Creating and Creating!

I've been really productive lately.  First, I took this alpaca yarn, which I got from this shop. and knitted a scarf for me!  Yes, finally something for me, after all that holiday creating.

The great thing about this shop is that it introduces you to the aplaca from whence your yarn came.  Mine was from the adorable Elvira.

I used the same Saxon braid pattern I used on this Celtic Knot scarf, and I love it!

I really wear it all the time.

Then... well, remember that dinosaur scarf I made for my nephew?  As promised, I did another one!  My Daffy the Dinosaur is a stylish accessory and toy all in one!

He really does love to snuggle

We did have one slight misunderstanding while taking photos, when he thought it was acceptable to try and eat my head, but we soon straightened it out and found that his favorite food is alpaca yarn!

Now that that's taken care of, he's perfectly safe to be around children, and would really, really like to go home with some great kid who will care for him.  You don't have to be too careful, though, as he's 100% washable wool and won't felt if he gets wet.

If you think you'd like him as your household pet, you can find him in my shop right here.

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Pretty Epic

What I'm about to show you is my biggest knitting undertaking to date, and I personally think it's pretty epic. This is the first knitted thing I've done that's 100% my own design, not taken from any other ideas or inspirations, other than my nephew's love of dinosaurs.

Check this out.

I made a dinosaur scarf for my nephew's birthday!

It was pretty involved and took forever, because although I had the idea, I kind of designed as I went.  I started with graph paper, so I could figure out how to gauge the stitches I'd need to get the shape of the head, rounded in front and then the part that bulges by the eyes.  I used the same method for the legs and the narrowing of the tail.

I knew before I started that I wanted a cable knit pattern down the body to sort of give an idea of a dinosaur's bumpy texture, but that meant that I had to figure out how many stitches across to make it and how wide I wanted the center band to be, plus figure out in narrowing the tail how to also narrow the cable pattern.  From snout to tail is all one piece.  Then I made a bottom jaw so I could add teeth, which I knitted separately and sewed on.

In fact, the teeth, legs, back spines, brow ridges, and bottom jaw were all knitted separately and then sewn on.  For the eyes, I actually had to teach myself to crochet circles, which I then sewed on as well!

And then I "embroidered" on nostrils.  I think he's got some serious personality!

My inspiration..

I took some liberties, of course, adding the points down his back, but I like him that way.

The whole thing is done in 100% washable wool and is about 48-50" long.  I wanted a nice, natural fiber that would be warm for the winter but still washable since he just turned three.

As soon as I'm done treating myself to an alpaca scarf I'm working on, I'll be replicating good ol' Daffy the Dinosaur, as I've dubbed him, for Fabric of my Mind.  I'll keep you posted, especially since there are plans for other animal scarves on the horizon too!

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New in the Reef Botanicals Handmade Artists Shop!

Patterns and toys!

You can buy the 29-page pattern, instructions, and photos to make your own Busy Book here.  This includes the pattern for the dinosaur puzzle.

Or you can buy the pattern for the Dinosaur Puzzle alone here.

You can buy a set of Numbered Beanbags here.

And you can buy a set of Jumbo Dolphin Crayons here.

Enjoy!

Want a Dinosaur Puzzle?

Like this one, I mean.  Well, you can make your own, 'cause the pattern and instructions are now in the Reef Botanicals HAFShop!