Amazing! How do you figure out the pattern? I've been wanting to do something like this, but can't figure out how to make it into pixels and into a pattern!
Ruby Copperhead was right, I found the sprite online (via google). Although the one I used was a newer version and had many colors, I simply re-colored it in paint (zoomed in of course). Here is a great website for pokemon sprites.
http://gallery.gtsplus.net/Bulbasaur and also
http://pldh.net/dex/sprites/pidgeyIf you want to make your own pattern I suggest checking out:
http://www.myphotostitch.com/ or simply google search your way to one.
I just started a Pidgey blanket for my boyfriend a little bit ago and it is SOOO much more complicated than Mario sprites. It only gets worse when you look at evolved forms too!
My friend actually requested a pidgey blanket! Then she changed her mind...and then she forgot about it...lol. Pidgey could be really annoying depending on which sprite you chose. When I looked at them I preferred one with wings closed, but of course my friend demanded the one with the wings spread open...
As for the mario vs pokemon sprites, the sprites are so much bigger, that's the problem! Of course after doing this blanket I discovered the sprites from Pokemon Heart Gold/Soul Silver. The ones of the pokemon following you are so much smaller! I'm strongly considering making some of them as many blankets or something because they are simpler and just adorable.
Hm, that's an interesting question. When it's not laid out flat, but draped over someone, is the pattern then more visible when it's filled out to be a rectangle? I can picture things like the leg folding away... but also, I wonder if the pattern will always be kind of scrunched up whether there's filler squares or not.
That's something the users of the afghans could probably answer. Is it practical in the non-rectangular shape, is it usable, is there a problem with dangling pokemon feet or stuff like that? Is it still recognizable when scrunched up?
It is definitely usable in a non-rectangular shape. I specifically chose this pokemon because he was square-ish and didn't have many dangling bits. The ones he does have, like his legs, are pretty short and don't get in the way too much. For other pokemon (like charmander's tail, or tentacool's tentacles) the dangly bits would be longer and probably too much of a hassle. Also, sadly, the design is really not recognizable when it's folded up or being used. To a skilled eye maybe it could be deciphered, but in reality I think it's pretty difficult to see what it is in all honesty.
I think the irregular shape could make parts curl under and get lost but maybe no more than if it were a square. I do like functionality very much, often equal to or even greater than form, but that's a personal thing. I'd want to put this on a bed or couch and use it as a blanket, you know? It's very good. So good in fact that I don't dare show it to my little man, he'd want pokemon and would in NO WAY understand it taking me as long as it would to complete, lol. I'd be crochetting non-stop for ages!
I was strongly considering square-ing him out, but I thought it would take away from his sprite-y glory-ness. The irregular shape does have it's problems, like folding it away can be annoying sometimes, but it's doesn't really take away from its main objective: keeping a person warm. The sheer size of the thing might be more bothersome than its dangling/curling legs (yes, they do sometimes flop/twist around).
