cosmicpluto knits!

a secret xmas gift

If I see you in person, you might’ve heard me talk about this project – but since my handsome fella reads my Twitter and Facebook, and sometimes Flickr and this here blog, I couldn’t really talk about it online at all!

I saw this pattern ages ago, and since we’re both big fans of Futurama I decided I just had to make one for Christmas.

Presenting…Bender Bending Rodriguez!

I super-sized him by using Berroco Vintage Chunky, though I did have to go down to a 3.25mm hook – apparently I crochet pretty loosely! The fabric is really nice and solid though, which is what I was going for. I’m not a big crocheter but I do know my way around pretty well, and I found the pattern pretty easy to follow despite the lack of actual instructions!

I made a pile of pieces.

I also decided to make a wire armature for inside him, so that the arms and legs would be posable – it didn’t turn out THAT amazing, but it’s pretty good for my first one! I made a skeleton out of thick beading wire, then wrapped it with some fiberfill and masking tape.

I cut circles of cardboard and laminated them with packing tape, and also taped down some little bags of decorative floral sand to make weights for the bottom of the feet.

He looked a little weird with a finished body but no arms or legs!

I crocheted the footcups and weighted them, then wrapped the wire legs in roving before sewing the top of the legs to the body. Pretty much the same thing with the arms. A bit of embroidery for his door, and the segments of his arms and legs, and I was pretty much done! Not that it wasn’t a lot of work – it was. But the end result was totally worth it!

He got into a lot of trouble around my apartment. I think he discovered the whisky shelf.

He can be pretty helpful though!

And he dressed up really nicely for Christmas!

And the reaction when the boyfriend opened his present? Amazing. He had no idea! Of course, he was appropriately impressed by my mad crafting skills. I’m a little impressed with myself!

happy holidays!

My presents are almost done, I’ve done lots of baking to take up to my parents’ house (though my oven seems bent on ruining a lot of cookies), and the house is reasonably clean. Bring on Christmas!

a tiny santa hat

A tiny free pattern for a tiny Santa hat ornament!

MATERIALS
Red and white yarn, a few yards
Appropriate double pointed needles
tapestry needle

- I used Ultra Alpaca Light and doubled some red fingering weight, and used 3mm needles.

DIRECTIONS
With white (or brim colour), cast on 30 sts. Divide over 3 needles (10 sts per needle) and join to work in the round.

(Purl 1 round, knit 1 round) twice, then purl 1 more round – 3 garter ridges.

Cut white yarn and join red. Knit 2 rounds.

Crown Decreases
Next Round: (ssk, k to end of needle) three times.
Knit 1 round.

Rep last 2 rounds until just 3 stitches remain.
Cut yarn and thread onto a tapestry needle. Run the needle through the remaining live stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

To make the pompom, I used the white yarn and just wrapped it around my thumb until it was thick enough, then tied it in the middle and cut it open – like so!. Trim the pompom until you like the way it looks, then sew to the top of the hat.

Thread a bit of silvery or contrasting yarn through the top of the hat and knot to make it into an ornament.

Enjoy!

cozy cashmere

I knit up this little cowl ages ago and never blogged it! I’ve been terribly remiss in my FO shoots. This one is just single round stripes in some leftovers of DK weight cashmere, mostly Handmaiden 4ply. It was a pleasure to knit up, and super warm.

A little print pattern will be available at lettuce knit starting this weekend – we have lots of Handmaiden 4-ply cashmere too!

P.S. Since several people have asked about the ornaments – the sweaters are based on the pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, and the little Santa hat and stocking are my own. I’ll put up a wee pattern for them this weekend!

little sweatshop of decorations

I’ve been working away on a bunch of wee things for the holidays.

But it’s not all tiny sweaters around here! While looking for scrap yarns to knit them with, I came across a handspun sweater I started ages ago. I’ve decided to pick it back up rather than ripping it, and it’s very pleasing indeed.

NaKniSweMo – done!

I finished my lace sweater!

It isn’t blocked yet, and it needs buttons. But it’s off the needles, and I’ve even woven in the ends.

I’m really pleased with it. And it only took 4 skeins of Dream in Color!

Just in time for the taste of winter we had this afternoon – it’s all gone now.