Jelly Bums Badger

Hey all, just popping in to introduce the little Jelly Bum Badger pattern. This pattern seems to have taken me forever to create as it took a few attempts to get his face stripes just right (I'm such a faux perfectionist!).
This is the part where I usually say he is available from my etsy shop, however in addition to that I'd like to take the opportunity to announce the opening of the Jelly bums website. I can't believe I actually got around to doing it, my little shiny new website! So if you want to have a peek then click on the 'buy patterns' picture on the right hand side.
The website uses paypal payment so it's just the same as buying my patterns from Etsy, apart from you don't need to have any type of account to use it, just a valid working email address. Simples!
All prices are in pounds (£) sterling, however paypal will automatically convert your currency to the sterling if your outside the UK. So it's really easy to buy the single pattern and pattern deals. I will probably be using the website to add some help videos as well, so look out for that in the future! Also keep an eye out as I'm hoping to run a competition soon to officially launch the website.

At the moment I'm juggling between writing more animal patterns and creating some pattern for the Little Red Stitches shop, as I'm really enjoying creating the dolls. If only you could see the idea lists I have scribbled all over little pieces of paper in my knitting drawer, there's never enough time in the day eh?

Ok back to my knitting, as usual I'll be back with any updates, so in the meantime happy knitting.
♥ Raynor

Little Red Stitches

Hey all,
It feels like its been such a long time since I last blogged. things have been so hectic with the house move and it feels like I've got a million and one things to sort out everyday but I'm getting there slowly but surely.

just as we were starting to move I had started on a new little knitting project which was a nice change from making the animal patterns. I eventually finished the pattern last night and this is the result

It's little red riding hood accompanied by a Jelly Bum Wolf. So now I'm going to be splitting my time between creating the Jelly Bum animals and some fairy tale doll patterns for my new Etsy shop Little Red Stitches.

To be honest I've wanted to create some doll patterns for a while but finding a way to make the doll hair scared me off a bit. I prefer to knit the hair as a piece rather than having the yarn strands, so I've taken the plunge and decided to give it a go. I'm really pleased with the results and can't wait to get cracking on a few more dolls.

I'm also thinking about creating a new blog which is dedicated to helping with toy knitting. I'd add some videos to demonstrate some skills rewired for toy knitting such as mattress stitch, sewing limbs, attaching safety eyes etc. Let me know if you would be interested in this kind of thing and I'll try and get it set up.

Ok everyone have a lovely lazy Sunday, especially for my American visitors who may still be recovering from their July 4th celebrations. I'll be back soon with any updates.
Happy knitting
♥ Raynor

Jelly Bums Rhino

Hey all, apologies as this post is about 2 days too late! I've popped in with the latest little Jelly Bum buddy. I've had him half completed for a week or so now and he needed arms attached so he could pose for the camera, so he sat there patiently waiting for me. As always he's available from my etsy shop and blog shop.
The reason I've been so busy is that we are eventually moving house! I'm so excited its actually a house with stairs and a garden for the girls to run about in, perfect for the approaching summer.
We will be slowly moving over the next two weeks, but I'll still have access to the computer so please don't hesitate if you want to get in touch with me, I promise I'll reply.
Sorry this post is a bit up in the air we're rushing around today trying to get ready to go support my mum and my sister as they are doing the 'Race for Life' sponsored run for Cancer Research today at Camperdown park, looks like it will be a good day so we might have a picnic in the park.
OK I'm off for now, I'll be back with any updates but at least you'll know where I've going if I'm gone for a little while.
Happy knitting everyone
Raynor x

Jelly Bums Goat

Hey all, dropping by today to show you the latest Jelly Bum member, a little billy goat. I had been meaning to make this pattern for ages because a lady by the name of Leslie had requested a goat ages ago as her sister has a sweet little Goat named Lexie. Also another great lady, Margaret had requested one to help her sister demonstrate 'The three Billy Goats Gruff' Story for the kids at her school. So I got the needles out and this little guy hopped off the end of them! I'm not sure if you can make it out in the photo but he has a fluffy little beard. I just love how grumpy he looks, it really gives him character.

