Oliver Boliver

A little festive crafting

 
 
I started knitting these cute little stockings ages ago with the best intentions that I was going to string them up, fill them with chocolate M&S goodies and make the kids a homemade advent calendar. It's now the 10th and I've still got another 5 to go so I don't think it's going to make the grade this year. Thankfully Gran saved the day with her traditional non-chocolate nativity scene advent calendar and Ollie is too young to know all about the badness that is really the goodness of a daily chocolatey treat in the countdown to Christmas.

Alex and Sarah are old enough to know when to pick their battles and have been dropping heavy hints about the promises made earlier in the year to make them some alpaca knitted socks. So having been distracted by my recent Attic 24 granny stripe blanket in readiness for the baby I've decided to add a little crocheted hanging loop to each one and will pop them on the tree complete with chocolate goodies instead. At least that way I can steal some chocolate out of them without feeling too much like a slummy mummy! 

The stockings are by Julie Williams at Little Cotton Rabbits and they are absolutely delightful!  I knitted mine using Rowan Pure Wool in 4ply and used 2.5mm needles, primarily because I couldn't find my other 2.75mm needle (I really must have a tidy up before the baby arrives!). I even planned on doing a little reindeer motif too but alas I ran out of time which was a shame. I'll keep the graph paper scribbles and if I get a spare moment between now and the big day I might see if I can knit one up.

 
 
I also started making some Attic 24 crocheted snowflakes way back in October. I started going a bit bonkers (although Mr C would say bit bonkers is an understatement!) and was even making them in the car whilst waiting for Sarah after school. It felt like I'd made at least a hundred! Hmm - at my last count I think there are 11! Oh well! I can't decide whether I'm going to pop them on the tree or hang them in the kitchen windows.... Choices, choices... Maybe if I make a few more, then I can do both!

 
 
Sarah's crazy choice of sock wool (middle right) has finally made it on to the needles and I'm hoping that this project at least will make it onto Father Christmas' sleigh. She's asked for them to be long in the leg so she can wear them with her short Uggs so fingers crossed there will be enough wool in the 150g skein the Artesano Hummingbird comes in.

I've also promised Oliver a cute pair of dino gloves for Christmas. How cute are these? 

 

The wool has arrived and there's still 15 days left to Christmas and I suspect there will be tears if they don't make it on FC's sleigh.... No pressure eh?

Right - off to trim the tree; now, where did I put those snowflakes??!!!

Pen x

New Knitting Pattern - Arthur the Alien

I've just finalised my latest knitting pattern which can be seen doing the rounds in Let's Get Crafting's Toddler Knits. Hurrah!

You've probably seen previous blog posts about friendly little Arthur the Alien so I won't go on about the details! He is very cute though and a great stash buster for using up those odds and ends of yarn in your stash that you NEED to find a use for! You can custom colour his little jumper or even knit a blue version of Arthur - he won't mind!

You can find the pattern on Etsy and also on Ravelry.

If you have any questions please just drop me a line or add a comment below.

Enjoy!

Pen x

Jasmine the Giraffe - New Knitting Pattern and Giveaway

"Better late than never", my mother used to say. In fact she used to say it a lot as she was always, always late. This is very apt for my latest toy pattern, Jasmine the Giraffe, as she was very nearly in the "never" pile. I do not know why she has taken so long but can only put it down to being easily distracted lately due to "baby brain" - a condition frequently claimed by pregnant ladies when their usual "go get-em" seems to dissipate together with an inability to say no to anything baked and covered in frostings! Did you know that someone somewhere has actually proved that a pregnant woman's brain actually shrinks? That explains a lot. My worry is that together with my hips and bum that my brain won't return to its normal size once the little bundle actually arrives.... Hmmm - food for thought....(did someone mention food?......)

Anyway - I digress! Here is Jasmine is her full camo glory (obviously optional and it's up to you how creative you get with the felt!)...

 

Here she is looking sorry for herself after being caught hiding Oliver's favourite car on top of the wardrobe...

 
She's taller than my previous toys and stands at about 12 inches/30cm. She's mostly knitted flat although the horns and tail start off as an icord. As usual, I'm on hand if you need anything clarifying or explaining. I did pop a few beans in her front hooves but in all honestly I don't think they actually acheive anything as she sits fine without them. 

She's available for download through Ravelry and Etsy but for one lucky winner I shall be giving away a free pattern (selected at random using randon number generator). All you need to do is to leave a comment below telling me what your mother used to say (proverbs/sayings - that kind of thing) that have stuck with you.  I'll do a draw on Monday 1st November. 

Good luck!

PS If you've already bought Jasmine and you're the lucky winner then I can either refund you or offer an alternative pattern - whichever you prefer!

(27/10/10 - PPS - Please ignore my darling husband's comment below - he definitely won't be winning the pattern!)

 

The Ridges Collection just got bigger - The Mitts Pattern

I've just put the finishing touches to the second pattern in the Ridges Collection for a pair of lovely soft fingerless mitts. I've already had to fight for the right to keep the pair you can see in the photos below as they seem to be highly sought after by Sarah!

 

 

 

 
I've made them in 2 types of yarn, one Rowan Kid Classic and the other Rowan Kidsilk Aura (y'know I'm totally in love with this yarn!) and repeated the similar picot fashioning on the cast off edging to match the scarf.

If you'd like a copy of this pattern I've listed it on Ravelry and also in my Etsy shop. At the moment I'm doing a deal if you buy both patterns at the same time but hurry as it won't last for ever!

As always, I am on hand if you have any questions. Just drop me a line!

