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Category: Knitting

by RoxyPosted on Posted in Cats, Gaming, Knitting, Little one 2 Comments

Ignore the title. I may be a little giddy and/or sleep deprived!

But! There is a reason for it!

Here’s the Octopus:

Its a wash cloth for Inkling – using the free pattern: Baby Octopus Cloth by Elaine Fitzpatrick. Believe it or not, this pattern and the wool had been picked out before Inkling was born, I just haven’t gotten round to knitting it until now! He’s been eating finger foods and desperately needed something that could scrub all the food off him in the shower!

And now for the pussy:

Free pattern Attachable Rainbow Kitty Ears by Saphy kun. I spotted these on Ravelry a while ago and knew I had to knit Engel a set, particularly for when he’s playing violent computer games and/or doing online gaming with our friends.

They have been used, not sure if it’s because he can’t get them off the headphones (they do have buttons so can be removed) or if he likes having the cat ears on himself…

Also this week, I finally sorted through my wool stash (this occurs every year or so to some extent) this time I’ve segregated it by colour and each ball is bagged with any matching friends of the same kind and dye lot. The lone balls of wool are put together with the other lone balls of wool of that colour group (so they don’t get sad and lonely) and now I can tell at a glance what wool is best for the size of project I’m doing. This will hopefully get me to focus on using up the odds and ends of my stash! And also future yarn purchases – I know what colours I have lots of, and not so much, so hopefully I’ll buy what I need, not what I want!

I don’t believe that either, but I can hope!

Oh, also, whilst I was sorting my wool out, these scampered out:

Yes. More tribbles. A  red subspecies of the pink mutant variant discovered, only two have been captured and sent for further study up North…

Early post this week as my sister is coming to visit and it’s going to be awesome!!! But before the fun and games start, I need to tidy up all the toys everywhere – it’s amazing how much mess two children, three cats and a husband can make in the blink of an eye…

Starting total – 622

Wool used – 11 (2 this week)
Wool bought – 0
Wool given – 5 (I mentioned to Engel I only had one ball of black DK wool, he brought home four more for me! And I didn’t even ask him to!)
Wool gifted – 0

Total – 613

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Gaming, Knitting, Little one 2 Comments

The knit project for this week is exactly what it says on the blog post title.

Elmer and friends:

Left to right: Generic grey elephant, Wilbur, Elmer and Rosie

I made these based on the free Lion Brand Yarn pattern Sweet Mini Elephant – Rosie is the only one knit as written, but in smaller needles, the rest are worked in multiples of 5 stitches where possible. Oh, and the tallest is just three inches tall! So tiny elephants!

Unlike my previous Elmer’s I would willingly knit these again – which is good as I suspect I’ll be making more as presents!

This set will be making its way up to Scotland to the school my mum works at – like the Hungry caterpillar set and the stubborn goat, they’ll be used as teaching aids with the autistic children she works with.

Knitting aside, I’ve been brushing up on the rules for ‘No Thank you Evil!’ – an RPG aimed at introducing kids as young as 4 into the world of role playing. My sister, her husband and their furbaby Missy are coming to visit and we’re going to give it s trial run before I try playing it with Felix – get all the bugs worked out first!

I think this may be the only game however that, as I read the rules and the setting, I actually want to be a player! There’s just so much scope, you can literally be anything!

Engel has broken the character generation system already. His creation? An incorporeal ghost cat who travels through time with his companion Syphilis who has the ability ’embiggen’ so can turn into a giant raging monster.

After I sighed at him, he grinned and declared that actually, he wanted his character to be Syphilis.

Trying not to kill him, I enquired how he planned to communicate with the other players. His response: With a series of awkward rashes.

I’ll leave it at that for today.

Starting total – 622

Wool used – 9 (2 this week)
Wool bought – 0
Wool given – 1
Wool gifted – 0

Total – 614

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one, Uncategorized, Updates 1 Comment

Let’s start with Biggles.

What does a fictional fighter pilot from the first world war have tondo with knitting we ask? Well…

Our whole little family were at the big local duck pond and, whilst playing in the new play park, Engel spotted a kid (18 month old?) wearing a crocheted aviator hat complete with goggles and immediately demanded that I make one like it for Inkling…

Obviously, knitted rather than crochet!

