Thanks for all of the good wishes, I am feeling a little better now although still have to shake this throat thing fully. Still, lolling about last week meant I had more time for browsing blogs and flicking through flickr. There are some wonderfully creative people out there doing all kinds of gorgeous things with fabric and yarn. Although there are plenty of fabric softies that I fall in love with, yarn is my first love so I suppose that's why I'm drawn to knitted and crocheted softies. I have a particular penchant for the work of Wholelottalisa who makes the most lovely fluffy creatures which I think are beautifully shaped and quite special.
Until seeing her toys it had never occurred to me that you could mix two strands of different yarn and create a new and wonderful hybrid.
So, when I saw this baby mohair boucle I knew I just had to make it mine, all mine and give her technique a go by marrying it up with a lone ball from my stash. It's horribly fiddly stuff to knit with but I'll let you know how I get on later in the week!
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Footnote:
I'm going to start answering questions at the bottom of each post - I'm woefully behind with emails and hopefully this will help!
A couple of people asked about the knitted heart in the last post. It's going to be a jumper for a big toy and the pattern for the heart lace panel came from an old Rowan book - Kim's White Book, published in 1989 (one of Kim Hargreaves first pattern books).
I suppose it's out of print now but I had a search on ravelry and you can find a very similar lace heart pattern here for free.
Hello:)! I knitted one of your little bunnies it on my blog!!
Posted by: Ashlee | June 09, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Ooooh, I can't wait to see the finished fluffy something! Glad you're feeling better- just in time to enjoy the sunshine :)
Posted by: charlie p | June 09, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Oh those little toys by Lisa are adorable, i just seen her little monkeys on etsy and they are so sweet. I can't wait to see your little fluffy toys now!
♥ Raynor
Posted by: Raynor | June 09, 2008 at 01:42 PM
It's always great to find inspiration and ideas in other peoples crafts. That just helps to expand our own talent. Looking forward to the "fluffier" version of your rabbits.
Posted by: Angelika | June 09, 2008 at 02:17 PM
I adore Lisa's plush as well...I have three of them, and just bought another as a gift. Have you seen her new giraffes? They're irresistible!
Posted by: Stacey | June 09, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Lisa's little ones are ao adorable,she is very talented.
Love your new yarn, I have to agree it does look a challenge to knit with, but I bet whatever comes from it will be terrific!
Posted by: mylizziejane | June 09, 2008 at 03:51 PM
That is definitely Bunny Fluff.
Posted by: Alice C | June 09, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Your newest project looks wonderful. There's a great Rowan yarn that I like to use for my bears, and it looks like it is made from three very fine strands of different colored wool. It knits beautifully, as I am sure your combined yarns will as well.
Happy knitting! And I am glad you're feeling better!
Posted by: Molly | June 09, 2008 at 08:03 PM
You are such a sweetie Julie! Taking time to find patterns, and answer questions. You are proof positive that there are still good people with caring hearts in this world :)
Those softies are fluffy and cute, not to mention colorful. I'll be interested to see what you cook up with your new yarn ;)
Posted by: Danielle | June 09, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Thanks for the link to the heart sampler. I am making a blanket at the moment and a mixture of hearts and stars might be the way to go... or I could make a separate heart one... I shall mull that one over. I look forward to seeing the outcome of the yarn duo - it looks great so far but I can imagine it isn't the easiest to knit with.
Posted by: Gemma | June 10, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Thanks Gemma, I was looking for a project and a 'Julie's heart' blanket sounds like a way to go. (I love the star blanket idea too.) Julie, your fans are always an inspiration. Thank you. Take care of yourself, love and huggles
Posted by: jill | June 10, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Can't wait to see the finished product !
Posted by: trudette | June 12, 2008 at 11:17 AM
FELICIDADES!!!,ME ENCANTO TU BLOG!!!,MUY LINDOS LOS MUÑECOS EN TRICOT!
UN SALUDO Y MUCHA LUZ
Posted by: Stella Maris | June 12, 2008 at 10:57 PM