laughing purple goldfish designs

~ quirky and unexpected ~

Saturday, August 2, 2008

charlotte and buttons

Thought I'd share a couple of other Jean Greenhowe toys with you. I made this pair years ago, working from Jean's Traditional Favourites book.

Meet Buttons the Clown and Charlotte the Sailor Girl...

Posted by laughing purple goldfish at 10:27 PM

Labels: baby, knitted, toy

3 comments:

Sue said...: I love those toys. Yours look so good. My partner's grandmother used to knit those for Christmas gifts and would always tell us how hard they were to make. The hardest one was the bagpiper and she now keeps him on her mantelpiece as a reminder of all the others she knit too.; August 4, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Jodie said...: I love these toys!!! I've been meaning to make some for my little girl but have put that project in the too hard basket for the moment... Yours look great!!

Jodie :); August 4, 2008 at 10:58 AM
laughing purple goldfish said...: thanks girls...

they are fiddly, but not hard... the patterns are so clear to work from; August 4, 2008 at 3:06 PM

The Face Behind the Goldfish.

Hello... I'm Sharon

I’m the scatter brain behind this blog and the Ravelry Group.

I’m an Aussie mum of four, with more ideas dancing around in my head than I will ever be able to bring to life…

I love all things quirky and unexpected. Throw in some experimenting and recycling, bend a few rules… and I’m in heaven!

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Calypso the Kooky Owl - Crochet Pattern

download FREE pattern here
This adorable crochet owl works up in no time, using three strands of yarn held together as one, and a large hook. The pattern is written for four different sizes of owl: mini – 10 cm (4 in), small – 14 cm (5 ½ in), medium – 18 cm (7 in) and large – 22 cm (8 ¾ in) tall. Everyone loves owls. They’re perfect gifts for a New Arrival, Child’s Birthday, or even a Graduation Gift.

Freeform Hat - Crochet Pattern

It seems a little peculiar to have written a freeform pattern. After all, the whole basis of freeform is that you are not following a pattern or trying to reproduce the work of anyone else - but are creating your own unique piece.

So what I’ve done here is to encourage you to experiment. I’ve shared the instructions for making a hat like my sample one, but I’ve also include two pages of suggestions for other things you can try out to make your hat different. This PDF Crochet Pattern is available in 7 sizes, from Premie to Large Adult, for AU$4.50

Flotsam the Fascinating Seahorse

I find the seahorse to be a fascinating creature. From their horse-like head to their curly tail, they are unlike any other fish around. I especially love that the MALE seahorse carries and gives birth to the babies! Intriguing, yes? Toy measures 24 cm (9 ½ in) long. This PDF Crochet Pattern is available for AU$4.50

Finbar the 20 Pound Crochet Cat

He’s a giant hunk of cat – just waiting to be cuddled… And if you’re looking for something a little more delicate, try making him with a finer hook and sock yarn. Cat measures 56 cm (22 in) tall. This PDF Crochet Pattern is available for AU$4.50

Shelly the Colourful Sea Turtle - Pattern

This adorable sea turtle is the perfect size for little hands to cuddle. The colour work in the shell is a simple slip stitch pattern, which works up very quickly. Turtle measures 36 cm (14 in) long and 27 cm (10 ½ in) wide. This PDF Knitting Pattern is available for AU$4.50

Sizzle the Sausage Dog

This endearing crochet sausage dog works up in no time, using chunky yarn and a large hook. One day - I’d love to make one with a body so long that you can tie him in a knot… This toy measures 58 cm (23 in) long and 12 cm (4 ¾ in) tall, not including the height of the tail. This PDF Crochet Pattern is available for AU$4.50

Rupert the 20 Pound Cat - Pattern

This cuddly oversized cat is worked up using large needles and chunky yarn. He makes a wonderful playmate for big and little kids alike – or you could place a weight in the base and put him to use as a door stop. He sits 45cm tall - that’s a whopping 18 inches! This PDF Knitting Pattern is available for AU$4.50

Bucky the Stuffed Moose Head - Pattern

This stuffed moose head is not remotely realistic looking – and I’m quite okay with that… Instead it’s an example of faux taxidermy at its finest. Patchwork section of head measures 26 cm (10 ¼ in) tall. Total width, including antlers is 48 cm (19 in). This PDF Knitting Pattern is available for AU$4.50.

challenge mitts

download free pattern now
These mitts are worked in the round with no shaping. The shell pattern is stretchy and will accommodate the shape of your hand beautifully. All you need to do is remember to add your peek-a-boo hole for the thumb!

