Phew, it's been another busy few weeks. I was away at a LRP event last weekend, and have been ill for most of the week, so not much has been going on worth posting about! But I've got over whatever virus it was that we had, and with Christmas fast approaching, I've gone into overdrive.
All of the decorations are up, with the exception of the Christmas Stockings as I can't figure out a way to hang them from the fireplace without destroying the mantlepiece. We did an epic Christmas present shopping trip on Sunday, and I spent most of the afternoon and evening wrapping presents and writing Christmas cards.
I haven't made many of our Christmas gifts, mainly because knitting to deadlines is something that really drives me up the wall. However, that said, in the end there are five handmade gifts winging their way to friends and family this year. Two of them were still unfinished when I started wrapping presents yesterday!
This is Esiotrot. The knitting on this tortoise was done months ago. But it was so much sewing! There is a reason I prefer crocheting for toys, as generally speaking there is a lot less faff. All of the limbs, head and tail were knit flat, and had to be sewn up. I was so fed up by the time I was done, but the end result is incredibly cute. I hope its new owner (or at least, her parents, as she is still too young to really appreciate it) loves it as much as I do.
This fantastic little dinosaur was definitely worth the hassle. While I did reach a point yesterday evening when I was about ready to throw it across the room in frustration as I sewed on the legs, I do love this little guy. I've wanted to knit him ever since I saw the pattern, when Jamie gave me the book Knitted Toys by Zoe Mellor for Christmas a few years ago.
I have to say though, as cute as the patterns in the book are, I'm not sure I'd be tempted to make any more of them. The patterns are not particularly well written; if you were a complete beginner you'd get stuck pretty quickly I think. For the dinosaur particularly, I had to write out parts of the pattern myself in order to make sense of them. And everything is knit flat, then seamed afterwards.
I have a couple more YoP finishes to share which I will do later in the week.
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| I have since put all my amigurumi in the tree, something which is fast becoming a Christmas tradition in the Jones household |
All of the decorations are up, with the exception of the Christmas Stockings as I can't figure out a way to hang them from the fireplace without destroying the mantlepiece. We did an epic Christmas present shopping trip on Sunday, and I spent most of the afternoon and evening wrapping presents and writing Christmas cards.
I haven't made many of our Christmas gifts, mainly because knitting to deadlines is something that really drives me up the wall. However, that said, in the end there are five handmade gifts winging their way to friends and family this year. Two of them were still unfinished when I started wrapping presents yesterday!
This is Esiotrot. The knitting on this tortoise was done months ago. But it was so much sewing! There is a reason I prefer crocheting for toys, as generally speaking there is a lot less faff. All of the limbs, head and tail were knit flat, and had to be sewn up. I was so fed up by the time I was done, but the end result is incredibly cute. I hope its new owner (or at least, her parents, as she is still too young to really appreciate it) loves it as much as I do.
This fantastic little dinosaur was definitely worth the hassle. While I did reach a point yesterday evening when I was about ready to throw it across the room in frustration as I sewed on the legs, I do love this little guy. I've wanted to knit him ever since I saw the pattern, when Jamie gave me the book Knitted Toys by Zoe Mellor for Christmas a few years ago.
I have to say though, as cute as the patterns in the book are, I'm not sure I'd be tempted to make any more of them. The patterns are not particularly well written; if you were a complete beginner you'd get stuck pretty quickly I think. For the dinosaur particularly, I had to write out parts of the pattern myself in order to make sense of them. And everything is knit flat, then seamed afterwards.
I have a couple more YoP finishes to share which I will do later in the week.
We have these heavy things that sit atop the mantle with hooks that dangle down to hold the stockings like this .... http://www.amazon.ca/Christmas-Concepts-Snowflake-Stocking-Hanger/dp/B004AQ4EIO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387222290&sr=8-1&keywords=stocking+hangers. Maybe something like that would work?
ReplyDeleteI hate sewing things up. I put it off and put it off and the darn thing takes weeks longer than it should. You've done well, and the tortoise is darling. Happy holidays!
You can find me here: http://mindingmyownstitches.blogspot.ca/2013/12/year-of-project-2-2luvcrew-04.html
oooh that's a good idea. I will have to keep an eye out for something similar (too late for this year I expect, but next year....)
ReplyDeleteYou need stocking holders. I've found a few cute ones in the shops but I haven't purchased anything (I haven't made the stockings yet!).
ReplyDeleteAlso, I hate sewing. You work and work and work and think you're all done and then, NOPE! Still have to seam/sew...::sigh::
I concur about crocheted toys. It's so much easier. The tortoise looks really cool though. The Dino sure is smooshy.
ReplyDeleteThe tortoise sure is cute as is the dinosaur and I'm sure they will be loved and appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI love both the toys! But, like you, I don't really fancy sewing all those tiny bits, which is why I usually make small crocheted cakes and cookies. Those have no arms and legs and other fiddly stuff :D
ReplyDeleteLove the tortoise and dinosaur, they look great. Thank you for the heads up on the book through I can't be doing with sewing so would have abandoned the project!
ReplyDeleteThat is an adorable dinosaur! Thanks for the warning on the book. Even though I'm not a complete beginner, I do like clearly written patterns. It does sound like a pain that both of those were knit flat and then sewn up.
ReplyDelete