Babies are cute, cats are silly!!!

OK so I thought my cat Otty couldn't get any sillier and then I went up to the bedroom the other day to find his back legs and tail sticking out from under the blanket on the end of our bed!!! He was completely on his back starfished and fast asleep!! I think he was in seventh heaven as he isn't normally allowed in the bedroom but had got in when I left the door open for a house viewing as we are trying to sell at the mo. Had to share the pic as he made me laugh so much.

Isn't being a Mummy great!

First trip to the swings... I'm loving being a Mummy!!

Completed Otto and Otto's jumper pattern.

Here is Otto bear finally finished - complete with improvised jumper!

For anyone who might be interested here is how I made the jumper - this is pretty rough but I'm sure you can improvise your own :-) The buttons are vintage tiny doll shell buttons bought in a junk shop.

How to make Otto bear jumper:

• Using 4mm knitting needles and yarn of choice (I used Rowan Cotton Jeans) cast on 24 stitches.
• Knit thirteen rows in stocking stitch stitch.
• On Fourteenth row (right side) knit 3 then cast off around 8 stitches - knit to end of row.
  Place all stitches on holder.
• On reverse side about 3/4 of an inch below cast off detail pick up 8 stitches. Knit in stocking stitch until the inside of pocket reaches the cast off edges.
• Place all stitches (including that of inside of pocket back on needles) so that you can then purl all the way across in place of the cast off pocket stitches to create the pocket lining.
• Continue knitting until about 20 rows then cast off 1 stitch at each end of next 2 right side rows to create shaping for sleeves.
• Measure jumper against your Otto bear until desired height (mine was about 4 inches). Cast off neck stitches. (I cast off about 10 stitches in the middle first then knit a few more rows at each side of neck to create shoulders.
• Repeat for back excluding pocket detail.

Sleeves:

• Using 4mm needles and matching yarn. Cast on about 23 stitches knit in stocking stitch until work measures just under 3 inches. Cast off.

To make up:

• With right sides facing seam back and front of jumper to arm hole shaping.
• Seam inside of pocket edges to wrong side of jumper.
• Seam sleeves into arm holes and then seam sleeve edges.
• Add button detail to left shoulder of jumper.

Happy Birthday to my Hubby!!

Morgan and I had great fun making presents for Dada's birthday! Cal requested I make him an Otto bear many many months ago so I finally got round to it and got it just about finished for his birthday, all except the sleeves for Otto's jumper. Meanwhile Morgan had great fun getting messy to help me decorate a plate for his Daddy and very kindly sat and played with a rattle in a highchair while I added the writing around the rim. I had the idea (as I'm sick of breaking plates on our kitchen floor which is tiled) that I would collect random selections of plates for all the family, mainly from the Emma Bridgewater collection as I love them! That way if any plate is accidentally smashed it won't matter and I won't have to buy a whole new set I can simply choose another great design, or the same one. So Cal's is the first plate for our new plate family- although we did have a moment of thinking - what will we do if this one breaks - which put visions in my head of Morgan sending him a new plate with hands on when he's about twenty three!!!!! I don't believe in saving things for best I think they should be used and enjoyed, creating happy memories. I'm after the Emma Bridgewater love heart design for my plate and mug although I think I'll have to wait a while as funds are VERY tight being on maternity leave!

Otto bear in progress!

Otto bear in progress!, originally uploaded by Emz :-).

I'm making Otto bear by Ysolda for Cal's birthday! Only three days to go and one and a half arms to knit, two ears and eyes and nose to graft on.... never mind the little jumper I was going to add to him!
Not sure if its going to get completed on time, but I certainly like the way this quirky little bear is coming together :-)

It's Snowing!!!!

Snow in York, originally uploaded by Emz :-).

What a fab day - with loads of lovely snow! ;-)