A Head

 

I have been playing around with making a doll's head.  Looking at how Waldorf Dolls are constructed, I made the first part of the head int he same way.  But needlefelting wasn't working for me, so I switched to stitching cotton batting for the sculpting.  I also stretched and stitch the jersey knitted fabric over, but didn't like that.  This last stage is where I glued the knitted fabric.  It is interesting how much the features even out with the fabric on top.  I am not happy with this head, but it is a start in working out construction.

Scottish Mini Skeins

 

These lovely mini skeins arrived the other day from Scotland.  Hand dyed by Caz of @theweesewnsew.  I have been watching her videos on YouTube for quite awhile now.  She was showing her Rabbie Burns Collection of yarn colours and describing the inspiration and colour name of each.  Just had to order some, reminded me of my parents and childhood.  The colours are, from left to right:  Tall Dark & Handsome (first footing, the first person in your front door at the new year should be a tad, dark and handsome male bringing gifts), Auld Lang Syne (Robert Burns' New Year song), Dario Cream, Red Red Rose (another Robert Burns poem), and The Bells (ringing in the New Year, the bells ringing at midnight).  I don't have a plan for these lovely colours yet.

Knitted Reindeer

 

Finished the reindeer last night.  I wasn't entirely happy with him, thought the head was too small.  Then realised that I had forgotten to make the ears.  That's better, but the head is a little small.

Reindeer Base

 

Knitting some reindeer and after knitting the first base I decided to pin and steam block it.  Not something I have done before when making the reindeer.  The cardboard base is underneath as a guide for size.  It is off the ironing board and holding it's shape.  Whether it helps when putting the reindeer together, we shall see.

Strawberry Santa Gnomes

 

Finished the six gnomes, three small and three larger gnomes.   Onto the next part of the commission.

Strawberries

 

A bowl of strawberries, well six strawberries.  Now to get on and finish the gnomes.

Chimney Pot Repair

 

I made this doorstop for my son several years ago. Yesterday while cleaning his room he managed to pull of one of the chimney pots.  An easy fix.  I used stronger thread and secured all the others.  

Little Strawberries

 

Making little strawberries for the Strawberry Gnomes.  Four more to make.

Stitching Book

 

Ordered this book from Can Do Books and it arrived yesterday.  Full of lovely inspiration.  Expressive Stitches by Jan Dowson.  

Strawberry Gnomes

 

Finished the embroidery part of the gnome making.  Now onto finishing them.  There are three larger and three smaller gnomes.

Strawberry Gnomes

 

I have a commission to make some Strawberry Santa Gnomes.  It has been ages since I made one and it seems to be taking longer than I remember.

Inspiration

 

Things I have seen recently that I just had to photograph.  Water beading on a leaf, a moth wing and little Hoya flowers dropped to the ground.

Edge Knitting

 

It's been a slow start to the new year, craft wise. Seems like I am having a break.  I did manage to work a pattern repeat on this knitted edge I put aside in September to work on other things.