Winter Ranges

Well, OK, it's the Australian summer, sure, but these little bits and pieces are too cute to keep to myself.

Well...

I think so anyway. I love love love beanies!! (it goes hand in hand with loving dyeing my hair awesome colours and wearing wigs - it's an instant appearance transformation, which is so much fun!)

I'm still working on my summer range, but I'm determined to get them right before posting them here - who would have thought copies great ideas from the 70s could be so difficult. So I've been busy busy even though there haven't been a lot of posts lately.

Keep in touch -we'll be doing more markets soon. Details to come

Red beanie and Brown beanie - $30 each

Summer Wrap

I've been working on knitting options for summer (as we're about to head in to the scorching Australian summer here) so here' s the first - a bright and cheerful summer sun wrap.

I feel I've been a little quiet lately as I've been experimenting with new patterns, which induitably means I've had to start and stop and take apart and remake and think about it and start all over again, but I think the new designs are worth the trouble - so keep an eye out for my new summer range coming soon. Jan has also been working on lots of summer ideas - it's a great time to be creative!

Summer Wrap, $50

Cotton Beanie and Scarf Set

I love working in cotton yarns, they're so soft, gentle on the skin, and I've never known anybody to have an allergic reaction to them (unlike my mohair products, which are luxurious and divine).

This beanie and scarf set are one of my favourite creations - I know one day they'll go to a good home, to just the right person. In these pics the colours look slightly different, but they are actually the same yarn just in different light.

Cotton Beanie and Scarf Set - $85

New Beanie Range!!

I've been playing around making beanies for years, and discovered this particular style is quite surprisingly popular with males! They seem to be a firm festival favourite, so now I'm making them available here. There will also be a range of scarves and other accessories coming, so keep watch.

I feel like I have so many ideas at the moment that I'm boiling over with them! It's great feeling so creative.

Also - keep watch, new range of tea cosies coming soon!

These beanies will be available from $25

Liv

Finally it's here! The elusive blue rose

Apparently the only colour of rose we've never been able to grow (without using blue food dye) is blue - so I thought I'd create one here. I've had a number of queries about the English Rose Garden cosy (that's not for sale - because my mother stole it) and I'm happy to make more (or something similar, anyway) on request.

Blue Roses - $65

New Disco Range

I loved, then hated, then loved, then hated fluro disco colours - and now apparently I love them again. I found this awesome metallic gold an black yarn as a fluke, and it reminded me so much of 80s discos (especially roller-discos! I had a great pair of fluro pink skates) that I had to make these fairly ridiculous pieces.

Disco cosy with fluro buttons - $40

The sea theme range

I've been inspired to make a range of sea theme cosies - using height, and texture - and pearls of course!

This one uses a crochet star fish as an accent. This photo doesn't quite do justice to the cosy - but I couldn't seem to get the perfect angle. (It is in proportion i reality, just not in this pic!)


Star Fish Cosy - $65

Tree Cosy

It's not easy to see in this pic, but there's an image of a tree trunk knitted into the side of this cosy - knitted lace has long been popular, but recently there's been a new wave of knitting that's involved creating images using old lace techniques. It takes many hours to make one small piece of fabric, but I really do think the effect is worth it. Subtle, yes, but beautiful. And no, the leaves don't actually hang in front of the spout when you pour. This is a button-up cosy, so it doesn't matter how odd the shape of the spout of your teapot is, you can still get it on.

Tree cosy, $65

English Rose Garden

This cosy is, unfortunately, not for sale, but similar versions are available. I really wanted to find a way to make a yellow rose cosy and realised the best way to make the yellow stand out was to surround it with other roses.

This was also the cosy that taught me not to use rib stitches for bases - it doesn't work all that well, makes it sit awkwardly. Life is about learning. I've recently had an obsession with all things blue, so there's a blue version of this cosy on its way - Liv

Not for Sale - but similar items available at $65 - simply email functionalart@live.com.au for more information

My first dinosaur

This idea came to me on a rainy day after watching too many cartoons. I challenged myself to make it as a single piece of fabric - other than the spines, I was successful. Knitting shapes is so much more interesting than knitting squares!

I made this whilst relaxing in a beautiful cabin in the mountains, sitting on the back deck watching the world of birds, bees and bugs go by. There's a lot of peace and joy knitted into this piece.


This item has been sold, but similar items are available for $65 - I can make to order in your choice of colour and size!

Florals

The true story about these floral cosies is that one day, while trying to stay awake in a conference (not always the easiest thing to do) , I started scribbling on my free notepad some ideas for a fabulous softie, which was going to be a great big pink monster with a tutu.

Anyway, in the margins, I drew a scribble of a flower, and all of a sudden it morphed into the creations you see here.

I do admit to a bit of a 60s/70s flower power influence here.

Oh, and the poor softie never got made - I did buy the fabrics to do it (any excuse to go to a craft shop) but the flowers took control of my mind, and I had no choice but to make them. Maybe my tutu monster will see the light of reality one day - if so, I'm sure it will end up on here - Liv

Item No. 10 (brown and orange) and 11 (pink and purple) - $40 each

The wonders of modelling clay

I must admit, I did have a lot of fun when i realised just how awesome modelling clay buttons looked. I've been long frustrated at not being able to find exactly the sort of buttons I want for my creations, and now I can make them myself!

It's possible I went a little overboard with buttons on this piece, but I quite like the effect - Liv
Item No. 6 - $40