Eye Candy Monday

The Blue Sky Alpacas trunk show is still with us! Come and see these sweet little faces in person.

The tiny human clothes are killing me. That little dress/romper is adorable. The pants have butt gussets to accommodate a diaper booty. It's all so cute!

Tiny Crowns

Do have young (or old) friends who like to dress up? Think they might like a little crown?

Summer is a great time for little projects that are finished quickly and don't drape all over your lap, and these sweet little Circlets are just the thing! The purple one above was knit with Cascade Sunseeker, a nice cotton with a little sparkle. The pink one below is knit with good ol' Cascade 220 Sport. 

My littlest human gravitates to these immediately when she enters the shop. So that's a sign that she needs a few, right? I have been known to wear one of these little crowns around the shop myself. Maybe I need one, too!

Fruits and Veggies

It's getting to be Farmer's Market Season here in Portland.  Time to knit your fruits and veggies!

Beet by Norah Gaughan

We have a nice stock of cotton yarns that would be just right for these kinds of things.  Ann used Tahki Cotton Classic for these two, but Plymouth Cleo DK, Cascade Ultra Pima, and Classic Elite Sprout and Seedling would be great, too.

Melonaid by Heidi Kirrmaier

There are currently nineteen pages of free food toy patterns on Ravelry for knitters and crocheters.  Wouldn't these be ideal summer projects?  Quick little things with cotton yarn...just right for the warmer months.  And I know my kids would love a whole garden of veggies for playing.  Realistically, I would need to make at least two of everything.  I had better find some green yarn and get knitting.

Easter Knitting

I always have a little trouble figuring out what to put in the Easter baskets that won't make the kids bounce off the wall from a sugar high.  I have created several bunnies over the years, and the kids seem to love them.  Some have been more elaborate than others, but they do take up plenty of space in the basket, and they last forever.  I have a few ideas for you all at varying levels of skill and time requirements.

Easter is more than a week away, so you might have time to produce a sweet little creature from designer Sara Elizabeth Kellner.  She has a few amazing bunnies...

and a beaver and a robin, too, if you're into that sort of thing (I am).  Baby birds!

Check out her website for all of these free patterns and many many more.  (Thanks, Sara for letting me borrow your photos.)

There is also the adorable Mini-Reversible Duck to Bunny from Susan B. Anderson.  (Photos borrowed from Spud Says! The Blog.)

Wait for it...ta da!  I know, right?  So cute!

This little bunny begins life a square piece of knitting.  Easy peasy.  (Photo from Ravelry pattern page.)

If your knitting time is even more scarce between now and the 31st, fear not!  I have a few things for you, too.

Easter chick?  I suppose this doesn't solve the sugar issue, but it would be quick.  (Photo from Ravelry pattern page, too.  Sorry, I don't have time to make all of these to photograph for you guys.)

Last, least amount of knitting, and probably what I will be cranking out, Bunny Nuggets.  Rebecca Danger designs so many amazing critters with so much personality, you should take a look at her other stuff, too.  (Photo borrowed from Ravelry pattern page.)

We are closed on Easter Sunday, March 31st, but we'd love to help you choose the perfect bunny supplies before then, so stop by and see us.  The handmade stuff is always fun, and these little buddies will still be around long after the sugar crash.

Oh, Deer

This sweet little thing is currently living at the shop.  I think we have decided to call her Pearl.  Ann created her using just one skein of Berroco Peruvia, some stuffing, and good bit of patience.  There are many small parts, but the results are so worth it.  The pattern is even a freebie on Ravelry, My Dear - A Deer Trophy by Clare Garland.

I'd like to try her in a darker brown, but I'm afraid the stuffing will show through.  So, I might have to just blatantly copy Ann.  Why not, since she seems to be on such a roll with these great samples?  If you hear me muttering something about increases on the antlers, please show me these photos to remind me how stinkin' cute this little lady is.  Thanks.

Spring Bunny

While I always have such high hopes for handmade holiday goodies, I never seem to start my planning until right before the big day.


This year, I am going to try to motivate myself to create some little items with time to spare. Since spring is creeping up on us, I decided to start with a knitted bunny. I think he’ll make a sweet (sugar-free) treat tucked into an Easter basket.

We have several bunny patterns at Close Knit: Little Rabbit Foo Foo from Heirloom Stitches, Hop from Blue Sky Alpacas, and Bunny Fun from Fiber Trends. If you are looking for an alternative to the bunnies, we also have patterns for a variety of animals, including alpacas, hedgehogs, chickens, and squirrels.


As for yarn, angora seemed most appropriate. I chose to knit Little Rabbit Foo Foo in Karabella Chloe, a cotton/angora blend. Since my bunny is stuffed, I knit him on a size 7 needle rather than the 9 suggested on the ball band. Knitting the fabric a little tighter keeps the stuffing from showing through the stitches. If you decide to make a bunny and need help with the tail, bring your yarn into the shop on any Sunday, and I'll help you make a pompom.


Stop by the shop to see Little Rabbit Foo Foo and choose a pattern for your own little springtime critter!

Edited To Add: Spud & Chloe just posted a fabulous free pattern for a Mini-Reversible Duck to Bunny using their Spud & Chloe Sweater. We have this yarn in a wide range of colors, so come on by the shop this weekend to get started!