My Creative Space

In my creative space this week I finished knitting my first attempt at pattern design. It's not perfect by any means but a nice start I think.


This wee knitted dress features a rib bodice for lots of room for growth, the idea is that it might fit for two or more seasons. The contrast edges and waist band is done in reverse stockinette to create a nice roll effect. With a dramatic ruffle on the skirt it creates a sense of fun.


The yarn I used was about 250gm Shepherd merino 8ply in chocolate, and 75gm Shepherd baby merino 4ply in pink, held double.
The pattern is still in notebook scribble stage but I think I will have something sorted soon. Hopefully I might even get some help with pattern testing from the amazing testers on ravelry, if anyone is interested.


I am not sure of a name for this pattern any ideas?

A couple of handmade gifts

Here is a few gifts I have made lately and actually remembered
to take photos of before wrapping. Above is a size 3-6mth merino bomber hat in charcoal grey and dusky pink. I can't wait to see if it fits ok.

And above is a pair of merino pants I refashioned out of the sleeves of a wrap top. I used a piece of elastic and attached cotton tape to the end, this is trial to improve waist bands, I think this might be the answer. Hopefully they will last awhile with this style of waistband, babies grow so fast. Normally I wouldn't have a 'V" section in the front as well the back but I was a bit distracted at the cutting out stage. Oh well I think it still turned out ok.

Away

We got away for a much needed break a couple of weekends ago. To Rotorua, it was cold and wet the whole time, but it was bliss to just relax and spend some time together. As you can see Tessa really enjoyed it, especially chasing mummy with the camera. We got a room with a spa bath mmm it was great soaking and Tessa had great fun splashing us.

I got to go to some yarn shops and spotlight, which we don't have here. It was great I spent far to much but it was so much fun. I was like a kid in a candy shop, heaven.
I even splashed out and bought some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK to knit Tessa a cardi design that has been rattling around in my head. The yarn is so soft I can't wait to cast on, I must hurry up finish some of what I have on the needles at the moment

My Creative Space

Introducing my new design, Merino Wool Bomber Hats.



A sweet soft Bomber hat to keep your gorgeous one warm, made from soft New Zealand merino and lined in a contrasting colour. An affordable option giving you two hats for the price of one.

I developed these hats after the frustration of our daughter getting cold ears and I loved the cute knitted hats in this style. So I trialed a merino fabric version with great success we got eight orders in the first week.
These sweet hats seem to stay on longer than other beanie styles, this is maybe because they are not quite as tight fitting.

With twelve colours to choose from, you are sure to find a colour combination that matches most of your babies clothes.
Current colours stocked include Cream, Charcoal grey, Spinach green, Ruby red, Dark chocolate, Dusky pink, Turquiose, Olive Green, Berry pink, Navy blue, light pink and sky blue.

Five sizes are available including
Newborn
3-6m
6-9m
9-12m
12m+

A unique gift for new babies or any babies in your life

I am currently developing larger sizes and welcome any interest.
Custom orders are always welcome.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions at tiny.lovelyathotmail.com

Made to order for just $19

These boots are made for walking

Our gorgeous girl learnt to walk last week, we are so proud of her. She is still a bit wobbly but getting more steady by the day. She is quite pleased herself, and loves all the praise.

Congratulations Honey you are so clever and special.

She is wearing my first knitted FO (finished object) of the year, I know terrible but I seem to be easily distracted hence the six or so WIPs (work in progress) on the go.

Anyway the pattern I used is Tikki’s well written Eden’s Adam.

It can be knitted up in 4ply, 8ply and 10ply cotton or wool yarns. With an amazing 14 different sizes NB up to child size 10.

Tessa’s version above I knitted size 18m with my first try of hand dying which I was quite pleased with. And Shepherd baby wool 4ply in a coordinating lime green. I knitted the ruffle by increasing kfb of each stitch and carried on in a lace pattern which I think was lost in the multicoloured yarn, also it have sit better if I had knitted the ruffle twice as long. Oh well we live and learn, next time I will know. It was my second time using circular needles and I am hooked it seems so much faster and smoother than straights.

A belated birthday post

Our sweet tiny lovely Tessa turned one this month, so hard to believe it's already been a year. She has grown so much and her amazing cheeky personality has really blossomed, I think she will keep us on our toes as she grows up.
Here she is in her new trolley that her clever aunty and uncle made. What a brilliant job they did, worth the late night as it was her favorite present by far. She has already learnt how to turn corners and back up when she hits the wall. She is so close to walking and has taken a few steps already.


The owl birthday cake I made her, carrot cake with too runny cream cheese icing. Oh well there will be many more birthdays for me to practice and perfect it. She has an owl soft toy that she loves to cuddle and squish up to, so I thought that would be a simple idea for her cake.


Tessa opening presents with mummy's assistance. She didn't really get into it as she was so tired the poor wee thing (shh Tessa you could try have longer day sleeps, just bit longer). Next year I bet she will tear into the presents without any help at all. Thanks to everyone for the lovely presents she has been enjoying them. She seems to be getting a nice collection of peter rabbit toys and books the lucky thing.

We look forward to another amazing year with you our tiny lovely Tessa.

Eastwoodhill

A couple of friends and their gorgeous little boys spent the day with us at Eastwoodhill arboretum for their easter centennial celebrations. It was a lovely day and we had a picnic lunch. The arboretum was beautiful but I got a little distracted with taking photos of our darlings. Hopefully we will being going again in a couple weeks and I will take some photos of the amazing trees, especially now the stunning autumn colours have fully developed.

Here is Tessa contemplating her empty marmite sandwich container wonder where they all disappeared to. I made hot cross buns for the first time, which everyone enjoyed. One of the other lovely mums bought the most gorgeous scrummy homemade jam to go with them. Peach and Vanilla pod, honestly this is the best jam I have ever tasted, it was like summer captured in a jar. I must get the recipe, hopefully I will be allowed to share it with you.



They are very good at 'sharing', which is good except for all the colds getting passed around. Oh well I guess it is immune system building, as long as the colds aren't too nasty.