Knitted Bunny

Here's the latest project that I have completed at Saint Michael's Playhouse.

Teacher Josie initially asked me to make a stuffed piglet but the pattern wasn't available. I started with a huge spool of beige yarn but because the bunny measurements are quite larger than expected I ran out of yarn (again). That explains the darker yarn color at the hind legs.  Anyway, I'm so proud of how this project turned out! I also didn't expect the process to be easy. Surprisingly, it is! You basically, start with a square piece that you sew, tie stuff and from for resemble a bunny.

This reminds me...will have make a leftie tutorial on the knit and purl stitch on one of my next posts. 

Knitting for Lefties: Casting On

As promised here's a mini knitting tutorial that I'm hoping would be help to any leftie who wish to learn the basics of knitting. Before anything else though, here's a bit of disclaimer -- I'm not an expert knitter.

What I know is partly based on what I remember was taught to us in home-economics back in grade school

(a long, long, long time ago) and partly what I am still learning from my son's playhouse nurturer.

 

Based on experience learning (and teaching) how to knit is best done in person through an actual demonstration.

I'll try to explain the steps the simplest way I can.

Here we go...

The first thing to know is how to "cast on". This simply means preparing the first row of stitches on the needle.

Step 1: Measure approximately half a meter of yarn (this length depends on how many stitches you plan to knit) and make a simple loop, called a slip knot.  

This would be your "tail yarn". Make sure that the tail is long enough to make all the stitches you need before you start. The other strand would be your "working yarn" (the one attached to the ball of yarn)

Step 2: Insert knitting needle through loop.

Step 3: Separate the 2 strands of yard with thumb and index finger

Step 4: Move left hand down to form a loop around the thumb and index finger

Step 5: Insert needle through the loop around the thumb

 Step 6: Insert needle through the loop around the index finger

 Step 7: Then insert needle back again through the loop around the thumb

 Step 8: Release fingers

 

Step 9: Pull yarn
Don't pull too tightly or else your stitches will be hard to work with. Your loops should be tight enough to stay on the needle but loose enough for the needle to slide through. You now have 2 stitches.

Repeat steps 2 through 9 to cast on more stitches that you'll need.

Knitted Kitty

 I am proud to show you a little knitted project that I made at my son's toddler class (yes, parents are asked to create little projects such as this while the kids play on their own).

Knitting (and crocheting) isn't exactly my best skill, as I might have mentioned a couple of months ago. But at last, I have been able to knit something more than a long strand!

Learning how knit could be quite a challenge for a leftie such as moi. It is because of this that I decided to show a tutorial of some of what I have learned in my next posts for the other frustrated leftie knitters out there (surely, I'm not the only one).
Stay tuned!

Knitted Finger Puppet and St. Michael's Palyhouse

It was Alonzo's last day at St. Michael's Playhouse last Saturday.

We've been on the parent-child program since June last year and

hubby and I decided that we'll be taking a temporary break this summer. We'll be back on June.

Anyway, as a parting gift Alonzo received this hand made, knitted finger puppet from teacher Josie.

S-U-P-E-R  C-U-T-E!

I have to admit that I am a frustrated knitter

(and crocheter, for that matter). 

I can only knit long strands, as in a scarf and can hardly crochet if my life depended on it. 

Anyway,  St. Michael's Playhouse will be having a basic crochet,  doll-making and moving storybook workshop for adults and other fun activities for the kids this summer.

Check it out!