The oliver + s art smock... again

This really is a good present-for-a-little-friend-make, particularly this quick-make version as less sewing because it was made out of a shirt so could make use of the finished hem and some edges. That is also why we have a high-low hem because, well, so did the original shirt. The trickiest part of this smock was finding some co-ordinating fabric for the arms and binding... and this was perfect. It is from the Lille Skip range from naito shoji, probably purchased from the eternal maker though I can't see this exact print in stock.

This is the last art smock I've made... though I'm sure there will be more! Parcelled up with some gorgeously soft pencils, just like her big brother's. Hope you had a happy birthday, Pip!

Some quick quick change trousers again

Hope you aren't expecting to see some flamboyant ballroom-type trousers. Or have I just made that up? Quick quick slow... Surely some tea dance move. Actually that is what it reminds me of - going to a tea dance with my granny and sister. Not a flamboyant trouser in sight, more like a suit trouser with a knitted waistcoat.

However what I have to show is neither of these, but the quick change trousers from Anna Maria Horner's handmade beginnings. Doubly quick because again I limited the fabric choice (see quick quick pair here and oh so bright but not so quick pair here).

Such a sweet pattern. And then oh my

you see that bum. Love it. Fabrics all from the never ending pile, so no idea other than the denim is light and soft and the gingham an oh so cosy flannel. These were made for a winter birthday when lining trousers in flannel was entirely appropriate. This time made up in the largest 18-24 months for a by the time they got to him older than one year old Jack. I was worried that the 12-18 months wouldn't fit for long as it took me so long to get these in the post, so went for the larger size. I'm assured they are a good if slightly baggy fit, so again the pattern appears to be true to size.

And for no reason other than cuteness here is that bum again. 

Another Oliver + S art smock

The pattern is from Oliver + S' little things to sew, and I enjoyed making it as much as the first one here. And no, this isn't the cartoon kapow fabric Patch was hoping the next one would be made from, but another present. Sorry P. The fabric pile is indiscernibly lower, though both of these fabrics were found there. And just as the first I made a buttonhole back fastening rather than Velcro or poppers. Certainly not because it will help the getting on and off for the small child but because I like the look...

Lovingly parcelled with some sweet looking mark makers. Hope you had a happy birthday, Flo!

A pretty poncho... or shawl?

Hmmm... poncho to me means a circular crochet delight in pale pink and white with a hole for a head and large pom poms at the neck. I cannot call this a poncho, though Nicki Trench does in her book Crochet Living

Rather adventurously I chose Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran in grey for this make - just the same as used in the book. So daring, but as this was made as a birthday gift for a lovely friend, it was a colour I thought she would like. This can be made fairly rapidly, though there may have been some desperate crocheting at a bowling party P went to last summer in an attempt to finish it in time...

And oh those buttons!

A local craft shop bought a whole selection of vintage buttons from a tiny button shop that closed when the new shopping centre was built. Oh I do wish I had known that shop.

I do love the stitch used for this shawl, and the shape, oh and the chance to use some gorgeous buttons. So much so that I made one for myself straight away. Well, that was last summer now and I wear mine so much. Hope you are loving your pretty shawl too, Lou!

A Mother's Day potholder

As I was searching for a crochet potholder pattern I came across  Heather Tucker's The Best Crocheted Potholder... should be a good pattern! And it was, nice and simple and satisfyingly thick so no burning of fingers

I used Lion Brand's kitchen cotton in Blueberry, purchased during a lovely pop to Wibbling Wools in Bury St Edmunds with a knitty friend. A friend in every other way too, but Anna happens to knit so is particularly lovely to be with when visiting wool shops. I used a 5mm hook with this chunky, stiff cotton as I was told to do in the pattern and it really did result in a thick potholder. So my addition of batting and fabric on the back was not at all needed, but I liked the look

Mr R lovingly parcelled this up with some biscuits and Suffolk tea for his Mum. 

Hope you all have sunny days planned for tomorrow with those Daddys! Patch has requested a trip to Aldeburgh with lunch at Delphine's Diner (gorgeously vintage) as Daddy likes the veggie burgers. So he does, as does little P!

A not-for-a-tweed-jacket-with-elbow-patches-wearing-English-teacher knitted tie

Or was that just my English teacher? Hmmm, I later on had another English teacher who always wore  a red tie (not knitted) with red shoes that squeaked... I appear to have merged my past encounters with English teachers into this tie for Patch

This is the striped tie from Debbie Bliss' Essential Kids, without the stripes. A very simple and quick knit for a sweet addition to an outfit when a little boy is required to be smart-ish.  Knitted in a difficult to photograph Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in scarlet. Worn without matching red shoes to a lovely friends 40 birthday party last summer. Which reminds me, I have yet to show Lou's present...

Birthday pyjamas

Patch loves pyjamas. He would and does wear them all day at any chance. Maybe not all day... I love days like those! So we decided that the little group of his friends that he has known for ever (Mummys all did pregnancy yoga together. Bliss) would like some pyjamas too. So for the three boys in the group I made some pyjama bottoms with a slight make for the tops

I used the much loved Oliver + S sandbox pants, made even quicker as no pockets because even though I do love a pocket I'm not sure little boys need them on their pyjamas. Patch would only fill them with uncomfortable metal cars that would then keep him turning all night. So no pockets this time. The fabric is an oh so soft flannel from the sometimes-gets-it-right local fabric shop.

After adding a little colour to the tops they were wrapped up with a carefully selected pack of Top Trumps. Because really when you are seven what is better than a game of Top Trumps in your pyjamas

Hope you had happy birthdays Barney, Joshua and Harry

A pile of birthday ts

A fun quick make for Patch's friends... Gosh I've made a lot, though some of these were made last Autumn

Happy birthday Henry, Reggie, Logan, Eddie and Ben!