Respectable Mr Rabbit

Yes, he's a little nonchalant - but don't those shiny red trousers add a touch of class?

Unable to stop with Mr Fox, Mr Rabbit wasn't far behind!  Especially after seeing all these beautiful foxes created - have a peek below for some awesome projects from ravelry!   

I do love knitting these guys, and they fit in my little knitting bag for the train :)

So!  I'm sure you want to know more about this smooshy:

Mr. Rabbit is a respectable little man (with respectable little trousers). Standing at approximately 15” tall, he is knitted mainly in the round, with the head pieces knitted flat. He is knitted in pieces and then seamed together.

Needles: 3.25mm (UK) DPNs or circulars using the magic circle technique.

Yarn:
Rowan Fine Tweed
Beige: 150m - colourway arncliffe (360)
Red (or other trouser): 45m - colourway bainbridge (369)
White : 30m - colourway bell husk (376)

Additional materials:
stuffing
buttons/toy eyes
buttons for nose

Note: if you choose, you can knit Mr. Rabbit in any size of yarn, adjusting your needles as appropriate. Obviously he may end up rather taller or shorter than the fingering weight version depending on the size you use :)

You can find the Mr Rabbit pattern here on ravelry - or the first two people to comment with their Ravelry name below will receive a free copy!

Check out the ravelry group, and don't forget to sign up for the newsletter if you'd like updates :)

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From left to right:  

First row - Ecarj's fox, Knickerknit's fox

Second Row - Melimel's fox, FondantFibre's fox

Oh, and I met a really sweet little squirrel.  Looky!  Nosey little oat-craker eating man.   I do love to sit and feed the little guys, they're greedy though!!

Where's your favourite place to sit and read for a while? 

DIY: Sophisticated Mr. Fox!

He's here!!  What a handsome little Fox.

He loves nothing more than to casually observe your knitting, nonchalantly chill out in your garden, generally hang around looking cool.

 You can make him on Ravelry here :)    You'll need:

Needles: 3.25mm (UK) DPNs or circulars using the magic circle technique.

Yarn:
Rowan Fine Tweed 
Brown: 150m 
Green: 45m 
White & Brown: small amounts

Additional materials: 
stuffing 
buttons/toy eyes 
buttons for nose (& tail for optional decoration)

Note: if you choose, you can knit Mr. Fox in any size of yarn, adjusting your needles as appropriate. Obviously he may end up rather taller or shorter than the fingering weight version depending on the size you use :)

He already has friends across the country!  This is Deborah's handspun fox (he's called Ron).  

What have you got planned for this week?

Also, I'm going to Woolfest on the 29th!!  Rather excited!  I'm dragging my dear mum along.  She agreed to accompany me 'as long as I don't expect her to look enthusiastic'.  Ima trying to show her that knitting is cool... 

Mr Fox Test Knit

Hello!

I promise I won't make any more foxes after this...  but isn't he cute!  Never thought I really had a thing for knitting toys but I'm in love with Mr Fox.  

To make Mr Fox you need:

• Rowan Fine Tweed (or other fingering weight yarn)
• 150m brown
• 45m green (or other scarf colour)
• small amounts of white and black.
• Toy eyes or buttons.
• 3.25mm (UK) DPNs or circular with magic circle.  

It's a relatively simple project, if a little fiddly.  There's a little bit of colourwork, knitting in the round and in the flat on size 3.25mm (UK) needles.  


EDIT:  I think we have enough test knitters now!  Hopefully the pattern will be on Ravelry soon though,  I shall keep you updated :D

If you'd like to test knit this little guy, just e-mail me with your ravelry username, and the subject 'test knit'.  In return I'd really appreciate some constructive feedback on the pattern and if you could add your finished photos on ravelry that'd be brilliant :)

New Jumpers, Foxy Things & Hexagons

The past couple of weeks have flown in!  And I'm sorry to say I've been neglecting you, dear blog :).  

There was a terrible incident in which the back of my phone smashed into a million-billion-trillion tiny pieces of jaggy evilness.  Then there was the wondrous moment not long after when I discovered this amazing foxy phone cover!!!  Everything happens for a reason, right?

How cute?!?!  And from the same shop I may have purchased the foxy card.  The shop is called digger; it's a crazy shade of bright yellow, and doesn't seem to have any set opening times - just have to wait until it's open when you're passing :D

The hexagons are for my next big project - a hexagon quilt.  I've collected quite a few yummy pieces of fabric, so spent a day chopping them up for sewing together again.  Why not join me?  Let me know if you're up for making a hexagon quilt to and we can organise a sew-along :p

Last but not least, this jumper makes me so happy :D  It has taken me 3 weeks of relatively obsessive knitting, in 4ply merino from Katia yarns.  So soft.  And warm.  And fits so well :').

