Knitting (and stuff) lately

February 2, 2013 | Category: knitting, ordinary days

My fingers were itching for something new to cast-on yesterday, something that wasn’t yet another hat or pair of longies, but was still quick and reasonably mindless so I could knit and read, and something that wouldn’t require a new yarn purchase but would make use of some of the lovely yarns I already had languishing in my stash. I decided upon using up some of the Madeline Tosh DK in the nectar colourway, and after browsing ravelry for what felt like forever (and driving myself crazy being so indecisive about what sort of project I wanted to start) started on the Langston pattern. It’s a short cropped jacket and will be perfect for Autumn weather for Piper. Yes, totally dreaming of Autumn already… sigh…

See what I mean about the kittens? Wherever my knitting is, there they appear. It’s like magic.

More hats in progress for the shop. I have been fixated on whites, creams and neutrals lately. This is the very start of a Zozo Pixie Cables bonnet.

We have been doing a fair bit of painting lately too. For this one, I made up a simple little story about water faeries and sun faeries playing together. Lilly was so proud of hers. I’m not sure what to do with all of the paintings actually. Each one seems so pretty, even as simple as they are, so it seems a shame to just let them sit in a pile. We used one to cover one of Maddy’s books for school but that is about it so far.

And finally, the details of Piper’s sweet birthday crown as promised. It seemed like this crown took forever, what with all of the planning and agonising and freaking out over making it perfectly perfect for her that I was doing. I used hand-dyed 100% wool felt for both the outside and inside, and 100% merino roving for the needle felting and embroidered it with cotton threads.

This is how the front/outside of the crown finished up. Needle felted faeries with floral wreathes in their hair, for imagination and creativity, and because I have always been fascinated by faeries.The flower wreathes were made with french knots, just like the little dots scattered over the sides are too. The sun was because she was born at the height of summer, and we call her our sunshine baby, and sing her “you are my sunshine” all the time. The lower edge is blanket stitch, while I used my machine for the top and sides.

And the inside. The little embroidered “P” is pretty self explanatory. The pink heart, representing my love for her, is needle felted again and surrounded by a border of embroidery stitches. Just a little something for “her”, if that makes sense. Overall I’m really happy with how it all turned out.

Just a bonus shot of my two littlest girls. Love them so much I could burst.

Oh, and, I don’t know who it was, but someone nominated my blog on The Homies at Apartment Therapy here. So, thanks, whoever you are!

xox Amanda

Tags: craft, craft blogs, crafty, knitting, knitting blog, knitting for baby, waldorf birthday crown making, waldorf crowns

10 Comments

http://www.facebook.com/anja.heubner Anja Heubner

Whenever you post something about knitting I feel like giving it a try again! It wont be any good tho haha I just cant do it. I do crochet though. Oh well.. Pipers birthday crown turned out beautiful! One can really tell the love you put into it when you made it for her. It will be a lovely thing for her to treasure throughout her life lovely post as always! xx
- http://littlelabyrinth.com/ Amanda Keeys
  
  Oh Anja give it another go! I tried to learn to knit so many times as a kid (from my Nan, my Mum, Grandma etc) and I could never ever “get” it. In the last couple of weeks of my pregnancy with Lilly I decided I wanted to make her a blanket and that motivated me enough to just do it! I found a book (stitch n bitch I think it was) and learnt from that.
  The crown is definitely intended to grow with Piper, and I really hope it will become something special to her through the years. Goodness knows I already feel attached to it hahaha.
  - http://www.facebook.com/anja.heubner Anja Heubner
    
    Oh I’ve seen that book on amazon a while ago! I’ll give it a try! I’ve tried with youtube tutorials until now but had little luck.. I guess I have no choice but to try again
    - http://littlelabyrinth.com/ Amanda Keeys
      
      I think it’s fairly decent for the basic learn to knit inside it I never bothered with any of it’s patterns though. Of course I have to say my own book has a how to knit section in the front, too
http://blowingraspberriess.tumblr.com/ Ann

Oh wow, that knitted cardigan is a dream! Is it for Piper? If so, I can’t wait to see her model it ; )
- http://littlelabyrinth.com/ Amanda Keeys
  
  The cardi is for her yep! I’ll be sure to take photos when it’s done haha.
agatesandrubies

This post is all sorts of beautiful!! The crown turned out perfectly lovely & your girls are all just dolls! -Angela
- http://littlelabyrinth.com/ Amanda Keeys
  
  Thanks so much Angela! I probably freaked out too much about trying to make the crown /perfect/ but I am really pleased with it hehe.
angelica

I have just discovered your beautiful blog. You can make lots of little lanterns with those watercolor paintings. There are so many styles, but here is one that uses most of the painting:

http://gardenmama.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/01/my-entry-1.html

I look forward to exploring your beautiful blog!
- http://littlelabyrinth.com/ Amanda Keeys
  
  Oh thank you for the lantern idea! That sounds like something my kids would enjoy.