tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76987234252762904562024-03-13T14:03:52.354+00:00The Nutty Knitter's blog* clickety clack *madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-65269571601291967052020-01-26T16:35:00.000+00:002020-01-26T16:35:14.821+00:00“On the Road“ Reversible headwear now for saleThe first version of the On The Road reversible headwear is now for sale <a href="https://folksy.com/items/7402080-On-the-Road-Reversible-headwear-and-cowl-" target="_blank">here</a> in my Folksy shop.<br />
It’s made from Schachenmayr Regia Pairfect yarn, the colours giving it a nice winter feel.<br />
Happy wearing! 🙂<br />
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-5143441196516077572020-01-25T07:11:00.000+00:002020-01-25T16:09:42.682+00:00“On the Road” Reversible Headwear <b>Update: </b><br />
<b>The “On the Road” pattern is now for sale on Ravelry!</b><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/on-the-road-reversible-head-wear">https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/on-the-road-reversible-head-wear</a><br />
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My husband and I are planning a long cycle tour through Europe before Brexit kicks in.<br />
What knitting project to take? I figured that 4-ply yarn will be the easiest and lightest to take. I am trying to design some easy and versatile patterns.<br />
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My first is an open hat, which doubles as a head band and a cowl. I have road tested it this week and it is warm, fits under a cycling helmet and has not lost its shape.<br />
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Hoping to write up the pattern for Ravelry soon.<br />
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-84583539874321659852019-08-10T12:46:00.000+01:002019-08-10T12:46:18.163+01:00The importance of grading alpaca fibres Having spun my first skeins of alpaca, I have learned the hard way that there is a huge variation of soft and coarse fibre across the fleece, and that just a small amount of coarse fibres carded and spun in, can make the whole skein coarse and prickly. 😨<br />
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YouTube confirms that alpaca should be sorted and graded.<br />
Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/s6BaIbz-LVI" target="_blank">this video</a> by the <a href="http://butterfieldalpacaranch.com/" target="_blank">Butterfield Alpaca Ranch.</a><br />
I’ll be looking for a local shearing and grading course in the spring.madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-45712220930512958892019-08-04T15:43:00.003+01:002019-08-04T17:37:51.882+01:00Back to basics - Spinning alpacaMy lovely Ashford spinning wheel has been gathering dust behind the bedroom door for years, but not any more! I dusted it down last week and gave it a go, spinning an alpaca fleece which my mother-in-law gave me a couple of years ago.<br />
Turns out spinning is like riding a bike - you never lose the knack!<br />
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What a joy to get carding, spinning, plying and washing the alpaca fibre.<br />
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Question is, what shall I turn it into now?<br />
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-88690661734248934532019-06-13T13:49:00.000+01:002019-06-13T13:49:01.278+01:00Cotton and washable itemsI have been working increasingly with cotton yarns - partly because it is lovely material to work with and partly for environmental reasons.<br />
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At the moment I am making washable and reusable items, such as washable make-up remover pads and face cloths. Being able to reuse these items saves so much waste.<br />
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Here are a few recent items I have made,<br />
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Please check out my new <a href="https://folksy.com/shops/Knitsy123" target="_blank">Folksy shop</a> too!<br />
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-30838995529439370322018-01-02T17:34:00.000+00:002018-02-15T04:54:04.547+00:00Stash reduction 2018 - the bits and bobs blanketAlmost exactly five years after starting the bits and bobs blanket, I have finally finished it! The mitred squares were added by picking up the stitches from the edged of previous squares, so there was virtually no sewing involved. I added two crocheted rows as edging. It measures 1x1.4m and fits our sofa almost perfectly.<br />
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-57899275357763635712017-12-24T08:42:00.003+00:002017-12-24T08:42:59.477+00:00My stash is HUGE! *I'm shocked to see that I have not blogged for over a year! I promise that I have been knitting, just not writing about it.<br />
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Have you ever decided "not to buy any more yarn until you have used up your stash"? Well, I did, but that was before I sorted it all out and realised just <i>how much </i>yarn I had stashed away. Even after sorting out and giving away two large bag full, I am left with this:<br />
