stuff for the shop

I've had a busy day over here, and it's not because I'm avoiding going out in the nasty weather (rain in January is just wrong here). I'm feeling the pressure of the shop update deadline, and deadlines always help me get stuff done.

I finished one little toy that was commissioned ages ago, and I might share photos when I get some, because she is just too sweet. I finished another pin cushion, and made 4 little cloth bags for the book kits. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to get any toys made for the shop update. If I bust my butt, I might get two or three done in time. We'll see how much knitting I can get done over the next 7 days. I also want to sew some more bags just to sell on their own, but I'm thinking of making patchwork ones so they'll be a little different from what's in the kits.

All this means that the cow pattern might come out a little later than what I was thinking. I'm not very happy with my first attempt, and am feeling quite uninspired about the whole thing right now. I'm taking a little break from it, and hoping I will feel more like working on it once the shop update is done.

Valentine's is coming quickly too, isn't it? I'm not sure if I plan to do anything special for February. I already have a sweater pattern with a heart on it, so I doubt I will do something like that for the feature pattern. Who knows, maybe my creative juices will start flowing again, and I'll come up with a fantastic idea!

new year plans

First things first, the feature pattern for January will be a cardigan with tiny cables. I had lots of people ask about the cardi this wee cutie is wearing, so hopefully you will all enjoy knitting this for your little toys.

handsome Pete

Second, I plan on putting out a cow pattern. I'm still not quite sure how I'm making the spots, or what it will wear, but I should have it ready by mid-January. Any ideas on appropriate clothing for a cow? Too bad I already have overalls with the monkey... I'm contemplating giving it an udder, but that might be just a little too goofy ;)

There will also be a unicorn pattern to replace the reindeer. I need to order yarn to knit up the new pattern, so this might not be ready until the end of January. I really want to use some fun, sparkly eyelash yarn! So if you have a ball hanging around your stash, or see something pretty in a bargain bin, think unicorns! When this pattern comes out, I may also try putting together a tutorial. I know this pattern is complicated, with lots of seaming, but the finished toy is so awesome I would love for more people to try it out.

My wonderful hubby has also put together a new, non-holiday version of our pattern book. This should be available from my Lulu shop within a few days. I also hope to order some so I can offer them in my Etsy shop, and even put together a few more kits. I had so much fun with the first few, I want to try them again! Besides, it gives me an excuse to buy more vintage buttons from the local thrift store :)

I have a few more totally awesome pattern ideas for later in the year, but I think I will save the surprise until closer to when they will be ready.

sewing frenzy

I promised a bunch of ten bags to a friend for the end of August, and promptly became so busy I forgot about them. Thankfully, most of the crazy business is over for now, and I got all ten made today. I'm quite happy about some of the fabric combinations I came up with, and it was so satisfying to use bits of the lovely fabrics I bought from Purl Soho. I had an unexpected surprise when working on one of them - I found a scrap of fabric left-over from a skirt I made years ago is almost the identical print to one of the Purl Soho fabrics, just in slightly different colours. I guess my tastes haven't changed much over the years.

I hope to get pictures of the bags tomorrow, and will put up a link in case you're interested in seeing them. The bags will become part of sock knitting kits offered by Zen Yarn Garden. The last kits she made with my bags sold like hot cakes, so you'll have to keep your eyes open if you want one! The yarns she dyes are gorgeous too (she was kind enough to dye some merino/bamboo yarn just for me).

I have a crazy new idea for pin-cushions too, but need to locate an essential ingredient before attempting to make one. The idea was inspired by my sister, who has a habit of spilling her pins on the floor. I could use a couple new ones myself, so I don't mind wasting some materials on experimenting.

Being creative sometimes works against my good intentions, I find. I would love to get other projects done or make a bunch of toys for my shop, but new ideas pop out of my brain all the time, and I can't stop thinking about them until I make an attempt at creating whatever it is I imagined.