tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72349864445041463102024-03-13T21:48:11.373-07:00Picking Up The ThreadsThe Crafty One!Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-44952841642314490712020-03-13T09:20:00.000-07:002020-03-13T09:44:57.928-07:00Baby Blanket Purple<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxUOK2TMJ0I/XmuujZw7Q0I/AAAAAAAAI0Q/5XkhAOzKxvI_XGmeBP0uqFVmEZQ06iJKQCEwYBhgLKskDAMBZVoBQhl1GDEcp580VpOOatCr1R-QEscO8UxW3pVBvSjuJkF9gTkdvwc53IHVtXF0en0d9NazdeR0XVyd2mwya5r14dCji7QkXuimAr8_--4zFby231G7cdglODIjsCklLqDdnJ9QbGLfKiMimVXFO-60RppGJzRCfCTfJJE4x0YLig7C7I8KzRHELsZOHNpFZhHZ3_tRbA75KsY6Eh94IBdyBJ8xjTlfO-vkynPy65YC2Olw9QCMv364OKU_AFkAcwoQGCrO8ygQxKDbKnfQ2DIGFSkfCGr15Loo7auiQnaHT1joV_f7CmkQu4pIZQgK3S6aKxtwZdk6F8bQTZPXrZ1TQ7QfhS-TvLctQsMGiCTJvREWobJGVsxF8kCbYTpAN7g9hlJtTImEh_HT0UAX1tN3JxEO5eqa9r1fe44Ug0IkkJ-sQcj30U-aPD35KxFPmMkBYgflE0i-kgMfCnyDMZ1uLBI9oOK3oe0t3FbzH0Z3YWQeSXD7YNkNl0vUJcxvNFT7bg40xiGm67-fRutdO92Carivq5zsq3D9py_4CIJ7VBDk2hPp3PiR75toqZ1tuXqiVULFNUTaIlxw5K84X7kk0VisDmDCb5a7zBQ/s1600/9DCD5DC9-1FAE-407F-A807-080BAA0B4298.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxUOK2TMJ0I/XmuujZw7Q0I/AAAAAAAAI0Q/5XkhAOzKxvI_XGmeBP0uqFVmEZQ06iJKQCEwYBhgLKskDAMBZVoBQhl1GDEcp580VpOOatCr1R-QEscO8UxW3pVBvSjuJkF9gTkdvwc53IHVtXF0en0d9NazdeR0XVyd2mwya5r14dCji7QkXuimAr8_--4zFby231G7cdglODIjsCklLqDdnJ9QbGLfKiMimVXFO-60RppGJzRCfCTfJJE4x0YLig7C7I8KzRHELsZOHNpFZhHZ3_tRbA75KsY6Eh94IBdyBJ8xjTlfO-vkynPy65YC2Olw9QCMv364OKU_AFkAcwoQGCrO8ygQxKDbKnfQ2DIGFSkfCGr15Loo7auiQnaHT1joV_f7CmkQu4pIZQgK3S6aKxtwZdk6F8bQTZPXrZ1TQ7QfhS-TvLctQsMGiCTJvREWobJGVsxF8kCbYTpAN7g9hlJtTImEh_HT0UAX1tN3JxEO5eqa9r1fe44Ug0IkkJ-sQcj30U-aPD35KxFPmMkBYgflE0i-kgMfCnyDMZ1uLBI9oOK3oe0t3FbzH0Z3YWQeSXD7YNkNl0vUJcxvNFT7bg40xiGm67-fRutdO92Carivq5zsq3D9py_4CIJ7VBDk2hPp3PiR75toqZ1tuXqiVULFNUTaIlxw5K84X7kk0VisDmDCb5a7zBQ/s640/9DCD5DC9-1FAE-407F-A807-080BAA0B4298.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here he is! The latest recipient of baby blanket series. <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com/2017/04/baby-blanket-orange.html">Baby Blanket Orange</a>, <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2016/08/baby-blanket-blue.html" style="color: #2288bb; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-decoration: none;">Baby Blanket Blue</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;">, </span><a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2016/12/baby-blanket-aqua.html" style="color: #2288bb; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-decoration: none;">Baby Blanket Aqua</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"> and </span><a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2017/01/baby-blanket-dusky.html" style="color: #2288bb; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; text-decoration: none;">Baby Blanket Peachy</a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.399999618530273px;">. The pattern is free from Black Sheep Wools. The yarn is Schachenmayr Bravo Color. The baby was born last week, the blanket was made earlier, just waiting for a new little baby to come along. Luca joins Tabitha, Thomas, Oscar and Thomas (2), who can all be seen by clicking on the names of the individual blanket colours above.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PlB4PwRKdU/XmuxrWUq-fI/AAAAAAAAI0o/SZizvGfdjCcT9EAnrJ90uHwFKohSmp2wACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Four%2BBlankets.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PlB4PwRKdU/XmuxrWUq-fI/AAAAAAAAI0o/SZizvGfdjCcT9EAnrJ90uHwFKohSmp2wACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Four%2BBlankets.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span></span>Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-75621796826647249652018-02-12T05:26:00.001-08:002018-02-12T11:07:18.394-08:00A Good Vintage Cardigan<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4b5ikT-uoWo/WoGOnxdZ73I/AAAAAAAAIl4/tAwAqsIujUEWzoAdfHKzEMeED4W9w-r3QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4b5ikT-uoWo/WoGOnxdZ73I/AAAAAAAAIl4/tAwAqsIujUEWzoAdfHKzEMeED4W9w-r3QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4784.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-62yp_vVjU/WoGOU7Gpl7I/AAAAAAAAIl8/-hkXhNTfTEIbfrRXQP7QK6jUDEIwbbyDwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1268" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-62yp_vVjU/WoGOU7Gpl7I/AAAAAAAAIl8/-hkXhNTfTEIbfrRXQP7QK6jUDEIwbbyDwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_2509.jpg" width="316" /></a>This has been a long time in the making. I first saw it in Simply Crochet magazine last Spring and, once I’d ordered the yarn, I started it in April.<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aq6galDEPXQ/WoGOaUnsVoI/AAAAAAAAImA/W-40L5f7_3QEnQxyD9BKxwzA7g0krpHDQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aq6galDEPXQ/WoGOaUnsVoI/AAAAAAAAImA/W-40L5f7_3QEnQxyD9BKxwzA7g0krpHDQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2512.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Worsening osteo arthritis in my hands meant that progress was slow, and Once Summer arrived, I wouldn’t need a warm cardigan.<br />
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Here in Lanzarote, only a light cardigan is needed in evenings if I am out and about. Therefore the project was shelved until this Winter and I again took it up determined to complete it.<br />
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Less than a week ago I was still putting the finishing touches to it at our local Knit and Natter group.<br />
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After sewing in all those ends - note to self, never crochet in stripes again - and adding the buttons, it was ready for a little gentle steam on the blocks.<br />
