Little projects

Making small items means I use up stash plus I don't get fed up when making larger projects as I can alternate.
So here are some more Innocent Smoothie hats.

I called this Little Lady she was fun to make.

This one is Oranges and Lemons a simple Moss stitch created this one.

No prizes for the name of this hat Teddy Bear

Fun hats one is like the old fashioned  Night Cap the other a variegated yarn in Moss stitch created a sort of Berry hat

This one is a simple hat with stripes it is a pale blue with yellow.

So more tiny hats to store away ready for the Big Knit in October. This is fun and they knit up quick.

Knitted Squares

I have been knitting squares as part of the Knit a square a week challenge using the book 200 Knitted Blocks.
It is fun and I am enjoying making new squares that will be made into different items.
Here are 3 blocks I made.

This is block 69 Twin Triangles nice and easy to do and one that is great when watching TV.

This is block 72 Zigzag Columns I like this another easy pattern that looks effective it is a brighter yellow than it looks in the picture.

This is block 153 Speckled Bands. Very pretty but I don't know if it just me but this block turned out larger than the others. Weird as I followed the pattern exactly but all is not lost this is what I made from it.

If you want to make a Bunny like this have a look here.Little Bunny

Now if I can make it you can it is easy to do so I now have a multi coloured Bunny. The tail is a Pompom that I made using the fork method. You will find a link on the left under Sites I love, How to make a Pompom.

Meet Annabel

The Newlife Foundation have a knitting pattern for a Nurse doll and they sell them to help provide money for things they need. The Newlife Nurses provide help and support for the children and their families and my little Nurse doll will help as well.

Here is Annabel

As I started knitting her I decided she was going to named Annabel no particular reason she just looked liked an Annabel to me.

She was easy to make and they provide a Birth Certificate for each doll with her name, where she was made and who created her. She will be a Collectible item as each doll is unique, they all have different hair and eye colours along with facial expressions. You can add freckles or spectacles as well, I added a little nose it is not in the pattern but I think she looks cute with a nose.
So Annabel will be posted off along with Patches. I hope they will like them and that they will sell and bring enjoyment to someone.
If you want to make one yourself here is the link you will need:
Knit a Nurse for Newlife

Little Clown

I have finished my first knitted doll for the New Life Foundation.

The pattern is from Jean Greenhowe's Dolly Mixtures
Dolly Mixtures

In the book he is called Bertie I however want to give him a different name but cannot think of one. So maybe if you can think of one you could leave a comment and I could pick one. My husband thinks he looks more like Pinocchio or a little Tramp.
He was fun to make and a great way to use up more stash, all of Jean Greenhowe patterns are easy to follow and the instructions clear which is always a bonus for me. Trust me I can get lost with some instructions so I always pick easy patterns.
So this is the first item I have made for New Life I hope they will like him.

From Blanket to Cushion

I was making a Bright and Bold Blanket in the knit a square a week challenge from the book 200 Knitted Blocks but I changed the plan and it is now a cushion cover.
Why the change I hear you ask?

The reason is simple I needed a cushion for myself as I have a prolapsed disc in the spine pressing on the sciatic nerve and I can barely walk.
Laying down is not an option any longer last night I was in a lot of pain and could not move without assistance. I need a cushion to go under my knees as I sit propped up with pillows so I can try to sleep.
This problem has been slowly getting worse since Christmas and I am to see the Physio Therapist on Friday. She thought I would be going in saying things were a whole lot better well the reverse is true.
So I got the cushion filler I had put away for another project and decided to use it for myself. The only thing was I had no Cushion cover to fit. Then I thought of the squares I had made and sewn together. I folded them in such a way that I created a pocket and sewed the sides together. I made some I-cord ties to close the top and sewed them on so I could make a neat bow and hey presto the perfect cushion for under my knees and for using in a chair as well.

The I-Cord was really easy to make I have never tried doing it before but know I know how to I will be making it again.
Here is a link to show you how to make I-Cord  How to Knit I-Cord
This is what I did.
I used 3mm Double Pointed Needles (DPN's)
DK yarn in this case a nice yellow
CO 3 stitches
Knit across the row and slide the stitches to the end of the needle  and knit across the row again.
The yarn is always on the left side don't forget to slide the stitches each time to the end of the needle.
Some people Bind off some finish off the same way as in the video link I gave either way works.
I made my I-Cord 6 inches long and made four of them for my tie closure it was enough to make a neat small bow with.