Little Tortoise

My new little friend! 

It's was a bank holiday the weekend so plenty of time for knitting so I started alittle project that I have been meaning to do for a while. It was a real stash buster as I used only the wool that I had left around.

The pattern is from a lady called Debi Birkin, the original design called for a under shell but

I couldn’t put the bottom of the shell on as it made him look like a burger! 

Spud wasn't too keen on him!

I have had a small problem in the last few days of that I am developing repetitive strain on my hands and elbows so knitting might be off the cards for the next few weeks.

First Home made pattern!

I recently attended the opening night of the Purls By the Sea exhibition at the Belfry Arts Centre, there was some fantastic work by some very talented artists. I was very fond of the work by Joanna Jack who sea creatures were beautiful, we had a long chat and she explained how she designs her creations and how the a completely knitted in the one piece!

My Dad was very taken by a small broach in the shape of a prawn by designer Angela Knipe and I was inspired to make one for him.

The only problem was that I couldn't find a pattern and so I decided to make my own from scratch which is the first time I have ever done anything like this before. 

I knitted a small tube in the round and slowly decreased very slowly into an I-Cord and then expanded it into a tail. I added french knots for eyes and threaded wool through the underside and the split it up to create the fringe of legs . Finally soaked a piece of wool in hair spray and threaded it on top of the head.and left to dry to make whiskers.

 

I am going to add the pattern to the blog, but I love him and so proud of managing to make my own item. 

Pompon Scarf

A little while a go I decided it was best that I start my Christmas knitting. I know it early but I want to get in quick and make sure I did actually make some Christmas gifts this year.

I picked up some wool called Pompon by Rico. 

One ball of the wool and it makes a whole scarf out of it

I knits up really quick and to be honest I should have finished this in one weekend but I made a bit of a meal out of it and it lasted two weeks.

But oh well, here the finished thing is!

Little Strawberry

I have a little quick knit last knit which turned out really well and is very sweet.

The strawberry only took an hour and the pattern came from a magazine called Let's Knit,you need to be a member to view the pattern,but its well worth it as there are lots of great patterns.

There is also a beautiful daisy chain with strawberries and daisies on it, which I think beats doing bunting hands down. :)  

Completed Crab

Yesterday I finally completed my crab who was named Colin by my bother-in law. I turned out a bit wonky but I think he is nice in his own special way.

I used a wool called Sirdar Crofter DK which is a sock wool which I don't think did him any favours but it did give him an interesting pattern on his tummy.  I think he can out a little bit strange because I had to adjust the pattern to create two large claws and make them large than the original pattern . He took so long because of all the legs that he needed and the was a lot of stitching up with pipe cleaners in each leg to make them stick out. Sadly the pipe cleaners were not quite strong enough to carry his full weight and I think I will invest in some stronger wire to put into my next creation. 

I love his eyes which I think make him look really great. 

I have submitted him to the purls by the sea exhibition  so lets all hope that he gets in! :)

Knitty issues

I seem to be having a few knitting issues at the moment. It's more the a crisis as everything that I am knitting seems to be going wrong : / 

I have made a right mess of my cardigan that I was knitting, and I am completely unsure what to do next with it.

I only have 4 more rows to knit to reach the right size but only have 87 stitch on me needle and I need 92! Do I plow on with it a bodge it together? Or finally call it quits? 

I add to the issues I have problems with my crab, the claws are too thin and I want them to be chunky but they don't look right.

So many worries!

On a happier note I have organised a knit day for all the members of Norfolk Nutty Knitters (and anyone else who wants to come). 

It's called Knit in the Park and takes part on

Sunday, August 21 · 2:00pm - 5:00pm
At Eaton Park Norwich.
 For a picnic (weather permitting) at Eaton Park.
So bring your needles for a day of outdoor clicking and chatting!
Feel free to bring your children or family members the more the merrier.

Crab

I am still on the hunt for knitted sea creatures, I have start to knit a Cromer Crab but I think that I picked the wrong colour wool and fear that he is going to look really strange. 

 

I am using a pattern called Fiddler Crab by Hansi Singh.

Fiddler crabs have one claw larger than the other and I will need to replace the smaller one with a second large claw to turn it into a Cromer Crab. To make matters worse the pattern is really hard to knit, there are so many legs and you have to pick up soooo many stitches that I hope this will not be come another failed project. Wish me luck.