a little pressie

Sometimes I really overestimate my ability to get things done. I'm sure I'm not alone, you know when you set yourself a goal of what you're going to achieve and then when you haven't achieved that goal, you look back and realise how totally unrealistic that goal was. I'm really good at that. Setting unrealistic goals, that is. That's why I am up at 1:00am now, knitting Christmas gifts.

Anyway, one of my more recent unrealistic goals was to publish a set of dolls' clothing pattern in November.  ahem.. Seriously, what was I thinking? Where did I honestly think I was going to pull the time to do that?

I did get a couple of garments knit, and even a couple of patterns written out and a few dodgy sketches drawn. But a set? Nowhere near it.

So to say sorry for not getting it out there ready in time I've decided to put one of the patterns that was to be in that set up for free download.

This is the poppy cardigan. You might recognise it from earlier in the year when I designed it for Michelle from poppy, bean and bloss.

It's a simple seamless or almost seamless little DK/8ply knit designed to fit 40cm/16 Waldorf style dolls such as Michelle sells. 

The cardigan is knit from the top down and features raglan sleeve shaping and built in button bands for three sweet buttons to encourage fine motor skill development.

Two options for knitting the sleeves are detailed; they can be knit either as small circular pieces or flat and seamed later.

This little cardigan also fits baby dolls of the Baby Born size as well as American Girl and Gotz dolls. I haven't tried it on our Australian Girl doll yet as she is still in the box until Christmas.  It's a little big on Belle, who is a 14 inch Disney Princess doll. 

you can download the pattern by simply clicking here


download now


I will add it to the sidebar too if you wish to find it later. The pattern is also available on Ravelry.


Merry Chrismas everyone :D

baby girl

I guess she's not really a baby girl anymore, but she will always be my baby girl.  She had her kindy orientation day last week, my baby girl. I can't believe she is off to kindy next year. She is so ready for it now. Had we sent her twelve months ago, she would have coped.. just. But now, I know she will actually thrive and do more than just cope, which to me is really really important.

I'm really impressed with her kindy, it has a lovely old-fashioned community soul feeling to it. Perfect.

So here my baby girl is modeling a recent knit; a test knit of the Kaia babydoll pattern .  This is a test knit of the pattern that is due to be re-released fairly shortly.

I knit a size 2 top but worked the length and increases in the skirt to the size 5 pattern.  I used exactly 200grams of Bendigo Luxury 8 ply 'Leaf'. Infact, I actually ran out, and didn't quite manage to complete the lace hem.  Lily chose the ribbon to finish it off, and I think she chose quite well.

It's a perfect match for those gorgeous chook leaf shoes of hers.

my creative space ...

this week is a little uninspiring to say the least.

I am quite busily in the midst of some Christmas crafting for Christmas pressies, most of which I can't share as there may be little peekies going on.  But these I can because they are for my FIL. I think I can safely say my FIL doesn't read my blog. I probably could even safely say my FIL doesn't even know I have a blog.  I may have mentioned it, and I'm sure my MIL may check it from time to time, but no, I don't think Roger is a reader here. Which is good as it gives me a photo this week. Otherwise it might just be mindless dribble.

One of the last times we were down visiting Ma and Pa H, my FIL gave some VERY subtle hints that he would love some hand knitted socks like Andy's. He even proceeded to demonstrate how his current socks weren't as good as Andy's.  It is hard to buy for grown men, so if I can make something, all the better. So yes, I am being a dutiful DIL and knitting some socks for my FIL.  I am on the second one, just heading towards the heel so all looking extremely good for the Christmas deadline; how very unlike me!!

Something a little more exciting, that I alluded to a few posts ago. Remember I mentioned I got a big big parcel of goodies from the yarn cafe? Not all that yarnie goodness is for me, some is for the shop.

Check out these wonderful little Milk and Sugar Knitting Project Kits that are a collaboration between myself and the very talented Elissa from the yarn cafe.  In each kit you get the pattern and some super dooper gorgeous yarn to knit the pattern, all packaged in these cute little project bags. The yarns that Elissa has chosen are all absolutely heavenly soft.

They'd make an awesome Christmas pressie ;)

You can find the kits in my ozebaby store or over at the yarn cafe .

kootoyoo is the place to see some more creative spaces

swappity swap

today some overdue photos from a very overdue swap, a swap that was so overdue that I am too embarrassed to tell you how overdue it was; that's how overdue it was.  Get the idea?  Anyway, it was a swap with the very patient and talented Mandy . I'm not going to link to the photos of what she sent me as then that'll give away the game on how overdue my side was. Thankfully Mandy was ok with that. 

Recently, Mandy had a new little blue addition to her family after three girls so I decided that most of the things in my swap would be for him.  

