Uppercase Magazine

Twice now my work has appeared in the Canadian Uppercase Magazine, which I'm really rather proud of, being a big fan of them! I love the magazine's credo and the artists and work they give a platform. So thank you, Uppercase!

“Song for the asking” in issue 56:

“Ampersand” in issue 55 : 

Happy window

I often hang sayings and crafted things in the window, in the hope that it brings a little happiness and the odd hopeful message.

Here you can spot my embroidered bumblebee, my craftivists banner, a lovely very pink rainbow and some great sayings from Flow magazine, one of my favourites.

I wish all windows showed similar things: our daily walks would certainly be more interesting and it would give lots of conversation material!

Another dear woodland friend

And here is Robbie the robin, knit from a kit that came with the Christmas special 2013 of Let's Knit magazine.
These kits often contain acrylic yarns that feel horrible and aren't so great to work with. But sometimes the pattern is so cute, that I have found myself persuaded to knit it anyway. Besides, I have learned some great things by making these small objects. And that is why I feel attached to them, although nowadays I make more sustainable yarn choices.
The filling is sustainable though: all kinds of yarn and fabricscraps, so this is one heavy bird!

Susan B. Andersons lovely Butterfly

I'm a fan of the lovely, wonderful knitting patterns of Susan B. Anderson. This particular pattern can be found in the magazine "Making" No.2 and also here, on Ravelry.
Knitting a Susan B Anderson pattern is on my "20 for 20 list". So despite all the other unfinished projects demanding my attention, I decided to give priority to this one. Just because it is so cute!
The butterfly and cocoon are both worked seamlessly from the bottom up, picking up stitches for the wings and antennae after the body is knitted.
I used small amounts of Baa Ram Ewe Titus yarn (a wool and alpaca blend).
This wasn't a very easy make, but the pattern is clear enough and I loved the process of creating this sweet butterfly in its cosy cocoon.

Shall I fly this way...

...or that way?

 Cosy and warm!

A woodland friend

This little friend, Rusty the squirrel, I knit around 5 years ago. He's made from a kit that came with the magazine Let's Knit (issue 83). As often, the yarn in this kit was dreadful, but I like Rusty and his fluffy tail came out very nice! Also, by knitting him, I learned some new techniques.
And we had a lot of fun taking the pictures!
Perhaps I will knit this pattern again in a nicer rustic yarn. Not sure about what yarn (non-acrylic) to use for the tail though. Anyone any ideas?

Ferdinand

I have a soft spot for Ferdinand, perhaps because I wrestled a lot with the pattern from Mollie Makes issue 91. In the magazine the squirrel was made out of felt, which I think is more forgiving and easier to shape. I used fabric from a discarded T-shirt. The filling consists of yarn- and fabric scraps, not the most easily manageable stuff. So it took me a while to make Ferdinand looking sweet. In the end I got there more or less I think.
Ferdinand wears a lovely soft flannel cloak and also has a warm knitted hat, all custom-made.
He lives with me in his own hanging basket, knitted from very soft wool, where he sleeps and dreams of mountains of beech nuts!

dear Ferdinand

with his cloack and his hat      

                                                                say hi!

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Here he lives and dreams his dreams!

Please give bees a chance

I love bees, especially bumblebees. Every time I spot one of these flying teddybears, it makes me smile and I want to see what they are up to. But pollution makes it hard for them to survive and the global bumblebee population is declining. In my own small way I wanted to raise some awareness for this. Craftivism is my kind of thing, and since I recently discovered the joy of embroidery, that's what I did. With a model from Making Magazine, issue 2 as a guideline, I embroidered this bumblebee onto a piece of fabric, cut from an old pair of linen trousers. I’ve hung it in front of my window, hoping it will make just a tiny little bit of difference…