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Tag: Engel

by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting 1 Comment

To show you this quick little leaving present for someone at my work:

It’s based on the hat worn by Jayne Cobb in an episode of the cult hit TV series Firefly. I’m pleased to say she was happy with it! No pattern given as it’s something I whipped up from my head…

In other not knitting news, I had my sewing lessons again and made more cushions! (Waiting for the rest of the class to get confident with the machines before I move in to more fun things) so here’s my latest upcycled T-shirt cushion!

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It’s probably one of my favourite T-shirts that Engel doesn’t wear anymore (it’s so baggy it’s like a tent, and that was before he lost weight!) So now, it’s an awesome cushion.

And since I had time…

Well, let me explain this one, from the beginning. The beginning by the way, is some point in 2011.

This is the result of a string of disasters.

I wanted to knit my other half the big bad wolf jumper, (from the book Domiknitrix by Jennifer Stafford) so bought some wool and cast on.

Halfway through, I ran out of wool and found it to have been discontinued. I managed to find something similar so…rip rip rip went my first attempt, and I cast on again using the new wool.

Sigh.

I knit all the pieces, sewed them together and had him try it on. I’d sewed the arms too tight, so yank yank yank out came my sewing and back I sewed again.

Grr.

It fit. Perfectly. Just the right amount of drape so as not to be snug, but not so much as to be baggy.

It was worn every day for a week before I got it off him and into the washing machine…where it did something very weird. It got both wider and shorter.

Argh!

He put it on once it was a dry and it looked like a super baggy belly top…not his look at all!

OK, that did give me a chuckle.

After sitting in the naughty knitting corner for a year, I rather haphazardly turned it into a cushion. It was ok, but… I kind of sewed the cushion into the cover. So… not so easy to wash.

Grr!

So today I pulled it apart again and turned it into a much nicer, neater cushion!

And that is the rather long tale of why my big bad wolf jumper is now a cushion…

There you have it for today’s post.

Starting total – 697

Wool used – 100 ( 3 this week)
Wool bought – 13
Wool given – 7

Total – 617

 

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Uncategorized 1 Comment

As mentioned last post, working on Christmas knits so nothing to show right now! Well, I do have this recent creation:

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Not knitting, but still craft related. There’s a group in the village over that teach people all kinds of craft – knitting, crochet, sewing, card making, felting, all sorts! So I’ve been getting to grips with a sewing machine. I’ve always been able to thread one (mum uses a machine, but her eyes are not so good so that was a job she had me and Rabbie do) and I can do a straight line and that’s about it.

Now though, I turned one of Engels old super baggy but still too awesome to just throw away t-shirts into a cushion cover! This is the practice one, there’s more awesome ones to do.

Want to see knitting though? Here’s a pair of pen-tacle cuties from the archives:

Who says stationary has to be boring? The red one is a classic squid/octopus inspired creation, and the second…blame Engel. He was playing Day of the tentacle… Or something?

Lastly, the wool count. Yeah…well, you see…I worked out what I was going to knit for the Christmas presents, but came up three balls of wool short (yes, I came up short despite owning 600+ balls of wool!) So in Tuesday popped to the wool shop near work (Black Sheep – it’s amazing!) and managed to walk out with just the three I needed (even more amazing). Yesterday though, I got home to find Engel had picked me up three balls more wool and a bag of tablet as I was feeling a little blue.

Considering I hadn’t actually told him this, and had only just begun to feel blue, well, that’s probably the most amazing thing of all.

Or it’s the brood telepathy.

Does however mean that instead of being good and using two balls of wool, I added six, so net gain of four balls of wool. Oops…

Starting total – 697

Wool used – 97
Wool bought – 13
Wool given – 7

Total – 620

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

I think that’s an apt name for this:

It’s based on the Free Ravelry Downloadable Pattern Vortex Shawl by Kristina McCurley and made with the yummy wool I blogged about last post.

The name comes from the current computer game Engel is playing ‘No Man’s Sky’ where you got from planet to planet, discovering, cataloguing and mining for resources as far as I can tell…to a relaxing soundtrack…great for switching off in the evening, and what I’ve been watching as I worked in my shawl…

Not the most attractive photo if it, but the best colour match to real life, and it gives you an idea of the shape too. The merino/yak was lovely to knit with, and loved by certain four legged critters…

Salem wasn’t caught in the act of stealing it, three seconds after I put it on the floor to photograph…of course not…

I also wore it yesterday at a wedding banquet, where I shamefully had to call it quits after the fifth of eight courses…seeing as it started with an entire roast suckling pig between eight of us, I don’t think I did too bad. Oh, and for those curious, the heads in the fridge, I couldn’t let such a yummy treat go to waste!

