The Sequinned Sheep - handmade gifts and accessories

22/05/2019

Hi all! As you know, I don't post much here these days as I'm not longer selling my crafts. But I thought you might be interested in these pictures of a recent thing I've been doing. I've become very interested in a style of visible mending called Sashiko, and here is some that I've done on a top that I've worn to death! As you can see in one of the pictures, it's become so thin that you can see through the fabric of the sleeve!
With Sashiko, you put a patch of fabric behind the hole or tear, and then use that to cover the hole and strengthen the fabric around it. You can then use decorative stitching to join the two fabrics together. I've done some where I've completely covered the new fabric with embroidery, and some where it was quite a big hole so the new fabric is now a feature!
Let me know what you think! Anyone else enjoy doing visible mending, or have you seen anyone wearing anything that has been visibly mended?

05/03/2019

JOMO - the joy of missing out - is one of my favourite things at the moment! Staying home to knit or sew can be blissful! What do you think?

A study by Knit for Peace has found that the hobby has a number of positive health benefits.

16/01/2019

This man is incredible! He knits jumpers to match where he is going to visit. And each one only takes a month to make, I can't imagine being able to knit a whole jumper in a month! What do you think of his designs and ideas?

Sam Barsky has become an Internet icon, knitting sweaters to match travel destinations.

10/01/2019

Hello everyone! How are you doing? I have been doing a bit of mending, I have sewn a patch over some holes in a fabric cardigan. It was really hard to do as the fabric is so stretchy and so thin! But it's puckered, do you think it looks ok? Or should I try and change it? Normally I would redo it, but I'm nervous as the fabric tears so easily. I started with one hole in it and made two more trying to mend it in a different way, which is why I had to do a patch in the first place. What do you think?
Also, I've tried a sashiko style mend on my skirt. Again, the fabric is very thin, and I thought that trying to do a normal invisible mend would just result in another rip. Sashiko is really cool because you add a patch behind the hole and use decorative stitching to attach it. It strengthens the item and I really like the effect. Visible mending is my new obsession!

08/01/2019

What a fantastic idea! I can't wait to see this! What do you think?

Do you love to watch crafts and crafting documentaries on TV? There is a new show on BBC2 next week that could be for you.     Anita Rani is joined by potter and ceramic designer Keith Br…

14/09/2018

Afternoon! I'm sewing up the baby blanket I've made. Thankfully I sewed it up as I was going along so I only have the last two strips to sew on.
This blanket will need blocking but I am physically unable to do it. Does anyone know of a blocking service that I could pay to block this for me? I'd be very grateful for suggestions as it is a bit wonky even though I'm sewing it up as carefully as I can!

18/08/2018

Please see my previous post for the details of what I'm doing but basically I'm going to make a mermaid blanket and I want to know which colour you think I should use as the main colour that will be all over the blanket and will divide up the other colours to look like fishscales.
From right to left:
Royal Blue - like this post
Sea Green - Heart this post
Lilac - Laughing Face
Turquoise - Surprised Face
Magenta - Sad Face
Lime - Angry Face

If you have suggestions for other colours, please comment! I would have pink in this poll but I can't find a nice one.

(Green not included as I'm not sure if I'll be using it in the blanket)

18/08/2018

I'm going to make a mermaid blanket! I've been looking at these colours in the blanket I'm already making and it strikes me that they look great together. The only thing is I can't find a nice pink to include. And I'm not sure which colour to have as the honeycomb bit (which will make it look like fishscales I think!) - I'll do a poll, so please tell me what you think!

Blanket pattern is available on Ravelry. I will not be selling this blanket, so I've not looked into the copyright. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/honeycomb-stroller-blanket

13/08/2018

I'm making a very colourful baby blanket! It's so much easier now the weather is cooler! How are you all doing?
Thanks to those who gave me advice and few weeks ago, you were right, I just did the same amount of stitches and rows for the second row of squares and it worked perfectly. The first row had just relaxed!

09/07/2018

Help! I'm knitting a baby blanket which is made up of stripes of squares if you see what I mean. I started the second stripe last night and I cannot get it to the same width as the first one! I've spent yesterday evening and today trying to do it, and this is the closest I can get to. Same wool, same needles, and same amount of stitches, but it always comes out wider. This one is only slightly wider but I'm trying to knit tightly here. What should I do? Cast on less stitches?

22/06/2018

Would you ever knit a fence? I think it looks beautiful!

08/06/2018

The Twiddlemuffs help alleviate stress, anxiety and restlessness for patients without the use of drugs