February Projects: Part 2.

Dear users, dear authors,
we’re continuing with Part 2.

UFO week starts on February 21.
The final sprint starts on the 28th.
Award ceremony at the beginning of March.

You can read Part 1 here:
February Projects: Handmade Fun in a Cheerful Group with All the Popular Title Highlights

Ruth: I’m interested in your Pippen. I’d be happy to see a photo.

Petra: the reusable gift wrap is a great idea.

Petra, that’s a great idea. I haven’t used gift wrap in a long time either. I either use fabric cloths, sometimes pretty dish towels too. Those always come in handy. Or I reuse colorful paper bags that I received as gifts myself. My granddaughter always gets her wool things in them.

A handmade gift cloth that’s been sewn and decorated with so much love is, of course, something very special.

Last night I finished knitting the smaller bear/doll Schlüttli. It looks sooo cute, I’m thrilled with it myself. Take a look:



And here are both sweaters again:



Now I’m about to start the Schlüttli for the new baby, with the same yarn. It’s yellow marled with silver gray, a bouclé yarn. It knits up really nicely.

Linja will also get a sweater from the same yarn. And now I’ve been thinking that I’ll give this little sweater here to her doll. Then they’ll all have a matching look. Because she’ll surely love it when her doll has the same sweater as the baby.

Have a wonderful day, everyone! Spring is in the air here, sooo lovely! :)

Best wishes 
Monika

Monika, the sweaters are beautiful. I love the colors, especially for babies.

So, now you’re going to see a bunch of photos. I found the old pictures of the Kasperl puppets and scanned them (yes, back then there were no digital cameras yet!):
Grandmother, Kasperl, Seppel, Gretel

The “Villains”: Rumpelstiltskin, Wizard, Witch, Robber, Devil (The crocodile was store-bought)
In the castle: Prince, King, Princess, Queen

People from other cultures: Native Americans, Africans, Chinese
The figures are now a good 40 years old.
A few years ago, I then made a second set so my son and daughter could divide the figures up for the grandchildren:
 

Oh wow... Ruth, you’re such an artist with a real eye for detail. Your figures are beautiful. And such variety. Really great!

Yes, that was also a project that was a lot of fun because we got to try so many different types of crafts: modeling, painting, sewing, decorating—and I was able to use up a whole lot of fabric scraps!

We also put on lots of puppet shows and made up new plays—that’s why there was such variety, because we were always needing new characters!

And today I have to put on a show for my grandchildren. —Even if my back hurts now when I crouch down so low in the theater ;-))

Oh Ruth, they’re just soooo great.

Ruth

that’s just amazing. You did a great job.

I sewed hand puppets like these for my grandchildren years ago—they still have them today

Ruth, your Kasperle puppets are absolutely amazing!

Ruth, your puppet theater puppets are extraordinary!
Monika, the sweaters are very pretty, and the little one is sure to love the matching outfits!
Yesterday, my ordered Crasy Trio finally arrived! Then I can knit socks again once the coat is finished. Since I unfortunately have to completely redo the front pieces, I’m now knitting the pockets right in as well. I’m already halfway done with the first piece. This time, though, I won’t show the coat until it’s completely finished.

Mel, I know your coat is going to turn out great. Yeah, sometimes you come up with new, great ideas the second time around—it’s happened to me too.

I’ve already started on the baby cardigan as well. After a few rows, I had to unravel it again because I’d forgotten the double button placket... well, that’s how it goes.

Now I’ve ended up knitting it with a different yarn than the teddy sweater. The yellow yarn had some acrylic in it, and I don’t think that’s so great for a baby. Now I have a really nice cotton yarn in different colors. Once I’ve made a bit more progress, I’ll show it to you.

If I have any yarn left over in these colors, I’ll make a little cardigan for her baby doll too. It’ll look exactly the same. Before that, I’ll get the measurements of her baby doll. So as a doll mommy, she’ll get a gift too.

It’s funny—now she always tucks the doll or a teddy bear under her sweater because she’s copying her mom. It’s really cute, Linja with her “pregnant” belly. I’m curious to see what she’ll say when the baby arrives. She’s been saying for a long time that it should finally come out. :) :) :)

I’m going to go out into the garden this afternoon and knit. We tried it yesterday already. It’s really warm enough in the sun now for that.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Best wishes
Monika

UFO Week starts on Thursday.
Are you ready?

Are there also Schlüttli for adults? 

@Moni
I also have some acrylic-blend yarn that sheds fibers like crazy. I made a scarf out of it, and I’m constantly picking plastic fibers off my lips.
Now I’m throwing away 20 balls of yarn. But better that than breathing it in....

