Eli the Firefly

I love crochet challenges. Crochet challenges have been lobbed at me from family, friends, the kids at work and me. A recent challenge came from my hubby. He is a graphic designer and has many samples of products he’s worked on laying around. One of his current projects included a cute toy called Eli the Firefly. His client is a dentist who created a book and a plush lighted toy that inspires kids to brush their teeth properly. Hubby asked if I thought I could recreate the toy in crochet. As if there was any doubt, of course I could! What kind of question was that? And if so, would I? He thought it would make a nice gift for his client. It was a fabulous idea and I accepted the challenge.

This is a sample of Eli that shows what he looks like.

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Freebie Friday – My Design Crochet Tooth

In looking for ideas to make a crochet tooth for my son’s dentist, I looked over the patterns I found and  thought them confusing. I probably could have figured them out if I had invested more time but I was busy (lazy). I watched some videos to see how others made a tooth.  I was inspired but decided to go my own way. I wanted to work in the round but didn’t want the rounded look for the molar. What I ended up doing was clustering my increases together instead of evenly distributing them as you would typically do when crocheting in the round. I was hoping to get four bumps on the top but what came out was a more square top with no bumps. I still like it better than if I had just crocheted in the round in the usual way (even though it still looks pretty round in the picture :-)). Ultimately, my tooth looks a lot like the other teeth out there but I think my pattern is simpler than what I was looking at. One video I saw was pretty easy but I thought it was too easy. I’m satisfied with what I created.

I’m Prototype 🙂

Freebie Friday – Crochet Tooth

Recently, I’ve been brainstorming unique gift ideas for my son’s dentist. I started taking my daughter to her pediatric practice when she was six years old (she’s 27 now, yikes!) and then started taking my son to her when he was three (he’s now 16, double yikes!). His next appointment will probably be his last with her. Firstly, he’s ready to transition out of going to a pediatric dentist and secondly, she’s added two new dentists to her office and her availability has decreased dramatically. They didn’t say it but it sounds to me like she’s planning to retire from her practice.

I feel so fortunate to have found her. I always felt she had my children’s best interest at heart and not her pocket-book. I trusted her. Best of all, my children never feared going to the dentist when they saw her. Even when we moved out of the area, I drove the extra hour to her practice. My kids have been going to her for 21 years and I want to give her something special to let her know how much was appreciated her.

At first I thought I might make her a doll but then I came across these cute crocheted molars.

All Photos courtesy of Pinterest

This one is my favorite one. I love the toothbrush. This is a paid pattern (not my pattern) but it’s a great picture for inspiration.