Saturday, August 11, 2012

little rabbit (finally) knitted


little rabbit knitted by the little spindle
little rabbit knitted, a photo by the little spindle on Flickr.
I finally finished the knitted rabbit for my friend HURRAH!
A baby was due and she needed some woolly gifts for the new arrival and his big sister (just in case she felt slightly left out).

I decided to use the beautiful patterns I bought from Mary Jane's TEAROOM (http://www.maryjanestearoom.com/). I am really happy with how she turned out as this was the biggest project I've undertaken so far. I just wish that after all the hard work that has gone into making her (I call her a 'her'...she's called Isabelle) I wish I could keep her [Isabelle] for myself.

Isabelle took me a couple of months from start to finish; every night after work sitting on the sofa ignoring my other half while I counted each stitch/row. I just hope the little girl appreciates this little (big) creation as much as I do. I think that the next time I decide to make anything like this it will have to be for myself because it was a bit of a wrench having to give her up!



Isabelle in her light purple and pastel green dress

I decided to go for quite light colours as it was for a little girl. And although it took me forever (I am not the quickest of knitters) I did find the pattern pretty easy to follow. I did wander slightly from the design, but only in the fact that I decided to give her little shoes instead of dancing slippers (which were taken from another of Mary-Jane's rabbit designs - *DAISY*) and I decided to leave off the frills on the ends of her sleeves and the tops of her socks - although if I'm being honest this was more to do with the fact that I was up against the clock, it didn't look to bad without these details and if I'm being even more honest, I didn't quite know what I was doing when it came to these little extras! I think this will be a case for my mum - to do a bit of teaching. I'm fine with the basics, but the extra little details and I get a bit confused and my knitting doesn't look quite right.



Isabelle and Walter lounging on the sofa



As you will notice, she has a friend (couldn't leave her by herself) - this is her younger brother Walter. I found him quite easy to knit, he must have taken at least a quarter of the time. (You can find this pattern for free on Ravelry - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/rabbit-and-bear). I accidentally did his ears wrong, but I think he worked out alright in the end.

Like I've already said - I'm so happy with the outcome and hopefully the new arrival and his big sister will be very happy with their new wooly friends.


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Monday, August 6, 2012

July

Well...July...what a month; it started off with torrential rain hammering down and flash flooding across the country, almost as if Noah was going to be needed yet again for his boat making services…and now we have glorious sunshine and I have stinging sunburn to prove that summer has finally arrived! (This is typical me though; I finally get the chance to get out and about to enjoy the unexpected sunshine and I get sun burnt! Ouch!) I was stupidly lulled in to a false sense of security as I hid behind the washing, hanging up to dry on the line. Yep the sun still found me.!!!

One thing I did find out over this weekend though, was that I quite enjoy knitting outdoors (this was while I was hiding behind the washing) – I’ve never tried it before (blimey I sound as if I’m trying something almost death defying)…but it was nice feeling the cool breeze on your skin whilst knitting and purling away (even if I did get burnt whilst doing it). I did have to prepare my area though because just as I sat down to get started, my knitting pattern went flying across the garden and I ended up with cut grass sticking to my ball of wool and a fly or 2 in my pear cider! Anyway, apart from the added nutrition in my drink, it was a nice experience – and I will know for next time to be better prepared.

Birthday fun…

It’s also been a bit of a birthday bonanza of late: we went out for a family meal for a joint birthday celebration (for both of my sisters) at a place that let’s say rhymes with Barvister(!) which was really nice – then I suffered with an iffy tummy later on due to some dodgy grub (which wasn’t quite so much fun). The waiter made a hat for my younger sister to wear which was a really nice touch and we all had a good laugh at her expense. 

We’ve had birthdays galore at work this past week so we’ve also had a non-stop procession of cakes and other goodies being escorted into the building (out goes the diet).
So apart from eating my weight in birthday goodies, I’ve been trying to finish off my last (for now) knitted rabbit. I’ve so far completed 2 legs with socks and little pretty pink shoes, one floppy ear and a nice fat tummy. So my aim for this week is to try and finish off the main body parts – it’s most disconcerting having a headless bunny sitting on the sofa next to you while you watch the Tour de France (well done Wiggins!!!)

So here’s to another fun packed week, I predict more sunshine (with less sun burn), more knitting, and more cake eating (we have another birthday this week) and most probably more pounds showing when I dare get on those scales!
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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits...and some gems!

Oh dear, how I’ve been slack of late…I have been completely immersed in the world of bunny rabbit knitting. In fact it has taken over my life completely and blogging has been the last thing on my mind! But I won’t complain as it’s all invaluable knitting experience. I’m slowly getting to grips with knitting, pearling, casting on/off and everything else, although the odd dropped stitch still happens - grr.



You will have to excuse the lack of quality photo’s – I don’t have a good camera, but I also seem to suffer from ‘shaky-hand’ syndrome so the pictures aren’t really all that clear. Unfortunately I think this is something I may have inherited from my dad, I'm hoping that it's nothing more serious, and therefore all it will require is either a tripod or an investment in a new sparkly camera with an anti-shake setting...anyway, I'm going off point...I really wanted to keep a record of what I’ve been making and I’m hoping that over time I will see some sort of improvement – on both the crafting and photography side of things.

I’ve been making bunnies for friends who are having babies and friends of friends who are having babies! (Basically there seems to be a bit of a baby boom in the Midlands at the mo!) I’ve been trying out different coloured wools and even took a plunge at a bit of decorative knitting with the heart on one of the jumpers (ooh get me!)



I think they’ve turned out alright, especially as I’ve only been knitting since about March/April time.

