Tag: gift

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

Topsy Turvy Dolls

Iris Rose

I almost forgot to post today! For some reason, who the heck knows why, I was convinced that today is Wednesday but no, it is not so here we go.

This week was fun craft wise. I wrote, last week, about knitting up a couple of topsy turvy dolls on my midgauge machine to speed up the process of creating toys for craft markets. I made the basic pieces for this Jean Greenhowe’s pattern on the machine and then finished them up by hand with knit and crochet accessories.


I am really happy with how they turned out and will be making some more of these. There is a teddy pattern in the same book that I think that I will tackle soon too.

I think that any pattern that is knit flat without extreme shaping can be adapted for the machine. It speeds up the process for sure but, and this is important for most of us, the pleasure of hand knitting is lost. I am working at building up stock which is why I chose this method to create my toys.

Speaking of which, hand knitting that is, a while back I posted a hand knit pattern for an easy bunny. I have made a bear with the same pattern by modifying the ears. I think that it is pretty darn cute too! I am working on a crochet pattern for this toy that I should have ready in a couple of weeks to share with you.  And, yes, that is the bottom of my LK150 that I store up against the wall at the back of my table in my craft cave.

I forgot to mention last week that I received my order from the new online store Hobbii. I do not have any affiliation with this merchant, but I highly recommend them for quality of yarn and price. Shipping was four days from Denmark to Western Canada and no messing with customs.

Well, I think that’s all that I have for this week so have a great one. Happy crafting which ever art you practice, and I hope that your life is filled with yarny goodness.

 

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

Coupon Code and Pattern Roundup

Iris Rose

It is raining and cold outside. I am feeling whiny and a little bit like I need a batch of cookies. I haven’t thought about posting all week so I am still stuck on what to offer you today.

I know, how about a 50% off coupon code for all of the paid patterns that I have on Ravelry? Does that make you (and me) feel better or do we still need to break out the butter and get to work on those cookies? Tell you what, you knit or crochet and I’ll take care of the cookies for you. I might even make you a nice cup of coffee or tea to go with them!

Here is run down of the patterns with links to my Ravelry store. The coupon code is 50OFF that you will need to enter on the checkout page. Have fun!

  

A Wrap For Spring                     Delphinium Shoulder Scarf 

    

Gradient Cable Poncho               Knit and Sewn Kid’s Dress

  
Little Lovely Lacey Cardigan               Lovely Lacey Cardigan

  
Northern Rose Shawl          Pink Ice Cream Jumper

  

Simple Stripes Wrap                        Sweet Doll Bed

   

Toddlers Pretty Crocheted Cardigan     Twisted Stitches Scarf and Hat

Vine Lace Wrap

Roses and Lace Cardigan

Have a wonderful week with sunny days ahead (or at least cookies) and don’t forget 50OFF!

Knitting

Done Dollies!

Iris Rose

Last week my subject was undone dollies. This week, tada, they are almost finished! I only have two little mermaids left to sew up and I am all done with this portion of my sale stock.  I went from this

to this

in just five days!  The little babies are about 15cm or 6″ tall and the little kids are 10cm or 4″ tall.

I had a good time putting these together. I usually have fun knitting these little toys; so much fun in fact that I keep on working on the knitting part with no regard as to how long the finishing will take. I normally regret my knitting impulse but this time it was different. I didn’t hurry through the process last weekend. I took my time with the faces and hair and really enjoyed myself.

  
I confess that I do like all of them but one. I am just not happy with the face on one little one but have a plan to redo the eyes and I think that it will make a huge difference. A couple of the little mouths are crooked but, as in real life, I am just going to accept them as they turned out. Someone will find them huggable I am sure.

  
I need to get back to reducing my stash and knitting little toys is definitely not the way. I see a blanket or two or at least a couple of bulky sweaters in my future project pile. Now if I can just get to it.

Have a happy week and enjoy whichever craft you decide to work with.

Crochet

Tiny Bag and Easter and (Hopefully) Spring

Iris Rose

Even though it is still snowing and snowing and snowing here, Spring has to be on the way. It just has to be on the way. I love Canada and the prairies but really!

With Spring comes Easter and all of the bunny, chicken and egg stuff. When my kids were little, I always tried to make a little toy for them to play with to match the season. I remember crocheting eggs that tied closed and had a crocheted chick waiting inside. I crocheted little ducks and rabbits as well. It is always fun to make something for little kids, they are just so happy that you spent time to make something just for them. It is a privilege, really, to see a little person enjoying your handicraft.

This year, instead of a toy, why not make a little bag for your little kid. This tiny messenger bag can be dressed up girly or made in macho colours. You can hide a little surprise inside and see the delight when the little bag is opened.

The little bag is a free pattern in my Ravelry store, but I am reprinting it here for you to look at and, I hope, make for a little special someone.