The pattern is called 5200K, and can be found here on Ravelry :) 

ooooo that totally wasn't the last thing :D

The last thing is amazing.  We're having a little swap in the OwlPrintPanda group, if you'd like to take part please don't be shy!!

:) x

Edinburgh Yarn Festival

Whew!!  What a crazy day!  From arriving at 8am, I don't think I had a chance to look at my watch until around 4pm.  The queue down the street was so long, all those poor people waiting out in the rain!

The hall was lovely, but so busy with people!  I think people were getting lost just wandering around in the crowd :D

I had such a brilliant day, met two lovely podcaster ladies who I've spoken to online - it's so nice to put a face to a name!!   (and a voice in these cases!) with Aimee from KnitSpinCake and Louise from CaithnessCraft.  Hillarious situations arising where I can hear people I know, but have no idea who I'm looking for!    I was rather excited through the whole day, and after narrowly dodging knocking my charm-hanging tree over to hug Louise, loudly invented the 'Dangerhug'.  Cause odd things pop into your head when you get over-excited... clearly...

Many, many, many great conversations with lovely ladies from ravelry, a man buying charms for miniature sculptures he makes (how cool!), questions for interviews and visits from friends with much-needed food packages - there was a 30 minute wait for cups of tea in the cafe :o

I know a few people couldn't find me at the festival yesterday!!  So I have spent the day re-organizing and photographing over 60 different sets of stitch markers to pop them up on etsy!

Feel free to pick and mix, just contact me on etsy with your 5 charms and the numbers I've given them on etsy, and I shall make up a little baggie for you!!  It's 80p postage to the UK.

Some of my favourites:

Were you at the festival?

What did you buy?!

Knit Stitch Markers!

So I've spent the past couple of weeks knitting frantically for the Edinburgh Yarn Festival.  There are 3 days left and I'm getting awfully excited :D

Just thought I'd share with you a few sneaky previews of some of the stitch markers I'll have with me on the day!  There are over 50 different kinds of marker, so you're still gonna have to come visit me to see them all :p  Here are some on my display tree!

It'll be 'pick-n-mix' markers, with 5 markers for £4.50 in a pretty little gift bag :)

UPDATE:  the stitch markers are now available in my etsy store!  Do feel free to contact me with your pick 'n' mix!  

Some of the birdie (and owlie!) stitch markers

spinning wheels or knitting needles?  Hmmm...

Crazy about cats?  Or maybe just that lil umbrella in the corner.

colourful baggies!

When I say 'display tree'  I really do mean tree.  I spent weeks hunting in craft shops for some sort of stand which would show off the little markers nicely, and in the end used a large branch from the local park with fairy lights on... eco-friendly y'see.  Good for the environment...

All of the little markers will also be available as earrings!  £2-3 per set.

Aaaaand there are baskets and baskets of purses!!!  And a few colours / animals you've not spotted before hehe.  These'll be going for £15 on the day, each is different.  Or you could knit your own with the pattern on Ravelry!  

Foxes and bears and badgers, oh my!  Purse Basket!

Just had coffee with Sarah (of Porcini & Button) who will also be selling crafty loveliness at the festival on saturday!   We had good chats about tablecloths... lights... baskets... y'know, now that I list it, it doesn't sound at all exciting, but it was! And we could have an awesome tablecloth!! So there...

Will you be at the Yarn Festival this saturday?  What are you gonna be buying?!  Drop by and say hi to us!

Saturday, 16th March:  10.00 – 17.00

OUT OF THE BLUE (DRILLHALL)

36 Dalmeny StreetEdinburgh

EH6 8RG

Amanda :) xx

p.s.  if you want to reserve any markers/earrings/purses either to pick up at the festival or because you want them but you're not coming!   Or if you have a custom request for purses, just drop me an email here!  

TinyOwlKnits Swap Presents!

It arrived!  I eeeeped, and then did a little jogging on the spot dance with a giant grin on my little face.  I shook the package up and down a few times because I got too excited to sit down and open it.

AAAAnnnnyway.  Once I calmed down I opened it up to find all this amazingness!!!!

There were owlie stitch markers and stitch holder, and a brilliant foxy scarf, lots of yummy locally made dyed fibre and forest coloured mini-skeins for the bee-keeprs quilt pattern she included too!  There was a pencil with a fox on top and a pretty pretty woodland notebook which sticks to my fridge!  And chocolate and coffee!!  And it was all wrapped up in amazing owly paper!

My lovely Spoiler was Aobhro from Ravelry and I do love her so!  The whole package was so thoughtful and there was a lovely letter inside :)

ETA: I've now spun up some of the lovely fleece below!  Have a peek here.

 

I reminded myself of lil Agnes from Despicable Me.  "Is so Owly I'm gonna dieeeeeeeeeee":

Now.  I am off to play with my presents.  Thankyouverymuch.

Cuppa & Cake with... Karen, from When Adam Met Eve

Hello Lovelies!