Not much else to say really, life’s been ticking along, I had some family visit, been spending a fair bit if time with Felix, working on her crafty skills – pom pom caterpillars today! And pom pom monsters. She wanted to make a pom pom Cthuhlu, but decided the tentacles would be too difficult to make from pom poms alone…

So cute!

Wool count:

Starting total – 697

Wool used – 92
Wool bought – 10
Wool given – 4

Total – 619

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one 1 Comment

Apologies for the crazy blog post, I couldn’t resist. I’m in a funny mood today, probably because I got stuck behind Thomas the Tank Engine on the motorway on my way home today.

Yes, it was an actual steam engine, done up like Thomas, on a flat bed.

If I had a passenger, I’d have made them take a photo, but alas, I didn’t.

Anyhow! Parka Meower two:

Same details as the original Parka Meower, this one is for Maki, and also a photo of the two cats wearing them below.

They’re brothers – Maki and Ramen, and actually belong to Engel, but Felix has ‘acquired’ them.

Next up: Attack of the turtles!

Seems knitting turtles is rather addictive. And to answer my question from the original blog post about the turtles, I got 6 out of a full ball of wool. Well, 6 and 3/4s.

That’s the last of those for a while. I’ve currently got two projects on the needles – one for travelling and one for home, but only when Felix is in bed as it has ten balls of wool on the go at any one time.

I also think I should ban the cats from being near me as well whilst knitting it…more info on that next post, when it’ll hopefully be done.

Not much else to report really, other than Felix has been particularly adorable this past week, having made a house, at the childminders, for her pet tarantula (the other kids made them for fairies)

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This is actually mine, Sakura, a Chilean Rose, Felicitys tarantula, Incy Wincy (she named it) is a Salmon Pink Bird Eating Tarantula, and although not fully grown, was too big for the house…

I sent lots of photos to the childminder who, it turns out, is terrified of spiders. Oops. Oh well, at least she knows Felicity really did make a house for her tarantula and it got used!

Starting total – 697

Wool used – 86 (just 1 since last post)
Wool bought – 9
Wool given – 4

Total – 624

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one No Comments

Perhaps a side profile?

Pattern is ‘Parka Barker’ from Woolly Woofers by Debbie Bliss – a book I picked up for Rabbie…sorry Rabs! I’m just testing it, honest!

Let me explajn. Like small children everywhere, Felix likes to take her toys wherever she goes. I generally let her (just one though! And something small!) but there are times I say no. Like no, we’re not taking all two hundred of your cuddly toys. No, we’re not taking a soft toy into the swimming pool. No, we can’t take your fishing net to soft play.

No, we can’t carry (insert name of soft toy) outside, it’s raining.

So Felix asked ‘could they play in the rain and not get wet if they had a coat? Can you make them a coat?’ – who was I to refuse? (But just the one coat!) Engel suggested using a dog coat pattern, so smaller needles and fewer stitches later, a cute cat coat!

Blame Felix for the color choices – at least the blue matches Ramen (the cats) eyes!

Second one on needles now for Maki – Ramen’s little toy cat brother…I know, I said just one, but they’re adorably cute…

Speaking of adorable, Felix has decided what she wants to be when she grows up.

A vampire.

I suspect a costume will be getting put together soon…

Wool count

Starting total – 697

Wool used – 85 (just 1 since last post)
Wool bought – 9
Wool given – 4

Total – 625

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one 2 Comments

Now that has be the oddest title yet for one of my blog posts.

But there is indeed a mole rat and an eye patch!

Let’s start on the ugly one. No, really, it’s ugly! I knitted one of these:

(Image from the Fallout 4 artbook) it’s a mole rat. More specifically, the mutated, diseased mole rats found in the computer games Fallout 3 and 4. These are awesome open world games full if all kinds of horrors, set in a post nuclear 1950s-esque world.

Engel loves the game. He’s pumped a crazy number of hours into both of them to, and he demanded I make him one.

And I did.

And it’s ugly.

I butchered the pattern ‘Mole’ from ‘Knitted Woodland Creature’s’ by Susie Johns for this one. I also kept extensive notes (for me) on what I did to if I ever make another – it’s on my Ravelry project page.

