and from the British Isles
Kathy, one of our international knit-alongers, has finished her nativity scene! And what a lovely collection she's created from the Sirdar pattern. Congratulations, Kathy!
the creche is growing!
Betsy, one of our faithful Nativity Knitters, is moving right along with her scene! She's knitting the Jean Greenhowe pattern in Ultra Alpaca.
Betsy, one of our faithful Nativity Knitters, is moving right along with her scene! She's knitting the Jean Greenhowe pattern in Ultra Alpaca.
The Sheep That Ate Bethlehem
After many trials, we've discovered that the Sirdar directions yield a scary-big sheep — so we've half-sized her. Here's her first portrait, in her creamy coat of Rozetti Baby Soft. Sorry for the slight fuzziness — it's not your eyes.
After many trials, we've discovered that the Sirdar directions yield a scary-big sheep — so we've half-sized her. Here's her first portrait, in her creamy coat of Rozetti Baby Soft. Sorry for the slight fuzziness — it's not your eyes.
Welcome one and all!
The idea for creating a knitted nativity scene began in December of 2007, when it was too late to do anything for that holiday. But the Sirdar pattern on the shop's shelf proved inspiring — and we've got folks from all over joining the knit-along!
The Yarn Shop has kitted up materials for two pattern options:
• Kit from Sirdar pattern: $130
• Kit from Greenhowe pattern: $95 (yarn is Ultra Alpaca! yum!)
Kits include pretty much all you need, including the pattern. You will need to purchase your own filling and fabric glue (Sirdar). Call us if you have any questions.
FYI, we've made a few editorial/creative changes:
• The Nativity took place in Bethlehem, in what is now the West Bank/Palestine... therefore, these folks would not have pink faces. We've chosen more Middle Eastern tones for the faces, hands (and feet in SD) — except for Mary and Jesus. No good reason for this exception except that they're Mary and Jesus.
• We experimented a lot with the sheep... liking Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan (gray, brown, beige, and the all-important black sheep) and other yarns to give the sheep some interest. The Sirdar pattern uses Snowflake and the GH pattern knits them in garter stitch, but...
• For those of you knitting the GH pattern, consider adding-on an angel. Let us know if you want one.
• Both patterns suggest stout cardboard for the bases. One participant in the Ravelry discussion thread suggested wood (if you have a hobbyist in your sphere of influence). The kits include heavy plastic needlepoint forms in both 3" rounds and a flat piece for feet and other cut-out needs.
We also feel that every character in this scene needs a name (rather than 2nd shepherd or 3rd king)... So here is our cast of characters:
The Holy Family
Mary
Joseph
Jesus
The Wise Men/Three Kings
Caspar
the 1st king (green coat in GH, white beard in SD)
Melchior
the 2nd king (lovely red ensemble in GH, pink body in SD)
Balthazar
the 3rd king — and a great restaurant in NYC (yellow/orange guy in GH, gray-beard in SD)
The Shepherds
Ezra
the 1st shepherd (taupe in GH, green body in SD)
Hezekiah
the 2nd shepherd (blue coat in GH, slate body in SD)
The Animals and the Angel have not yet been named... We'll be posting pictures from time to time. Please stay tuned!
The Yarn Shop has kitted up materials for two pattern options:
• Kit from Sirdar pattern: $130
• Kit from Greenhowe pattern: $95 (yarn is Ultra Alpaca! yum!)
Kits include pretty much all you need, including the pattern. You will need to purchase your own filling and fabric glue (Sirdar). Call us if you have any questions.
FYI, we've made a few editorial/creative changes:
• The Nativity took place in Bethlehem, in what is now the West Bank/Palestine... therefore, these folks would not have pink faces. We've chosen more Middle Eastern tones for the faces, hands (and feet in SD) — except for Mary and Jesus. No good reason for this exception except that they're Mary and Jesus.
• We experimented a lot with the sheep... liking Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan (gray, brown, beige, and the all-important black sheep) and other yarns to give the sheep some interest. The Sirdar pattern uses Snowflake and the GH pattern knits them in garter stitch, but...
• For those of you knitting the GH pattern, consider adding-on an angel. Let us know if you want one.
• Both patterns suggest stout cardboard for the bases. One participant in the Ravelry discussion thread suggested wood (if you have a hobbyist in your sphere of influence). The kits include heavy plastic needlepoint forms in both 3" rounds and a flat piece for feet and other cut-out needs.
We also feel that every character in this scene needs a name (rather than 2nd shepherd or 3rd king)... So here is our cast of characters:
The Holy Family
Mary
Joseph
Jesus
The Wise Men/Three Kings
Caspar
the 1st king (green coat in GH, white beard in SD)
Melchior
the 2nd king (lovely red ensemble in GH, pink body in SD)
Balthazar
the 3rd king — and a great restaurant in NYC (yellow/orange guy in GH, gray-beard in SD)
The Shepherds
Ezra
the 1st shepherd (taupe in GH, green body in SD)
Hezekiah
the 2nd shepherd (blue coat in GH, slate body in SD)
The Animals and the Angel have not yet been named... We'll be posting pictures from time to time. Please stay tuned!
