Meet the Otis Giraffe CAL Contestants!

Submissions for the Otis Giraffe CAL are over, the judges have scored each of these contestants and I introduced them to you yesterday. Now, it's time to meet the contestants!

Learn a little bit about each of their giraffe projects, like their choice of yarn, what inspired them, and whether they followed the traditional or recommended route. Plus, read what each of them thought of the Otis Giraffe crochet pattern and accompanying video tutorials too...

All of these contestants are in the running to win one of these incredible prize packages!

•  1ST PLACE = 31 patterns + 1 magazine issue from all 14 crochet business sponsors.
•  2ND PLACE = 22 patterns + 1 magazine issue.from 10 crochet business sponsors.
•  3RD PLACE =16 patterns from 8 crochet business sponsors.

You can help them win by casting up to 3 votes DAILY from June 12th - 26th, 2017. Popular voting counts for one-third of each contestant's score. So, check back each day to cast your votes again!

VOTE HERE!

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Let's Meet the Otis Giraffe Contestants!

Again, the judges' final scores for these contestants are not being revealed - only the winners' official scores will be shared at the end of the contest. That said, I will reveal here the HIGHEST individual judge's score given to each contestant.

Keep in mind, just because you have one really high score from one judge, doesn't mean you have the best overall score. The reverse is true as well. All of you did very well! ?

If you'd like to learn more about how these contestants were judged and who did the judging, be sure to visit the Meet the Judges post (I'll leave a link at the bottom of this post too).

Scroll through this post to see a specific contestant (*Contestants are listed by their entry number. This is also how they all appear in the voting poll with their giraffe pictures):

1. Contestant-001 ~ Luka Giraffe by Mary Ely
2. Contestant-002 ~ Otis Giraffe by Kezz Harding
3. Contestant-003 ~ Otis Giraffe by Winnie
4. Contestant-004 ~ Otis Giraffe by Kusum Kishore Khivesra
5. Contestant-005 ~ Meet Tilly Giraffe by Anjana Bhatia
6. Contestant-006 ~ Otis Giraffe by Lindsay Shatto
7. Contestant-007 ~ Otis Giraffe by Val
8. Contestant-008 ~ Otis Giraffe by Cathy Sommer
9. Contestant-009 ~ Flora Giraffe by Kristina Kousgaard
10. Contestant-010 ~ Otis & Ollie Giraffes by Marilyn Liversuch
11. Contestant-011 ~ Oliver Giraffe by Valerie Trozelle Abel
12. Contestant-012 ~ Otis Giraffe by Claire Sutcliffe
13. Contestant-013 ~ Cocoa Limoncello Giraffe by Rachel Ballew

*Clicking on the pictures below will enlarge them for closer viewing on desktops. If on a mobile device, press you index & thumb fingers to the screen and spread them apart to expand the image.

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Contestant-001 ~ Luka Giraffe by Mary Ely

Highest Judge Score: 10

About Mary's Giraffe:
"She is my first crochet animal ever. I used DK machine washable acrylic yarn with a 4mm crochet hook."

"She is a special gift for my grandson, Luka, who lives in Moscow, Russia. He loves all animals and wants to work with them when he grows up"

Mary's Pattern Review:
​"I found this a brilliantly written pattern. The instructions were really easy to follow. I watched the videos and found them to be tremendously helpful."

VOTE for Mary's Luka Giraffe - Search for picture-01 & vote for Contestant-001! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-002 ~ Otis Giraffe by Kezz Harding

Highest Judge Score: 9

About Kezz's Giraffe:
​"I made my Otis the traditional way so I can place dots were I like to."

"I made him for my 4 year old who loves blue."

Kezz's Pattern Review:
​"I didn't need video help because it was well written ty." 

VOTE for Kezz's Otis Giraffe - Search for picture-02 & vote for Contestant-002! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-003 ~ Otis Giraffe by Winnie

Highest Judge Score: 10
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​About Winnie's Giraffe:
"He´s made of 100% cotton, and he's mine so my grandchildren can play with him here."

