Fast and easy gifts sort of in the last minute and shameless self promotion

I don't really have anything new and exiting to show, because most of the things I am working on at the moment are Christmas presents, even though we have bought loads there are still plenty to make... And making takes time, even something as simple as a knitted hat.



But I do have another finish here are the headbands I finished for two small boys (well, eleven and nine years old so rather big small boys). I made them simple since I didn't have much time and the boys really don't care that much for soft things. Both are the made the same way, except the darker one is a bit bigger.

Well, anyway, both boys get some money, a star wars rub-on tattoo and a reflective headband. 

When the pattern is simple I think it is important to use some yarn with a flair, and things that glow when the cars drive by so they see you is kind of nifty I think. And maybe the boys think it is kind of cool? I don't know, I have never been a ten-ish year old boy so I have no idea what they think is cool.


I also want to talk about packaging a bit. You know those leftover threads that are too small to really do anything with? I use them to wrap gifts in... And suddenly the two gifts are different.

I do sometimes buy real wrapping thread, but I do think it is somewhat wasteful so I try to buy the paper or twine ones rather than the plastic ones. But I think using up leftovers is nice.

*

How I made these super simple headbands? I can tell you, however remember that I am no knitting expert so these are super easy and don't really need a pattern, but hey, at least then I will know what I did if I have trouble remembering.
These are also so easy that a child can make their own ear warmers, but these boys are even less interested in crafting than wearing something handmade so it is better to make things for them.

I finished one during a movie this weekend so they are easy, fast and fun to do, if you ever need a quick present.

I used a 6mm needle and cast on 10 stitches for the small one and 13 stitches for the slightly bigger one, then I knitted ribbing back and forth for about 30 cm (or as big as the head that will receive the ear warmers) and cast off and sewed the ends together. (If you leave your ends a bit longer than needed you can use them to sew your headband together.) And Voila, a finish or two, in time for autumn and darker days.

Also, don't forget the competition over at gachastitches, you can win both the pattern and a pair of lovely crochet wrist warmers V for finurlig. And there is a free rabbit crochet square pattern up too.






Multe the rabbit is a free pattern, but we at gachastitches are in the process of making a baby blanket using several other bunnies. If you do want to make a bunny blanket using only Multe you can, but here we made a potholder using the pattern...

Multe is Norwegian for cloudberry.

Easter Crochet Patterns

I have been searching for Easter decorations that are not egg cozies (because we don't eat that many boiled eggs) or baskets in our house and I have had a hard time finding any.

 I did however find some gems I thought I would share with you (and me next year). 

Some patterns are just for fun, but some are useful and I did share a egg cozy or two too, because one is useful even if you only eat boiled egg once in Easter.

All patterns are free and the pictures are taken from the links.

Bunnybutt bySteenistugan

This pattern is really fun, it is in Swedish however, but I am sure with a little help from Google you could make this. I think I will make these, so many patterns so little time... 

(Just remember that bunnies don't have the pink on the bottom of their soles.)

Easter Bunny basket or doily by MammaNicole

Another favourite, I really need a bunny doily or two, maybe I should go buy some sweet dusty pink or light blue yarn for this, white is a classic but I would rather have them in colours, usually colours I don't have so I have to buy more stash;)
This pattern seems to just have a diagram.

The Green Dragonfly

 Bunnies are also very Easter-y and I love these little dudes, they seem easy and fun, since they don't look very natural you could go berserk with colours to make them really spring into spring-y-ness.

Crochet Egg Cozy Pattern by Kara

Here is the coolest egg cozy I saw, it looks really useful and decorative and fun but you better hurry up and eat your eggs or they will get cold with this particular pattern.

Easter Egg Coaster by Doni Speigle

I made these for my friend Evi for Christmas so I can recommend this pattern, it was easy and fun and I could use up some scraps. The white thread in-between is carried over so there is less yarn to sew in in the end which is always a good thing.

Amigurumi Hatching Easter Chicks by Toma Creations Blog

I remember in Kindergarten we made decorations like these with real egg shells and pom poms, mine is looking rather sorry now and I think it might be time for a crochet one, might last longer, but it needs shell on the top of the head as well, mine in kindergarten did.

EasterBunny Mug Cozy by Haak Maar Raak

If I didn't already have a yellow Easter bunny mug I would make this, although come to think of it, this could go as a everyday mug cozy too, I think I need this on my list after all.

Drops Chick bookmark

A bookmark, In Norway Easter is the season we eat eggs but also we read crime books, go cross country skiing in the mountains and have lots of oranges and chocolate so a bookmark is most useful.