So after much pattern hunting and googling and thinking and a bit of luck, this happened:

Its based on the free pattern Chemo Earflap Hat by Gabriella Henry, and incorporates another free pattern Knit Sleep Mask by Elizabeth Martin as well as a lot of i-cord…

When put on Inkling, Engels eyes literally lit up and he pointed and went ‘Biggles!’ he has been referring to him as Biggles since, and the aviator hat as ‘Biggles hat’…

All I’ll say on the matter is that Inkling looks adorable in the hat, even more so than Bun-Bun (the toy rabbit).

In other knitting news, I was dropping Felix off at the childminders and spotted that the cot from the dolls house was broken on the side, seeing as I was planning on digging out the glue gun anyway to fix my rabbits paw (it’s a real rabbit foot, but it’s on a pin, not an actual living animal) I offered to fix it and bring it back.

The thing is…I just couldn’t return it with no bedding…

No pattern for this, just rectangles knitted from scraps…the childminders was happy to see it returned with bedding, but I suspect she thinks I’m even more mad than before…

Let’s see…we also celebrated Burns Night this week with our Australian friends and their little one (much fun was had by all, even if I did confused them all with kilts and Scottish poetry) and there was haggis, neeps and tatties and I decided to make a cranachan too – though seeing as Engel has trained Felix to shout ‘release the Cranachan!’ this may not have been such a wise idea…

In return, our Australian friends invited us over for Australia Day where there was lamingtons and pavlova (there was a heated debate over if pavlova was an Aussie or Kiwi invention) and a certain knitted Drop Bear photo bombed all the photos!

It’s been a good, but exhausting week!

Till next post, take care!

Starting total – 622

Wool used – 7 (2 this week)
Wool bought – 0
Wool given – 1
Wool gifted – 0

Total – 616

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one, Uncategorized 1 Comment

Mwahahahaha!!!!!!

The second big project is done! Done!

I made a little advent calendar using the free pattern Mini Christmas Stocking Ornaments by Julie Williams – there are eight designs so I did three of each to make the 24.

The reason behind this? I knit a little string of stockings (several, actually) a few years ago to use as an advent calendar. This year, Felix, despite getting a Lego advent calendar, she decided that she wanted the little string of stockings I was using for myself (containing mint chocolate and fudge this year, yum!) So another string of advent stockings was needed for this coming Christmas, but I wanted to knit something a bit different to the other set, so I went for fair isle…maybe not such a good choice, but so cute!

The sad fact is I know in a few years I’ll be knitting another set for Inkling…

I also had time this week to work on a birthday present for MIL.

I used the pattern Wayfarer by Jen Lucas from the book ‘Doomsday Knits: Projects for the Apocalypse and After’ – it’s a great book with lots of lovely patterns, and this one is going to be made again in something more suitable for my wardrobe! So black or grey…

Now that those two big projects are done with, I have a whole bunch of little ones mentally lined up in my head to do – though who knows if I’ll stick to doing those projects in that order!

Wool count:

Starting total – 622

Wool used – 5 (only 1 this week)
Wool bought – 0
Wool given – 1
Wool gifted – 0

Total – 618

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one 4 Comments

Coming in at 30cm and 2 meters long…

My new table runner! Knitted following the free pattern ‘Art-Deco Tablerunner’ by Dawn Martin, more or less.

Look at the cable work! And the cute triangular shaped ends! Ok, it’s all black so not the easiest of colours to see all the detail, but it’s there, and I’m proud of it!

My last table runner died a death about…two years ago? It was light green, and met black coffee, which stained it yet my attempts to dye it resulted in nothing…so I picked out this pattern all the way back then and have only just got around to casting it on.

That gives you an idea of how long my ‘to knit’ list is…

Anyhow, the reason it’s ‘more or less’ the pattern is that the centre diamond part confused me. Granted, having a little one waking me up four times a night and a not so little one having me up at 6am leads me to being easily confused…but I gave up on the pattern and winged it.

Came out fine, so that’s all that counts really!

