A Christmas Waldorf Doll Finish

There doesn't seem to be anywhere near as much blogging these days and I keep wondering whether to bother, but I will for now ..... for the record at least. Really, I favour Instagram now, but anyways!!

I finally finished the Waldorf doll I started several months ago, but was awaiting for her clothing! I think I’m making a bit of progress with each doll I make, but still want to improve. I love the pink tights I’ve made for her, but can’t decide on the head wear ..... knitted headband or knitted bonnet (photos of both)?
Do you see her peeking through the stairs at the Christmas tree 😀

Happy Christmas everyone 🎄🎅🤶

Blackbird Design Bountiful Harvest Cross-Stitch

Just a quickie to show my completed and framed Blackbird Design Bountiful Harvest Cross-Stitch. I won't point out my mistake 😬 but I will tell you about the small change to the pattern I made. The alphabet in the middle is stitched one over one and the very pale green (see the photo of the pattern) I just found impossible to do. The tone of the green against the linen was just too close, so I stitched all of the alphabet in the darker green shade.

William Morris curtains, plus this, that and the other!

 You know how it is; you’re in the middle of one craft project and you get distracted with another!! The distraction being two Christmas stockings (dogs in Christmas hats) and a small Christmas sack. And then I came across a ‘Tilda’ Cow free pattern – never seen the Tilda cow before! So, of course I had to make one – only a peak at that though, as it’s not quite finished.

My lounge renovations are nearly finished – I’m just waiting for my new sofas to arrive – can’t wait, as I’m currently sitting on a loaned chair from my sister-in-law. A week ago, I finished making and hung my ‘William Morris’ curtains – the fabric is a red version of the ‘Willow Bough’ pattern. I have always wanted some William Morris in my home, so at the grand age of 60, I have achieved that dream. The fabric was very expensive, so I can’t tell you how terrified I was to make the first cut into the fabric. I’m pleased with the result though.

Unfortunately, a dismal day means the light isn’t very good for the colour.

In the last few weeks, I’ve also altered a pair of curtains for my nephew and made some pelmets for my kitchen.

How happy I am to get back to crafty sewing. I’m still in the middle of my Blackbird Design cross-stitch and the cardigan I’m knitting for myself. And I’ve also been in the middle of another Waldorf doll for about 2 months (no photo)!

That must make at least 6 different projects on the go!!

Shabby Chic embroidery

Just a quick one to show a bit more embroidery I've been practising, which I've made up into a little cushion/pillow, adding a piece of lovely vintage pink stripe fabric and a few Mother of Pearl buttons.

It's a little bit Shabby Chic in style and colouring, which I love. This is it still in the hoop:

...... and the back - I found a nice piece of pink silk fabric

That's it for today.

Finished beanie

Well, my fair isle challenge was a success! This lovely retirement + lockdown thingy means I have finished my beanie hat already …… bring on the winter so that I can try it out!! only kidding 😁although I have been absolutely melting in this heat.🌞 I am NOT a sun worshipper! I’m fair skinned, so burn easily. Still, at least I don’t need to go out in it (i.e. go to work), so I have mostly stayed indoors or just sat in the shade in the garden. Indoors is definitely cooler than outdoors! I’m rather proud of how neat the inside is – that's the ‘wraps’ as they call them in fair isle as you bring the different colour yarns across each time you change colour.

And one of it on my head!!

As well as knitting, I’ve also been trying out a bit of hand embroidery – haven’t done any in a while – this is just a little fun piece using a wooden cute cow button and embroidered roses and leaves.

Talking about outdoors, I need to replace my garden fence panels, but do you think I can find anywhere that has what I need in stock? - I’ve spent ages looking! I’ve been told to try again next month. It’s not a surprise really with lockdown and the very hot weather ……….. clearly everyone’s been putting in new fence posts.

Do you know the thing I really, really miss because of lockdown? Theatre! I sooooo miss a trip to a musical or a play ….. but as it must be for now!

Shetland Fairisle Knitting

Well, here’s a new challenge for me! Knitting 🧶 ‘in the round’. I was taught to knit as a child by my mom, but I’ve only ever dipped into it here and there over the years - matinee coats for babies; and even sweaters for myself, plus one for an ex-husband (not ‘ex’ at the time LOL).

Over the last 6 or 7 years I though, I’ve become more and more interested in knitting again – and lately I love to knit for my Waldorf dolls. 

