Olympic inspired Knitted Union Jack Purse

This post came about for a number of reasons:

1.  I like a challenge and wanted to try and knit a union jack

2. Making a purse has been on my to do list for a while

3. And with the Olympic torch visiting our town this week I am feeling quite patriotic!

The challenge started by trying to draw up my own pattern to knit a union jack.  It took two attempts as the first flag was too small for my existing zip.

I then made up the purse using some white cotton fabric and sewed on the knitted union jack.

The result is a rather wobbly union jack but somewhere to keep my gold, silver and bronze!

Baby Bumper/Draught Excluder

We have a very hard and pointy brick edge around our hearth/fireplace, and with a young baby on the move any day now, we need a baby bumper, just in case of any falls!

My solution is a long knitted sausage full of padding to nestle up against the hearth, covering the hard edge.

Here is a picture of our lovely warm wood burner, it's coming to the end of the season of lovely fires and next year we will have to get ourselves a fire guard!

Living in a old cottage, it can be a bit drafty so I may find myself knitting another one as a draught excluder!

If you would like to make one:

1.Cast on 40 Stitches

2.Knit  in stocking stitch ( knit one row, purl one row) until desired length.

3.Cast off

To knit the 2 end pieces.

1.Cast on 4 stitches.  

2.Knit one row. Purl one row.

3.Knit one, and increase a stitch.  Knit until last 2 stitches.  Increase one and Knit one.

4.Purl row.

5. Repeat until you have 14 stitches

6.Knit one row. Purl one row

7.Knit one stitch. Knit 2 together.  Knit to last 3 stitches. Knit 2 together. Knit one.

8. Purl one row.

9. Repeat last 2 rows until remaining 4 stitches.

9. Cast off.

Sew up the main piece along the long side.

Sew one end piece onto the end of the main piece.

Turn right side out

Fill with stuffing.

Sew on second end piece to close up the open end.

Finish.

This post of part of Today's Creative Blog - Get Your Craft on Tuesday and Someday Crafts -Whatever goes Wednesday and Simply Designing

Baby Hat

The best thing I have ever made my baby boy.......wearing his new knitted hat!

This is a really easy knitting pattern from a great book called Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss. There is no need to worry about circular or double pointed needles as the hat has a seam, and it's really quick to make - I highly recommend!

Just so cute with the tassel on top!

My mini range of felt bowls

Once I start I can't stop...... I got completely carried away and just loved knitting on the double pointed needles, and as I knitted I kept thinking of little characters to stitch onto the bowls.  I can't decide which is my favourite, I love the colour of the green and white bowls but I keep getting drawn to the cheeky little chicken!

I'd love to know what you think?

This post was part of Weekend Wonders at Mum of All Trades

Double pointed needles!!

So proud of myself........I have learnt how to use double pointed needles, with a little help from You Tube!

Results to follow!

Felt Bowls and Sketches on Wool

I have wanted to try and make a felt bowl for ages, and finally sat down and had a go!

I have never used circular knitting needles before, so to start with as a guide I used a knitted hat pattern that has a seam.

Into the washing machine at 60 degrees for and hour......and then waiting to see the result!

It worked!!!!

I wanted to add something a little extra and using a needle and thread I went about doing a few little sketches..... birds in the sky and a mouse!

I really enjoyed sketching on wool and would like to have a go at doing some more...so watch this space!

Starting with tackling double pointed needles..........

Knitorama - Bow and Hot Water Bottle Cover.

I was given a fantastically quirky knitting book called 'Knitorama'.  The book is full of unusual knitting patterns such as ham sandwiches, apple protectors and fried egg earmuffs!  I was flicking through to see what I could make with some odd bits of wool and sadly I didn't have the right colours for a ham sandwich.  So, I made a knitted bow to maybe hang around the house, decorate clothing or use as gift wrapping.  I think I prefer the latter!

For gift wrapping

I thought I would also show you another piece I made from this book a while ago - A hot water bottle cover - I just love it's little jacket.

Knitted Mini Heart

With Valentines' Day just around the corner, I was inspired to have a go at knitting a mini heart.  After a few false starts and drawing myself a pattern, here are the results.

If you would like to have a go, here is the pattern I followed.
Row 1 Knit, Row 2 Purl and  repeat.  Knit 2 hearts, sew together and stuff.