You made a good decision for the baby ♡

Yes, Anja, I’ve also been thinking more and more about synthetic materials and how they affect our bodies. I really don’t like working with acrylic. Only if I have scraps—then they can be used for teddy bear or doll clothes. But for the baby, I want to knit with pure natural fibers.

I’ve already made some progress on the Schlüttli in the garden today. Here’s what it looks like now:



This time, I have the button placket on the left side of the body. I’ll knit hearts into the bottom using a knit-purl pattern.

I wonder if there are Schlüttlis for adults? That’s a great idea—it would definitely look fantastic with the button placket on the side. You’d just need to scale it up to larger sizes. In any case, it’s great for babies because there’s no need to pull anything over their heads.

Well then, go for it, Moni—a pattern for adults. :)
And age-related shoulder pain won’t matter—you won’t have to pull it over your head. Great!

That’ll definitely look good in cotton… striped, with sneakers…
Or solid-colored… I can just picture it… 

So, now I’ve finished the next hand puppet. The Robber: 

Each one is more beautiful than the last! You’re going to have a fantastic theater troupe!

Great job, Sandra! :) Your robber turned out really well, and Anton is going to have a lot of fun with it. He looks funny.

Thank you very much. Anton always laughs until he can’t breathe when I bring out the dolls, especially when the crocodile tries to eat him. :-)
Next up is the police officer.

In the meantime, I also crocheted a baby rattle. It went quickly and makes a lovely gift. 

Sandra, you really are a hard worker. :-)
The rattle is very cute.

I bet Anton is having fun with the characters. Kids love it when characters talk. I always do that with the little bears, and Linja laughs herself silly.

You’re all hard at work again.

Monika, your booties are very pretty and really practical to put on.
Sandra, your figures have all turned out great so far—no wonder Anton is already enjoying them. I really like the rattle, too.

I’ve made a bit more progress and have already fallen in love with the baby cardigan. It just kind of came together as I was knitting.

Now all that’s left are the buttons and the sleeves. I should be able to finish it in February, because I don’t want to create another UFO.

Here’s what the cardigan for the baby looks like now:

I’ve finished my summer skirt, washed it, and even worn it already (even though it’s still winter, the lovely spring weather is tempting). A photo will follow once I can take a nice one. Since yesterday, I’ve been working on the locomotive for my father.
Monika: I really like the Schlüttli.

It’s UFO Week.
How are your UFOs coming along?
Anyone who finishes at least one UFO by February 28 will receive an award from me.

The usual titles, such as “Scrap Master” (using up leftover yarn), “Shopping Queen” (buying yarn), “Yarn Diet” / “Yarn Emperor/Empress” (not buying any yarn), “Yarn Saver” / “Material Saver” (using up stashed yarn / materials), “Wallflower Saver” (finally working on untouched patterns), “Sock Queen” (making socks), and of course we’re also offering the author titles again this month for updating patterns / seasonal patterns / revising old patterns, etc.

Extra points are awarded for photos, handmade gifts, and feedback to the authors of the patterns you made.

No one goes home without a title. If necessary, I’ll come up with a new one.
Anyone can join in. All you need is an account here on Crazypatterns .

Thanks, Sofi. :)
I’m looking forward to seeing your summer skirt.

Luckily, I don’t have any UFOs left—thanks to these monthly threads here.
But I’ve used up a lot of leftover yarn, and I’ll be on a yarn diet for a while longer. 
Maybe I’ll even manage to knit some more socks. First, though, I have to finish the baby cardigan. I’m already looking forward to that.

I wish all of you here a wonderful day and ... let those needles dance! :)

Best, Monika

I’ve updated one of my patterns.
This time, I’ll only finish this UFO if I really kick it into high gear.

Well then ... turbo on and go. :)
And congratulations on your update. I think you’ve already improved quite a bit.

I already kicked things into high gear this morning… I had to unravel the half-finished crocheted locomotive after realizing the pieces didn’t fit. Now I’m crocheting it all over again and have already finished the first half. But this time I’m checking carefully every step of the way to make sure everything fits, so I don’t have to unravel it again. The project (including the trailer) has to be finished by mid-April.

You’ll manage that easily, Sofi. On the next try, it’s sure to turn out great for you.

I’ve finished the baby Schlüttli; I just need to weave in the ends, then I’ll show it to you. It really turned out very well. Now I’m thinking about knitting a hat to go with it from the leftovers.

Anton has been taking a nap for 2 hours now :-). The housework is done, and I’ve been crocheting a little jacket for Anton for an hour now. :-) And I’m enjoying the peace and quiet. 

How’s UFO Week going?
February is almost over. :-)

I don't have any UFOs left anymore—thanks to these monthly threads. :)
But I’ve finished the baby Schlüttli now. This is what it looks like.

Monika: That turned out really cute. 

