Blue Bunny Loves You

Posted on by texasgabi

I just finished this “new baby” gift. Easter is right around the corner, but as we know, stuffed bunnies are appreciated year round … by all ages.

All it takes is any square pin loom and some yarn (scraps are welcome). I used the Square 2″ R-regular loom, which has become my go-to loom for so many projects, from testing out design ideas to making fun things in little time. I used Yarnspirations O’Go Big Donut yarn, color 29008 Mint Julep, from my stash. This yarn is discontinued, and you can substitute any worsted weight yarn you like.

If you use the Square 2″ R loom you will need about 140 yards of worsted weight yarn for the bunny, and about 3 yards in black for the face.

For the tail, which is optional, you can either make a pompom or weave one hexagon on your Original TURTLE Loom R-regular.

You can embroider the eyes, use safety plastic eyes or little pieces of felt, or use your BabyTURTLE loom to weave them.

Here is the bunny chart …

You will need to weave 64 squares (32 for the Front and 32 for the Back).

Blue Bunny measures 13″ (ears down) and 18″ (ears up).

Assembly: Layout the squares according to the chart. If you work with multiple colors, move the squares around until you like it. Sew the squares together. I sewed the squares into long strips first as shown in the second picture, then sewed those strips together.

(left picture) Put the Front and the Back on top of each other – right sides facing each other – and sew along all sides, but leaving an opening at the side for turning and stuffing. For the paws, when you come to the small end sides, sew a straight seam (center picture). For the ears, sew along the edges and pull to close (right picture).

Turn the bunny right side out. Sew tight the ears as shown (they will stay unstuffed). Stuff the bunny as desired and close the opening.

Neck: With a separate piece of yarn, starting from the center back, sew small running stitches around the neck area. Pull in as desired. Knot, and weave in the ends.

Face: Use this close-up photo to guide you for stitching the face.

Tail: If you weave the tail, make one hexagon. Secure a tail end with a stitch, then work running stitches along all edges. Pull in a little, slightly stuff, then pull close. Sew the tail into place.

Optional limb shaping: Sew through all layers along the arm and leg joins (straight for the arms, diagonal as shown for the legs). This will add a little bit more shape to the body.

Quick variations: Use only 1 square length to make a bear, dog, or cat.

I hope that Blue Bunny has gotten hold of your heart and that you will help to multiply this rare species.
Post if you do!

Welcome Little Looms Summer 2023

Posted on by texasgabi

By now we have to say that “as usual” the new Easy Weaving with Little Looms Summer 2023 issue is filled with top quality project ideas and informative articles. It is my honor to have contributed two projects, the Queen Bee Table Topper and the Lemon Drop Kitchen Towel.

Working with small hexagons opens the doors to play with colors and create artful drawing-like designs, almost like in ancient mosaics. The Queen Bee Table Topper features a bee on a honeycomb background, all in natural hexagon shapes. Weaving the hexagons on the PennyTURTLE™ loom is relaxing and fun. The tried and tested Scheepjes Catona cotton yarn provides the perfect colors and fabric character for the project.

Inspired by Vintage fabric patterns, the Lemon Drop Kitchen Towel features an “all over” display of lemons with leaves.

The pattern consists of regular hexagons and half hexagons that are all woven on the Original TURTLE Loom™ R – Regular sett using Universal Yarn’s Clean Cotton, a soft and squishy, 100% reclaimed cotton yarn. Our article “Six Ways to Make Half Hexagons” will help with making the half hexagons.

The pattern repeat invites to adjust the size of the towel if desired, and you can even make just one lemon with its leaf and a border for a nice hot pad or dish cloth. The Lemon Drop kitchen towel can also be worked on the Original TURTLE Loom F-fine sett, using a thinner cotton yarn … like the Scheepjes Catona!

Stay tuned for one more story that we will share with you in just a few days: We will launch a rewards program where our customers can earn an honorary Weaving Buddy badge for completing TURTLE projects! More information will become available here on the blog … sign up to be notified about new blog posts (in the right column) so that you don’t miss it!

For your convenience, we offer the printed edition of Little Looms Summer 2023 in our Etsy shop. The publisher Long Thread Media offers a digital copy, and we can highly recommend a subscription.

Customer Projects Showcase – March 2023

Posted on by texasgabi

On the verge of spring in the northern hemisphere, there is still need for warming accessories, but also time to get some happy colors out!

Pin-loom veteran Jane Grogan, designer of the “Lilas au Printemps” wedding shawl in the Little Looms Spring 2022 magazine, uses small amounts of pretty yarn to weave single hexagons for greeting cards. A great way to showcase precious (handwoven) yarns or some pretty leftovers. Any of the Original TURTLE looms will create the perfect size hexie for a standard greeting card.

TURTLE loom customer Lisa Robinson recently finished this awesome scarf, where the beautiful yarn provides instant eye candy. Lisa wove the light worsted yarn on her Original TURTLE F-fine sett in plain weave to achieve a dense fabric. She worked half hexagons and triangles (method adopted) to accomplish the smooth edgings along the sides and the pleasant curving of the scarf ends.

Today, March 9th, is the third anniversary of the first Covid shutdown in the United States. Data analyst Kristin Briney (Instagram, Ravelry) used the TinyTURTLE F-fine sett to capture the Covid experience with visual representations of Covid fatalities in the United States in 2020 and 2021 … Impressive pieces that make you stop and think.

Let pin-loom weaving carry you through good and bad times!

I hope you find these projects and activities inspiring. Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments section below, and if you have a project that you’d like to see featured in a future customer story post, please contact us!

(Photo credits: All photos are by their respective project owners. Used with permission. All rights reserved.)