5 Little Monsters: 2023

Top 20 Posts of 2023


At the end of each year I like to look back at the top posts of the year, to see what did well, and also to look back and remember the things I have made throughout the year. I started out doing the top whatever the last 2 numbers in the year, like the top 16 of 2016, but I decided to cap it at 20. So the past few years, since 2020, I have done a top 20. These are my most popular posts that were new posts shared this year, so if an old post from a few years ago does really well that is awesome, but it is not included in this list. Also, I only included actual project/pattern posts so things like crochet along announcement/landing pages are not included in the list. 

Heart Potholders

 -This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. Fabric used in this project provided by Missouri Star Quilt Company.- 


With less than 2 weeks to Christmas I have been trying to come up with some quick projects that could be used as Christmas gifts, and that is how today's post came to be. These heart shaped potholders are quick to make, and also would make a good gift for any bakers in your life. 

Oh Holy Night Sign

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Today I have another quick Christmas decoration made with my Cricut. I love Nativities, they are one of my favorite Christmas decorations. I actually had a different design planned for this little sign, but when I opened up Cricut Design Space to make it I saw this little Oh Holy Night design with the Nativity silhouette and I decided to change direction. 

Alternating Loops Dishcloth

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It has been a while since I have shared a dishcloth pattern. I know I say this every time I do share a dishcloth pattern, but they are such a great way to try new stitches and play around with the different textures you can create with crochet. Plus, they are an easy way to add a little something handmade to a gift. Pair a dishcloth with some kitchen items, a cute dish, some kitchen utensils, etc. Or use it as a washcloth and pair it with some body care items, nice smelling soap or lotion, or something similar. 

Joy to the World Ornament Sign

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A few weeks ago I was at Michael's picking up some supplies I needed for a project and I was browsing through the Christmas craft stuff, not really intending to buy anything, but I saw these chunky unfinished wood Christmas shapes that they had, and I thought they would make cute Christmas decor with a little bit of paint and vinyl, plus they happened to be on sale so I picked one up. 

Crocheted Snowman Bauble Head Ornament

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Today I am joining up with Team Creative Crafts and a bunch of other craft bloggers for another crafty collaboration. It has been a couple of months since I have been able to participate because I have been busy with other projects, so I wanted to make sure to join in this month with a Snowman project.  

Santa Bear- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 12

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


We have made it to the end of the Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. It is Day 12 and we are finishing up the crochet along with a little Santa, but to stick with the woodland theme this little Santa comes in the form of a bear.  

Small Skunk- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 11

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


It is Day 11, the second to last day, of the Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along and again we have a little forest animal, this time a Small Skunk. 

Bitty Beaver- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 10

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Today is Day 10 of the Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along and today's little wintery woodland animal is Bitty Beaver.

Radiant Raccoon- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 9

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


It is Day 9 of the Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along, three-quarters of the way through. Today's little woodland creature is a tiny Radiant Raccoon shining bright with a little string of Christmas lights.

Jolly Holly- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 8

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


It is Day 8 of the Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along and this is the last non-animal included in the set. Today we have a jolly little holly.

Delightful Deer- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 7

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Today we start the second and final week of the Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along with Day 7. Today adds another little animal to the set, a cute little deer.  

Wintry Robin- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 6

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Today is Day 6 of the Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along which means we are halfway done. Just a quick reminder that there will not be a new pattern released tomorrow, on Sunday, the next pattern will be released Monday 11/27. Today we are adding a little bird to the set, the Wintry Robin.  

Tiny Acorn- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 5

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


It is Day 5 of the Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. Although the majority of the patterns in this series will be animals, today's pattern is another of the nature type elements to go along with the mushroom from a couple of days ago. This time it is a Tiny Acorn.

Festive Fox- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 4

-This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.- 

*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


It is Day 4 of the Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along and today we have another little animal.  This little Festive Fox has a little scarf to keep him warm, and a tiny Christmas Tree. 

Mini Mushroom- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 3

 -This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.- 

*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Today is Day 3 of the Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. The past two days I have had little animals, but I also wanted to include a few other woodsy elements that were not animals. So today's pattern is a little mini mushroom. 

Merry Mouse- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 2

 -This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.- 

*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


It is day 2 of the Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. The pattern today is another little animal, this time a tiny mouse, but instead of wearing something this little mouse is peeking out of a Christmas stocking. 

