Daffodil Fairy

This is the final of my spring wild flower fairies. I have a few more fairies in the pipeline, but they are summer garden flowers, so you will have to wait a while for them. As you can see, Daffodil is flamboyant and a lot of fun. 

None of the fairies have made it to my shop yet, as I still have to make their little bags. Can't believe that the Easter holiday has gone by and I have got to it yet. 

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for April. 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.

Snowdrop Fairy

Hello Snowdrop Fairy. I am a little late in the year to find any real snowdrops to photograph her with. At first I thought she didn't need a hat, but I could see her looking at Primrose with a bit of envy, so in the end I made her one, and we had to go out again to the woods for more photos.
  

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for April. 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.

Primrose Fairy

I've been making a few new fairies, using my fairy and mermaid pattern, and they will be heading to my Etsy shop, although first I have to make each one a little embroidered bag to live in. First meet Primrose - she can be a bit shy, but if you pick the right time of year you will find her in meadows, hedgerows and woodland. There will be a few more flower fairies appearing soon.

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for April. 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 April

Hello everyone, and welcome to the April Woolly Linx Party. 

March has seemed to fly by, and for me (in the knitting sense) it has not been very productive. But if not knitting me and my husband have been very busy around the house - DIY and tidying, and at work we were visited by the dreaded Ofsted. If you are not from the UK this might not mean much to you, but it means we have a visit from the school inspectors.

So after all that it is nice and relaxing to sit with a cup of tea and look at your lovely project for March. 

The party will open at midnight, and I have changed to new style party, so am very much hoping that all will work as normal. I always get a bit fazed when things change.

I love Gema of Hebra de Lana's boho style bag, which she has photographed really interestingly in an old warehouse.

Maricarmen of Tramas de Colores has made some gorgeous pink crochet baby shoes.

I have a bit of a thing about llamas, so had to choose this lovely one from Liz of Howling at the Moon.

And finally Lalka Crocheta has made this adorable polar bear, named Knut.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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

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

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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.

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

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Cardigan ... Finished at Last

I thought about calling this post "The Reluctant Model", as you can probably tell that my son was not over keen to have me take his photograph. Although he has said I can post them on my blog. (Mind you, I am usually not very keen on having my own photograph taken, so I do know how he feels.)

I prefer the photographs taken above, even though they don't show the cardigan very well. I knew if I started faffing about the cardigan I might lose my model completely, so here are some taken outside, which show the garment off better. 

I'm rather pleased with my improvised stripes on the sleeves, although in the end I had wool left over. So I didn't need to do them, but I think they have added something to the garment - the college preppy look.

The pattern I used was call "The Boyfriend Cardigan" by Erica Knight, bought from John Lewis. It is actually a woman's cardigan pattern, but I reversed the bands. It fits my son very well, as he is tall but very skinny. The grey Aran-weight wool is Drops Alaska and was bought online from Wool Warehouse. It seemed good value for 100% wool at £1.80 for a 50g ball, and by clicking about a bit I managed to find a discount code. (I bought 18 balls, but have 2 left over.) 

I was tempted into buying some sock wool, as spending over £30 put me into free postage. So expect some more family knitting here soon.  

I'm also rather pleased with how the toggles look, instead of buttons, bought from Fabricland.

I know this is not great, but it did capture the feel of most of the photos that I took but haven't used.

Just a reminder that there is still plenty of 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

Ginx Woolly Linx Party January 2019

Hello, and Happy New Year!

I am so pleased to welcome you to the first Ginx Linx Party for 2019, and to celebrate that the party has reached its first birthday. I was a bit nervous a year ago when I started the party. Will anyone come and join, and will I be able to technically put it together each month? But much to my relief you have come from all over the world, and shared your wonderful projects. The party has grown a bit month by month, but also lots of you have come back regularly. 

I have picked a few more favourites than usual, just couldn't limit myself to just four.

Lilia of Lilia Craft Party in Venice has knitted this lovely London Scarf. Her own design, I think it is both cosy and glamorous.

Gema of Hebra de Lana has made Leopold, a polar bear who looks all set for cold weather in his Nordic sweater.

Jo from Three Stories High has made this sweater from a pattern called The Simplest Sweater, but added her own unique coffee-coloured band of Nordic decoration.

Sabine of Nephi Handmade has been running a penguin CAL. I recommend you click on the link to see all the penguins that have been made so far.

Maricarmen of Tramas de Colores has made these cute little Christmas gnomes. I would like to make some of these myself for next Christmas.

and finally Olga of Lacey Crochet has made this beautiful leaf-inspired doily from her own design. I am always a bit in awe of this type of crochet work, done with such fine thread.

So thank you to everyone who has joined in the party over the last year, and I look forward to seeing and being inspired by your projects in 2019.

An InLinkz Link-up

 

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

"A Christmas Pickle"

Has anyone else got themselves in a Christmas knitting pickle. Taken on too much, and not got it done in time. I've mentioned a few times that I'm knitting a garment, which is in fact a cardigan for my son. It's taken a bit of planning, as he doesn't like anything too flamboyant. I am not completely sure he will wear it. I know that handknitted cardigans are probably not the coolest thing, but he might, as he is not particularly into fashion. 

So I am in a pickle in two ways. Firstly, as you can see, it will not be done for Christmas. The back and two fronts are done, but I am still on the sleeves. Second problem is that I think I am not going to have enough wool. So I have decided to try and solve this problem in two ways. I'm knitting both arms at the same time, and the new plan is to have some stripes of other colours around the elbows. (Does anyone knit arms like this? I have heard that some people knit socks this way.) He is at university, and perhaps this will give him a preppy look. I think this might work out, but will keep you updated, and perhaps eventually I can get my son to model the finished garment. Not sure he will, as he is a shy young man.

And I just thought I would finish off with a few of the knitted ornament that are on my tree this year, made from my own patterns. Christmas Tree, Sand Dollar and Scallop Shell.  

These come out every year, but I may have to think of a few more ideas for next year, as the dog had a bit of a session on some of my other decorations. These are the broken ones on her bed. She had got some knitted ones off the tree, but they seem to have survived. So perhaps she is the "Christmas Pickle"!

Happy Christmas to you all!

Plums and Custard 2CV

I have just completed an order for a slightly different 2CV from my Etsy shop. The customer referred to the car as "plums and custard", and I hadn't heard this cream and maroon combination on the 2CV referred to in this way. I wonder if other 2CV colour combinations have nicknames.

She was really pleased with the finished car, which is knitted from my Henrietta 2CV pattern, with a bit of personalisation.  Here is link to the post with the original Henrietta, and me looking much younger than I do now.

So once again I have had a bit of distraction from my "big project", but I am back on it. (And all I can say is that I have finished the back, and one side of the front. But time is running out before Christmas! Help!)

Just a reminder that there is still plenty of time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for December. 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 December

I feel that my favourites this month might be summed up by the phrase "deceptively simple". Aren't they all beautiful, great colours, and beautiful designs.

The first is this lamp for St. Martin's Day. It made me feel nostalgic for the school where I used to work. Every year we would visit the nearby German School, and make lamps to celebrate St. Martin's Day. I love the coloured ribbons on this lamp, made by Howling at the Moon.

Next Raji's Craft Hobby has made this super crochet star ornament. She has a really good photo tutorial, so even a crochet novice like me could have a go.

Ha, at last some knitting. Isn't this baby jumper and booties just beautiful. I just love the pure whiteness, and the way it has been presented by Gema of Hebra de Lana from Spain.

And finally Fanny of Yarn Around the World has made this classic crochet basket. Love the bright yellow and the shape.

An InLinkz Link-up

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