Once I’ve gotten all these rabbits off the production line I can fully concentrate on a baby blanket that I seem to have been one third of the way through for what seems like forever. Chris and I are hoping to be going down the parenting route in the not too distant future so I wanted to be able to make something that would act as a keep sake, but also give me practice as I want to be a mum who can knock anything up at any given moment…..and I also wanted to hone my craft and start making my own creations to sell. In my mind I picture a future where I am selling my illustrations and handmade goodies…I just have to get these bloomin rabbits out of the way first!

New Finds

I have recently fallen head over heels in love with the Belle and Boo collection of art by Mandy Sutcliffe - check out the website: http://booboobelle.com and blog: http://belleandboo.blogspot.co.uk/ The illustrations are so beautiful (do I even need to tell you that?) and full of the joy that is being a child! I think I'm going to have to request a print for Christmas (unfortunately my birthday has been and gone), and I already know exactly what I'm going to be asking for.
Belle Hugs Boo


While researching and on my quest for ever more inspiration I stumbled upon the work of Sarah-Jane. I don't know how she does it, but with beautiful illustrations spanning all kinds of creative fields: books, stationery and textiles Sarah Jane's, illustrating childhood is something to be marveled. Dare I say, check out the website and blog: http://sarahjanestudios.com and http://sarahjanestudios.com/blog/.  Love, love, love! (Can I make that two requests for Christmas presents??)

Children's Wall Art Print - Oh Happy Day


If these don’t get my creative juices flowing then I don’t know what will. They are beautiful, gentle and make me want to smile - and if I could buy out the whole collection(s) then I would. Delicate illustrations full of whimsy and nostalgia. I love these childhood images, they bring back memories of myself playing as a child, with no cares in the world. Oh to be 5 again! If anything, they've given me a kick up my ever expanding backside, as I haven't done any drawing or painting of my own in yonks....damn them pesky rabbits!!


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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Here comes the sun

Yet again I have been purusing the brilliance of Etsy and have come across a gorgeous selection of all things bright and yellow and full of summer cheer. With the sun finally making an appearance I find there's nothing better than coming across something lovely that encapsulates that sunny spirit! (Yes I am feeling very bright and bubbly today - and when the sun shines I turn into one of those annoying idiots who thinks the world is wonderful and everything in it is great!)

Take a look and find your summer sparkle...
If you can't resist dipping your toes into the extra gorgeousness of the Etsy pool then take a look at http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MjE0OTE2MDJ8MjcyMjg1NTk3Ng/summer-sun?ref=pr_treasury and explore from there. Happy swimming!
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Monday, May 21, 2012

Pretty in pink

Check out the gorgeous items on Etsy. I must admit I am a lover of pink and there are so many beautiful things to chose from...I'm hoping if I view something enough then my hubby might take the hint and buy me something!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MjE0OTE2MDJ8MjcyMjg0NzQwMg/pretty-in-pink


I've been knitting away and have finished one of my many rabbits. I call him Robin. Admittedly, I misread some of the instructions and he has ended up with far shorter ears than he was meant to have, but it's still turned out ok. I just need to make sure that I read things through properly before embarking on all things knitterly in future!

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Friday, May 18, 2012

Knitting Happy!

Well Friday is here and I think I've even spotted the sun - nope there it goes back behind the clouds - but oh well as long as the rain holds off. Everything seems slightly rosy when you know the weekend is only a few hours away! Especially when I'm listening to some up beat tunes - am loving the new single by Jack Savorretti: 'Knock, Knock'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2nRLeEQhYo

I *HEART* THIS:

I love these items, I've been looking on Etsy and there are some beautiful items on there. This is my selection of 'heart' based objects which are just stunning....some being practical and some just very pretty!

 
I've started a new project called Sunny Baby Blanket. I got the free pattern through the Ravelry site. It's created by 'knitting on circular needles' which is my first experience using these, but once you get the hang of them, they're pretty much the same to be honest. I bought my first set of circular needles yesterday afternoon - I've still got my rabbits to finish but I just couldn't wait to get cracking on this pattern so will be alternating between rabbits and baby blankets for the forseeable future.

I'm making the baby blanket in a nice warm yellow and so far, so good (although I am only on row 11!). I've still been seeking the advice of my mum because I can't get into my head whether I can use a 'Double Knit' wool in 4-ply or 10-ply and what the differences are between wools and thicknesses of the threads etc.

It's nice being able to start something new and to know it will come in useful in the future. I just love the whole process of knitting in general - being able to watch something come to life, from one (or two or three..) balls of wool, that then transforms into a beautiful item whether it be a toy, clothing, blanket....ANYTHING!

I'll be posting images of my progress, but that's yet another project I have got going on the sideline - how to take good photo's. At the moment they aren't very good so I haven't put anything on here. I can't quite seem to get angles/lighting right, so I will have to do some experimenting over the weekend and see what I can come up with.

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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Happy Thursday

I'm not sure whether it's the fact that I can sense the weekend ahead or the fact that I've treated myself to a gorgeous ring by Dariami on Etsy, but I am one happy girlie today. Driving through the countryside this morning singing along to the radio (check out Morton Harkets new tune 'Scared of Heights' http://youtu.be/eXKulweAZNA - I haven't listened to one of his tunes since the Ah-Ha days, but this really got my toes tapping), and with lots of projects lined up - I really am feeling full of beans.

Yesterday I ordered myself this beautiful ring by Dariami, it's a beautiful green stone in the shape of a heart. The stone has a floral pattern and is combined within a simple heart shape in a fresh mint color. It's an enamel imitation technique from polymer clay. I LOVE IT. The only thing I will have to be careful of is not to buy too many things from this shop - I've already got my eye on a brooch, a necklace and some earrings...oh dear, my purse is in fear of going into melt-down!


Check out the gorgeous items at: www.etsy.com/shop/Dariami
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