My Honey Cowl

I've seen many of these pop up throughout blog-land over the last year, and with each version I saw I wanted to make one for myself. Just look at these beautiful versions made by Amanda of Soulemama (purple, or brown colourways). And I just love the deep blue of Anna of Noodleheads version (in Thunderstorm colourway)

Yep, it's the The Madeline Tosh Honey Cowl! 

While visiting my not-so-local yarn store I bought their last skein of Rowan Colourscape Chunky in the Storm (#439) colourway. It's only 160m/100g, and as the Honey Cowl pattern asks for 206m, I also bought a skein of Lana Grossa Bingo in dark green (colour #124), which gives you about 80m/50g.

The pattern is simple enough to knit but not so straightforward that you get bored. Perfect combination to keep you busy while relaxing.

I cast on (160 stitches) back in early October and over the last months it's kept me company throughout car rides, airplane journeys and exploring Netflix ;)

I started with 2 rounds of Bingo, then switched to the Colourscape Chunky yarn. And I continued until that yarn ran out, switching back to Bingo for the last 10-12 rounds.

Finally, after 4 months on the needles (5mm, 80cm circular) it's finished, just in time for the first real days of frosty, icy mornings! The combination of lambswool and merino wool feels really nice against my face; I think I'm going to enjoy the crisp winter air with this snugly wrapped around my neck!

Another type of doll...

I promised myself that I would only start a new project, once I had finished one on my Work-in-Progress list. Well, my little man got his doll, after months of it sitting in my WIP box. So time to start a new project...

I bought this book for myself for Christmas. My sister-in-law had made a beautiful Princess doll for her daughter for Christmas, and so I wanted to give this style of doll-making a try. My experience with doll-making being limited, I found the instructions of Tante Hilde straightforward and clear. You should check out her blog and marvel over the amount of lovely dolls this woman has created...

With a clear deadline in mind (visiting friends whose daughter would be the recipient of the doll), I started tracing and cutting the fabric for this doll 5 days before we had to leave. Stuffing a doll isn't as boring when you're watching a hilarious comedian, so after two short evenings the doll was stuffed and ready to be given hair and a face. In one evening I had given her dark brown eyes, and a soft pink mouth. Her hair is two-toned, brown and cream, and gathered into two pigtails on either side of her head. She was given a batik-like torso, because I didn't have enough skin-coloured fabric for the entire doll ;)

I made her a plain khaki skirt, trimmed with orange-blossom bias tape. Now she was ready (or at least we had to leave to visit the friends whose daughter was getting this doll). Into the car she came with us as we travelled north, through Friesland and over the border into Germany, where she was well received by her new owner!

However an outfit isn't complete without a jacket and shoes, so upon my return I made her a little fleece cardigan, trimmed in the same bias as for the skirt, and completed the look with a pair of green felt shoes. 

And now there's a little package in its way to Germany. 

I've learnt that there's nothing like a clear deadline to get my creative bug rolling. Now, to instil that sense of deadline for other projects...

A Waldorf doll

About a year ago I really wanted to make a Waldorf-inspired doll for my then 1-year old son. I liked the idea of creating a look-a-like doll for him, and while I don't necessarily find all aspects of Waldorf style education appealing, I like the idea of using simple, natural materials/toys for development through play.  I found a supplier of doll-making kits in the Netherlands and I ordered this kit, which, with the blond hair shown on the kit, is basically my son in waldorf-doll format. Perfect!

The kit arrived and I got started straight away. The limbs, head, and body were made and then sat in my "work-in-progress" box for nearly a year (oh, I am so ashamed to admit that!) as other aspects of life took over (I'm this close to finishing my PhD thesis!). 

Well, my little Mister Man is still waiting for that doll! And given my crafting resolutions for this year it was first on the list to become a Finishing Object!

Then he got a cap of hair:

Using a crochet hook, I added locks of hair all over the cap, followed by a "stylish" hair cut. 

And he really came to life with the addition of two blue eyes, a little button nose, and a cheeky red grin.

Then, with the help of this book, I made a lumberjack type hoody (with Velcro along the front) and a pair of pleat-front trousers to dress this new boy. 

I'm so happy how he turned out. Here he is, enjoying the bit of sun we got in this cold winters day. Now to introduce him to my little man. 

Here's to the first item crossed off my In-Progress list! Yay!

Elizabeth

New Year, New Ideas

I'm the kind of person who has way too many Work-In-Progress's happening at any one time. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this "affliction". 

With the New Year having just begun, one of my "resolutions" is to finish at least one WIP before starting another. This may prove a little difficult at first as there are always new projects jumping around in my creative head. 

To help me have an overview of my tasks, I've made a list, complete with boxes to tick upon finishing. 

Here's hoping this blog helps me document my progression towards making the most of my crafting time. 

I'll be sharing my first WIP soon. Until then,

Elizabeth.