Recycled Bags

I'm doing a pre-Christmas gift wrapping exercise these days. I have three different events to attend this weekend and all of them require a gift, so I thought why not experimenting with brown parcel paper, string and masking tape! I had this in mind for ages as I like the eco/recycling feel of this type of gift wrapping. Also, I finally managed to use the lino block print I made a while ago, although it still needs some improvement...I need to find a good tutorial on how to use it really!!

Neck Warmer

It'll be my friend's birthday this Sunday and I made for her a cute neck warmer much needed for this weather that suddenly turned cold without warning! The pattern is from Jane Richmond and can be downloaded for free from Ravelry. It was quite easy to knit, but I admit I had to start twice as I lost count of the rows and couldn't find my way out of it. I hope she'll like it!

Knitting Needle Roll

I finally sewed together all the pieces for my knitting needle roll! This first one will be for me, the next one I'll be making will be a Christmas present for a knitter friend. Hopefully, I'll make less mistakes that I did with this one....still can't get the hand stitching done properly, hence the zigzag stitch at the bottom :)

Recycled felt blanket

My blanket is finally finished! It has been a very long term project, started back at the beginning of this year. I collected several second hand sweaters from charity shops and then felted them using a hot cycle in the washing machine. My mum helped me cut the squares in three different sizes and when I had enough of them I hand stitched each piece together using some gray cotton yarn. I did try sewing the pieces using the sewing machine, but I think a more rough and chunkier final look suited this material better. I'm quite pleased on how it turned out and believe me it is so warm and comfy that we can't watch tv on the couch without it anymore!

New appliqué for my bag

My bag needed a bit of revamping, the fake flower brooch was really not in decent conditions anymore! The idea just kicked: I made a crocheted flower with some some scrap white yarn, put some patterned fabric at the back and a button in front and voilà....my bag is ready to be worn again!

Ongoing Projects

I'm so getting addicted to felt!! I bought some wool sweater from the charity shop just before summer, and after tossing them into the washer and washing them with soap on a hot cycle, they shrank like crazy! I then cut them in squares of three different sizes; they'll make a very warm winter blanket, perfect for a cosy night on the couch!

The other project I'm working on is a knitting needles roll. The pattern came from here, and it just looks wonderful. I'm currently in the process of making two of those as Christmas presents, but I'm thinking of making one for myself too!

The Knitting and Stitching Show

10th October 2010 @ Alexandra Palace, London

It was a wonderful day out! Lots to see and even more to buy. I stock up on yarns, fabric and patterns, but most of all I had lots of fun and tips sharing with my very crafty friends.

Homemade gifts for my friend's baby - Part II

For my friend's Baby Shower I've prepared a baby gift basket. It contains:

• Muslin cloths
• Two baby bids
• Three soft baby blocks
• Homemade card

To keep it in the theme I've also changed the lining of the basket.

Homemade gifts for my friend's baby - Part I

When my friend told us she was expecting a baby, I've decided to make something to celebrate her pregnancy. I had some spare towel fabric which was perfect to make a burp cloth. For the turtle I used some scrap felt from another project I'm working on. All sewed together very easily, although the stitching on the appliqué are far from perfect!

First post and first craft project

I made this felt application for a plain orange cushion we bought for our sofa. I cut the tree from a recycled felted sweater I got from a charity shop and then sew it to the cushion. The sewing part was a bit difficult, but i was pleased with the overall result.