Tiny Shoulder Bag

This little bag is the perfect size for a two to four year old. Make it bigger by increasing your starting chain and working more rows for the base. Be sure to increase the flap size by using the number of sc across one half of the bag minus 4.

Material: 50g worsted acrylic yarn (I used Bernat Super Saver), scraps of worsted weight for flowers.

Tools: 5mm crochet hook, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: 8sc = 5cm. Exact gauge is not important.

Bag Body: Begin at base of bag with ch13.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch to 2nd last ch, 3 sc in last ch, sc in opposite side of each ch back to beginning, 2sc in beginning ch, sl st to join.

Row 2: (ch1, 2sc) in same st, sc in each sc to sc before 3sc in one on previous row. Work 2sc in 1st sc, sc in next sc, 2sc in 3rd sc, sc in each sc on opposite long edge to next increase group from the previous row, 2sc in sc, sc in sc, 2sc in sc, sl st to join.

Row 3: repeat row 2.

Row 4: ch1, sc in same st, 2sc in next sc twice, sc to last 5 sc, work 2sc in sc twice, sc in sc, 2sc in sc twice, sc to last two sc, 2sc in sc twice, sl st to join. 44 sc.

Row 5: ch1, sc in back loop of each sc around. This will make a ridge where the base and side of bag meet. Mark the end of the round with a removable stitch marker or safety pin.

Work sc in each sc around until a total of 17 rounds have been worked. I work in a spiral to eliminate the join line keeping track of the round end with a pin or marker.

On the 18th round, stop 2 sc before the marker, ch1 and turn to start the flap.

Flap:
Row 1 to 14: sc in sc below 18 times, ch1 and turn.

Row 15: skip 1st sc, sc in sc below 16 times, sl st into last sc, ch1 and turn.

Row 16: Repeat row 15 working sc 14 times.

Row 17: Repeat row 15 working sc 12 times. Fasten off.

Strap: Attach the yarn to the sc at the top of the bag closest to the flap, ch 60 and attach with a sl st to the opposite side of the bag top closest to the flap. Be careful not to twist the chain.

Row 1: sl st into next sc at bag edge from the flap and sc in each ch (60 sc), sl st into next sc at top of bag and then again into next sc, ch1 and turn.

Row 2: sc into each sc across, sl st into next sc on bag edge and then again into next sc, ch1 and turn.

Row 3: sc into each sc across, sl st into next sc on bag edge and fasten off.

Finishing: Work a row of sc around edge of bag flap. Work a row of crab st or backwards sc around edge of flap.

Work a row of crab st across the front of the bag.

Sew a Velcro closure or a snap on flap and bag front to close.

Work flowers and sew to bag flap.

Weave in ends and lightly steam so flap and strap lie flat.

Flowers:
Row 1: ch2, 9 sc in 1st ch, sl st to join.

Row 2: (ch2, dc, ch2, sl st) into 1st sc, skip next sc , repeat * to * around and fasten off.

Make 2 to 4 flowers in the same or contrasting colours.

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

My New Gradient Cable Poncho Pattern, Half Price!

Iris Rose

Well, at long last I finished my gradient yarn poncho and, tada, I love it! You know that feeling that you get when you envision a project or fall in love with a pattern and yarn and just have to make it? And when it turns out exactly like your vision or the pattern, you just want to jump up and down and hug someone? That’s it; that is what I am actually feeling, woohoo!

Okay, okay, time to calm down already. I have published the pattern for my Gradient Cable Poncho, made in worsted weight yarn, on Ravelry and, for the next two months, I am offering it to my blog readers at fifty percent off. Use the coupon code 50OFF at checkout and enjoy! Half price for all my loyal readers and, if you pass it along, to your friends too. You do need to click through to Ravelry from my blog for this promotion. While you are on my blog site, have a look at all of the other free patterns that I have up there in cyberspace for you to use.

               

As a special bonus, because spring is coming and who doesn’t need another light and lovely shawl to keep those shoulders warm in the cool spring breeze, you can use the same coupon to purchase my Northern Rose Shawl pattern at half price. The pattern for this pretty shawl is written and charted and can be made in two sizes depending on the yarn that you choose. Have a look at the pattern details to see both a worsted weight and a sock weight version. Who doesn’t love to save money?

       

I have been busy with charity hats still and am about one third of the way through that box of yarn that I featured last week. Who knew that making hats is so addictive and great TV knitting? I am determined to switch up to crochet this weekend which will slow down the movie intake (I need to look at what I am doing when I crochet!) but, hopefully will sharpen up my skill set.

I have a couple of machine knit patterns in the works too, worked on a standard gauge machine, for anyone interested in that craft. I just have to decipher my notes, always a challenge! Keep watch here as they will be featured on my blog first.