Mrs Bakery Bear

Lucky me!  I received a knitting pattern for Christmas from Grace to make a cute bear.  And here she is..

I cast on immediately on Christmas Day and finished all the details on Monday.

The pattern instructions were incredibly detailed and so helpful.

The pattern is called Mrs Bakery Bear and it's by Kay F Jones.  You can see details of my project on my Ravelry page, here.

It was lovely having the distraction of this project.  Whenever I look at Mrs B Bear I will always be reminded of Christmas 2014.

Thank you Grace.

Magic Flower Fairy Baskets

I thought I would devote a post just to this one particular Christmas make because it needs a few photos to explain and show it off properly.

It's a crochet project that was great fun to make and I think makes a super novelty gift at any time of the year, not just Christmas.

So here's the first photo -

So what you may ask, is so exciting about that, well watch and see how they change -

Isn't that just so cute.

The lovely pattern is a freebie.  It's called Magical Flower Child Flip Flop Basket and it's by Pan Perkins.  You can download the pattern here.

Have a good day - I've just got a new Dyson vacuum cleaner, so I'm off to clean a few carpets - simple pleasures!

Christmas Goodies Making Review

Here's a quick review of some of the goodies I made for Christmas -

1.  The hand made Christmas cards.

2.  Little gift bags for the hand made goodies.

3.  Knitted mini stockings.  I used them to hold the cutlery for each place setting at the dining table.  I used the free pattern from Little Cotton Rabbits.

4.  Recipe books - I bought plain notebooks and decorated them, then wrote out favourite recipes for the girls.

5.  A knitted sweater for Grace.  The pattern is called Lewiston and it's by Martin Storey.  You can see details of this project on my Ravelry page, here.

6.  A knitted boyfriend cardigan for Eve.  I made this same cardigan for her back in 2009.  It's been a favourite and she's worn it so much.  A replacement was called for and now this one is getting plenty of wear - no better way to show your apprecaition for  a hand-knited garment than to wear it out!  The pattern is called Frankie and it is by Kim Hargreaves.  Details of project, here.

7.  The man in my life loves his bananas!  So two cosies to protect them when on the move seems like the perfect gift.  The pattern is a freebie, available here.

8.  Bedpost toppers as already shared with you, here.

I have two other projects that, assuming you are willing, I will share with you.  I feel that they deserve a bit more time and space to explain so they will get a post each (how indulgent!)  See you again soon.

Fair Isle Love

I hope you all had a wonderful time over the Christmas holidays.  We had a super Christmas with the family.  Everything went according to plan and with all my advanced planning, it was a very relaxing Christmas.  (Note for next year - go easy on the baking - we'll be eating all the cakes I made for some time to come)

Grace has gone off to Switzerland, skiing, so we're in charge of looking after her hamsters while she's away.

They're just so cute!

Baby It's Cold Outside!

I have lots of photos to sort through of Christmas projects that had to be kept secret so I'll maybe do a collage to show them off.  In the meantime I'm eager to show you the Fair Isle cardigan I finished in time for Christmas.

Two of my favourite things - cardigans and Fair Isle knitting.

I love my new cardigan.  I've made it slimmer than previous cardigans (although I'm looking a bit lumpy with all those cakes!) and it has a slightly higher neckline.

It's knitted in 4 ply Shetland wool.  A gorgeous purple colour called Heather.  The wool is from Rosie's Moments Etsy shop.  Grace got it for me.  Besides being a gorgeous colour it's lovely and soft next to the skin.  I only had 190 grammes of the wool so I beefed it up with the Fair Isle pattern to make a long sleeved cardigan.

The Fair Isle section uses up lots of oddments of wool that I have accumulated over the years.  The colours work well together.

At some point, when I'm organised, I'll publish the pattern (which I've called Tasha) but I'm already behind in my pattern writing.  2015 will be the year I'm organised!

Full details of the wool used etc for this cardigan can be found on my Ravelry page, here.

So now I'm back to the usual holiday activities, knitting, watching TV and eating more cakes!  Enjoy your day.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Thank you for your lovely comments and messages throughout the past year.

