Your Personal Penguin

 Did you ever read any of Sandra Boynton's books? I have to say I'm rather fond of them. I decided my youngest sister's two little boys need their own personal penguins for Christmas.

 I found this free pattern for 'Cheerful Holiday Penguins" here. The pattern calls for DK weight yarn and size US3 needles. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease, which is aran weight, and size US5 needles. So obviously they turned our a little bigger the original penguin. As with the Owl Ornaments I made, I felt like these little guys needed some feet. I knitted some i-cord and shaped them into feet. I just used yarn for the beaks and eyes, because my two little nephews are still very young, I didn't want them to choke on buttons or beads.

I love them!

Fernando

 My youngest sister recently had her second baby. My name suggestion was Fernando (we are Abba fans in my family). When she didn't go with it, I decided I needed to name the bear I made for him Fernando.

The pattern is called 'Flat Ted' and is by Zoe Mellor. It's in her book 'Knitted Toys: 25 Fresh and Fabulous Designs'. I love the look of her toys. It's just a shame she wants you to knit everything flat. I knitted as much of this bear possible in the round, so I would have less finishing to do.

 I was gifted some yarn that was just meant to become a bear. It's Rowan British Sheep Breed Fine Boucle.

It was a little tricky to knit with, but looks so good. I had a hard time making his face as well. Something I need to practice. I love how this rather large bear turned out.

Hopefully he will enjoy and long and happy life with my new nephew.

The (not so) Wicked Witch of the West!

 I've had this Alan Dart pattern for years (thanks to a knitting friend). I knew as soon as I saw it that I wanted to make her for my mother in law. I know that might sound a bit weird to some of you. But if you know my MIL at all, you will know how much she loves Halloween.

I put off knitting her for a multitude of reasons, but finally I bit the bullet, and went for it. I knew she would be fiddly. The pattern is written so you knit every piece flat and then seam everything. I didn't want to do that. A few other knitters on Ravelry said they knit the majority or her in the round, so I went ahead and did that too.

The ruffles on the bloomers and boot cuffs I picked up stitches and knit. I had to stuff as I went on her body. On the fingers, I knit I-cord. The hair was so funny looking, I wish I'd taken a photo before I sewed her hat on, she is completely bald under it. I separated the plies of yarn to make it look as much like hair as possible.

 Putting her all together was so satisfying. Her fingers were the most tricky part, but so worth it! I then had to make a broom for her with bits and pieces I bought at JoAnns. I am totally thrilled with the finished product. I packed her up and sent her out west to her new home.

 My daughter, Little Miss M., was so reluctant to let me give her away. If she hadn't been for Grandma I think she would have had a fit. I love the picture she drew of her on our very dirty chalk board. I used almost all of the black yarn, but I have plenty left of the other colours. I used Berroco Comfort DK. It was pretty hard to find the right yarn for this project. Luckily they had this at Webbs. I hope to make us our own witch in the not too distant future.

Handmade Christmas.

It wasn't so handmade this year. I always have good intentions, but it just doesn't quite work out. All I managed to make on time this year was a pair of socks for my Mum. They are using the Susan B. Anderson pattern from her blog. They are knit up in Patons Kroy socks FX in the colour cascade. I started knitting them while I was over in England this summer. She had said she liked them, so I knew they would become her's.

This slithery snake was made for my little Miss. I. It came five days after Christmas, because other things got in the way of my knitting. The pattern is from the book Knitted Toys by Zoe Mellor. I have made two of these snakes before for my older kids. This time I decided to knit it in the round, and stuff it as I went. It's knit up in Lily sugar'n cream cotton in lot's of colours. It is by far my favorite snake (don't tell the other snakes). Every kid needs one to snuggle up in bed with.

It was very well received,  but now my older kids feel it is their turn for some handmade toys. I'd better get back to work. Happy creating everyone.

Fat free cup cakes!

 They are not edible though I'm afraid, but very yummy looking. My biggest sister, Mrs. M, just had her birthday so these were sent to her. 

Last year when I was over in England for my littlest sisters wedding, I came up with the plan to make these for Mrs. M. She was telling me how she would like to decorate her kitchen in a cup cake theme and I knew I could find something cool on Ravelry along those lines. This is what I found. Now a lot of these cupcakes have been knit up by Ravelers with fun changes from the pattern so I ended up with a different looking cupcake from the original. I followed modifications from Neekie and GraceIvy. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease scraps, which I seem to have a lot off. As you can see half are topped with cherries and half are without. I like them either way.

Mrs. M. tells me she is planning on making some cupcake bunting to go with them, so next time I get back to England for a visit I hope to see them together.

Little Miss M's Mouse.

 My four year old daughter decided she needed me to make her a mouse. Luckily my Knitted Toy book by Zoe Mellor contained a sweet pattern and my bag of scraps contained just the right wool.

I can't say I totally loved this pattern. If I make another one I may fiddle with it a little. The pattern called for felt ears, but I didn't want to spend any money on this one, so I just picked up a few stitches and knitted some ears. Miss M. is very happy with it, and it get's to sleep with her every night. Happy times.

Owl Pillow

I have wanted to start a blog that features things I've made for a while. I begin with this owl pillow. The pattern is from Zoe Mellors 'Knitted Toys.' You can find her book here:

http://www.amazon.com/Knitted-Toys-Fresh-Fabulous-Designs/dp/B004KAB5L4/ref=sr_1_s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302985224&sr=1-3

It was a really fun and quick knit to make and ended up costing less than four dollars to make. I had some left over yarn from another project and I've had a bag of toy stuffing for a few years that is very slowly being used up. I used Lion Brand Cotton-Ease yarn in Lake and Almond. I sewed the felt pieces on by hand but machine sewed the front and back pieces together. I think it only took about a week to come together and I'm really happy with it. This little guy ended up a gift for a friend of mine who collects owls and loves all things retro. You can find her over at http://montydob.blogspot.com/