Handmade Gifting

This week I finished up a quick handmade gift for my niece or nephew to be who is due in about 5 weeks.  The mum to be decided not to find out the gender as this is going to be her last baby so she wanted it to be a surprise.  So I decided to keep the blanket nice and simple and gender neutral.

Corey and I have sneaking suspicion that they are having a girl and they know and just aren't telling anybody but only time will tell.  Either way this blanket will work.  However, I do wish I knew what she was having so I could have put a brighter ribbon on the blanket.

I used this pattern which is available for free via Ravelry.  If you are a knitter or crocheter and you aren't on Ravelry you need to join now.  It is basically a massive online library of patterns.  Making blankets for the new babies in Corey's family has become a bit of a tradition for me.  Each time I have used a different pattern and I love all the different blankets that have resulted.  Hopefully there will be a few more babies to come that I can make blankets for.

Winter Woolies

So Autumn has arrived and the Gold Coast certainly is playing along. It was playing along well before Autumn arrived in fact.  The rain and wind has been hanging around for a few weeks now but I must say I actually enjoy it.  I love cooler weather. Winter is my favourite season! I love a chance to wear stockings and boots and this weather is certainly giving me a few.  This weather has me longing for nights curled up on the couch with some yarn so that is exactly what I have been doing.  I have plans for a few makes this Autumn/Winter season and hopefully I can get through them all.

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

The first two I have actually already started.  The cardigan for myself I am making in a nice bright green and I am a third of the way through the second sleeve.  All that is left is to finish the sleeve, block and do the button & neck band.  The dress for Imogen I have only knit about 2" but hopefully it will be a quick make.

The next two I have already bought yarn for and I am just waiting to finish one of the other projects first before casting on.  I am making the heart sweater dress for myself in red with white hearts.  I am a little bit excited about it! Hopefully it doesn't take me too long to make.  Although my green cardigan has taken me about 6 weeks so far so I think it will take a while.  The blanket I am going to be making as a gift for my sister-in-law who is due to have her third baby in May.  So I have a little time to get that done so it is last on the list.  Hopefully she doesn't come early! Because we don't know what she is having I am making it in cream with a yellow ribbon.

The other makes will all have to wait until these 4 are complete so hopefully I can get them done at least before Winter starts.  The last blanket I am not too phased on as I am just using it to use up my scrap yarn.

So do you craft by season? Do you yearn for knitting and crochet when the cooler months set in?

Home Is Where The Heart Is

I don't know if I mentioned it on here but the house we rent was recently sold.  It sold just before Christmas and we were told the new owners would like us to stay.  Last week we signed a new lease and now that it is definite we are going to be here for at least another 12 months I feel a bit more comfortable making more projects to turn our house into a home.  I think in the past year this house has really started to reflect out style and feel more homely but there is still a lot more I would like to do.  So today I thought I would share with you the last three projects I made for the house.



First up is this adorable bobble crochet holder that I made to add to our cluster wall in the kitchen.  It is yet to be hung as I need to get some more 3m strips but it'll be up shortly.  I have never crocheted bobbles before and they are so much easier than I expected.  Plus the end result is super cute!  I used this pattern and yarn from the stash.  The best part of this is you need such a small amount of each colour that it is the perfect way to use up all those leftover bits of yarn.

The second project I made was a quick knit lattice frame to hold my brooch collection.  It has been a while since I have knit anything since crochet has taken over my life so it was nice to pick up the needles again.  This project has been in my ravelry queue since July 2011 so I am happy that I finally got around to making it.  This lattice pattern is another one that looks harder than it really easy.  The pattern repeat is quite easy once you have done a couple so you can just sit and pump it out while watching tv.  The pattern can be found here.  Oh and this is not my whole brooch collection I just didn't want to hide the entire lattice pattern before I took pictures.

And last but certainly not least is these framed prints that I made to hang over our bed.  I am so over the blank wall above our bed and have had this idea for a while but only just executed it.  The line that I have framed is from my most favourite movie Grease.  The only bad thing about it is every time I look at it I start singing the song.  So the song has been stuck in my head basically for a week straight.  But I am so happy with how these look above our bed that I am willing to sacrifice a little of my sanity!

I have so many more ideas for our little house and I can't wait to see how much the house changes in the next 12 months.  Oh and excuse the dodgy photos.  The weather here has been rather gloomy and rainy.

Handmade Gifting

This past week I did a little more gifting of the handmade variety and it was so much fun!  I love making gifts for people and I love watching them receive something that I have put so much effort into.

The first gift I made was an angry bird pig for my work friend who had a birthday last week.  A few of us girls got together to buy her some gifts but when I saw this pattern I couldn't resist making on to add in.  I am so glad I did because she loved it!  She is a major angry birds fan so this was the perfect thing for her.