First up, a pair of denim pants. I have to confess that I think these may be my all time favourites.  I used the awesome seed fabric from Hollabee (one of the ink and spindle girls) and in an inspired moment I decided to add a tab around the bottom of the leg using the selvedge. I really love how it turned out, it certainly helps that the selvedge is so super cool. I think I shall experiment with some more selvedge on my pants in the very near future.

Gosh, I love this Hollabee fabric. The texture and tones are just perfect for the denim.  The little boy is getting a new pair similar to these very soon.

I also sent off a Tropical Lily knit in Wired For Fibre 10 ply cotton (colourway Lilly Pilly) for Mandy's little Lily.  Mandy's Lily is actually whom the Tropical Lily was originally designed for, a Lily in a warm climate with a mum allergic to wool. Unfortunately, my Lily adopted the original prototype for herself.

And a little milo out of some gloriously soft mint green alpaca. 

And lastly for next winter, a pair of fleece longies with a little anchor applique.

a christmassy creative space

In my creative space today there has been more action on the advent calendar front.  I've made some little birdies to add as decorations to the tree and started knitting a some mini stockings to hang under the tree.

The little birdies are cut from felt with little felt beaks and wings. They have a little heart and tail feathers cut from quilters cotton stitched on and slightly frayed. The idea and template for the birdies came from skip to my lou .

The mini stockings are knit on 2.5mm circular needles using magic loop and some bright 4ply wool. The pink one is Lily's, the yellow mine and I am just about to finish a green one for Andy. Toby's will be either blue or orange. Then I will duplicate stitch numbers on them.

For Lily's I used Everwhelming Liz's cute-arse mini stocking pattern . More pics here on Rav  ;) Mine is knit from the Keychain Sock Blocker pattern . The third one is by far the best, and is a conglomeration of the bits I like from both patterns.  Really minor differences but I am fussy about these things. It is possible I will re-knit Lily's and mine one day so they are perfect too.

I've had some lovely parcels arrive this week and so while Im not focussing on the all-consuming advent calendar I will be watching this dvd (Handmade Nation ) and flicking through this pattern book (Whimsical Little Knits 2 by Ysolda Teague ).

For more creative spaces pop over to kootoyoo . I wonder how much other Yuletide action will be going on?

new look for the festive season

I'm trying out a new look for the festive season and playing around with a link bar and some cool stuff like that. It's not all there, but hopefully soon I'll have it sorted ;)  Of course, every time I do this I somehow manage to lose half my elements including my blog roll, and yes, I do back up my template and save it. I just am crap and finding it and knowing how to rejig it!!

I discovered while I was farting around with it all that blogger has a cool new editing something (it was in one of the options somewhere) Anyway, I like it!!!

Right now, I am sooo hanging to get my butt to the PO as there is a HUGE and I do mean HUGE parcel of yarny goodness waiting for me there from the yarn cafe! !! When I get back later, I will have something very very exciting to share. Of course, Toby is having a prolonged nap. Would it be wrong to poke him a little?

tikki cottage license holders

I'd like to introduce you to my cottage license holders. If you would like to purchase one of my designs ready knit, these are the people to contact. I can attest that they all have wonderful knitting skills!


Please note only these licensed holders can sell garments made from my patterns, if you spot anyone else doing so without my permission, please contact me :)






Australian Stockists


Crafty Desires
Shannnon , a very talented and gorgeous lady, is licensed to knit ALL of my patterns.  She offers both ready made and custom garments.
Currently Shannon is closed for handknits.
While you are there check out Shannon's Ultimate Longies pattern, my personal favourite longies pattern, as well as her other gorgeous patterns and hand-dyed yarns.


StitchyMama Handknits
The very prolific Katherine is licensed to knit both the Rainbow Dress and the Tropical Lily.
Currently Katherine is closed for handknits.
You should also check out her own range of patterns as well.


Woolly Butts
A delightful mother and daughter duo, both of whom are licensed to knit the Rainbow Dress. Sue is also licensed to knit milo. You may also see some of my other patterns pop up as garments in their store, as part of Nat and Sue's wonderful fundraising efforts.
You can find their store on
Wahm Naps


Susanne's House of Wool
Another longtime license holder, Sue is licensed to knit the Rainbow Dress which she does from her own delightful handspun yarn.
You can find Sue at
Susanne's House of Wool or her local markets.


Knits and Pretties
Rebecca is licensed to sell Tropical Lily, Oriental Lily and Bloom through her gorgeous etsy store, Knits and Pretties where she also sells handmade jewellery, handturned spinning supplies, knitting supplies such as stitch markers and handknits.
20 per cent of profits from all sales of handknits will be donated to the Neurofibromatosis Association of Australia.
You can contact Rebecca either via her etsy store or via email at rebecca.evison@bigpond.com  


Jolly Jumbuck
The lovely Irene from Jolly Jumbuck is a great supporter of Aussie indy designers. Not only does she sell the most stunning hand-dyed yarn but she is now licensed to sell bloom.  You can contact Irene via her Jolly Jumbuck store.


