Ginx Woolly Linx Party April

 

I love this little cat by Inekedc, and I agree with her that it is hard to find a good pattern for a cat. Not sure why - they are so familiar, but also seem to be able to transform in shape.

The tiny toadstool by Eye Love Knots is right up my street. So little and so perfect. It is a free pattern as well.

Vicki and Patti are astronauts. Such a clever pattern, and I think any child would love the spacesuits and all the accessories. Designed and made by Lalka Crochetka.

And finally I could not resist showing you all of Hakelfieber's Bibi dolls for each season. Her post is mainly about winter, but at the bottom of the page is a preview of all the dolls together. Adorable, which is your favourite?

Thank you for linking up in March. I have not got to commenting on everyone's posts this month, but I have looked at them all. Looking forward to seeing your April projects.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Sneak Peek Seahorse

Working on a new pattern, and having my same old problem of trying to get the photos right. The seahorse just looked a bit sad lying flat on the table, so here he is under the sea - much more suitable. Done by changing my screensaver, and a nearly invisible thread. Just got to make a lot more now before I am ready to publish.

 

Just a reminder that there is still loads of time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for March. I would love to see what you have been working on.

Windy Day Baby Cardigan

 

One more photo of the latest version of my Windy Day Baby Cardigan. This cardigan was for my colleague's grandaughter, who is now back at home after some time in hospital. Looking pretty as a picture.

There are more details of the wool I used and a link to the pattern here.

Back in London now, and at my job in school. Pleased that I am booked for the vaccine tomorrow.

 

Just a reminder that there is still loads of time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for March. I would love to see what you have been working on.

 

Applewood Buttons

There is a saying that is "necessity is the mother of invention". And this is truly the case with my Applewood Buttons. Shops are shut, and I tried to mail order some buttons for the cardigans I have made. They were lovely, but not quite right, so the only solutions seemed to be to make some rustic buttons.

There are some apple branches that have been sitting in the barn seaonsing since last year. I have to admit that my husband had to saw the wooden disks, and drill the holes, but I did a lot of sanding and oiling. My husband keeps suggesting that I varnish them, but I have left them simply oiled with linseed oil.

These buttons are what is called "live edge", which means they have the original bark on them. The air is pretty clean down here in Cornwall, so you might even find the odd bit of lichen.

Each button is approximately 2cm in diameter, and 0.5 cm deep. And they are for sale in my Etsy shop in sets of four, six or eight. But if anyone would like more or less buttons I will give an individual price.

 

Each button is unique, so if you want a standard factory produced button, these are not for you. But if you are looking for a natural button made from an interesting type of hardwearing wood, I think you will love these.

I am slightly obsessed with keeping as much plastic as possible out of the environment. Any rubbish upsets me, but particularly plastic - as you know it could sit there for years and get into the food chain. So although these buttons should last for years, you can feel assured that you are not adding any more plastic to the environment.

There are still other branches left to work with, so I may have a go at making some larger buttons, or perhaps toggles. I love a toggle on a garment. 

 

Just a reminder that there is still loads of time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for March. I would love to see what you have been working on.

 

Windy Day Cardigan - Baby Marble

I have been busy making just one more Windy Day Baby Cardigan from my new pattern. I am so pleased with how this one has turned out. It is in the largest size, 6-9 months. The wool is James C. Brett Baby Marble DK. It was fun to knit and see the colours change, and I think because the pattern is all garter stitch and fairly plain, it suits a pretty wool like this. I am very much looking forward to giving this cardigan to its new owner soon.

And just to mention the buttons, which are the reason it has taken me so long to get this cardigan to the finish. They are some more of my homemade applewood buttons. I am going to try and do some real close up photos in a separate post, but these buttons will be in a new section of my Etsy shop soon.

 

Just a reminder that there is still loads of time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for March. I would love to see what you have been working on.

 

 

 
 

Ginx Woolly Linx Party March

It definitely seems like Spring is in the air where I am. Buds are starting to appear, as well as some early flowers - snowdrops, daffodils and primroses. It has seemed like a long winter, and although I will be back at my school job on 8th March, I am starting to think about my vegetable plot, and planning what I can plant in the Easter holidays. I will probably resume my monthly gardening posts.

I think the projects that I have picked have a bit of a Spring feel to them.

I really like the Bunny Comforter from Mimi Swan. Lovely big pink ears, and the post has instruction on how to make one.

Sew Crafty Crochet has been using wool from her stash to make this beautiful blanket. Love the colours, and that details of pompoms round the edge is perfect.

I could not resist Lalka Crochetka's fluffy alpacas. My dream is to have some alpacas of my own. These cuties only make me want them more.

And finally Zeleni Trenutki has made some specially adapted gloves for photography. And if you want to see some signs of Spring it is worth visiting her blog to see some beautiful photographs.

Please try and visit a few posts, particularly if you link in early in the month, try to call back to see who else has joined in. It only takes a few seconds to leave a nice comment, and it is a great way to get ideas for your own work.

Looking forward to seeing all your projects in March.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crochet and Knit Cushion

I mentioned that I was having a go at crochet for a change, and was aiming to make next a blanket or throw. Two problems came up: first that I only had so much wool, and second I am not very quick. 

I see other crafters, who seem to be able to knock off a blanket in a few weeks, and am amazed by how they manage this. When I showed my husband the pile of granny squares I had made, his first suggestion was that we just have a large set of coasters! Can you imagine me rolling my eyes? My daughter wanted me to create a jacket, but there really weren't enough for that. A cushion seemed a good answer, and then I had to send off for a cushion pad. 

For the back I only had a small selection of colours left, so decided to knit a square on the diagonal. Really pleased with how this turned out. Julie from Sum of Their Stories told me that her nan used to combine knit and crochet in one project, using which ever worked best. Have you ever made something using knit and crochet? I would love to hear about it. Or perhaps you have combined two other crafts in an unusual way.

I also wanted to mention the wool I used. This wool came from my sister-in-law, and was a kit for a fair isle jumper that she did not want to make.  I have got so much pleasure from this wool, as it is all the same ply, and has been used in so many projects, so "thank you". Here are just a few.

 

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for February. I would love to see what you have been working on.