Kitten Ears

Who could resist knitting some Kitten Ears for their granddaughter?



This is a vintage (1950s?) pattern - Paragon brand (from New Zealand) and they call this a "Bunny Bonnet" - well it doesn't look like much laid flat but when put on a round head the points become ears - not quite large enough for a bunny really, more like a kitten or possum. I did adapt very slightly by making a button-up, under-chin strap instead of ribbon ties. My daughter is phobic about long ribbons near baby necks - I quite see her point! and it is amazing - nearly every knitting pattern for babies (new and vintage) features ribbon ties.

The yarn was left over from teh outfit I made for the 4th "Knitting for Blythe" swap on Ravelry ... (I must post you some photos) anyways, it is a self-patterning sock yarn called "Jigsaw".

Knitted bolero for my Niece

Well, I got both knitted pressies for my sister's twins finished in time but only just. I started this bolero months ago - and then put it aside. The yarn is from Bendigo Woolen Mills - 12ply and they call the colour "Seamist" - I added the darker bits myself and am quite chuffed with the result. The photo below shows the colours better.

The pattern is (like the hooded jacket) from a French pattern book - and it was all in French but the fantastically detailed schematics once again made it possible for me to work things out. I did change things somewhat (those who know me will know that I seldom actually follow a pattern!) The original had a shawl-style collar and plain sleeves to the wrist. My niece loves dancing and especially Spanish / flamenco style dancing - so I'm indulging this (it is part of the job of an Auntie) hence the frilly bits on this bolero - and the rose with matching bit - which is mounted on a hair-clip (all Spanish dancers need a rose for their hair!).

I rather enjoy being an Auntie :-)

The Purple People Eater and/or Hat

Photo time for that Purple Hat all Finished :-) and I still love this hat even after a very tedious time hand-stitching the ribbon round the edge. The Indian ribbon is pretty but uncooperative and stiff with the metallic thread.
Put loops of said ribbon flying away behind all the curves and ridges.

Green knitted jacket for my nephew

My sister's twins are about to turn 8 - so I've been furiously knitting, trying to get their pressies finished in time.

This one is done - a zip up jacket with cables and a hood. The yarn is from Bendigo Woolen Mills (12 ply in "Guava") the pattern is from a French pattern booklet bought in Paris last time I was there (I just HAD to say that darlings).

It is fun knitting from French patterns when you don't read French - but not really too hard because they give great schematics :-) maps of the garment with ALL the measurements and that makes it easy - sort of.

That Big Red Hat again etc

Carina asked for a bigger (in terms of pixel thingos) photo of that hat ...

The brim piece was only 14sts wide - but in the space of those 14 sts I had bobbles, eyelets, cables and short rowing :-)



In other news today:
One of my patchwork skirts (from up cycled fabrics) has been featured on the Mellow Tones Handmade Shopping Guide blog:

I have that skirt in my (now downsized) ArtFire shop but there are some others (in different colour-ways) in my Etsy shop :-)

Big Red Hat - knitting over wire frame

I’ve just realised that I never did post a photo of my red knitted (over wire-frame) hat fully finished. Sorry, here it is.

I went a bit crazy with the bobbles ;-)

There is lots of the sliver / roving (unspun wool) left so I'm spinning it up and will knit myself a jumper or dress to match this hat.

Spun Sky and a Purple Hat

Showing off my latest hand-spun - and the first completely spun on Kevin (my new Majacraft wheel).

Don't you think it looks like the sky - on a sunny day (in Sydney it is getting hard to remember what a sunny sky looks like!) Most of this is going to be a birthday pressie for my mother (it's OK she doesn't read blogs) but I'm keeping a little bit to make something - I don't know what yet.

I'm also showing off my latest millinery, even though it is unfinished because I just love this hat.

Why do I love it?

1. it is purple

2. it is felt and I love working in felt because you sculpt a felt hat over a wooden block and those blocks are often really old

3. it is all curves

4. I got to use one of my favourite old wooden hat blocks for the crown

5. and I've turned that crown back-the-front (I love being subversive)

6. I used another of my fabourite hat blocks for the brim

7. I'm going to use Indian ribbon for the trim, twinkle twinkle, (that's the ribbon draped about Linda's shoulders)

8. it is purple

Oh I do love my purple hat.