Zoospiration!

Knit a Zoo

Yesterday my family and I enjoyed a day trip to Chester Zoo. How could I fail to be inspired by the wonderous variety of animals and birds, the jewel bright macaws and tiny tree frogs, the comical antics of the chimpanzees and penguins, the majesty of the lions and jaguars.
I thought I would show off some photographs I took on our visit along with some knitted or crochet versions!

Chameleon

 

Here is my colourful knitted version! I made this last year, I wanted a quirky gift for my friend's baby shower. It took me so long to make! Although it looks simple, the shape is created using short row shaping, so every row is different. The pattern was published in Knit Now magazine, issue 38, and is designed by Browneyedbabs. You can also download the pattern on Ravelry- here's the link. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cuddly-chameleon

 

 

 

Flamingos

 

 

I love flamingos! Looking at these quirky, bright birds revokes images of 1950's kitsch lawn ornaments and the Red Queen's bizarre game of croquet in Alice in Wonderland. Here is a crochet version I made, from Kerry Lord's excellent book, Edwards Menagerie- Birds. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwards-Menagerie-Birds-patterns-crochet/dp/144630602X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448895163&sr=8-1&keywords=edwards+menagerie+birds

 





Jaguar

Just look at this stunning jaguar. We were really lucky that this marvelous beast had decided to rest right next to the viewing window when we visited the zoo, and I managed to snap this perfect picture.

 

 

So this is cheating slightly, as this pattern is not a jaguar, but a cheetah. You could adapt it easily as the animals have a similar look. This is again from a book by Kerry Lord, Edward's menagerie, which is a big favorite of mine, I have made lots of animals from this book. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwards-Menagerie-snuggly-crochet-patterns/dp/1446304787/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=02HHWPD2ESWEFZFK9WHE

 

Grumpy Tortoise

 

I just can't get over the priceless expression on this tortoise's face. He looks so annoyed that I took his picture whilst he was munching his dinner. Sorry Mr Tortoise!

Tortoise's are a quick and easy crochet project! Here is an adorable free granny square tortoise pattern I found on Ravelry, I might start hooking one of these up today! The pattern is by Brigitte Read, who again, has many wonderful animal patterns available. I have made a manta ray using her pattern before and it turned out fantastically. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granny-square-tortoise

 

 

More for the Ark

Here are a few more animal projects I have created, ones which we didn't see at the zoo.

 

Naked Mole Rat and Panda

A while ago my facebook feed was filled with the terrible news of the terror attacks in Paris, and much debate about religion, politics and bombing Syria. To lighten up the somber tone, my friend Becky decided to start a cute animal share, I shared a baby panda (AWWWWW!) and my mate James shared a picture of a naked mole rat, which inspired me to make my own knitted version.

 

 

I improvised the pattern myself, using a Turkish cast on and the magic loop method to create the body, and I cord to make the legs and toes. The bead eyes make it I think!

Also here is a panda I made in a similar way, using the Turkish cast on and magic loop. Adorable!

 

 

Some Exciting News!

I have finally ended my procrastination and sent one of my children's books off to an agent, in the hopes they will take me on a client and help me find a publisher! I have only sent my story to one at present, as it is the agency that Julia Donaldson, one of my idols and favourite children's authors, is signed with. As they say, 'Aim for the moon, and even if you miss you will land among the stars!'  



I hope they will like it, but even if they don't, it will be useful to receive some feedback. I am optimistic but prepared for rejection. I think one of the things that had kept me dilly dallying so long with it was the fact that although I love my story and have spent so much time on it, I may have to hear criticism about my work. I am okay with that. I will just keep trying!

In the meantime I have a notebook full of new ideas to start working on. Including the little Halloween story I was supposed to write for this blog- oops!

 

Till the next time,

Donna x

 

 



 













 



The Most Wonderful time of the Year (And I don't mean Christmas)

Halloween Happiness

I hope you all had a fun Halloween and Bonfire night! Halloween has always been an event to look forward to in our family, a chance to celebrate all things spooky, enjoy the last fine autumn weather before the trees loose their last of this years leaves, and of course a perfect reason for dressing up!
As it was half term for my mini me Lilly, we had plenty of time to decorate the house with pumpkins and cobwebs (Some had been already kindly provided by the spiders). We also had a wonderful day out at Trentham Gardens.

How gorgeous are these wire dandelion sculptures? They are made by Amy Wight, and really worth a visit. To me dandelions represent an innocent childhood, the passing of time, and these sculptures, which look so delicate yet are created from metal, inspire me to believe you can be tough and dainty at the same time!

Spooky Inspiration Station

Halloween is a brilliant time to be creative. I crocheted an adorable little pumpkin for a friend, unfortunately I was so excited to give it to her that I forgot to take a photograph! But here is the link to the pattern, which is free on Ravelry.
 http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spice--clove-knit-and-crochet-pumpkins

 

I love to dress up. Any excuse and I jump at the chance! This year Lilly had her heart set on being a creepy doll, she already had a shop brought dress and all it needed was a spooky face, so I dusted off the face paints and here's the result.





For my own costume, I decided to make use of the face paints too and went for a sugar skull look, inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, or Dia De Meurtos, which takes place from October 31st. This colourful, traditional festival honours the relatives and loved ones which have passed away. There is more information about it here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

Here are some projects you could try if you love sugar skulls like me! This garland, by Brenda K. B. Anderson, is a free pattern, it's been on my to do list for a while now, I must get round to hooking it up. I would put this around my dressing table mirror I think! You could also sew the skulls together and make a quirky scarf.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sugar-skull-garland

 

 

I also found this adorable set of amigurumi dolls, I think they are so cute! They are by Little Bitty Knitter Designs. It's worth having at look at all this designer's patterns, they have almost every character you can imagine. These would make perfect gifts.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-amigurumi-halloween-skeleton-dolls

One More Project

A while ago I treated myself to this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amigurumi-Animals-at-Work-Amigurumipatterns-Net/dp/9491643045

 

As sloths are my spirit animal, I chose to make this fella first, meet Sidney the Sloth! He is a bit of a geek and loves nothing more than chilling out on the sofa watching Dr Who. Bow ties are cool.

 

The pattern was easy to follow and fairly quick to make. The fuzzy effect was created using a pet slicker brush. I was sceptical but it did turn out well! I also changed the nose design slightly. I just love him! I usually never keep my work (Lilly snaffles most of it!) but I might have to make an exception with this guy <3