When I'm creating the animal I like to look at lots of different pictures of them as research to how I want the finished toy to look. I never realised there was so many different types of goats with distinctive looks, so it was back to the drawing board and imaging how I remember them from my childhood, so I hope you all like him.

Also just wanted to make a quick little note about the clothes patterns. I've been wanting to make more pattern but I don't just want to do a dress or a t-shirt etc I would like to make them little themes so that people can pick and choose clothes to individualise their toys. It means I'll take longer to get the pattern out but also that there will be a few bits of clothing at a time. So hope you can bear with me whilst I brainstorm for a while over the themes.

In non-knitting news, what a glorious week its been here. The sun is shining brightly which is a rarity in Scotland so we've been on plenty of long walks with the girls to make the most of it. We're still house hunting at the moment, it's getting really daunting as time is drawing closer for me going to university, so fingers crossed something will crop up soon.

Ok as always I'll be back soon with any Jelly updates

♥Raynor

Jelly Bums Mouse

Hey all, just dropping by to show off the latest Jelly Bum Pattern, a sweet little mouse.
I had this pattern ready for a few days but somehow just could not get good pictures of the finished toy. I love how she looks a little bit chubby because I doubled up the white yarn because it was so thin, reminds me of the greedy little mouse from Cinderella.
I also wanted to say a huge thank you for your kind word about the dino suit I'm so pleased it was received so well. I'm in the process of working on a dress pattern but i'm still tweaking to get it perfect, and then I'll get photos and get it up for you all to use.
Apologies at the moment if I'm a bit absent I'm trying to get on to update as much as possible but we are in the middle of house hunting before I start university so it seems my spare time is filled with searching for the perfect house and then going to viewings. That and the fact that we have to start looking for a nursery for the girls soon, so hopefully you could all forgive me if I'm a bit quiet with things for a few days at a time. However do remember I'm always available to help or answer any questions and I'll always answer any emails within 24hours so please don't be afraid to write to me I'm always happy to hear from my fellow toy knitters.
OK I'm off for now to bask in the last of the rare afternoon sun, so drop by soon for any more Jelly updates
♥ Raynor

Free Patterns: Dino Suit

Hey all, just popping by to let you all know that I've finished another free pattern to dress up the Jelly Bums. It's an awesome little dino suit!

Click here for pattern

I got the idea from the show 'Peppa Pig' (which my 2 year old is obsessed with) as Peppas' little brother George answers everything with 'dinosaur'. So I thought it would be really cool to be able to dress the animals up as a dinosaur. I hope you all enjoy the pattern, I'd love to see if anyone makes one, I can picture them now in a whole variety of colours so let your imagination run wild.
The pattern was designed to use with the oval body pattern and either the animal legs or the big foot legs, I've modelled the suit on a little lamb with the animal legs.
I really enjoyed creating this pattern so you'll be happy to know that I'm already jotting down lots of ideas for more dress up patterns and hopefully you can soon have a whole little wardrobe for your Jelly Bums. The biggest problem is deciding between making more outfits or more animals now, so I'll hopefully find a happy medium soon maybe alternate between the two.
Hope you all had a lovely weekend and I'll hopefully be back with any updates soon.
♥ Raynor

