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Search Results for: knitting

The Craft Circle

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I heard about The Craft Circle from another doll maker recently and was naturally very keen to check it out. The shop is run by Juliette and is situated in Kingsville. She has all sorts of natural materials (the fleece selection is to die for!) for doll making, felting and knitting as well as hand made items.  She is a really lovely person to talk to and I was very impressed when she pulled out a mat and basket full of hand made toys for my daughter to play with while I browsed all the lovelies. If you’re in the western suburbs of Melbourne it’s well worth a visit, Juliette is happy to order in anything she doesn’t have in stock.

Old treasures

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This cardigan was knitted by an elderly lady I used to care for in a nursing home. She was born with an intellectual disability and was deaf. She was abandoned by her parents at a young age and raised in a home run by some religious sisters. She always had a knitting project on the go and could follow any pattern. All of her knitting was given to friends or charity.


Look at that beautiful trim! God bless you Bernie, you are a treasure.

Having worked in aged and disability care I have seen so many souls languishing, living day to day and waiting to die. Many of these people have knowledge and skills that can’t be measured but are not given the opportunity to use. Lets not forget the value of each individual, whatever their stage of life.

The dream

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When I was 13 I had a dream that I would grow up to marry a famous rock star, in fact, in this little fantasy land I was a famous singer too. I could hold my imaginary audience captivated for hours. I can see you smiling, I know I’m not the only one who had that hope! 20 years and a family later I am happily married, and although he may not be famous, he is a star to me and the children.
So, what now?
I still have many dreams but this time around they’re a little more realistic and some may even be achievable.
I dream of living in the country in a big old house with rambling and productive gardens. (There is no drought in my dream!)
I dream of knitting needles and embroidery before a quietly crackling wood stove.
I dream of running a successful design and craft business from home and being able to share my skills with others.
I dream of land where the children can run in freedom and safety.
I dream of many animals, vegetable gardens and quiet, simple and happily productive living.

Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? Well, who says dreams can’t come true – I live in hope.

Thanks for reading.

P.S. Last week for the giveaway, it ends on Saturday. I’m so excited to see so many entrants, my brain is buzzing with ideas for a Christmas giveaway now.

Getting ready for a little one

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I finished knitting up this little hat for the impending arrival lastnight, it turned out beautifully and increased my knitting confidence substantially. Its supposed to be in gender neutral colours, as we don’t know the sex of the baby, but I think it looks a little boyish. We shall see….

Today I got a parcel of exciting fabric from the Crafty Mamas Shop.
I’ll be making pants and a top for one of the girls (the tomboy!) so I have another weekend project to add to the list.

The giveaway is still on, but not for long!

I love Autumn!

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The little african violets that frazzle and seemingly die over summer have once again returned with their lush growth and vibrant purple flowers. I’ve spent the morning outdoors raking up the chookyard and laying down fresh straw. We had rain (hooray!) yesterday and lastnight, so the garden is a welcome sight this morning. I had to tell the boy to leave his bookwork and come out into the sun before it disappeared. He willingly obliged and is still out there now. Husband will be pleased to see a wheelbarrow load of compost fodder when he gets home from work.

This striped lily is so pretty, I’m not sure what its called.
Yesterday I finally got around to visiting Stitchery Blue in Williamstown – wow, what a beautiful shop! I think the owner and I share the same taste, I just wanted to buy everything. I was very restrained however, and bought a pattern for some baby/children’s hats and a couple of balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I can honestly say I have never used a finer yarn, I feel like knitting just so I can touch it!
Although the shop is pricey, the staff were very friendly and helpful, it has a great, bustling atmosphere and there was a steady stream of customers. I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the area.

“So little to do, so much time..

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wait – reverse that!” The famous words of Willy Wonka. A coin purse kit from Nicole Mallalieu Design .
Their customer service is excellent, by the way.


Lovely wool parcel from Stokesay.
I couldn’t believe how quickly these came in the mail.

I’m also working on 2 dolls and clothes, a quilt for one of the girls, still tweaking that embroidery and knitting some bears. Wish me luck!

Time to pick up old threads

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My doll sales at Etsy have steeply declined; that is to say, I haven’t had a sale in weeks. Its been getting me down quite a bit as I feel the dolls I’m making now are the best I’ve ever done and I really don’t want to lower my prices as they are already low. Some other dollmakers seem to be booming.

Anyhow… in my mopey state I decided to refocus. I hadn’t embroidered for some time so I picked up the needle and hoop again. I went through all my designs (of which there are plenty that are still just on paper) and I picked out Mr. Brown. Poor Mr Brown has been flat shades of grey for so long I simply had to do something about it. This is a sneak peek and I must say I’m loving stitching all over again.
I’m also knitting possibly the smallest thing I’ve ever knitted for this project.
Must put in a reminder for the GIVEAWAY!

How to make a knitted pouch doll

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These are rough instructions, if you can knit you should be fine.
You will need:
small square of tricot

small square of lining

crochet cotton or string

clean carded wool

embroidery thread

1 50g ball of yarn

1. Make the head first. I will not give instructions for this here as there are some really good photo tutorials here and here. I also highly recomment the book “Making Waldorf Dolls” by Maricristin Sealey, it is an excellent resource for dollmakers. For this project you will want a small head, about the size of a golf ball or slightly larger. Leave a little fabric and wool beneath the neck of the head so that when you sew the head to the body it is firm, not floppy.

2. Embroider in the doll’s facial features by taking the needle in through the back of the head and out the front. The back of the head will be covered so the thread showing doesn’t matter.

3. Now knit a square measuring approximately 7 inches x 7 inches. You can knit in garter or stockinette stitch, whatever you prefer. I use 8 ply yarn on 3 & 3/4 sized needles. You want a tight knit to prevent your stuffing from poking through. Knit another square identical to the first. Join them together on 3 sides, right sides together, then turn right side out. Leave the top edge open for now. Stuff your pouch with carded wool, not too much or your doll will be very fat!
Insert the head into the top opening and pin in place. Sew up either side of the head firmly. Then, sew around the neck, joining it to the body with matching cotton thread. Sew around twice and check that the head will stay in firmly.

4. Knit a little pixie hat for your doll. Cast on 30 – 40 stitches (depending on the size of head). Knit 2 rows of rib stitch (knit 1, purl 1, repeat to end of row). Then knit in garter or stockinette until the hat will reach the top of the doll’s head. Then start to decrease gradually so that you end up with about 5 stitches left on the needle. Cast off. Join, right sides together so the top of the hat meets in a little point. Turn right side out and fit onto head. Sew on firmly with cotton thread.

5. You can leave the doll as is, or, to give the illusion of little wing – like arms run a gathering stitch with yarn from one side of the body and right around. Pull until you have the right tension.

6. Give the doll to a toddler and watch their face light up!
Note: I’m no expert at knitting, being self taught. If these instructions don’t make sense or you need clarification please let me know so I can improve my online teaching skills!

Knitted pouch doll

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What a blurry photo! I just finished this little doll tonight, she is so cute! She is a pouch doll with a knitted body and hat. I used some beautiful organic Victorian wool for the knitting, it is so good to use. I’m giving her to 18 month old daughter (no hair, so she can’t pull it all out!)