Flutterby Patch

Jolly fun

What fun it would be in these days of economic gloom and the credit crunch (good name for a biscuit don't you think) to be able to make whatever you needed from a cardboard box, scissors and some sticky tape. 

Take this little house for instance. It has a splendid front door and two little windows with the prettiest red and white check curtains. Who could ask for more!

But how would you feel if one day you returned to your house to find a glassy blue eye watching you from one of the windows? Would you, I wonder, recognise the owner of that eye?

Well yes, you probably would if you had read 'Jolly Tall' the wonderful little story for children written and illustrated by the very talented Jane Hissey. 

In the story the toys find a cardboard box and draw a door and windows in it to make a house. But when they cut out the windows they find a very tall furry giraffe inside and they name him Jolly Tall (because he is).

After several attempts to get him out of the box the toys use a little red crane which successfully does the job with only a few spills along the way. 

My daughter and I are huge fans of Jane Hissey's stories about Old Bear and his friends and, as you can see, we have collected a number of the cute characters from the books over the years.

If I didn't think you'd seen more than enough snow this year already I could have told you about the book entitled 'Jolly Snow'. In this story the toys long for some of the magical white stuff to fall from the sky but when it doesn't they try making it from flour, pieces of cut paper and even soap bubbles. Eventually they settle for some fun sledging down a white sheet obligingly held high by Jolly Tall. (Yet another cardboard box has come in useful you'll notice!)

If you have any cardboard boxes left at the end of the day you could try making a train just like the toys have done in the book about a little dog named 'Ruff'.

Many of you I'm sure will be very familiar with Jane Hissey's stories for children. The illustrations are wonderful and all the characters in the books are kind and friendly to each other. No one gets hurt and no one is ever unhappy. There is however plenty of action and excitement in the playroom, and best of all plenty of simple play ideas for young children to imitate and enjoy. As you might have guessed by now, I love all Jane Hissey's books and feel sure you would too!

Until next time,

Eli

The patter of furry feet

Winter is almost over and here in the English Lake District everyone is preparing to welcome the many visitors that will holiday here during the coming season. If you listen carefully you might hear the patter of furry feet; not the visitors arriving I hasten to add but many thousands of familiar looking soft toys making their way to local shops. Each one will be hoping to find a good home and travel to pastures new.

All this furry activity is due to one little rascal in a blue coat who goes by the name of Peter Rabbit. He is the creation of Beatrix Potter who lived in the Lake District for many years.

Anyone who visits the area will see Peter Rabbit peeping out of shop windows everywhere.

Peter and his cousin Benjamin Bunny are part of the large family of animals that, thanks to Miss Potter's little story books, have become synonymous with the Lake District and are now known and loved the world over. At times it seems there are more softies living here than people.

 
 
 
Above are just a few of the characters that are available in gift shops.

Apart from fabric animals, shops sell a huge variety of figurines.

There are plates in many different sizes, in fact there's enough china for a thousand banquets.

But who wants a banquet when you can enjoy a quiet tea party.

If you are a fan of Beatrix Potter's stories and fancy having a go at making some of her characters at home then I can recommend 'Toys from the Tales of Beatrix Potter' by Margaret Hutchings. Although it was published in 1973 I have checked various bookseller's lists and it is still readily available second hand.

Containing over 300 pages it has patterns for most of the characters in Miss Potter's books. There are lots of hints and tips about the best fabrics to use and lots of little extras to make as well. Sadly there are very few coloured pictures but from those that are in the book I have chosen some of my favourites.

I have made Apple Dapply a number of times over the years in a variety of different dresses. I once inserted a tiny wind-up musical movement in the back which provided great amusement for the little girl who received her as gift.
(N.B. this isn't the mouse I featured a few ago weeks ago in my blog).

Here's my favourite, Hunca Munca and her babies. Instructions for making the cane cradle are also included in the book.

Tabitha Twitchitt and her kittens are wonderful and on the right is Mrs Ribby calling to borrow some yeast in 'The Tale of Samuel Whiskers'

Who could resist Mrs Tiggywinkle doing her ironing. She has been made from thick fur fabric that has been stiffened to form prickles....very clever.

And finally here are Aunt Pettitoes and Spot seeing Pigling Bland and Alexander off to market.