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Something definitely has to be done!<br />
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I guess I know that promising not to buy any more yarn until this lot is gone, is unrealistic, but perhaps I should resolve to not let it grow, and to give some away if I get more?<br />
How do you control your stash?<br />
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My firat stash reducing effort is to continue (and hopefully finish) the mitred square blanket which I started on December 29th 2012 and which I add to every year when my Christmas knitting is done.<br />
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I will try to update here how much stash reduction is going... </div>
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HAPPY KNITTING! </div>
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<span id="goog_365029595"></span><span id="goog_365029596"></span><br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-30848134494391432632016-11-12T09:42:00.000+00:002016-11-12T16:16:17.072+00:00FREE EU beanie patternIntroducing the EU beanie!<br />
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This beanie was designed as a political statement following the Brexit vote in the EU Referendum. But you can knit it and wear it for any reason at all.<br />
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The pattern is written for DK/8 ply yarn and fits the average adolescent to medium adult head.<br />
The pattern is written to knit in the round on double-pointed needles, but it can also be used knitting in the flat. (Just add two extra stitches for edge stitches to allow for the seam.<br />
You need to be able to use the <em>colour stranding technique</em> (using two colours at the same time, running the second along the back). If you are not familiar with this technique, there are different tutorials on the Internet. It may take a little practice to get the tension right.<br />
I am very happy to receive questions, comments or suggestion.<br />
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The FREE pattern is available as a download on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/eu-beanie" target="_blank">Ravelry page</a>. I would really appreciate it is you could share the pattern far and wide. KNIT IT, WEAR IT, SHARE IT!<br />
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Happy knitting and KEEP THE EU FLAG FLYING!</div>
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madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-69607927823482898212016-03-24T07:56:00.005+00:002016-03-24T07:56:44.654+00:00"I love NHS" beanies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8ffK26jLuo/VvOdrgRwVXI/AAAAAAAACrE/MYEkFE7BH9o9HLycFS2aD3fbv9TeXyy2Q/s1600/NHS%2Bbeanie%2B003sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8ffK26jLuo/VvOdrgRwVXI/AAAAAAAACrE/MYEkFE7BH9o9HLycFS2aD3fbv9TeXyy2Q/s320/NHS%2Bbeanie%2B003sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have done no Easter knitting whatsoever this year.<br />The main reason is that I have been inundated with orders for my "I love NHS" beanies.I must have knitted a dozen or so, including one extra large one and one with earflaps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I designed the beanie because I am passionate about our National Health System which provides free health care at the point of delivery to whoever you are!<br />The thought of it being gradually dismantled and sold of to private companies for their personal gain is abhorrent and flies in the face of what the welfare state is about. But I won't bore you with details. You can read more about my passion for the NHS<a href="http://madhatsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/the-peoples-march-for-nhs-day-we-filled.html" target="_blank"> here</a> is you want.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My ethos for the NHS beanie has always been that I want to make no personal profit from it. I try to cover the cost of material and posting, and any remaining profit goes towards the fight against the privatisation of the NHS.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Similarly the Ravelry pattern for the beanie is FREE and available <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/i-love-nhs-beanie" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is knitted flat and <span style="background-color: white;">is designed for a head circumference of 22-24” or 56-61cm, but you could easily add/reduce some stitches/rows if needed.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You need to be able to use the colour stranding technique (using two colours at the same time, running the second yarn along the back). If you are not familiar with this technique, there are different tutorials on the Internet. Remember to cross the colours over at the back to avoid holes appearing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Please share the pattern far and wide. I am not precious about it. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What matters is that we save our NHS!