The SC&more n°337: traffic jams

Ange has given us a rather interesting and puzzling theme for this week's challenge: traffic jams.
Now, we were on holiday in France two weeks ago, a great time with the family and a looooong drive! BUT we never get into the traffic jams. Two perfectly good reasons: first we usually are driving towards the other directions, second we drive at night. Over 1000km by car with two children under 6yo and who have the tendency to be sick quickly, it is the safest option. It is tiring but Oh! so quiet! No "are we there yet" for 12 hours :)

Then I thought again, what would I do IF I were in traffic jams (as a passenger of course) and IF I could do something without getting sick (I am like my children, or rather they are like me?).

Here is my answer: Treasure Bags!

 

I still need to perfect my pattern (yarn was 50%cotton, 50% acrylic and I used a 4.5mm hook), but each bag took me about one hour of work and my children were over the moon. Even my little brother asked for one! The children always gather small things when we go around. So having a light small bag comes in handy. 

Now, that is also a bag which is great for the parents, it is an Intelligent Bag! 

If it goes through the holes: it is too small to go home!
It doesn't fit in the bag: it is too big to go home!

:)

  

On the next day the bags were tested the hard way. The children filled them with loads of stones. The bags did pass with high colours, but the shoulderstrap became a little elongated. I will see if it goes back to its previous shape after washing the bags.

So that's it, that's what I could be making if I were stuck in traffic jams. Take a look at the museum to see what the others came up with :)

And see you next week for the next challenge on Isabelle's blog. Have a lovely day.

Kitchen crochet

I love the Catania yarn from Schachenmayr. It is my favourite to make toys for children (mine and my friends'). I got several books for Christmas, one of them is full of patterns for the children's toy-kitchen. I started a muffin-form when my son went to Kindergarten in January, but I didn't go far, lacking time really... Then last weekend I took my crochet bag with me and decided to finish it. I made a four-muffin-form instead of a six one. My children's oven isn't that very big and I also do not intend on making too many muffins (four to eight will do).

The felt sweets I made several years ago fit quite nicely, so I might not even bother making cupcakes or muffins ;)

I like the colours, citrus fruits and bright summer-sky blue! The perfect baking-form for summer!

In addition I used a bit of left-over yarn to make lollipops. N. and T. love them!

 

15 and a half years...

 Fifteen and a half years, this is how long it took me to finally finish a knitted scarf. I never really took to knitting, but somehow this project was always there and I never even thought of unraveling it to use the yarn for something else. I still like the colours and they kind of fit with my current clothes. Yeah!

Basically I met a french lady a couple of months ago, we hit it off and she told me how much she likes knitting. 

 She gave me enough encouragement and motivation to actually finish it. I didn't have much left to do, neither did I have much yarn. So I completed the last pink part, cast off and crocheted the two ends together. 

 Instead of making a scarf, I made a loop. How about that?

 I am pleased with myself: my project is finished! I have the needles free again. And to be honest, I was so proud and happy that I started a new knitting project right away! It is currently on hold because I need more yarn, but when I am on it, it goes quite fast and the knitting is fairly even. I am using bamboo needles and find them very comfortable.

Let's see if I can finish this second loop before the end of the year, that'd be a tremendous improvement on the first one :)

Wishing you all a lovely day

Dragon Blanket

 Several months ago I discovered a great pattern thanks to Pinterest, from MJ's off the Hook the Dragon Blanket! It looked amazing and a friend of mine asked me to make one - child size. It did take me a little while because I was juggling many things at the same time, but the result was well worth it, despite a few small mistakes (things I'd do differently another time).

I used  yarn from Schachenmayr, the Big Bravo Color (Feuer). I just think it is gorgeous, those warm red colours with glimpses of yellow and purple.

I love it!

I will probably be making some mermaid blankets some time soon as well. I love how quickly they build up and how they look. My children are very keen on getting their own blankets ;)

The SC & more n°299 : Kawaii

 This week Nathalie wants us to "aaaaawwwww" her with sweet things. Her chosen them is "Kawaii" which apparently means "cute". I'll take her word for it :)

I am currently very busy preparing for two Christmas markets (on the 22nd of November and 5th of December) and I decided to try something new which I find super cute: Christmas tree decorations for the knitters.

I present you my mini-knitting kits! Aren't they really sweet? Totally "Kawaii" or not ?

For the Museum

Knitting needles: about 2,5 cm big!

 I like them so much that I hardly want to sell them. I am very much hoping a few will be left over, if not then I'll have to make a few more ;)

Let's see on Friday what Isabelle will ask us to make. I missed last week's Panda challenge, I hope I won't miss another one!

The SC & more n°295: First frosts

Ange asked us to make something to fend off the first frosts. When she published her post last week, I could not find any idea as it wasn't that cold yet, we still had about 16°C outside! Then suddenly over the weekend, winter came around and temperatures dropped to 0°C at night. My children did not need anything so I made something for their dolls.

Both T. and N. are happy about those new pieces of clothing, but N. wasn't too happy about the colours: there is NO PINK!

N.'s doll needs some warmer clothing, this summer dress is a little thin and short ;) but I don't know yet when I will have the time.

A picture for the Museum

Thanks Ange for this theme! And we will all meet again tomorrow for the next challenge on Isabelle's blog.

Pony frenzy!

 I finally get around to showing you what I worked on for several weeks. In the end I could hardly enjoy it, I finished four large ponies, but I still have three small ones waiting to be completed. I lacked time and motivation, so they will be finished for Christmas.

I had come across this pattern from Knit one Awesome via Pinterest and was determined to give it a try. 

 

 

 

Getting the eyes ready

 

Let's take a run!

The hard work was completely worth it though, the four girls who received those ponies were so happy!! The look on their faces when they discovered them was priceless!

So as I said, I'll be finishing three little ones for Christmas and I am also planning on making two more for my son who feels a little left behind without any pony.