Plush Toy/Teddy Trainers! - Tutorial :D

 

Hi everyone :)

 

Finally the time has come for the tutorial I made for the project I finished recently- some cuddly toy shoes!

 

On a Japanese fashion programme I watch on NHK I saw someone wearing a pair of these panda shoes:

Image from: here

 

I though they were pretty cool but I wanted a different colour and maybe a different animal on the front. However when I looked such up I could only find the panda pairs... so as usual when I can't find what I want I try making it instead :-)

 

Here are my version of the plush toy trainers:

 

 

They are quite simple to make and by making your own you can pick your colour of trainer, your animal or toy and even your style of shoe- hi tops or converse style etc.. meaning that you end up with a SUPER cool pair of trainers that definitely no one else will have! (And probably for a cheaper price- The shoes only cost me £4.50 at a discount sports shop near me and the toys were only 99p each from a card shop near me- bargain! :0)

 

 

Now if you like funky footwear here is how to make your own :D

 

...You will need:

 

• A pair of shoes (hi tops or converse are most suitable- but you could experiment if you wish :)
• Two small cuddly toys
• A stitch un-picker/stitch ripper
• Scissors
• A needle and thread (in matching colour to your toys/shoes)
• Pins
• Any extra decorations you wish

 

 Steps:

 

1. Take your toys and using the stitch un-picker, un-pick the arms

 

 

leave the stuffing inside the arms and remove any bits of remnant stitching from where you unpicked them

 

2. Take your scissors and cut round the head of your plush, about 1.5cm or so down from the  head/seam edge

 

once again leave the stuffing inside

 

3. Using your needle and thread, sew around the edge of the head and gather up to about the point shown below- not all the way closed but enough to reasonable secure the stuffing and tuck the cut edge underneath the head of the toy.

 

4. Pin the head into the centre of the trainer tongue- not to low down as you still need to be able to lace up our shoes to about two below the top on the eyelets (see pictures for reference)

 

sew all the way around the edge trying to catch the underneath of the head and just the top of the tongue so that the stitches cannot be seen (on either side)- but make sure the head is securely fastened.

 

4. next pin the arms in position either side of the head, again on the tongue and sew similarly to fasten into position.

 

Repeat  for both trainers, and viola! You are done and are ready to hit the streets:

 

You can experiment with adding extra decorations or even adding the feet or any tails from your toys too if you want, by again just pinning and sewing them in position - Have fun and be creative!- WOW people with your shoes! (I might sew the feet sticking out the back on mine, like the lions are jumping through the shoes- but I haven't quite decided yet :P)

 

I did put these little stars and lion buttons I had on though, just to complete the customised look :):

 

 

I hope you all liked the tutorial :-)

 

(If any of you do make your own I would love to see cool/cute pictures, you can send them to: iitki@hotmail.co.uk)

 

See you soon,

 

Byeeeeeeeeee XXX

KCBWDAY7: Looking Forward

Day Seven (Sunday April 28th): Looking ForwardOne year from now, when the 5th Knitting and crochet blog week rolls around, where do you hope your crafting will have taken you to? What new skills, projects and experiences do you hope you might have conquered or tried?

This could be anything from mastering a technique (broomstick lace, entrelac, etc), trying a new yarn or skill, or a long term wish to crochet only from your stash, or knit every stitch in one of the Harmony Guides. Maybe you have no desire or plans for your craft at all, no new element of knitting or crochet that you dream of mastering, in which case write about why that might be. In a year's time participants will be asked to look back to see if they achieved any goals, no matter how general, and see which house conquered the art of looking forward.

Hi, welcome back for the last day of KCBW4!

 

This year the things I would like to do are:

 

• Try crochet intarsia (I've been saying I will for ages!)
• Make an item of clothing using knitting/crochet (as normally I make little toys or accessories)
• Try some more knitting with dpns- I have only done it once!
• Do some free form crochet/knitting; I might make the free from crochet vest I designed for the mascot project as part of this KCBW :)
• Design and make more of my own cute toys :3
• Try some more cable knitting- I have done it a few times but am not a master yet :P
• And finally- my last aim is to just keep exploring the yarn crafts and try out more techniques and skills that maybe I haven't even heard of yet!

Thank you all for joining me for this KCBW and thanks to Eskimimi Makes for coming up with different post challenges and running the blog week again :-D

 

See you soon (the tutorial I have been mentioning is coming up next!)