</span></b>madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-82248838094767004762016-01-06T16:38:00.000+00:002016-01-06T16:41:22.602+00:00Bits and bobs and magic knot <span style="background-color: rgba(28, 28, 28, 0.8); color: #bbbbbb; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14.3px;">I haven't blogged here for ages. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(28, 28, 28, 0.8); color: #bbbbbb; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14.3px;">At the moment I am working on my bits and bobs blanket - something I've worked on for three years or so, intermittently, when I have a bit of leftover yarn hanging around. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(28, 28, 28, 0.8); color: #bbbbbb; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14.3px;">So I happened to mention this on Ravelry...and was introduced to the magic knot. A new way of joining to bits of yarn. Apparently totally secure. Have you tried it? I can't wait to give it a go! </span><br />
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madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-52374274068183861202014-12-28T07:59:00.001+00:002014-12-28T18:55:47.267+00:00#ToriesMustGo beanie<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miOYEzFKqYU/VJ-3OShBUbI/AAAAAAAACdg/wZ1nG9qCBOU/s1600/%23ToriesMustGo%2B003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miOYEzFKqYU/VJ-3OShBUbI/AAAAAAAACdg/wZ1nG9qCBOU/s1600/%23ToriesMustGo%2B003.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a>I cannot believe that I haven't blogged for nearly a year. I can assure you that I have done plenty of knitting though!<br />
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More importantly, I have become political!<br />
I won't bore you with details here, but if you are interested, you can read a bit about my exploits in <a href="http://madhatsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">"madhat's musings"</a> - my 'other' blog.<br />
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I have also become an avid Twitter user. 18,000 tweets in less than a year. Should I be worried??<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2yRpbMeZlvw/VJ-3OEpTUzI/AAAAAAAACdc/GKZF_9gKG7Q/s1600/%23ToriesMustGo%2B002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2yRpbMeZlvw/VJ-3OEpTUzI/AAAAAAAACdc/GKZF_9gKG7Q/s1600/%23ToriesMustGo%2B002.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a><br />
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Twitter got me thinking about knitting politically when a Twitter acquaintance suggested that I should knit a #ToriesMustGo beanie for him.<br />
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So I did ...<br />
And wrote down the pattern ...<br />
And put it up on Ravelry as a FREE pattern.<br />
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You can find the information and download the pattern as a PDF <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/toriesmustgo-beanie" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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As we enter this election year, I am quite excited at the thought of people walking around, wearing beanies with political slogans.<br />
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And of course, you could change the slogan<br />
to whichever you choose.<br />
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STAY POLITICAL! xmadhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-37268223976973843902014-02-12T18:28:00.000+00:002014-02-12T18:28:14.808+00:00Peace scarf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.woolagainstweapons.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wool against Weapons</a> is a UK initative which aims to produce a 7-mile-long pink(ish) knitted Peace Scarf to run between the Women’s Peace Camp at Aldermaston and Burghfield (the other Nuclear Weapons Establishment site) in Berkshire in protest against the UK's involvement in nuclear weapons.<br />
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The target date is Saturday 9th August 2014 to come in line with Nagasaki Day.<br />
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The pattern asks for blankets 60 x 100 cm, which will be joined into a SUPER SCARF ... and which will be turned back into blankets and given to various charities at the end.(I like that bit especially. No waste!)<br />
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Here are my two blankets:<br />
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It's not too late to join us! </div>
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Think pink!</div>
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-57773787643803425752014-02-03T09:46:00.000+00:002014-02-03T09:50:32.100+00:00Dora's prayer shawlYesterday I finished the prayer shawl I had made for Dora - the Ugandan lady my friend's son stayed with in Uganda for three months.<br />
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In the end I made up a different pattern and used the <a href="http://newstitchaday.com/drop-stitch/" target="_blank">garter drop stitch</a> to create a lighter fabric.<br />
I cast on 90 sts in DK and used needles size 4.<br />