Monika, so, so cute ♡

Thank you, Sandra and Anja! :)
I’m totally in love with this piece, too, and I can already picture myself wearing it.
For now, my Paula will be my model. :)
Maybe you can’t see it very well in the small picture. There are hearts knitted into the bottom.

Monika, that piece for the baby is absolutely adorable. 

The wheels are already on my locomotive, and now I’m tinkering with the cab. But to relax, I’m crocheting a very simple scarf in double crochet, just something in between to unwind. Because the locomotive can be quite exhausting with all the concentration it takes.

Monika, your Schlüttli turned out so beautifully. 

The colors are perfect for the baby, too.

It turned out really cute, Monika!

For anyone who can’t quite make out the hearts: click on the picture to enlarge it!

Dear Sofi, Marion, and Ruth - thanks for sharing my excitement! :)

Sofi, I’m really excited to see your train. I’m sure it’ll turn out great.

In between, I’ve got something on my crochet hook again now. My sister-in-law wants a cover for a flower vase. Yesterday I already frogged it a few times because I didn’t like it yet. I’m just trying things out a bit; it’ll work out.

At the moment I just prefer knitting, but I’m not sure yet what I want to start now. Possibly a Schlüttli cardigan for Linja’s baby doll from the leftovers from the baby Schlüttli. But first I need the measurements for that.

I’m also looking forward to Sofie’s train project.
Monika, what a coincidence—I’d also like to crochet a cover for a glass vase.

I found some really old yarn and just didn’t know what to do with it. Then I got the idea to make a cover for the glass vase.
That way, you can’t see all the stems anymore.
Here’s what my project looks like so far.

Wow, Marion, this is going to be really great!
You just have to find the right project for this kind of yarn.

Exactly, Anja, that was just a coincidence and a stroke of luck. The yarn has been lying around for so long—I think it was originally meant for scarves.
I tried knitting at first, but I didn’t like it. Now I really like it, and it’s so easy. 

Wow, Marion, I really like what you’ve crocheted there, too.
I’m using a different jar—a slightly taller one that used to hold jam or pickles. I’m planning to put flowers in it. I think it’s a really great idea, and if I like the result, I’ll crochet something like that for myself, too.

For this, I’m using up the yellow yarn I used for the little Teddy-Schlüttli, mixed with a lighter shade of purple. That way, I can use up my leftovers at the same time.

Right now, I don’t really feel like doing any crafts in the evenings. Yesterday I watched a movie, and it was almost like being at the cinema. Usually, I only catch the sound. ;-)

Anja, I absolutely have to tell you something, since you were the one who came up with the idea for an adult-sized Schlüttli....

I gave my husband a really surprised look yesterday. Imagine that—he actually asked for a Schlüttli for himself. I’m dying of laughter..... 

Monika, your Schlüttli turned out really cute! By the way, I think it’s funny that you’re using the masculine article with our neuter-gender Schlüttli! I don’t think our original Schlüttli are even usable anymore, since they were just crossed in the back without buttons—but back then, babies still wore rompers with bibs!

Marion, what kind of material do you need for the vase cover? I still have a few skeins of ribbon yarn that used to be trendy for scarves, and I have no idea what to do with them. Crocheted jars aren’t really my thing…

Aha... THAT Schlüttli. I once made a dropped-stitch loop out of ribbon yarn. I think a slipover (2 rectangles) with dropped stitches would look great!

Why it’s called “Schlüttli” and not “Schlünni”... “Schlüpf inni”... “Slip into it.” :-)

See, Moni? Why don’t you design the adult version! It already looks so cozy ♡

So, my police officer is finished too. Now I’m going to focus on the gift for my parents. 

Wollbaerli

It’s a ribbon yarn, very thin at the edges with small filled squares in between.

Ah, I’ve learned something new again. So it’s the Schlüttli. Great!

Yes, Anja, I’m actually thinking about creating a Schlüttli like that for adults—but not until next fall. It looks really great with a button placket on the side.

Right now, I’m not in the mood for big projects at all. I wish you all a fantastic week! Spring is arriving here starting tomorrow... can’t wait!

Sandra, your police officer turned out great! You’re on your way to becoming an expert at making hand puppets. Great job!

Sandra, you’re getting better and better—your police officer turned out really great again.

I finished my vase cover. I had to make it two-toned because I didn’t have enough yarn.

Here are my little Easter items and the vase again.

Your Easter branch arrangement is lovely, Marion! And it looks really great with the pot!
That’s exactly the kind of yarn I meant—of course, I only have a few individual skeins in different shades
(blue, violet, gray).

Wollbaerli

I feel the same way; I have a few individual skeins.

Marion, that looks great. I’m amazed at what can be done with a vase.
To be honest, I wouldn’t have thought of it without the assignment.