Kvikk Lunsj blue by Herdagsmagi

This is the chocolate most Norwegians eat lots of in Easter, so I had to add a pattern of this hat, it is in Norwegian though but free, so just try and see if you can crochet it ^^

Henny Penny

My friend Tinkerbell and I had a teacher named Penny in high school and I remember we called her Henny Penny Filli Fenny.

I don't think she liked it much, but she never said anything.

This is useful, look, it is for bread and stuff, I eat bread more than I eat boiled eggs.

Drops Sunny Morning Doily

A doily is always useful, if I had proper yellow yarn I am sure I would make this, and a doily that is not so fragile looking were you don't use a tiny needle is more up my alley anyway. I love the look of the thin thread, I just don't have the patience or fingers for it.

Drops Sunny Side Up

Another useful kitchen item, this is not just for Easter, it is a fun pot holder, I do love fried eggs and I eat that a lot with bacon. Omnomnom.

Drops Kikiri-Key

 This little chick pretends he is all useful and all, but a Key fob just for Easter seems a bit excessive in my book, but you could always use him for something else, although nothing useful comes to mind. Mind you he could always just be decorative.

Chicken Vanes

 Another decorative chicken, but I am sure you could adapt this into another pot holder if you really want something useful.

Did you find anything you liked? Did your to-do list grow as much as mine did? Think you could finish all this easter?

Half past supper and a finish sort of Finnish and a start again

 Well I did finish the bunny blanket yesterday! And I only had a little of the middle pink yarn left! Yay me!

 (But there is still plenty hot pink left...)

So today I made a small border of single crochet all around and declared the blanket was finished!

The size is 103X63 cm so more than enough for either a baby or a lapghan.

I used this pattern and the yarn was a Finnish acrylic yarn I bought in Sweden about five years ago (so that is how long this poor blanket has been neglected) called Helen by Novita.

 (why I only find Finnish yarn in Sweden and Swedish yarn in Finland I have no idea, the grey yarn I thought was Finnish that I bought in Finland called Ville Viking is actually Norwegian but exclusively sold in Finland, very confusing I know...)

Valmin on the blanket for size comparison.

The blanket weighs 534 grams which means I can now buy 10 skeins of wool yarn for my kitties in a row afghan. 

I haven't stretched it or anything yet so I hope it turns a bit more symmetrical after that but honestly I am just happy I finished it.

And I remembered I could download the pattern onto my iPad and use that to finish so I didn't have to wait until M bought more ink for the printer which I feel a little ashamed I didn't think of sooner, hehe. *sweatdrop*

 But the bunny looks good, I am really loving this pattern, it is the yarn that irks me, I have to have the TV on quite high so I don't hear the yarn squeek whilst I am crocheting because that is so bothersome.  Now I remember why I hate acrylic yarn. Too bad I still have 13 skeins of it....

I know I used the grey to make a Stark Trek ship for M. So if I have any left when I am done I will perhaps make another...

You may ask when you are done with what? Aren't you done with the bunny blanket? Well, yes, I am, but I kinda started another and I hope to use up the rest of the acrylic yarn too. Oops, atleast until I can go to the shop and buy the yarn for that other blanket I started, which I am hoping means I can buy 23 skeins of yarn... *Drool... more yarn....*

Tada, I made another start

Bunnies are appalled by my lack of will power and bending of rules and whatnot. 

- Did you hear that Valmin, yesterday she said she would finish two things before starting one, but she clearly did not. Humans are so dumb. Why do we even keep them?

- They have the food dear.

- Right, where is my supper? It is clearly half past supper already!

Attende Desember

Today my mother came over for our annual baking day. Usually we do it at her place, but this year we did it here. With my decadent breakfast cake from mum I had my advent tea anti was green with ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, soursop and orange. 

My mug for this day was the one I made myself at my hen-do.

We made these two types, which coincidently is two of my favourite kinds of Christmas cookies. Mum forgot her cookbook so we had to find recipies online, which were unfamiliar so it took a while, but in the end they turned alright. They might very much not last 'til Christmas, but mum left her device to make more so I can make more if they mysteriously disappear...

  So now we have five kinds, I am not so sure we will make the last two kinds, there aren't that many types I am fond of, so what is the use of making something no one will eat?

Oh, and I am set for Christmas, I got this from my friend for my birthday, it is a lovely dress, that actually fitted! Even my mother asked if that was my attire for Christmas eve so I guess it was festive enough.

Look, a yawn! 

Valmin and Mimle are not the bests hosts, most of the day they hid, but when the humans went for the sofa they ran up and told us there was no space for guests in it. We bribed them with treats so they got down eventually. Little trolls.