Engel is delighted with it, so job done. Though he wants it to wear a little belt with mines on it…it’s a Fallout 4 thing.

So, something ugly, now something cute.

Free Ravelry download pattern ‘Scurvy Eye Patch‘ by Cistabel Seneque.

Time for a story.

Before Felix was born, Engel obtained a toy cat that, after some joking around, was called Captain Morgan of the seven sofas!

Cue a few years down the line and Felix acquired Morgan. We told her of his mighty adventures as a pirate Captain and she demanded he had an eye patch.

So we dug one out.

Next day she lost it. Was very upset and wanted him to have another.

So I made one. Coincidentally, his pirate costume arrived. If asked, I’ll say that Felix wanted it, and it wasn’t Engel at all that insisted Morgan just had to have one…

Wink wink. Nudge nudge.

Other knitting news: I have two projects on the go this week, both to be done by Saturday. I have a habit of tight deadlines these days it seems…and despite all my knitting, no whole balls of wool used either this week. So the wool count still stands at:

Starting total – 697

Wool used – 73 (5 since last post)
Wool bought – 9
Wool given – 4

Total – 637

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Gaming, Knitting 1 Comment

Today is Engels birthday, so this weekend (a bank holiday weekend at that) has been filled with much fun and games. Saturday was a quiet family day, mooching about the local village, enjoying the good weather as well as people who hate the heat can do.

Yesterday we had a ‘sushi sunday’ (£1.20 a plate sushi!) And after being thoroughly stuffed, kicked off a new Call of Cthuhlu campaign, but with the twist of introducing the Laundry. (Think secret government department that covers up and contains all mythos related events, but with classic British Beurocracy, red tape, HR, and so much paperwork to be completed in triplicate that it really is easier to just buy your own stationary than use the stationary cupboard at work)

It was awesome, can’t say much as despite being an estimated 2-3 hour campaign, it took six last night and put on hold till the next gaming session as everyones character in game  has turned into paranoid wrecks. It’s hilarious, and reminds me why I go through the effort of preparing gaming sessions.

Ah, but this is a knitting blog primarily, and so to knitting it is. It’s been a slow week project wise as I was at Centre Parks at the weekend, started my old-new job on Monday and am getting back into the swing of that again, plus shaking off a stinking cold, and prepping for gaming chaos. I’ve also been nose deep reading Eldritch Chrome – think cyberpunk Cthuhlu. So…yeah…

Cat ear project on temporary hiatus as I work out logistics with the remaining mishmash of fluffy wool.

After getting annoyed at not having a bag on me for the shopping, again, (we pay for bags down here now, and I have so many decent shopping bags that I begrudge buying more!) So made myself this:

It’s a little fox purse to attach to my bag and has two little shopping bags inside, so I’ll always have them on me!

It’s a cute fit, right? And also a little thing I threw together out of my own head, so no pattern reference.

Hmm. Wonder if it’s worth writing out and posting as a freebie pattern here…

Anyhow! A little story for the next one.

A long time ago (several years) my mum ‘borrowed’ a pair of my armwarmers, and well, the only way I’m getting those back is if I replace them…

She was bought a number of balls of wool from New Lanark a few years ago which I made a jumper with. And two hats. (And another in sparkly cotton) And there was a bit leftover.

So now it’s arm warmers!

Free Ravelry pattern Camp Out Fingerless Mitts by tante ehm. Super cute and easy!

No wool used up this week (sadly) but I’m just happy I actually finished a few things!

Starting total – 697 balls

Wool used – 68
Wool bought – 9
Wool given – 4

Total – 642

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting, Little one No Comments

I should be unpacking but…well, I’ll get to that.

I’ve officially finished one job, and start another tomorrow – I’m actually going back to my previous job, a number of reasons, but mainly the one I just left was getting very, very manic to the point it was affecting my time with Felix.

Engel comes second to Felix, but he knows that already, and to him I come second to Felix too. It’s something we’re open and honest about.

But I digress, so, job change. Had my mum visit last weekend (Felix loves her Granny, and insists she lives at the Pineapple House, though has a second, normal house when more people are around)

And this weekend we were at Centre Parks, Sherwood Forest. Felix did find Robin Hood, in the form of the classic Disney cartoon I had brought along. This skewed my plan of having her go for a wander in the woods looking for him, but hey-o, points for observation to her.

Knit wise, still plodding on with cat tails and wars, but rapidly losing steam and the will to knit fluffy fur with that project. Other projects though:

The Paulina Dress I was working on last post. Finished and adorable! The pattern is a free Ravelry download by Taiga Hilliard Designs.

