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Category: Knitting

by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one No Comments

Seriously, I blinked and its February…

Been a busy few weeks – Rabbie Burns day, Australia Day, Chinese New year, and that’s only the official days! There’s been learning baby massage (I was sceptical at first, but I’m converted now) finally addressing my silly little rather irritating fear of water by going swimming (I ache all over, panicked twice, floundered a few times and got water up my nose, but I didn’t die!) and soon I’ll be taking little Felix to a baby swim group so she wont get my phobia, hopefully.

Or I may get Engel to go instead and watch from the side lines with a thermos flask of hot chocolate and some cake…lets see how brave I can be in that regard.

I realised that its been over 10 years since I nearly drowned, and I haven’t swam since then – oh, I’ve put my feet (and even my whole body) in the water to show I was brave and willing, but swim? Ha! Though I did go diving with sharks 7 years ago, but I think |I only coped with that because a) there were sharks! and b) there was a trained instructor with me at all times and c) I can breathe through those masks, oh and d) no way was I going to let Rabbie have all the fun without me!

Did I mention the sharks? So cute! Especially Tinkerbell, the 10ft Great White…

But enough about me! Lets get to the knitting. This update theres mostly been an awful lot of boring sock knitting (about 8 pairs of men socks for Engel – the feet on those are never ending!) a toy hammock which I need to get an action photo of (see next post I think for that) and this:

Drop bear using the Mother Koala pattern by Kath Dalmeny from World of Knitted Toys

Drop bear using the Mother Koala pattern by Kath Dalmeny from World of Knitted Toys

Its cute, isn’t it? I made this for my boss whom I joined in the celebrations of Australia Day with.

Its a drop bear, which are commonly said to be unusually large, vicious, carnivorous marsupials related to koalas that inhabit treetops and attack their prey by dropping onto their heads from above.

Various methods suggested to deter drop bear attacks include placing forks in the hair, having Vegemite or toothpaste spread behind the ears or in the armpits, urinating on yourself, and only speaking English in an Australian accent.

To the right of the cuddly critter is some home made lamingtons that she made, as was as sugar free anzac biscuits for Engel. Both are very delicious traditional Australian desserts, and tasty ones too…

I’ll try and not leave it so long until the next update – hopefully the month of February wont up and vanish on me like January did…

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

Where did 2013 go? And seeing as we’re already a week into 2014, where’s that going too?

Could have sworn it was still October…

Anyhow! Every year I knit a christmas decoration for my tree (if I remember, I’ll photograph them all next year as they’ve all been put away already) but I did get a photo of this years!

Tiny Onsies, free pattern by Akaemi Barnett's Designs

Tiny Onsies, free pattern by Akaemi Barnett’s Designs

Pattern is available here – you will need a Ravelry login to access it though.

The one on the left is for my boss, who had her own little one in November, and the one on the right is to mark the birth of Felix, my little one. I’m not a fan of pink, hence the purple, its the same shade as a whole set of baby things I made. Hmm. Will blog about that probably next week…

Super adorable and a quick knit – each one took me an evening so if someone you know is having a little one, I’d recommend this as a quick gift.

What else have I been doing? Boring house stuff I’m afraid. (Its knitting, so its never truly boring – how about necessity?)

Rag doily rug, free pattern by Julie Weisenberger

Rag doily rug, free pattern by Julie Weisenberger

Pattern can be found here. As you can see, my shower is curved, making a shower mat that fits impossible to find. One extra repeat on this pattern made it fit just right, and saves my poor bathroom floor! This was done on 12mm needles using five strands of DK – great stash buster! (I’ve actually made two, one for when the other is in the wash and managed to use three balls of odds and ends and one whole ball.)

