caged crochet

I want one

 [Natural History Museum]

 Each one is 9 metres long

Look at those eyes...

 

All the info here

Jiffy - Lace

I  was delighted to be introduced to this fantastic paper pattern book earlier today...

Jiffy lace uses a knitting needle and a crochet hook to create the stitch pattern (?!)

I'm in love with this collar and cuff combo ~

  Here's how JIFFY LACE is done:

STEP ONE:

STEP TWO:

STEP THREE:

STEP FOUR:

Cord.Knitted.Necklaces.

A few necklaces made from hand knitted cords.

The first was made from the leftover yarn after knitting a pair of socks.  I began french knitting to see how long it would be.  It was very long; so then I crocheted a chain with the cord using my hands instead of a hook.

The second is made from a knitted i-cord (using two double pointed needles).

 To begin you knit a large 'bead' and then again when the cord is long enough to finish.

These were my very first attempts at knitting beads, so I could use a bit more practice but overall am happy with it.

This second necklace I knitted from the pattern Gaucho's Lariat from Domiknitrix by Jennifer Stafford.

New [old] Cardi {AYOKA}

I finally got round to paying a visit to Ayoka; a charity shop run by the St Margarets House Settlement.  Before I knew it was one of their projects, I used to cycle past it on my commute to work and was always intrigued to pay it a visit.

The shop is small and requires a bit of a rummage in some corners... Organised but still a bittle of a jumble... Just they way charity shops should be.

I got this beaut of a cardi there:

 Check out the crocheted epaulettes

 What makes this cardi like none other I've seen are these fantastic crocheted patches (doilies!) on the side, spreading from front to back.

 The front and back sections have been knitted separately and stitches cast off/on to leave an open space for the crochet design to be sewn into; the picot edge allowed to float freely.

Along the arms is a criss-cross and bobble pattern; 

not too dissimilar to the cardigan I am knitting for myself at the moment:

St Margarets House run so many different projects; including the Gallery Cafe, literally next door to the charity shop.  I stopped in there for lunch & ended up staying for hours... All the food is either vegetarian or vegan and very reasonably priced; I had a homemade vegan burger and it was probably the best I've found in London yet!

Take a look at their website as they also hold craft/sewing events there too... I might try to get involved!

Knitted Bikes

Spotted on my recent visit to Australia.
Along one of the main roads of Adelaide's town centre, this wonderful creations really added a great vibe to the street and drew me in like crazy to get a closer look at all the details that had been put into them.

 This blue beauty was the first I noticed, then the rest followed. 

Looking at it I wondered how long it took.  Well, the ones that I saw afterwards really stole the question when I saw them...

 This flowered beauty was amazing...

 I can't imagine how long it must have taken to knit all those loops for these wheels!

Check out these crafty little guys on the wheels!

Bikes, Knitting, Nature :)

 This chap didn't have so much decoration on his frame, but the fantastic idea of turning the bull bars into a bull is shear genius!  WHAT a mane...

 This rainbow bike was so eye-catching! A whole sky scene on one wheel vehicle:

 Check out the rad disc wheels:

 There was even a little owl nestled on the back wheel

  Then around the corner this little guy was lurking!

 I so want to make one! I wonder if these pieces are subject to 'yarn bombing' or a seperate project conconcted by locals to do something positive and cheerful with the adandoned bikes of the city?  I have so much respect for all the time spent knitting & crocheting all of these.  They're so much fun!

Bobbles & Crochet Crop Top

A little top I knitted up just for a bit of fun. 

I had never knitted a vest by hand before so just wanted to play around with it.  I used a DK cotton for the top half, which gives it a satisfying weighty feel; then continued by increasing my stitches and knitting in simple stocking stitch, using a fine wool yarn.  

I added a row of bobbles down the front to help break up the plain knitting and add that little 'clown' touch to things...

Then finished it off with a crochet scalloped edge.

It's simple, but it fits.  So I'm happy with it!

Golden Bees

I decided I wanted to try something a little different with my handmade bees and swapped the silver for gold to see how it would look....

 I think it suits them:

I will be crafting some hair slides in the gold version too, but for now you can
purchase the broaches from my Etsy store
or from my stall in the Backyard Market on Sundays, 10am - pm.

This little chap measures about 3cm long and including his wings in about 3.5cm high.
The wire I have used is very sturdy and really shines out. 

I am pleased with the result - as I hope my customers will be too!

20% OF PROFIT FROM BEE SALES IS DONATED TO THE SOIL ASSOSIATION TO HELP THEM SAVE THE HONEY BEES

Knitted Bikini

I recently had the dilema of what to make for a friend who is off to Australia for a year. It's got to be handmade, obviously and preferably knitted (to remind her of me!), yet remain practical for her adventure...

The answer, of course, was a knitted bikini:

I found a free pattern called the BVI Bikini on Ravelry.

I followed it true to word, until it came to adding the straps (I'm still getting used to crochet patterns; so sometimes it's easier to freestyle it still).

The ties were a row of chain stitch which I then worked dch (double chain stitch) into.

It was nice and quick to knit up, I think I'll have to make one for myself too.

 The best tip I picked up fron this pattern, is after the cups have been knitted, you should hand sew elastic around the edges of them.  This will make them stay in place and give them the hold that commerical bikinis made from synthetic fabrics have.

I'm happy to say that my friend absolutely loved it ("The best present ever!") and it fitted her perfectly!

Just a special something for those cooler, nightime beach parties perhaps?

All the best, Saz!

xxx