Squashed Rat Bookmark Knitting Pattern

Squashed Rat Bookmark Knitting Pattern
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that everyone loves rats!! Yes, no, maybe!? Whether you love the little critters or not (I imagine it all depends on if we’re talking about the pet or wild variety) I think we can all agree that squishing them inside books equals fun. I can’t claim the original idea as my own unfortunately, nor can I remember where I first saw it but today’s pattern is all my own creation. So if you fancy squishing rats inside your favourite reading materials then give my Squashed Rat Bookmark Knitting Pattern a go!

Squashed Rat Bookmark Knitting Pattern

What You’ll Need:

Grey or brown wool

Small amount of black wool

Small amount of light pink/peach wool

Small amount of stuffing

 

Pattern

Using 3mm needles cast on 2 stitches in grey/brown.

Knit 1 row

Increase into each end stitch 2 times (6 stitches)

St-st 3 rows starting pearlwise

Increase at each end k wise

St-st 3 rows

Increase each end k wise

St-st 3 rows

Increase each end k wise

St-st 3 rows

Increase each end k wise

Pearl next row

Increase each end k wise

Pearl row

Increase each end k wise to 18 stitches

Pearl row

Cast off 6 stitches, knit 6, cast off 6

3 -stst rows starting p

Increase each end k wise

Pearl

Increase each end k wise

P

Increase each end k wise

P

Increase each end k wise

P

Repeat to 18st

P

Cast on 12 stitches, cast off then knit across original stitches

Cast on 12 p wise, cast off then p across original stitches

St-st 18 rows

Cast on 12 stitches, cast off then knit across original stitches

Cast on 12 p wise, cast off then p across original stitches

K2tog, knit to last 2 st then k2tog

Pearl row

Repeat last 2 rows until 2 stitches remain, attach pink/peach for tail

St-st 20rows

K2tog

Cast off.

Bring the two sides of the head together and stitch leaving the back open, lightly stuff before closing.

Stich on eyes using black wool and making cross shapes.

Stich nose using pink/peach wool

The ears are made by stitching a large stitch in grey on the top of the head and then blanket stitching around this stitch about 5 times.

 

 

The Woollen Woods 2016

queenofheartsEvery year a magical event takes place as part of Voluntary Arts Week – The Woollen Woods. Woodlands across the country become inhabited with all manner of knitted (or crocheted) creatures to the delight of thousands of visitors. It all started last year with seven woods (of which Derbyshire was one) and this year it grew even bigger. This was the second year I’d had the pleasure of joining in with the Derbyshire Woollen Woods held in Belper Parks Wood.  It was such a huge success that I felt compelled to share a few pics (and videos) for those who couldn’t manage to make it along.mouse

It took months of hard work by local crafters (and a few further afield) to make enough pieces to decorate the majority of Belper Woods but as you can hopefully see from these pics it was definitely worth it. The creations were displayed between 7-15th May this year and the response we received was absolutely wonderful. We even had some visitors travel quite a distance for a day out in our Woolly Wonderland!whiterabbitI believe there’s a special childlike joy that only magical woolly creatures can bring and with that in mind here’s a few of my favourite pieces (not made by me) and two mini video tours. bunny

If looking through this post has got you itching to get involved with the Derbyshire event then pop over to >Anne Clark Handmade and send Anne an email. owlAnne organised the Derbyshire Woollen Woods for both years and we’ve also yarn bombed several other events including local festivals, Christmas decorations, the hospital, museum and much more!

If you weren’t lucky enough to be able to visit a Woollen Woods this year then keep your eyes peeled on the >Voluntary Arts Week website for details of the event next year.snake

To see some pics of last years Woollen Woods check out my 2015 post.

snails

Knitting for Charity with the Knit for Winter Campaign #knitforwinter

knit for winterI often have a knitting project or two (or three, or four, who’s counting really!?) on the go at any one time, partially because I have a short attention span but more because there’s so many good patterns or events to make for! At the moment I’m knitting a hat, an octopus, possibly a fish (I keep taking it apart and restarting) and I’ve just finished two of the cutest hats you’re ever likely to come across. These were made for Sunrise Senior Living’s annual Knit for Winter campaign.

Every year Sunrise supports a different charity and challenges knitters to use their wool to help. This year it’s in aid of the premature baby charity First Touch. Sunrise with the help of Jane Gois have written two patterns suitable for beginners or advanced knitters. Make a blanket or bonnet to be used in incubators to help keep the most delicate babies warm.

All of my children were born early with the youngest going straight into an incubator to be ventilated so this is a campaign close to my heart. It was for that very reason that I wanted to knit the bonnet and give it a bit of personality!

When your baby is unexpectedly taken away from you moments after birth, you don’t get a chance to dress them in that perfectly selected outfit hiding in your hospital bag. They’re placed into an incubator and wires seem to obscure almost every feature, I didn’t even know what colour my son’s hair was! The wires prevent most clothing but the hospital usually provides a teeny tiny hat. But… baby wool often comes in limited colours, pale blue, pink, yellow and white etc. When I made these tiny hats I had myself in mind, just because my baby wasn’t well didn’t mean he wasn’t an individual little person. I wanted to knit hats with personality, so instead of using standard baby wool I made hats using the softest 3ply acrylic sock wool. I think the end result really stands out, they’ll be no denying which baby is which in hats like these! I hope the recipients feel the same way too 🙂

If you’d like to get involved pop over to >Sunrise Senior Living’s website for the patterns and get knitting! You can also use the hashtag #knitforwinter to showcase your creations on social media.