Monday 28 January 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: ONE FOX, TWO

I've been knitting so many commissions recently, mainly foxes. I though I'd do a quick update on them. Here are two little guys with the slim face. One in a foxy orange and the other in a beautiful wine red Wendy Mode yarn. 



I've also been working on some hats, a vintage inspired ladies turban and a moss stitch beanie,on my list of things to do is another Totoro and my first commissioned wig. They have been getting a lot of interest from my press and I'm excited to send one to France. 

I also just wanted to say a big thank you to anybody reading from the daily mail link. I never expected such a positive reaction to my wigs, I just love knitting. 


Sincerely,

Louise

xox

Thursday 24 January 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: MORE WILDLIFE AND GHIBLI

I recently had an order for one of my fox stoles, with the newly designed thinner face. Instead of using Rowan yarn I decided to venture out in the cold and snow to a new wool shop and found this beautiful foxy orange colour by DROPS. You can find it here! I would definitely recommend it as it feels great and is a superwash yarn. 

If you're local to Essex then you need to check out Yarn Therapy, a wonderful little shop in Great Baddow. What I loved about their shop was that you can't buy acrylic in there, and as I move away from using it, its as place I'll be visiting more and more. Also I prefer supporting these kind of shops rather than going to Hobbycraft, even though I practically live next to it.



I also sold my first soot sprite, which I made in a evening. I'm happier with the eyes on this one as I felt (craft pun) they were a little far apart on the first. All I can do is learn as I go along, and I do really like making these little things. 


Sincerely,

Louise

xox

Sunday 13 January 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: SPIRITED AWAY NO-FACE PILLOW





As many of my blog reader know I've only recently discovered the magic of Studio Ghibli, down to my boyfriend asking for a Totoro for Christmas. Since then I've watched most of the films and even brought a Totoro onesie that I never seem to take off, meaning nobody wants to be near me as it's beginning to smell. 

Anyway, for his birthday the boyfriend asked for a no-face. I must say out of all of the Ghibli movies I watched over Christmas Spirited Away was my favorite. I love Totoro as a character ever so much, but I spent the whole time watching it absolutely amazed. I was so drawn into it that I didn't even think about knitting throughout it, so being asked to make the odd spirit character was rather pleasant after seeing him knitting away towards the end of the film. He'd asked for one about the same size as his Totoro, but I had different plans. I wanted to make it more of a pillow, so he could give it hugs at night (obviously). 

I had some chunky black and white yarn left over from my other projects, and had been given a lilac colour that I doubled up a few times to match the thickness of the chunky and started knitting away. I have the pattern written down, so I am hoping to share it once its perfected. I used felt for the eyes and a whole bag of stuffing went into him. I was determined to do a life-sized one, however was stopped due to lack of yarn, but maybe thats something to do in the future. 

The botton two photos were taken at his new home, and feature all the knits I've made as presents. I'm not sure whats next, I quite fancy making Calcifer, as he's kinda cute. I'll be posting a pattern really soon for Chinese New Year which I'm working on at the moment so keep your eyes pealed! 






Sincerely,

Louise

xox

Thursday 10 January 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: MAN'S BEST FRIENDS

This is the final post on my Christmas knits, but as I've just started a new job where I can hand knit all day I'll try and make just as many little creatures. And once I've tested those patterns I'm planning to post more on here. A website is in the works also, so keep watching this space! 

Todays post is on a few pooches I made for clients, two small toys dogs and a scarf. I used some of my favourite yarns, including Sidar's softspun gold wool, with its lovely metallic element. My little square of black felt came in useful for the eyes and noses again as I felt it gave the golden dog quite a fun expression, and made the scarf childproof. I am more of a dog person, but sometimes I think cats are easier to knit! My no-face is just about finished so he'll be up on here soon, today I also brought My Neighbour Totoro on DVD (I rarely buy them) so maybe I'll be inspired to make some more Totoros as I'll be watching that tomorrow!



Sincerely,

Louise

xox

Saturday 5 January 2013

WHAT I'VE BEEN KNITTING: MOVIE KNITS

Today I'm blogging about some more Christmas gifts I made, all movie related. My poor wrists hurt so much during the week leading up to Christmas, and I managed to finish them just in time (Christmas Eve)! 

Looking back to the tiny 2d balloon pattern I posted this gift was the reason for its creation and documentation. My sister is a huge fan of Up, so I wanted to do something relating to it. I spent all my time on the tube knitting these balloons, brought a frame and some felt and spend a whole day sewing it together.



The second is a Batman sweater, which I was asked to knit for my sister's boyfriend. I used chunky yarn, and made the grid for the symbol. I think I could of downscaled the symbol slightly, but at least it makes it unique. I have posted a photo we received on Christmas day of Jake modelling his new Batman attire. 



Finally, this is the Captain America hat I made for my other sister, I did look at some of the designs of other hats on google to get a basic idea, as I was making it on Christmas Eve. Again I used chunky wool, and mother made the pompom, which I think brings the hat to life. 


Sincerely,

Louise

xox

The Etsy Awards - One Year On

I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since I won the Etsy Awards. Time has flown by and my small business has grown so much. Winning th...