What does this need

[Tampa Doll]

I have been crocheting things for my tree for October. You know, ghost, pumpkins and spider webs. Well I have come across a problem.

 

One spider is ok, but hurts the wrist making and takes a couple of days to make. The other looks like a squished octopus.

 

What can I do to make the squished one look better?

 

Speedy Spider Jr and Friends

[darski]

You will want to point 3 legs from each side to face the front rather than all going 'round and 'round.

 

I would also start with a ball shape and then add the legs,

[Tampa Doll]

Thanks I will try both. Believe it or not, but this is the way the pattern tells you to make them, but they just did not look right.

I knew I could count on you all.

[Granny Square]

Question: did you arrange the legs that way or is that the way they 'wanted' to curl? I agree they should be facing front.

 

If the legs are curling on there own that way...

 

A few years ago I made this silly spider to wear to work on Halloween

http://crochet.about.com/library/nspider5.htm

 

The legs were curling on their own. I ended up amending the the pattern on 1 side to work them in the opposite direction. In my case my slsts were tighter than my chains, so they were curling toward the slsts; so I made sure the slsts were all facing front. I'm not sure if this would help in your pattern but it's just a thought.

 

Also...if the body is flat, and the pattern allows, you could make a 'belly' piece smaller than the spider body top, sew to the edges of the top and stuff a little. This would pull the legs under the body a bit (it will be hanging, right?), and give the body some dimension.

[chrissyf]

I have a great idea...crochet the body then shove black pipe cleaners through it to make the legs...you have to crochet a little less and then can bend the legs whatever way you want

[knit knackack]

I have a spider pattern on my blog:

 

http://thekansashooker.blogspot.com/2008/09/free-spider-pattern.html

 

I think he's cute with his curly Q legs... super simple and in one piece then add legs.

[darski]

I have a spider pattern on my blog:

 

http://thekansashooker.blogspot.com/2008/09/free-spider-pattern.html

 

I think he's cute with his curly Q legs... super simple and in one piece then add legs.

 

I don't do spider-y things (can we spell phobia? ) but your little guy is really cute.

[Tampa Doll]

Oh man, this is great. I thought about doing the pipecleaners. I think the main problem is there is no head.

The legs curl that way on their own. They are all evenly spaced around the body, so I think that is part of the problem.

I really appreciate the patterns. I will be printing them later.

Yes, they will be hanging from the tree. I have spider webs that I crocheted earlier to go on also.

I knew I could count on you guys and I really, really, appreciate all this advice.