Bunnies, Spinning and Hats

Hi there,

Hope your week has been filled with fun and creativity...I am really excited, just like a kid in the proverbial candy store.  Why is that you ask....wellll I have actually completed both bunnies today by putting all their features on.  They probably look a bit wild with their big, bright eyes but they are happy bunnies as you can see by their smiles, so here they are as promised...

Ta dah!

I think they are quite sweet and look better in the flesh (as it were) than on photo... The blue one is named Bunny Bee and the red one is Bunny Roo, male and female respectively. Lol  I will be sorry to see them go as they have become a part of my knitting life.  Am I going a little nuts over a couple of stuffed buns...oh well...put it down to age :) :)  They were fun to make but I am glad that they are completed and I can send them to the little recipients.  I thought they may be a little chilly so I made them each a scarf.  I think what I love about them are their bobtails - so cute and squishy.

I have actually done a little spinning, as well, and I think I am getting a better of hang of it.  I am going to practice a little every day until I am the spinning queen of  - I don't know - my high road lol. Seriously though, it is such a meditative activity and to think it is a craft thousands of years old that still exists.  I can't wait to spin a complete ball of yarn that I will be able to knit or crochet with - how satisfying is that?

My spun yarn wound on to a hairband - couldn't find anything else at the time :)

I know the spinning is way below perfect but it is a start and I think not bad for a beginner - the only way is up so I am giving myself a pat on the back...Yaay for me :)

I also finished a hat I was working on but think it has come out far too big.  However, at the moment I have big hair :) so it will fit my big head for the time being.  I am doing another one in the same colour to give to someone else - hopefully she'll pay me, who knows - but I make it with love as I do with anything I create.

First of all I apologise for the quality of the photos with the shadowing and everything but I must confess that I am anxious to go downstairs to see the final ever episode of Downton Abbey.

The hat is made from acrylic yarn with a mock cable brim - no cable needle was required.  Quick and easy pattern to knit and very good 'go to' recipe hat.  This patten has been used countless times in a variety of colourways.  

Earlier this week I went to  Southwark College to take an exam as part of my AMSPAR course which is for those working in the health services.  The one thing I was most looking forward to was paying a visit to I Knit near Waterloo, afterwards.  So of course, after finishing said exam I took myself  off and bought some buttons as I couldn't see any yarn I wanted and, to be honest, the budget was a little tight but my buttons are fab.

Wooden floral hearts

(I Knit)

Aren't they sweet - good yarn store I Knit.  Do pay a visit if you haven't already.  I then decided to go to John Lewis where I did  buy some wool.  John Lewis' own brand which is quite good.

John Lewis' brand

It's a merino blend - 50% merino and 50% acrylic - not sure what I'm going to use it for but I'll think of something.

Finally, on Saturday I just happened to go on a charity shop crawl.  I do love a charity shop there are always treasures to be found.  Anyway, I found a whole bag of this but just took four balls...

Charity shop treasure

It's only double crepe - nothing fancy but I really like the colour which have flecks of different colours and is actually quite soft.  A lacy scarf I think would suit this....we shall see.

Well I think that's all for now folks.  I can't wait to go to my two knitting groups this week.  One is at Wild and Woolly, a delightful shop in Lower Clapton run by Anna.  Lovely shop which always carries a good window.  She sells really gorgeous yarn and is always ready to help.  Lots of cake and drink at her lockin for a donation of a fiver or just bring cake.  Simples...lol

I also get to see my friends and knitting/craft buddies at Kenley...what's not to love.   

So until we meet again, have a great week and keep it creative.

Bunny Galore and more...

Hello one and all,

Hope you are all faring well and enjoying the beautiful colours that this October has to offer.  I have been admiring the trees and how majestic they look in their amazing autumnal golds and greens.  Wonderful...

Nature can truly give inspiration when it comes to colour.  Anyway....knitting is what I am here for so let me get on.  Do you remember the bunny that I was knitting?   Well here is the almost finished article...

 As you can see (no pun intended as he is without eyes at this stage) he has no eyes or other facial features so I decided to make them out of felt.  I wanted a happy bunny although I am still not sure of those eyes and mouth.  I may change his face and embroider his features, instead, but he is very happy and cosy...

And what self-respecting bunny doesn't have a bobtail?  Knitted using two strands of yarn to give a textured appearance.  Someone asked if it was a bunny crossed with a bumble bee that would make him a Bunnybee I suppose :)   Hope the young recipient of Bunnybee enjoys him as much as I enjoyed constructing him.

Bunnybee also has a cousin as shown below.  She is not quite finished but will be by the end of the week...

As you can see, she still needs some work done to her but all will be completed and shown very soon. This one is done in stocking stitch for the head and back and moss stitch for the inner ear and front body to give more texture and her bobtail, not photographed yet, is crocheted.  Cannot wait to add her features to give life and character....such fun.

Yesterday I went to Loop , the lovely yarn shop in Islington, just to get a set of circular needles but of course one cannot just go into Loop (or any yarn store  for that matter) and depart empty handed - it's just not going to happen.  I spotted some Erika Knight Vintage Wool for sale and, of course, had to purchase 3 skeins, they were going for a song at £3.50 each!

And to finish off my Loop purchases I bought a ball of Natura DK - really because I love the colour.

I then went into Tiger (a Danish gift shop) where there is always something to buy and came across some yarn.  It may not be pure wool but I have bought loads of yarn from them before and it is not half bad.  So I bought six balls - not meaning to, you understand :)

Not entirely sure what I will make with them but a couple of cowls spring to mind or I could do some mittens.  The boucle (the three middle balls)  would look pretty around the neck so I think I will do a nice cowl with that one.  I love the muted colours giving a vintagey appearance I think.  The other three are a grey with tiny flecks of pink and green.  They would make a nice pair of mittens or a scarf...decisions, decisions :)

On my travels I also visited the The Handweavers Studio & Gallery based in Finsbury Park.  I have been meaning to pay them a visit for some time now and finally made it.  A fantastic studio with all things for weavers and spinners and such an array of colour and yarn - awesome.  Great to see looms and spindles for sale and lots of other customers who were just as enthusiastic in performing the crafts of spinning and weaving.  I bought some roving with which I will use to practice and met a lovely member of staff who was really helpful and encouraging, so I am going to persevere and take up some of the tips she gave me.

I'm not sure what this is (can't remember) - I think it is Blue Leicester which was recommended as being best for beginners.  I love sheep!  

Leader Yarn

I also bought a spool of leader yarn in this deep rich red and not expensive either. In total I spent just over  £5.00 so spinning your own yarn need not be financially prohibitive. 

I am also halfway through knitting a commissioned slouchy hat.  This is my' go to' pattern from an old 'Knitting' magazine.

Shown above is the brim of the hat - I love this slip stitch which looks like cable - its so effective.  I'm doing it in a DK yarn but this would look good as a scarf or cowl and the pattern is so easy, just four rows and easy to memorise.

So all in all a good Saturday's 'work' and now I will leave you to finish off the bunnies.  So whatever you're doing this week have a good one and happy knitting....