So, 'knitting in the round' - something I’ve never tried! For me, it’s only ever been two straight needles, knitting and purling; and generally able to follow a pattern. However, with the new surge in knitting (and other crafts too) it seems increasingly that when I look at a pattern, it calls for knitting in the round. Initially I simply avoided those patterns, but then realised I was missing out on some lovely things to knit. So, in the end I caved in, bought some circular needles and decided that learning this strange (to me) method of knitting was the answer! So on to YouTube I went. There’s hardly any kind of teaching resource you can’t find on YouTube - and mostly free – it’s fab! Just lots of lovely crafting communities willing to share their knowledge. 

Alongside this over recent years (like many) I’ve become ever aware of the damage we’re all doing to our planet with the global warming issues and the over use of plastic, so wherever possible I’m doing my best to swap to sustainable, natural products. And with that in mind, I’ve vowed to never again buy acrylic knitting yarn - for acrylic read plastic! The same applies to any fabrics I buy, although I’ve vastly cut back on fabric. 

So in my search for some pure/natural yarn, I came across the beautiful yarns produced in the Shetland Islands, which is great as I’m also attempting to ‘buy British’ and do away with those ‘air miles’. Buying from Shetland also sparked an interest in fairisle knitting. There are some extremely talented ladies on Shetland who are just amazing ....... and so fast at it too! 

Anyway, this is a very long-winded introduction to my current project - and little of it to show at the moment, but having sent off for some lovely 100% Shetland wool yarn, I’m breaking myself in gently (I hope 😟) by knitting a beanie hat. Wrong time of year I know, but it might take until next winter to finish it 😁. 

So yesterday I made a slow start and managed to get as far as the ribbed edge. I was very pleased with myself though when bearing in mind:-

·      This is my first attempt at ‘knitting in the round’ (apart from one little practice piece);

·       It’s 4-ply yarn, so takes longer to knit up; and 

·       It’s fairisle. 

So, this is what I’ve achieved so far:

And this is how I hope it’ll look when finished, but in a different colourway.

I’ve also discovered the Shetland Islands hold a knitting festival each year 😁. This would have been its 11^th year. At the beginning of the year I was pondering the notion of a trip to Shetland (Britain’s most northerly region) to visit the island and of course go to the knitting festival ……….... yes I know, there are closer knitting festivals – to be honest France is closer to me than Shetland!! But it would be a mini holiday too wouldn’t it - and now being a (retired) lady of leisure, I can do that. Of course, due to Coronavirus, this year’s festival has now been cancelled, but I’m planning for next year instead. Have you seen how close it is to Norway and Iceland? Yes, it’ll be cold 🥶 but with a good wind, I’ll have my beanie hat to wear.  

Alongside the festival, they produce an annual magazine full of lovely patterns, plus interesting information about the Islands, so while ordering the yarn, I also ordered one of the back magazines (2018). The fairisle fingerless gloves are in very pretty colours; and I love the sweater on the front, and although I love that mustardy kind of colour, I can see it in a nice winter red - maybe with a matching beanie ......

...... too adventurous maybe?? 

Oh, I nearly forgot! I’ve also made these two tabard aprons for my nephew’s partner who needs them ready when she returns to work as a Steiner teacher. Crafting with little ones can get messy!

So, that's it for now!

Lucy - Waldorf Doll

I will get faster eventually at making Waldorf Dolls, but for now, they take me an age – there is so much involved!!!! And I still have plenty to learn, but I think this one is better than the last, so I must be getting there. 

Her dungarees are made from cotton velvet, lined with a Tilda cotton fabric ………. note to self: DO NOT sew with velvet again – it moves!!!! 😊

 

You’ll see in the first photo that she’s being very sensible and wearing her mask ….. sorry, just had to do it 😊

 

She loves her boots!!

I hope you're all happy and keeping well.

Retired!! ...... and relax 😊

Just to mark the day .... from today, I am officially retired after working 41 years and 4 months for the Court Service (I started on 29 January 1979) …… YAY!!!!

Getting there ................

Well, my next Waldorf style doll is finished, BUT she's a little bit bare at the moment!! and so needs something nice to wear. She's thinking she would like some velvet dungarees (see beautiful cotton velvet draped to protect her modesty 😉) - mind you, sewing velvet ……….. ?? enough said! She I may yet have a change of mind 😄
We have the time though ………….. did I mention I'm now retired??!!
She needs a name too!

I've recently celebrated turning 60 (hence retirement) and thought you might enjoy seeing some of the balloons my darling!! eldest nephew organised for me ……… he does love a laugh (at my expense). I think they're brilliant! The 'Hip Hip Replacement' is referring to the knee replacement I had about 18 months ago. You can't get knee, knee replacement, because clearly that wouldn't be funny, so 'Hip' was the next best thing. I keep on trying to explain to this 33-year old nephew that he too will, one day, become old and decrepit 😄

So, I hope everyone is managing to keep well and safe and enjoying plenty of crafty time.