This is my youngest son and I used his passport photo (age 18 and which I love) as my starting point. I scanned the photo and then laid a digital wire frame over it. This gave me some ideas for the direction of the stitches.

I made a wire frame to start with but soon realised that I really didn’t need this. I progressed to a head shaped cushion and stretched the crocheted fabric over it. My starting point was the eyes and then I crocheted directly onto the piece. Towards the end I had to sit him on my lap to work and he enjoyed watching the television as I worked.

I had a real problem making the lips. These are knitted and I made at least 6 pairs! I am not really happy with these but they were my best effort at the time as I needed to finish by February 14. I will re-think these at some point.

The last photo shows Thomas (now age 24) holding his head. He did like it but it seems that he always looks like this for photos (except passport ones!) Why do boys take pictures with their phones and manage to include all the kitchen mess!