There are several other coloured pictures which I haven't included here and plenty of black and white ones together with drawn illustrations.

The soft toys in the book are unique and would make special gifts to be treasured. The cute little characters (below) are mass produced in the Far East and are great for little children as they are washable. 

N.B. the patterns for these shop bought toys are NOT in the book.

As the tourist season gets ever closer these little characters will grow in number, their happy smiles greeting us everywhere we go!!

Until next time,

Eli

Inspiration from Japan

If you read my last post you might be wondering if I managed to finish the 'little something' I was knitting in clematis coloured wool. Well, yes I did and you'll find out just what it was if you continue reading! But first......
 
These little cuties come from Japan and are known as kokeshi dolls. The first kokeshis were made in the Tohoku region of Northern Japan in the 19th century. Crafted from turned wood they were just a basic head and body with hand painted decoration (you'll see some examples if you follow the link above). Today they are made in all sizes and colours but their shapes have remained fairly simple. 

These cute little ladies always make me smile so I decided to try and knit a little kokeshi style character of my own. And here she is, welcoming visitors to her Japanese garden.

She stands just 6 ins (15cm) tall and is very demure don't you think? You will find knitting instructions at the end of this post.

She and I share a passion for Japanese gardens and we'd like to invite you to take a little stroll with us through the garden that we have put together using pictures from various books.

In we go through a little bamboo gate and up a crunchy gravel path beside a deliciously cool trickling waterfall. 

On towards a peaceful pool where cranes wade beside a little island topped by an ornate stone lantern.

Crossing the wooden bridge we can stop and watch the brightly coloured carp basking in the sunshine.

And finally we arrive at the pavilion. How about some tea, Japanese style?

Tea for two  

In springtime you'll be dazzled by the many coloured azaleas and rhododendrons.

Clematis scrambles

Wisteria dangles

and tall primulas sway in the breeze at the water's edge.

And just look at that pink cherry blossom admiring its own reflection. Who can blame it!

Thank you for taking the time to walk with us through our make believe Japanese garden. We hope you enjoyed your visit. Please call again soon.

Kokeshi doll pattern:

If you'd like to knit a little Japanese style doll like this it is an easy pattern to follow. The basic shape is a tube 54 rows long. I used DK yarn and knitted in stocking stitch.

Using 2.75 mm (US size 2) needles cast on 26 stitches. Knit 10 rows khaki, 5 magenta, 1 black, 11 magenta, 3 black, 6 magenta, 18 flesh colour. Finally knit 2 tog and take off remaining stitches onto a length of yarn ready for drawing up.

To form a tube gather the base of the doll and then stitch the back seam leaving the top open for stuffing. Using a suitable fibre fill, stuff the body firmly (but not so firmly that the stitches are stretched too much). Run a length of flesh coloured yarn through the stitches at the point where the face meets the dress and draw up to form the neck. Secure tightly. Stuff the remaining head then draw up the top and fasten securely. You now have your basic tube (with a neck).

The sleeves - Cast on 12 stitches in khaki, change to magenta and knit 14 rows. DON'T FORGET as you knit these rows you need to shape the bottom edge of each sleeve so decrease one stitch at the end of alternate rows (6 times). Cast off remaining 6 stitches. Knit a second sleeve making sure the shaping is on the opposite edge.

The arms and hands (both identical) - Cast on 5 stitches. Knit 8 rows. Knit 2 tog across the final row and take stitches off onto yarn. Draw up to form the bottom, finger end. Stitch arm/hands flat to the body (tuck edges in a little bit before stitching down to make the arms look more real). Position the sleeves over the arms leaving just the hands protruding.Tuck the sleeve edges under and stitch down.

To give the impression of a wrap-over dress use black stitches around the neck (see photo). I've used lazy daisy stitch for flower decoration round the hem.

The hair is done with long stitches of black yarn which completely cover the flesh coloured head beneath. I popped a little black top-knot on and held it with yarn to match the flowers.

You might prefer to use sewing thread for the features as it is much finer than yarn and will give better results (I used two strands together). The eyes are a single straight stitches in black and the mouth 'v' shaped straight stitches in red. Blushing cheeks are achieved with red pencil crayon.... You now have your own little kokeshi doll and all she needs is her own Japanese style garden!