Jelly Bums Beaver

Hey all just popping in to introduce the latest Jelly Bum animal, don't you just love that little buck tooth? As with all the other patterns he is available to buy on his own or as part of any of the pattern deals. Can you believe that's the 20th Jelly Bum pattern already, it seems like so many now, but I've still got a big list to get through so I'm not hanging up my needles just yet!
I apologise for my lack of blogging lately, I seem to be trying to have my finger in to many knitting pies. I've been working on a little pattern for The Knitted Toy box, and also trying to clear out a lot of the knitted toys I've had stored away in a box for ages, hopefully I'll be able to find them a home where they will get lots of love and hugs.
I've also been looking into lots of ideas for more free clothes patterns for the toys, but can't seem to make up my mind on something yet. I was thinking perhaps a ballerina outfit or a superhero outfit, but I'm still researching lots of ideas so if anyone has any suggestions of what they would like to see please feel free to leave a comment, as I'd love your feedback.
Ok I'm off just now but promise I'll be back soon with any updates.
♥ Raynor

Jelly Bums Moose

There's a moose loose aboot the hoose!

Hey all, I'm back to introduce the latest addition to the Jelly Bums an adorable moose. He's been available to purchase since Tuesday however blogger has been playing up and I've been unable to post about him. His horns were a bit of a nightmare to design, but I got there in the end and I love the way they turned out, plus its always great to have a design challenge with a pattern, it makes the whole process more exciting.

Nothing much to report from this side of the pond as I'm pretty under the weather with some sort of virus as the moment so not feeling to great. However I'm not going to let that get me down as I really want to get cracking with some more patterns as I've got a lot of ideas running through my head at the moment, so I can't wait to get them down on paper (or should that be computer?).

The next pattern will be the 20th pattern still can't believe how quickly it seems to have gone and doesn't feel that long ago that I was creating the very first little doggy pattern. The only problem now is deciding what animal to design next!

Raynor x

Just popping my head in

I'm back again!
Apologies for my long unexplained absence, the last month has just gone a bit haywire. At the start of the month we had a big scare when Evie pulled down a cup of coffee from the counter and scolded herself, resulting in a 5 day stay in the hospital. We were so happy once Evie was allowed home and then it turned out that Lois had caught a viral infection which meant lots of projectile vomiting etc... mmm not nice but you get the idea. It was an awful time and unfortunately has taken the whole family a good whilst to recover and get back into routines etc. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of those who sent the girls their get well thoughts and also thank you all for being so patient with me sending out patterns and answering questions.
Obviously the knitting went on the back burner the last few weeks, however now that the girls are all better now I've got back on to it. The next pattern should be out by Tuesday at the latest as I'm still making final touches to everything. I can't believe it will be the 19th pattern, I'm really in the knitting 'zone' at the moment so I'll have to get cracking with more patterns whilst I'm there.
Also thought I'd let you know that I've eventually plucked up the courage to start crocheting! Its actually a lot easier than I thought but I'm still learning, you never know there might even be some Jelly Bum crochet patterns in the pipeline!
Hope your all having a lovely weekend and pop back to see the latest pattern soon.
♥Raynor

Jelly Bums Cow

How now brown cow, look what I've eventually got around to finishing!

Finally managed to get things sorted out with the light box and managed to get a new one which was luckily delivered very quickly. I hope this little fellow was worth the wait.

In knitting news this week, I was so touched to learn that a lovely lady named Kate had purchased her pattern to knit for her friends newly adopted son who was making a long trip from Kazakhstan. His birth name means 'leader of the snow leopards' so she was going to knit him up a white Jelly Bum tiger and give it to him for him to cuddle on his long journey home. It never ceases to amaze me how kind-hearted some people can be, and I hope little Bekbaris is now settling into his lovely new home with his little snow leopard.

Things will be a bit hectic in out house this next week as my little princesses celebrate their birthdays. Evie will turn 2 on Monday and Lois will have her first birthday on the following Sunday, oh how time flies. I will be attempting to make a cake for Evies birthday but we'll see how that goes as my baking skills are a little rusty!

I will try and get started on the next pattern during middle of next week so hopefully I will be back on track again with getting the patterns out more regularly. Ok I'm off to purchase some baking ingredients, do you think guests would mind eating knitted cupcakes if it all goes pear-shaped?
♥ Raynor