Braided Ball

I have been knitting on and off for the last 6 years. However, all I managed to do is blankets for my kids: first as babies and scarves when they grew older. Now I decided to get a bit ambitious and explore other easy projects.

I came across this braided ball pattern on ravelry and loved the challenge. Apparently, it takes hours to make it (it took me days). Anyway, what I liked about this was that, it did not require expertise as much as logical application of how to place the strips so they don't look like a mess.

It was really an interesting challenge. The strips were regular stockinette stitch. I was not very good at it and the strips were a great practice. I used up my leftover yarn and working with so many colours felt therapeutic.

Here is the picture to give you the inspiration: 

I got the pattern from ravelry but this video really helped me get it right.

Cheryl's Brunette's video on how to get it right..was really helpful. Thanks Cheryl!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZA_kgR9bGc

When my monkey dressed up as a Hungry Caterpiller...

Now this was few months ago when the World Book Day was celebrated, but now is just as good time to gloat over my efforts!

I got a notification from nursery about World Book Day and the need to turn up in a costume. There were lovely costumes dotting the shops but it seemed like a shame to buy one just for the heck of it.

My creative instinct came to rescue and so did a couple of websites - mumsnet in particular who offered ideas about how to get round it with regular materials.

So, one Sunday afternoon, the discarded boxes came to the rescue where they transformed themselves into the body of the caterpillar. Aadi loved the story anyway and he enjoyed going through the routine of

So there, Cheeky's red wolly hat became the face of the caterpillar with pipe cleaners serving as antennae and a blob of paint turned the body into a stripy one.

Viola! Aadi was so excited to put it on and walked with pride to his nursery.

I was in cloud nine - the costume making gave me a creative high and a reiterating the fact - you don't need to spend money but time to get this effect - the joyful expression on your child's face.

The Easter Bonnet that finally won the prize!

When you look at this picture, it looks pretty unremarkable doesn't it? Well, you won't look at it the same way once you know the story behind it.

I have been making Easter bonnets for my kids ever since they needed one for their nursery parade. The added attraction was that it was also a competition.

Now, this full time mom starved-of-creative -challenges, loved the idea of securing it (a long shot since I had no idea about the concept!).

So then on began my quest to find the right idea on the internet.

So the first time, after much research and spending a fortune on Poundland, I came up with a bonnet that was cute and painstaking. I took it with pride to the nursery, only to discover there were bonnets which did not have the accessories but were completely original in style and making.

Hmm,,, next year was more of a struggle, because there was no time - with a baby in one hand and toddler in other, my creative pursuit had to put on the backburner. I came up with one nonetheless, but it was no way as good as I would have liked.

Cut to a couple of years, my creative interest did not wane and I found myself looking for ideas for that dream prize winning easter bonnet.

Cheeky was in school. She did not needs bonnets anymore, but Aadi still needed one for his upcoming Easter parade.

Finally after 4 years, this year Aadi was grinning away(I was whooping in delight) when they called out his name for the certificate and first prize!

To be honest, there were beautiful and fanciful bonnets out there, but what clinched it for me, was the fact that the kids helped me do it and it showed.

Funnily enough, this bonnet came out of nothing but recycled materials. The head was made of cereal box, the flowers made of white paper, green tissue paper was a leftover from a previous project and the stalks are bamboo skewers.

Moral of the story: You don't need to spend to make a decent hat when you have the right creative idea.

A huge thanks to kids.com.au for the wonderful idea.

You can check out their link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWa56Y1iHg4