Dinosaur! Roarrrrr!

That's the name of the lastest pattern I've purchased on Ravelry.

I'm on a self-enforced yarn buying ban this year and so am trying to knit from my 'stash'. I saw this little pattern recently released by it's author Luciana Jorge and thought the budget could probably cope with it's $4 purchase seeing as it would pay for itself, what with all the cute gifts I could make from stash with it (I should also add too that I've had a couple of emails from the designer and she's just lovely - I love supporting people that are so nice...though most knitters and designers I've been in contact with are all fabulous).

The reason I really 'needed' to purchase it though was we'd bought a pressie for James, (one of our antenatal kids who was holding his birthday party today) but it needed something else

Anywho - to cut a long story short, I bought the pattern Wednesday and by Friday night the Mumma and Bubba Steg were completed, after being knit, washed, blocked, stuffed and sewn. I could get addicted to toy making - so quick, and Penny was besotted.

'Now, Tim you can be the baby stegosaurus, and I'll be the mummy stegosaurus...

(click to enlarge)

Green With Envy

Heather! It's finished!

Well actually, it's been finished for almost a week now but I've been waiting for some warm weather to wash and block it (when you pin it out in the right shape for it to dry after a gentle soak/spin)

It's an 'Amy' pinafore in The March Sisters series designed by one of my favourite designers and online buddies, Kelly Brooker (gurnard on Ravelry).

This one is knit in Bendigo Woollen Mills yarn - an 8 ply 'Luxury' called Bracken and the yellowy colour is their Barley. GORGEOUSLY soft.

From the back - ribbing for a good fit

This one was knit as a custom order for my friend Heather
* she decided upon an Amy
* she selected the colours from a sample book I had
* she paid after I emailed her the invoice
* I ordered the delicious yarn from Australia at what I think is a really reasonable price for lovely yarn in a variety of colours
* Knitting began
* Voila! Ready for Heather to collect once she returns from Hong Kong.

It's as simple as that!

Cabled Hats

I've had a number of lovely comments and enquiries lately about this hat and so I'm thrilled to be able to offer these for orders.

This chunky cabled hat designed by Amy Swenson comes in three sizes: 3-9mo, 1-3yrs and Kids-Adult (Finished Circumference at Brim: 16(18, 22) inches)
I knit the one pictured in the smaller size

Prices start at $18 for the 3-9 months, $22 for the 1-3 year and  $26 for the kids-adult size. It can be knit in your choice of colour.

Email me at jstanfield@xtra.co.nz to place an order or for more information.

Sock Blocker Orders Are Go!

We've been getting a number of enquiries and orders for Blair's sock blockers lately - so many that he's had to go and buy more materials.

These are in the post as I type, Terry, yours are the ones on the left and in the centre and Jo, yours is the complete set on the right.

They should be in your hot little hands by the end of the week and we hope that you are happy with them.

Blair makes all the sock blockers specially for your order - we don't have a supply of ready made ones so if you need a specific length that you can't find or would rather specify a length rather than a S, M or L then just let us know and he'll make one up the exact length. We aim to please

Hats, Hats And More Hats

Lately, I've been knitting hats - 7 hats to be precise.

A friend of mine, Rachael is an amazing photographer (seriously, check out her site, she is really reasonably priced and FAR nicer pics than pixie photo!) anyway, she was after some hats to do a photoshoot for her new photography business

We started with her selecting some hat patterns, yarns and sizes and voila - 7 hats for Rach

I started with this little blue Chemo Earflap Hat - the pattern is by Gabriella Henry.

And followed this with a larger version in a neopolitan coloured chunky yarn

Then along came one of my personal favourites, a chunky newborn hat with cables.

Then a little green 'Gooseberry' hat in avocado green. This one looks good the right way out and inside out

Then came my first 'Tubey' in chocolate brown.  I LOVE these hats, such a good fit and too cute

 

 

I could actually put in the whole sequence of Timothy fighting to not have his photo taken with a hat on - but that's another post. Let's just say though that there won't be many photos of him anymore as a hat model though as he rebels against his mummy with her woolly hats and camera :`(

Then the 'Propeller' hat, again - another fab hat! This one in Peony Pink

And then the last one, a sunshine yellow 'Tubey'

I hope they're spot on Rach. I can't wait to see how the photos turn out - I can imagine they'll put mine to shame (but then, she's the pro)

Juliette - A-Line Skirty or Skirted Soaker

This wee gem (designed by Tia Novick) is the A-line version of the Juliette (I can also knit the ruffled version which also features at Coco Kids). It can be knitted either with or without a soaker underneath.