I’m still working on mine. And now that I think about it, I’m already on the lookout for vases that are just begging to be wrapped in yarn. ;-)

Have a wonderful evening, and may your needles dance merrily. 

Oh, the Easter bouquet is really great, and the vase looks fantastic, too.

I just dug a half-finished bride and groom set out of a box. I’m going to use that for the gift for my parents. 

Thank you for your compliments—I like it, too.
Monika, it’s that easy to spruce up vases if you don’t like the color or it doesn’t quite match. It’s also easy with straight shapes. The old yarn was perfect for this—I just crocheted double crochets in rounds.

The vase turned out really beautiful. I like it a lot. I also find the idea for the adult-sized “Schlütli” interesting. And the police officer—absolutely fantastic! Sandra, wouldn’t you like to write some patterns too? I think there are lots of people who want to make hand puppets for a puppet show.

My locomotive is gradually taking shape. The wheel mounting is now finished (after unpicking it several times), and the wheels are now installed as well.

Sofi: The pattern for the hand puppets is from here. There’s now a photo in the gallery with the matching link.

The bride and groom are finished.
I ordered a star-shaped tray, so we’ll see how it goes. I still have three weeks until it has to be done. :-)

For now, I’m moving on to the next hand puppet. 

My spring scarf is finished for now.
I’ve blocked it, and tomorrow I’ll add a few photos and the measurements to the pattern.

I used each color twice. 

Sandra, your bride and groom are so cute! CreatOwl, your spring scarf turned out great, too :)
My coat is almost finished as well—just a few little touches left. 

Thank you, dear Nadeleule.

To me, you're already the hand-puppet expert, Sandra :)
 
I've taken the photos, finished writing the pattern, and uploaded it.

Now, besides the pattern I've already started, I have an idea for a crochet hat.

Wow, you’ve all been very busy again!

Sandra, the bride and groom are adorable! That’s going to bring a lot of joy. :)

CreatOwl, your scarf looks great, too.

Mel, I’m really looking forward to seeing your coat.

I wish you all a wonderful day! It’s going to be 17 degrees here today—I’m really looking forward to it.

It’s 19 degrees here, but that doesn’t do me any good—I’m stuck in the office until 6 p.m...

You’re all making really wonderful things....
It’s really lovely to follow everything here.

I’m still working on my tunic; it keeps growing and growing... though very slowly. Since I’m crocheting it from viscose yarn that isn’t properly twisted, with a 2.5 mm hook, I keep finding spots where one of the fibers has slipped away from me... so it usually means crocheting 3 rows, frogging 1.5 rows. I’m really looking forward to finally getting it finished....



My gallbladder surgery was quite a while ago now, but the wound healing really did drag on. Since the 4 “holes” were only glued, the coughing from my cold kept tearing the spots open again. Now the last wound has finally scabbed over too... what a drama that was!
Still, it gave me lots of time to crochet.

I enjoyed the great weather over the last few weeks as much as I could, even though my hay fever has really hit hard again this year. I still just couldn’t resist a few walks... finally light and color again, and I’m really enjoying that.

Sandra: Thanks for pointing out the link—I’ll keep it in mind in case I ever have grandchildren (which will be a long time coming, since my son is only 21 and is currently in college). By the way, the bride and groom turned out absolutely adorable. Your parents will surely love them.
Mel, I’m also really curious about your coat.

It’s wonderfully warm here—it feels like 25 degrees (hehehe)—even though the thermometer shows a lower temperature, but it’s just wonderful to finally be able to enjoy the sun again. This afternoon, I’m going to sit in the park and crochet.

Since the sun is shining so beautifully, I fired up my solar dryer—and hung the laundry on the drying rack.

I like that term: solar dryer. I’ll have to remember it, because I really enjoy using it. :)

Claudia, what you’re showing us already looks very good. I don’t like crocheting with such thin yarn at all, but I still have some leftovers lying around. Let’s see what I can make from them.
I hope you feel better soon!

Sign up here for the award ceremony:
Final Stretch and Awards Ceremony for February Projects

Ruth, I think the three overalls for your granddaughters’ baby dolls are absolutely adorable. I’m sure they were very happy about them.

I’ll see if I can still get the details for the awards ceremony done by tomorrow.

Just in time for the last day of the month, I finally finished my coat last night! I’m so happy because it fits perfectly, and I actually managed to sew the fasteners on straight (sewing isn’t really my thing). I’ll post photos later when the light is better.

Wow! I can’t wait to see the photo!

Thanks, Monika.
This is my first big project with this kind of yarn—I definitely won’t be doing it again anytime soon... but for now, I’m sticking with it—if I put it aside again now, it’ll become a permanent UFO.
After that, though, I’ll do something “quick” first.