On the needles.

September 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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I won a free Debbie Bliss book over at Susan B. Anderson’s blog–love it! (Susan’s blog and the book.) The book is called Design It, Knit It: Babies and it contains some beautiful patterns but also encourages you to do some designing of your own. Last night I started Elias’ Christmas sweater from the book.   Pattern is Shawl-Collar Jacket.

I wanted to do his in Scandinavian colors, so I chose navy blue, teal, white, and chocolate brown.  I think it will be perfect when it is done…I’m rather excited!  24 rows done and so far so good.

I count on some of my other knitting books so I don’t make any errors.  This time is no exception, and another Debbie Bliss book called Simply Baby: 20 Special Handknits for Baby’s First Two Years is helping me through.  Wonderful pictures in her books.

If you are on the fence about giving knitting a try, check out Debbie Bliss or Susan B. Anderson.  Fall is the perfect time to try it.  (Don’t blame me when you become addicted.)

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2 down, 3 to go

August 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Daffy got a new friend last night.  Meet Chrysanthemum.  (I know a silly long name, but do you remember that children’s book about Chrysanthemum the mouse…)

She will be hanging out with Daffy in the crib once the project is complete.

For now, they are sitting on a pile of books.  The perfect place for two friends to hang out.

Project from Itty Bitty Nursery by Susan B. Anderson.

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July 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Here’s to the cutest little mouse.  Hurray!

He’s a garden mouse so I think his name should be Daffy.  Short for Daffodil.  Due to the yellow.  Or maybe Sunny.  hmmmm…  He has to have a name for storytelling time with Elias.

He is soon to be joined by 4 other mice friends.  I started out with the yellow and white one because that way if I made a mistake it wouldn’t be as noticeable.  He turned out!

Daffy…or Sunny…will hang out with Elias in the crib.  Well, above the crib.  With 4 other mice.  Hurray for nice mice!!

Pattern is from Susan B. Anderson’s “Itty Bitty Nursery.”  More on that when the project is done.

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Curly Snake

July 16, 2010 By 7 Comments
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Meet Curly.  He is our newest friend from Itty Bitty Toys.

He is incredibly cute!  Snakes are one critter that I have a high aversion to.  Most of the time I try to be pretty macho about things, but not so with snakes.  I think it all started when my 5th grade teacher had us watch as he fed the class snake a mouse.  I just can’t stop seeing that big eared darling of a mouse wander the cage innocently.  I’m sure you know the ending of that story.  I almost tear up just thinking about it.  But Curly doesn’t eat mice.  In fact, he eats mosquitoes.  He is pure sweetness through and through.

He comes from Itty Bitty Toys by Susan B. Anderson.  (I know.  Another project from that book.  Trust me, you haven’t seen the end of it either.  My needles are flying!)

While Elias and I were knitting him last night, I started thinking that I might try and only give Elias homemade gifts.  I think that would be very cool.  And it would teach him something about the meaning of gifts.

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Love at first sight.

July 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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I can’t get over this little guy!  I made him up a few nights ago and he makes me smile every time I look at him.

This fabulous pattern is from Susan B. Anderson and is FREE on her blog.  When I bought the yarn to make this guy, I also picked up her newest book, Itty Bitty Toys.  There are so many things in there that I want to make!!  I think many Christmas gifts may come from this book.

But wait, I haven’t even told you the best part yet.  Prepare to be amazed.

Love it!!  Duck to Bunny!  I think this is so fabulous!  2 friends in one.

Can you imagine the stories and places Elias and I will go with these guys?  I’ve already started adventures in my head to share about Mr. Pixler’s garden and his fat cat Chaz.  Oh, boy Bunny, better stop nibbling those carrots, Chaz is on the prowl and he’s headed your way!  Maybe they will take a trip to the city…but I think they will find the country more to their liking.

Remember, this is a FREE pattern and not in Susan’s book mentioned above.  However, she does have 5 other reversible toys in the book.  If you can knit and purl you can make Duck to Bunny.  If you don’t know how, you should learn!

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