In other knitting news I’m plodding on with big knitting project 2 still, but I’m about 3/4 done, so the end is in sight! Hopefully you’ll all see it next post!

Short blog today as pretty tired running around the park and duck pond with Felix and her best friend who we were looking after today. Inkling was marvelled by the ducks, but didn’t like the swans. That said, when they’re hissing and rearing because of a careless dog owner letting their dog run right into them…well, it’s a pretty scary sight!

Wool count:

Starting total – 622

Wool used – 4 (3 this week!)
Wool bought – 0
Wool given – 1 (Engel bought me a Small Clanger kit, its meant for Inkling as Felix has a Tiny Clanger, but it’s still mine right now! Another item on my to do list!)
Wool gifted – 0

Total – 619

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 2 Comments

Not much to say or show this week, it’s been busy, lots of tidying and cleaning and some family dramas and today I was looking after my friends little one. So definitely busy. And there’s still a lot to do, especially before I go back to work end of February.

Sigh…

But let’s not dwell on that just yet.

Knitting news! I have finished the other two fat caterpillars!

And those tubby lepidopterans mark the end, finally, of the Hungry caterpillar set. Finally. Hopefully.

Please let it be the end…

In other knitting news, I have two big projects I’ve been working on and off for a while and I’m going to try and concentrate on finishing those. Part of me wants to get how long it’ll take until I break and cast on something else, the rest of me is determined to actually finding these projects so I don’t have to look at them anymore…

Till next week.

Wool count:

Starting total – 622

Wool used – 1
Wool bought – 0
Wool given – 0
Wool gifted – 0

Total – 621

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one 1 Comment

May this year bring health and happiness to us all!

Despite the fact that Inkling was born, this has not been a very great year, not as bad as 2016, but still not a great year. Fingers crossed things turn round for 2018!

But your not here to read my woes, your here for the knitting! And I do not disappoint!

Several months ago I started the great Very Hungry Caterpillar Set (X 3) and declared it finished at the start of September. One set went to Felix, the second to the school my mother works at (as a teaching aid for the autistic children she works with) and the third…hasn’t been homed. But that’s a different story.

Anyway, Felix immediately asked why there was no fat caterpillar, I put it down to her just wanting everything and she already had a caterpillar, she didn’t need the fat one.

Then I asked my mum for feedback from the school. About fifty kids had played with it, and loved it.

Every. Single. Kid. Wanted. A. Fat. Caterpillar.

All. Of. Them.

So, not to disappoint, I’ve reluctantly gone ahead to make the fat caterpillar.

It’s a monster.

No, you can’t really appreciate the fatness of this caterpillar. Let’s compare it to the original caterpillar.

He could eat 4 of the small caterpillars for breakfast – and he would still be hungry!

Joking aside, I’ve winged this pattern out of thin air, and still need to make another two for the other sets, but I couldn’t resist sharing it with you all, especially as no doubt a lot of us probably felt like the small caterpillar at the start of the festive season and a lot more like the fat one by the end of it!

Lastly, start of a new year, so the wool count gets refreshed! I did manage to use three balls of wool since last post and Felix bought me a ball for my Christmas, so with that in mind, the wool count looks like this:

Starting total – 622

Wool used – 0
Wool bought – 0
Wool given – 0
Wool gifted – 0

Total – 622

Have a good year everyone!

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one, Uncategorized 2 Comments

Every year, since…2007 I have made a decoration for my Christmas tree.

2007: The one to start it all, a tiny santa hat for the top of the tree. No pattern used, just kind of winged it with what I had on hand.

2008: Pattern is Advent Tree: Sugar Mouse by Alan Dart – to mark the fact that the flat I was living in (a very old listed building) had mice in the walls, and under the floors, and in the ceilings…

2009: Pattern is Advent Tree: Marzipan Pig by Alan Dart – to commemorate the swine flu, I was also doing my first job after uni which was QC checking the swine flu vaccine vaccine.

2010: Another pattern I winged, a guinea pig in a test tube (ok, a pot for holding swabs, but close enough) as I was onto my second job, which was a mix of sales and microbiological testing. My favourite client was a guinea pig farm – I got to cuddle 200+ baby guinea pigs!!!