​Winnie's Pattern Review:
​"I love to do CAL and we can learn from it this one was great because you didn't have to sew so much. I used the video to the spots and it was very helpful."

"Again will I say thank you very much for a great CAL"

​

VOTE for Winnie's Otis Giraffe - Search for picture-03 & vote for Contestant-003! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-004 ~ Otis Giraffe by Kusum Kishore Khivesra

Highest Judge Score: 8

About Kusum's Giraffe:
​​"I did this Otis with spun polyester thread."

​Kusum's Pattern Review:
​"The pattern is very easy, and video tutorial  is very helpful as I have did this amigurumi first time. I enjoyed a lot in doing this Otis."

VOTE for Kusum's Otis Giraffe - Search for picture-04 & vote for Contestant-004! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-005 ~ Meet Tilly Giraffe by Anjana Bhatia

Highest Judge Score: 8

​About Anjana's Giraffe:
​"I have used acrylic for the Giraffe."

"Mostly I have used the traditional method. Only for the head, I have used recommended route. I just feel that traditional method is faster to work with." 

"I love working with amigurumi. Though I have been working a lot with amigurumi, I am still learning to work with animals. This will be gifted to my grand niece."

​​Anjana's Pattern Review:
​"I loved working on this CAL. The instructions were so simple to follow. When I was following the traditional method, I did not refer to the videos. The recommended route was a bit challenging, hence I used video tutorials for the head.  Like the written instructions, they were simple and easy to follow."

VOTE for Anjana's Meet Tilly Giraffe - Search for picture-05 & vote for Contestant-005! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-006 ~ Otis Giraffe by Lindsay Shatto

Highest Judge Score: 10
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​About Lindsay's Giraffe:
​"Otis was not my first amigurumi, but the first that I actually started playing around with the details! Using different textured yarn and playing around with the eyes was a fun experience and I love how he turned out. Plus, he looks great in his glamour shots!"

​Lindsay's Pattern Review:
​"I loved how detailed the pattern was, and that it was easy to follow. Rebeckah was great with helping anybody with questions and is always giving positive feedback. The live q&a sessions were fun and it was a great opportunity for anyone to ask questions." 

VOTE for Lindsay's Otis Giraffe - Search for picture-06 & vote for Contestant-006! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-007 ~ Otis Giraffe by Val

Highest Judge Score: 8

​About Val's Giraffe:
​"This was my first CAL and I didn't know what that meant, now I do. Since I am new to crochet I bought Bernat Handycrafter yarn, so if I couldn't crochet him, I wouldn't be out too much money." ?

"I followed the recommended route as I didn't know how to do the traditional, and it looked like a lot of sewing."

"I crochet Otis because I thought he looked so cute and I wanted to try to do an amigurumi. Otis has already gone to his new home."

​Val's Pattern Review:
​"I loved crocheting Otis. There was some frustrating times when I was ripping out rows and trying to figure out how to read the pattern, but the videos always answered my questions and got me through. They were really well done. The only time it was hard was when the picture was very high on the screen and you couldn't quite see the stitches. But, I managed to figure it out. I needed the videos to help explain the written pattern."

"This was a Fun and Fast project. I am definitely going to crochet some more."

"Thank you for all your help and encouragement."

VOTE for Val's Otis Giraffe - Search for picture-07 & vote for Contestant-007! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-008 ~ Otis Giraffe by Cathy Sommer

Highest Judge Score: 8

​About Cathy's Giraffe:
"​I made my Otis using Stylecraft Special DK yarn - using two colours from my stash. I wanted my giraffe to look natural on this occasion. I decided to use safety eyes for Otis too - again to create a more natural look."

​​Cathy's Pattern Review:
​"This was my first amigurumi project and I loved it!! I have also received some really great comments from my family and friends who have seen Otis up close!"

"The pattern was extremely easy to follow, but having the added bonus of a video to follow was even better!"

