Snowy House Reindeer

  



  

This design was inspired by a wrapped ball I did a few years ago.  I was able to get just the right felt for a snowy effect.  I remembered to take a photo before sewing the reindeer together.  The edges are left clear, then embroider some more once the body is together.

Embroidery

I have been working on some Christmassy embroidery.  Hopefully I will finish is soon and I can show the whole piece.

Some New Wool

  

I had a wool delivery from Wool Days last week.  They are a small company who care about the environment and sustainability, most importantly they yarns are gorgeous.  I bought some wool last year, an 8ply grey.  This reindeer is knitted in the second last ball I have.  It is beautiful yarn to work with.  This time I bought the two 8plys here and some finer sock weight yarn in the undyed cream colour.

A Green Reindeer

  

The drawings for the reindeer I embroidered around the base of this reindeer made in hand-dyed wool felt are from craft club at my son's primary school many years ago.  I asked the children to draw some angels and reindeer.  I then stitched the drawings and make Christmas decorations to sell at the school fete.  I was looking through files and found the drawings.  Love kid's drawings.

Some Felt

Went for a drive to the felt shop yesterday.  Picked up some hand dyed felt.  The top two pieces are the same colour and I have a plan for those.  The bottom two are bonus.

Another Reindeer

I had a plan for this reindeer but it started and stopped and changed several times.  In the end I just did plain knitting.  It is fine wool on 3mm needles.  The body has quite a few stitches in it so he ended up a bit larger than the other reindeer, tummy wise.  And his ears are quite pointy.  I like how the reindeer aren't all the same, gives them lots of character.

Home to Roost

The birdies came home on Tuesday and are now perched on top of the computer with their new friend Jimmy the budgie.

New Books

Picked up two new books at Can Do Books on Tuesday.  Stephanie recommended the first one to help with getting back into sewing some clothes.  I have been struggling a little because patterns have changed since I used to sew.

A Little Sheepish

Finished the reindeer with the sheep around the base.  The sheep design comes from a pattern for a hat by Donna Smith, found on Ravalry.  There are five little sheep around the base.  Finished him yesterday at Amigurumi at Can Do Books.

Sheep

Knitting some sheep.

Paper Reindeer

These were made to sell at a craft stall at a school fete many years ago.  The body is a cone of cardstock and everything glued onto that.  I remembered them because their shape is not too dissimilar to the reindeer I am making now.

Reindeer Santas

You know, those friends that insist on dressing as Santa at every event.

Tool in the Kit

These pliers are for jewellery/beadwork making.  The two white bits are protective sections so you can squeeze things and not get ridges on the work.  They are really helpful when making wrapped wire things, such as antlers.  To make antlers I wrap wire a short way then fold it in half.  If the wire is fine I can do this with my fingers, but when it is thicker wire I need pliers.  These ones squish the wire without cutting the yarn.  I am on the hunt for a new pair as the protective pads are not smooth anymore.  They are more difficult to find than I thought.

Little Reindeer

These little fellows, two crocheted, one felt, are quite small, about 9cm to top of antlers.  I made them and then rejected them, I don't think they work.  I changed and started making the little ones with the shaped head.  I haven't completely rejected them, they aren't in the bin, they are on the shelf in the craft room.

Making a Group of Reindeer

I started making a group of four reindeer.  I find it easiest and quickest to make all four of each part as I go along.  Here are the bases and bodies.  Next the heads, antlers, ears and noses.

Reindeer and Snowmen

Finished.

Happy Birthday Piers

Today is my husband's birthday.  The tradition at his work is to take in morning tea on your birthday.  So I made biscuits.  The recipe is from Jamie Oliver's Comfort Food book, they are Devil's Double Choc Malt Cookies.  Not the prettiest of biscuit, but very tasty.

Reindeer and Snowmen

Finished the snowmen, but not the reindeer.

Reindeer and Snowmen

Having a play.

Sashiko Wrap

  



I was going to make the sashimi panel into a vest for this reindeer, but while I was playing around working out fit, this wrap appeared and seemed just right, very zen.

Panel Finished

  

This one has red thread woven in and out of the white stitches.

Another Sashiko Panel

  

Started another panel, a different one tor the first.  I also bought some linen to work on and it is much nicer than the denim.

Sashiko Reindeer

 

  

  

This reindeer is a bit of an experiment.  When Stephanie and I were talking about Sashiko at the weekend, we both said it would make a good reindeer, but how to reinforce the fabric so it would keep it's shape.  Stephanie had an idea and this is mine, he is felt backed.  I think his head is too small, when coming up with the pattern pieces everything seems fine, it is not until it is made up that you can really see the proportions.  I have started on another Sashiko panel and will use it in a different way.

Sashiko

  

My first panel of Sashiko is finished.  It is funny how it uses techniques you were taught not to do in embroidery:  it uses a very long thread (none of this hand to elbow length), a very large long needle, and you bunch the stitches up onto the needle before pulling through.
This pattern emerges from a simple running stitch on the grid, it forms because some rows are repeated, started at the same edge point, or alternated, starting at the first point in.  So simple, yet effective.

Learning Sashiko

  

Made a start.  I used some denim I had in the stash, but need to get a slightly heavier fabric I think.  It is good for leaning on, and I am not precious about it either.  Managed to work all my horizontals before going to bed.

New Book

The workshop went well yesterday at Can Do Books for the Christmas Window.  Picked up a Sashiko book I have been eyeing off for a while.  It will go with some of the supplies I bought at the craft fair.  Have a bit of a play with some stitchery.

Bit of Sewing

I have been watching The Great British Sewing Bee.  Gets me all inspired to make something.  Might be a little bit of shirt sewing this weekend.

Reindeer Workshop

  

Tomorrow is the first Sit&Stitch at Can Do Books for the Christmas Window.  It starts at 11am and finishes at 12.30pm.  Pop in and say hi, ask a question, or stay the whole time.  I will have the automatic knitters, the fast way to make a scarf, with me.
This little reindeer was a play with felt, crochet and a bit of stitchery.  I must have muddled up the templates because he appears to have very large ears, I'm sure he will grow into them.

Snowflake Reindeer

  

I showed the snowflake embroidery when I was sewing it, but not the finished reindeer.  He is quite tall and the red in his ears makes them look rather large.

Some Little Reindeer

Seven little reindeer.  I have to stop making them for a little while so I can work on a commission.

Etsy Shop Update

The reindeer patterns are now available in my Etsy shop MyLittleFeltHouses.  There are four patterns:  knitting, crochet, knitting with star design, and felt (sewn).  They are $12 AUD.  The patterns are for the basic model of reindeer, changing yarn, or colours, or adding different decorations, changes them a lot.