Skip to content

Archive for July, 2006

Jul 31

Amigurimi Complete

With the addition of eyes, the amigurimi is complete. As it is weighted with beads it sits well anywhere. I’m not sure whether I will do another one, I’ve got too many other weaving projects waiting in line!













Jul 26

2 Comments

Afraid of Amigurumi


There’s one thing that has always horrified me about knitting and crochet and it’s knitted toys. They always seem either very tacky or scary, and usually both. I would NEVER ever create one of those.

But here I am, obviously experimenting with the ‘other’ side of life and freeing myself from my conservative ways. I’m actually crocheting an amigurumi. The top photo of the cat is from Nekoyama, a Japanese author who has included English instructions on her site. The name of the cat is Amineko. The other photo is my first attempts, and clear photos of Amineko’s potential construction can be found here. The nicest thing about making this critter is the giggles I get from my 24 year old daughter who can see the little arms and body taking shape. And yes, it’s for her.

Before you run away from this blog deciding that knitted/crocheted toys will never enter your creative domain look at Beth Doherty’s gallery at gourmetamigurumi Brilliance, delight, beauty and imagination….it’s just everywhere.

Jul 12

Too Many Exciting Projects

I know I have far too many projects
on the go, but there are so many interesting challenges out there.
I was delighted with the Yarn Harlots pattern and instructions for a baby’s ‘watermelon’ hat and just had to get going with a tension sample. She actually allows you to do a 10stitch x 10 row little sample for it. Makes starting a bit more inviting. I haven’t got any pink yarn so I’m going to do a strange blue and purple ‘watermelon’!

The other little project I finished today was a fleece hat for a baby. As I don’t actually have the baby for measurements I had to search a bit but found that newborns to 6 months average a head circumference of 14-17" and a crown of 8-10". This helped when adapting this fleece pattern for the hat but, as always, the second one will be better than the first.

Taking on too many projects?
The baby fleece hat

Jul 11

I will knit socks

I think Wendy’s toe up sock pattern is the answer to my previous sock phobia.
I have tried so many types of patterns but never quite getting there….never completing even one sock.
I knew I wanted to use a toe-up style as I like the way you can try it on as you go. But the best feature of Wendy’s pattern is the way the heel is turned using short rows and knitting it in situ rather than picking up stitches later on.
The other thing I like is using 2 circular needles instead of dpns [double pointed needles]. Knitting just progresses in a more efficient way.
I have this belief that once I finish a complete pair of socks, other socks will come easier, as they aren’t difficult but seem to loom large in the mind. Turning heels and knitting toes seem very mysterious at first.
Next will be Jaywalkers and Pomatomus socks.
Getting there with the Sock
The heel completed with short rows

Jul 5

1 Comment

Sewing Newborn Kimono Jackets

With all of this design mode on
my mind I was determined yesterday that my new nephew (to arrive in September) would wear finely styled and designed clothes. I searched for some measurements (watch the neck size as it is incorrect) for new babies then made a block up for the 00 size. I then drafted a little kimono style matinee jacket and made it up in a lightweight waffle weave fabric. I was really happy with the result as the weather in September will be starting to warm up but still cool at times.
I’m going to improve on the design today, perhaps adding ribbed cuffs for
easy dressing of the baby. I would like to offer the pattern here but I’m
still working out how to do that on a PDF file.
I found another kimono baby jacket on Martha Stewart’s site but I think
my design has more pizzazz because it is designed with shaping for the human body rather than a square shape leaving the front and back identical.
Kimono style jacket for a newborn.
My neice, Miss Darby as the fairy  

Jul 5

1 Comment

Architecture is DEAD in Australia?

Old Bar now has a supermarket and the only design they could think of
was a square box which looks like cardboard. Perhaps this was the intentional theme….to remind us of the packaging material for the tins of food lining the isles.
I think architecture should reflect something of ourselves and our aspirations…and sadly if this does it means ‘big barn’ profit at the expense of the soul of the people. There is no thought of how the people would respond to such ugliness. And I’m guilty too, as I will probably shop there instead of driving the 17 kms to the nearest shop like I do now…but I will feel unwell just walking into that box!

On the other hand have humans lost their abilities to build great spaces?
or even pleasing spaces. Certainly in Australia this seems to be the case.
Although, after seeing the York Minster in England I guess anything will seem poorly designed. I think good architectural design is important for our health and our attitude to where we live.We have a local council to look after these things, but they have failed us with this building.
New abhorrent Bi-Lo building at Old Bar
The York minster…full of human soul
-->