Dogfish Diaries: Part 4
Dogfish Diaries: Part 4
My crochet project is nearing the end…
I was going to save the next instalment of Dogfish Diaries until next time, but then I started thinking about how this project relates to Earth Day, not just with its recycled materials but with its origin story. Last year I put together a social media post about recycled yarns made from plastic bottles and used Earth Day hashtags to join in the celebration online; this is the post that led Rita Reed, the author of Dogfish Tales, to discover our shop. I owe this entire Dogfish project to Earth Day!
It seems fitting, then, that my project also comes to an end in the same week as Earth Day in 2022. I’m sure I’ll be making plenty more Dogfish models in the future, but in a few days time this second batch will be on their way to California, and I still have lots to do to get it finished! My main focus now is assembly; I have lots of bits and pieces to stitch together, including ears, spots and facial details.
My goal with this batch was to break up the stitching together process, as this is the part I find most tedious and time consuming. Although I haven’t achieved this completely, I’ve done enough to ensure the last couple of days won’t be so overwhelming. Last time I ended up staying awake until 3 or 4am several nights in a row as I had so much stitching to do. I had eyes to assemble, whiskers to create, spots to attach - not to mention assembling the flippers, ears and amigurumi hearts with the bodies! This time, all the body parts are sewn together already so I don’t have to worry about this. While I haven’t got the facial features entirely finished, I have sewn a pair of eyes and eyebrows onto all but one Dogfish. This just leaves the nose and whiskers, and a few spots, which will really reduce my late night stress levels in the coming days!
The backpacks for my new Dogfish design are also ready to be attached to the bodies, and I’m so excited to get this design properly put together. I don’t know what it is about mini versions of everyday things, but these mini backpacks make me smile every time I see them - so cute!
I’ll be using the same packaging as last time to wrap this batch of dogfish; recycled tissue paper, recycled brown paper labels, and jute string. Last time I reused a cardboard box to put them all in, but an added bonus for this batch is that my partner has just got some new shoes that are made with recycled materials. The box says ‘End Plastic Waste’ on it which couldn’t be more perfect for this project! The Dogfish models fit exactly inside the box too, so I don’t think I could’ve found a more perfect box if I tried.
In the next instalment of Dogfish Diaries I’ll be sharing the finished batch of amigurumi models with you. It’s looking like I’ll have 6 or 7 Dogfish altogether, although I can’t help but push myself so I’m going to aim for 8! I can’t wait to have this leg of the project completed and I hope you’ve all enjoyed coming behind the scenes with me over the last few months.