 

Bye xxx

KCBWDAY6: A Tool To Covet

Day Six (Saturday April 27th): A Tool To Covet Write about your favourite knitting or crochet (or spinning, etc) tool. It can either be a tool directly involved in your craft (knitting needles or crochet hook) or something that makes your craft more pleasurable – be it a special lamp, or stitch markers.

Is it an item that you would recommend to others, and if so for which applications/tasks do you think it is most suited. Conversely, do you have a tool/accessory that you regret buying? Why does it not work for you?

Hi again!

 

I have decided to dedicate my tool post to my humble pair of size 4mm knitting needles and my 3.75mm and 3.5mm crochet hooks, and here they are:

 

I chose my 4mm knitting needles as they are a size I have used for many, many projects. They are a size that feel comfortable to hold in the hand and use and are also the size I always seem to require when I do charity knitting :) For these reasons I have developed a love for this  specific pair!

 

I chose these two crochet hooks specifically as they are the sizes I most often use in my projects so, I suppose in a way they hold a lot of memories :0) All the little amigurumis, crochet hearts, flowers, gifts etc...

 

Hehehe, who ever thought some metal sticks could bring so much happiness, even by just looking at them! :-)

 

See you all tomorrow for the finale of knitting and crochet blog week,

 

Bye xxx

KCBWDAY5: Something A Bit Different

Day Five (Friday April 26th): Something A Bit Different It’s the annual challenge to blog in a way different to how you normally blog. You may choose to create a podcast, or vlog, create a wordless post or write in verse. You've already stretched your wings with an infographic, now it's time to freestyle. You can post on any topic you like, but be sure to post in a style different from your usual blog presentation. There's not too much guidance for this one simply because the more varied the posts are on this day, the wider the sources of information for other bloggers will be. Bonus points if you manage to work your house animal in somehow.

Hello everyone :-)

For my 'something different' post I decided to make up some mix up/ make anagrams of 12 knitting and crochet related words for a mini quiz! Let me know how many you all get first time- without using the clues! :P (hehehe, there are answers at the bottom in case you get really stuck :o)

Here they are:

 

1. TAPNERT

2. LEDBOU TINK

3. KOHO

4. LEDNEES

5. RAYN

6. LOWO

7. LIPS CHISTT

8. TACS NO

9. STARINIA

10. GUMMIRUIA

11. RETLEB

12. GOCKTINS

 

 

And here are the clues :):

 

1. What knitters/crocheters follow

2. A weight of yarn

3. The main tool in crochet

4. The main tool in knitting

5. A stash wouldn't exist without this!

6. What some yarn is made from

7. A type of stitch in both knitting and crochet

8. What you have to do before you start knitting

9. A knitting technique involving changing colours while you work

10. A Japanese crochet style

11. A type of crochet stitch

12. A type of knitting stitch

 

 

hope you have fun doing my quiz :D I had a lot of fun making it up!

 

See you all again very soon,

 

Byeeee XxXxXx :)

 

(Answers: 1. Pattern, 2. Double Knit, 3. Hook, 4. Needles, 5. Yarn, 6. Wool, 7. Slip Stitch, 8. Cast On, 9. Intarsia, 10. Amigurumi, 11. Treble, 12. Stocking)

KCBWDAY4: Colour Review

Day Four (Thursday April 25th): Colour ReviewWhat are your favourite colours for knitted or crocheted projects. Have a think about what colours you seem to favour when yarn shopping and crafting.

Only after writing this part of your post should you then actually look to see what colours you have used in your projects. Make a quick tally of what colours you have used in your projects over the past year and compare it to the colours you have written about. Compare this, in turn, to the colours that are most dominant in your yarn stash – do they correlate?

Now think back to your house animal - do the colours you have chosen relate to your animal in anyway - if you are in the house of peacock, for example, are your projects often multicoloured and bright?


Hi,

Well pink is pretty much one of my favourite colours so I am often drawn to that but when it comes to yarn I generally just go for BRIGHT! as I really like to make cute little amigurmi characters and toys and I often feel bright makes them look the most cute and fun :) Though I find myself drifting to more and more pastel colours like lilac, baby blue and cotton candy pink- probably because they are cute too (and as can be guessed from the name of my blog I really like cute things :), however they are a bit more subtle. My current preference for pastels in projects will probably reflect itself in my crafting stash soon however currently it just looks like a rainbow has been put in a blender :P - Very very bright and lots of variety, which is good really because it makes me happy when I look at it and I always have the colour I need :)

 

I suppose my projects/stash do reflect my house animal the bee as bees love bright colours, like those of flowers and love to buzz from one colour flower to the next to the next just like me and my choice of colour for projects!