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I used <a href="http://www.sirdar.co.uk/yarns/classics/4_plyclassics/Country%20Style%204%20Ply%2050g">Sirdar Country Style 4 ply</a>, a wool blend yarn. This comes in 50g balls and, although I need more for the main colour, I ordered only one of each of the stripe colours. Because I made the small size, I reckon I still have enough to make another cardigan (or a waistcoat at least)! Whilst it’s a reasonably priced yarn, this is not very economical, and there is no way I’m having another project with quite so many ends to sew in.<br />
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This is what it looks like mostly unbuttoned. Read more on my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/BrindleyBee?pageless=2">Ravelry page</a>, where all my projects are stored.<br />
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<br />Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-17672718939107720492018-01-31T09:53:00.000-08:002018-01-31T10:26:32.306-08:00Seaglass ShawlI spotted this shawl in issue 15 of Crochet Now magazine and knew someone for whom it would make a perfect present.<br />
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Made with Scheepjeswol Sunkissed and designed by Eline Alcocer. The colours were Pitachio Ice, Sand Dunes, Soft Cloud and Oceanside.<br />
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We live by the sea and my daughter is only a few minutes walk from her flat to the beach, where she loves to collect seaglass (below). The colours of the shawl are very similar to those in her finds, except she also finds the occasional lilac colour.<br />
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It was ready in time for her birthday and here it is drying out ‘on the blocks’ after a gentle steaming.<br />
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It only remained for me to wrap it up and add the label cut from the magazine, embellishing it with some ‘made with love’ ribbon - not that there was ever any doubt.<br />
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Nicely matched to the seaglass. And below, the birthday girl herself, with eyes the colour of seaglass, modelling the shawl.<br />
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<br />Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-7354551429494008982017-12-06T05:57:00.000-08:002017-12-06T06:03:49.440-08:00Heartstrings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Two strings of crocheted hearts made for my daughter’s living room, which is themed in red and white. In the first picture they are pinned to the corkboard in my work room, and below, in situ, decorating her shelves.<br />
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There are hundreds aof free crochet heart patterns on the internet and I had fun using some of my odds and ends to randomly assign colours and make some bright decorations. The red, white and blue heart is for my friend, whose room is decorated in those colours.<br />
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Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-28334473908029082662017-04-22T09:59:00.000-07:002020-03-13T09:55:22.057-07:00Baby Blanket Orange<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This young lady is the latest recipient of one of my baby blankets. It’s the same pattern as <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2016/08/baby-blanket-blue.html">Baby Blanket Blue</a>, <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2016/12/baby-blanket-aqua.html">Baby Blanket Aqua</a> and <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2017/01/baby-blanket-dusky.html">Baby Blanket Peachy</a>. The pattern is free from Black Sheep Wools. The yarn is Schachenmayr Bravo Color, variegated orange mix, and Schachenmayr Original Color, orange. She is the granddaughter of some of our oldest friends, and so once more we can say we have known the baby’s daddy since he was a young lad himself. So far, all four blankets have gone to the offspring of parents we knew when they were children themselves.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BipF2zTiCuw/WPuKb-4OFXI/AAAAAAAAIH0/zzlsSenWgZsUQu9ok2YdXS76cN9G8FctgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BipF2zTiCuw/WPuKb-4OFXI/AAAAAAAAIH0/zzlsSenWgZsUQu9ok2YdXS76cN9G8FctgCLcB/s320/IMG_1232.JPG" width="253" /></a> Here she is snuggling up to her proud grandpa.<br />
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And now (2020) the blanket has passed to her baby brother. Sweet dreams!<br />
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<br />Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-31455469248333778282017-03-02T08:33:00.001-08:002017-03-02T08:33:26.317-08:00Crafty Old Bag Number TwoI was in need of a very large tote bag for the hauling round the largish blanket I’m making. I had one but the blanket was outgrowing it and the yarns I was using were in a separate bag. Then I came upon this (new) hessian shopper, with four outside pockets, at a car boot sale. I handed over the princely sum of a euro, and it was mine.<br />
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Although it was a nice strong bag in its own right, it was a bit floppy and rather dull. I played around with it for a while and then I had a brainwave. I turned the whole thing inside out, which gave a me a much sturdier construction in a bucket shape with four <i>inside </i>pockets. This left me with an outside that actually looked like an inside and an even duller look to it.<br />
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Brainwave number two; cover it in a bright PVC fabric. For €1.50 I had enough to do the job. I wont pretend it was easy. Despite carefully measuring, I manged to get some of it wrong. It was very difficult to sew and a mistake meant lots of little pinpricks in the PVC fabric, which wouldn’t disappear.<br />
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I found some webbing I’d saved from something else to cover the ugly seam inside the bag, and prettied up the outside with some lace from my stash.<br />
