click clack knit

Monday, January 31, 2011

Dog and toys

It's not possible to pull out a stash of knitted toys without having Casper help out....

Unknown Characters

Rupert the Bear - Designer unknown

Bunny - Jean Greenhowe Design?

Ski Boy - Jean Greenhowe Design?

These characters all look like Jean Greenhowe Designs but are they? I haven't come across them in any pattern books yet...

This duck is another character from Jean's 'Knitted Animals' pattern booklet.

The Duck Family consists of mother, father and three ducklings. As the Thornbury duck has been found without a hat, it's not possible to say which family member the knitter had in mind. The colours of Thornbury Duck are a muted version of the original and not quite as cheery and chirpy as the ones in the photo. More of a sad duck really...

Lion

Jean Greenhowe stash - Lion

This lion was an early Op-shop find. The fancy looping stitch of the mane is a very nice touch and gives some retro-storybook charm.

The Lion is part of a family of knitted characters called The Super Seven. All of these toys share the same basic body design with slight alterations. This pattern appears in a hardcover Greenhowe book titled Knitted Toys, published in 1989.

Kitten

Jean Greenhowe stash - Kitten

This is the first Jean Greenhowe knitted toy that I aquired and it was given to me by a friend. At that stage I had no idea about knitting or how this kitten on a cushion was made or assembled. It looked pretty clever to me and still does. It's a lovely design.

I particularly like the styling of the Kitten photo from the Pattern Booklet - Knitted Animals. There's a picture of Sam Scarecrow framed on the wall and a very pretty miniature doily on the sofa chair.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Ken's Den

These pattern pics (crochet and canvas work) are from a crafting site called Annie's Attic.

As far as I can tell, these aren't in print at the moment but do pop up in the occasional ebay sale. Wonderful kitsch and a fantastic interpretation of manly domestic crafts.

Buttons

Jean Greenhowe stash - Buttons

Buttons appears in Jean Greenhowe's Tradional Favourites.

He is described as "a riot of rainbow colours in striped baggy pants, clown's hat and large knitted buttons. He is a versatile doll suitable for both boys or girls".

Buttons from Thornbury, Melbourne sports an combination of brights and pastels that sit uncomfortably together.

There's been an attempt to re-create the colours but it looks like stash-busting has played a part in this project. Perhaps this was the same knitter who made Melbourne Cuddle Clown? The pointy smile is similar and has the same effect of making the character look less child-like and more adult, though not as evil !