and knit what I want, but I have no clue how to get to that point. I would ask a family member, but no one knows how. 

Help?

Made this bracelet out of a toilet paper roll, a pop bottle, lots n' lots of hotglue, and left over ribbon. I'm rather proud of how it came out.

Basically my first attempt at jewlry. EVER. It fits nicely (I have huge wrists) and is actually quite comfortable.

I may be mentally retarded but... You know those really bad Christmas gifts you get from your Great-Aunt Nelly? We should have a contest where the worst of the worst is converted into something useful. I dunno... Stupid idea, lol.