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I’m not sure I’d do it again, but I am definitely pleased with the overall result. Three of the inside pockets store the (nine) yarns in the correct sequence for the blanket, and the fourth holds the pattern and oddments of yarn too small for a complete row.<br />
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For €2.50 (and a few hours work) I call that a job well done.Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-36439188339663316112017-01-17T09:21:00.000-08:002017-01-22T08:40:38.625-08:00Baby Blanket Peachy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is baby blanket number three, using the same pattern as the previous two; <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/baby-blanket-blue.html">Baby Blanket Blue</a>, and <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/baby-blanket-aqua.html">Baby Blanket Aqua</a>, but this time I made a different edging. We didn’t know whether it was a boy or a girl until he was born, so I played safe with a variegated yarn, in both pink and blue colours, with added hints of green, grey, peach and dusky rose. The joining and border crochet are in Schachenmayr Bravo DK 8346 and the squares are 02116. Once again,we have known his mummy since she was a toddler, way back in the early 1980s, and she was a playmate of my own two children.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It’s all too much. I need a nap!</td></tr>
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<br />Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-3178538610007234322017-01-11T07:49:00.001-08:002017-01-11T07:49:07.829-08:00A Heart of Gold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A Christmas decoration made for a friend. The cherub was already printed on the fabric in gold on a dark blue background. I embroidered the date and worked blanket stitch around the edge in gold metallic thread. Then I crocheted the edging through the blanket stitch spaces; single crochet followed by two rows of double crochet. It was hard work using such a stiff thread but anything softer would mean that the edging would not have stood out and would have been limp. The final touch is a gold bow and loop for hanging.Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-78849618550063267852017-01-10T09:59:00.001-08:002017-01-10T09:59:15.228-08:00A Round Robin and a Little Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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New makes for Christmas 2016. Both free patterns from the very talented Amanda Berry of Fluff and Fuzz. Amanda suggests decorating the tree with buttons, bead or sequins. I found the latter hid my wobbly stitches best.<br />
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Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-85549650053673204852016-12-13T04:03:00.001-08:002016-12-13T04:03:12.306-08:00Baby Blanket Aqua<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The second of my crocheted baby blankets has found a home with the latest arrival. Once again, we have known his mummy since she was a little girl of eleven, when we moved in next door to her family, and she became our daughter’s friend. We have kept in touch for all the years in-between, even though we are thousands of miles apart. Our daughter went over from Lanzarote to London a few weeks ago for the pre-baby tea-party and I was so pleased when the baby’s mum said she’s been so wanting a hand-made blanket. It makes it all worthwhile. The icing on the cake is this lovely picture of the very new baby sleeping soundly under the blanket.<br />
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For details of the pattern and yarns see my previous post <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2016/08/baby-blanket-blue.html">Baby Blanket Blue</a>. This time the yarn was Schachenmayr Bravo Color, a random dye, in colourway 2095, which looks a different colour when photographed in the bright Lanzarote sunshine.<br />
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Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-64460668758180978862016-10-18T04:27:00.002-07:002016-10-18T09:18:10.684-07:00Rhubarb the Puppy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kx3DBsrBJoE/WAX_iARj2bI/AAAAAAAAHv0/OjO4W7-_TyYEqBKo5YNx6JuTybhFprnwQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kx3DBsrBJoE/WAX_iARj2bI/AAAAAAAAHv0/OjO4W7-_TyYEqBKo5YNx6JuTybhFprnwQCLcB/s640/IMG_3619.jpg" width="554" /></a></div>
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I started to make this little puppy last Christmas but it took me longer than expected when other things got in the way, so I put him aside and finished him later in the New Year. The pattern is ‘Rhubarb’ by the talented <a href="http://fluffandfuzz.weebly.com/">Amanda Berry</a> and it’s a free download from <a href="http://www.letsknit.co.uk/free-knitting-patterns/rhubarb-the-huggable-pup">‘Let’s Knit’.</a><br />
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I’ve actually bought a few of Amanda’s patterns as they are so easy to follow, with line by line instructions. This one is a little different, but I managed it in the end. The problem for me, as a still novice knitter, was the Intarsia - again. I wasn’t completely happy with the finished result, so I Swiss Darned over the stitches and it looks much neater.<br />
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I used all the correct yarns, as listed in the pattern; I chose the Robin as suggested, although King Cole Dollymix is offered as an alternative. I’m pretty pleased with the result, especially his facial features, although I couldn’t get the centre front seam as neat and ‘closed’ as Amanda’s. Never mind, he will look great with the Christmas Teddies when they come out of their box (Let’s just get Hallowe’en out of the way please, before we think of that!).Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-42644930233216001982016-08-29T11:30:00.003-07:002016-10-10T15:11:22.317-07:00Baby Blanket Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDqB1nsQcrw/V8R0H0LYUbI/AAAAAAAAHrE/o8PNahtfEZke2Db-wJuqQxARIsfWPYFUgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDqB1nsQcrw/V8R0H0LYUbI/AAAAAAAAHrE/o8PNahtfEZke2Db-wJuqQxARIsfWPYFUgCLcB/s640/IMG_5953.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
