Doll's Shoes

I had an order for two pairs of my wrap over baby shoes, and after emailing the customer found out that she actually was buying them as an Easter present for her two daughters' for their baby dolls. A few more emails flew between the UK and USA, with measurements and photos of the baby dolls' feet, and from me photos of various coloured wools etc. (People moan about the internet, but this sort of thing would just not have been possible before it.) And so these scaled down version of my shoes are now on the way to the USA, where I hope they will be thoroughly played with, and the baby dolls will have warm feet.

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for March. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

A Dog Called Wilson

I was watching "The Great British Sewing Bee" last night, and the little dachshund called Wilson in the middle section (where the contestants had to make a dog outfit out of recycled tent fabric) reminded me of a very similar dog with the same name, for whom I knitted a sweater. But I couldn't find it on my blog, and then realised that I made this sweater before I started my blog, back in 2011. Oh it was a simpler time ....

I do love the sewing bee programme, although I can't think of anything worse than sewing to a deadline. When I sew it just has to take as long as it takes, which is often weeks. I'm sewing something at the moment, and cutting out the pattern pieces and material must have took me at least 2 hours. I also think there must be short cuts, as it really would not have made very interesting TV, me sitting on the floor cutting out tissue paper. I would also like to look at the inside of the garments, to see how much is neatened. But enough of me rabbiting about sewing ...

So partly because I have nothing else to write about (I'm working on a knitting pattern which just isn't going to plan), I thought I would show you the photos, and you can click here if you want to see the wool and pattern details that I used. Wilson's Fair Isle Sweater.

He was very cute, and had to come to my house twice for fittings. I would quite like to make something similar for my own dog, but the idea has been frowned on by the rest of the family. But I might do it anyway ...

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for March. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

Ginx Woolly Linx Party March

Well somehow the end of February has snuck up on me rather unexpectantly. So I have spent most of this afternoon looking through your posts, which have all been very inspiring.  Thank you to everyone who joined in the party for February.

My featured projects for the month are: 

Eli of Ovillo de Eli has made this cute little lamb for a baby shower. Check out the whole post, as there is also a lovely baby bunting, and it is all set off with rosebuds.

Elizabeth of The Craft Lizard shared this lovely Winter Bosque Hat pattern. This Fair Isle knitting does not look easy, but I have already downloaded the pattern and am going to give it a try.

And the next project is also mixed colours and knitting. Isn't this traditional Nordic style sweater, made by Gema of Hebra de Lana, timeless and beautiful? 

And finally Lalka Crochet has made a Yoga Doll, which had her own yoga mat and can do the yoga poses.  

An InLinkz Link-up

Remember if you were picked as a feature you can put the "I was featured" button on your blog. 

Red Ted

I wrote a post, which I now see was back in November called My Work Basket. How can the months have slipped by so quickly. A few people did spot that I was making a teddy bear, and was using my own pattern. This teddy is jointed, which might put a few people off, but the joints are quite easy to buy on-line (and probably in shops), and I think give a more authentic bear that hopefully will be fun to play with.

Teddy has been finished for a while, but I was waiting to see if my niece had a boy or girl before I made the scarf. I used to a combination of bright red and sock wool for the scarf to give a slightly random stripe. So this teddy is now on his way to Ireland, to meet my new great nephew.

The pattern is called Teddy Bear on ravelry. This teddy also has a small hump, which I now realise I haven't photographed. (Debating whether to unwrap him for another photo-shoot.) Have you ever found yourself saying (in your head) "work it teddy", while getting a woolly bear to pose in the back garden?

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for February. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

My International Socks

I am calling these sock "My International Socks", and will explain why. 

The pattern that I used is called Hiking Socks by Blicknits on ravelry, who is from Germany. I really like to knit toe-up socks like these, because I decided I could use one ball of wool per sock, and just kept knitting until I ran out of wool. (No tricky trying to guess how much is needed for the foot length.) 

