Mini-button

Today's inspiration comes from artist and doodle embroiderer Aimee Ray.....

I think I first discovered Aimee's work on Pinterest when I was researching embroidery having just realised that contemporary embroidery existed and it wasn't all granny style stitching!   From there I bought one of her books, Doodle Stitching: Emboidery & Beyond, and now have a couple of others that feature her creations.   She has influenced my work for some time now and it was after getting her book that I produced the piece that won the competition for Kirsty Neale's prize!

Doodling is also becoming a popular art form and Aimee takes it to another level by transforming her doodles into embroidery:

So I thought Aimee would have to inspire one of my mini-mals - and here it is:

An embroidered button with tiny birds on it.

I have to admit that this has been the mini-mal that I have enjoyed making the most so far so maybe tiny embroidery will feature more this month.   Until tomorrow.... see you then!  x

Valentines' Knitted Hearts Pattern

In time for Valentines Day I thought it would be nice to share my pattern for knitted hearts.   

The hearts can be made any size you like by changing the thickness of yarn and the needle size used.   For best results use needles that are a size or two smaller than the ball band of the yarn recommends.  The hearts are knitted in the round from bottom to top using a set of five double-pointed needles.

1.    CO 4

2.    Kfb in each (8).  Distribute evenly onto 4 dpns.

3-4. K

5.    (Kfb. K2) x 2 (12)

6-8. K

9.    (Kfb, K4) x2 (16)

10-12.  K

13.  (kfb, K6) x2 (20)

14-16.  K

17.  (Kfb, K8) x2 (24)

18-20  K

21.  (Kfb. K10) x2 (28)

22-23  K

To make the bumps at the top of the heart (work with front and back needles on left side only):

24.  n1 – K2tog, K5;  n4 – K5, K2tog (12)

25.  K

26.  (K2tog, K2, K2tog) x2 (8)

Break yarn and thread through remaining stitches, pull tight and secure.

Rejoin yarn and repeat rounds 24-26 with remaining stitches.

Happy knitting! and please post pictures of your finished hearts.  :)