A Wolf Skin Blanket...

Have you ever attempted to make something - and found that the end product didn't look at all like the picture you had in your head? I hope so, because it happens to me all the time!

It's not necessarily a bad thing actually. I mean you're the only one who knows how it was SUPPOSED to look... so no one else will be any the wiser.

Unless you tell them.

And I'm kind of confessing to you right now, that this one didn't come out as planned!

But I fell in love with him anyway.

In my mind, he looked more like a wolf (and less like a fox). Maybe a little fiercer. With a shorter, wider snout, I think...

But here's the thing:

I LOVE HIM JUST THE WAY HE IS.

He's cuddly and snuggly, and I love the simplicity of the garter stitch.

I especially love the fuzzy bits inside the ears...

He may not be the fierce wolf I was aiming for - but what child wants to snuggle something fierce?

 

 

Now, I've written the pattern for this blanket - and it's been fully tested.

So if you'd love to make your own wolf (or change the colours and make him a fox) then head on over here for all the pattern details, and the link to purchase the pattern.

Onarum Wrap

So you might remember that I run a Monthly Challenge over in my Ravelry Group. Each month I release a new pattern for the group to work on together. The pattern is FREE for that month only, and then the fully tested version is available for sale after that.

It works well for me, because I get lots of you testing my patterns for me. It means that the kinks are all ironed out before the pattern goes on sale. It also means that there are lots of completed projects up on Ravelry for everyone to be inspired by. Maybe people don't like the yarn I've used in the sample - well, they can peruse all the other projects to see how the pattern works in different yarns - the ones that you guys have used...

It works well for you guys, because you get a FREE pattern. Plus, it's always fun to work at the pattern at the same time as a bunch of others. You can encourage one another and bounce ideas around. You'll be inspired by what everyone else is working up, and receive wonderful feedback too.

The really cool part is that I choose my favourite finished item each month... and if you're the "winner" then you suggest what I should design for the next challenge. How FABULOUS is that? You tell me what to create!

This month I was asked to design a wrap using only one skein of yarn... I've used Murano from Bendigo Woollen Mills, and those long stretches of colour have really worked up a treat. Best of all, it only uses one ball of yarn - so there's hardly any ends to weave in when you're finishing off! Gotta love that...

If you like what you see here, and want to join in the Crochet Challenge this month - come on over to my Ravelry Group for more details.

It doesn't take long to make either... I emailed some patterns out earlier today, and one lady has ALREADY posted photos of her finished project. Juanita - you are a STAR!

And if you wouldn't wear a wrap, it works well as a scarf instead...

Maybe you know someone who'd love one for Christmas?

Instead of a Bathroom Owl...

First up, let me just say that none of these owls photographed today were made by me...


They are both based on my "Irsia the Bathroom Owl" pattern.

Remember I was saying that you don't HAVE to make the toilet lid cover... but instead use your imagination to turn it into something else.

This first one was made by Dawn - and I'm loving the blue orange combination of colours. I don't use them very often myself, mostly because I seem to forget how effectively they work together... but the blue background really allows the orange to go POP, and I love that. By Dawn's own admission, she doesn't always know what she's doing when it comes to colour choices - but she really got it SPOT ON with this one!

Dawn's owl isn't completely finished yet. I actually think it looks fabulous just the way it is, but don't tell her that - because I want to see what else she has up her sleeve.

Now it's only been a week since I sent out the pattern and we already have our first finished entry! How fast was that?

This one is created by Kathy...

I would never have dreamed to do this, but Kathy combined her painting skills with her yarn skills - and designed a canvas background for the owl to perch in. They complement one another beautifully... and you would certainly never think that the original pattern was for a toilet cover, would you?

Some people are working with strips of fabric to crochet their owls, and are planning to create floor rugs with them. I've heard whispers about a plan for a baby blanket... and maybe even a bag. I love watching these things evolve!

If you're starting to think that you might join in the challenge with us - head on back to my original post for all the information you'll need. We'd love you to join in the fun!

Winner Announced!

I've chosen a winner for the Bearskin Rug challenge...

My absolute favourite was this snowy white delight - made by Katt!

Now the Clever Katt gets to tell me what to design for the next knitting challenge - time to put the thinking cap on...

I did have a couple of other favourites though.

Like this Intellectual Soul, knitted by Col:

And this unfortunate one named Lucky... who came to his tragic end when struck by a motorbike, courtesy of Julie:

And my dear friend Leah, who insists she can't knit - came up with this delight, which she's aptly named "Pimp My Bear"

It never ceases to amaze me, how many DIFFERENT looking projects can be born from the SAME pattern. People are immensely creative!

Irsia the Bathroom Owl

I'll be completely honest with you here...

This challenge almost did my head in!

You know that I have these monthly challenges, right?

And whoever "wins" the challenge chooses what I should design next, right?

So I never quite know what I'll be asked to do...

Well, this month I was asked to design a TOILET LID COVER!

It turns out that these covers are actually popular in some parts of the world...

I sometimes forget that not everyone views things the same way as I do.

So I found it very, very hard to get my head around what I would do.

I would never dream of using one myself, and the last time I saw one in use here was back in the 1970s. But there are indeed places where people love and appreciate the covers. Especially in colder climates. And where people might use the closed toilet as a seat, for example while supervising young kids in the bath.

