Monday, June 8, 2009

Fridge Critter: Squire the Squirrel


Each time I visit my fridge, I'm greeted by critters.


I drew these animals when I was learning to use a pen tablet, and digitally-coloured this scanned pencil sketch. I printed the drawing and—because I wasn't blogging in 2001—posted these critters on my fridge eight years ago.

One year ago, I was learning to use a crochet hook. The thrill of learning to make amigurumi was like the thrill of learning to draw digitally. To marry these twin thrills, I'm remaking this 2D cartoon into 3D crochet.

The first of eight Fridge Critters is a squirrel. His name is Squire.


Here's some trivia to add more dimension to Squire the Squirrel: Did you know he's mildly allergic to acorns? He eats popcorn from the park's concession stand instead. He does collect and mash acorns into a paste for his ailing grandmother's toothless consumption. He also donates food to neighbourhood squirrels:



The remaining seven Fridge Critters will thaw as the new season approaches; a summer that is rich with the smell of acorn paste and the thrill of learning new things.

UPDATE: Here's a video that my gf recorded of Squire's squirrel encounter:

29 comments:

  1. He is the cutest thing ever!! I can't wait to see the others!

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  2. that is adorable -- i love it! and how fun, to renew an old project. good luck with the rest of the bunch!

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  3. Oh how adorable :)

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  4. OMG! That is so adorable I love it!!!

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  5. Love this little guy! I just visited Yosemite this saturday and saw lots of squirrels. They would try to beg food off of the tourists. So cute! Squire turned out perfect!

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  6. Tara: Thanks! The other ones are on their way! I'm interviewing them for their back stories :D

    Sophy: Thanks :) I was initially hesitant to crochet these little animals, but they would call to me every time I went to the fridge!

    Shorty: I'll pass your kind words to Squire when he next visits, thanks! ;)

    Renee': Thanks :) A trick to making adorable critters is to put their eyes low on their head and their nose close to their eyes!

    Julie: Thanks! Another trick to making cute animals is to give them oversized heads in comparison to their bodies :)

    Rebekah: Both our weekends were full of squirrel sightings :D Yosemite must be squirrel-paradise. The real squirrel I encountered was super friendly too. He sat and waited for food while I crouched down to set up the photo!

    PaiseyJade: Wow, I'll pass on your declarations of love to Squire too :D Nice squirrels don't always finish last, it seems!

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  7. He is absolutely amazing. Though I cannot wait to see how the wee piggie turns out! I love, love, love your creations!

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  8. You've done it AGAIN!!! LOVE Squire! He's cute enough to eat:)

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  9. oh my gosh~ i'm totally jealous. how insanely precious!!!!

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  10. Kathryn: Thanks so much! That piggie promises to reveal a surprising back story ;)

    Miss Julep: Thanks! Squirrel Kabobs? ;)

    Oanhderbread: Thank you! I'll send Squire to bring you an acorn too hehe

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  11. You captured his personality wonderfully! That's a tricky transition from fridge art to crochet - I wonder who you'll do next?

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  12. Oooooh! Trickery with that jumping pic! Love it, can't wait to see the rest!

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  13. Louise: Thanks! It's fun to see those fridge critters as 3D objects after seeing them flat for so long :) I'm going to present the critters from left to right in each row, so it's the blue bird next!

    Vicki: hehe You have sharp eyes! Yes, the trickery involves fading the clear beading wire that was tied from Squire's head to an angled wooden dowel above. I'll use the same technique for the floating duckee and mid-air shark! :)

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  14. I just ran across your blog the other day . . TOTALLY lovin' it! You are so creative and funny to boot! Way to make crocheting cool again!!

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  15. Sarea: I'm glad you found your way here! Thanks for the kind words :) There are so many inspiring crocheters online, and I'm trying to keep up with their coolness! I love how you incorporate crochet with the active, outdoor adventures on your blog :)

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  16. So sad that he's allergic to acorns. Good thing his allergy is not like standard human nut allergies. Otherwise the grinding of the paste for Gamma would be oh so deadly. He's very lucky to be a squirrel indeed!

    How would one make amiguri? I can knit and crochet... but alas.... nothing cute and fun as this.

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  17. ollie: Yes, it's sad that he can't eat acorns, but his Gamma is grateful for his acorn-mashing service :D Before you mentioned it, I didn't know that peanut dust was so dangerous to humans with nut allergies!

    When I was learning to make amigurumi, I watched a lot of youtube videos. With your crochet & knitting experience, you'd pick it up quick! If you do make some critters, I hope you post their photos online :)

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  18. the squirrel is so adorable. Howie, u really never ever stop surprising me. It's always so much fun to read your blog. Thanks for making my day a more cheerful ones.

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  19. Nesa: I'm so glad to hear that I can make your day more cheerful :) You made my day with your message, thanks!

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  20. I can't believe how cute he is!!
    I'm in love with Squire

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  21. Squire is the most charming and heartwarming squirrel ever!!! I love his caring and charitable ways!!

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  22. Hey! Is that a black squirrel posing with wee Squire there? I was just reading about these things on Neatorama (this comment thing won't let me post a link, oh well.) Apparently 1 in 10,000 squirrels in the US & Canada is black. Dunno what the statistics are on crochet squirrel sightings, though . . . I imagine they're much rarer. :)

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  23. DannyFlo: Your kinds words to Squire will make him blush more and collect acorns faster! :D

    tadasrevolution: Yes, Squire is the only squirrel I know who collects acorns for other squirrels! I wonder if mommy squirrels do the same for their babies?

    JenGoPop: I googled "black squirrel stanley park vancouver", and found out that black squirrels were introduced to this park around 1909 as a gift from the New York City Parks Department. They're spotted often in Vancouver, and I didn't know they were so rare until you mentioned it, thanks!

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  24. I have never seen a black squirrel before this morning *grin* thank you for the introduction - yet another marvel of nature!
    You have really done a great job on your amis. I just stumbled onto your blog this morning - lazy rainy Sunday morning in which I should be hookin instead of surfin'
    I have already bookmarked your blog and intend to check back for updates on the little critter gang :)
    Ciao

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  25. K4TT: I'm rediscovering the marvel of black squirrels now too! That squirrel was a good sport to have his photo taken ;)

    Thanks for writing, I'm glad you found this blog! I'm enjoying your blog as well, which beautifully ties your personal stories with your amazing amis! Yarn + daily life can be a great combo :D

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  26. Looks great! I do the same thing, but I sketch my animals before making them. I can't wait to see the rest of your animals!

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  27. just found your blog and looove it. you´re a genius.:) i have to say that i especially love squire. such a nice kid.^^

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  28. Wow, your work is amazing! I'm totally in love with Squire <3

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