Bow Tie

The little bow embellishment I crocheted yesterday...

Bow Belles

If your computer has ever had a virus, you will know it's a NIGHTMARE. As my PC is now completely unusable, I am having to resort to using my Blogger app today, thank heavens for mobile devices.

This week has been hugely busy but I did get the chance to rustle up a crochet bow this afternoon (sorry no photos until my PC is fixed). I thought I'd try making the little embellishment as it will look pretty sewn onto gloves or used as a brooch.

I'm itching to try some simple crochet squares but need to find some easy patterns to get started on.

More from me soon...

Following the paper trail

And now for something totally different! Last week I realised I don't have enough hanging Christmas decorations for the festive season so I thought, why not make some? When I was nine years-old I had a Japanese friend called Yuko who introduced me to the creative art of Origami. I remember being tantalised by the richly coloured patterned paper she used as she demonstrated how to transform a simple square of paper into a swan, a dog's face or a familiar object.

I haven't dabbled in the paper arts since, that is until yesterday when I made a paper ski boot! I plan to create a few more little folded clothes and then progress to constructing some larger scale hanging shapes to decorate the apartment at Christmas.

One more thing before I go, I've always admired the contemporary look of clothing with intricately folded material and came across this fabulous example. Wow! So modern and unique. I must admit I feel a tinge of craft envy that I didn't design it myself, but it's certainly something to aspire to
nonetheless.

Truly scrumptious

My PC is driving me mad today, I really need to take everything off it and get it serviced. Anyway, technical details aside, here is my finished baby hat and mittens set. The recipient still hasn't been born but I'm sure he will look totally scrumptious and toasty in said items. For those of you from exotic shores, it's getting really dark in the UK now which plays havoc with my blog photography as I can't take any decent pictures in natural light after about 15.30  (a real pain). 

After consulting the translated Pickles 'Small & Clever' patterns and feeling puzzled for quite some time, I decided to totally bastardise the original patterns (!) to make it easier and worked the mittens flat rather than using four needles and knitting them in the round. The end results are pretty similar and I may have a go at the super cute booties another day. I am once again extremely grateful to the Pickles and the sublime Ravelry social networking site for providing these eye-catching free patterns, oh and also to stitch sleuth Anna for tipping me off about them on her own blog.

Counting sheep

Greetings! I haven't had a chance to blog for days as I started a new contract this week. However, I wanted to tell you I finally received my little gift from Morocco: a huge amount of extra chunky weight wool hand spun by the local artisans. The yarn isn't quite as refined as something you'd purchase in a regular UK haberdashery but it gets a definite 'thumbs up' from me as I find its rustic charm rather appealing. In fact, I'm amazed by just how much there is, when I pile it all up together, there's almost enough to clothe a sheep! My only regret is that I wasn't able to scour the North African streets myself to investigate the variety of wools available. Toying with the idea of dying it a more practical colour, I'm planning to use the natural coloured fibre to make some furnishings before the New Year.

Also, earlier in the week, news of this quirky Paris art exhibition caught my eye, knitting certainly seems to increasingly be on people's radars.

Enjoy your weekend folks, more from me again soon.

Sundaysentials

I always feel a bit blue on Sunday nights, another weekend almost over, boo-hoo! Well, at least I've mastered some new knitting techniques today and completed a project (to be showcased later in the week).

I've always loved the fluffy stuff - mohair and angora - so as a Christmas week project, I'm thinking this Suzie Blackman Dream cardigan could be just the ticket!

I'm constantly amazed by the sheer volume of projects other knitting and crochet bloggers turn around in just a few days. There are so many more craft and style blogs that I plan to check out and in the spirit of 'sharing', I will add a more comprehensive Recommended Blogs list to my spot in due course.

Having a yarn

I've been browsing patterns trying to decide how to use this fantastic textured wool/synthetic mix yarn I picked up at the Knitting & Stitching Show last month. Its thickness falls in between the navy DK and jade green acrylic 4 ply I have so I think I'll use it as a trim on some funky fingerless gloves or perhaps make an eye-catching hat. We shall see!

Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit

Just a quickie tonight to show you the finished article. Ta-da! Here's my little rabbit amigurumi toy, crocheted using Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino. If you'd like to make this little chap for yourself, check out the 'Amigurumi' book by Lan-Anh Bui & Josephine Wan. As mentioned previously, I was hoping to have a bonnet, mittens and booties set ready in time for the birth of my friend's baby due any day now. However, if it's not completed in time I'm sure Miffy will make a lovely present instead.

United Knitdom in Amigurumi Today

Jostling for a position amongst the edited selection of Japanese crochet news from across the blogosphere, my Making Miffy post has been featured in Amigurumi Today! I do enjoy networking with fellow crafters from around the world and this added exposure gives me increased impetus to crack on with more projects.

Before I go, I also wanted to draw readers' attention to this spectacular kaleidoscope blanket by Meme Rose as highlighted on Crochet with Raymond, one of my favourite crochet blogs. Isn't it stunning? It has definitely inspired me to produce something similar and reminds me a lot of the Muse album cover.

Kaleidoscope blanket by Meme Rose.

Making Miffy

My plans to create an ami koala bear from the enchanting 'Super-super Cute Crochet' Brigitte Read book were dashed today as my local 'craftery' had completely sold out of 3.5mm crochet hooks. Instead, I thumbed through old favourite 'Amigurumi' by Lan-Anh Bui & Josephine Wan and started on a seven inch bunny, not dissimilar to cult Japanese cartoon character Miffy. With the ears complete, I will now move on to the head and body.

Russian dolls Katia and Natasha marvel with curiosity at Miffy's ears.

Big Knit 2011

Here's a quick note about Innocent's Big Knit campaign. Yes, once again for a limited period mini hand knitted hats come free with purchased smoothies and a small contribution goes to worthy charity Age UK. I love this campaign because its just so silly and yet after many years, still continues to go from strength to strength. I've seen some lovely free patterns on Ravelry for those wishing to join in and knit a few themselves. Check out YouTube to get a sneaky peek at staff building up to it in Austria!

Knitting machines & vintage pattern books

Sadly I've been too busy to knit or blog this week. I'm dying to get going again at the weekend. So many projects, so little time! I've also been toying with the idea of buying a knitting machine as I spotted some fab vintage '60s and '70s Brother machine pattern books online. I suspect the only decent machines I could buy would be secondhand. If anyone has one they want to sell, please comment on the blog.