"I fully intend to make at least one more giraffe - using rainbow colours - and I now have the confidence to develop my amigurumi skills and work on other projects like this! So thank you Rebeckah xx"

VOTE for Cathy's Otis Giraffe - Search for picture-08 & vote for Contestant-008! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-009 ~ Flora Giraffe by Kristina Kousgaard

Highest Judge Score: 9

​About Kristina's Giraffe:
​​"I have made many amigurumis. I thought it was fun and relaxing with these projects. I was very exciting with this new way of joining things together gradually, and I would of course try it out. As a starting point, I used the written pattern but had to use the videos a few times, which was a great help."

"What challenged me the most was that the pattern categorized the right side, where I normally have it as the wrong side. So in relation to how the spots were crocheted, I had to think backwards - but I thought it was okay anyway. When I was halfway with my head, I discovered that one horn had not gone far enough - no one is perfect and neither is my Flora (Otis) : o)"

"My inspiration for the colors has probably been my new little niece, Stella, from February - a much wished for child who has finally been born after 4 years of trying."

"I like to use 100% cotton for my crochet projects especially when it's for baby toys, because it needs to be washed at 60 degrees. My Flora (Otis) is about 28 cm high, in the colors is pale pink, dark pink and dark purple "

About Kristina's Giraffe in Her Native Tongue:
​"Jeg har lavet mange amigurumis. Jeg syntes det er sjovt og afslappende med disse projekter. Det lød rigtig spændende med denne nye måde at hækle tingende sammen efterhånden, og det skulle jeg selvfølgelig prøve af. Som udgangspunkt brugte jeg den skriftlige opskrift, men måtte et par gange benytte mig af dine video'er som var en rigtig god hjælp."

"Det der udfordrede mig mest var at det opskriften kategorisere som forside plejer at være min bagside, så i forhold til hvordan pletterne skulle hækles på måtte jeg tænke spejlvendt - men jeg syntes det blev okay alligevel. Da jeg var halvvejs med hovedet opdagede jeg at det ene horn ikke var blevet langt nok - ingen er perfekt og det er min Flora (Otis) heller ikke :o)"

"Min inspiration til farverne har nok været min lille ny niece Stella fra februar - ønskebarn som har været 4 år undervejs med lægers hjælp."

"Jeg ynder at bruge 100% cotton til mine hækleprojekter især når det er til babylegetøj, for det skal kunne vaskes ved 60 grader. Min Flora (Otis) er omkring 28 cm høj, er i farverne sart rosa, mørk rosa og mørk lilla"

​Kristina's Pattern Review:
"This is the first time I have participated in a CAL through Rebeckah's Treasures, and I will definitely do it again if I get the time (I'm finishing my education). It has been fun and challenging even though I have been crochet through 20 years and I can certainly see the trick in crocheting the spots as the project takes shape. I would also like to use the new method next time I crochet a project with spots."

In Kristina's Review in Her Native Tongue:
​"Det er første gang jeg har deltaget i en CAL gennem Rebeckahs Treasures, og jeg vil helt sikkert gøre det igen hvis jeg får tiden (jeg er ved at afslutte min uddannelse). Det har været sjovt og udfordrende selvom jeg har hæklet gennem 20 år, og jeg kan helt sikkert se fidusen i at hækle pletterne på efterhånden som projektet tager form. Jeg vil også sagtens kunne finde på at gøre brug af den nye metode næste gang jeg hækler et projekt med pletter."

VOTE for Kristina's Flora Giraffe - Search for picture-09 & vote for Contestant-009! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-010 ~ Otis & Ollie Giraffes by Marilyn Liversuch

Highest Judge Score: 9

​About Marilyn's Giraffes:
​"I used Red Heart super saver and 5mm hook and was inspired by April the giraffe. that is why I did the baby giraffe. I used the traditional way and all the videos which I felt very comfortable keeping up with it."

Marilyn's Pattern Review:
​​"The best CAL I have ever entered and appreciate all the time put into this from you the designer and myself. TY for sharing."

