Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Miss Brewer, my first grade teacher at Cedar Brook Elementary School in Seattle, would have us stand and sing the "Head, shoulders, knees and toes" song, you know the one where you point to your body parts, and each additional time you sing it, you replace a body part word with "Hmmmm"?

Miss Brewer was tall, thin, young, and wore her blond hair in a French twist. I thought she was so elegant. And she got married, and invited the whole class to her wedding. That was probably the first wedding I ever went to!

In honor of Miss Brewer, one of my all time favorite teachers, here are pictures of accessories that cover or adorn various body parts. . .


For the Head:


Pattern: Basketweave Headband by Carissa Browning (Carissa Knits)
Yarn: Linen/Cotton mix?






Pattern: Lace Headband by Minty Fresh (Pepperknit.com)
Yarn: Panda Cotton Sock Yarn




Pattern: Crepe Paper Crown by Leigh Radford (Alterknits)

The first version below was done in stockinette, as per the instructions, substituting ribbon for the crepe paper.

Happy Birthday, Gloria!

This next one is a smaller version, done all in garter stitch, which made it a little more sturdy. Sent to Addy for her 4th birthday.

For the Shoulders:


Pattern: Two Tone Shrug by Stephanie Japel (Fitted Knits)
Yarn: Berrocco Love It!
Recipient: Mercedes
This shrug is identical to the one I made and posted last year, but in a larger size.

For the (Knees and) Toes, (Knees and) Toes

Pattern: Knit Boots by Mary Ann Hammes

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky

Pattern: Arizona Flip Flop Socks by Catherine Hall (L G Stitched)

Yarn: Cascade Fixation

Whew, covered from head to foot!

Eucalyptus for Dinner!

When we were little, living in Seattle, my sister and I got stuffed toy koala bears for Christmas. She named hers Sydney, and mine was named Tamba. They were made out of kangaroo fur, which now, as an adult (vegetarian for 12 years) is slightly disturbing to me, but at the time, they were our favorite toys. About 10 years ago, I was going through my leftover childhood possessions in my parents' attic, and found Tamba. She was in a disgusting state of disintegration, and was disposed of. . . but the memories are still there, and to honor our childhood friends, I made this little Sydney #2 (100% genuine acryclic!) for my sister.

Pattern: "Cocoa Koala," from Toys to Crochet by Claire Garland.

Yarn: Red Heart Worted Acrylic for the body and stash stuff for dress.

Notions: 2 black beads for the eyes, black embroidery floss for the nose and mouth, button for the dress.

Comments: I didn't really like this pattern. . . it seemed to have too many steps. For example, the body was done in two parts -- you make 2 half globes, and then sew them together. Why? I think it would have been faster and easier to just decrease back down the other half as in most amigurumi patterns.

Also the dress was problematic -- I had to make the bodice part back and forth (in the round wouldn't fit over koala's head) and then from the skirt down I did it in the round. I put a little button on the back rather than sewing it shut, in case my sister's kids think they need to undress her!

Anyway, the finished product is cute in a wierd way. Sydney II was sent to my sister today!

Ribbed Lace Bolero

T turns 20! Happy Birthday to you my April 1st girl!

Pattern: Ribbed Lace Shrug by Kelly Maher (published free on her 10 Feet High website.)

Yarn: Cotton Ease in taupe (1 + a smidge of 2nd skein)

The shrug fit at first, but kept growing as she wore it. Apparently this yarn and lace pattern
combined are very stretchy! I think a wash and dry in the machine will help.

When she saw it, T the fashionista said, "Shrugs and boleros are out!" But she seemed to be
happy to wear it. Also, I don't think she's visited the yarn stores and websites, where shrugs abound!!! This pattern has been made 431 times by Ravelers (so far) and is in 1592 queues!

More Doggy Stuff

At the risk of seeming obsessed, here are some more doggy pictures.

This is the bed made for Mr. Pooty:

But he shares with the little pig.

This is the bed made for Chiwi:

But she shares with the little peanut.

And Liz just rolls around flashing her toothy grin:

Kitty Cuddles Beds #1 in Action

Queen Elizabeth attempts to fit into the Kitty Cuddles Bed #1. . .
Shet gets pretty comfy. . .

Sausage in a roll. . .

Fully relaxed. . .

Little Miss Sunshine

A couple of years ago, I made a dress for Niece A. It was too big for her at the time, and I totally forgot about it. It was one of those FOs I never took a picture of.

Niece and family came to visit a couple of weeks ago, and lo and behold, there she was, in her dress of yellow. A little Miss Sunshine if I ever saw one!

Pattern: My one, I scribbled it down somewhere, but it has probably gone into the black hole. . .

Yarn: Cotton Tots (cheap, but really one of my favorite kid yarns!)

Kitty Bed #2, Also for a Dog

The pattern is Kitty Cuddles Bed (free from Crochet Pattern Central).
This is the second kitty bed made for our dogs.


The yarn is Lamb's Pride Bulky in "olive."
The trim is 2 strands of Patons SWS (wool/soy blend) in "natural violet."


Close up pre-felting:

It was a big mama before it was felted:

And here it is after felting, with a comfy, fleecy pad to lie on:

And little Chiwi half-in, half-out of her new bed:

Snuggy bed, and chew toy in one!