I look forward to sharing my creative bits and bobs with you in 2015 - Let's hope it's a good one!

Is It a Polar Bear Or Is It a Rat?

I've been knitting away this past week, trying to get my Fair Isle cardigan finished.  My mind is now on the next project I want to start and so I'm desperate to get the Fair Isle cardigan out of the way.

Each day I think, this is the day the cardigan is completed - and every day I never quite make it.  There's always lots of other things to be done so by the time I manage to sit down with my knitting there isn't a great deal of the day left - and it's the darning in of all the ends that is the least exciting thing about Fair Isle knitting.

In order to keep myself motivated I thought that a distraction was needed for a day or two, so I crocheted this little fellow.

In case you're wondering, he's a pink polar bear.

I used a mohair DK yarn to make him fluffy and soft.

The pattern is from this book (discovered in our local library).  It's called Edward's Menagerie and it's by Kerry Lord.

The book features over 40 patterns for toy animals, all based on the same basic body shape.  They all look lovely and cute, especially piled up together.

I followed the Piotr Polar Bear pattern.

I'm not convinced by my version.

I think the eyes are too far apart, the nose is wonky and the legs are in the wrong position ( I may try and put these faults right at some point).

He's still quite cute but I reckon he looks more like a rat than a polar bear!

Anyway, the distraction worked.  My Fair Isle cardigan is now complete and is being blocked.  Photos to follow.  I can now start a new project - yippee!

The Imitation Game

Eve and I saw the film The Imitation Game last night.

It was amazing.  One of the best films we have seen for some time.

The acting was superb, Benedict Cumberbatch was incredible.

The story kept you engaged right from the start.

And as a bonus, there were some very interesting knitwear items.  I particularly liked Keira Knightley's cardigan.

I'll have to think about reconstructing that cardigan, it's a lovely pattern.

If you get the chance, see this film, you won't regret it.  And keep an eye out for the knitwear!

Bedpost Toppers

I've just remembered that I haven't shared some fun crochet decorations I have made for the girls' bedrooms.

They're crocheted bedpost toppers - just a little something to brighten up their rooms.

For the snowmen, I used this free pattern by Moji-Moji Designs.

For the robin, I just made it up as I went along!

I think they add a lovely touch of festive charm.  Grace is home for Christmas on Saturday, and I'm sure she'll love them.

Pebble Penguins

Some tiny pebbles that are now penguins.

I have so many pebbles around the house (a good thing about living close to the beach - or is it a bad thing?) I may just make a whole colony of penguins!

Inspiration came, as always, from Pinterest - where we would be without Pinterest?

Little Mouse

I want to knit a mouse.  Not just any mouse, but a special, intricately designed mouse.  A mouse with little details and lovely clothes.

I lie awake at night imagining my mouse, how it will look, how I will construct it and how cute it will be when it's finished.

At night I have made numerous cute little mice, but I haven't actually got round to making my mouse in the cold light of day.

Making the mouse will take plenty of planning. It has to be special and so extra planning is needed.  Planning is not one of my strong points - I like to jump in there and just do it!

So, to satisfy my knitted mouse cravings I made this little cute chap.

The pattern is by Rachel Borello Caroll and it's called Marisol the Knitted Mouse - and, yippee, it's a freebie.  You can download the pattern from Ravelry, here.

Details of my project can be seen on my Ravelry page, here.

Joining in with the carolling

So now I'm back to imagining the mouse I will design - It will be so super cute - I just need to do the planning!

The Decorations are Finally Up

It's taken two days, but Eve and I have finally got all our Christmas decorations up - well almost - a few tweaks here and there may be needed, but every available space is now covered in tinsel.

The tree is crammed full of decorations - and I haven't even crocheted any new ones this year.

Can you spot one of my little Fairy Toadstool Houses?

The knitted Dickensian mice are carolling away on the window ledge.

The knitted nativity figures have assumed their positions.

And even the fridge is looking suitably festive.

I suspect I have too many Christmas decorations - but I'm sure I could always find room for a few more.

How is your decorating coming along?  Still plenty of time to add more!