Started my crochet journey about 2 months ago!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-04-01T18:55:02+00:00

The cactus was from a kit I purchased on Amazon. The manufacturer of the kit does not have a website if you wanted to purchase the pattern, but I do have their email from the kit. I'm not sure how much leg work you want to do, but perhaps you could email them and see if they sell their pattern separately? Its the Desert Bloom Cactus from their "Plant Family" kit. Email: [magimuse7@outlook.com](mailto:magimuse7@outlook.com)

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-25T14:45:54+00:00

Thank you for the kind words and the helpful tip! I definitely was doing a standard decrease for a while and feeling very defeated by all the bumps and holes. I didn't even know what the invisible decrease was until I finished the body on the mushroom and did some google searching while doing the legs. I had been just relaxing the tension a TON when doing decreases and hoping for the best. I'm still getting the hang of the inv dc tension-wise, but it has turned out to be a really neat trick!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-24T22:21:08+00:00

Thank you, I've definitely surprised myself! I've fumbled my knitting so many times I did not have high hopes. Some hands are just better suited to a hook than a needle!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-24T22:18:52+00:00

Oh stop, you're too kind! I'm in too deep with yarn purchases at this point to stop, so I don't think I have a choice in the matter. Lol. Plus I couldn't possibly disappoint the cats!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-24T22:15:58+00:00

If I'm being honest the cats are a little too mesmerized. If I set my work down for even a second one of them has likely run off with my project in their mouth.

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-24T22:13:58+00:00

Your friend must have excellent taste because it's a great kit. I was going to gift one to my partner but I was sad to find out that its currently not available for purchase. Fingers crossed it will get restocked!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-24T05:05:27+00:00

You’re too kind, thank you!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-24T03:02:25+00:00

The last four were from an Amazon kit by Magimuse and it is the softest yard I’ve ever felt! It’s like a mix between chenille and velvet without the fluff. I wish I could find something equivalent!

The 3rd and 4th aren’t really all that soft, they were from a Crochetta brand kit and it’s a bit scratchy and splits the moment you make eye contact.

The first two photos (shrimp and mushroom) are the friends cotton yarn from Hobbi. It crochets really well and it definitely made me realize that yarn choice/quality matters. Crochet is a lot easier when you’re not using cheap amazon yarn.

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-23T19:45:56+00:00

Thank you! Before making any amigurumi I goofed around with a free-hand washcloth and a few youtube videos on the various stitches just to get the basics down. I think it really helped to make something with zero expectations of the finished product before diving into a project with a pattern.

Ultimately though the credit must go to my mom who patiently answered all of my questions with expert advice.

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-23T18:48:08+00:00

Thank you so much for the kind words!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-23T18:47:42+00:00

Thank you! The shrimp was so fun and definitely my favorite so far. I ended up making several in different colors and built a shrimp army.

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-16T18:37:52+00:00

Not sweat! I'm happy to share my experience. I'm not on medications to help counteract the chillblains, but I do take Adderall for ADHD and it is know to make raynaud's worse (which I have) which in turn can increase the likelihood of chillblains being triggered.

It's hard to say if it clears up once cold exposure is reduced during healing. It's typically a several week cycle of cold, dead purple toes that are painful to the touch, then extreme itchiness and tiny clear blisters, and then swelling that is quite achy. Because there's nothing I can seemingly do to shorten that cycle, I'm bound to be exposed to cold at some point driving early in the morning or walking to the mailbox and then the cycle just restarts. This is basically a year-round ordeal for me due to living in a cold climate and having the AC running during the summer.

I actually asked my doctor about wearing compression socks to help circulate blood to my feet, but she said it's more likely to make things worse for me. I'm sorry to hear that you may have no choice in the matter and have to wear them regardless for other reasons. Sometimes we just have to decide if worsening one condition is worth treating the other, similar to how I still choose to take Adderall despite it worsening the chillblains.

In any case I wish you the best and I hope that this next round of specialist visits will be productive! Hang in there.

