Tag: crafting

Mr. Beaky

Why, hello there sir.

For what seems like ages, I had been lusting over the adorable little creatures created from patterns contained within The World of Knit Toys by Kath Dalmeny. Everywhere I looked, however, not a single bookstore could help me. The employee trying to help me would always give me a look as if I had suddenly started speaking gibberish, informing me that this book wasn’t even in their computer. Was it out of print? Simply out of stock? Who knows!

After months of frustration, my mom became tired of my griping and did a little research for me, and discovered it on Amazon.com, and not only was it under $10, but she offered to order another book she was interested in and cover the shipping and handling.  What could be more perfect!  So naturally… I had to consider it for another couple of weeks, because I’m a horribly and almost irrationally indecisive like that.  Then I realized how stupid I was being, and became panicked at the thought that they may run out.

Now, after all that… I have to say, I’m a little bit disappointed thus far.  This duck that I knit is a little… misshapen, to say the least.  I don’t really understand how Ms. Dalmeny expects something knit flat like this to become a nicely proportioned stuffed animal, with a defined body, neck, and head.  To get mine as it currently stands took more than just a little poking and prodding, to say the least.  Another issue I have is that gigantic beak it’s sporting.  It looks like it would better suit a crane or something; certainly not a duck.

Despite his flaws, I guess he’s growing on me a little bit, and I decided to name him Mr. Beaky.  I’m not saying that this book was a complete let-down, but it was a bit less than I had anticipated.  I’ll reserve further judgment until I try out some of the other patterns.

Hannah (BitterSweet)3 Comments

Breakfast of Champions

Finally, a few extra minutes to actually knit something! It kills me how I’ve barely knit at all lately… I used to be pumping out 8-10 projects a week, knitting nonstop… But I was also essentially immobile, so I’m not sure if it was entirely worth it. Anyway, I thought that a glazed donut with sprinkles would be the perfect way to start a long vacation…

It was so easy to whip up, but binding off that thing was hellish. A 3-needle bind off in a space slightly smaller than an inch in diameter?! Let’s see you do it first! I ended up doing a modified style of fake-grafting, and after about an hour longer than it should have taken, I had myself a sweet little donut. It’s still not perfect, so I might try it again at some point… It was so difficult to stuff and then redistribute the batting, you can see how it came out a little lumpy in places…

Oh well, it was still fun, despite the frustration. You can go make your own sweet little doknit using the pattern found at Strange But True.

Hannah (BitterSweet)1 Comment

From the Bottom of My Blackened Heart

Honestly, one can only handle so much of this sappy, sugar-coated, cavity-inducing acts of love before getting a stomach ache. Admittedly, I have been much more tolerant this year, though. It’s perhaps the first time I have ever allowed that Valentine’s Day might actually be considered a real holiday [and not just a stupid date made up by the Hallmark Company, which I do still believe.] And you know what? Despite the fact that I received no valentines, didn’t have an elaborate dinner, and have no significant other to share the occasion with, maybe I still enjoyed myself, just a little bit. I was able to shower my friends with sweets, and maybe take a step out of my usual hum-bugery for public displays of affection.

That being said, here is just a small bit of my typical cynicism returning, but in the most benign manner that could be hoped. I decided to make the hearts of my beaded choker black, but even still, the alternating pinks still leave a slight touch of femininity in my opinion.

 

I know it’s a little bit late in the game now, but should you desire your own little string of beaded hearts to wear around your neck, the [very clear, easy to follow!] pattern can be found here.

Hannah (BitterSweet)3 Comments