After showing you all those amazing little earrings in the "11 Perfect little Earrings" feature, I couldn't help but drop by and chat with the amazing curator and artist behind When Adam Met Eve.  

Karen lives in Perth, Western Australia. She's a self taught crafter with a background in graphic design; often described as quirky and with a love for animals and nature, this probably translates into some of the jewellery she designs! Karen pleads guilty to impulse purchasing - which she claims has probably led to designing jewellery as a means to curb her spending on costume jewellery. 

She has some lovely items (with some lovely pictures!) for sale in her etsy store, here are my favourites:

EEeeeeep They are so cute.  I should stop 'eep'ing.  I 'eep' far too often.

1. Such cute earrings! When did you start making these little beauties, and how did it all begin?

I started making jewellery around April last year mainly because I am a self confessed shopaholic and by chance I saw laser cut earrings on a random google search and loved the idea so thought I would give it a go. So my very first pair I created was the little boy and girl from my logo. Once I saw them made up, I got a little carried away and started doing different designs and it just kept growing and growing from there. Once I had about 20 different pairs of earrings I thought it may be worthwhile to see how I would do selling at markets and online but couldn't just sell earrings so got into making necklaces also.  . 

2. I love the foxes, no the squirrels, no the bambi! Oh my goodness I just spotted pandas... Ahh there's so much choice, what's your favourite item in your shop?

Its hard to say what my favourite are as I am constantly designing new earrings which then become my favourite. A lot of the pieces are inspired by nature with almost any animal you can think of. I also like the idea of it being asymmetrical so many of the pieces will be different on each ear lobe - ie a dog and a cat or a squirrel with an acorn. 

When I design the different pieces I am often thinking of a friend of family member that would like it so each different piece is inspired by different people around me. For instance with the necklace range, the travel ones were inspired by my sister who has the travel bug and has recently left for South America. The little bottle was added so I could write her a message that she could read while on her travels.

3. Your Cuppa & Cake of choice?

Hmm I love a good latte or hot chocolate with marshmallows on the side and carrot cake! But if I eat mud cake the I must have a glass of cold milk on the side (its pretty embarrassing when I am at a restaurant ordering a glass of milk with my chocolate cake) 

4. What is your crafting space like? 

Most of the time its an organised mess! I have attached a picture. The two top shots are what it looks like when its nice and clean but it ends up looking more like the bottom image by the end of it.

5. Where are you when you're not making such pretty pieces of jewellery?

I am a graphic designer normally so if I'm not making jewellery then im designing corporate identities, wedding invitations, designing ads etc for different businesses. 

I'm so in love with all of these earrings.  I may have to bag myself a few pairs.  Do you have a favourite item of jewellery?  Where did it come from?

:D x

Crafty Valentines Gifts for You and Him

Hello lovelies!

I wrote a little valentines piece as a guest blogger the other week and thought I'd share it with you too!  I thought I’d go all out, and since valentines is coming up soon, have a bit of a romantic DIY extravaganza. 

Around this time of year I panic a little – it’s alright for the guys, they have chocolate and roses to fall back on, but what do we buy them??  Are we even supposed to buy them something?  Even if I’m not supposed to, will I feel bad when he has given me a present and I have nothing to return?

As ever, the answer is of course to get crafty.  If it’s not much, at least its handmade and comes from the heart, right?

Also, we need to treat ourselves at this time of year!  Bath, candles, new dress anyone?  So here are a few little crafty ideas with a valentines theme which caught my eye,  some valentines gifts for you and him.

The Card:

Crayon card - how cute are these?!  They are definitely on my 'to make' list for this year, though I'll need to wait until the other half is out the house to go melting all the crayons!

The Wrapping:

Foxy gift bag - who needs valentines wrapping paper when you can have a foxy gift bag?!  In fact, who needs wrapping paper ever again?

Paper Roses - it's the little touches which often finish off a gift, so if you are gift wrapping, why not top it off with some string and paper roses?  What the heck, why not top off the fox gift bag with them too.  They're quick and easy, and look more difficult than they are.

The Gift:

You light up my life - This has to be one of my favourite crafty finds and I've been waiting for ages to use it!  Paperweight or shelf ornament, this little cutie makes me smile :)  So will hopefully make him grin too!

Valentines Scratch Cards - oh the possibilities for what you could hide behind these little silver windows!!!  I shall leave that up to you...

For You:

Valentines Heart Puff Garland - quick and easy to make, I have one of these garlands on my fireplace and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside (awww).   You can also make them into keyrings!  If you don't knit yourself, you can find the garland and keyring in my etsy store too :)

The Food:

Sweetie Pie Pops - I've never laid eyes on anything like this before!  Definitely on the to-do list for next month! 

What are your knitting/crafting plans this week?  Anything romantic on the way?

Amanda :) x