Lately I’ve been pretty swamped with new design work—exciting stuff, but sadly top-secret. When I’m not designing, I’ve also been taking cute photos like this one! I’m trying to slowly build a portfolio of images that could be postcards or other things like that. The gnomes are my favorite models, of course!
I’m psyched to see that some daring knitters are challenging themselves with Mochimochi projects for the Ravellenic Games! They even have an adorable badge, created by BreiKonijn.
As you may have heard, the Ravellenic Games got some unexpected publicity a few weeks back when its previous Olympics-inspired name got on the radar of the US Olympic Committee’s lawyers. Although now renamed, it seems to me at least that the spirit of the Ravelleniads (assuming that’s what they’re now called) has only been strengthened, with knitters stretching their skills to accomplish new fiber heights, all while enjoying the Olympic games coverage from London.
Although I’m not involved in the organization of Team Mochimochi, I’m excited to watch from the sidelines—I see that some knitters have already started posting photos of their accomplishments on their Ravelry discussion thread! (They also seem open to new members.)
Goooo TEAM!! And let us know in the comments if you’re taking part in the Ravellenics!
If you’ve been to Knitty City lately, you’ve seen that they have a starry window display this month!
Along with the adorable hot air balloons that you can see in the photo, my sherbet-hued Lucky Stars make for an unconventional “stars and stripes” theme for July. I love the idea of NYC pedestrians pausing for a moment to take in the charming scene as they rush off to their next air-conditioned destination.
Happy 4th, everyone!
When we moved into our Brooklyn apartment a couple years ago, it seemed perfect: quiet, spacious, and close to the park. But no apartment is perfect, and as it turns out, this one has a serious pest problem. I don’t want to gross you out, but I think it’s important to raise awareness about tiny gnome infestations.
First I found them in the kitchen playing with the toaster.
I thought it was a one-time thing, but then I discovered they had gotten into my cereal. Yuck!
When I found them in my desk drawer, I knew this problem wasn’t going away.
In fact, they seem to be making a special effort to do naughty things.
I can’t even wear my favorite shoes anymore.
Now that they’re using our toilet as a swimming pool, I’m thinking it’s time to just move out.
I admit that I may be to blame for our tiny gnome problem—it’s possible that a couple of gnomes that I knitted escaped into the walls and multiplied, but there’s really no way to trace where they came from. The point is that you should get your home checked for tiny gnomes today, before it’s too late.
Have you heard about the new gnome in Mochimochi Land? He’s kind of hard to miss!
When he first moved in, all the tiny gnomes ran away and hid. But one brave little gnome decided to overcome his fear and make friends.
Even Nipsey thinks he’s an OK guy, even if he is a rather big cat toy.
I’m a bit in love with him myself, so a pattern is in the works!
Update: The pattern for Plinky & Plunky is now available!
Last week I dropped everything because I decided on a whim that I just had to knit a piano. Meet Plinky!
Plinky was one of the more challenging knits I’ve undertaken in a while, but I’m pretty happy with how he turned out. I don’t currently have a name for his bench friend, so I’m open to suggestions. (If I use yours, you’ll get the pattern for free!)
I’ll be working on the pattern in the next couple of months!
A couple of days ago I had the idea to try knitting a piano. Once I got into it, my to-do list for the week went out the window, because now it is National Knit a Piano Week in this household.
Many questions have arisen in the process. What is the best non-boring color for a piano? How many keys should a silly nonrealistic representation of a piano have? And of course: lid or no lid?? (That last one has yet to be resolved.)
In my tiny designs, I aspire to make everything as simple as possible, which is a fun challenge. It’s also fun to go a bit in the opposite direction sometimes, and try to make something that involves some geometry and math. (Not swatching, though. Let’s not get carried away.)
Probably by the end of the week I’ll know if this piano has potential for a pattern, or if it was just a fun experiment in knitted instruments. I’ll keep you updated!
On Friday we were introduced to some mysterious Tiny Pills. What is it exactly that they do?
Don’t know how to knit? Take a pill!
Sewing too hard for you? Take a pill!
Can’t figure out crochet? Take a pill!
Introducing the brand new crafting pills- you will be able to pick up the above crafts and so many more with ease! Take one every day in the morning and spend the day creating!
Warning: taking more than three of these pills daily will result in addiction… to craft!
Gulnoza wrote that very fitting prescription, which I think many people would benefit from! So she wins the pattern for Sleepy Snake & Mischievous Mouse. Yay!
Thanks everyone for your prescriptions. There were lots of great ones!