The final painting, “Snow Birds.”

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Slowly adding color.

Requires patience.

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“Snow Birds” starts as a sketch.

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This little puppy thinks I’m his servant. And really, I am. But I like to think of it as training for when I have my own babies. Most mornings Bentley will wake me up at 2:00 AM to take him outside. Since it has turned cold, he’s been trying to do better.

But even during the day, with winter breezes and snow on the ground, the cold is almost too much for Bentley’s little frame. Poor little guy.

So I’m making him a sweater.

I’ve been collecting wool sweaters from garage sales for the past few years. I felted this $1 bargain by throwing it in a washing machine full of hot water.

Bentley would fall asleep every time I tried to measure him. Good sign, no?

Here are the pieces on the slow journey to being trimmed to the right shapes.

Adding buttons and and a blanket stitch edging.

And some final fittings . . .

. . . Isn’t he a handsome puppy?

I recently stumbled upon the startling discovery that I could knit a shaped object without a pattern! I have only made one of these little guys, but wouldn’t they make lovely gifts for children - and even the young at heart?

Who am I kidding? I love little hand-made critters and dolls!

This is “Bunny.” How did I make ‘im? Well, I don’t have a pattern but I can give you some ideas and tips. First off, I chose chunky, bumpy yarn to hide any mistakes.

Starting at the top of the head, I cast on 6 or 7 stitches. (This is not knit in the round. It should end up looking like a figure eight.) Working in the stockinette stitch (knit front row, purl back, repeat), increase rapidly for a few rows, back off, then decrease rapidly. Your at the neck now.

Now start increasing again, but not as fast - you want the body to be larger than the head. Once the body is looking nice and plump, start decreasing. Once you come to the end with only a few stitches left on your needle, tie off and start stitching up the back of your critter. I filled Bunny with “Organic Cotton Batting” which I also used for the tail.

Bunny’s ears were knit separately and sewn on with the same yarn. His eyes were embroidered, and a scarf was knit with 2 plies from 4 ply yarn with size 2 needles. Bunny’s knitting needles are the tips of tooth picks.

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My sister Emily Rose is hosting “A Homemade Christmas” again! Last year we enjoyed working on making gifts and sharing ideas with each other, and I’m so glad we get to do it again this Christmas season. Be sure to check the schedule so you can follow along and join in the fun!

I expect I’ll enjoy it even more this year, as I’m learning to knit. (Don’t tell Bently, but he’s getting a little sweater!)

This week I’ll show you my latest knitting project.

It’s a pouch for cough drops, or any other little lozenge or candy one would like to tote and not lose to the bottomless crummy depths of a purse.

I also added a crocheted loop and a black button to secure the opening.

While knitting, I realized I should have started with a larger size of needles. The pattern was looking a little cramped, so I added a chipboard insert to stretch it out a little and give it more shape.

For more Homemade Christmas inspiration, visit SimplyVintagegirl.com.