I used this pattern available on ravelry and obviously didn't look at the finished measurements before I started because I didn't realise how big it would turn out.  It ended up being about 5 inches tall.  Despite it's size it was a super quick make.  If you sat down and knocked it out in one go you would probably be able to make it in just a couple of hours.


The next two gifts were both made for my cousin's little boy who is due in 4 weeks.  They had a pool party/baby shower yesterday and it was the perfect way to spend a hot sunday afternoon.  The first gift I made was a crocheted robot using this pattern.  I was so happy with how this turned out.  Corey loved it too and he was a bit bummed when he found out I was giving it away.  He wants me to make another for Imogen.

I also made this little comforter blanket thing to go with the robot.  I was flicking through ravelry when I spotted this pattern and thought it would be the perfect thing to accompany the robot.  This was also a quick make.  The only issue I had was the skip stitch blade I used cut the holes too close together so when I crocheted through them they tore.  Instead I measured around my piece of fleece and made pen marks at my desired interval.  I then used a knitting needle to poke holes at each of the points then I just continued on as the pattern said to.

How can you resist that little face! Isn't it just the cutest. My cousin was pretty impressed with the presents so hopefully his little boy is as well.  I am so excited for him to arrive and to finally meet him.  It feels like his girlfriend has been pregnant forever because they told us quite early.  Stay tuned and within a month or so I should have some cute newborn pics to share.

Pay It Forward

Last year I put a call out on my blog for anyone who like to be a part of my pay it forward.  I had until 30th April 2013 to complete and post my items but I decided to take advantage of my weeks before Imogen was born and get crafting.  I finished all my items but then they sat in my sewing room for a few weeks until I managed get out and buy some extras to send along with them.  I am glad though because I got to send them out just in time for Christmas.  My three girls that I was posting to were Marie, Peta and Megan.  I decided to make them each something different to match their interests.

Marie, I am sure you all know, is a crafting all rounder so I chose to make her gift targeted towards her recent adventures in knitting.  I made her a project bag so that she can take her knitting projects on the go with her.  I also popped in some point protectors and a needle gauge.  I forgot to take a picture of it but the bag had a really cool pink lining.  I really enjoyed making this bag and I may have to make a few for myself!

Peta loves fashion and has a lot of vintage influences in her wardrobe so I made her a vintage style bow knot scarf.  I also bought her some matching tights and some flower earrings.  I have had this scarf in my ravelry queue for so long I am glad I got a chance to finally make it.

Megan is a sewer through and through so I made her a pin cushion in two of the colours she listed as her favourites (purple & green).  I also popped in some heart buttons and a vintage thread tin.  I love pin cushions. I don't think a sewer can have too many pin cushions.

Thank you to the girls for taking part in my pay it forward.  I had so much fun doing it.  It is a lot of fun to make gifts for my blog readers that are tailored to their interests.  I think I might have to do a giveaway along these lines soon.  Keep an eye out for that soon.

Rainbow Granny Stripe Blanket

 

I have wanted to make a granny stripe blanket for ages.  I have seen so many great ones around the blogosphere and always wanted to make a rainbow striped one.  Although every time I went to make it there would be a colour that I was missing so it kept getting delayed.

Pattern: Granny Stripe Blanket by Attic 24 
Yarn: Mix of colours from the stash
Hook: 4mm
Ravelry Page: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kat21/granny-stripes

Finally I cast on at the start of November.  It has taken me just over a month to complete this blanket but finally it is finished.  I have had it sitting in my project basket and every time I sat down to watch tv I would crochet a few rows.  So it was slow going but it was nice to have a project that didn't need to be finished to a deadline.  Also I am really bad at sitting still so I like to be doing something while watching tv.

I am not too sure what I am going to do with this blanket.  I cast it on without a person in mind.  I might keep it to use for Imogen but she has quite a few blankets already.  My cousin's girlfriend is having a baby in February but they are having a boy.  Is a rainbow blanket too girly for a boy?  It will probably just end up going into the gift box till a suitable recipient pops up.

Handmade Ornament Swap

Last week I finally made a decisions on what I was going to make for the handmade ornament swap and set about putting my gifts together.  I must say I am pretty happy with how they turned out.

I found these awesome little boxes in Big W the other day and they were only $3 for 2.  I thought they would be perfect to package my baubles.  They are meant to be for cupcakes and I think I might go back and get a few more for cupcakes for people.

To make these baubles I used this tutorial which was super easy to follow.  After the first 2 I was just making the remainder from memory.

These are waiting on our dining room table to be posted and I am just waiting for a day I get a chance to duck to the post office.  It's never a quick trip with Miss Imogen!