Kim Auman
If you're in Adelaide and looking to check out a good market wander down to the Norwood Market for Baby and Child . The lovely Kim will be there selling her handknit milos . Kim is also a rep for Baby Behinds nappies, so while there you seriously should check out these wonderful cloth nappies.  Baby Behinds have served both my children really well in our nappying journey. 


Little Brown Owl
Lori is licensed to sell milo vests. You can find her store, Little Brown Owl  on minicuture where she sells a range of knitted and sewn garments. If you live in the Ballarat area you will often find Lori at the local markets. Go and say hi and check out her wares!
Lori's new partner in crime is the lovely Steph. Steph has knit more Paula's Scarfettes than anyone I know, and she is licensed to sell these delightful little knits.
You can contact Lori and Steph either via the Little Brown Owl  store or via the contact form on their facebook page.


Squeeky Cheeks
The vert versatile Sandi from SSqueeky Cheeks is licensed to knit the milo vest.  Sandi also stocks a wide range of products including nappies and children's clothing.  You can contact Sandi either via her store or by emailing sandisem@yahoo.com.au


Gorgeous Handknits for kids, made by Victoria
Ex-New Zealander and now Tasmanian resident, Victoria, is licensed to knit and sell bloom and cassia.  You can check out Victoria's knits on her facebook page.


tikki
From time to time I will stock my own garments in my store on made it.
You can also purchase all my patterns either there or on Ravelry .






New Zealand Stockists


Little Things
Megan is a delightful lady from the land of the long white cloud, she knits up beautiful little milo vests.
Her stores can be found on
Felt and
Craft Fetish
You should also check out the cute little rockets Megan sells that are knit from her own pattern.


Coco Kids
is a trio of lovely ladies who have joined forces to offer a range of knitted garments from a wide variety of patterns.


Kate  is licensed to knit the Rainbow Dress, milo, bloom and Cassia.  Kate offers both customs and ready made garments.
You can contact her through Coco Kids 
Kate also has her own lovely little store Chev Girl over on Felt


Julia is licensed to knit milo and the Rainbow Dress. She too offers customs and ready made garments.
You can contact Julia through Coco Kids or her blogsite justonewip .


Ali is licensed to knit Cassia.  Just like the other members of this talented trio, Ali will also take customs as well as whip up ready made garments.  You can contact Ali G through Coco Kids  or via her blog 006 Licensed to Knit


All three lovely Coco Kids ladies; Kate, Julia and Ali, are licensed to knit eden, both the adam and eve version.   Drop in and check out their lovely knits, they are great supporters of local designers.  Make sure you also pop over and say hi on their facebook page.


Little Moo Knits
Krissie  is yet another lovely lady and wonderful knitter from over the Tasman who is licensed to knit the milo vest, Cassia, Olearia and all three patterns from the Spring Wildflowers collection; acacia, darwinia and baby acacia.  Krissie offers customs and ready made garments.
You can contact her through her store
Little Moo Knits and also via her blog Knit Not What

A Little Bit of Everything
Rachael has long been a great supporter of my designs, she has knit them all many times and has helped out enormously with testing. She is licensed to knit and sell bloom, Rainbow dress, Oriental Lily, Cassia, Olearia, Paula's Scarfette and all three designs from the Spring Wildflowers collection; acacia, darwinia and baby acacia.  She is a very fast knitter and I can totally attest to her ability to work to a deadline. You can order a custom knit bloom from her blog
A Little Bit of Everything. Make sure you also pop by and check out Rachael's facebook page

The Bird's Nest
Another lovely New Zealand lady, Jacquie, who hails from Auckland is licensed to knit both the Rainbow Dress and the milo vest. You can visit her over at her blog The Bird's Nest as well as her facebook page to check out and purchase her gorgeous knits.

Paws Purls
Genevieve of Paws Purls is also licensed to knit the milo vest. You can check out her wares in her Felt Shop  as well as her blog and facebook page. Keep an eye out for Genevieve at some of the markets in and around the Auckland area.


US Stockists


Katidids
Katie is another long-time license holder.  She knits and sells from the gorgeous Rainbow Dress pattern. You can find her store over on etsy 
Katidids .

Born In A Barn
The lovely Beth is licensed to knit the Oriental Lily. She sells from a hyenacart store
The Merchant Ship
Beth also sells gorgeous hand dyed yarns and longies.


UK Stockists

Pixie Knits
The delightful Ali is a longtime license holder of the Rainbow Dress. She is also licensed to knit Tropical Lily, Bloom and milo. She offers both ready made and custom garments from her store
 Pixie Knits .

Little Treehouse
The lovely Anna from Cambridge is licensed to knit and sell milo.  She also is happy to take custom orders. While checking out her store you must see her gorgeous bunting and jump over and read her delightful blog.
Little Treehouse