After our visit to Bruges this summer the beautiful houses that we photographed from the canal gave me the idea to knit a house with a step gable roof. I have called this a Dutch House, so apologies to the Belgium houses that were actually my inspiration.
I started with the idea to make a model house, a bit like my Little Woollie House Pattern. Somewhere along the way I changed my mind, and decided it could become pencil case or wallet. But then thinking of our visit to the Chocolate Museum in Bruges, decided it would make a really nice gift wallet for a bar of chocolate. (You may have noticed that the chocolate is Swiss, and from my local supermarket, but I hope it gives the idea. The chocolate we bought in Bruges has long since been eaten.)
The house is knitted in red, cream and brown double knit wool. Some of the details like the black window frames and railings were embroidered on afterwards. I do enjoy stitching on knitting, which I find much easier that embroidery on cloth.
The construction is very easy. The front and back are just sewn together. I made a black felt lining, which is just oversewn in at the mouth. This is not absolutely essential, but I thought if anyone were to use it as a pencil case, it would stop anything getting caught up in the loops of wool on the inside.
My wallet has a simple button and loop fastener. A different fastener (perhaps Velcro) would be better if it were a container for pencils. My wallet is 9cm by 30cm, and the pattern is simply the chart I used for the front section, and some instructions for the back section, and making up.
I am already working on an idea for another Dutch house which will be 3-D, and a functional object. Are you intrigued? So I have decided to put the pattern for this one on as a free pattern. It is available on ravelry, Craftsy and Loveknitting.
Beautiful idea to make a pencil case ( or chocolate case ) like a dutch house ! The result is lovely !!!
ReplyDeleteHave a yummy weekend !
Anna
What a great idea, and thanks for the free pattern.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all the wonderful things you create! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are so very creative. What a great idea to use it to gift a simple or an exotic bar of chocolate.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and so clever! And every time you see your creation, you'll be reminded of your trip to Bruges.
ReplyDeleteso cute, so clever and what a way to look back on :)
ReplyDeleteA Dutch house is the best inspiration ever....haven't quite made anything myself but sure photographed them a ton when in The Netherlands, so i just love your knit version! thanks for sharing on craft schooling sunday, can't wait to see the 3D version, hmm maybe a coffee press cover? Come to think of it, haven't seen any tea kettle cosies from you! all the best.
ReplyDeleteI have seen these buildings but these creations in wool is beyond my imagination. Brilliant work by you.
ReplyDeleteWhat could be lovelier than yummy chocolate inside such a beautiful container! What a fab idea! :)
ReplyDeletePositively BRILLIANT! As always! Although, I suspect any chocolate won't be in IT for too long! ;-p
ReplyDeleteBTW, I suppose IT could also be used as a case for eyeglasses..? - whatever. I absolutely love IT!
A great idea for a Christmas present with chocolate in tow. I'd use the wallet for crochet hooks ... so many uses.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun project, a cosy for chocolate. Great gift idea for those hard to buy for friends.
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous! Beautiful idea! I also love embroidering on yarn but on crochet! I havent tried it on knitting yet :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute and the bar of choccie looks good too, lol
ReplyDeleteOh it's so cute - I love the stair step roof and I think it makes perfect sense to have a chocolate case!
ReplyDeleteSo fun! I love it when designers explain their process when creating a new pattern!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. Lovely idea. Of course, you now need to go back and photograph the wallet in front of one of the houses. With Belgian chocolate in it.
ReplyDeleteNovel idea! Quite lovely :)
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