So, I found out not long ago that I'm a great-aunt for the third time this year. It was a bit of a suprise (well, a complete surprise, really), but I quickly realised it'd be more bootie knitting on the horizon. I just as quickly flagged that idea, and decided that I'd make something impractical out of felt instead.

mobile-stars

I initially had visions of little animals, but searching through my felt supplies (yes, I have so much I need to search), I came across some stars I'd actually cut out and sewn last year as Christmas decorations, but discarded (going with ever so slightly more traditional colours). Perfect! They're blue, the baby is a boy; it was meant to be.

mobile-hang

One Saturday, and some painted iceblock sticks from the emporium, a few buttons, and some embroidery cotton (and a lot of thinking), I had a mobile!

Now, I'm not expecting any more births in the near future, but should any be announced, I'll totally consider making another mobile as an alternative (or perhaps in addition to) a quick bootie pattern. I gotta use up that felt somehow!

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Needle Cases

I don't get my sewing machine out often, but with all my knitting (and knitting needle purchasing) lately, what better excuse than whipping myself up some new needle cases?

I'd been coveting this collection of fabric in the local fabric shop (specialising in quilting/patchworking fabric), and finally coughed up some cash for a bundle of pink and brown fat quarters with which to have my way.

Having outgrown a combined case (made from rather heavy fabric) I'd made for my double pointed needles and circular needle collection, I knew that at a minimum I needed a new case for each variety, as well as one for my rather neglected straight needles. I was very pleased to find that after creating suitable cases for each, I had enough fabric to fashion a home for all the other little oddments (scissors, tape measure, stitch holders, a few crochet hooks, etc).

Now everything has a home, and can be easily found when needed.

I'm really happy with how they all turned out - better than I'd imagined, really.

Of the items, I'm most satisfied with my circular needle case. Of the evening of work involved, I think I probably spent the most time contemplating what I actually wanted in a circular needle case. I wanted somthing I could still fold up small enough to conveniently take with me on my travels, as well as holding all of my (still growing) collection - as I have doubles of some sizes, I needed a fair amount of room.

I settled on a system of pockets, on opposing sides. I can fold the case in half horizontally, and into quarters again, to fold up nice and flat. Even my bigger needles sit flat, and I didn't have to wind them too tight that I'll be forever straightening the cables (hot water or a hair dryer does the trick if you struggle with that)!

As with the case for my double-pointed needles, I've added a strip of clear cellotape with a note of the needle size, so that I'm not forever reaching for the needle gauge, and can see quickly what's missing (ie. stuck somewhere in an unfinished project).

And well, they're cute. I'm not happy that I've put the fabric to good use, and won't do anything crazy like taking up another ridiculously expensive hobby like quilting! Given that I've still yet to sew the ribbons and snaps on these, I'd hate to imagine how slow I'd be at sewing a bedspread!

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