Tortoise Power! And a Manta Ray Pattern
At last the Manta Ray has emerged for a peek around. You can download the pattern here: http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/a-manta-ray.html
He is easily the simplest of all my patterns, and takes about 2 hours to make - the extra time just because he is a tad bigger. The two of them together look really cool! I need to make a whole shoal. The pattern has the instructions for the Manta Ray only, but I'll soon put something together so that you can make some fishy friends.
I spent my teenage years in Greece, and one of the two things most people don't know about Greece is that it is choc-a-block full of tortoises. We used to have them in our garden, and would take out all our leftover veg to feed them with. Sometimes you would even find abandoned babies, these we would raise ourselves feeding them on softened cat biscuits. They seemed to like it!
Seeing them in all stages of development was just incredible. I liked to lie down on the grass and get my face right up close to one and feed it. They would tug the food right from my fingers and look at me with these very wise but playful eyes. (The other thing is that it snows)
Crochet Along http://crochetalong.wordpress.com is all about the granny square this month. So I wondered if I could combine the Granny square and the tortoise. With these results.
On the chicken subject yet again. I watched Jamie's Fowl Dinners on Friday. What an astounding program. It totally changed the way I thought about the process of farming animals. I had no idea that they culled all the little male chicks with gas. It was so emotive, but as a meat eater I felt it was my duty to watch it and to try to understand truly what goes into the food on my plate. http://www.channel4.com/food/on-tv/jamie-oliver/jamies-fowl-dinners/
Love the Manta Ray pattern. I can't wait to give it a try!
Your little granny square turtle is adorable too.
Posted by: Crafty Carolinagirl | January 14, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Oh I love your little tortoise!
Posted by: Maritza | January 14, 2008 at 01:53 AM
Awww, the tortoise is adorable. :-)
Posted by: bethany actually | January 14, 2008 at 03:18 AM
Tortoises are amazing!
Posted by: Jenn | January 14, 2008 at 04:37 AM
So cute!
Posted by: Clare | January 14, 2008 at 07:23 AM
I hate the turtle. No, KIDDING! I love the turtle! Your best work yet, but then I am biased. :-D Greece is amazing, I never saw turtles there though, bummer.
Posted by: Connie | January 14, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Thanks again for sharing! You have such a knack for creatures. Are you ever going to publish your collection?
Posted by: even-star | January 14, 2008 at 09:06 AM
I just found your site from visiting Bella Dia. She had made some owls from your pattern. I am impressed with the variety of creatures you are able to design - and all so cute, too. My mother and second daughter both collect owls, so I will be trying your pattern, too. Thank you for sharing.
Karen B.
Posted by: Karen B. | January 14, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Aah! I've fallen in love with your tortoise! Vegetarian, great smile, single(?) Unfortunately I'm a human and it's a stuffie. <3 <3 <3
Posted by: Tracy | January 15, 2008 at 07:31 AM
So super cute Brie! My sister would beg for one if she saw it. Mwah ha ha- good thing she's only in baby mode right now!
Posted by: Mia | January 15, 2008 at 08:36 AM
So super cute Brie! My sister would beg for one if she saw it. Mwah ha ha- good thing she's only in baby mode right now!
Posted by: Mia | January 15, 2008 at 08:40 AM
The turtle is really cute. Thank you for the manta ray pattern. Can't wait to try it.
Posted by: Lynn | January 15, 2008 at 04:04 PM
I'm a knitter who has been wanting to learn to crochet forever. I have decided I have to learn as soon as possible just to make your wonderful meerkat. I saw the picture of him on Craftster and then looked for your blog.
I wondered if you will be doing a giraffe pattern, he is lovely too!
You should totally charge for your patterns. They are amazing!
Victoria.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2008 at 04:42 PM
I am in love with the tortoise. And it turns out that not only am I engaged, I'm gonna have to fight Tracy for him. :) I would pay a lot of money for that pattern (well, up to $5-$8). Seriously.
Posted by: Sarah | January 15, 2008 at 06:19 PM
are you aware that you're a genius?
i've been idly perusing the crochetville forum and checking out the amigurumi patterns (im trying my hand at crocheting) when i came upon a comment referring to a pomeranian pattern. being pretty much of a dog lover, i clicked on the link, which led me to your absolutely amazing blog.
you. are. a. genius. sorry, i just cant help saying it over and over again.
and btw, i love those little references to daphne du maurier, miss marple... and that entry bout that century-old book was real nice. i'm sure that book had a very interesting past.
your blog is a reflection of the gem of a person that you are. keep up the great work! :-)
Posted by: stephanie | January 15, 2008 at 06:56 PM
You are so awesome! Thanks for the Ray pattern - I can't wait to try it. And the little tortoise is sooo cute! AND I commend you for getting to know where your food comes from! (I'm a vegetarian and it's still important, I think, to know how my food gets to me.)
I love hearing about the places you have been. Here in the states I hate that it is so $$ to get anywhere. We are hoping to plan a trip to Mexico this year but... I'm not holding my breath. lol. You know there are people here who have never left this state? Sad but true.
Again, thanks for you generosity!
Posted by: robin | January 15, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Your turtle is so adorable!
Posted by: Kala | January 16, 2008 at 03:15 PM
this tortoise is great. my daughter saw it and now is begging for one. she is a tortoise/turtle fan! your work (as always) is inspirational. keep going.
Posted by: monika | January 18, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Your tortoise is so adorable! Please please post a pattern, I would love to try my hand at it. You are such a talented designer, thank you for sharing your creations!
Posted by: Sheila | January 18, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Hi there, I have just found your blog, its unreal, you should be so proud of the work you do its beautiful. I was wondering if yoou had a pattern of the ray that i could have pretty please, I see so many girly things but I never come across something that I could make for my little boy.
I will be reading your blog all the time now.
cmjsousa@westnet.com.au
Posted by: Amanda | January 19, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Sorry I was so busy, looking at the owls that I missed the pattern for the ray, lol Im a goose.
Posted by: Amanda | January 19, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Wow.
That turtle is freakin awesome. I love the expression on his face. He's just screaming to be played with. Aww.
-Kat
Posted by: Kat | January 19, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Loved your website!
Thank you so much for the patterns (I'll try to make de owlet now).
Congratulations. You make beautiful pieces.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Debora (Brasil)
Posted by: Debora Alves | January 20, 2008 at 01:10 AM
I am a turtle lover and have been for a long time. This is probably the cutest, most expressive crocheted turtle I have ever seen. I LOVE him!!! Total cutie!!!
Posted by: Lisa | January 20, 2008 at 09:11 PM
This is unbelievable! You are amazing! I hope you'll share the pattern with us -- I'd love trying to make this li'l guy. Where do you find your safety eyes, BTW? Is there a good website where you can buy them?
Posted by: Allison | February 02, 2008 at 01:58 PM