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.

Okay, so y’all probably knew long before I did that knitting cables generally doesn’t take five needles. Saturday evening I finished my first cross-over.

Here it is (snickers):

Saturday night I decided I really needed help. I looked on YouTube and found some very helpful videos I’d like to share with you.

How to Knit : How to Knit a Cable Stitch - All this time I thought learning how to cable was for the knitting elite. Good grief. :)

This is a real cable:

For those who would like to see a lovely post in pictures on how to cable, The Purl Bee has a lovely post. (Scroll down aways.)

Here are some more helpful videos:

How to Knit Basics - The Cable Cast on Method

How to Knit Basics - Rib Cable Cast on Method

Continental Knitting Stitches : How to Knit Cable Stitches

And for Sara, the I-Chord: so über-easy, I can’t believe it! Did anyone ever “Cork” to make these?

And here is my latest knitting project-in-the-works:

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