The overall dimensions are 55cm x 110cm (not counting the fringes)<br />
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I added stripes in different colours and made a multi-coloured fringe as my friend had wanted it colourful.<br />
It is not visible on the picture, but in the four corners I knitted a small cross - purl stitches on knit background over a 12x12 square.<br />
The cross may not be easily spotted and you may have to look to find it ... but it are there nonetheless - ALWAYS! :)<br />
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So my prayers go out to Dora. May she enjoy the shawl and may it give her joy, warmth and comfort.<br />
<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-78024248237450772992014-01-20T19:36:00.000+00:002014-01-20T19:36:02.307+00:00Prayer shawlThe son of a good church friend of mine spent three months in Uganda recently. Having returned, he asked me whether I could knit a prayer shawl for his host mother there.<br />He found this pattern from the<a href="http://www.shawlministry.com/" target="_blank"> Prayer Shawl Ministry</a> for me.<br />
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The free pattern can also be found on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-original-prayer-shawl---knitting-pattern" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>.<br />
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Unless I hear otherwise from my friend and her son, here is the yarn I have put aside for this project. It is DK rather than Chunky - but I figure that in Uganda a thick shawl might be a little misplaced ...<br />
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-74513430753941434942014-01-05T14:30:00.001+00:002014-01-05T14:30:56.299+00:00Nativity (Christmas project)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year for Christmas I decided to make one figure for the nativity scene every day.<br /><br />I used <a href="http://www.craftycattery.com/2010/01/amigurumi-nativity-crocheted-mary-and.html" target="_blank">Crafty Cattery's patterns for Mary, Joseph and the baby</a> as a base pattern. Apart from adding facial features and using DK yarn I made little changes to the original patterns.<br />I then added a variety of other objects - wings, a staff, cloaks, a lamb, gifts and head coverings. I made a manger for the baby and designed the sheep from scratch. I made the legs by covering pipe cleaners with lengths of i-chord.<br /><br />Really pleased with the outcome. It was great fun and a wonderful way to retell the Christmas story over the <a href="http://madhatsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/twelve-days-at-christmas.html" target="_blank">12 days of Christmas</a>.<br />
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-26887742295202210712013-11-16T13:16:00.001+00:002013-11-16T13:16:59.051+00:00Fingerless mittens - NEW Ravelry pattern!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My latest pattern is out on Ravelry.<br /><br />
It's a simple pattern for fingerless mittens. They are knitted in the round on a set of double-pointed needles.<br />For the mittens shown in the pictures I used <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Regia-World-College-6-ply-fadig-Self-Striping-Sock-Yarn-150g-Master-6507-Wool-/251357267199" target="_blank">Regia World College sock yarn</a> in DK. Very cleverly a 150g ball creates 3 almost perfectly matching pairs of gloves. <br />But any other DK yarn should be fine.<br /><br />The size fits a medium-sized adult hand. <br />Adjustments can easily be made. For example you can make the cuffs longer or shorter, or widen the gloves my adding 4sts to the width. (Be aware that this may affect the amount of yarn needed)<br /><br />Check out the pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fingerless-mittens-34" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
Thank you!madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-20396076058264201772013-07-27T14:31:00.001+01:002013-07-27T14:31:16.292+01:00Liv's teddy (again) - FREE RAVELRY PATTERN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Liv's teddy is now available as a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/livs-teddy" target="_blank">FREE PATTERN</a> in my RAVELRY store. </div>
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It is written to be knitted on a set of double-pointed needles, so it essentially makes a tube (that’s because I am lazy and try to avoid as much sewing as possible!). <br />The legs are stitched through. <br />All that is required is knowing how to cast and and off and how to increase and decrease. <br />It get s a tiny bit more tricky at the top, when the middle 4 stitches are cast off and the ears are completed separately.</div>
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Being a simple pattern it is ideal for charity knitting - so please feel free to copy and share in your groups.</div>
<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-913650553468852912013-07-26T21:56:00.000+01:002013-07-26T21:56:10.320+01:00Yarn bombing<br />
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Our little town square got yarn bombed. How beautiful! (Why wasn't I told??)
madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-38520624690356035302013-07-25T08:36:00.002+01:002013-07-25T08:36:33.763+01:00Liv's teddy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ia8XFKyoFKw/UfDUmJVfELI/AAAAAAAAB90/hcGY5fObKlk/s1600/Liv%2527s+teddy+%2528original%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ia8XFKyoFKw/UfDUmJVfELI/AAAAAAAAB90/hcGY5fObKlk/s200/Liv%2527s+teddy+%2528original%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I received a request via <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/?ref=si_home" target="_blank">etsy</a> to replicate a very simple little teddy for a girl called Liv in Australia. She is in the habit of losing her teddy and he mum wanted a replacement - in the event that old teddy disappears for good.<br />
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So, equipped with a picture and the basic measurements I set out to give it a go.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZk383672CE/UfDUIWthy5I/AAAAAAAAB9s/VUTAcTwabCI/s1600/Liv%2527s+teddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZk383672CE/UfDUIWthy5I/AAAAAAAAB9s/VUTAcTwabCI/s200/Liv%2527s+teddy.jpg" width="183" /></a></div>
Here is the final result. My ball of wool was enough to make three, so Liv should be quite safe for a while!<br />
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Will send teddies and knitting instructions later this week.<br /><br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-5444683741891550622013-03-08T15:21:00.000+00:002013-03-08T15:22:15.066+00:00More Easter eggs ...You know that feeling when you start making something and then you end up making more than you ever planned?<br />
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Here are my little chocolate egg cosies - 30 of them - ready to be taken to work next week to raise money for my daughter's trip with the <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/AnnaPlummer" target="_blank">Voluntary Services Overseas</a>.<br />
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And I got an order to make another 40 for the children's group at our church. Just how many days until Easter??<br />
Luckily I persuaded my daughter to help me with stitching on the eyes. That will make a huge difference!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9dgTeqbnJyQ/UToAXUAaq3I/AAAAAAAABu4/YDtCL7Fe_B0/s1600/vso+cadbury+eggs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9dgTeqbnJyQ/UToAXUAaq3I/AAAAAAAABu4/YDtCL7Fe_B0/s320/vso+cadbury+eggs2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-8648281699935117162013-03-03T18:27:00.000+00:002013-03-03T18:27:26.227+00:00Craft stall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbYEPsvpsec/UTOU0jOCPsI/AAAAAAAABs4/NMF5J5fseuM/s1600/anna+at+stall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbYEPsvpsec/UTOU0jOCPsI/AAAAAAAABs4/NMF5J5fseuM/s320/anna+at+stall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Yesterday we had fun at the local Flea Market, where my daughter and I had a craft stall. We met some lovely people and raised some money to go towards my <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/AnnaPlummer?fb_action_ids=10200603694277059&fb_action_types=jgdonation%3Adonate&fb_source=timeline_og&action_object_map=%7B%2210200603694277059%22%3A426769600725281%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210200603694277059%22%3A%22jgdonation%3Adonate%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D" target="_blank">daughter's trip with VSO to Bangladesh</a> in May.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DIA0u26mdgc/UTOU8FFt_JI/AAAAAAAABtI/l1v-2415rk4/s1600/fleamarket+april13_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DIA0u26mdgc/UTOU8FFt_JI/AAAAAAAABtI/l1v-2415rk4/s200/fleamarket+april13_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-31253009757505714062013-02-21T14:36:00.003+00:002013-02-21T14:37:09.459+00:00Easter eggs - the sequel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nFpCl_xZ3zc/USYwXUWDfhI/AAAAAAAABpA/MITeeQJltuE/s1600/vso+-+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nFpCl_xZ3zc/USYwXUWDfhI/AAAAAAAABpA/MITeeQJltuE/s200/vso+-+eggs.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Having made a few of the googey-eyed eggs, I decided to amend the pattern to make covers which fit a small chocolate egg (Cadbury's creme egg or similar).<br />
