Spring Knitting

When I look back at my blog posts/books over the years, I notice that my knitting doesn't get featured often.  I think it's because the projects are completed over the course of weeks, often months and progress is slow.  However, much like my reading, I'm typically working on two "handy crafts" at any given time.  Usually one knitting and one quilting and slow and steady I have completed projects to gift to new babies or for Christmas presents.  In order to have presents ready and wrapped under the tree, I'm usually knitting/quilting year round.  Handmade gifts are not fast, but they are filled with love.

So - in this post I'm doing a round up for some of the things I've knit since Christmas.  First up, these ADORABLE bunnies.  They came up as a suggested post on Instagram (they know me!) and I'm now addicted to this little shop based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Back when I first started knitting, Joey bought me a knitted animal pattern book and I've used it for baby gifts since then (in fact, there is one of these posted further down in this post).  Most often patterns for animals like this are crochet which I never really picked up.  So, when I saw these adorable knit bunnies, I knew they'd be perfect for Hazel...who loves bunnies more than I can tell you....and for Easter.

They are small, no bigger than 8 inches tall, so they are a relatively quick knit.  I got one done and quickly moved to the second (blue) in hopes that I could finish them in time to gift for Easter.  I made it with just a few days to spare!

The blue bunny turned out a little bigger than the pink because I used some cheaper yarn from Joann's instead of the nice yarn that the kit came with.  Lesson learned...won't make that choice again!  I was much happier with the finished product of the pink bunny....and the yarn for the blue was a pain to work with.  

Up next, this strange alligator - if I'm honest, he's not my favorite pattern from the book.  But, over the last 10 years now I've worked through all the super cute ones and it was time to try something new.  He turned out much bitter than I expected!  I bet he's 18 inches from nose to tail and while I see mistakes when I look at him, I have a feeling some future baby boy will love this guy.  He's been added to my "to gift" pile and is just waiting on a new baby to love him.  

Lastly - it looks like I've got a little crafter in the making!  Abby got this cute first sewing project kit from Grandpa one weekend when she and Hazel had a sleepover with him.  It was the prefect size for a first project.  Small enough to complete easily within a few sittings but soft and fuzzy enough to be loved once it was finished.  Abby actually ended up gifting this project to Hazel which made this Momma very proud.

Working together through this she learned some valuable lessons.  Knotting, threading and probably most important, what to do when you make a mistake and have to go backwards.  There was more than one mistake and maybe even a few tears of frustration but it was a good experience and she's onto making her third sewing project as we speak.