Pony Pattern Review

I bought this simplicity pattern a few months ago for the stuffed elephant on it.

My son has a best buddy named Stinky who is an elephant and apparently, according to my little guy, in desperate need of a brother. I was planning on making one for them for Christmas. Well, life got in the way. Then my oldest daughter's birthday rolled around and as luck would have it I was going to be out of town on her special day. Being a mom, I couldn't not leave something for her, but I was trying to stick to a tight budget I'd set for myself. I found all the supplies for the horse in my scrap box.

I'm not sure this would be a great pattern for someone who's never worked with a pattern before. BUT-If you have used patterns before, it's not too bad. I did go slow to eliminate any unnecessary seam ripping (which you know happened anyway). I changed two things, though.

1-Instead of faux fur for the mane and tail, I stitched on yarn hair. (I actually like it much better, but both ways are cute.)

2-I added some free-handed embroidery on the hind quarter. It turned out nothing like I imagined, but I like it anyway. :) This pattern has 3 different animals and I have 3 kids. Hmm...they all may be getting one for their birthdays this year!!

Countdown with Crafts: Oh the Coziness of Yarn

I have long loved the idea of making things with yarn. The idea of making something tangible and 3-dimensional with a string is fascinating to me. I've been crocheting for a long time now and with each project my skills increase. It's a lot of fun, too, for someone who loves to keep their hands busy.

Knitting is something that escapes me, though. Recently, a neighbor offered to teach the basics of knitting. While she helped me learn that it wasn't as hard as I was making it, I can see that I have many hours of practice before me.

Now, I come to our Countdown with Crafting item:

This week at Roberts Crafts (for locations click here) all knitting looms are 30% off.

A knitting loom is a form (circle, long oval, or otherwise) with notched pegs over the entire form. Below is the Knifty Knitter made by Provo Craft. It (or something comparable) is available at most craft stores. You can also find them online. I have this set, also by Provo Craft.Angie introduced me to loom knitting last Christmas. I loved the simplicity of it. The brief instructions are these: Tie the end of your yarn onto the starter peg, wind the yarn around each peg, back to front, until you return to the starter peg. Go around a second time with the same back to front wrapping. Using the hook (the purple item up there) lift the lower strand up and off the peg all the way around the loom. When you return to the starter peg, begin wrapping around again, but just do it once. Then you use the hook again. Repeat, repeat, repeat until you've actually made your own knitted cloth. If this sounds easy to you, it really is! If you aren't terribly handy with crafts, but would like to make something handmade (or like me, you like the look of knit, but are hopeless), then this is for you! I made my children these hats. Suavely modeled by my son is a hat I made for a boutique.

Although I crocheted the scarf around his neck, you can use the knitting loom to make thick, soft scarves.

You can make purses/bags, sweaters, socks and even afghans (with the right loom).

The web is full of ideas and actual instructions (for free!) on how to use the knitting looms to their best advantage.

I would also add that this is great for left-handed folks surrounded by right-handers that can't teach you to knit or crochet because they don't know how to show you the best way for you to use your hands.

What else is on sale this week? YARN!

Roberts Crafts has all yarn (and crochet hooks and knitting needles) at 30% off.

Michaels has Sugar & Cream cotton yarn 4/$5, Merino Wool skeins 2/$7, Loops and Threads Impeccable Yarn 2/$5 and Red Heart Baby Clouds 2/$7

Hobby Lobby has Yarn Bee Whirlygig yarn for $2.99 a skein

JoAnn fabric and craft stores also has good deals on yarn (online and in store)

I know I'll be making my youngest another hat this year. He's growing way too fast.

Have fun!

--C

p.s. If you don't have a Roberts Crafts in your area and you want to buy a knitting loom, don't forget about those 30-50% off coupons that so many craft stores have.