The Quickie Plastic Bag Holder, free pattern by Anna Maliszewski

The Quickie Plastic Bag Holder, free pattern by Anna Maliszewski

And last but not least, bag holders! Anyone else have the problem of plastic bags breeding away under the kitchen sink? I use reusable bags pretty much permanently, but still the plastic ones multiply…Pattern can be found here. I’ve actually made three of these – one was stolen by my mum as soon as it was cast off and I realised one just wasn’t enough for me, so two it was. Planning on making more of these as they’re super handy, useful gifts and very quick to make too. Can do one in just under two hours!

Hope everyone else is having a productive start to the year!

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

…coming to you from under a blanket…

First things first, photos of all the holiday knitting I’ve been keeping secret.

Haughty Hen Trio from Knit & Purl Pets by Claire Garland

This is for my niece, a miniature version of her very own pet chicken!

Holy Hand Grenade, free pattern by Wylde Strandes

And this is for a good Monty Python loving friend of the family! Pattern is a ravelry download that can be found here.

For those not in the know, its featured in the movie ‘The Holy Grail’.

And lastly, advent stockings!

Little Christmas stocking for beginners, free pattern by Fluff and Fuzz

Never. Ever. Again. Ever. That’s five sets of twenty four stockings, that’s a hundred and twenty stockings! I was dreaming of knitting these things! For anyone out there mad enough to attempt their own, the pattern can be found here. From the top, red, white and purple for my niece. Green, white and blue for my nephew. Dark red and sparkly white for my mum. Black and grey for Engel. Red, green and white for me.

Sadly, the hardest part wasn’t the knitting or sewing, but assembling it together. Here is a photo of me trying to do so:

Crumble supervising to ensure all is done properly

Wool everywhere, stockings everywhere, cat trying to ‘help’…the moment I gave her a sacrificial extra stocking, she lost interest and decided to go play with her catnip mouse instead…

Anyhow, a good festive season has been had so far by myself, Engel and Felix. Engel has actually been festive and put christmas music on yesterday, in the 6/7 years I’ve known him, this is a first! He blames Felix on being the christmas spirit…

How about you guys?

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one, Updates No Comments

Did everyone go out Haggis Hunting in preparation for their traditional St Andrews feast on Saturday?

I did! Here’s the evidence:

Traditional method of catching the wild haggis

Had friends round and a good time was had by all. Except for the haggis. I think being skinned and boiled wasn’t very enjoyable…

What else has happened since my last post? Went to see the Barenaked Ladies in Manchester (I blame my friend entirely for that).  It all started with their album snacktime…

Anyhow, I would highly recommend seeing them if yo enjoy a good laugh, Engel doesn’t so he stayed home and looked after Felix.

Finally everyone has the plague.  I came down with a cold and have managed to infect Engel and Felix…

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one 1 Comment

I have no idea where my time has gone! (Probably swallowed somewhere between chores, Felix, knitting, socialising, dreaded dentist and trying to cram some sleep in somewhere)

Another busy day today so I’ll be brief, past few days I’ve been at the dentist (getting a crown fitted soon so it needs drilled and readied) spent some time with Little Felix and her Grandmama and grandpapa, visited my boss and her baby as well as her parent group, visited a different parent group near me, went to work for a flying visit – Engel had a contact lens disaster – and…there was more, I’m sure…

But on to the knitting portion!

Flat rat bookmarks, free pattern from Fleegles blog

Which can be found here. I’m addicted to these – cute and quick to make! And who cant laugh at a squashed rat for a bookmark or coaster?

A Scottish Hippo Tea Cosie

And lastly, this guy! I was asked to do a commission for a very nice person as a present for their friend with the instructions of, ‘she’s Scottish so it’d be nice to incorporate that into it, but she also really likes hippos.’ So I made a hippo wearing a tammy hat, i did try the stereotypical ginger hair, but it made the finished item look…odd. so I left it off.

Fingers crossed she likes it!

Well, thats all for now. Felix needs to go to the clinic to be weighed and measured, then hospital for her BCG, after that meet up with Engel for dinner before my knit club. Hopefully Felix will behave if I give her a ball of wool for herself…7 weeks isn’t too early to start their love of wool, right?

