Tag Archives: knitted

Squashed Rat Bookmark Knitting Pattern

Posted on by Abi

Squashed Rat Bookmark Knitting Pattern
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that everyone loves rats!! Yes, no, maybe!? Whether you love the little critters or not (I imagine it all depends on if we’re talking about the pet or wild variety) I think we can all agree that squishing them inside books equals fun. I can’t claim the original idea as my own unfortunately, nor can I remember where I first saw it but today’s pattern is all my own creation. So if you fancy squishing rats inside your favourite reading materials then give my Squashed Rat Bookmark Knitting Pattern a go!

Squashed Rat Bookmark Knitting Pattern

What You’ll Need:

Grey or brown wool

Small amount of black wool

Small amount of light pink/peach wool

Small amount of stuffing

 

Pattern

Using 3mm needles cast on 2 stitches in grey/brown.

Knit 1 row

Increase into each end stitch 2 times (6 stitches)

St-st 3 rows starting pearlwise

Increase at each end k wise

St-st 3 rows

Increase each end k wise

St-st 3 rows

Increase each end k wise

St-st 3 rows

Increase each end k wise

Pearl next row

Increase each end k wise

Pearl row

Increase each end k wise to 18 stitches

Pearl row

Cast off 6 stitches, knit 6, cast off 6

3 -stst rows starting p

Increase each end k wise

Pearl

Increase each end k wise

P

Increase each end k wise

P

Increase each end k wise

P

Repeat to 18st

P

Cast on 12 stitches, cast off then knit across original stitches

Cast on 12 p wise, cast off then p across original stitches

St-st 18 rows

Cast on 12 stitches, cast off then knit across original stitches

Cast on 12 p wise, cast off then p across original stitches

K2tog, knit to last 2 st then k2tog

Pearl row

Repeat last 2 rows until 2 stitches remain, attach pink/peach for tail

St-st 20rows

K2tog

Cast off.

Bring the two sides of the head together and stitch leaving the back open, lightly stuff before closing.

Stich on eyes using black wool and making cross shapes.

Stich nose using pink/peach wool

The ears are made by stitching a large stitch in grey on the top of the head and then blanket stitching around this stitch about 5 times.

 

 

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The Woollen Woods 2016

Posted on by Abi

queenofheartsEvery year a magical event takes place as part of Voluntary Arts Week – The Woollen Woods. Woodlands across the country become inhabited with all manner of knitted (or crocheted) creatures to the delight of thousands of visitors. It all started last year with seven woods (of which Derbyshire was one) and this year it grew even bigger. This was the second year I’d had the pleasure of joining in with the Derbyshire Woollen Woods held in Belper Parks Wood.  It was such a huge success that I felt compelled to share a few pics (and videos) for those who couldn’t manage to make it along.mouse

It took months of hard work by local crafters (and a few further afield) to make enough pieces to decorate the majority of Belper Woods but as you can hopefully see from these pics it was definitely worth it. The creations were displayed between 7-15th May this year and the response we received was absolutely wonderful. We even had some visitors travel quite a distance for a day out in our Woolly Wonderland!whiterabbitI believe there’s a special childlike joy that only magical woolly creatures can bring and with that in mind here’s a few of my favourite pieces (not made by me) and two mini video tours. bunny

If looking through this post has got you itching to get involved with the Derbyshire event then pop over to >Anne Clark Handmade and send Anne an email. owlAnne organised the Derbyshire Woollen Woods for both years and we’ve also yarn bombed several other events including local festivals, Christmas decorations, the hospital, museum and much more!

If you weren’t lucky enough to be able to visit a Woollen Woods this year then keep your eyes peeled on the >Voluntary Arts Week website for details of the event next year.snake

To see some pics of last years Woollen Woods check out my 2015 post.

snails

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The Woollen Woods in Derbyshire

Posted on by Abi

A month or so ago I wrote about the upcoming Woollen Woods project that I was taking part in. Knitters from near and far created woodland creatures to be hung in Belper Park Woods as part of the Here and There Art Trail taking place in the town. The event was a huge success and seemed to delight everyone who was able to visit.

For those who were too far away or otherwise couldn’t make it I thought I’d post up a few snapshots plus a wonderful video created by the chaps at Ablewild.owlswool

I forgot to take my camera so these were only taken on my phone but the animals were so fabulous that even a dodgy phone picture can’t spoil them! I think the pic above should be named ‘Owls in Love’.

squirrelswool

Red squirrels eating acorns, ‘real’ red squirrels are such a rare sight that it was lovely to see our native breed even if only in knitted form. This must be Mummy, Daddy and baby squirrel.

snailswool

These three snails look distinctly like they might be up to no good, perhaps they were gossiping about the other animals in the woods that day.

squirrelwool

This guy has obviously eaten all of the acorns and is now having a rest by some beautiful flowers.

bunnywool

There were even tree climbing bunnies, a sight you’ll only see in Derbyshire!! No doubt he was trying to get a better look at all the other chaps hiding in the trees.

I didn’t get a decent photo of everything (there was loads there!) and I was rather caught up hunting with my kids to find it all. The following video shows off a lot more but even this misses out some of the pieces, it just gives a wonderful feel of the whole event. My kids feature a lot in the video, my youngest took far more photos with his Grannie’s camera than I did. Hopefully the event will take place again next year and it is definitely worth a visit if you can.

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