Rainbow Bluedog

Meet Rainbow Bluedog, a relative of Bluedog VII!

I used 3/4 of the fat quarter by Wild Cotton Fabric I picked up at the Stitches & Craft Show this year.

Rainbow here has his own amigurumi bone which he will never let it out of his sight.

The eyes are 100% wool felt in bright aqua colour.

He is a special request by the owner of Bluedog VII for her little nephew''s upcoming birthday and I can't wait until he receives him!

Stitch with love xx

What's on the hook and needles

Today I decided to do an inventory of what WIP I have on the hook and needles, yes, not include the other non yarny projects... I try not to get overwhelmed by projects cause I love the process.

1. The Haruni shawl - what I call the long term project... I started this in October 2012! Hopefully it will be done for mother's day this year... fingers crossed!

2. Just started last week is this baby pullover Binic. I have a whole list of babies due before July this year amongst our group of friends. Whilst I don't have any particular baby in mind, I figured this will come in handy!

3. A little something for myself. I came across this beanie pattern called Minno Hat a little over a week ago and my brain was screaming "knit, knit, knit, knit!!!!!"... before I knew it, I purchased the pattern on Ravelry! The next day, Bendigo Woollen Mills shade cards appeared in our letter box... I saw that as a sign! So like some unknown forces, I found myself stroking the Luxury yarn, mentally imagining how different colours would go together. Next I knew I ordered 6 balls of different colours!  When they arrived last week, I quickly calculated how much I needed in each colour and here they are, ready to for cast on :)

4. Experimenting with shapes and self striping sock yarns for my next amigurumi design.

I am a relatively quicker crocheter now and I keep hoping that the more I knit, the quicker I get.

Have a great stitchy crafty week!

Hearty - An Amigurumi pattern...

Yay! Just finished writing up the pattern for these Amigurumi Hearty balloons! It is now published both on Ravelry and Craftsy - Happy Dance moment...

Follow these links to download one so you too can make a bunch of Hearty balloons like Bertie here!

Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/toy/hearty---an-amigurumi-pattern/90818
Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hearty---an-amigurumi-pattern

Stitch with Love xx

How I made the Rainbow flowers

Here is how I made the Rainbow flowers for Sunshine & Lollipops.

I made these flowers using Perle cotton threads and because they are rainbow flowers, I picked rainbow colours.

1. First rainbow colour, cast on 6 chain stitches using magic ring cast on. Leave a 10cm tail, cut.
2. Next round, make 6 petals using the different rainbow colours.

Colour 2, in the first stitch, *Chain 2, 1 half double crochet, 3 trebles, 1 half double crochet, Chain 2, slip stitch*

Repeat the * to * for the remaining 5 stitches in the different colours.

Leave at least 15cm tail after each colour

At the last petal, make a slip stitch in the first chain of the first petal. Leave a 20cm tail and bind off.

Now weave in all the tails but leave one cause you might want to stitch it on something else or make a big loop to so you an hang it up somewhere.

Any questions with my pattern, just ask!

Sharing the stitchy rainbow love...

Meet Sunshine and Lollipops

  
I just realised that this is my 300th post and for this special event, I would like to introduce Sunshine and Lollipops Amigurumi Bear Bears. They even have their own Rainbows, rainbow coloured flowers they are.

These guys are going to a pair of new born twins tomorrow and I am so excited for them to meet their new family. After all, we are talking about besties for besties!

Let's meet Sunshine

Always happy and a little mischievous, Sunshine here loves her rainbow flowers who her bestie Lollipops has a matching one. That's what best friends do right?

Lollipops is a slightly more responsible one of the pair. Although just marginally! When they get in that playful mood, they are unstoppable! Especially when there is music involved...

Extremely cuddly and stands roughly 21cm tall, they are just the perfect size for a little one to snuggle up to. Made entirely from 100% cotton with 100% wool felt eyes and nose pieces, they are machine washable in their own wash bag... cause fun with tiny humans can be messy sometimes!

I hope that with Sunshine, Lollipops and their Rainbow flowers, their tiny humans have everything that's wonderful at their finger tips!

On a side note, I will post the pattern for the flower by next weekend.

Stitch with love... 

Bertie's adventure - Getting up close and personal with nature

What a wonderful way to start February! We spent a day at a friend's beautiful beach house in Maianbar, a short drive south of Sydney. It was a fantastic summer day. The water was nice and fresh and the wild life was out and about in full swing.

A friendly kookaburra dropped in for a visit, well, he was really watching us eat and waiting for the perfect moment to snatch another sausage from us… but what a perfect photo opportunity for Bertie!

Love my city!

Berrie Bear Bear is going overseas!

