I need to finish crocheting the lion for my son, a dragon for a friend's daughter and a hat for same friend's son.  A pair of fingerless gloves for a friend and I thought I would make some of the small animals and fruit for the LETs if anyone is interested.

I also need to block and then lanolise a crocheted wrap to see if it will ctually do the job.  It looks huge because crochet isn't as stretchy as knitting, so I needed to make it bigger to fit around my son.  I also made a wool insert for a couple of swaddle bee wool wraps I bought that leak terribly… but I need to make the insert bigger so I'll add a an inch or so to the width and then relanolise and see if helps to stop the leaking.  I'd love to be able to use the swaddle bees because they are beautiful wraps..but sadly as soon as the nappy gets wet it starts to leak around inside of the legs.

I also picked up some beautiful yarn in a sale and plan to make myself a nice scarf and maybe a hat too.

Joxy.

the crocheted animals and fruit sound interesting I would def be interested

[quote author=Luciej link=topic=3929.msg42703#msg42703 date=1230849910]
Oooh, what gorgeous dolls!!  Might have to be something else to add to my list of makes (which reminds me, I bought several unfinished ones from a doll maker with the intention of finishing them off…..  I must dig them out).  The outfits are cute too.

Lovely site you posted - I recognise the hats from Living Crafts.

Please post photos of the playmat, I would love to see it as it progresses.  I love the idea of the knitted farmyard, especially when you get other people to join in but I worry I'd get bored knitting several of the same piece.

Lucie

Yes, the hats were in Living Crafts.  The idea to make the farmyard comes from there, but rather than just knitting it I wanted to make it a little more cross-discipline (that seems not quite the right word, makes me sound like I'm about to go off and do a pentathalon  ::) ) to keep my interest.

[quote author=darkstarbaby link=topic=3929.msg42702#msg42702 date=1230849770]
ahhh balaclava might be the answer! need to look for another pattern unless you can suggest one

I've got a basic pattern on my site, but it's more an explanation of the mechanics of making a balaclava for any head size, as it explains swatching and measuring, but there is a pattern for a balaclava on there too (which fits my son - so from around 2 - 3, although they have a habit of fitting larger - dd, 5, can also get them on, so it does depend so much on the child's actual head-size).

They're knitted in one piece, using short rows to turn over the head.  Then the front under neck is sewn together and you pick up and rib stitches around the face.  They are easy once you're familiar with short rows and I can make a simple one in a day.

I have also made more complicated ones, such as the cabled, bobbled one on the right (the bobbles near drove me batty!)

[center]http://www.ninnynoodlenoo.com/blog/images/knitting/greenbalaclava.jpg  http://www.ninnynoodlenoo.com/blog/images/knitting/pinkbalaclava.jpg[/center]

I did a search after I'd posted and your site came up lol
I can knit but I need a pattern to follow or it's likely to go horribly wrong lol I need it to fit a 10 month old I'll have to see what I can work out, failing that I was goign to go for an ear flappy thing with an i-cord between the flaps to tie on

I am making a story  ;D and a poem  ::)

I am also at the beginning of a large painting - i.e. I have painted the entire canvas black and that's it at the moment LOL

Can't join in with the crafty stuff, but can with writing and painting  ;D

B
xx

Ninnynoodlenoo, you are soooooo talented!! If I'd made those balaclavas, I'd be so bloomin pleased with myself!!  I'd love a pattern to follow as I too have the problem of a little baby who loved pulling hats off!!   ::)  The balaclavas really are beautiful and the dolly clothes too and the crocheted sling, really lovely things.  Have you ever thought about teaching others how to do these things?

[quote author=leikima link=topic=3929.msg42744#msg42744 date=1230893736]
I am making a story  ;D and a poem  ::)

I am also at the beginning of a large painting - i.e. I have painted the entire canvas black and that's it at the moment LOL

Can't join in with the crafty stuff, but can with writing and painting  ;D

B
xx

Your still being creative B ;D

Indeed incredibly inspiring all of you! I am now thinking, who do I know that needs a little balaclava, like I've nothing else to do! 

So on the needles arethe beginnings of a little snowman, will also offer these on lets, for season tables etc. DD2s mittens are showing holes, so will need to make new mittens soon, and then I think I'll make myself a jumper or top or something, and something for the girls and and and…. So many things to make, so little time! Nice to look forward to them

Essentially to make a balaclava you need to measure from just before and above the ear round to the other side (around the widest part of the head at the temples).  Then take some yarn and needles and knit a stocking stitch 'swatch' of about 10x10cm.  Measure how many stitches you have to around 2cm and then work out how many stitches you would need to fit the measurement you have taken of the head.

