Better late than never, here is the Christmas stuff I made. Not all of it, I didn’t take pictures of it all. These are the things I thought I should record as they’re all firsts.
This fella was finished on Christmas Eve. I spent a long time on him, mostly in little bursts because like an old lady, I couldn’t work with the black yarn in the dark. And it was always dark in December.
Many hours later…. I think I did an acceptable job.
Little toddler fingers had smudged the camera lense and I didn’t notice until much later.
I followed Elisabeth Doherty’s pattern from her Amigurumi book. The pattern is for a fawn which is surrounded by other ami patterns (although I don’t fancy making a crochet burger really). However, I know that the fawn pattern can be bought on its own on Etsy and maybe Ravelry as a pdf. I’m sure it was last time I looked.
The back legs twisted too much so that the knees are wrongly placed, I didn’t say anything and I don’t think the recipient will notice. She’s only two.
I made a little crochet cardi. Super speedy it was. The pattern is from Simply Crochet Magazine, issue 32. I was very good and bought the recommended wool, Drops Nepal. I chose slightly different colours but mostly I stuck to the recipe.
I had pink leftover so instead of a ribbon tie, I made a crochet one. It might be a bit bulky though, which is probably the reason why the pattern goes for ribbon.
Not sure what to do with the leftovers, only a small amount of the yoke colours are needed. Ohh, pompoms?!
Nanna and Grandad got a doily for Christmas. I used DMC Natura Just Cotton in Dk. The pattern is from Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts: Lacy Crochet. I didn’t do a particularly neat job of blocking it as I ran out of ironing board. My Nanna was pleased as she said it can replace the doily her mother had made her (it is falling apart). I don’t know how old that one is but she told me that her mother died in 1976.
And here is Coraline.Quite a big doll. Whilst not perfect, I am proud of her as I made her up totally from my head. All of it. Including the pattern for the coat, which only bloody well fit first time! Dead pleased. But not completely over the moon. I want to make her again to sort all the tweaks that are required. Her head and neck shape is wrong, which in turn has ballsed up her face. And I was afraid to press her clothes incase the felt melted. Neatness has been sacrificed.
She also needed an emergency operation on her ears because they were dreadful. I so know what I’d do to make them better but I ran out of fabric and time.
They are supposed to poke through her hair and that, they do
It is a huge relief to have ticked these things off my list. I have a perkier list for January, which pretty much includes making stuff solely for me!
I have Elisabeth Doherty’s amigurumi book as well! It’s very neat how you changed the fawn to a zebra, it looks cute!
Thanks! Have you made anything from the book?
Wow! you’ve been busy and it all looks great, I’m in awe of people that are so clever with their needle work.
Very nice of you to say, thank you.
All so lovely! I especially love the cardi
Thanks very much!
What lovely gifts – well done you!
Thank you! Glad they’re finished!
Beautiful,you been so busy, love the little girls cardigan and the doll.
Thank you! I like them too. The cardi was no trouble at all and lovely to make. And I’m very proud of Coraline because I designed her and made her all by myself!
Some great makes, I’m sure they were ever so pleased to receive them! The little cardigan is so cute!
Thank you! The cardigan fit beautifully too which was good.
That cardigan is gorgeous 🙂
Thanks. It seems to be a popular choice!
Yaaaay, Coraline! I finally saw the whole movie a couple of days ago, and I recognised the doll immediately. She turned out really well! And as someone who uses a lot of felt, you can safely iron it without melting it, even if it’s polyester. If you’re not certain, use a low heat setting, or test on a scrap first to see how it reacts. Your gifts are lovely… I’m sure there were some happy people around the tree on Christmas morning!
So glad she’s recognisable!! I forgot to explain who she was in the blog post. My niece loves Coraline and her mum asked me to make it. I didn’t watch the movie over Christmas but we had the DVD on whilst my niece opened her present!
I’m sure she loved her! I’m actually kicking myself for not watching the film earlier, it’s awesome 😀 When it first came out, I read an article about the lady who made Coraline’s clothes – would you believe that the little jumper with the stars on it was actually hand-knitted using pins as knitting needles? Yikes!
That’s amazing! Not sure I’m willing to knit with pins.
Yep. 2mm is about as small as I’m willing to go! And even then I feel like a clumsy giant 😆
🙂
Thanks for the felt info! I’ll give it a go next time.
Looking at your lovely zebra, I wish I had the patience for amigurumi (actually the skill). He’s so cute. I also wish I was teeny tiny as I’d love a cardi like that one!
I had to summon all the patience in the world for that zebra. I’ve gone off amigurumi recently, it requires concentration that I just don’t have :/ There were several sizes of cardigan to make, could you squeeze into a 7-8 yr size, think that was the largest?!! 😀 There must be a formula for increasing stitches… Bit too much like hard work though.
Heehee! I have always wanted to make this cardigan https://thegreendragonfly.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/top-down-crochet-cardigan/ but as I’m not a size 10 and would have to adjust it, I never have made it. Maybe that’s why we like shawls, no maths or tiny stitches required 🙂
Wow, a grown up version! Shawls-one size fits all.
Your finished projects are all so lovely! I’m also drawn to the granny square blanket that Coraline is resting on. Can you tell me more about it? My fingers and brain are itching to make one like it– even though I already have a ton of projects lined up…
Thank you! I made that one about three years ago. I haven’t written a post about it but I probably could. They are just bog standard circles joined together using a continuous join. It lives on my sofa and is used a lot! There are always a ton of projects lined up!
If you decide to write a post on it, I would definitely be interested! I love the color palette and am interested to know more about the choice in color combinations. Also have enjoyed reading about your other projects and seeing the photos. The Lilypad Fireplace blanket is another one inspiring me to make Granny squares!
It’s a good idea. I might do it next week or the one after because I won’t have much else new to show. I’m nearly finished with another blanket but after that nothing is anywhere near complete. It’ll be a good filler!Thanks.
Love that cardigan! I made a crochet cape for my kid once and she never wore it, so I have been a bit afraid to make any more kiddy clothing for her… Plus, the way she treats the hats and scarves I make for her… heartbreaking everytime I see a stitch snag on some wood splinter…
Thanks! I’ve seen it worn and heard it’s been worn again, so I’m happy. However I think it was a stupid move to use a hand wash only wool! Um, it’s for a one year old!! I don’t make clothes for my two boys, it would be a waste of time!