This little Bear Bear is going to China... as soon as the post office is open this week!

Here name is Berrie and she has a pet leaf which she carries on her head. She is 15cm tall and 10cm wide across the head, with bright eyes and button nose.

  
She is serious and sensitive and fun and caring. I can't wait to hear about her adventures with her new family. Berrie is going to a special 6 year old little girl whose mother is my oldest friend, literally, our parents knew each other since they were teenagers! So... we were friends from the moment we were born!

Fun travels, Berrie Bear Bear!!

Zpagetti basket - Got to love a quick project!

While I was tidying up my yarn stash last weekend, I found some leftover Zpagetti yarn from this project and this project.

I figured there would enough for another little basket like these ones so off I went!

This is what I did:

1. Magic circle cast on 6 single crochets (6X)
2. 6V= 12X
3. (XV) 6 times = 18X
4. (2XV) 6 times = 24X
5. (3XV) 6 times = 30X
6. (4XV) 6 times = 36X
7. (5XV) 6 times = 42X
Mark the beginning of the round, continue crochet for 5 rounds or as tall as you want then bind off.

Stitch explanations:
X = Single crochet
V = Increase (make 2 single crochets in one single crochet)

For the handles, I did two pieces of 10 chains for each from a length of the grey Zpagetti yarns left from this project. I knew there was a reason why I kept every tiny bits of leftovers!

It measures 20cm wide across the base and 7cm deep, it's a great size to store all sorts of tiny items. It is sturdy and looks pretty darn cute too.

Happy stitching!

Meet Bart

It has been such a crazy week at work that I only just got to post about Bart, an amigurumi custom order I sent off last Monday.

Bart here is a relo (for the non-Aussies, that means relative) of Monty but he is definitely got the taller genes like Eleanor the aspiring botanist. He stands 21cm tall, 15cm from ear to ear and has a 10cm belly. Very cuddly, perfect for his new human who I believe is yet to be born!

Bart's made entirely from merino wool yarn (both brown and red is Katia 100% extrafine superwash merinoin colourways 502 and 4 respectively). Felt pieces are 100% wool felt and his scarf is 100% superwash merino yarn by Knitterly Things, colourway Moon Dance). He is machine washable although I would avoid unless really really necessary and should be in a washbag like a piece of delicate clothing.

He has his scarfie cause where he is going will get cold and besides, he is one stylish bear!

Safe travels Bart!

As for me, I am off to start on the next baby softie… have a great Sunday!

Stitch with love x

Bertie's adventure - Rubber Duck

After all, what is a trendy bear to do but  checking out the legendary giant Rubber Duck on this beautiful warm Sydney day? As part of the Sydney Festival 2014, internationally-acclaimed artist Florentijn Hofman's duck returned to float on our water again and I must admit, I was super excited!

Sitting on the Parramatta river at Parramatta Park between Pavilion Flat & Government Farm, the giant Rubber Duck is indeed imposing and very very cute.

We made a nice morning of the outing. First we had breakfast at the Mars Hill Cafe near the Riverside Theatre where I had my debut handmade craft market last March. Then we took a leisurely stroll along the river to the Park. You really cannot miss the path as there are yellow foot prints marking the way! Although I did wonder why they are so small and I was promptly reminded why concerned myself with such minor details! hahaha

It was relatively early, around 10am, so the crowds were still pretty small but the heat was definitely setting in and I am glad we didn't leave it any later. You can't really get a nicer day weather wise!

This year Bertie will be out and about with us and there are going to be many more "Bertie's Adventures' to come!

Stitch with Love...

New year, new Bunny to a new Home

Today I sent Belle, the Happy Happy Joy Joy Amigurumi Bunny to her new home where a newly arrived baby girl awaits!

Of course and her pet carrot Crunch.

Standing at 25cm tall from tip of her ears to her toes and 10cm wide across her tummy, Belle is extremely huggable. She is basically a bigger version of Mixy and Vinnie who are only half the size but just as charming of course… it's just that a bigger version is safer, you know, not as easily eaten by the tiny human...

  
Belle is very soft because she is made entirely from 100% merino wool. The felt pieces are also 100% wool. The matching fabric ear pieces and the perle embroidery thread are 100% cotton so with the machine washable yarn, Belle can be thrown (if REALLY necessary) in the washer though must be in a wash bag like a delicate item.

Button tail...

Ah so Crunch the pet carrot… Well, Belle won't go anywhere without it. It's her pet! Crunch is made from 100% cotton yarn in very shiny bright colours!

Those big ears come in handy, right?

Cheeky and very happy, Belle is a perfect friend to grow up with.

Go forth and be happy happy joy joy - HUGS!

Stitch with love...