Dad's blanket

I had not done a blanket for Dad.

I show him pretty much everything I make, because he has always loved to see what his girls could do - yep, there was 4 of us =) 

But I managed to surprise him with an early Father's Day gift this year, of that ^^^ blanket!

He loved it so much, he ordered another in the same design, but with different colours. Keep an eye out for a future post featuring that blanket!

I had never done a pattern like this one before, and I really like it a LOT! Definitely one that could be repeated many times in many colours!

Now, how can I do better next Father's Day????

 

Big bunny!

 I was asked to make a bunny the size of an adult!

I didn't look to see if there was such a pattern, because I can't imagine there is!!! 

But I did my best...

and produced a bunny 51cm from top of head to bottom of toes. 

(Yep, that's 20" if you are outside of Australia)

Thankfully patterns can be changed to meet customer's needs! ☺

I've mostly knitted girl bunnies.

I wonder why?

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How are you doing? I hope that you are taking the time to unwind from the busyness of life on a regular basis. It is very important for all of us. A change of view. A change of pace. A change of routine.

Knitting is my therapy. I always have orders, but I also have items that I want to knit as gifts. So, more often than not, I have more than one item on the go at once. This is good for me. Means I don't get stuck in a rut. 

We all need rest. Be sure to rest!

Starry, starry night!!!

 How are you doing? Do you have a hobby? 

Some people do the most amazing handicrafts, seems the sky is the limit there! It is always amazing to see something that someone has done, and you really had never thought of such a thing, isn't it?

Talking about the sky.

I got an order for a star blanket! 

That was definitely a new idea to me. I didn't even know you could do one!!! 

This could be done in SO many different colour combinations...

Oooooh, that is one of my favourite subjects! 

Knitted items change SO much when you just change the yarn colour. I have never got over how amazing that is, hehehe.

I found another star blanket pattern when I found the one above. Perhaps one day I will have the opportunity to try it too. 

In the meantime, it sits with my all other patterns ideas 👀

Warmth for the elderly

As you would expect, I knit gifts to give away myself. 

Actually, I get frustrated if I can't!!! 

Gifts are most fun when it is made by one's self.

Don't you think?

This has kept my Grandpa warm this winter, which is wonderful!

The yarn was SO warm, and since he lives in a cold part of Australia, and being elderly has not the best circulation, you can imagine how much the warmth is appreciated.

Over the rainbow...

 Many people are unfamiliar with handcrafts. They may remember some old aunt, or grandparent who did such things, but have never learnt for themselves, or were never presented with such an opportunity.

My mother taught me to knit when I was a young girl, and I knitted up the obligatory scarf, but didn't really do more. Until I was in my late 30's, when I rediscovered knitting and started with yet another scarf!!! 😆

I have had customers ask me for an item which is crocheted. And I don't crochet. Much. Yet. 

However, many crocheted items can also be knitted, so it just means I need to search for a pattern if I don't already have one. 

I have HEAPS of patterns.

When you are as addicted to knitting as I am, you start to avidly collect them. 

Just in case!

Here is the result of one such request. It turned out just amazing!!!

The colours just went SO well together. 

I'm pleased to report that both my customer and I were VERY pleased with the result! 

Phew!

No restriction on love

 People order gifts for all sorts of reasons.

Some are boring, some are fun, some are routine, others are a surprise.

I LOVE surprises, so if you have an idea that you would like to surprise someone with, please, feel free to contact me!

Toys don't need to be reserved for babies and children either.

The pair above were ordered by a lovely lady in her 60's for her younger sister. They were unable to visit each other, due to Covid travel restrictions, so were a reminder to her younger sister of them being together. 

Thinking of a gift that represents someone, or something, as a reminder that someone cares is a great idea! We need to make sure we look out for each other, right?

The bear and bunny are very proper, wearing matching undergarments. Such things are important to some, so I do my best to please the customer! 😉

Philosophising over monkeys...

Sometimes I make a toy, and feel disappointed. I feel it really doesn't look good. I expect that all toys MUST be cute! But yet, sometimes, it just doesn't happen. It is REALLY disappointing.