The on smaller needles than you have knitted the swatch with (e.g. if you knitted a swatch with 4.5mms you would need to cast on with 4mms) cast on the number of stitches you need plus around 20/22 more if you are using aran weight - you will need more than this if you are using a lighter weight of yarn.  You could measure across the base of the child's neck if you want a rough idea of how many extra to add, but remember ribbing is stretchy.

Then double rib for a few centimetres (as much as you like really to cover the child's neck).  Bind off one at the beginning of next two rows (these will be used in the seam allowance).  In aran weight for a child of 2/3 I ribbed 15 rows when doing one for the pattern - ideally I think there should be more.

Put 10 stitches (or divide the extra you added) at each end on holders and then swap to the needles you knitted the swatch with and start stocking stitch.  Continue until you reach the top of the child's head.

Then you need to start short rows.  Divide the number of stitches you have into 3 'panels'.  If the number you have isn't divisible by three, add the extra stitches to the central panel.

To short row you knit or purl across the first two 'panels', skpo or p2tog (depending on whether you're on the right or wrong side) and then turn, sl 1, knit/purl back along the central panel, either skpo or p2tog, then turn and do the same.  Essentially you are picking up a stitch from the outer 'panels' at each end of the row by skpo or p2tog.  As you do this the top of the balaclava will fold over.

Once you only have the central panel remaining you need to put these stitches on a holder and break the yarn.

Then sew the front ribbing together and then, using circulars or dpns, pick up stitches around the face, ribbing the stitches on holders.

I always end up frogging this back on first attempt *sigh*, I either pick up too little or too many, but as you're only ribbing a few rows this isn't any great hardship.  Rib in the round for a good few rows and then bind off.

You could try using the pattern on NNN http://ninnynoodlenoo.com/content.php?content_id=1019 as it may fit an 8month old - one way to do it would be to cast on the number of stitches stated in aran, rib a few rows and then using a measuring tape measure the ribbing and then measure the child.  That should give you an idea of whether or not it would be baggy and whether you might have to cut out a few stitches.

They don't take that long to knit up (good job really with small children running around and I rather lack patience, so am notoriously bad at finishing anything like adult size jumpers, etc.)

I'm rather useless at writing out patterns, I tend to make things from my head now, with the odd reference to a book for a lace or edging pattern - if you're only making small things this isn't so much of a problem, I wouldn't attempt a cardi or similar for me with the same gungho approach, but for little things like this (and dolly clothes) mistakes don't take too long to rectify.

If you're in the South Yorkshire area I'd be happy to offer a tea/coffee and some knitting support

You are truly inspiring! Sadly, I am too far away (south lincs), but I have bookmarked your blog and I hope to try the balaclava soon.  I'd love to be able to make up my own patterns like that, I'm still a novice, but maybe one day!  Many, many thanks!!  

Thank you!  ;D

I'm not too far from Gainsborough, I've had a stall at the lovely Christmas Fayre at the Old Hall there before (I'm right on the border of South Yorks here) but Lincs is a large county. 

Shame you're not closer - a friend of mine runs an online yarn shop http://www.ecoknits.co.uk/ and I know she's been considering a 'yarn evening' - basically a get-together with wine, some nibbles, some chat and a lot of knitting and crochet

With very limited sewing skills I managed to make Thomas a waldorf doll from the Maricristinson (sp?) book.  Once the head was done the rest was really easy, I really struggled with the hair though and I'm still not really happy with it but Thomas doesn't seem to mind.  Think I should have sewn each strand in on its own but I was too inpatient to finish him/her

I think the head is the most difficult part - that's the bit I've struggled with and I don't think I stuffed hard enough when I tried.

The technique I use for hair is to crochet or knit a 'cap' to fit the top of the head and then I latch hook hair into it.   This is pretty hardwearing for small children   I've only made one large doll, but I do make quite a few little dollshouse dolls.

Mieke has a nice hair tutorial on her blog: http://starrysheep.com/crafty/?cat=12

You can also use a piece of stuff like sheepskin rug (can't remember what it's called) which makes lovely hair, I can't remember the maker that I've seen that uses this though (Mieke would probably know), I should ask her really as the resultant dolls are really lovely.

There's a couple of Waldorf craft groups online.  The Waldorf Dolls group on Ravelry is wonderful (plus the opportunity to post up pictures).

I am so going to try that balaclava! its fab,also want to make bath melts, some wrist warmers, socks and a new peg bag with some lovely remenants i have. I have lots of things i would like to do as i dont have any fairs until may !

Oh yes and mil has given me her old (used twice  ::)) bread maker! so i plan to be a bit more creative in the kitchen!lol

Ketty x