spring fever

Some photos of spring flowers - fluffy pink stock and jasmine. I think jasmine is quite a strange plant. It can be so invasive and has tough leaves and stalks that are almost impossible to break but the flowers are so delicate and pale and beautiful.

I made the cactus pot in response to missing out on one of Stella Baggott's little face planters from her etsy shop sale last week. I couldn't decide which pot I liked best and they all sold out as I dithered.

Enjoy your week.

mo love

Finally I am happy with my little raindrops. I struggled mightily with the moustache. The original had a moustache cut from felt but I think this simple crocheted version is more robust and more forgiving. Trying to cut a symmetrical moustache from felt is no easy task. The crochet ones are a bit wonky but they add character. I can now say that the design part of The Drip Project is over.

Speaking of the moustache... do you remember 'Where do you go to, my lovely?' by Peter Sarsdedt? Such a talented artist, such a wonderful song and such a tremendously splendid moustache. Yes, it is.

Monsieur Moustache

This really has been a long, long project. But at last I've conquered the raindrop! The breakthrough came when I switched from sewing to knitting - thanks to inspiration from Anna Hrachovec's book Knitting Mochimochi.

I am proud to say that this is entirely my design and pattern. And here is it for you to create your own cupboard full of raindrops.

Materials:
double knitting wool
set of 4 x 4mm (6 US) double-pointed needles
stuffing (and pellets, optional)
felt for moustache (optional)
eyes - buttons, safety eyes, felt, embroidery floss etc

Finished size: About 13 cms (5 inches) tall

Abbreviations:
beg = beginning
Inc = increase by knitting through the front and back of the stitch
K = knit
tog = together

This is knitted in the round from the bottom up, so you need to add stuffing (and safety eyes) as you go.

To help the raindrop stand, I weighted it by adding plastic stuffing pellets. I put these into a little pouch made from a scrap of light weight fabric. Cut a circle about 14cm (6.5 inches) in diameter, stitch around the edge and then pull the ends of the thread to gather up the circle into a little pocket. Tip in some pellets and stitch closed to form a rough ball shape. I put a bit of stuffing in the bottom of the raindrop and sat the pellet "ball" on top, then pushed stuffing in all around it.

Cast on 6 sts and K 1 row.
Divide the sts equally between 3 needles.
1st round: Inc in every st (12 sts)
2nd and alternate rounds: K
3rd round: Inc. in every st (24 sts)
5th round: (Inc., k3), repeat to end (30 sts)
7th round: (Inc., k 4), repeat to end
9th round: (Inc., k 5), repeat to end
11th round: (Inc., k6), repeat to end
13th round (Inc., k7), repeat to end
15th round (Inc., k8) repeat to end (60 sts)
K 3 rounds without shaping
19th round: (K2 tog, k8) repeat to end
21st round: (K2 tog, k7) repeat to end (48 sts)
23rd round: *K2 tog at beg and end of each needle.
K 2 rounds, without shaping*
Repeat from * to * 2 more times (30 sts)
Next round: **K2 tog at beg and end of each needle.
K3 rounds, without shaping**
Repeat from ** to ** 2 more times (12 sts)
Next round: K2 tog to end
K 1 round, without shaping
Next round: K2 tog to end (3 sts)
Break wool and thread through remaining 3 sts. Weave in the end.

I have tested this pattern - but only once. So if there are any errors, please let me know.
And, if you do make a raindrop for yourself - I'd love to see it. Happy knitting.

Happy Movember!

Sadly the drips are lingering in the developmental phase - forever. I still have a few design issues to sort out.
But, because it's November, and I love this guy's moustache, I'm going to share one of my experiments with you. Enjoy Movember.