Sunday, October 31, 2010

Magic and a Knitted Owl Cup Cozy

I can't resist a cute fairy design so I had to stitch up the Magic ornament from Charlotte's Web Needlework in the JCS 2010 Ornament issue. The suggested DMC colors came out a little lighter than the model photo in the magazine so I modified them for a little more contrast. For 963, 3716, 3731, and 3733, I substituted 3716,3733,3831, and 3731 respectively. I'm not a fan of metallic threads, but the silver wings and smyrna x-stitches on the dress called for it, so I suffered through it. And I just used some embellishments I had in my stash.


I've stayed away from knitting patterns that use double-pointed needles after my one attempt on a dishcloth some time ago. But it made me mad that so many people seemed to do it so routinely, so I decided to tackle it again. The incentive was this super-cute owl coffee sleeve pattern. This was a test run for practice. I had read on Ravelry that a lot of people thought it turned out too large, so I knit one fewer owl than the pattern called for. The yarn is just some left-over Red Heart that I had hanging around. After a few false attempts, I kind of got the hang of it and I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. I added French knot eyes and duplicate stitch beaks. Now I can get some nicer yarn (maybe that Knit Picks Swish super-wash wool!) and make another. I finished it easily in one evening including all the frogging and re-starting. A nice quick gift. Here's a photo on a porcelain cup I bought as a gift that looks like the Starbucks take-out version.



The final bit of sweetness for today are two thank you notes I received on Friday. These came from the daughters of a co-worker to whom I sent the Day of the Dead ornament I made this year. These drawings are just too adorable. I like the way Cecilia turned me into a 60's hippie! This was quite the unexpected treat!


26 comments:

Anne said...

Lovely fairy stitch! I like how you used embellishments of your own, makes it personal and that's nice!! Your owl cover turned out great!! And what a cute idea... Happy Halloween to you! :)

BeckySC said...

TOO adorable Annie :) You did a great job !!

GoldenAngelsWorks said...

What a cute fairy!!!

I absolutely loved the owl.... very cute idea.

Don't you just love thank you's like that....Happy Halloween.

Annette said...

What a cute fairy stitched, you used lovely colors!!
and love the matsching fabric.

Ow a too cute owl coffee sleeve, never seen it before but so cute, very beautifull.

Those kidies made some lovel drawings for you, you maked there day!!!

Carol said...

I know just what you mean about working with metallic thread, Annie!! But, your fairy looks even nicer for having suffered through it :) I really like the fabric colors, too--very, very pretty...

What sweet notes from the girls--they obviously loved their gifts from you!

Theresa said...

Gorgeous finishes!!!! That fairy is so pretty, and that cup sure looks cozy in that cup cozy!!

Don't you love notes like that?! So sweet~~~

KarenV said...

Cute ornament - that one's on my list too - and I love the cup cover, very clever!

Jane said...

What a gorgeous owl, great cover. The fabric for the fairy ornament is a perfect match

Lainey said...

Beautiful fairy finish Annie and I just love your Owl.

Pumpkin said...

Great finish Annie!

Omigosh...LOVE the owl! What a unique pattern.

That is so sweet :o)

Karen said...

The owl is adorable and the fairy looks so elegant! Gorgeous fabric choice for around the edge of the fairy!

Jackie's Stitches said...

LOVE your projects you've featured in this post! I'm glad you mastered the DPNs. Once you get them figured out, they're much easier to handle.

I love how Sergios daughter said that she thought you were more creative than she was! Too cute!

Cole said...

Great finishes! I love the cup cozy, so cute!

Love the thank you notes, they're wonderful!

Vinniey said...

Cute drawings from the kids! Love the owl cup sleeve, Annie, you're so talented in knitting. :)

Your fairy looks beautiful and sweet. I know it's no fun to stitch with metallic thread, I hate using it too, but it does always make beautiful results.

Nima said...

wow..lovely fairy...i love the background fabric...the owl cup cozy looks very cute

Siobhán said...

Awww, what sweet thank you notes! :) It's always nice to know that your time and effort is appreciated! The fairy stitch is adorable, and the owl--SO cute!! You are so creative.

Nancy said...

What a pretty fairy, and the fabric you used as a border looks like it was just made for this! I love your owl cozy too. Those thank you notes are so cute, and things like this mean so much, don't they?

Lois said...

How lovely are those thank you notes! Great job on the knitting and your fairy is beautiful.

Brigitte said...

I haven't seen the new JCS ornament issue yet, but I love what I saw on stitchers' blogs. Your little fairie is just too cute.
Lovely thank-you notes.

Mylene said...

Great drawing of the kids.
Such a cute fairy finish and well done the owl!!

♥ Nia said...

I can't resist a cute fairy too =) Really nice! :)

Fantastic work with your owl! I'm always amazed with the great things that you can do in crochet, you have the hand for it ;) Great job!!

Rachel S-H said...

The fairy ornament is so pretty. That one caught my attention. Love your interpretation of it. The cup cozy is really nice! You did a great job with it.

Hazel said...

I have just found your blog! Whata treat! Love the fairy design. I have been eyeing that one up. Love love love the cup holder - too cute. x

CalamityJr said...

Both finishes are great, but I've never seen a knit coffee (tea for me) cover and think it's just an ingenious idea!

knitphomaniac said...

love your items :) Thanks so much for knitting up my cup cozie pattern, glad you like it!

Louise said...

I love the Fairy, and I love the cup cozy!!!
Well done!

Raggedystitches,
Louise xx