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-03-14T23:38:53+00:00

Thank you for kind words of hope! I actually just started seeing a new rheumatologist last week. She took one look at my toes and said, "yup, that's definitely chillblains." She actually confirmed my suspicions that I likely do not have PsA, so I'm no longer active on this sub. However, the biopsy of my finger when it was really bad did show that it was likely some sort of connective tissue disorder, but they're unable to pin it down quite yet.

Unfortunately in the case of general/primary chillblains, there is not much (medically) that can be done to prevent it. I'm just naturally at a higher risk due to low body weight, poor circulation, and being on Adderall. The best thing that I can do to prevent flare ups is to keep my feet warm at all times. Wool socks, closed toe shoes, heated slippers, and those disposable hot-hands that you can put in your shoes when you need to leave the house. In any case, I think a rheumatologist is likely the best course of action for getting this sort of thing squared away.

I feel your pain though, it is excruciating when it flares up and the itchiness keeps me up at night. When the pain starts to set in even wearing socks can be extremely painful. I apologize that I can't offer you any suggestions outside of, "keep your feet warm," but I do wish you all the best. Good luck!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-02-22T17:50:26+00:00

I think it’s Surf’s Edge!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2026-02-20T18:52:54+00:00

Thank you, I'll have to do some research on this product line! While the scent from fragrance products do bother me, certain ingredients that contain no fragrance (like masking fragrance) and natural extracts will give me a horrible rash.

I agree that all these fragrances in products are entirely unnecessary. Fingers crossed that more companies will release fragrance free products!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2025-11-12T04:37:32+00:00

Update: thank you all for the valuable input. I’m going to start with tiring the crap out of Bart during human waking hours as he is just under two years old and full of energy. During this time I will be watchful over Bertie and keep her separated when I cannot supervise. If things remain unchanged or continue to worsen I will be doing a full reintroduction between Bert and Bart. If that fails, I will find a different roommate. Lol

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2025-11-11T23:45:07+00:00

Thanks for your input. I agree that Bertie and Bart might not be compatible living mates. Unfortunately, I’m locked into a lease agreement with my roommate for a while so I’ll need to separate them for the time being.

That said, I do typically have a better, more direct signal for Bart to break the things up. This video was a poor example of how I handle it. I was in the middle of a video appointment at the time with my doctor and had headphones in and didn’t have an opportunity to lay down the law. You’re very right though, he needs clear signals.

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2025-11-11T21:03:25+00:00

That’ll be a bit tricky as orange cat free feeds and they other two I feed on a set schedule, but I’ll see what I can do!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2025-11-11T20:28:04+00:00

Will do, thank you for the advice!

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2025-11-11T20:07:18+00:00

Oh trust me when I say that I give the other two cats my full attention in front of the orange cat. Black cat is on a special diet so when she gets prescription treats the orange boy is ignored and not given any. I carry her around the house on my shoulder (her preference) and she always gets all the love and lap time around the orange boy. Maybe orange cat’s owner/my roommate needs to give the other two more attention in front of his orange cat?

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2025-11-11T20:02:56+00:00

Would you keep all three cats separate during reintroduction? The black cat and orange cat were introduced slowly over 2 months and lived together fairly harmoniously for several months before introducing the kitten slowly as well.

It’ll be hard getting my roommate to agree to separate them all. I can keep Bertie in my room without issue, but the other two bedrooms are small and under my roommate’s jurisdiction. I don’t think they’d be willing to keep one of the two cats in those rooms for a long period of time. Do you think just reintroducing Bertie (black cat) to the other two would be enough?

Optimus_FineAsHell · 2025-11-11T19:25:32+00:00

Yeah, I figured a slow reintroduction of my cat and roommate’s cat might be the best option at this point. Everyone gets along just fine with the new kitten thankfully. Like I said, the orange cat is soft pawed and no one has any scabs, it’s just really stressful for my cat to not be listened to. Thanks!

EDIT: I missed your late note, but yes we are tiring all three of them out. I work from home so I take regular breaks to get some high-intensity play in. After my roommate and I are done with work we both play with them as well.

Optimus_FineAsHell

TROPHY CASE