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I nearly called this post Baby Blanket Blues, but it sounded like the song from the television programme Sesame Street, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT04qoI0W2E">‘Baby Blankie Blues’</a> so I dropped the final “s” and now I have Neil Diamond’s ‘Song Sung Blue’ going round my head instead!<br />
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Song sung blue<br />
Weeping like a willow<br />
Song, sung blue<br />
Sleeping on my pillow<br />
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Well this little chap is certainly sleeping, and he seems quite content with his new baby blanket. Thomas is a few weeks old now and he’s already able to charm with that smile. We’ve known his mum since she was a little girl and the playmate of our own two, so it was a pleasure to be able to make his blanket, which is proving just as useful to lie on as under.<br />
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The pattern is free from <a href="http://www.blacksheepwools.com/media/wysiwyg/lesley_granny_square_blanket.pdf">Black Sheep Wools </a>website. I used Schachenmayr Bravo Color (02119, which is a random dye double knit acrylic yarn for the granny squares, and Boyes Double Knit (1422 Aspen) for the edging and joining. Each 50gm ball of yarn made four squares.<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pEczV3BY6o/V8R8h7NPjtI/AAAAAAAAHrY/YqblsusvtTU8toKvkw-YVg1jMbp0vKHmgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pEczV3BY6o/V8R8h7NPjtI/AAAAAAAAHrY/YqblsusvtTU8toKvkw-YVg1jMbp0vKHmgCLcB/s640/IMG_5932.jpg" width="527" /></a>Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-9926316242407400852016-08-14T11:30:00.001-07:002016-08-26T12:21:22.854-07:00Something For NothingThis is a vintage Monsoon labels dress, which I tracked down in some charity shop or other about ten years ago, when it was probably already old. The colours were still vibrant and, as it was 100% cotton, it was a perfect ‘cool’ wear for the hot Lanzarote summers.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WdNngpjaNcE/V7C2OrtYPSI/AAAAAAAAHoc/CYOkyYoXzBYW2aeoqgfDIhLe_lgtNfpdwCLcB/s1600/boat6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WdNngpjaNcE/V7C2OrtYPSI/AAAAAAAAHoc/CYOkyYoXzBYW2aeoqgfDIhLe_lgtNfpdwCLcB/s640/boat6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I went and lost 2.5 stones in weight (about 16 kilos); amazing what retirement does for a healthy lifestyle. I hacked away at the material and preserved the best bits - mostly the voluminous skirt- with the intention of making something with it a later stage. It languished in a drawer until recently, when I thought of trying to make a simple bolero/jacket. I drew round my daughter’s shop-bought model, and made a pattern for the front (two pieces) and the back (one), and here it is!<br />
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Eight years since the first pics - older, wiser, slimmer, wrinklier (me) and still vibrant and useful (the jacket), but also me :)Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-24748047355590449152015-12-08T06:13:00.002-08:002015-12-08T06:13:29.227-08:00Vintage Santa Mouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eSKZ3focf8/Vmbf15BP-EI/AAAAAAAAG-U/xkCsVNFti1g/s1600/IMG_2531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eSKZ3focf8/Vmbf15BP-EI/AAAAAAAAG-U/xkCsVNFti1g/s640/IMG_2531.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This little Santa Mouse is looking good, considering his great age. The pattern dates back to at least 1983, which is the first sighting of him on our Christmas Tree. I have a feeling this one may have been made a few years later and that I gave away the original. That said, he’s still getting on a bit as I haven’t crocheted for years, until I took it up again quite recently.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot him?</td></tr>
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I still have the pattern and I’m reproducing it here, alongside the Christmas stockings and bells, which were also part of the pattern. Crocheting was very much in vogue in the 1970s and the early 80s, but, as with knitting, it dropped out of favour for many years, until the recent resurgence of interest.<br />
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I think the pattern came from a women’s magazine, judging by the story illustration on the back; I’ve searched on line but can’t find it anywhere else.<br />
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Every year Santa Mouse now joins the Christmas Teddies in the hall. There’s ‘<a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2014/11/little-donkey.html">Little Donkey’ </a>and <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2014/12/bear-in-kit.html">‘Bear in a Kit’ </a>from last year’s blogpost.<br />
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<br />Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-57886543120053288082015-12-01T05:32:00.001-08:002015-12-01T05:32:20.274-08:00Snowman Surprise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tmHshPtRjw4/Vl2bSYa-zYI/AAAAAAAAG80/GBAgq7cp5Aw/s1600/IMG_3367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tmHshPtRjw4/Vl2bSYa-zYI/AAAAAAAAG80/GBAgq7cp5Aw/s640/IMG_3367.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The surprise in the title is that ever finished him at all! This ‘Derek - a squishy snowman designed by Val Pierce’. He was in my digital copy of Let’s Knit Christmas Special 2013 (the same one that had my gingerbread men in <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2014/12/run-run-as-fast-as-you-can.html">‘Run, Run, Run as Fast as You Can</a>); I downloaded him in November 2014 and threw him into the back of the cupboard sometime later! All year he has stared accusingly at me from there. I got so frustrated with the garments that I’m afraid to say, I gave up.<br />