The one pictured is a medium which I knitted for my 5 month old niece. The idea was that it would be able to used for at least a couple of winters, that it'll still fit for next winter with some little leggings underneath. I puposely knitted this without the soaker so it can be worn with tights or leggings.

This one features 2 rows of eyelet detailing, as well as a picot edging and 2 separate rows of the pink to tie in the colour of the top waist band. All of these can be tailored to your taste, the picot edging can also be swapped for a little ruffle rather than the full pleats of the ruffled Juliette

I also knit a matching Confection Shrug to go with this (again, I am able to knit Confection Shrugs for custom orders)

Sizes - newborn, small, medium, large and xtra large. Prices start at $20 (though it does depend upon the type of yarn you would like as well as the size), email me if you would like to book your custom knit item, or if you'd like more information.

Items Available for Custom Knitting

These are the items that I can knit for you. There's really nothing like both being given and giving a carefully handknit item. And I'm sure you know already - but gorgeous woollen handknits are the height of fashion for babes at the moment, as well as being really practical. Pop a little knitted item on your child and just see how many comments you get!

To see more information on each item, just click the link in the title.

Cabled Hats - this is a lovely hat knit with a chunky style yarn in your choice of colour. This comes in 3 sizes - 3-9 months, 1-3 years and kid-adult. Prices start at $20

Aviatrix Hats - available in newborn through to 4 years plus sizes. Stylish winter hat (great too for kids that pull off their hats) starting at $20

Confection Shrugs - the cutest wee extra layer, so easy to pop on. Sizes newborn through to 24 months

Ruffled skirty or skirted soaker. The soaker is great as another layer over nappies (and fits over cloth nappies) or s a skirty for all year wear - without leggings in warm weather and with tights during winter. Sizes NB through to XL

A-Line Skirty or Skirted Soaker. Sizes NB through to XL

The March Sisters Series of Pinafore Dresses

Amy (with layers of ruffles at the bottom)
Beth (with lace pattern at the bottom)
Meg (with a cable design)
Jo (simple, plain design with fold over edge at the bottom)

Amy

Pinny for a Dolly - able to be knitted in a similar style to each of The March Sisters dresses

Beth, Jo and Meg

Vanilla Soaker - great over nappies (both MCN and sposies) to help prevent leaks. Sizes newborn through to XL

Looking Glass Longies - fabulous for 'whenever' wear, snuggly in bed, warm in winter, great for outdoors. You get the idea ;) Sizes NB through to XL

 

Tubey Hats - from premmie size upwards. Prices start around $20

Propeller Hats - from premmie size upwards. Prices start around $20

Daisy Clutch Bags - wee felted bags for children from $20

All Year Round Vest - can be worn as a summer top, under clothing as a singlet, or over a top as a vest. Sizes 0-3months through to 4-5 years

Cupcake Hat - a baby to child sized beanie with the option of adding knitted flowers

I love knitting little sets that go together too - nothing cuter than a child kitted out in matching hand knits. Here are a few sets that I've knit recently, but there are plenty of items that you can team together.
* a hat and longies
* shrug and skirty
* shrug and dress
* child pinafore and matching dolly sized dress
* vest and hat and longies
And a whole host of other combinations!

Can't find what you are looking for?Email me! I've got permission to knit a number of other items but haven't yet had the chance to knit them up. Email me and let me know what you are after and I can see if one of my unknitted items would fit the bill.

Prices
The prices in each post are only a guideline as it really depends upon the item selected and the yarn you'd like. I am able to knit with any yarn you'd like though the more special the yarn, obviously, the more expensive the item.

I can also knit with yarn you provide - though check with me as there are some yarns that would be unsuited to certain projects and the ply is important so email me if you'd like to supply yarn for a project.

I can email you a price list if you contact me - I do plan to post the full list here in the near future.