But in a few ways I veered off the pattern track. I did not use the cast-on technique for the toe, but decided to follow Arne and Carlos (knitters from Norway), who give advice on toes, and in particular sewing up toes, which you can see here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euf3Q-4xt2I  I am sure fellow knitters will have heard of them, but if not check them out. I love watching their videos, which are not just on knitting, with glimpses of beautiful clean Norwegian lakes and mountains.

When I got to the heel though, I somehow got in a pickle. I think that I just was getting muddled with the stitch counting, so after a few attempts I decided to use a different heel, called "The German Heel" which I found on Youtube by New Leaf Podcast, who I think is Dutch, although she sounds American.

Heel done, I continued on the pattern, which finishes with the Russian-bind-off.

Looking at the wool I used, which was Drops Fabel, I see it is also from Norway.

So you can see that the only English thing about these socks are the legs that are wearing them! How hard is it to photograph socks naturally. The minute you say I'm about to click toes start to flex and curl.

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for February. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

Ginx Woolly Linx Party February

I seem to have a bit of a Valentine theme going with my features for January, but honestly only noticed this after I had picked them.

Stephanie of Unique Yarn Designs linked with a crochet pattern for these little heart-shaped boxes.  I love this sort of project, and despite my rather ropey crochet skills, I am going to try to make some of these.

Maricarmen of Tramas de Colores has knitted this beautiful rainbow scarf, in a fern pattern. I like every this about it, the colour, the design and the wool looks so soft. Not quite in my theme, but I guess it would make a nice Valentine gift.

And another scarf from Tonya of Sew Crafty Crochet. It was the autumnal colours that attracted me to this scarf, and the heart-shaped ends are a great finishing touch.

and finally Alexandra of Eye Love Knots has made a envelope wallet for your Valentine card. I just love that lacey edging detail.

Thank you to every else who linked up with your projects last month. I enjoy looking at them all, so keep linking and visiting each other.  As we are a fairly small party, your chances of being picked as a featured item are fairly high, and I hope that also sends some new visitors to your blogs.

An InLinkz Link-up

Remember if you were picked as a feature you can put the "I was featured" button on your blog.

The Deer in Richmond Park

 The Hunters Are Coming

I hear a gun shot, a celebratory cry.

As I look in the bushes, a gleaming blue eye.

The hunters are coming, as big and as bad,

They've seen me I know, and they're especially glad.

Up to my feet I get with a rush,

Quickly I charge to hide by a thrush.

"Deer! over there" the hunters they shout.

Will I survive? I'm, beginning to doubt!

I run for my life, over the hill.

Yes! I'll survive. I beating them till ...

I'm flung in the air to the highest tree tops,

I taste blood in my mouth as this little deer drops.

For a moment I lie there, I lie there quite still,

But the hunters are coming, ready to kill.

I try to run, as fast as I can,

But I turn around swiftly, and I'm facing a man!

I close my brown eyes and take a last breath, 

But I squiggle and squirm, not ready for death.

I hear a gun shot, a celebratory cry.

Why was it me who had to die?

As I walked in Richmond Park this week, there was a sign up saying the deer cull is on for the next six weeks. Not completely sure how I feel about this. I do know that the deer, which are in a confined space practically in London, have to have their numbers controlled, and that probably the cull is the least cruel way to do this. 

But then I got home, and saw the poem above, which has been posted on the side of my fridge for the last few years. It was written by my daughter when she was in primary school, and does tug at the heart strings.

Looking back through my photographs, I realize I do not take many of the deer. The one at the top was taken at this time of year, and I kept it mainly because I liked the framing by the trees. And the other one was in mid-summer, when I think I was trying to photograph rabbits, and came upon this deer a bit too close by surprise. I am not sure who was more shocked.

Not much to show on the knitting front. I am making socks, and they seem to taking a long time. On the second one though!

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for January. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.