Scary Softies

Another diversion from my Dad's v-neck...

I used a pattern from this Japanese craft book but didn't have white felt for the bear's eyes. So for now it's just Scary Faceless Bear.

Meet Sophie

I made her a while ago for a friend who's expecting her first child. The baby is now a reality and Sophie has been gifted so I can show her off to the world.

I used a pattern from Aranzi Aronzo's Fun Dolls but I had a Japanese copy from my local Kinokuniya. The pictorial instructions are super easy to follow.

It's my first doll creation sewn from scratch (i.e. not from socks/knitted). She's not entirely symmetrical but still very cuddly. I think I'll definitely make more of these.

A couple more pics on my flickr including one of her cute button tail.

Tea Towel Bags

ISBN 4579110412

I've been meaning to share this Jap craft book for a while now (it's one of the few books I actually bought IN Japan).

Some really great projects apparently made from just tea towels... including bags, seat covers, heat mats, tissue covers and MORE BAGS!

As with most Jap craft books, this one has some really stylish photos despite the simplicity of the objects.

Here's a picture of the materials...

This bag was the reason I bought this book...

I'm yet to find a tea towel that actually has that lovely flower pattern though.

I remember looking at haberdashery shops in Japan and they actually sell fabrics similar to the ones used in this book! Those lucky buggers in Japan....

Anyway, a few more pics in my flickr for the really keen.

Stripey Dog/Bumble Bee?

We have lift off with the Zebra.

The pattern is from this Japanese craft book.

I got the socks for 8 bucks at a sock stand in Chatswood Westfield (2 pairs for $15!) - unbelievably it's the only place I've been able to find this type of socks.

It turned out to be a tad more difficult than the monkey as there's a lot more hand sewing involved. And I couldn't get the head to shape like the one in the book and the body ended up being too long - well my first attempt at the body was too short so I had to redo it with the other sock (thankfully these socks are longer than the ones required).

Anyway, here's a progress shot...


And here's what it looks like so far - bit like a cross between a dog and a bumble bee.

Monkey Story

Once upon a time there were two monkeys who were good friends.

One of the monkeys courtesy of Mrs. Hooper. The other, Mrs. Jones.

One had big floppy ears, squishy arms and legs, and a long spindly tail.

The other was hairy all over except on top, somewhat squishy as well, and always has a cheeky grin.

They were both really cool monkeys and did lots of really cool things together. Like scratch each others' backs and eat lots of bananas. (They had their own banana patch so all the bananas were free.)

And they lived happily ever after.

THE END.

Handmade Felt Book

ISBN 4277430023

Beautiful Japanese book published by Ondori with lots of projects for bags, hats, creatures, corsages, baby booties and more.

Pics on my flickr.

A couple of the more basic projects have step-by-step photo instructions but the rest are just diagrams. Both wet felting and needle felting projects are included.

I'm not sure whether it's suitable for someone with no previous felting experience. I bought it more for inspiration and ideas rather than to learn how to felt.

Some really unusual bags are included, like the melon bag below... although I'm not really sure it's a bag - looks more like it's stuffed with fleece and it's a bit difficult to work out from the instructions when you can't speak Jap.


My absolute favourite in the book are these flower corsages...

Zoo of Socks

Came across this book on Angry Chicken's blog and just had to have it! (ISBN 4579110617)

Managed to find it at my local Kinokuniya (my favourite shop to browse at lunchtime, when I get one).


There are about 15 different animals you can make from socks or gloves. My faves include the pig, elephant, panda and red robin (I like them all!). There are pictorial instructions and look pretty easy to follow - although I haven't made anything yet.

There's even a small section on making clothes for the dolls (a top, pants, dress and hat). More pics on my flickr.


My first project will be the zebra, which is Jerms' favourite. Kudos to him for holding the book in the sun so I can take these pics.

In related news, Jerms and I did a photo shoot of a couple of my other Japanese craft books at the same time. I'll be posting pics of these in the next couple of days. Stay tuned.

Wee Make-a-long

First installment of Hilary Lang's (of Wee Wonderfuls' fame) make-a-long story is up!

I need some sewing skills.

Monkey Business

Nearly finished. Progress pics on my flickr.

Free sock monkey plan here. Sock elephant plan here.

Sock Pen*s

Started my sock monkey on the weekend. It's really fun and a nice diversion from knitting. Here's what the socks looked like at the start...

But I ran out of stuffing after I did the body so here's what it looks like until I get more stuffing.


No prize for guessing what it looks like. There's more pics on my flickr account. Just click on the badge on the sidebar and search the tag 'sock monkey'.

Felted Slippers

Whopper red slippers went in the washing machine on the weekend.


Had to put it through 3 wash cycles before it was properly felted. I'm not 100% satisfied with the results - the texture is a little uneven, due to previously discussed problems with a frontloader.

I read the machine manual back to front and still can't work out how to stop the spin cycle. Apparently every wash program has a short spin cycle except for the Delicates program, which won't create enough agitation for felting. Grrrrr....

As a result the spinning put all these permanent creases on the slippers.

I guess the only solution is probably to watch the machine like a hawk while it's felting and turn it off manually when it starts spinning. Really productive use of 2 hours...

Whopper Slippers

Ballet slippers completed! They will be felted this weekend.

There's a dilemma though. Because we were overly enthusiastic about being socially responsible environmentally friendly people when we bought our washing machine, we went for a 4.5 star energy efficient water saving frontloader. MISTAKE!

It doesn't put in enough water when you felt so the result is quite uneven and the crazy spin cycle puts in permanent creases on the felt. Most annoying of all, you also can't stop mid cycle to check the progress.

Wish I still had the industrial size toploader in our old share house. It used so much water and energy we could've been lobbied by Greenpeace. But it was great for felting.

Here's a comparison with one I prepared earlier...

Putting our feet up...

Red Slippers

I need a quick project to tie me over the grief of killing off the Rebecca 28 sweater.

So I'm making these slippers from Fiber Trends pattern AC-14 I got one Easter Show.

I'm using the 12-ply Rustic in Red Currant from Bendigo Woollen Mills. It felts beautifully.

Jerms has a pair in Earth without the strap that he calls his kung-fu shoes.

Sock Monkey

Tried to buy suitable socks on the weekend for this at Target but to no avail. All I wanted was long stripey socks with a solid colour cuff, toe and heel! Is that so hard?

There's a great step-by-step tutorial by Kris on her blog.