DIY - I'm inspired to make a rug

I found this great tutorial for a handmade shaggy rug on Pinterest. I'm definitely inspired to make my own! I know it might be time consuming, especially since I'm envisioning a really big one to go in my lounge area. But it's something I can imagine pottering away on in the evenings, one of those mindless, kind of therapeutic crafts - and a good excuse to sit down and take it easy for a while - which I admit I don't do enough of!

 

I have plenty of wool boxed up in the shed which I collected from opp shops when I got into knitting for a while, I was sooo slow at it that I kind of gave up, the kids almost grew out of the things I knitted before I managed to get them finished! I doesn't matter if this rug takes me ages, my lounge is not going to grow, haha.

I just need some of the backing canvas, which I know I have seen heaps of in opp shops over the years, (along with the little rolls of pre-cut yarn that goes with it). Might have to go looking tomorrow and see if I can get lucky.

Here is another tutorial from urbansleekblonde which is made with a slightly different technique. She make little tassels which are then tied onto the backing.

I'd quite like to create something similar to this rug below, (found here at Thoughts from Alice).

 

 

But then these more colourful ones below are beautiful, very inspiring, and a great way to use up smaller amounts of wool. (This is the YEAH rug by textile designer Mae Engelgeer).

 

Knitted rabbits

I'm here posting because I haven't got the energy to be doing anything else. You should see the state of the house. I had a big clean up on the weekend and was feeling all satisfied and happy, but all it takes is two days of being sick and the place is a shambles.



Liam is right into cutting paper with scissors at the moment, so that doesn't help, as you can imagine.



Actually they're both into cutting with scissors, and not just paper. They have been so good and understanding really about mum being sick and having no energy, they have been playing so nicely together, most of the time. Yesterday as we waited for Dad to bring takeaways home for dinner they were playing outside so nice and quietly and I really didn't want to disturb them.



But of course I should have, because it's always those really quiet times that need to be checked on, I don't seem to learn. They had been at my garden with the scissors, I don't mind grass being cut, and even the mint that's growing a bit wild, but the pretty flowers in the front garden, hmmm. Lets just say the geraniums have had a good pruning! (These ones).



Anyway, the rabbits are from these books (can't remember which one). Such great books, these are library copies but I'm thinking I might buy them.



I've also made one for a little friend of ours which I forgot to take a photo of (Luke next time we visit can I photograph your bunny please.) And I have one on the needles destined for a Christmas present.



Can you believe these are made from a knitted square, so simple and yet so cute. I can see myself making many more of these.



There are so many more great projects in these books, perhaps I'll show some photos tomorrow, I think we have quite enough photos for one post already :)

Stitch by stitch

Thankyou for all your kind words regarding my Auntie Jill. Her funeral last week was a moving and beautiful tribute to a very beautiful lady. Over 400 people came to say their goodbyes, a testimony to how many people's lives she touched with her generous and giving spirit. She opened her heart and her life and her home to so many people over the years. Her son Duncan said of her "She never said no, if she could say yes". I would like to be more like her.



I would also love to be more like her in her skill of knitting, she was very skilled at whatever she put her mind and her hands to actually, her paintings are amazing, and she used to make beautiful quilts. Her mother, my grandmother taught me to knit, many yeas ago now, but just in the last few years I have started knitting again. I'm not sure if I'll ever be creating the beautiful lace stitches and intricate designs that Aunty Jill was skilled at. I'm very slow, but I'm getting there, and it is so satisfying to have a finished garment at the end of it, knowing that you have created it all, stitch by stitch.



I started knitting this vest well before winter arrived, so that I could guarantee that Isla would get to wear it this winter. Well I only just made it, finishing it just a few weeks before spring arrived. And she is now wearing it every opportunity we get, as I don't think it will fit her next year!



The wool I used was this beautiful wool here, gifted to me by this sweet lady, from her very own sheep. It is so lovely and soft, and was lovely to work with. I only had about a metre and a half of yarn left when I'd finished.




And the pattern is this one, the Rainbow Dress, which I just shortened to a vest instead. The pattern goes from newborn size to 10 years, I'll definately be making more. Perhaps I should start knitting one now in the next size up in time for next winter! :)

Finding that winter sunshine, again

We've had such a great winter really, lots of rain, but when it's not raining we've been having these lovely sunny days, and we've been making the most of all that lovely winter sunshine and getting out into the fresh air.
I have two sets of almost identical photos here, taken about a week apart. All busy with our own little tasks, happily busy, soaking in the sun. I love times like this, and I'm so glad I captured these little bits of loveliness. It's good to look at these photos when we're having a crazy busy day and the kids are all grumpy :)
(Notice the knitting had not progressed much, but I'm happy to say now that it is almost finished, so she might get to wear it this winter afterall!).

Hat weather

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I've been busy making hats :)

One for Isla, like the one I made for Liam. (And this time I managed to do the edging all by meself! I'm feeling quite chuffed about that).

And two for gifts.
All so cute and soft, and warm, because all of a sudden it's getting cold around here!