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Remember I’m a latecomer to this knitting lark. I managed Derek OK, except that the pattern called for Sirdar Snuggly Chunky and I ordered Sirdar Snuggly (non-chunky), so perhaps he would have been a bit denser in the knit with the correct yarn. Never mind he turned out just as soft and cuddly as the original.<br />
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My problem is with intarsia (ie the method of forming the pattern on his jumper and hat. I’ve watched countless YouTube videos and read lots of books, articles etc, and I still can’t seem to grasp it. My mother was an expert at this in her day, and turned out the most beautiful picture jumpers and Fairisle sweaters. Perhaps I’ve come to it too late. According to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intarsia_(knitting)">Wikipedia</a> it requires no additional skills other than the basic knit and purl! I also used whatever yarn I had in my stash for his jumper and the white was not as thick as the blue, though still Double Knit. I ended up ‘<a href="http://www.womansweekly.com/uncategorized/how-to-guide-swiss-darning-12822/">Swiss Darning’</a> over the snowflake pattern to make it stand out more.<br />
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Never mind, when I could stand his stares no longer I fished him out of the cupboard and got cracking on some clothes to make him decent. I’m sure he’s be just as cuddly in the nude but it wouldn’t be the same, and not true to what the designer had in mind either.<br />
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He’ll probably make someone very happy.<br />
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Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-8829254654435369152015-11-08T05:19:00.000-08:002016-11-11T05:33:02.819-08:00Remembrance for Animals in War<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>This post has been updated for Remembrance Day 2016</b></div>
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This is Red Poppy from the book 'Flowers to Knit and Crochet' by Susie Johns and Jan Ollis. I didn’t finish it in time for last year’s Remembrance Sunday and so this year (2015) as it’s rather large, it’s been gracing my handbag.<br />
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Here it is keeping company with my keyring/tag from the Donkey Sanctuary, as a tribute to the many animals who give their lives in times of conflict.<br />
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<i>No honours wait him, medal, badge or star,</i></div>
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<i>Though scarce could war a kindlier deed unfold;</i></div>
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<i>He bears within his breast, more precious far</i></div>
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<i>Beyond the gift of kings, a heart of gold.</i></div>
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T<span style="font-family: inherit;">hese words are from ‘The Soldier’s Kiss’ by Henry Chappell, written to accompany a watercolour by Fortunino Matania. These, and stories of famous animals in war, can be viewed <a href="http://www.animalsinwar.org.uk/index.cfm?asset_id=1422">here </a>on the ‘Animals in War Memorial’ page.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animals in War, Memorial, Park Lane, London, courtesy of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/By%20Iridescenti%20(Own%20work)%20[GFDL%20(http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html),%20CC-BY-SA-3.0%20(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)%20or%20CC%20BY-SA%202.5-2.0-1.0%20(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)],%20via%20Wikimedia%20Commons">Wikimedia Commons</a></td></tr>
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In November 2012, a news story appeared about the remains of a carrier pigeon were found by a homeowner renovating his fireplace. This was no ordinary pigeon, as was revealed by the red cylinder still attached to its leg and containing a coded message. The bird was on war work and was destined for Bletchley Park, it was thought. When <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9649173/Quest-to-crack-secrets-of-lost-D-Day-pigeon.html">the story broke,</a> I was one of the contributing poets of a website called Poetry 24, now closed, and this is my contribution, a rondeau, published at the time, and offered now as a tribute to all animals who gave their lives in conflicts across the world.<br />
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b><i>Coded Message</i></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A coded message never read,</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Attached to pigeon, long since dead,</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Which rested in its weary flight,</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Revealed at last, exposed to light, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A folded scrap, a paper shred.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></i></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The secret words could not be said,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Their import far too great, instead</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A cypher expert had to write,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The coded message.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Top secret words in code embed,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>And seal them in a capsule red,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Then send them flying through the night.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>With Bletchley Park within its sight,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fate took a hand and left unread</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The coded message.</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">© Marilyn Brindley 2012</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A message written on rice paper is put in a container and attached to a carrier pigeon by members of 61st Division Signals at Ballymena, Northern Ireland, 3rd July 1941.*</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Linking to Sepia Saturday, where the theme is War and Peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*By Bainbridge (Lt), War Office official photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons</span></span></div>