Little Lop Bunny- Woodland Christmas Crochet Along Day 1

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Today is the day! The first day of the last Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along of the year. The theme of this final crochet along of the year is Woodland Christmas. When I thought of this theme I mostly pictured little forest animals dressed in hats and scarves and other winter clothes, along with some other nature and Christmas elements. So to start off the crochet along we have a little Lop-Eared Bunny wearing a tiny beanie with a pom-pom on top. 

Easy Crocheted Napkin Rings

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Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It always feels like November just flies by. It seems like Halloween was just yesterday and now we are halfway through November. It doesn't help that Thanksgiving is pretty early this year. I thought it would fun to share a super quick project that you could make for Thanksgiving, but it would work for any other time too. 

Woodland Christmas Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry

It is time again for another Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along, the fourth and final one of the year. This time the theme will be Woodland Christmas, and just like the last three it will have 12 mini Amigurumi designs released over the course of of 2 weeks. 

Mini Twist Crocheted Hat

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Now that it is November I feel like the temperatures are finally starting to cool down enough that it is almost time to pull out the winter hats, and coats, and scarves. The last couple of weeks we have had days where it feels like you need to bundle up in the morning because it is freezing, but by a few hours later you are ripping off layers because it has warmed up so much, so it has been more sweatshirts and hoodies  rather than full winter get-up, but it will be here we know it. 

Little Ghost Pillows

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Normally I am not super into Halloween, especially decorations. I don't love gory or scary stuff, so Halloween was never my favorite holiday. At least beyond dressing up kids to go trick or treating. But for some reason this year I have been more into Halloween decor. Maybe it is because the time I spent making all my little Halloween amigurumi but me in more of a Halloween mood. Whatever the reason, I have been enjoying making some Halloween projects lately. 

Reversible Half Square Triangle Table Runner

 -This post may contain affiliate links, fabric for this project provided by Missouri Star Quilt Company-


Lately I have been working on some sewing projects and I have discovered a love of precuts. I never used to use them, I think it felt like I was getting so little fabric when it was cut into 5" squares, or 10" squares, or strips, or whatever. But it sure is convenient to have all of that cutting done for you, and you get a variety of coordinating fabrics since it is typically a whole line. It is such a great way to get the fabric you need for a project like this one made entirely of charm squares (plus the binding fabric). 

Bubbling Cauldron Repost

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


The Bubbling Cauldron was the Day 3 pattern from the Halloween Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. I have been having some website issues and this particular pattern was flagged and removed from my blog. I am in the process of trying to get it back up, and hopefully it will be soon, but in the meantime I know people have been trying to find the pattern and it is not there so I decided I would repost the pattern so that it is available somewhere while I try to get the issue figured out. 

Mini Frankenstein Monster- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 1

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Today is the final day of the Fall 2023 Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along, day 12. So far this Halloween themed crochet along has included a pumpkin, a ghost, a bubbling cauldron, a mummy, a candy corn, a bottle of potion, a little bat, a witch, a spider, a vampire, and a caramel apple. For the final pattern in the set we are adding a little Frankenstein Mini Monster. 

Caramel Apple- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 11

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Today is the second to last day of the Halloween themed mini amigurumi crochet along, day 11. Today's little amigurumi is a little less Halloween-y than most of the others in the set, but something I sort of associate with fall and halloween time, a a sweet little Caramel Apple. 

Tiny Vampire- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 10

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Today is day 10 of the Halloween themed Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along, and today we are adding a Tiny Vampire to the collection. 

Spooky Spider- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 9

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Today is Day 9 of the Halloween themed Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along, three-quarters of the way through. Only 3 more designs to go. Today's pattern is a Spooky Spider. 

Wee Witch- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 8

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Day 8 of the Halloween themed Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along, and no Halloween themed set would be complete without including a little witch, so today's pattern is the Wee Witch. 

Bitty Bat- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 7

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Week 2 of the Halloween Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along is starting today with Day 7 and a little Bitty Bat. 

Petite Potion- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 6

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


We have reached the halfway point in the Halloween crochet along with Day 6 today. Just a reminder that there will be no new pattern released tomorrow, Day 7 will be released on Monday. But back to today, the pattern for today is a little bottle of potion. 

Cute Candy Corn- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 5

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Today is Day 5 of the Fall 2023 Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. It is crazy that tomorrow will already be halfway through. Today's Halloween amigurumi is a Cute Candy Corn. 

Mini Mummy- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 4

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


We are on Day 4 of the Fall 2023 Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. So far we have a pumpkin, a ghost, a cauldron, and today we are adding a little Mini Mummy.

