Posts tagged characters
Bunny Boo-Boo Pincushion
Sep 30th
Ok ok, I know this is a little bit twisted, but I just think this is super cute. It kind of reminds me of the bunny suicides cartoons. Anyway here is my newly knitted pincushion. Bunny had a boo-boo.
LEGS:
Step 1: Using 3.00mm needles, cast on 3 stitches.
Step 2: Knit 4 rows.
Step 3: Break off yarn leaving tail 10cms long, push piece to end of needle.
Step 4: Repeat for second leg casting stitches onto needle holding first leg. You will now have two legs on one needle!
BODY:
Step 5: Next row, knit 3 stitches of 2nd leg, swap left and right hand needles, cast on 6 stitches to left needle, swap left and right hand needles, then knit 3 stitches of the first leg. 12 stitches.
Step 6: Knit 20 rows.
Step 7: Next row, knit 2 together, knit to last 2 stitches, knit 2 together. 10 stitches.
Step 8: Knit 1 row.
Step 9: Repeat step 7 twice. 6 stitches.
Step 10: Cast off remaining stitches.
Step 11: Repeat steps 1-10 for second body piece, leaving a tail about 40 cms long (used to stitch the body pieces together).
Step 12: Place body pieces back to back (with good sides facing outward).
Step 13: Using overcasting stitch, join the edges of the two body pieces together, leaving a small opening at the end for stuffing.
Step 14: Stuff the body with polyester wadding and stitch closed. Do not stuff the legs.
Step 15: Massage the stuffing to make it even.
ARMS
Step 16: Using 3.00mm needles, cast on 3 stitches.
Step 17: Knit 12 rows.
Step 18: Cast off, leaving a tail 20cm long for stitching.
Step 19: Sew cast on edge to side of body, two thirds of the way down.
Step 20: Fold arm in half underneath and sew edges together.
Step 21: Repeat steps 16-20 for second arm.
EARS
Step 22: Using 3.00mm needles, cast on 4 stitches, leaving a tail 20cms long for stitching.
Step 23: Knit 12 rows.
Step 24: Next row, knit together twice. 2 stitches.
Step 25: Cast off.
Step 26: Repeat steps 22-25 for second ear.
Step 27: Stitch the bottom of each ear closed and attach to the top of the body.
There you go! It’s fairly easy to make and you could probably throw together about 3 of these in an afternoon. The original knitted bunny pattern comes from a book by Jake Henzler called ‘Little & Friends’. Enjoy!
Knitted Tofu Character
May 30th
Ever wanted to find a good use for all those knitted sample squares you use to practice on? Here’s a great little tutorial from Bittersweet that is great for beginners to try out their new stocking stitch skills. And really… how could you not find the idea of knitting a tofu character unavoidably amusing??
All you need to do is knit the 2 square sides of the tofu character, then knit the front and back sections as one piece. Embroider any details, stitch together leaving an opening, stuff with a block of foam, then stitch up the remaining hole. For the full tutorial and knitting pattern please visit Bittersweet.
Use the finished product as a pin cushion, a cat toy, an ultra light paper weight, or just an amusing decoration.
Sketch your Own Softie
May 15th
There were many great things at the Finders Keepers Markets last week, and perhaps eventually I might blog about the ones that stood out to me. But one things that slightly disappointed me were how similar most of the creations were to eachother.
One area where imaginations can and should run riot is with the creation of softies which is why I love this tutorial from Handmade Romance, based in Melbourne. Her blog documents the process of creating softies from original hand sketches, including creating the patterns, embroidering the features and sewing it all together. I also saw this tutorial on Craftershock for the first time, and glad I did. I hope it inspires you to create something unique! The full documented process is available here.
PART 1: Sketch out characters – the more unique the better! Pick the best and draw these characters to finished size. Trace over each pattern piece using tracing paper.
PART 2: Choose fabric for each pattern piece. Pin tracing paper pattern on to the material chosen. If you have not allowed extra room for seams at the pattern drawing stage, then remember to do so here where necessary! Then snip snip snip!
PART 3: If your softie needs any hand embroidery, then do it now. Place tracing paper of the features on top of the fabric and embroider through both. Tear away the tracing paper. Stitch on other extra details such as patches, mustache, hair, etc.
PART 4: All piece should now be ready for the sewing machine. Lay out all the pieces and figure out the best sequence to stitch everything together, depending on your design. Generally try to start with the smaller pieces or limbs (remember to sew pieces together inside-out!), sew these into the body piece inside-out, stuffing as you go as necessary. Leave a hole in the main body area, stuff and then hand-sew the hole. Hey presto!
