Needle-felt card kit

NEEDLE-FELT KIT FOR GREETINGS CARD – IDEAL GIFT OR TO TRY YOURSELF

Having enjoyed creating cards myself, using needle-felting, I thought if I put together a kit, others could have a go without the initial expense of buying a range of wool and cards. Once you’re hooked, then it’s no problem buying in bulk!

Alternatively, I thought it may make an unusual present for a “crafty” friend.

I’ve done two initial kits – this one presents everything in a hessian bag, and includes a piece of foam; the other listing has more cards and wool, but assumes you can find yourself a piece of foam to “stab” into, and don’t need a fancy bag. I’ve done an instruction sheet too. 

100% Baby Alpaca Scarf

I brought this wool back from a holiday in Peru. It feels soft and warm, and was a most enjoyable knitting project. Approx scarf size: 154cm length, 15cm width. Just right for doubling over and keeping your neck warm!

I even "blocked" it which is a new experience for me, as in all my years of knitting I've never done that before.  But the result is an amazing difference, so it's something I'll do in future.

I still have more baby alpaca wool, in other colours ... so, what next?!

Middle size BIG BEAR

She’s knitted from a pattern bought in the TEMPORARY MEASURES shop in Keswick, so I guess she’s fairly unique.

I used Aran wool, probably acrylic.

Big Bear is approx. 35cm tall, seated, and approx. 51cm head to toe. Her eyes are buttons which have been sewn on, and then glue-gunned, so they seem very secure. The nose is black felt, and the paw pads and bow are cotton material.

Bear is stuffed with Habico non-allergenic, washable, polyester filling, which has BS numbers for fire safety and cleanliness, plus European Standard EN71

I’ve bought Chunky and DK wool in bear shades, so watch out for the rest of the family … and then of course, Goldilocks would be my next project!

ERMINTRUDE Tea Cosy

Ermintrude is hand knit in quality DK wool, from the King Cole pattern 9003, and it would make a fun, unique present. It could cover a couple of toilet rolls if you didn’t want it as a tea cosy … or a tissue box … or sweets

Approx sizes: 17cm middle height, 20cm head height, 30cm length

It is stuffed with Habico non-allergenic, washable, polyester filling, which has BS numbers for fire safety and cleanliness, plus European Standard EN71.

It was great fun knitting this, so long as you could cope with the numerous coloured strands running along the back of the rows!

Advent Tree

Finished with time to spare this year! This is from King Cole pattern 8001. The knitting is 67cm long, plus there is a metal ring for hanging the tree;  the base of the triangle has a 52cm piece of dowel sewn in. I used two colours of green chunky wool, plus red DK for the numbers. Just missing the goodies for each pocket!

Shawl/Scarf

The wool came in a DIY pack, with huge wooden needles, from CUSHENDALE WOOLLEN MILLS, Southern Ireland www.cushendale.ie
I can’t remember now if they told me how many stitches, or if I just guessed! I did 35 stitches, plain knit, till I ran out of wool. If I did another, I would make it narrower and longer.
BUT … I wasn’t keen on knitting on such huge needles - I never felt I was in control, so it’s doubtful if I’ll be using them again!

Big Bear

Big Bear comes from a pattern I bought at TEMPORARY MEASURE - a most fascinating shop in Keswick. I bought the wool next door! SIRDAR PERSIA CHUNKY.
Big Bear is 40cm tall, seated, and 60cm head to toe. I had trouble deciding on the eyes - with the wool being dark, all the eyes I tried either "disappeared" or were too light. The pair I finally chose have a slightly reflective surface, which means they glint in the light.
He's stuffed with Habico non-allergenic, washable, polyester filling, which has  BS numbers for fire safety and cleanliness, plus European Standard EN71
To knit a smaller bear, the pattern is the same but you substitute the chunky wool for Aran, and use smaller needles.
BEWARE Goldilocks - I feel the three bears are on their way!