Here they are.<br />
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The problem is that my cupboard now hides a couple of dozen creme eggs. I wonder how long they will stay safe?!madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-87325956811851502462013-02-15T19:35:00.000+00:002013-02-15T19:35:26.689+00:00Easter Bunny and the Googy-eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VqU3wUFc3iM/UR6L4WDF3aI/AAAAAAAABng/Be2dGdFeHQM/s1600/Easter+bunny+and+googy+eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VqU3wUFc3iM/UR6L4WDF3aI/AAAAAAAABng/Be2dGdFeHQM/s320/Easter+bunny+and+googy+eyes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A great big Thank You to Kim Lapsey from <a href="http://woollytoons.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/easter-bunny-and-googy-eggs.html" target="_blank">Woolly Toons</a> for her free pattern and for allowing me to sell my little crew to raise money for my daughter's volunteer project with the <a href="http://www.vso.org.uk/volunteer/opportunities/for-18-25-year-olds" target="_blank">International Citizen Service</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5wl_U_NStU/UR6L7xuZ3LI/AAAAAAAABno/Rztwz-_8WKk/s1600/bunny+white+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5wl_U_NStU/UR6L7xuZ3LI/AAAAAAAABno/Rztwz-_8WKk/s200/bunny+white+front.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I love making these little guys and hope to make a few more before Easter!<br /><br />They can be purchased and/or ordered from my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheNuttyKnitter" target="_blank">NuttyKnitter's Etsy shop</a>.<br />Please come and browse.madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-72522593041849568472013-02-07T10:28:00.001+00:002013-02-07T10:36:20.501+00:00Woolly Toons Easter Bunny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhl293pEhbM/UROALMwfU8I/AAAAAAAABlk/MRHQlMeDVGU/s1600/bunny2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhl293pEhbM/UROALMwfU8I/AAAAAAAABlk/MRHQlMeDVGU/s320/bunny2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, I did promise myself some Easter projects.<br />
I started with crocheting this this delightful Easter bunny. You can find the pattern in<a href="http://woollytoons.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/easter-bunny-and-googy-eggs.html" target="_blank"> Woolly Toons' blog</a>.<br />
The pieces were quite easy to make and although assembling the face was a bit fiddly (I will ask my daughter to do it for me next time), it was a real hoot seeing the little face come to life!<br />
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Now I am in the groove, I think I will add a few eggs to the collection ... and perhaps another bunny or two.<br />
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I am feeling particularly self-righteous, as I am still counting this as part of my stash-reduction.<br />
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<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7698723425276290456.post-65187111300444027792013-02-03T14:55:00.000+00:002013-02-03T14:55:01.361+00:00Using up my stash - next update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hgDy_rNnRrE/UQ54sYeg7SI/AAAAAAAABk0/UJf5T-FyUWI/s1600/hats2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hgDy_rNnRrE/UQ54sYeg7SI/AAAAAAAABk0/UJf5T-FyUWI/s200/hats2.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Having found some thicker Aran yarn, I made a number of simple hats.<br />They are adult size, but one size pretty much fits most teenage/adult heads.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CvZCd8QeiA/UQ54r65UGMI/AAAAAAAABks/jXbCyYIArqI/s1600/dennis-the-menace+gloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CvZCd8QeiA/UQ54r65UGMI/AAAAAAAABks/jXbCyYIArqI/s200/dennis-the-menace+gloves.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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These Dennis-the-Menace fingerless gloves with flaps are very nearly finished. I might just keep these for myself!<br />
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Now my winter knitting will be on hold for a while. It is nearly Lent, and with the spring and Easter approaching some serious Easter knitting will commence soon.<br />Watch this space!<br />madhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775956472143538953noreply@blogger.com0