A new scarf pattern ready for Autumn - The Ridges - Scarf

Aside from all the Innocent Smoothie Big Knit Hats, I've been clicking away designing a light and floaty scarf in readiness for the Autumn. It's called The Ridges.

 

 

I did feel a bit premature starting a scarf in August but given the massive drop in temperature today I'm so glad I did! I decided to make it in 2 different yarns with 2 different edgings, both of which are included within the pattern. I've also included details to help you adjust the width if you'd prefer to make a wider scarf or shawl.

I made the red coloured "Simple Edged" Ridges scarf in Rowan Kid Classic for my mother in law who'd been dropping hints about a birthday present. I loved the pattern so much that I decided to make the blackcurrant "Fancy Picot Edged" Ridges scarf in Rowan Kidsilk Aura for me. How selfish is that?!! I just love the colour intensity of the Kidsilk Aura and just have to keep looking at my stash in Logan Berry. I can't wait to wear it!

The pattern for The Ridges - Scarf is available on Ravelry and also on Etsy. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch as I am always on hand to help!

The Brucey Bonus lies in the fact that I over purchased on both the kid Classic and Kidsilk Aura so I thought I'd put the extra balls to good use and have designed matching fingerless mitts to accompany the Ridges Scarf. The pattern is just being checked for the purposes of the Kidsilk Aura yarn so I should be releasing it all being well during the course of next week. Fingers crossed (ahem!)!

 

Free Knitting Pattern for Frog Hat for Innocent Smoothies Big Knit

As promised I've converted my crochet froggy hat pattern into a knitted version and have popped it onto a page so it's easier to find next time. He's pretty straightforward to make and should only use up scraps of yarn you have lurking in your stash. Enjoy!!

Now - what to make next......

Free Pattern - Frog Hat for Innocent Smoothie Big Knit 2010

I've just added a new page for a crochet frog hat. I'll be adding a knitted version soon so watch this space..! I hope you like him. As with the other patterns it is easily adapted to make an egg cosy just by adding a few extra rows.

Enjoy!

 

Free Crochet and Knitting Patterns for Big Knit 2010 - Innocent Smoothie Hats - Kiwi Hats

I've just added a page to my free pattern index containing a crochet and knitting pattern for a Kiwi Hat. I'm having a few problems in uploading pics but you can see them on Ravelry and hopefully I'll sort out my blog problems shortly! I hope you like them!

 

 

 

The Big Knit 2010 - Innocent Smoothies

I received an email from Innocent yesterday confirming that the Big Knit is on again this year!

 

The task is simple - knit or crochet as many cute hats as possible and send them by Friday 15th October to:

The Big Knit
Fruit Towers
1 The Goldhawk Estate
Brackenbury Road
London
W6 0BA

The hats will be displayed on small sized smoothie bottles which will be for sale in Boots and Sainsbury during November.

There is a selection of patterns on the homepage for the Big Knit or you could make up your own. There is a weekly competition for the best hat which is on their blog. I am hoping to get busy with my needles and thinking cap and will post some free original patterns here too and also on Ravelry. Watch this space!!

They are aiming for 800,000 hats which will raise £200,000 for Age UK (previously Age Concern) and it will take the total raised by the Big Knit, first started in 2003, to £1m!

So what are you waiting for!!

I'd love to hear how you get on!!!

Holiday Update

10 days in and 4 more to go and I've only managed to finish one pair of socks! Definitely an extreme measure to combat the mossy's!

I guess I've been busier than expected. Mr C and I were discussing today how much there is to do when you've got 5 children in tow on a self catering holiday. Some days feel like all you do is cook and tidy up!! At least it's all done whilst the sun is shining so it doesn't really feel like work. It's been nice to spend a little time catching up in Blogland whilst Ol is sleeping as it feels like this is my time where I get a little peace and quiet to collect all my thoughts together and think about all the good stuff that's been happening.

1. Good Stuff No 1 - Family Time

Sarah and Nicole put on a talent show style performance a couple of nights ago with 10 minutes prep after dinner. The boys had gone into town so there was just the 5 of us left and they kept us very merrily entertained with ballet free style performances to Cold Play tracks, a dance to S Club 7's "Reach" and a dubious stand up routine where they were struggling to think of any jokes let alone remember the punchlines. Their swansong was aptly named a Day in the Life of Ben and Alex where they succinctly managed to pack a whole day of burping, farting and male grooming into a 5 minute sketch which had Mr C and I in laughing fits. Afterwards we lit a couple of Chinese Lanterns and watched them float silently away into the night sky. It's almost ethereal watching their silent light slowly burning away into the distance.

It's also been lovely to spend some special one on one time with the kids too.

2. Good Stuff Number 2 - a bit of nature dropping by

Alex discovered a rather beautiful praying mantis on one of the girl's shorts hang on the washing line. We managed to get a quick snap of it before carefully placing it back on the adjacent grape vine for protection. I've never seen one close up and personal and it was a very strange feeling watching it watching us. It seemed to take a good hard stare at each of us before moving on to the next person like it was seeing something in each of us deeper than superficial features.

3. Good Stuff No 3 - Poolside knitting

A definite plus has been doing some easy sock knitting whilst dangling my feet carefree into the pool. Something that can only be recreated at home by running a lukewarm bath under a 200watt lightbulb which definitely isn't the same thing! A word of warning though, you might need some shades to protect your eyes from my Procol Harem shade of legs...!!

I've started on Mr C's and must say I prefer the colours in his ball of Artesano to mine. It's called Pheasant and really has some beautiful flecks of greens and browns running through the wine red colour.