Meanwhile, I had two months to think about it - and even the day before the challenge was scheduled to start, I still hadn't made a thing!

Many, many times I though about tossing it all in - and declaring that another suggestion be made...

But that wouldn't really be in the spirit of these challenges, would it?

I knew that I had to rise to the occasion and create something special!

And so I did...

So - if you're loving the owl, but are put off by the toilet cover idea...

MAKE IT INTO SOMETHING DIFFERENT

How about a wall hanging, or a blanket, a handbag or a cushion?

Or maybe you will use it as a toilet cover?

The pattern gives specific written instructions for the owl itself, and then talks you through how to tailor the rest of the cover to the shape of your lid.

If you want to join in the fun, send me an email or join us here on Ravelry.

Almost ready...

The August Crochet Challenge is almost ready...

All will be revealed tomorrow!

July Challenge

Well.

It's the beginning of another month, and we all know what that means...

IT'S CHALLENGE TIME.

What do you think of this fabulous bear skin blankie???

It's a knitting challenge and the pattern will be FREE to those participating.

You need to make the rug and post photos before the end of the month. As always I will choose my favourite one, and then that person tells me what to design for the next knitting challenge.

Fuzzy measures 51 cm (20 in) in length and 36 cm (14 ¼ in) in width.

He is made using 150g of 10 ply/worsted weight yarn and a pair of 4.5 mm (US 7) needles.

Interested?

Send me a message with your email address…

And I look forward to seeing what you create!

Early Entries...

Pssst.

Have you signed up for the May Challenge yet?

The one where you get to make a felted bag, and then embellish it any way you fancy?

Want to check out the competition so far? We've had three completed entries already.

And they're all deliciously different.

Take a little look:

Juanita has incorporated the eyes into her bag - but it looks nothing like mine!

She's really glammed it up with thick eyelashes and luscious lips...

I know there's a couple of Little Girls in this house who would go nuts for a bag like this.



Patricia has made two bags already - what a Speedy Gonzales!

I love the dusty pink and burgundy combination. I had forgotten how nicely they work together...

And how nicely stripes blend into one another when felted.



Janie has gone all out with the artistic talent on this one...

Such a Clever Chook!

She has used her needle felting skills to work up a farm scene, complete with clouds, flowers, sheep and a pond. She's even looking for the perfect duck buttons, so they can "swim" in the pond...



Aren't they all Deliciously Different?

And all based on the same pattern...

Which is your favourite so far? And how would you embellish your own bag?

Remember, the untested pattern is available for FREE until the end of May 2013.

If you want to join in, come and see us here on Ravelry or email me directly.

May Challenge

Ready for a new challenge?

This month we're working on a Felted Crochet Bag...

I give you the instructions for making the bag - and then it's up to you to decorate it any way you fancy!

You could add a crochet trim and maybe some embroidery...

How about some beads and buttons?

Anyone own a BeDazzler? I always wanted one of them... Imagine the bling you could add!

Maybe you're a whizz at needle felting? Or you just want to give it a go?

This is your chance to play around and see where your imagination takes you...

So how about it?

Are you interested?

Email me for the pattern... or join us here on Ravelry.



This is the sketch given to me by Esther... the winner of our February Challenge.

She asked me to design a bag with a face... and hoped for a couple of different facial options..

But where is the face, you ask?

Here it is...



And here:



And here: 



And here:



The pattern includes instructions for making these faces...

Or you can jumble them up to create your own expressions...

Or ignore them completely - and let your own creativity run wild!

The challenge will run until the end of May 2013, and during this time the untested pattern is available for FREE.

Don't miss out.

As for me - I'm still thinking about how to decorate my bag...

Winner Announced!

Golly there were some gorgeous turtles created this month...

I have to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the challenge - testing my pattern and helping to iron out the kinks - your turtle are quite simply AH-MAY-ZING!







My favourite one was made by Julie.



In addition to the knitted turtle, Julie has designed and crocheted her own baby turtle... and eggs...



I love that the photos were taken on a bed of sand, too...

And best of all - Julie has given me a FABULOUS design idea for our next knitting challenge, which will be held in July 2013.



Now if you missed out on the challenge, but would like to make your own turtle... the good news is that the pattern is now available for sale.

Fully tested and professionally written - You'll find it so easy to make your own gorgeous turtle!

The PDF pattern is available for AU$4.50

You could buy it right now, and start working on it this very afternoon...

April Challenge.

Pssst.

Don't tell anyone...

But it's April already!

Yep, that's right...

APRIL!!!

Can you believe it?

I feel like an Old Duck saying this... but WHERE does the time go?

Meanwhile.

That's my baby in those photos.

She turns two in June.

Again I ask...

Where does the time go?

Well April is disappearing quickly, so if you want to join in the April Challenge - you'll need to be quick.

This month we're test knitting Shelly the Colourful Turtle.

I'm in love with the simple Slip Stitch pattern which make up the shell - easy but effective - gotta love that!

As always, the pattern is available for free to all testers/participants.

At the end of the month, I choose my favourite turtle.

The winner then tells me what to design for the next knitting challenge...

Interested?

Come and join the fun here on Ravelry or email me directly.

What are you waiting for???