And something i’ve made twice before, Meret (Mystery Beret) by Woolly Wormhead, another free Ravelry download. It’s for my mum, whom I knitted the original two of in her wool from New Lanark. This one (modelled by Ramen) is a sparkly cotton version for those warm windy days!

Alright, i’d best get back to unpacking, though procrastination is so much more fun!

Starting total – 697 balls

Wool used – 68 (16 this week!)
Wool bought – 9

Total – 638

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

Twenty four balls of wool used, twenty four balls of wool knit, we take a ball, we knit it all, twenty four balls of wool used up!

Only six hundred and sixty ball of wool to go!

Insanity aside, it’s been busy since my last post. I’m now in the process of changing jobs, my love for Rockband being awakened, knitting, work itself, a massive spring clean and lastly I spent a week’s break in Wales with Engel and Felix.

A brief summary is thus:

Three railways – one diesel (Welsh highland heritage), two steam (Ffestiniog and Talyllyn) – all narrowguage, three beaches, two harbours, one failed attempt at crabbing (Felix dropped her crab line into the sea), several successful rock pooling attempts (caught four fish, a dozen crabs and a live clam), a swimming pool, rabbit farm and sea zoo, plus a brief look at where they make seasalt.

It’s been busy.

But good.

I doubt anyone is really interested (except Rabbie) on a blow by blow account of my trip, so my summary I hope will suffice.

Onto the knitting!

Another little knitted extra for person at my work who is pregnant with a little girl.

Something Felix, my little one, adored when she was tiny was a little Scamp snuggly (I think alike people call them lovelys?) A little fabric square with an animal head.

Hopefully this one will be loved too!

Worked top down from the head and then onto the blanket from the centre out, finishing with a picot bind off. Seeing as my cat Crumble refused to move as I was finishing it, I took a photo of it on her.

And a firm favourite – pattern is Cat-ears Hat by Donna Druchunas, from ‘Kitty Knits: Projects for cats and their people’ – a very used and loved Christmas present from Rabbie, many, many moons ago!

“But that hasn’t used up twenty four balls of wool” I hear you say, why no, it hasn’t. The two projects above used up four. The other twenty is from cat ears and tails as I blitz my way through my fluffy/fuzzy wool collection.

Engel has been helping me on this crusade by knitting the cat tails with as small knitting machine we got Felix.

She’s made a few too.

It really is that easy to use.

I’ll take a photo of them all when I finish, there’s still fluffy/fuzzy wool left (I suspect it’s breeding, and related to Tribbles)

Well, that’s all for today, still sorting out the post holiday stuff that needs doing…

Starting total – 697 balls
Wool used – 46 (24 balls used up this week!)
Wool bought – 9

Total – 660

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by RoxyPosted on Posted in Knitting No Comments

Does whatever knitting I can…

For some reason the spider man song leapt into my mind. Must be the sleep deprivation catching up with me! Work, being a mum, attempts of a social life and a house keeping have just killed me lately.

Have managed a fair bit of knitting though!

These were made using the free Ravelry download ‘Stripy baby dungarees’ by Becky Smith. This was a request from someone at work who is expecting their first grandchild – they asked for grey dungarees and this was the pattern I settled on.

I do like the two tone grey – its very soft on the eyes and gender neutral.

This is also the first project I’ve used a hammer on! (It was for the big silver fasteners – but still, a hammer! For a knitting project! Engel appeared to feel that my invasion of his sacred toolbox warranted him the right to ‘supervise’. Or maybe he doesn’t trust me with heavy tools…)

But that’s not all this week! More baby things!

Lots of baby things! The cardigan pattern is ‘long or short sleeved coat with flower’ from sirdars ‘Beautiful baby knits’. (Got to love the incredibly unimaginative names!) The booties are from the same booklet, they’re from the ‘Sweetpea’ set. The hat is another free Ravelry download – Alfafa Baby Hat by Kate Gagnon Osborn. Lastly, the mittens pattern is a free online pattern ‘Wee baby mitts’ by Christine Vogel. Adorable! To tie the set together I added the flower from the cardigan onto everything. I think it’s worked out well. 

Though I still have a ball of that wool left – maybe a matching cuddly toy?

Wool countdown!

Starting total – 697 balls
Wool used – 22 (5 balls used up this week!)
Wool bought – 9

Total – 684

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