Friday again and finishes again

 I know these past few weeks I have only showed off finishes, but most of the stuff I am making needs to be a semi-secret thing since the recipients might be reading;)

But anyway I have two finishes! I made two sitting pads for some cousins for Christmas, they have a dog so I hope they take a lot of walks;)

But in either case they could be used when waiting for the bus in the cold and take very little space so can be taken everywhere.

 I used mostly leftover yarn about four balls each.

And I have started making some ornaments, but you will see that on Wednesday as that is the ornament day;) Hopefully I will have made a few more and perhaps other shapes too? These are sort of like stocking fillers for sudden presents or for people I don't have time to make a big thing for.

I have also started another hat, yes, I am knitting, and yes, it is still Tristan for garnstudio:p

I might branch out later into other hat patterns.

And yes, it might not be for Christmas, since it barely fits me, but I will make M model and see, if it fits him I can give it away to some male relative for Christmas. I know I make lots of presents, this year I counted 25, but this Christmas we will be celebrating with a lot of extended family, so I am looking forward to that.

It started to become more winter and less autumn these days and these guys are telling me it is a bit chilly;) Inside is a cosy 19 degrees but these buys are spoiled, I prefer a toasty 20-21:P 22 is too hot and I do wear wool inside as well.

M and I are having a pizza today, looking forward to it, but I need to get started before it is too late, and hopefully we will watch Walking Dead.

Jinsei wa

Today

My bouquet is growing. I have made ten leaves and 22 flowers so far, but I know I need plenty more.

It is rather nice to make different flowers from different patterns knowing it will turn into something in the end, I would not have the patience to make a hundred little flowers from one pattern and yarn like some people do who make the most gorgeous shawls or blankets, I wish I did have the patience though, but you can't have it all.

My shawl is nearing it's completion, the knitted part is done, and I still have plenty of skein two so I am currently making a edge on it... Or rather looking at patterns to see which ones would fit. 

Mimle has the cutest little bottom so I completely understand her need to show it to me constantly. 

Even though I love painting I must say I am glad that we have the end of painting is in sight, because it is a bit frustrating having furniture in the middle of the room with plastic on the floor for days on end. 

The bookcase is finished, one coat to prevent seepage of the wood and two coats of white with three coats on the shelves themselves takes a lot of time, especially when you have to wait six hours between coats. The twin to this is still at mums place and will have to get the same treatment one of these days.

The small box on the floor I found at dads with lots of cards inside, most not written, I have no idea what he thought about them, but since they had been stored in the basement most smelt funky so we threw them away. I washed the box and primed it. I will paint it pink and store my finished cards in it so that I know where they are when they need using.

The dresser for our bedroom got one coat of the same primer underneath and two coats of blue two shades darker than the walls in our bedroom so it should fit nicely in there wedged between the bed and closet.

The knobs are painted the same colour as the wall in our bedroom, but it needs another coat before I can put it back in there. And the pile of clothes behind there was supposed to be put in storage for summer, but then it snowed so we kept them in the living room for a bit more time just to make sure the snow stayed away. 

The colour is more accurate in the first picture.

 Today I think about and remember a friend I used to have and all the fun things we used to do.

I miss her, or maybe I just miss those days, but still life goes on.

a box is not always a box

Sometimes it is a fort to keep your treats safe, a playhouse or maybe an invisible fox.

The other day we put a box in the kitchen. Valmin was thrilled, but Mimle needed a little coaxing to sit beside it, she is such a scardy pants sometimes. Today she saw a plastic container that boyfriend had left on the floor and completely panicked. She thumped and thumped and ran around trying to find a safe spot to hide. Valmin casually went up to me and got a treat but Mimle wouldn't have anything to do about that and hunched over looking intently at the box. It was only when boyfriend removed it that she relaxed and ate her treat. (or rather a new one because Valmin ate both his and hers for a change).

But back to the cardboard box, Valmin as I said had a hoot, jumping on it, in it, around it and even tried under it but to no avail. So he dug a little on it instead. Then we gave them some salad and Mimle got some happy memories of the box and would sit next to it while Valmin hid his salad in the box so he could eat it in peace. He is not so dumb as we sometimes thinks he is. At least when it comes to food.

But I still think his hearing has gone worse and think a checkup is in order soon, he might have a ton of earwax in there since Mimle doesn't seem to get his hinting that he needs his ears groomed, she only grooms his eyes and top of the head. Valmin on the other paw is very diligent about Mimle's ears and helps her to keep them clean everyday, her protest that she can keep her own ears clean goes to deaf ears.

