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Hello, my name is Dionne and I have been crafting for a very long time. As a very young child my mother tried to teach me to knit, it was a disaster. However, it must have sparked an interest in making things and, partly to prove that I was not totally useless and partly because I really wanted to make things, I taught myself to crochet. Over the years I have developed a love of cross stitch and all types of paper craft ..... I eventually even taught myself to knit.


I am married to a very understanding man, thank goodness, because I spend all my time either crafting, thinking about crafting or talking about crafting. I am hopeless at housework and dinner is often late!


Thank you for visiting my blog.


Dionne

Thursday, 23 February 2017

Lapland Visitors Part I

Hi there, I know it has been a while since my last post but I have been busy on a new project.  I have been knitting a pair of sweet rabbits, along with their clothes.

A few years ago I discovered a series of knitting patterns on Ravelry published under the name of 'Mary Jane's Tearoom', designed by Susan Hickson.  It was love at first sight but, unfortunately, I never had the time to make any of these enchanting knits however this year I promised myself that I would make at least one or two of them.

It was very difficult deciding which to make first and in the end I decided on two patterns, they were a pair of 'matched' rabbits called 'Lapland Visitors'.  I started with 'Bo', and I should warn you that there are a lot of photos in this post.

I should like to introduce you to 'Bo'.


His body and boots are made of 100% alpaca wool ...


and his cloths are made from 4 ply cotton yarn.


He has the most enormous feet, I really do not think you get the feeling of their size from these photographs.


The alpaca wool I used is beautifully soft but it is much finer than any other Double Knit yarns I have ever use.  Consequently my bunny is smaller than stated in the pattern and all of the clothes were much too large for him.  Once I realised why his clothes swamped him I decided to knit them on 2mm needles instead of 2.75mm. 

These are leg warmers, instant flashback to the 70's.


The little twisted laces on his snow pants reminded me of old fashioned pyjama cords.


I have never made any thing so fine and I found it quite impossible to pick up stitches around the arm holes to make the sleeves in the jumper, but it was an easy enough work around.  I just love this snowflake design.


Isn't this little pom pom sweet?


The most difficult part of the pattern ... and the most nerve wrecking, are the features.  I spent two days plucking up the courage and trying to get his face to look a way I was happy with - and to be honest I could probably fiddle with him a bit more. 


Here is a quick shot of his rear, I did not want you to miss his cute scut (I had to leave a slot in his snow pants for it to poke through).


I think I prefer him without his ski hat.  What do you think?


I hope you like the first of my knitted 'toys', I shall be back in a day or two to show you Bo's sister Anaka.


Dionne
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12 comments:

  1. crafty-stamper24 February 2017 at 21:26

    Bo is sooo cute and beauiful set of clothes love the leg warmers lol and I prefer him without the hat too
    Carol x

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    1. crafty-stamper24 February 2017 at 21:28

      meant to say I checked and my jigsaw die is an x-cut one -thank you
      Carol x

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    2. Dee's Craft Room25 February 2017 at 04:12

      Thank you Carol, I must finish photographing his 'sister' so you can see her too. There is a whole series of these bunnies and everyone is as cute as the last.

      Have a great weekend.

      Dionne x

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    3. Dee's Craft Room25 February 2017 at 04:13

      I have the same die, which is why I thought I recognised it. So pleased I could help.

      Dionne xx

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    4. crafty-stamper25 February 2017 at 15:50

      Have just read your comment on my blog Dionne-fat pages are 4" square card with layers and texture-hence-"fat page" you can either use them as toppers or punch two holes on left hand side and put onto ring binders to make a mini album x

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    5. Dee's Craft Room25 February 2017 at 16:40

      Many thanks for this explanation, I think I need to do the crafting equivalent of getting out more ie attend more workshops. It is so kind of you for letting me know, thank you.

      Dionne x

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  2. CdeBaca Crafts Gallery27 February 2017 at 00:50

    Wow! First, you did all of this?? You are amazing Dionne! And second, I think he looks cute with his hat but also without so we can see his cute ears! I have been wondering where you have been! I've been a little absent as well. We all got hit with the flu so it hasn't been fun. I think this is beautiful piece of work you have created. This is truly special.

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    1. Dee's Craft Room27 February 2017 at 09:16

      I am so sorry to hear that you have all been so unwell, I hope you are now fully reovered.

      Thank you for your very kind comments. I am afraid that a project like this takes quite a bit longer to turn out than a birthday card but it is oh so rewarding when it is finished. My problem is I keep tinkering with both Bo and his sister Anaka, which is why she has not yet made an appearance on my blog.

      Stay well.

      Dionne x

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  3. Lisa J28 February 2017 at 12:35

    These are very cute! I have been trying to contact you. Sent you a message through FB! Can you message me pls?

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    1. Dee's Craft Room28 February 2017 at 13:27

      Thank you Lisa. I have just found your FB message and replied, I hope you have found it.

      Dionne x

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  4. Pamellia3 March 2017 at 12:10

    Oh my gosh Dionne, I can't even begin to tell you how in love with this little guy I am!! He is cute when he's sitting there naked, but then you put the outfit on and my heart just melted! That pom pom on his butt is just too adorable! His legwarmers and little snowflake sweater, oh my gosh!! You are super talented my friend, and this may be my all time favourite project of yours ever! So much work and tlc put into Bo, but sooooo worth it! Give em big hug for me will ya! love love love

    Hope all is well with you. Things are looking up around here and I may just be popping into the blog world more often this spring. sending big hugs to you, let's catch up soon.

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    1. Dee's Craft Room7 March 2017 at 00:49

      I am so pleased you like Bo, I loved making him. I even got the new camera out to photograph Bo and Anaka as I wanted you to see them at their best. Clearly I have a lot to learn aout using the camera, for this exercise I just put it on auto and let the camera focus itself. And you are so right, it was easy to take A LOT of photographs without really realising it.

      I am fine but I find knitting to be seriously time consuming and I am spending less and less time on line. Perhaps this is not a bad thing and it has helped fill that massive gap left by Crafty Boots.

      Look after yourself my friend.

      Dionne xx

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Thank you for visiting my blog, I look forward to reading your feedback on my work. I hope you will visit again.

Dionne

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