Wednesday 4 July 2012

Yarn Along and a Giveaway!


I wondered when my smallie would be ready to knit... I was so looking forward to that but I just waited to see.
 He wanted to make a pair of  his own needles when he saw the children at school were making them with me in handwork, then we put them aside for a while. We also made tree branch buttons with a friend, they've just been sitting waiting to be used on something special.
Some weeks ago he told me he wanted to knit, and it seems to me that when kids are ready, they are really ready. He got right into the swing of it and decided he wanted to make himself a treasure bag for our upcoming trip. Nana knit some of the rows for him in the evenings when he stayed with her. He even loved the decreasing, despite moments of panic when he dropped a stitch or something else went awry!


 A little milestone, but one very dear to me : )

My own knitting this week has also put a smile on my face. Knitted gnomes are on the curriculum for one of my classes next September. I'd never made any kind of knitted doll so I wondered how it worked and whether it would be fun.


 It is! This is just a first go, more are coming to my mind's eye and I'm suddenly flooded with all kinds of ideas about telling gnome stories to the children and building a little world around these characters and the little things we could make for them.
Eyes are often stitched in thread, with fleece being used for hair, but I like the idea of doing everything in yarn, the children get a wide experience of all that you do with just yarn, how you can fashion and create a character using many different stitches. It also makes a really trusty toy then, hardy enough for play as well as storytelling.
Inspired again : ) and excited about bringing this project to the children and just watching where they take it.


I'm happily joining Ginny and the gang over Small Things for this week's Yarn Along.
To celebrate one year of my blog : ) and to thank all my readers and especially all you regulars whose lovely comments I've so appreciated over the months, I'm giving away one of my needle felted figures!
A Toadstool Elder, pictured below.
 Leave a comment and I'll randomly pick a winner by the end of this week and be in touch. (Comments are now closed) As always, thank you for your visit x M


Thank you for all your lovely comments : )
And the winner is...Svenna of Stitch and Purl!
"The gnome is beautiful, you are inspiring me again..
And well done, little guy - may you have many happy hours of knitting!

Happy anniversary, Mia! I always look forward to visiting your space and beautiful creations. I'm in love with your toadstool elder, honestly!"


14 comments:

  1. GORgeous beautiful i love it all !
    i really want my son to knit ... ive tried lots with braiding and then the knitting nancy. how did you start ? maybe he is just ready for the big stick needles like you've done.
    very inspiring ! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for sharing your dear one's first knitting! My daughter loves to knit, but her favorite thing is "starting things" so she doesn't often make much progress. ;)
    I also love to knit toys, and your gnome is a darling. I was contemplating a toy for our new baby just the other day.
    Happy Yarn along!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks Angelina : )
    I would start with lots of finger crochet, building up to four-finger crochet which you can read all about under that category on my blog.
    Then I'd jump in at the deep end and teach him how to cast on, on 6mm needles, ideally that he's made himself. Maybe he can sit on your lap in the beginning and you can guide his hands where they need to go. Hope this helps.

    ReplyDelete
  4. what a great first project. :) nothing beats a pocket!
    i knitted my first doll a bit ago for my wee babe, it was so much fun. i think i might try another one.

    ReplyDelete
  5. My little son keeps asking about knitting, but his interest doesn't hold long, so I think we need to wait a while yet! I love your knitted gnome, such great detail. And the Toadstool Elder is wonderful too. Toadstools are my favourite gnomey accessory!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow - so much here in your post - first, i agree that is so rewarding to watch your child knit - I just love it when I get to observe one of mine sitting quietly by the fire knitting.
    Your knit gnome is great! And thank you for the giveaway offer. I have admired your needle felting for some time.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a sweet giveaway indeed. I love your beautiful and inspiring blog! xo
    emily

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well done Luka, and I hope you find lots of treasures on your trip!. x

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am looking forward to being able to teach the wee one here how to knit when she is old enough, I know your heart must be full.
    I love the giveaway and would love a chance to have one your your creations, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for sharing your knitted gnome; my daughter is inspired and wants to make one, too. We'd also love to win your Toadstool Elder. Thanks soo much for your giveaway offer.

    ReplyDelete
  11. So awesome! Great job on that gnome and wow, your son did a great job!! Thanks for the inspiration! Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. The gnome is beautiful, you are inspiring me again..
    And well done, little guy - may you have many happy hours of knitting!

    Happy anniversary, Mia! I always look forward to visiting your space and beautiful creations. I'm in love with your toadstool elder, honestly!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love your knitted gnome :) He is wonderful! Alan Dart is a fabulous inspiration for knitted toys!
    And congratulations to your newest knitter there :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love Your art work its amazing !!

    ReplyDelete