I am so excited for Christmas!!! I have a few other projects to share with you guys but I am saving them for December.  I am thinking December will be all about Christmas on Petticoats & Peplums this year.  I feel a bit of a countdown coming on....

Owl Cushion

I have finally finished the last project I wanted to get done for Little Miss Squishy's nursery.  I wanted to make a cushion for the nursing chair that we have in her room.  Originally I was going to make a crochet square cushion and embroider a monogram onto it once we chose her name.  However, when I saw this pattern I just couldn't resist making this adorable owl.

Pattern: Crochet Owl Cushion by Zoom Yummy
Hook: 4mm
Yarn: Moda Vera Marvel 8 ply
Start/End Date: 11/9/12 - 25/9/12

 

This cushion was actually really fast to make even though it actually took me two weeks.  I finished the front really quickly but then the poor thing sat neglected for over a week.  I finally picked the project back up yesterday and managed to finish the whole project in just a few hours.

 

So that is the last thing that I wanted to make for the nursery.  Now that is complete we are totally ready for Squishy to make her arrival.  And that means that I can share some nursery photos with you all.  Yay!!! Stay tuned for those soon.

Lemon Sorbet Pinafore

This has got to be the happiest little dress I have ever crocheted! Being that it is the only dress I have ever crocheted should not take away from the happiness.  The yellow is just so perfect! I love it.

Pattern: Angel Wings Pinafore (via Ravelry)
Wool: Moda Vera Marvel
Hook: 5mm
Start/End Date: 21/8 - 27/8

I used wool and buttons that were both from the stash so this dress was entirely free.  It was so easy to make and I think I might whip up another one for my niece who is due in a couple of weeks.  Once you get the shaping done it is just round after round of the same stitch.  It works up pretty quick while sitting in front of the tv.  I think I will get a lot of crochet done during maternity leave because I am planning on sitting in front of the tv and watching Pretty Little Liars for the first week at least.

Swap Fun

A little while ago when I posted about this bear hat for Squishy I received a comment from Reana Louise telling me that I should make these to sell.  This sparked a long trail of emails from which we decided to do a little swap.  I would make Reana a grown up bear hat and she would make me something in return.

I was a bit nervous about making a hat for someone else and it being the right size but with the help of Reana sending me her head measurements I found an adults beanie pattern to use as a starting point.  I used this pattern for the hat and then upsized the ears from the original baby pattern.

I also popped in a few little goodies for Reana to enjoy.

And do you want to see the amazingness (yes, that is a word!) that I received in return....

Isn't that picture amazing!  It was inspired by Reana's favourite nursery rhyme "The Owl & The Pussycat".  It is even more gorgeous in real life then this photo does justice for.  I am pretty excited about this dress too! I think it will be a perfect first project for summer after Squishy is born because it isn't too fitted.  It'll be a great dress for summer especially in that gorgeous orange fabric that Reana sent me.  I had so much fun taking part in this little swap.  If anyone else out there is keen to do a little swap let me know. I am always open to sending and receiving happy mail!

3 Wise Owls

A wise old owl sat in an oak,

The more he heard, the less he spoke;

The less he spoke, the more he heard;
Why aren't we all like that wise old bird?

I really wanted to knit or crochet Squishy a rattle and when I found this adorable pattern I couldn't help but make 3.  One for Squishy and two for my niece and nephew (twins) who are due in around 6 weeks.

Pattern: Stripey Owl Baby Rattle by Lovely Little Life
Hook: 4mm
Wool: various leftovers from the stash

These rattles are so quick to make and are the perfect last minute gift for babies.  They are also great for using up all those little leftover bits of yarn that sit in the stash.  I made all three of these out of leftovers from previous projects.  I love that Squishy will have a little toy that matches her two cousins.  I think we will need to line them all up for a photo once they are all here.

King Pig Hat

 

A while ago a friend asked me if I could make a this hat for her friends little girl.  The problem being that the little girl is about 6 months old and the hat pattern is for an adult.  So I decided to start with this kids beanie pattern and go from there.

The eyes and ears were easy to scale down but the nose and crown were a little bit more confusiing.  I must admit when I first got to that part I left the poor hat sitting for a couple of weeks before I decided to just jump in and tackle it.  The crown took me a few attempts and i'm not 100% happy with it but it'll do.  I simply used the crown pattern from the original pattern but cast on less stitches. Unfortunately, I didn't take notes so I can't remember exactly what I cast on.  Sorry! For the nose I just did less rounds before starting to work the even rounds to make it a bit smaller.

I sent a pic to my friend and she was pretty happy with it.  I will be giving it to her today at work and I am just crossing my fingers that it will fit her friends little girl.  If anything it might be a little big but that is ok because she can always grow into it.