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Crafting on…

Until I started preparing this post I felt I hadn’t really achieved much this past week. Maybe it is just all the rain we have been having, it’s putting a bit of a dampener on my spirits! Normally I love the rain; the sound, smell and coziness it inspires (snuggling down to read a good book or having cuddles with the kids) but I think I am waterlogged.

Luckily, the sun came out from behind the clouds yesterday. And not so luckily, hives came out all over Master D’s skin. He is covered in them, poor chicken! They seem to be clearing with the help of some antihistamine thankfully.

So with all the rain (and now hives) we have been playing inside lots, and while the children play I’ve been making little St Patrick’s Day bags to pop some little treats in *smile* (inspired by this blog).

 Doing some needlework… I’m not sure what I will do with them yet, but I do enjoy making them…

And finishing off some whimsical doors. Husband of mine asked what I plan to do with all the doors ~ I think he is worried they will start taking over the place! But most of these ones have homes to go to already…

One of my next projects will be knitting up a farm!  I’m joining Carrie from Crafty Moms Share in a Knitted Farm Swap ~ would you like to join in?

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Sharing this post on ~ Crafting On at Frontier Dreams.

Happy crafting, Kelly

March 5, 2012 by

Knitted leprechauns {a tutorial}

Ah, wee little leprechauns (said of course in an Irish accent)! Do they look somewhat familiar? That’s because I’ve adapted the wonderful knitting pattern from Wee Folk Art’s basic gnome.
 
Here are the leprechaun modifications (for great instructions on each step check out Wee Folk Art!)

Legs
Leaving a long tail of wool, cast on 10 stitches in black ~ for his boots.
Knit 2 rows.
Change to green wool and knit 8 rows.
Don’t cast off, but do cut the wool.
Do the same thing for the second leg.

Body
Slide the legs together and knit across to join them, creating the body.
Knit 5 rows.
Using black wool knit 2 rows (for his belt ~ you could get fancy and use some yellow for a buckle too if you want).
Change back to green wool and knit 8 rows.

Head
Switch to white or cream wool and work in stockinette stitch (knit a row, purl a row) for 10 rows.
Don’t cast off – instead use a wool needle to draw the wool through the stitches (you will pull this tight to make the head later).

Hat
Cast on 24 stitches in green.
Knit for 8 rows.
Knit 2 together at the start and end of the next 3 odd rows.
Change to black wool and knit 2 together at each end.
Knit the even row also in black.
Switch back to green wool and knit 4 rows.
Again, instead of casting off, use a wool needle to draw the wool through the stitches so you can pull the hat closed later.

To make up the leprechaun follow the instructions on Wee Folk Art. 
 
Next add a red beard because what leprechaun would be complete without one! Use a wool needle to draw the wool through and tie off as you go. Trim to shape 🙂

So other than making wee little leprechauns, I’ve been reading Baking Bread with Children by Warren Lee Cohen.

I’m yet to try any of the recipes, but there are some great ones in there. And I love the stories and songs provided that you can use before, during or after bread making. I read one to Master D today before we made corn bread (more about that tomorrow), and it was great to set the bread baking mood.

Joining Ginny and the gang for another Yarn Along 🙂

Warmly, Kelly

February 29, 2012 by