Japanese Kokeshi Crochet

Am trying to get back to normal. Whatever that is.

Child number one has returned to school and routines are being re-established.

My crochet cushion is coming on a-nicely, too.

But I love the little projects in-between; you know, the small, quick-fixes. The 'only-takes-an-hour-ish' instant fix.

And so, as many of you know, I love the little Korknisse or Norwegian cork-gnomes.

Traditionally these little fellas sport pointed hats. Other versions are adorned with witches hats, or dressed as knights or blacked out as ninjas.

And so my deviations lead me here:

A Japanese Kokeshi cork creation (adapted from Lucy Ravenscar's knight pattern). [Kokeshi are wooden Japanese dolls. Their history is a little ambiguous, but they were essentially sold to tourists as souvenirs.]

Here's my original doll. Found in a charity shop if I remember correctly:

And so followed this:

 

And this:

 

The best bit was decorating them. Such fun!!

 

Right, back to the cushion for me.

Have a great weekend!

Xx

 

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Of Knights and Ninjas

Finally.

I have managed to wrestle the iPad from the kid's grubby mitts for long enough to actually write a post!

[I am totally looking forward to a return to routine. Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays- but things just get a little, well, bonkers.]

Wait a sec.... What's that? I can hear the sound of marching feet...

Hey! It's the crochet Korknisse Knights, or Korknightsse, as they like to call themselves.



Hello, fellas! How are you?



What, you haven't got any weapons yet? Well, be careful, won't you?



But who's that?

Watch out, Korknightsse! Behind you...

.... it's the Korknisse NINJAs!


They're a deadly and dastardly duo..

You naughty little blighters.



Ok, so the knights and ninjas are free patterns from the lovely Lucy Ravenscar's blog. The knights were made for my nephew, who is doing something 'knight-ish' at school in Sept and the Ninjas for my son, who has demanded 'hundreds more'.

Good excuse to drink more wine, methinks.

Mwaaa haaaaa haaaaa!

Oh, and the crochet cushion cover (pattern from here) is coming along nicely...






Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

X

 

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Crafty Spring Project

Well hello there, little fella!
It's one of the Korknisse, here to spread some joy!

How are you all? We haven't seen you for a while.
Oh really? You've been played with by the children and now there's not so many in your number?
And hardly anyone has a matching hat or jumper anymore?
Dreadful.
But you do have a lovely, easy, cheapy craft project to show us?
Game on!

Here's what to do:

Ok. First you need to find a little wooden-house-shelf-thingamabob. 
Mine is from my local craft shop. 
Cost £2.99.



You also need these sweet little Chinese Yuxian paper-cuts.
Again, from crafty shop.
Cost £about 3. (not bad-you get 10 in a pack. And they are beautiful)



So pretty!



Paint said house-shelf-wotnot with colour of desired hue.
I used white acrylic.
[Not for any other reason than I couldn't be bothered to find the key to the garage and risk my life and limb having to root through the dangerous arrangement of bikes, tools, barbeque paraphernalia and general guff to find the eggshell furniture paint]
Leave to dry.



Apply thin coat of PVA glue to wherever you want your designs to be and attach the paper-cut carefully. 
Warning: these cannot be removed without destroying the paper-cut, as they are sooooo delicate.



Stand back, and marvel at your handiwork.

Enjoy your evening, all!
Am off to quaff a teeny glass of the red stuff. 

Xx


 

Rainbow Korknisse

Oooo, a little toadstool house.
Who lives here, I wonder?



*knock knock*



Of course! It's the little Korknisse!
How lovely to see you.
How are you?
Are there any more of you in there?



Oh how super! Lots of Korknisse.
And rainbow colours, too.
Please can I have a nice photo of you?



Oh now, that's just silly.
Please behave.


Thank you, that's better.

Now, can I take a photo indoors, so we can see you in all your summer finery?

Right, in a line please.


Really. You are just being naughty now.
Stop buggering around and behave.


That's more like it. Thank you.



Well now, that's just plain showing off now, fellas.



"Nice butterfly."
"Ta."

Oh dear, I think the sun got to me today.

'Korknisse' means 'cork elf' in Norwegian. They are traditionally knitted Christmas ornaments, but I crochet mine Amigurumi-stylie and love 'em at any time of the year.

I've already made Spring Korknisse here and Royal Wedding Korknisse here too.
Mad, but true.