Tag Archives: toy

Procrastinknitting

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I know, I know. I’m so close to finishing the wedding blanket, but man, I really want to make something fun, quick and simple. And after talking about knitting little stuffies for my kids, well, I suppose this was inevitable.

I’ve bit the bullet and decided to make them the Butterfly & Cocoon sets for Christmas this year! I went back and forth, but decided the cuteness factor outweighed the “these are going to be annoying to have to keep putting back together” factor. And, heck, worst case scenario, maybe the cocoons just get “lost”, and the kids just have cute li’l butterflies to play with.

And I gotta say, they are so fun to make! It’s shocking how quick they work up (though that might just be in comparison to the gigantic blanket I’ve been working on). I made this body in essentially one evening. I’m even using up stash yarn and stuffing left over from a project from years ago.

Now, I’m looking ahead, and the wings/antennae look like they might be a bit fiddly, but so far, so good!

What’s the most fun knit you’ve done recently?

Treasure!

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The other week while we were on vacation, my mom and I took a lazy afternoon stroll around the tiny town we were staying in.  (I was secretly hoping that we’d find a coffee shop, but no such luck.)  We did find a bowling alley, a post office that was only open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays and someone with what I can only call a “Shrine to America” in their front yard (complete with a fairly creepy Uncle Sam doll).

And, we found a massive junk/antique shop called “The Yard Sale.”

I’m not a big antiquing gal, but Mom was in the market for antique windows to decorate for a project, so we went in on a treasure hunt.

Unfortunately, we didn’t find any windows, but we did find something, buried among the VHS tapes and decrepit Furbies.It’s a teeny, tiny sewing machine!  It’s only 5 inches tall (6 if you include the spool of thread on top)!  It’s a vintage, miniature, toy sewing machine- and it actually works!  It’s got a real sewing needle and everything!

It needs a little cleaning, and a bit of TLC (and a new hand wheel, but that’s not 100% necessary to make it work), but it’s in remarkably good condition.

And look at this!

It was manufactured in the US-controlled zone of Berlin, so we can date it to the late 40’s or early 50s.

It even still works! (Kind of, at least.)

I need to see if I can do something about the tension- it’s a little tight.

And, this is neat!  Since it’s just a toy, it doesn’t have a bobbin.  So, when you look at the back of the fabric, you can see that it makes a chain stitch!  (The chain stitch falls apart if you look at it the wrong way, so it’s not super practical.  But, I’ve never seen a sewing machine that is quite like this one!)I’ve got a bit of work before my new sewing machine is up and in tip-top shape again, but that’s OK with me.  I think it’s pretty hilarious as-is.  It really made my day when I found it.  And I think it looks pretty cute, sitting on top of my full-size machine.What’s your favorite thrift-store find?  Also, if you know where to find hand cranks for vintage miniature sewing machines- I’m in the market!

Pattern Spotlight: Itty Bitty and Teeny Tiny

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I love tiny things, it’s true.  Especially really tiny things.  Especially especially teeny tiny adorable things.  It’s one of my weird quirks.  When I’m feeling down, stressed, or just in need of a quick pick-me-up, one sure-fire way to raise my spirits is to make something cute, pointless, and tiny.

I’ve been keeping this pattern in my back pocket for years, waiting for a day when I would need a tiny, adorable, pick-me-up.

Well, that day came, and instead of moping around the house, I broke out my fingering-weight yarn and my US0 DPNs and these two little bears just about flew off my needles.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThey are tiny.

Seriously.  Tiny.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThey measure just under 2 inches tall from the tips of their toes to the tops of their ears. And the best part?  Their dresses are removable- look at the teeny bare naked (naked bear) adorableness!OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnd the best part?  The pattern is well-written, clear and free!

Teeny tiny knitted toys by Julie Williams2456725646_6de7080305_z[1]itty bitty dress by Julie Williamsminibun_medium2[1]Next time you need a quick, fiddly and adorable project, remember to keep these little guys in mind!

(And, don’t worry about me.  I just had a long day, but it was noting my tiny bears couldn’t handle!)

What do you like to make when you’re feeling blue?

 

(And don’t forget to order your Mother Bear Pattern for the first annual On the Needles Charity Knitalong!)

Inspiration: Knitted Food

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This post is inspired by a friend of mine, Wendy.  Wendy is a fantastic knitter, but she has a little quirk.  She almost exclusively knits toy food.

I know!  How fantastic is that?

She makes big picnic baskets of food, cornucopias of food, full Thanksgiving dinners, and an array of “fresh” fruits and vegetables that would make a greengrocer (ahem) green with envy.

Let’s spend today talking about knit food, in Wendy’s honor.  (And because knit food is ridiculously cute!)

You could always go the healthy route, and knit up some lovely produce:

Pears…

Pear-fecto! by Susan B. Anderson5334391790_5a3c048656_z[1]Mushrooms…

Knitted ‘Shrooms by Abby Kroken

mushrooms_medium[1]Carrots…

Heirloom Carrot by Sara Hills

carrots3_medium2[1]And peas.

Peas in a Pod by Hansi Singh3937321083_af8cc2990c_z[1]But sometimes you’re in the mood for something a little fancier.  A nice plate of sushi perhaps?

Sushi by Joanna Rankin

group1_medium2[1]And, of course, there’s always room for milk and cookies after a delicious (knit) meal.

Milk and Cookie by Raynor Gellatly

2668565040_c301b7640c_z[1]Have you ever knit food?  Are you going to now?  (I might- these projects are just too cute to ignore.)

Pattern Spotlight: Human Beans Sweater

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Just when I thought that my Human Beans couldn’t get any cuter, the folks over at Knit Picks had to go and do this:sweater_girl1[1]I mean, seriously?  How cute is that?  A tiny, pink cabled sweater on a tiny doll with red shoes, sitting on a tiny wicker chair.  Honestly.

They modified this free pattern, changing the shoulders slightly, since the Human Beans don’t really have shoulders.

51077220

This pretty pink sweater was worked up for a middle-sized doll, but you could totally modify it for the larger or smaller dolls, simply by changing the gauge.

sweater_girl2[1]Thanks, Knit Picks folks!  You’ve totally made my day with this ridiculous little sweater.

Merry Christmas!

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI hope you’re having a fantastic Christmas, and I hope that Santa brought you everything that was on your Christmas list.

I’ve got one more extra-special present just for you, dear readers! A little bitty knit doll of your very own.  And, she comes with a little bitty storybook of her very own.   She has long flowing hair and a removable dress, and she is just as ready to play house as she is to go adventuring with her friends.

The Little Knit Doll’s construction is very simple.  She is knit in the round with minimal sewing.  All shaping is done with simple increases and decreases, except for the feet, which are worked like tiny socks.  Her luxurious long hair is applied with a crochet hook, just like adding fringe to a scarf.  She is totally safe for children of all ages, with her embroidered face.  And, her adorable green dress is knit in the round with virtually no finishing.

The Little Knit Doll is now available through Ravelry for $5.00.

Get the pattern here

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI’m posting The Little Knit Doll here exclusively for about a week.  But starting next week, the pattern will be available through Ravelry for $5, so download it now, if you want it for free.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAHo Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!