 

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one 2 Comments

Couldn’t resist the post title…

Been a busy fortnight since I posted last – had my sister visit, which was great fun, but tiring, and did some visiting of my own.

Rabbie and her fiancé came down last weekend to stay for a few days before staying at a caravan nearby for a mini holiday. The main purpose of the first part of the visit was for Rabbie to meet Felix. I’ve never seen Rabbie actively interested in holding, cooing and cuddling a baby before, and I’m sure if Felix understood she’d have been honoured that her auntie was smitten!

Later in the week we all went to the zoo and I couldn’t help tease her that her fiancé was definitely looking broody with my Felix! Her response: we’re getting a dog!

Watching them, I think they may need two, or three…

Missing them already as they went back home at the weekend. To keep me busy, I visited my boss last night who just had her own little one – so tiny! Not as small as Felix was j8ust those few weeks ago, but seeing as she’s ‘filled out’ and had a growth spurt…

Anyhow, I can post the presents I gave my boss now without feeling like I’m chancing things! So lots of knitting photos ahead!

Koala from Knitted Wild Animals by Sarah Keen

Added the bow and scarf in purple as she had a girl.

Heavily modified Koala from Knitted Animals by Jean Greenhowe

The head and ‘bib’ are from the pattern, I did a provisional cast on, worked the head as written, removed the cast on and using larger needles, did a three needle bind off then increased the remaining stitches, added arms, then decreased for the ‘body’. I wanted a matching snuggly but couldn’t find one, hence why I winged/butchered this pattern – cute though, right?

Koala bib – free pattern from Down Cloverlaine

Pattern can be found here. There are loads of other cute animals, but I was going with a theme here!

Fishes mobile – free pattern by Jackie Z Knits

And something a little different, but still matching the colour scheme.Ravelry download can be found here.

For those wondering, my boss is Australian, and I couldn’t resist running with that as a starting point for a theme. Engel tried to convince me to make them all drop bears, but for a baby…koalas they stayed!

Have a good week!

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one 1 Comment

Last week my eldest sister was in the area so decided to pay me and Little Felix a visit. (OK, she was just visiting Felix, but I can try and muscle in on the quality family time) Brother in law, niece and nephew were also here and I can sum it up pretty well as a whirlwind of activity.

On Tuesday my niece and nephew played with Sakura:

My Chilean Rose tarantula

Isn’t she adorable? My niece saw her the week before on Skype so was desperate to hold her, and my nephew just loves anything that moves. Amazingly, my big sister who is terrified of spiders actually held her. On a bet mind made by her husband. For £50. For 10 seconds.

Subsequently, my niece wanted a tarantula. A real one wouldn’t be allowed to step a furry leg into her house, so I knitted one for her in the requested colours of purple and green. I found this out last week so had the time to make it for her!

From ‘knitted pets’ by Susie Johns

And I couldn’t leave my nephew out, who requested a ‘lizard’, with so little time, (one evening) I made him a tiny crocodile.

From Knitting Mochimochi: 20 Super-Cute Strange Designs for Knitted Amigurumi by Anna Hrachovec

They got to take these home with them on Wednesdays visit. This visit also involved a lot of finger paint – my big sister wanted to get all the grand-kids hand prints together, though Felix wouldn’t co-operate (she was just over 3 weeks at this point!) so her footprint was used instead.

I had a fun time explaining why there was paint everywhere to Engel when he got home from work, and even more as to why Felicity was now red and blue…but it all washed off so she’s back to her normal colour!

What else happened this week? A meal with Engels extended family which Felix slept throughout (hooray!) though i was (jokingly) accused  of drugging her milk with sleeping tablets…the next day she decided to be awake for nearly three hours just to make up for it, I’m sure…

Last but not least I’ll be attending a craft fair this Sunday at the Hazel Grove Conservative Club, Manchester, open from 1 till 5. Its raising money for the RSPCA and there’s a raffle which all stallholders will be donating a prize to.