See you all tomorrow :D

Bye xxx

KCBWDAY3: Infographic

Day Three (Wednesday April 24th): Infographic There are many ways of conveying information on a blog; text and images being the two most widely used. Many infographics combine both these elements to provide a visual way of presenting text information.

Make your own infogaphic (no fancy imaging software needed, you can draw it on paper and photograph it if you want) to convey any element of your craft(s). It can be just for fun or a thoroughly researched presentation of an idea/finding.

Hola!

Here is my infographic, I will let it speak for itself :) :

 

 

Hehehehe :o) Another fun challenge,

 

See you soon,

 

Byeeee xxx

 

P.S. I have now prepared the tutorial for the special project I mentioned before blog week started and will be posting that shortly after this week :D So check back soon!

KCBWDAY2: A Mascot Project

Day Two (Tuesday April 23rd): A Mascot Project.Your task today is to either think of or research a project that embodies that house/animal. It could be a knitting or crochet pattern – either of the animal itself or something that makes you think of the qualities of that house. Alternatively it could be a type or colour of yarn, or a single button. Whatever you choose, decide upon a project and blog about how and why it relates to your house/creature. You do not have to make this project! It is simply an exercise in blogging about how you come to decide upon what projects to make. Try and blog about the journey which inspiration and investigating patterns, yarns, stitches, (etc) can often guide you through. You may wish to make a collage or 'mood board' to present several ideas, or even sketch out your own design.

Hey,

As posted yesterday I have chosen house Bee :-)

The project I have decided to post about is trying out some free- form crochet. It seems really fun as you just go with the flow- whatever stitches you want, wherever you want, whenever you want :) And often the kind of patterns produced remind me of flowers of fields- like the one a bee would think of as heaven!

Here are some cool examples I found online:

Image from: here!

 

Image from: here!

 

 

And here is my project I have come up with, a flower field inspired- pastel coloured- free form crochet summer vest :)

 

 

I just did a quick sketch and colour sample on paint to give you all an idea, don't examine it too carefully- it is only very rough and you can't really plan free form crochet!, lol :P

 

Hehehe, I really enjoyed today's post challenge- Apart from I have now ended up with another project I want to start and I have got too many on the go already! (All the other bumble bees will probably feel my pain :0)

 

See you all again tomorrow,

 

Bye! xxx

 

4KCBWDAY1: The House Cup

Day One (Monday April 22nd): The House Cup.A bit like Harry Potter, but not quite, this year’s Knitting & Crochet Blog Week is split into 4 houses. Don your favourite knitted or crocheted hat and let it guide you to which house you will be in.

Hello everyone!

 

Today's challenge as you can see is to choose your house, there were 4; monkey, bee, manatee and peacock. I have chosen house Bee :)

 

The House of Bee: Bees are busy and industrious, but can flit from one interesting project to the next as bright and shiny things capture their interest.

 

My reasoning for this is that I am never ever without a project- in fact I usually have several on the go at the same time! Mainly beacuse I start one and then am inspired by another yarn, or pattern or just have another idea for another project and get excited to start on that too. I do end up finishing them all (...well most of the time) I just end up doing a lot of juggling :P

 

Hehehe I think the house idea for this year is great! I can't wait to see what other houses people chose- I wonder how many fellow bumble bees there are out there? :0)

 

See you all tommorrow,

 

Byeeee xxxXxxXxXXx

Knitting and crochet blog week 4 starts tomorrow!

Hi,

The 4th ever (my thrid!) Knitting and crochet blog week starts tommorrow!

 

Woooo! I am so excited!!! :D

 

I will see you all tommorrow for the start of a whole week of fun :)

 

Bye xxx

Change is coming!

Hi guys,

 

I have been meaning to change up my blog a little bit for a while and thought why not now! The change isn't going to be huge, the blog address will remain the same and I wil still be posting regularly. I will just be changing the title and other little bits as from my beggining of only being a knitter I have experimented with so many different crafts and developed a huge love for sewing and costumes/interesting fashions (what I am going to study at uni soo :D) and wanted to show this through my blog title etc.. I will still be posting about any knitting and crochet projects I do, I will just be posting about even more stuff and all of the other things I make too- I will feel I can post about even more if my blog theme covers more! lol :P

 

See you all soon when posting will resume,

 

Look out for the changes and let me know what you think!

