| Archive for Crafty Threads 'n' Yarns The Friendly UK Board that invites Knitters, Crocheters, Dressmakers, Quilters, Patchworkers, Jewellery makers and Paper Crafters to join in our chat about Craft |
| loobyj |
Nativity setEarlier today I remembered a conversation we'd had last Christmas about nativity sets - a few people have shown some interest in this thread (also a link to the original), so I thought I strike out and start a thread here, in the hope that lots of you will get the bug and join in.I'm doing the one from last year's SK - in muted shades of Sirdar Countrystyle - but there are loads of patterns around. It's the ideal stash buster using up lots of odds and ends of yarn. And you can create something truly lovely to bring out year after year. I'm well away with mine - all the little figure bits are made, just the making up to do now. Tonight I stuffed my first sheep 
I've gone the whole hog to make the full set, but Nevisknitter is going to make hers over a few years - so don't let lack of time put you off, build your heirloom gradually 
So roll up, roll up don't be shy 
lj |
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| slowasasnail |
Re: Nativity set
I so wanna see your sheep! |
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| Nevisknitter |
Ooh, looking forward to seeing yours, I have a shawl to finish first then should get started. Going to Glasgow shopping next week so hope to get some flesh coloured yarn (if I find a yarn shop) | ||
| craftybernie |
Hiya! I don't have this knitted one but I do have a crochet nativity set pattern. Could I join in? It might motivate me to get it done!! 
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| loobyj |
Oo, yes - join in CB, don't think it matters whether they're knit, crochet, sew or whatever craft (woodturning anyone?)
Snail - if you're a good girl I'll have a small flock to show you soon! lj |
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| craftybernie |
Woodturning! Lol.
Actually, 'whittling' count? I've got a few spare matchsticks and a sharp knife....
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| Nevisknitter |
How did you all get on, heres what I have managed so far.
Hopefully will do the rest by next year. Mary is DK, joseph is left overs of sock yarn knitted double. |
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| Aknita |
I think you've made a really good start, and they look lovely
I am sorry, but I'm afraid I am going to post a gratuitous photo - after all it IS Christmas
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| Jobo |
Oh look - how lovely are both !!
Baby Jesus is so cute
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| Nevisknitter |
Yours is lovely Joy, hope mine will look more like that next year. | ||
| pictish |
Yours is coming along nicely Nevisknitter  And Joy I ALWAYS love seeing your mum's set - it inspires me to think of trying myself
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| studio_christine |
did Alan Dart design a nativity set?
I'd like to start one NOW and maybe be finished for next year..... |
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| pictish |
Yes I think he's done a couple - there was one in last year's Simply Knitting and one in Woman's Weekly but you might be able to buy the pattern separately Christine
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| loobyj |
Well, sadly I only managed to finish three sheep before Christmas - so no display this year  BUT, all the bits are done and I'm going to make finishing it my January project.
Nevis - your's looks fab - think I'd have been more sensible to knit it up in bits than to go the whole hog! lj |
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| studio_christine |
have my VERY easy nativity knitting pattern, and will cast on as soon as I finish my monkee (also a KAL)
should we aim for one main character/2 animals a month? Jan Mary, Feb Joseph, March Jesus etc.........?? |
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| Jobo |
I have ordered the Jean Greenhowe Christmas book and I'm going to aim to complete the nativity set for Xmas 2008
Not all at once though
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| Nevisknitter |
I managed 3 in December along with knitting and other things. I am hoping to do the shepherds next then knit more socks so I have more colourful leftovers for the kings as I'm knitting it using sock yarn doubled. |
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| loobyj |
Thought I'd revive this thread, if only to try and encourage me to finish my set. Sadly it's no further forward than it was at the beginning of the year - three legless sheep
I know Janice has already begun, and Carol is contemplating starting - anyone else going to have a go? lj |
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| Binty |
Do you know I have wanted to make one of these for years but as my mojo is still missing in action I dont think I can join in
I havent picked the sticks up for about 3 weeks now
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| franney |
Binty, some small things might be just what you need you know, after all those massive blankies 
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| pictish |
I have 2 Alan Dart patterns I think and I fancy a set too - I might have a go but probably not in time to finish for this Christmas  I was just looking at the pattern yesterday.
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| janice |
I thought I would knit Joseph next, then baby Jesus. Probably knit the shepherds after that, will see
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| pictish |
It would be nice to at least get Mary, Jesus and Joseph done I might have a look at what wool I would need and see what I have in odds and ends. I'm trying not to buy at the moment.