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Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-40277425690507063822015-11-03T07:03:00.001-08:002015-11-03T07:03:52.025-08:00Wanda the Witch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKDZ7s9xLt8/VjjD8UtbGRI/AAAAAAAAG4A/w4DSbkJzmNQ/s1600/IMG_3105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKDZ7s9xLt8/VjjD8UtbGRI/AAAAAAAAG4A/w4DSbkJzmNQ/s640/IMG_3105.jpg" width="528" /></a></div>
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This is the friendliest witch and her rather bemused looking cat or her ‘familiar’. She is Wanda, by Amanda Berry of Fluff and Fuzz, and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wanda-the-witch-2">the pattern </a>is available to download from Ravelry. I altered her hairstyle slightly as the original was in bunches and I wanted something fluffy, so I used the same method as with <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2014/09/serena-and-sea.html">Serena the Mermaid</a>. I also added a nose and mouth as I enjoy embroidering features.<br />
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Her broomstick landed at my grandchildren's house in time for Hallowe’en and here they are enjoying her friendly company. She looks as though she’s had a wild time Trick or Treating.<br />
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<br />Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-53493837192820298862015-05-23T06:23:00.000-07:002015-05-26T08:37:32.828-07:00The Mouse and His Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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No, not the very wonderful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mouse_and_His_Child">book by Russell Hoban</a>, but knitted toys made from a pattern by Amanda Berry of Fluff and Fuzz.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpUEcZZbz6w/VWBNjaiZKjI/AAAAAAAAGmk/JxxkawegPtE/s1600/IMG_2433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpUEcZZbz6w/VWBNjaiZKjI/AAAAAAAAGmk/JxxkawegPtE/s640/IMG_2433.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It appeared in issue 67 of 'Let’s Get Crafting: Knitting and Crochet’ (LGKC) magazine which was passed on to me so I didn’t have the ‘Jazz’ yarn kit which came with it originally. I matched the colours from scraps left over from previous LGCKC projects.<br />
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Amanda herself says that Baby Mouse was her favourite creature to make of all her projects in that issue. First of all I applaud he for using the word ‘creature’ and not ‘critter’ - which seems to be the way all animals are now described in craft magazines on both sides of the Pond, often preceded by ‘cute’. I have no problem with the word ‘cute’ and I use it myself quite happily, but combined with ‘critter’ it makes me want to scream out loud....and sometimes I do!<br />
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Amanda includes a mother mouse, and I suppose if you were inclined you could go on and knit any number of baby mice wearing different coloured outfits. I may do so one day, but for now I am happy to settle with father and child, a unique bond that will be celebrated next month on Father’s Day. I didn’t give the Baby Mouse buttoned braces and I hope that by using both pink and blue the gender will remain indeterminate. In Russell Hoban’s book the child is male. Find them also on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/BrindleyBee">Ravelry Page.</a><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>“What are we Papa?” the toy mouse asked his father. “I don’t know," the father answered . “We must wait and see.</i></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><i>”</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">'So begins the story of a tin father and son who dance under a Christmas tree until they break the ancient clockwork rules and are themselves broken. Thrown away, then rescued from a dustbin and repaired by a tramp, they set out on a dangerous quest for a family and a place of their own - the magnificent doll</span>’<span style="font-family: inherit;">s house, the plush elephant and the tin seal they had once known in the toy shop.</span>’<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Blurb from the Faber Children</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">’<span style="font-family: inherit;">s Classic edition)</span></span></i></span><br />
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<br />Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-87433649694611973812015-04-03T07:48:00.000-07:002015-04-03T07:48:22.822-07:00Ready for the Hunt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0A_UzHIOxXo/VR6SC4H5wYI/AAAAAAAAGeU/X9kzRLqaNU4/s1600/IMG_2214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0A_UzHIOxXo/VR6SC4H5wYI/AAAAAAAAGeU/X9kzRLqaNU4/s1600/IMG_2214.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr3vAntJAFQ/VR6VZJjG80I/AAAAAAAAGeg/0FPTu32k4K0/s1600/IMG_5461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr3vAntJAFQ/VR6VZJjG80I/AAAAAAAAGeg/0FPTu32k4K0/s1600/IMG_5461.JPG" height="387" width="400" /></a>It’s the Easter Egg Hunt that we’re all ready for here! The two Bunny Bags above are for my grandchildren. The original design by <a href="http://www.craftsinstitute.com/making/features/meet-the-team/makings-makers/emma-herian.aspx">Emma Herian</a> was in ’Making’ magazine, published by the <a href="http://www.craftsinstitute.com/">Crafts Institute</a>. I changed the single cross-stitch eye for something a bit different. I made them with that same pink and blue gingham that I had used for their dress and shirt in <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/from-heart.html">‘From the Heart’</a> and <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/adding-extension.html">Adding an Extension’</a>. I hope they recognise it!<br />