But the thing for me to remember, is that it isn't about me. 

First, it must please the customer.

Then it must please the recipient's mother 

(most toys are ordered for children)

Then it must appeal to the child, or baby.

But wait, what does a child base their assessment on? Does a newborn, or very small child look at something the same way an adult does? I expect not. 

So therefore can draw a sigh of relief and keep those needles knitting...!

 

A new scarf pattern and so much more!

 I apologise for not being the most regular in posting updates of my work. But over the next few months, I will share my most recent work. The purpose of this blog is somewhat of a portfolio, so it can be seen what I have done... to give ideas of what potential customers could order.

Over time it has become evident that almost all my customers would rather order something personalised, to fit their own requirements, rather than something pre-made. I have thought of selling my work on pop-up market stalls, but so far, have had enough orders come my way, that I have kept pushing that idea to a back burner.

I would love to have people interact with me on this blog, but really, it rarely happens, so I see it as just a portfolio. But if you feel like commenting - please DO!!! I would love to hear your thoughts on my work!

I also love orders ☺

Recently someone was praising my work, and I said "the things that seem to grab the most attention, are items that customers have dreamed up. I am just the means to the end of their dream." 

That sounds like of pathetic in some ways, but yet, if you can't knit, or don't have the time, knowing someone like me can be real handy, right? 😄

Without further ado, let's see the first item I produced after a 10 week hiatus...

I had not made this scarf before, but LOVED how it came out! It was just so pretty! I like it when my customers have good taste - hehehe!

A big colourful blanket

I received an order... In mid-January.

It took quite a while to complete, but I was very thrilled with the result!

Hopefully my customer will also be! When it finally reaches her! Thanks to COVID-19, the mail is slower than a turtle!!!

This blanket marks a new beginning for me! I finally learnt how to crochet! The border which so beautifully finishes off this blanket, has crochet on it. I was very pleased to learn this new skill!

I am not planning on learning any more crochet for the time being. Being able to finish off a blanket seems like a good start, and I do love the feel of knitted items! But perhaps in the future!

How has COVID-19 affected you?

It HAS been a while

It has been months since I last posted. I am sorry for that, but life got VERY busy.

From January 21 to March 19th, I was visiting my precious heart-twin sister Rossie, in hospital three times a week. It meant that life was very far from routine. When I was home, I was thinking about Rossie, and wondering what was happening, especially when she was very sick...

Thanks to COVID-19, my visits were stopped from March 20, though I was absolutely thankful for our youngest sister who continued to visit Rossie every day... 

Then April 13-18, I stayed at the hospital every night... My Rossie... my closest sister, friend and supporter was dying at 40.5 years...

At just after 2am on 19th March, I was sitting asleep beside her, holding her hand... and she passed away. Expected, but devastating all the same. She had been so sick, and I am thankful she is now at peace with her Lord in heaven.

Just thought I'd share a few pictures of my precious sister...

Me feeding her sultanas when we were little ☺

2018

With her "almost daughter"

With her "almost son"

We did say the same words at the same time, wear the same colours, thought the same things, and loved each other through thick and thin!

I haven't been knitting much at all. Just doing some colouring... 

But some day soon, the knitting needles will call! ☺

Product review

Everyone loves to read others opinions of something they are considering to purchase themselves, right? We want to know that what we are about to buy is worth the money, what we really want and "just right"!

I have found it is not terribly easy to get people to do a product review on my work! 

There is two ways to look at this:

1. people are lazy

or

2. my work is great, so they don't have any complaints to share with others!!! 

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I prefer to see the low product review rate as the latter - wouldn't you?

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Now and then, I DO get a picture of my product with the recipient, and love to see how they are received. That gives me the impetus to keep on...

Oooooh la la!!!

I was never into much lace and frills as a girl

But some of the lacy patterns you find for knitted items are just beautiful

So I enjoy any excuse to make one

Imagine my delight when I was asked to make a lacy wrap - hehe!!!

I was very happy with this result - and so was my customer!

win-win! 😊