VOTE for Marilyn's Otis & Ollie Giraffes - Search for picture-10 & vote for Contestant-010! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-011 ~ Oliver Giraffe by Valerie Trozelle Abel

Highest Judge Score: 10

About Valerie's Giraffe:
"​Materials: #10 crochet thread/1.50 hook. I chose four colors (orange, tan, black, off white) for the body and turquoise blue eyes. This is my second amigurumi since Goldfishy was my first."

Goldfishy is an amigurumi crochet pattern in my shop! Valerie was one of my testers for it. See it here...

Valerie's Pattern Review:
​"I greatly enjoyed making Otis Giraffe CAL and learned so much more from your video tutorials. They surely are most helpful. I love the way how we add spots as we crochet along instead of sewing them on later. I prefer attaching, carrying thread/yarn through stitches while crocheting and try to avoid as much weaving in at the end of projects."

"For this Otis Giraffe, I wanted to change the design a little such as longer neck, longer face with marking from muzzle up to top of head, bigger ears, and add mane."

"I hope we will have more CAL with you. Thank you so much Rebeckah for all your dedication, hard work, great ideas, and help to us."

VOTE for Valerie's Oliver Giraffe - Search for picture-11 & vote for Contestant-011! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-012 ~ Otis Giraffe by Claire Sutcliffe

Highest Judge Score: 8

​About Claire's Giraffe:
​"I used aran cotton which I had bought whilst on holiday in Spain. It means my giraffe is a bit larger and is very sturdy but just how my son wanted him."

"I used the join as you go method for the spots. It was my first time using this method but it worked so well."

​​Claire's Pattern Review:
​"I loved making and following this pattern and will certainly make Otis a friend in the future."​

VOTE for Claire's Otis Giraffe - Search for picture-12 & vote for Contestant-012! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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Contestant-013 ~ Cocoa Limoncello Giraffe by Rachel Ballew

Highest Judge Score: 9

​About Rachel's Giraffe:
"I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn in colors Platoon, Cafe Latte, and Bright Yellow. I wanted to make the colors opposite than what giraffes are more like."

​"I followed the traditional route for making the giraffe. I changed the last round of the nose by omitting the last round and doing an extra round of the the previous step. I added a couple more rounds in the neck to make it a longer. I also changed up the tail as well by making it a little longer and made up the end so it's more of a ball with a pointed tip."

Rachel's Pattern Review:
​"I really enjoyed this pattern! I love that there is a ton of explanations, pictures, and videos to help you out. I also love the option to connect the pieces as you go or you can connect them all in the end."

VOTE for Rachel's Cocoa Limoncello Giraffe - Search for picture-13 & vote for Contestant-013! *Contestants will appear in a random order each time you vote.

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What do you think? Aren't these entries outstanding?

Personally, I am really impressed by all of these fantastic projects and I just want to wish each contestant the very best in advance. Your work is so inspiring to see and I am truly honoured that you chose to participate in my Otis Giraffe CAL Contest with me this year.

Do you crochet Otis Giraffe? Share yours with us below!

Plus, be sure to meet our 11 incredible judges too. Get to know them all here...

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Would you like to crochet Otis Giraffe too?

Purchase the full, ad-free English PDF crochet pattern from my shop here, find the free CAL on my blog in 6 parts - 7 languages (see links below), or view the 11 video tutorials on my YouTube Channel here!

FREE CAL Links:

• Part 1 - Introduction
• Part 2 - Spots
• Part 3 - Limbs
• Part 4 - Body
• Part 5 - Facial Features
• Part 6 - Head & Finishings

As a thank you for your visit and support today, take 50% off your next order of $5 or more from my website and Ravelry shops this June!

Just add a pattern (priced at $5 or more) or several patterns (totaling $5 or more before discount) to your cart AND use this code ( OTIS50 ) before you checkout.

TIP: If you get to PayPal checkout without the discount applied, you've gone to far.

*This code is valid for multiple uses and will expire at the end of the day EST on June 30, 2017.

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REMEMBER to check in every day from June 12th-26th, 2017 to CAST YOUR VOTES!!!

​Help your favourite contestants have an incredible summer...

VOTE for your FAVES!