Thursday, 2 February 2012

Adam Ant


I've been wanting to knit Adam Ant ever since seeing the original Prince Charming outfit in the V and A last year - and here he is! 12 inches tall and stuffed full of new romantic naughty intentions (otherwise known as polyester stuffing).

If you'd like to give Mr Ant a home, he's currently strutting around my Etsy shop, doing that Prince Charming dance. You know, that one.

Monday, 30 January 2012

Bayou Arcana


Rather excited this week, as I've been asked to knit a character from James Pearson's hotly-anticipated Bayou Arcana comic anthology. One-eyed Raccoon, as illustrated above by Sara Dunkerton, is a kind of re-animated once-dead raccoon. In fact, he's the devil himself.

I'm having to decided whether to stay close to Sara's fantastic interpretation, or maybe render him in a more cute and cuddly form. Obviously, still with all the bits missing! Either way, he's going to be a interesting project. How to knit bare bone and pieces of flesh? Hmmm...

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Stuffed tiger


Two young taxidermists at work, in their Robin Specklespun Double Knitting zip-up cardies. They'd bagged this specimen in the back garden on Wednesday and by the end of the week they'd dried and stuffed it and turned it into a rug.

Monday, 9 January 2012

Meet and Make at Mooeys

Knitters, sewers, crocheters and makers - meet up in Mooeys Mocha Shop, Worthing, every Tuesday morning (starting 7th Feb) and bring along your current projects for a spot of stitching and damn fine coffee. Procrastinators - bring along those shirts that have needed buttons sewing onto them for the past 6 months! You know you've got them.

I'll be there knitting my dolls, and so will crochet Queen Chi Chi Revolver so come along and say hello!

Drop in for as little or as long as you like on Tuesday morning, 10 - 12. Free event but please buy drinkies or cakies to support our legendary local coffee shop.

Thursday, 8 December 2011

Skyrim cross stitch


Proving very popular with the lovely Etsy folk: a FUS RO DAH cross stitch sampler. If you don't play The Elder Scrolls V - Skyrim, then you are probably staring blankly at the screen, or trying to work out the anagram.

To those in the know, FUS RO DAH is a mighty dragon shout, and just the sort of thing deserving of a sparkly gold frame and delightful cross stitch sampler. If you'd like one for your wall, head on over to my Etsy shop.

Thursday, 24 November 2011

Mabel Lucie Attwell knitting patterns


After yesterday's post about 1920s baby and maternity wear, Marigold (from Mellow Fruitfulness blog) pointed out that the illustrations were very similar in style to Mabel Lucie Atwell, and she also told me that Atwell had designed knitting patterns for Jaeger. And here is one! Children's Woollies, published circa 1925, featuring Atwell's Jaeger Twins on the cover.

Originally part of Leach's Sixpenny Knitting Series, this hard-to-find pattern is now worth slightly more than sixpence. A copy had been sold at Bloomsbury Auctions this year as part of a small collection of children's books for £400. Better start saving, or praying to the Jumble Sale Fairy...

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

1920s baby clothes

Weldon's Simple Baby Clothes and Materity Wear - a broadsheet-sized home-dressmaking magazine from the late 1920s, and a fascinating glimpse into the glamorous world of what the well-dressed tot and ma were sporting.

"Surely there is no more delightful task than preparing an outfit for the Little Stranger. The wee garments are so dainty and easy to make, and as we stitch into them all the best wishes in the world, we wonder perhaps if we are working for some small boy or girl who will one day become a national hero or heroine."

Long, simple gowns were de rigeur for the newly arrived Little Stranger: "Dainty and protective with bonnet for Miss, or Hat for Master."


Styles for older children echo the adult fashions of the 1920s - I love this little cloche hat. "Dainty frock in Ayesha or washing silk and Coat and Bonnet of velour, etc." Ages 6 months to 2 years.


Children aged 6 months to 5 years could wear this elegant hat: "Fashion votes for a silk or satin Bonnet, with gauged crown and cuff brim, to match her coat, and she will be so smart. A tiny daisy spray from transfer No 14102 will be pleasing on the brim".


Mummies, of course, were not to be outdone in the maternity fashion pages. Long, flowing dresses and coats to accentuate the 1920s ideal androgynous figure, and not a baby bump in sight.


"I'm eight months pregnant, you know."
"It shows, my dear, you are looking simply elephantine."