A New Hobby

I have been really spoilt these last few weeks with some new toys. This post and pics is all about my new Ashford fine tooth drum carder. It is so much fun! Making a finished product from right back at the fleece coming off the sheep.

The above is half a bale of Arapawa fleeces in varying shades. Arapawa is on the Rare Breeds List and is a lovely fleece a lot like Merino. My darling hubby was bringing a tiny Nissan March down from Taranaki and I purchased this for him to pick up on the way through. I was hoping it wouldn't be too stinky - He didn't complain. Phew.

I didn't have any scouring liquid so thought that the bath and shampoo would work fine. Ew what a job. The amount of yuck that comes out is rather nasty - not for the light tummied. After it was washed though it was lovely. I just squeezed it out and threw the different shades of fleece into pillowcases and spun it in the washing machine. I later dyed some of the light fleece and then carded it together in a cotton candy batt.

After watching a wonderful clip on YouTube I decided to pull it off into a ready to spin roving. I just made a little hole in a plastic bottle top and this worked great.

Here it is - all ready to spin....... Watch this space.

Super Simple Baby Tunic - For knit in the round

I have worked on my simple design for people who want to knit it in the round rather than on flats and seaming.

It is still knit from the bottom up, but it would easily be knit from the top down if you wanted to

not run out of yarn. Just follow the pattern backwards. The only difference is that instead of decreasing on every bodice stitch you would increase on every stitch by kf&b or M1. The kf&b would add in a purl look stitch every second stitch. the m1 would add an eyelet look after every stitch.

ALTERATIONS - for bottom up - In the round

CO 112 stitches (not 120). Follow original pattern from here.

After the decrease for 'puff' in bodice. split the stitches 50/50 for front and back. Continue on original pattern.

When sewing ends in i like to strengthen the split for the bodice with a 3-4 loop stitches. This stops any pull / stress on the garment when being put on the baby and also looks tidier.

All done.

Super Simple Baby Tunic

Super Simple Baby Tunic.

An item that grows with the baby – from dress to puff vest.

Difficulty: Beginner / Easy

0-3month size

Chest: 16", 41cm

Length from shoulder: 10", 25.5cm

Bottom tunic width: 11", 28cm

Yarn 8ply / dk – needle size 4mm

Instructions for Bottom up in two pieces/ flat needles.

CO 60sts

Row 1-4: Knit

5: Eyelet row *K1, YO, K2TOG* repeat from * until end.

6-7: Knit. Count stitches to make sure you still have 60 on your needle. If you don't either increase or decrease to 60 in the following stocking stitch rows.

8- Start and continue is stocking stitch – adding any pattern you want to incorporate or stripes, until your work measures: total 7" or 18cm.

STOP – you will now need to do a front panel and a back panel – follow the two different instructions below. J

FRONT Bodice instructions:

1: On a K row cast off 3 stitches then K to end.

2: On next purl row cast off 3 stitches and purl to end.

3 decrease row: *K2tog* on every stitch till end. 26sts

4: Moss stitch (K1P1 then P1K1 on alternate rows) for bodice for the next 2 ¼", 6cm.

Neck row: moss 7 cast off 12 sts moss remaining 7.

Straps: work on the closest 7 stitches in moss for 4 extra rows. Cast off. Join yarn to other 7 remaining stitches and moss 4 rows and cast off.

BACK Bodice instructions:

1: On a K row cast off 2 stitches then K to end.

2: On next purl row cast off 2 stitches and purl to end.

3: decrease row: *K2tog* on every stitch till end. 28sts

4: Moss stitch (K1P1 then P1K1 on alternate rows) for bodice for the next 2 1/2 ", 7cm.

Neck row: moss 7 cast off 14 sts moss remaining 7.

Straps: work on the closest 7 stitches in moss for 10 extra rows. On next row incorporate a

button hole: Moss 3, YO, k OR p 2tog, moss to end. Moss one more row. On next row decrease 1 stitch on each end of row by either k OR p 2tog. Total 5 sts. Next row cast off.

Repeat on other strap.

Finishing:

Mattress stitch sides together. Reinforcing under the armpits.

Sew on buttons.

Done.

This is a two short evening knit. Great for a gift.

This pattern has been provided free. If you wish to make garments to sell from it, please email me to let me know first. Thanks. gunnbeckgunn@gmail.com

Little Gunn Designs, 2011. Copyright.

For wonderful handmade buttons to finish your garment – check out Tessa Ann Designs

The new baby

It has been a while but we are back and better than ever before. About four weeks ago we started to launch Little Gunn. A fantastic everyday clothing label. Easy wear and easy care. A hint of retro and a hint of cool.

Best of all is that it is 100% made here in Wellington NZ and is affordable.

We have an ever growing range in our store and our online store will be up and running soon.

We can custom make just about anything.

Here are a few pics to whet your appetite.

Kitchen Love.

So, January is going to be all about the KITCHEN. We all love pretty things.... and everyone has a kitchen!

Here are a couple of chic designs.... There will be more added that are for sale - just watch this space.


Two hand oven mitt - 100% cotton outer, Poly inner. Indigo denim and cotton canvas.

The ugly chic toaster cover - 100% cotton outer & poly inner.

The start of something new!

Launching Rebecca Gunn designs.

All of these are for sale, unless stated.
Items are a one off and handmade in New Zealand.

If you are interested in anything, please contact me. I can make items to order. I can ship worldwide and can accept credit card or bank transfer.

I have some funky household items, in the pipeline... Perfect for your home or as a gift.

Currency converter


Sunny day - Size 1 year. 100% cotton halter neck sway top. Elasticated back and gathered front. $30.00NZD

Front
Back
Bluey - Size 2 years. 100% cotton with ribbon trim. $38.00NZD

Flower Cane - Size 2-4years. 100% cotton. You choose the strap style. Halter - Basic straps - Crisscross etc. $40.00NZD

Vintage girl - Size 3 years, tiered skirt. 100% cotton with picot trim. $40.00

Spring time - SOLD

Candyland - Size 1 year, tiered skirt. 100% cotton, with satin trim. $36.00NZD

Grannysmith Apple - Size 2-4 years. 100% Cotton sundress. You choose the strap style. Halter - Basic straps - Crisscross - Buttoned etc. $40.00NZD

Detail

Watermelon - Size 2-4 years. 100% Cotton, ribbon halter dress. $45.00NZD

Front

Back

Detail