fishie the plastic bag keeper - pattern

What better way to store your plastic bags than inside this fancy fish? Stuff your grocery bags into his tail and watch his belly grow … remove them through his mouth and watch him shrink back down again. Length - 61 cm (24 in). Circumference - 38 cm (15 in). This PDF crochet pattern is available for AU $4.50.

fancy the frilled neck lizard - pattern

Australia is home to some of the most exquisite creatures on the face of the earth. And the sun-loving frilled neck lizard is no exception. Of course this little guy is way more cuddly than those found in the wild... Toy sits 22 cm (8 3/4 in) tall. This PDF crochet pattern is available for AU $4.50.

kiki the cutie kangaroo - pattern

With her oversized ears and classic granny square pouch, Kiki is the most adorable kangaroo you will ever lay eyes on. Make her in natural colours, or let your imagination run wild… Either way, she is sure to bring a smile to someone’s face! Toy sits 20 cm (8 in) tall... This PDF Crochet Pattern is available for AU$4.50.

flaming lamborghini bag - pattern

The Flaming Lamborghini bag is knitted in the round using a trio of vibrant colours, with flames dancing around the top… This PDF Knitting Pattern is available for AU$4.50

sally the sassy centauride - pattern

Lively, bold and full of spirit! Some might query their very existence, but the female centaur make up a kick ass breed of heroines, ready to rock the world. This PDF Crochet Pattern is available for AU$4.50.

polly the spotty-tailed platypus - pattern

The Spotty-Tailed Platypus is an endangered species, easily identified by their distinctive tail and external ears… Polly is the only known creature of her type in existence – but you can help with the breeding program, by making a Spotty-Tail Platypus of your very own! This PDF Crochet Pattern is available for AU$4.50

roweena the raggedy rascal of the sea - pattern

With her mop of raggedy hair and that crazy curlicue tail, Roweena makes for a truly unique mermaid. Before you even finish making your first doll - you'll be struck with inspiration for the next... and the next... and the next... This PDF Crochet Pattern is available for AU$4.50

Thirteen the Lucky Dragon - pattern

The dragon is believed by many to be a symbol of power, strength and good luck. Say hello to Thirteen, my friendly version of the legendary creature. With his impish ears and longing eyes, he will charm the socks right off you! This PDF knitting pattern is available for AU$4.50

True Blue the Quirky Koala - pattern

True Blue is an expression we use here to describe an Authentic Aussie… What better way to describe the Koala? And this Quirky little character really is BLUE… This PDF crochet pattern is available for AU$4.50

Matryoshka Doll - pattern

Matryoshka is foreign and exotic, yet homey and charming, all at the same time. With bold colours and intricate designs you can let your imagination run wild as you embellish this simple pattern. This PDF knitting pattern is available for AU$4.50

Callipo the Very Naughty Monkey - pattern

Callipo featured in a song I learned as a child. For the longest time, this little guy has been dancing around inside my head with his striped arms and legs… And now he’s finally here. This PDF Crochet Pattern is available for AU$4.50

Jerry Giraffe - pattern

I love that Jerry is Not Your Average Giraffe. His ears are way too big, he has an unusual snout, a startled expression - and don’t even get me started on those colors! This PDF Crochet Pattern is available for AU$4.50

Kokeshi Doll - pattern

This whimsical design is based on the Japanese kokeshi doll. Made from yarn, she is much softer than the original dolls - but shares the same irresistible charm. This PDF Knitting Pattern is available for AU$4.50

Chi-kore - pattern

Chi-Kore is a quirky creature from deep in the imagination. This PDF Crochet Pattern is available for AU$4.50

let me teach you to

recycle wire from an electrical cable
felt a jumper
recycle yarn from a jumper
wind a centre-pull ball of yarn
make tassels from yarn
make a twisted cord from yarn
make a ball of crazy yarn
cut fabric strips - 'no join' method
join fabric strips
sew a simple bag lining

my free knitting patterns

beaded wire bracelet
cushion cover
cushion cover
de-stressing cables - back washer
mary mary - gardening bag
one hour scarf (takes two hours)
scrap happy scarf
shades of blue - rag bag

my free crochet patterns

3-2-1 and you're done - curlicue scarf
accidental hat
adorable ruffles - hat
anyone for oranges - mesh shopping bag
beaded wire bracelet
cheerful rag bag
easy peasy crochet bag
it's just a triangle - shawl
little miss two - bag
one hour scarf
rag coasters
rainbow scarf
scrappy scarf and neck warmer
shabby hat
smiling platelets
suggestion square
the little green frog
the three dozen apple bag

my christmas decorations

doily snowflakes
rag wreath
rustic wreath
scrappy hearts

my handy crochet tips

blocking your work with needles
blocking your work with pins
joining rounds neatly
keeping edges straight - sc
keeping edges straight - dc

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