Bubbling Cauldron- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 3

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Three days in means we are already a quarter of the way done. Day 3 is a little cauldron filled with a bubbling brew. When I was trying to decide on a name for this pattern the only C word I could think of that kind of fit the halloween theme was creepy, and Creepy Cauldron just didn't quite seem to fit with the cute smiley face, so I just went with Bubbling Cauldron 

Gleeful Ghost- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 2

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Today is Day 2 of the Fall 2023 Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. Yesterday started off the crochet along with a little pumpkin, and today a a little Gleeful Ghost is joining the group.

Pint-Sized Pumpkin- Fall Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 1

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*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


I have been looking forward to today for a while, it is Day 1 of the Fall 2023 Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. This is my third Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along of the Year. First we had Spring version which which was a farm animal theme. Then the Summer version with a camping theme, and now the fall version which is a Halloween theme. 

Plush Pumpkins

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*Purchase an ad-free version of this pattern on Etsy or Ravelry


Today I am joining up with Team Creative Crafts and a bunch of other craft bloggers for another crafty collaboration. The theme this month- Pumpkins! 

Halloween Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along

*Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


It is time for another Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along! It will be starting September 18th, 12 new patterns will be released over the course of 2 weeks. One new pattern each day Monday-Saturday, with the last pattern released on September 30th. 

Zoo Trip Baby Quilt

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I have always enjoyed making quilts even though I don't make them that often, but when I do baby quilts are my favorite to make. I think it is the smaller size that makes them less intimidating to me. Plus they are small enough that I can quilt them on my sewing machine, much bigger and they get hard to maneuver. 

Mini Crocheted Candy Cauldron

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*Purchase an ad-free version of this pattern on Etsy or Ravelry


Today I am joining Marie from Underground Crafter, and several other crochet bloggers in the 5th annual Halloween Crochet Along With CAL Central. Throughout this crochet along, which runs from August 21, 2023- September 28, 2023, a new halloween themed crochet pattern will be shared twice a week, each Monday and Thursday. And today is my turn!

Creamy Clusters Crocheted Dishcloth

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I haven't shared a dishcloth pattern for a while and I decided it was time. I have a few bigger projects coming up that I have been working on and I wanted to make something quick and easy and dishcloths seemed like the perfect thing. 

Fall is in the Air Sign

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I love fall, it is my favorite season. I love the colors of the season, the cooler temperatures, the leaves, the holidays, all of it. There is just something magical about fall. School has started up and even though it is still technically summer for a while and the temperatures still feel like summer, I am ready to start thinking about fall. 

Shark Pencil Bag

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It is time for another monthly collaboration with Team Creative Crafts. This month, being the month that the majority of students head back to school the theme is, you guessed it- Back to School. I haven't really done a lot of back to school crafting this year, but I knew exactly what I wanted to do because it has been on my to-do list for a couple of years. 

Mesh Market Bag

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I have been wanting to make another market bag for a while, they are an easy crochet project perfect for summer, and I have been making a lot of amigurumi lately so I wanted to switch it up a little bit and make something different. 

DnD Themed Baby Onesies

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My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first baby soon and they are both into a lot of geeky stuff, including Dungeons & Dragons. We had a little family baby shower last week and I was working on a gift that I realized wasn't going to get done in time, so at the last minute I decided to make some DnD themed onesies. We play in a little family group with them and my brother is the DM so I felt like it was a fitting gift to make.

Serenity Hat

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I am excited to be participating in the Christmas in July Make Along with Underground Crafter. I have participated in this make along for a few years now and it is a fun way to get a head start on Christmas crafting. I know I always wait too long to get started and never finish half of the projects I have planned. 

Bitty Backpack- Summer Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 12

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 *Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


It is Day 12, the final day of the Summer 2023 Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. I hope you have enjoyed joining me on this mini crocheted camping trip. 

Little Owl- Summer Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 11

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 *Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


Day 11 of the Summer 2023 Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along, only one more day left after today. I know there is already a bird included in the crochet along with the eagle on day 5, but today is another member of the bird family, a little owl. 

Cozy Campfire- Summer Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 10

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 *Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


It is Day 10 of the Summer 2023 Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. Today's mini amigurumi is one that has been asked about a few times, some of you have wondered if it would be included- a cozy little campfire. 

Mini Moose- Summer Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along Day 9

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 *Ebook with all 12 patterns included available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry


We are all the way to Day 9 of the Summer 2023 Mini Amigurumi Crochet Along. Three-quarters of the way through already, only 3 more days to go. Today we have another animal amigurumi, this one is a mini moose.