Sugar and Spice

This past week I have been busy reorganising my ‘Knitting Studio’, sounds a little pretentious it’s actually my daughter’s bedroom. Since she has now left home I have been using it as my knitting room,  it is a light and sunny room so  great for taking photographs. One good think about a tidy up is you discover yarns you forgot you had, certainly a good way to cheer yourself up!!

I found I had an abundance of white yarn, whenever I buy any yarn I always buy a ball of white as well as a sort of extra, not sure why, but I’ll have to lessen that habit! So I decided to put the white to good use and knitted two little sets both to fit baby 0-3 months.

Baby Ballet Wrap

A very simple garter stitch pattern but it does have a pretty scalloped edging. Thought I would break up the white with some pink and add a gingham ribbon  for the outside fastening

with a little pink button securing the inside fastening.

A matching pair of Mary Jane Shoes embellished with gingham bows were knitted, and to complete the ensemble a little pull on hat

Lacy Baby Bolero

 

For the second project I decided on an equally feminine little top and opted for a lacy bolero. I used Peter Pan Lustre DK which has a viscose strand that gives a shiny sparkly look to the cardigan although it isn’t that apparent from the photos.

The edging was knitted separatley, I opted for an eyelet edging so I could thread it with ribbon just to give it that extra decorative finish, although it does look pretty without the ribbon

Again I knitted a pair of matching shoes this time embellished with ribbon roses.

Well that has used up some of the white, I’m now sorting out yarn for some October projects!!

 

Maddie the Monkey

For my latest project I have been spurred on this past week by the Womans Weekly KAL ‘Wild Animals’. I decided on a monkey as I have had one on my ‘to do’ list for as long as I can remember, so I have now completed Maddie the monkey.

She is a cute departure from my usual bunnies and teds, not sure how ‘wild’ she is but I’m sure that grin could change if she didn’t get her fair share of bananas!!

She is knitted in DK from an easy to follow pattern by the Twins Ala & Ela.

She measures 15″ with body, head and limbs all knitted flat and separatley so a fair bit of sewing involved.

I do love her little outfit of cropped trousers and little polka dotted top. Just the thing  for a monkey to casually lounge about in

She certainly has a cheeky grin, quite mischievous in fact, and she is very posable. I certainly had a lot of fun with our photoshoot!

She would look great in a jungle themed nursery or as an additional little toy to a childs collection as she is happy to sit very pleasantly in a corner.

I can see me using this pattern again, so watch this blog for more little monkeys in the future.

 

Another Bunny and Ted

Spent the last week working on another teddy bear and little bunny, I always love making these, no two ever turn out the same and each have their own little character.

Belinda Bunny

This little bunny who is destined to travel to the other side of the world is knitted in a grey DK using the basic Debbi Birken pattern. The rabbit is for a baby girl, so was asked to make her in girly pink clothing and the dress was to have an anchor.

The shoes and body are knitted as one piece, I thought I would make her ankle socks instead of tights, and the arms which were knitted separatley were attached.

When she was all finished and dressed I added a little bow to complete her outfit, so she will look very well dressed, patiently sitting in the nursery waiting for her owners arrival!

Billy Bear

A similar pattern was used for Billy, his legs and body are also knitted in one piece. He measures 11″ and is also knitted in DK,knitted his muzzle and ears in a different shade to add interest.

Love the little jumper and overalls, they certainly give him a mischievous look, and ready for some adventurous play.

Once you start making these little teds it becomes very addictive!!