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| loobyj |
I think Nevisknitter was making hers from sock yarn scraps held double - I'm sure she posted a pic last year, but I can't find it I'm sure you'll have some suitable odds and ends Ali
I've been looking at them on Rav too - lots of peeps have said they'd knitted the main figures in the round to save on making up. I wish I'd taken the sensible route and made each piece up as I went along - then I wouldn't be faced with such a mammoth task now 
lj |
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| pictish |
I know!! It's the fiddly making up that is offputting isn't Definitely a good idea to do it as you go. The knitting is maybe the easy bit
I'll have a look on Rav at what has been used. I can always get some very cheap acrylic which is probably better so they will last!! One of the patterns (from SK) has them all in muted beige shades which would maybe save on spending. But I do fancy Mary having a blue veil and the kings having brighter robes
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| Nevisknitter |
I did Mary from oddments of acrylic DK, the rest was with leftover sock yarn doubled, it gave a nice tweedy effect.
Thers a donkey in another Jean Greenhowe book, might get that book and make the donkey for this year. |
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| pictish |
Oh they're just gorgeous!! The sock yarn is great for shepherds and kings 
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| loobyj |
They are fab I love the shepherds best I think, but then again the kings are great too!
How did you do the legs for the sheep? Is it stuffed i-cord? I'm stalling on those, which is why my sheep are legless. Mine's the AD one from SK - in the same muted colours. And I've got plans to make a set of the gnomes in the same colours
lj |
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| janice |
I do have leftover sock yarn, somewhere, will have to hunt it down
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| modelwidow |
Oh Binty, that's a long time for you mojo to go missing  still at least you are still visiting - hopefully when the right thing catches your eye your mojo will come back.
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| Wildpurl |
Your set looks so nice nevisknitter! I really should get started. I have a bit of left over sock yarn, and still have some DK acrylic or otherwise which I could use. I also have some handspun I could use for the kings and the sheep
I think your idea of at least getting Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus done is a really good one, Ali. Surely I could manage that! I'm determined to finish my Heather Hoodie first, but then while it's blocking I could do Mary. I know these little things are only an evening's work once I get started. |
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| Nevisknitter |
I did mary Joseph and Jesus in Autumn 2007, the shepherds at Easter 2008 and the kings last Autumn.
Loobyj, I did the Jean Greenhowe pattern, her sheep legs are a strip of stocking stitch, rolled in from both ends (like making a swiss roll) to the centre, the roll bits then face outwards as legs. |
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| pictish |
I'm going to have a hunt for yarn in the next few days I just gave quite a few balls away to the charity shop last week though
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| loobyj |
Thanks for that - I'll give that a go along with stuffed i-cord and see which works best I think. Though for the longer legs of the donkey and camel I might need something a bit more sturdy I suppose. lj |
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| noynoyavery |
ooh me me me!!im going to do the sk one too..i also want to do the advent tree and decorations from sk too i think it was last christamas? im going to pop them in a patchwork chrsitmas avdvent calender ive made with a sweetie for each of the boys so they can pop a dec on the tree everyday ..must get a wiggle on im currently working trough about 15 chrsitmas projects thanksfull the naitivty set and decs shouldnt take too long! |
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| Nevisknitter |
Hows everyone getting on with their nativity sets? I was visiting my mum last month and she gave me a bag of oddments and asked if I could knit a nativity for her friend. Her friends mum had collected the yarn and started Joseph but died 3 years ago.
So far I have knitted Mary and Jesus, hoping to finish the manger and Joseph by the end of the week, nothing is stuffed yet though. I'm using the Jean Greenhowe pattern again with DK oddments My mums coming up here at the end of November so I am aiming to have it done by then. |
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| noynoyavery |
starting mine tommorrow hopefully as i have about 8 more alan dart decs left to do and im getting fed up of them lol so the nativity will make a nice change! | ||
| loobyj |
Sadly I haven't touched mine since I asked you about the legs back in September 
The stupid thing is all the 'knitting' is done (and has been for two years) - everything just needs making up. But, started making up the sheep and have got a real block on the legs Perhaps I should make up some people - at least that way I could have Mary, Joseph and Jesus for Christmas!
Looking forward to seeing the progress of yours - your mum's friend is a lucky lady
lj |
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| noynoyavery |
i thought that about the sheeps legs so im going to see how sewing then around a matchstick would work? | ||