2011: Based on the free pattern Beans the Cat by Linda Dawkins, this is Crumble the cat, the first cat we fostered. Also our first pet cat as she was deemed unhomable due to the many issues she had with people and food (she was treated badly before we got her)

2012: Based on the free pattern Rose pins by Sarah Kim Tenbuecken – a set of four tiny roses in the same colours as my wedding bouquet (yep, decided to get married in the same year the world was supposed to end) Interestingly, I made these again as actual hair pins in 2016

2013: Free pattern Tiny Onesies! by Akaemi Barnett – to mark the birth of Felix (right) and the other was for my bosses daughter, also born 2013, 6 weeks after Felix. (This is also the first decoration I actually posted on the blog in real time!)

2014: Free pattern Tiny Train Knitting Pattern by Diane Stobbart – marking Felix’s first birthday being held at a miniature railway.

2015: Free pattern Oisin owl by Pauline Gallagher – to match the owls on Felix’s stocking

2016: Based in the free pattern Phoenix and Dragon Finger Puppets by carinbrat – tweaked the wings, turned the puppet into a body…nothing too major. This red dragon is to represent Wales, as we had our first proper little family holiday there.

2017: Free pattern Tiny Onesies! by Akaemi Barnett – to mark the birth of Inkling, it only seemed fitting to do the same as I did for Felix back in 2013! They’re even both made with the same ball of white sparkly wool.

I wonder what 2018 will be?

Starting total – 650

Wool used – 149 (1 since the last post)
Wool bought – 51
Wool given – 135
Wool gifted – 59

Total – 624

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

Quick post for some quick knits!

We have egg cosies! My dad actually asked for these, well, he commented that they would be a great addition to Christmas day breakfast, which is good enough as asking when around me!

Free pattern can be found at 0-569 Christmas serviette ring by DROPS design (scroll down to find it under the serviette ring pattern)

And another Christmas stocking (different pattern to the last set I knitted) for the child minder, it’s going to have some home made edible goodies in there as well.

Free pattern used was Stranded Christmas Stocking by Ajeng Sitoresmi – and as stated, you can work on it whilst watching TV (Ok, Disney movies, hey, it’s that time of year!)

Till next post!

Starting total – 650

Wool used – 148 (2 since the last post)
Wool bought – 51
Wool given – 135
Wool gifted – 59

Total – 625

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one, Uncategorized 3 Comments

Yeah…I may have watched a lot of Pokémon recently…

Anyhow, first of all, Pip. My niece is collecting the whole Pusheen family, but the newest addition, little brother Pip, isn’t available in a soft toy form, so for her birthday, she asked me to make her Pip. Not one to disappoint…

Based on the pattern Tiny and Stripy by Sue Stratford from her book ‘Knitted Cats and Kittens’ – I followed the pattern more or less as written, except I used loop stitch then cut the loops at the end to make it super fluffy.

Awesome. Super.

Except you can’t make one (my niece) without making for the other (nephew) it’s only fair. And he’s really into Pokémon right now, so…

I used the free pattern pokeball pokemon toy by Emma Whittle, super quick and super easy.

After Felix pinched it for the eighth time to throw at various things and yelling ‘I choose you!’ or ‘I’ll catch you!’ I realised two things.

One: Felix wasn’t going to let me give away this pokeball.

Two: I made Pip for my nieces birthday. Not her Christmas. I don’t have to make my nephew something until his birthday, and even then only if he wants something.

So Felix is tucked up in bed with her pokeball.

After throwing it at her daddy a good dozen times to catch him, I don’t think he was too amused when I said to her that she was trying to catch a Snorlax…

Anyhow, still have that big project on the needles (keep picking up and putting it down as I start and finish other projects) and I have a few more little ones to do as well…

Including this year’s Christmas decoration!

Till next week.

Starting total – 650

Wool used – 146 (3 since the last post)
Wool bought – 51 (2 balls of white DK as I’m almost out, and I surprisingly enough use a lot of white…)
Wool given – 135
Wool gifted – 59

Total – 627

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