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Matching pink and blue buttons and embroidered mouths complete the look. Luckily I had some of the correct buttons in my stash. ‘Love hearts’ my grandson calls them.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QBBYYesEikU/VR6fs3dlZvI/AAAAAAAAGew/LwCBWWSBt_E/s1600/IMG_2215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QBBYYesEikU/VR6fs3dlZvI/AAAAAAAAGew/LwCBWWSBt_E/s1600/IMG_2215.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><br />
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I also added matching gingham bows with a gingham button in the centre to put my individual stamp on the design. A pom-pom tail on the reverse adds to the appeal.<br />
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The pictures show a third bunny for some lucky person! Also note the ‘Sewn with Love’ tags stitched into the seam. These were puchased online from <a href="http://www.craftyribbons.com/">Crafty </a><a href="http://ribbons.com/">Ribbons.com</a>.<br />
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This shows the how the mechanics of the bag work. The opening is ample for tiny hands to pop in their mini-Easter Eggs as they go on the trail to discover all the hiding places.<br />
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Note, don’t ever ‘hide’ the eggs on top of a cool radiator and forget where you’ve hidden them; the chocolatey dribble down the front of the heater next day, when then timer kicks in, is a bit of a giveaway!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gPwcOSrLeRY/VR6nLumBaOI/AAAAAAAAGfQ/Ujwr0cKWG14/s1600/bunnies-171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gPwcOSrLeRY/VR6nLumBaOI/AAAAAAAAGfQ/Ujwr0cKWG14/s1600/bunnies-171.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
When the hunt is over, the ears can be tied together to a) stop the eggs spilling onto the floor, and b) stop those same tiny fingers from scoffing the lot and being sick.<br />
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If you fancy having a go at making your own bunny bags - probably for next year now, given the time frame - the Crafts Institute blog has the <a href="http://www.craftsinstitute.com/making/projects/patterns-and-templates/easter-bunny-egg-hunt-bag.aspx">template to download </a>for free.<br />
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<br />Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-91415724676639523832015-03-07T05:44:00.000-08:002015-03-07T05:44:13.048-08:00Twinkly Tomato<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know, I know, but I couldn’t resist. This was a request from someone who saw <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tomato-8">the (free) pattern </a> on Ravelry by Amanda Berry of Fluff and Fuzz, and said "I want one!”. In my stash were two reds; one more suited to a poppy and one just the right colour but with lurex thread running through it - hence the twinkly bit.<br />
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Once again, I tried to emulate Amanda’s, but instead of looking comical and cute, my tomato looks somewhat menacing, like an extra from 'The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes’ - I’m sure that’s a film.<br />
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He looks a bit more placid on the ketchup bottle (copying Amanda again).<br />
Find him with all my other crafty projects on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/BrindleyBee">my Ravelry page.</a>Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-1974964074662131582015-02-24T16:36:00.000-08:002015-02-24T16:36:54.413-08:00The Vikings are Coming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here’s my latest knitted character from the pattern, ‘Erik the Viking' by Amanda Berry of Fluff and Fuzz.<br />
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I enjoyed Amanda’s pattern as usual and when I read that she usually uses ‘long tail cast-on’ it all made sense as to why her edges always look so much neater than mine. I have now mastered it!</div>
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Amanda suggests using a button for the base (to stop Erik wobbling over), instead I used a small plastic lid from the recycling.<br />
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I struggled to get my Viking Shield looking nice and round, so when it was finished I stitched it to the thin, soft plastic from the inside of a face cream jar (washed and dried of course!) - result!<br />
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I used yarns from my stash to match as nearly as possible to Amanda’s original choices and he turned out OK I think, although mine never look as neat and professional as Amanda’s.<br />
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My daughter is a big fan of the TV series ‘Vikings’ so this is for her. Not quite Ragnar, but it’s the thought that counts.<br />
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You can see details of the pattern from links on my Ravelry page, and it’s available as a download on Fluff and Fuzz.</div>
Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-8374836663290300932015-02-20T05:46:00.000-08:002016-10-13T09:51:23.882-07:00Bolero Bounty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well it’s taken me a while to post this even though I finished it ages ago! It’s the third time I’ve crocheted this particular pattern and you can read about the trials and tribulations the first time I tried to follow it in <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/ravelled-bolero.html">Ravelled Bolero</a> The second time, when I made it for my daughter-in-law I never got round to posting it, so here it is.<br />
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The purple one was made from Debbie Bliss Ecobaby yarn, as required from the pattern, and as per my original peachy one. The white one was in a sparkly yarn, Peter Pan - Moondust by Wendy, and matched my granddaughter’s in <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/a-little-bit-of-sparkle.html">‘A Little Bit of Sparkle’</a>. Two satisfied customers.<br />
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All these projects, with details of patterns, yarns, hooks etc can be found on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/BrindleyBee">Ravelry pages</a>.Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-38228092245049113792014-12-13T11:01:00.000-08:002015-01-11T09:25:58.306-08:00Bear in a Kit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here’s my first little bear. He came as a kit with Let’s Knit magazine a few months ago and I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to knit him. I had so many other projects lined up.<br />
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Amanda Berry, the designer, had provided him with a little waistcoat and bow tie, but I’d just bought this spotty ribbon and I thought it suited him so well. The red wool in the kit won’t go to waste as I have Amanda’s robin pattern lined up as my next project. I love her patterns; they are so easy to follow, and the results speak for themselves.<br />
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And here he joins the other Christmas Bears.<br />
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<br />Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-3092799186711277302014-12-03T11:50:00.001-08:002016-01-08T10:25:25.882-08:00Run, Run as Fast as You CanYou can’t catch me I’m the gingerbread man!<br />
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I’m addicted to gingerbread men, but not the edible variety. I discovered a <a href="http://www.letsknit.co.uk/free-knitting-patterns/quick-knit-decorations">free download</a> of <a href="https://fluffandfuzzknitting.wordpress.com/">Amanda Berry’s</a> pattern and decided to have a go at making one as a Christmas decoration. The trouble was that once I was on a roll I thought I’d make another one.<br />
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Amanda’s original design was slightly different. She actually knitted the jelly drop buttons but I used artistic licence and delved into my huge button stash. I also added a bow around the neck and when I realised that I had gingham buttons to match the gingham ribbon, and in the right colours too, well.......<br />
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.......I had to make another one, this time with pink ‘icing’ decoration.<br />
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The large smiley mouths are ‘couched’, i.e. laid in a curve and then caught in place with a few stitches in matching sewing cotton. I’m having a break from gingerbread men for the moment but I’m sure I’ll make another one; I’ve now discovered some purple gingham ribbon and matching buttons just asking to be used. Anyway they need another little friend to make pairs and so that they don’t fall out!<br />
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Gift-wrapped! I made this little bag for him and if you look closely at that square in the middle you will see tiny gingerbread men amongst the Christmas Puddings. The drawstring bag is in fact ‘drawn' with gingerbread man ribbon. The finishing touch is a tiny smiling angel charm that looked to me like a gingerbread lady with wings.<br />
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And here he is with his edible companions. Whereas they will disappear rapidly, he will be here again next year.<br />
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2015 update and sure enough, here are three more of the little fellas ready to go to new homes. See all my projects on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/BrindleyBee">Ravelry Page</a>.<br />
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<br />Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234986444504146310.post-70774275640927153952014-11-20T05:09:00.003-08:002014-11-20T05:09:55.345-08:00Rollo ’n Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, Roll On Christmas and I can display my latest Christmas Cutie designed by Amanda Berry of Fluff and Fuzz. He was made from a kit which came with ‘Let’s Knit magazine. The kit included his eyes and pom-pom nose; the only things I had to find were knitting needles and stuffing. He was completed over a few evenings whilst watching TV. Now for a name; I rather fell for the character Rollo in the excellent TV series ‘Vikings’ and although we know that real Vikings didn’t have horned helmets, as usual I will exercise creative licence. Anyway it makes the title of this post work!<br />
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Posing on a cushion for <a href="http://instagram.com/littlenell72/">my Instagram photos</a>......<br />
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......... being nuzzled by <a href="http://pickingupthethreads.blogspot.com.es/2014/11/little-donkey.html">Davy the Donkey</a>. <br />
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All my creations are also on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/BrindleyBee">my Ravelry Page</a>.<br />
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Right then, carrots all round!!Little Nellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.com3