Hi everyone, it’s Cindy here to tell you a little about the Halloween costumes I made for Millie and Walter this year. Even though it has been just over a year since I learned to crochet I guess I can no longer call myself a novice hooker. I feel that since I have started making up my own patterns and creating free form crochet I will have to classify myself as an intermediate hooker now.
With the big Blogville Halloween Ball approaching I wanted to make some fun costumes for the pups. When I started I didn’t even know that Millie would have a date, but I wanted something for her that would look great against her black fur.
After searching the internet I stumbled upon a pattern for a candy corn sweater sized for a cat and used that as my inspiration for Millie’s dress. I used the basic concept from that pattern for the body (orange portion) and upper body/neck area but had to just play it by feel for how big to make it. I really liked how it was just open in front and didn’t rely on leg holes. The above picture was taken prior to me redoing the upper white portion. It was a bit loose and hung down too low so I ripped some of it out and redid it with fewer rows.
For the lower portion I created a large yellow rectangle about three times the width I wanted the skirt to be. I anchored a couple strands of yarn at one end, wove them along the length of one edge and gathered it up . I used two rows of single crochet to attach the skirt to the bottom of the orange portion.
The entire dress is done in double crochet. I did it a bit loose so Millie’s black fur would show through a little.
This style of sweater for the dogs was very easy to put on and take off. While Millie might not look thrilled in her pictures it is mostly because she is not a big fan of modeling, but she really didn’t mind wearing the dress.
Now on to Walter’s Bumble Bee costume.
For Walter’s costume I had made the main body section a little bigger than I should have. To make it fit better I decided to weave some elastic around both the top and bottom edges of the main body to gather it up a bit. I think it worked out great as it gave the costume some added volume.
I even made a headband with ear holes (although they weren’t placed quite right) to attach some antenna to, but I didn’t make Walter wear it for very long. He really is a good boy and never really tried to shake them off, but you could tell he would rather not be wearing them.
I used part of a Red Heart pattern to make the antenna. The last part was to make the wings.
I did the wings totally free form working it with double crochet and then a single chain stitch repeated across each row. I made two halves that I joined down the center. I used single crochet to join the two halves and also worked pipe cleaners (chenille stems) along the seam. From there I continued around the outer edge with single crochet around pipe cleaners to give the wings some stability.
After I finished the wings I realized they were going to be a bit big for the costume. I also noticed from pictures of actual bumble bees that my concept was a bit off from reality, but if I folded the wings at the narrow section they more closely resembled real wings. I then added a few stitches to anchor the two halves together.
To attach the wings to the body I made a couple of chains out of the white yarn and tied them on. This way I can easily take them off to have a plain sweater for Walter to wear if he needed it for warmth. With Walter’s first winter with us approaching I figured this way he would have something to wear if needed.
Over all I’m real happy with how these turned out. If I ever need to make something for them to keep them warm this is the form I will use.
I’m linking up this post with
They are absolutely fantastic, what a great pattern! I am loving with the wings on Walter’s costume. i had to laugh at your vaguely pornographic post title, LOL.
Lynne x
Just loved your costumes, so talented 🙂 xxooxx
Mollie and Alfie
I am in love with those costumes! I thinks yu did an amazin’ job! I loves da little skirt on Millie’s and of course da wings are too sweet!
Puddles
Your mom is so creative and so smart, Millie and Walter! Your costumes are just fabulous!
Love ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly
Amazing costumes. Millie and Walter look so cute! I’ll bet they’re very comfortable too.
Those are fantastic!!
Blessings,
Goose
We were a little worried about you Miss Cindy when we read the title of your post ~ Hooking on hump day! We sure are glad you meant crochet!!
We KNOW first hand what a talented and amazing fabric artist you are. (Our Auntie uses her beautiful Doxie tote every day.) But to see these costumes you made is a BIG WOW! Walter and Millie look so fab in them. You should be very proud of your hard work and efforts!
Hugs,
Lily Belle & Muffin
The sweetest candy corn and the cutest bumble bee ever. I wish my mom had such talented paws too :o)
We gotta tell you this… Last Week on Hooker Hump day… I got an EMAIL asking me to Explain HUMP DAY… BaaaaaaWaaaaah… those in other countries don’t always understand our HUMOR and some of our TERMS.
WE think that Millie and Walter looked FABULOUS in the VERY CREATIVE costumes. You are a SUPER HOOKER… BaaaaWaaaah.
Mom and I are for certain you are up to advanced level very very creative and to make your own patterns. Bravo. Mom can crochet anything…….with a pattern same with cooking and sewing. LOL
Millie i love your little ruffle too
Hugs madi your bfff
I loved these and the skirt was exceptionally adorable. I loved that you sized a cat pattern. I can only imagine how happy that cat must have been. 🙂
Wow, you learned all that in just a year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????? You got some skills!!!
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
I love these costumes, you did such a good job. They both look really good in them
Loveys Sasha
oh my gosh— such beautiful creations and they look so spectacular on you!
You momma is so talented to make gorgeous things like that!
xoxo
thank you for all the love and prayers for tweedles
Such beautiful costumes and talented work! We are in awe of such talent 🙂
You did an awesome job! They both look great! How on earth do you get them to pose so perfectly?
I’ve never seen anything quite like this. You should start a business!
You are so creative! The costumes were fantastic!
These are awesome costumes!! We’re pleased to meet you! My Jacque has Millie in Jazzi’s Christmas gift exchange! Jacque is excited to get Millie something really cool! Yea! mylifewithscotties at gmail dot com.
Wow these are fantastic! I particularly love the bee costume.
Those are awesome costumes. You are very talented and creative.
You did a great job on those costumes. I have only attempted afghans but making something for Taffy would be fun. I might have to check into it!
I had to come look again- everything is so pretty
love
tweedles