Bunnies are such fun.

Påskekos in the house

This Vacation has seen us doing lots of little home-improvement and life-hacking along with some serious "kos" time, so want to see some accomplishments?

Yesterday we were at some friends house and played cards, I had lots of fun, I didn't win though, which usually equals no fun so I guess that proves how good the game is. 

And yes, I brought knitting, crochet and cross-stitch, because you never know what you are in the mood for. 

Since I started my shawl with the long end my rounds are going faster and faster and it seems I will only use two or three skeins which means there will be plenty left to make a crochet border. ^^

I am definitely making another one later, but this year is about me, it is about time I made some stuff for myself too.

Oh, and about things for myself, I have finished painting my dollhouse, three coats of shiny white and  it looks good if I may say so myself. Here are all my knitting-crochet-sewing books and patters and some boxes with yarn and started projects. I think I will like this corner. Let's just hope the bunnies know how to leave it alone...

The bunting on top is something I made a few weeks ago. I think I will make another because it looks so cute on top of my house like that.

In the ongoing season of bunny-proofing everything we bought some floor vinyl and put on the floor and side of the IKEA HOL to prevent spillage of hay and easy cleaning of accidents and stray poo. Honestly it was well worth both time and money because we only had to fill twice yesterday which I think is a first. Bunnies love it.

Also boyfriend and I went for a walk and this little dude said hello, I love birds that live near people because this little guy could not care less about us or the cars and just happily sang away.

Bunny Coasters for Bunny People

Since the recipient has received her gift I can show you what I included for her amidst all the yarn and bunny treats/toys and chocolate.

I think this one is my favorite out of all the bunny coasters I have done. I used variegated thread and tried to make it so that the white was on the bunny's chest and on one ear. I think it looks cute.

This still hasn't reached it's owner sadly, posten is saying that it is still in the US when I clearly stated it to be sent to the UK... But I have hopes. If it never gets there I might have to make another one;)

I love the shape of this particular bunny, I think running rabbits look awesome. Valmin not included because he has this thumping sound when he runs that make him look so much less dignified. Hilarious  sound. Thump, thump. Mimle is the dainty little (maybe not so little, she is getting more than legally plump). thing that she is and looks graceful when running, I think it might help that she has uppity ears that stay up whereas Valmins ears flop up and down.

Today I am expecting company, and I really need to clean the house a bit more.... Who knows, maybe I will find the missing Christmas Presents. 

(that is the downside of making gifts in January, you have 11 months to loose them, usually I know where they are, but with the moving, some presents are clearly not in the box marked "Christmas Present"...) Oh well, I still have time to make another I guess....

Yesterday I finished another present. All with vintage yarn.

A present in November

But my birthday isn't for another month!

This was a gift for the buns and me, and Valmin has his birthday this month;)

I was going outside and checked our mailbox and inside were a note from our postman! I didn't have time to pick up the parcel from the postoffice because I was on my way to my mothers, so I told boyfriend he had to pick it up for me. He did and it was waiting for me when I got home from my mother's. 

I couldn't wait even if it was in the middle of the night, I had to open it. Mimle was exited too. It was from an online friend, we agreed to send each other and the buns a small parcel, but then I was in the middle of moving house and stuff and it took ages before any of us had the time. 

Mimle and Valmin got so much! Mimle tried to eat through the plastic so I had to give her some pellets while I opened something up for consumption.

Valmin came too when he heard the sound of crunching.

THere were Lofties, dried dandelion, dried apple tree leaves, something called Supreme Fibrafirst for rabbits, (which they were unsure of, but then Valmin ate both Mimles and his and begged for more), and Woodlands rabbit herbal forage. They got spoiled rotten! 

I was spoiled too! I got a Belle and Boo pencil,  two cross-stitch magazines! One of them with lots of Belle and Boo and the other with Christmas designs, so I have no excuse now and need to make some Christmas cards;) And then finally some chocolate, one with pineapple and coconut and the other with some nuts and vanilla. ( my online name has vanilla in it, which I am sure she remembered). Swapping is so much FUN! 

Too bad she might wait for a while, because even though I sent her parcel on Halloween it has still not gotten to the UK, the tracking says they sent the gift to the US... Strange, I have sent the postalservice an email so I hope it eventually gets where it is supposed to....

Mimle is checking to see if Valmin is eating something different and better than her, but he is not, they are eating the same. Mimle stole Valmins piece anyway. But then Valmin ate her bit and begged for more and got some too since he is so stinking cute.

Thank you for a wonderful gift:D 

We are all so grateful and happy!