 

Byeeee

 

Jordan xxx

Little bits and bobs :)

Hello everyone,

 

Today I just had a couple of little mini projects to show you. First is this little felt pasty:

 

 

I made it for my mum as she had to go to the hospital (nothing serious) and I wanted to make her a little mascot to let her know I was thinking of here. She really liked it and my dad thought she should be called Patsy pasty so that is her name now! :)

 

My other little project has been these little crochet keys:

 

 

I haven't quite perfected the pattern yet but when I do I may put it up. I think I might make a few and turn them into some crochet jewellery which will hopefully look cool!

 

I'm off now to finish of another of my projects which I have been working on which I will be making into a tutorial soon....

 

... I will leave you on that cliffhanger :P hehehe!

 

See you all soon,

 

Bye XxXxXxXx

 

A special post

Hi everyone,

Today I have a bit of a different post for you all. My brother has asked me to do a special post today to help him with his PSHCE project about animal rights. Part of his project is to raise awareness so he wondered if I could mention it to all you lovely people :)

 

Some of the issues involved in animal rights are:

 

- Testing on animals

- Using animals for entertainment (In a badly treated forced kind of way)

- Using animal skins and furs for fashion

- Animals being treated badly as part of the food industry e.g. in intensive/battery farming

 

As many of you will know I sponsered a rescue turkey (called Lord Gobble Gooble :) and I have looked into some of the apalling conditions innocent animals have to survive in around the world. I am genuinely concerned about the issues above.

 

Many companies do try to avoid profiting to the detriment of animals by avoiding animal testing and treating any animals used in their processes well. For example; Lush, The Body Shop, The Co-op and many others are some of the well know producers of animal friendly toiletaries and cosmetics.

Yeo valley the Yoghurt manufacturers even provided comfy matresses in the cow sheds for their dairy cows to lay on! Now that is how it should be done! :P And there are soo many other fabulous companies that are also dedicated to animal rights- look out for them and please try to support them where you can :) Also try not to support any kind of animal entertainment which doesn't seem to be quite right.

 

PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals) have a lot more information about all of the issues above and more and also have many different ideas on how you can get involved in supporting animal rights: http://www.peta.org.uk/ and on many company websites you can find thier ethical policies too to check what they are doing to ensure animal rights.

 

Thank you very much for reading this special post, I have enjoyed posting about this important issue and my brother is very thankful to you all too, he has been working hard and really wanted to spread the issue further than just our school. He has also made a youtube video and would be very grateful if you could watch it: It is here! :)

See you all soon,

Bye :) xxxXxxxXxxX

Back from holiday- an update :)

Hello everyone,

 

I am back from holiday now, I just got home today :-) I had a super holiday and still have a week of my easter break left so can't wait to enjoy this week too.

 

In the evenings in the IOW I had quite alot of time to sit in front of the telly and do some crafting :) Here is one of the things I made:

 

 

Hehehe, it's a troll bow hairclip :0) I found some little trolls in my room so I thought I would put them to good use and this was my first idea!

 

I also started some other accessories too but they are not quite finished yet, I will post pics of them when they are done :) (one is another cute hairlip in the shape of a heart with pleated ribbon edging, I've just got to add the finishing decoration.)

 

Another thing I did in the IOW is lots of shopping! (as usual I bought quite a bit of the fresh handmade fudge they have in the sweetshops as it is super tasty) I have a very cool thing I got to show you know though..... It is..... a fancy dog bag......!:

 

Yes it is a bag!!! I know, amazing isn't it! a fabric- stitched bag that looks soo much like a cool dog :D I really loved it and my mum very generously treated me to it. I can't wait to use it when I go to the shops- I wonder how many funny looks I will get, lol :P

 

There are also other types of dog available, I found the website of the company who makes them online: Fuzzy Nation  Some of the bags really look like they could just run off barking! :0)

 

I'm off to bed now as I'm pretty tired after the journey home and need to get a good rest before I head off to my tailoring/dress making/clothing alterations work experience I normally do on saturdays again :) I had to have 2 weeks off due to the trains and then being away, I can't wait to get back, it is soo fun! I am bringing a handmade cake I got in the isle of Wight as gift so hopefully they like it :-D

 

See you all again soon, I hope you have a lovely weekend!

 

Bye xxxx