Hmm. I’d better get knitting that prize…

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting No Comments

As you can see, pineapples!

Pineapple for keyrings here, and bag here.

I’ve not gone mad (well, more so than normal) honest! These are my mums birthday presents – the big bag was last years, and the matching purse and key rings are this year. She loves pineapples and its become a bit of a running joke – although I’ll hastily add she does actually use these! The big one is a lunch bag and/or toiletries when travelling, and the little one she uses to store her electric cigarettes and chargers.

I like it when a present is used, though now I’m stuck for next years pineapple related present…suggestions anyone?

I gave her these when she was visiting last weekend, and on her actual birthday spoke to her via Skype – it was amusing joining in the birthday song and munching cake 300 miles away from the actual party, but hey, it was fun! I did also spend time chatting to my niece and, after her showing me her glittery Halloween spider, I showed her my own knitted tarantula.

Engel then upped us both by bringing in my real tarantula and showed her off, to my nieces horror and fascination!

Its been a quiet week otherwise, worked on some Christmas presents and some stock for the next craft fair – more on that in a future post!

Well, going to make a move and get back to my knitting needles.

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

I felt like relaying a conversation I had with Engel a few days ago:

Engel – This feels like surgery.

Me – I think taking his eyes off counts as major surgery.

Engel – But he’s happier now!

Me – You have a screwdriver in his eye socket – nothing would be happy with that!

Engel – He didn’t have an eye socket till I put the screwdriver in.

Me – I’m going to have to cut his head off, aren’t I?

Engel – Can you go in through his temple? While your at it, how about giving him some dental work?

Me – I think the lobotomy he’s getting is enough, honey…fine…just pass the body here…

So, what were we on about? Nothing too grisly, just this little guy:

Isn’t he cute?

This is my very own knitted version of Engel, based on the Alley Cat pattern featured in Knitted Cats and Kittens by Sue Stratford, he comes complete with pudgy tummy and gammy ear.

Reason for the conversation? I had put one set of eyes onto him, only Engel found some other safety eyes he really liked instead, so some surgery had to be done to…change them…and then a mouth got added, just because. I don’t recommend taking safety eyes off a knitted toy unless you have all the proper surgical equipment. In the end, a scalpel worked best.

Hope everyone is having a nice week since I last posted – on the baby front, I’m settling into a routine, not a lot else to report.

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Cats, Knitting 1 Comment

As mentioned in my last post, Engel and myself have a house! We moved in more or less about three weeks ago and currently still up to our ears in boxes, but the unpacking is getting there! And the sorting! And building of furniture! And all the other things that come with a house – like setting up gas, electricity, paying bills…

Enough with the boring stuff.

Jin Chan chilling on his new pad.

I’ve finally found my camera and can get on with photographing my various knits. Above is a little house knit I did – because even amongst the chaos of moving, I thought it could do with a little knitted touch. So Jin Chan got himself his very own knitted pad, water lily pad mind you. (Pattern can be found here.) For those curious, Jin Chan is the three legged frog, or money frog, associated with wealth and good luck. I could do with both! A wiki article can be found just here.

What else has been happening? Well whilst Engel and myself where in house limbo, we were staying with the in-laws. Sabrina (one of the foster kitties) took a rather unhealthy obsession to ‘playing’ with plants. Eight cacti and four orchids later…yeah…it wouldn’t have been so bad if it wasn’t for her pulling the plant out and ripping the roots apart – broken pots and chewed leaves can result in a saved plant, but the roots? Nope.

Cat-proof cactus

So as an apology, I knitted up a cactus that could survive even Sabrina – break the pot? No problem. Roots? There aren’t any. Chewed leaves? Off to the washing machine! (Pattern can be found here for anyone else who could do with one!)

It’s late so I’m going to leave it at that, but expect a few more image heavy, full of knitted item, posts coming your way!

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