Progress...

Well I finished the doll itself, quite quickly, but the outfit is taking me a while. I always struggle with the stuffing – this is an Audrey Hepburn doll, but her arms wouldn’t be out of place on the World’s Strongest Man Competition. I’m not too sure what I can do apart from rip her arms off, so I’ve left them for now. I have the pieces of the dress to cut out which I intend to do this weekend, but I’m putting it off slightly as the mouth fell to pieces when I tried to sew it onto the doll, so I’m worried what might happen to the dress. I’m also a bit confused about how the hair fits together (you knit two separate bits), then gets attached to the head. The pattern doesn’t give very good directions, in fact, it gives none whatsoever! If this is even a vague success then I’m going to try and make another one for some other poor unsuspecting family member…..

Out of Practice

I haven't been doing much knitting recently - hence the lack of posts. I ran in to problems with the baby cardigan....I couldn't understand the pattern and I didn't have enough wool. Quite significant problems if you are trying to knit something! My niece has been growing so much that I no longer think the cardigan will fit and I might have to give up on that and make her something else. Because I was stuck and due to other things needing my attention I've not had chance to even start another project.
I spoke to my gran the other night who has been trying to give me some help with the cardigan, and I now feel inspired to pick up my needles again. I've just started on a doll from the 'Knitted Icons' book I was given for my birthday, which I'm hoping to give to someone as a Christmas present. This project involves some sewing though and I'm a little out of practice there as well. I've also got a huge list of things that I want to make for Christmas so I ought to get cracking.....

Knitted Handbags

I've finally finished the handbag I've been working on. I'm quite pleased with the result. I'm seeing my friend tonight so hopefully she'll like it.

It wasn't the most exciting project I've done - it was all garter stitch, but it was still quite fun.

I've decided to try and knit a cardigan for my niece next. I've never done anything like this before, so I think this might be a bit of a challenge. It's a wee cross over cardigan that I'm going to do in pink (mainly because I already have some pink wool).

Baby Hippo

I finished the hippo on Saturday - I still need to tie a ribbon round it's neck, but I've decided to wait until we know what sex the baby is.

He's a bit smaller than I thought he would be - only about 6 inches.

I've already started on a handbag, using the wool and pattern that my aunt gave me for my birthday. I've done about half a side and I'm thinking of giving it to a friend for her birthday if it turns out ok.

More Projects in the Pipeline

I've not quite finished the hippo, but fingers crossed I'll be able to post photos next week. It's been so quick and easy to do. I just need to finish the ears (which have about 5 stiches each) and then stick it all together. I find it so much easier to put a project together when it's the same colour, as my sewing can be untidy and it always seems so much neater when I'm only using one colour. I will just need to find a pretty bit of ribbon to put round the hippo's neck and it'll be complete.

It was my birthday this week and I received quite a few "crafty" presents! A lovely friend gave me a book of Knitted Icons. There is a fabulous Albert Einstein which I have my eye on and I'm going to attempt an Audrey Hepburn for my sister. I'm not so good at sewing, so making the clothes might be a bit tricker, but I'm willing to give it a go. My Grandparents gave me a wee sewing box with a rainbow of different coloured threads, numerous needles, pins - all I could need! My Aunt sent me some lovely blue/cream wool with some knitting needles and 4 different patterns for handbags. I'm spoilt for choice on what to knit next - my only worry is making non-waterproof handbags when I live in Scotland!

A Penguin In Time

Finally finished the penguin at about 1:30am on Sunday morning. To be honest, I don't think he's my best work, but he's still quite cute and my husband was very complimentary (biased I think). No sign on my niece yet, so I'm pleased that I finished it in time. I've already started on my next project - a hippo for my godchild, who is due around the end of June. I've decided to use the same colour as the elephant - partly because I have wool left over, partly because it seems a suitable hippo type colour!

It's going to be a girl!!

We heard yesterday that my sister-in-law is having a girl! The doctors are 99% sure..... If the doctors are right then the wee one will be the 3rd generation of women in the family to have the same christian name. Nightmare! I'll be calling my niece V3 to save total confusion.
This news did inspire me to do some work on the penguin. I successfully sewed two halves of a wing together - Go me!