Baby Shoes

Between other knits I seem to always fit in a few pairs of booties. I haven't tired of knitting these yet, and they do seem to be the most consistent seller from my Etsy shop. I guess no one minds treating a new baby.

I wasn't sure about the yellow ones to start with, but once now I have embroidered on the daisy flowers I find they are my favourite. The wool is a really nice cotton, and and unusual mix of yellow and white. I'm not sure of the brand, but wonder if it comes in other colours as it was so nice to work with. I wonder if anyone will recognize it.

And these green ones (Is this green? It is a bit hard to put your finger on this colour) are knitted in Rowan Calmer, which came from my sister. I decided to return to my little embroidered bumble bee. As usual they come in a cream dupion silk shoebag.

Vintage Caravans

I've been mulling over this idea for a while. A knitted vintage caravan. Henrietta my 2CV was a curvy car, and that led me to think if I could knit some other curvacious vehicles. Knitting doesn't really lend itself to being angular. What is more curvy that a vintage caravan?

I thought this caravan would make either a really cute toy or ornament, or perhaps be useful as a pincushion. But the pattern also contains instructions for a simpler version where you only knit one side and make it into a keyring for your caravan keys. These few will be for sale in my Etsy shop. I think they are so cute and would now quite like my own vintage caravan.

When I think of a new idea for a knit, I normally go through a similar process. I do a very quick look on the knitting websites to see if anyone has already had my idea. If there are lots of really good patterns, I usually stop then. What can I add to this? But with my vintage caravan I really couldn't find anyone who has knitted anything quite like this. (Apologies if I have missed someone's brilliant knit.) Then if there are a very few, or no patterns, I say hurrah!  Although this may mean that I am designing things that are so quirky very few people want to knit them. I would love to be able to come up with something that is both quirky, unique, and popular. But "chin up" I say. Caravans are one of the popular things I can think of, and who does not love a retro vintage caravan

The pattern designing process then usually involves me sitting and knitting with a notepad by side. I then type up a first version, and after that I amend, and amend and amend ... But I always feel a lot happier when I have that first typed draft, even if I know I am going to have to alter and change a lot. 

These caravans are knitted with doubleknit, and quite a fine needle 2.5mm. This was because I wanted all the pieces to be firm, so the overall caravan wouldn't bulge too much. Everything is knitted on two needles (even the wheels). The finished caravan is quite small (8cm long and 7.5 cm tall). I am thinking of knitting a little car that would be to scale and could go infront.

Toad Crossing

This happens every year now, thanks to a group of toad enthusiasts. I did head up the road with my camera looking for a likely toad to photograph, but had no luck. I think I would have needed to head out in the rain at night, and I didn't quite have the stamina for that. What is the most unusual road sign you have seen?

New Croft

Another Scottish croft.  

A small bird nestles at the side of the chimney.

... and around the back of the croft some white sheep are grazing. 

While at the side of the cottage is the black sheep of the family.

Knitted from my Little Woollie House pattern using James Brett Marble DK, 
and Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leicester Aran wool, 
and for sale in my Etsy shop.