So when my shop closes for the season in September each year I always get this surge of energy and creativity! I get to spend more time at home drawing, sewing, embroidering. I also get to have more time on my hands to visit family and friends. When I was looking for a cuddly toy / doll for my nephew I couldn’t find anything that was fun and sweet, cute but not too cute. So – why not make your own? And so started my journey into the Minis!
Let me tell you, these small friends are addictive to make! All of them are made in felted samples or knitted pieces that fell off the knitting machine – same as my felted mittens. Since I wanted to keep this upcycle aspect going I stuffed them with polyester stuffing from (washed) cushions I am not using. The eyes are embroidered onto the felted fabric as well as the mouth.
Because I am using scraps of fabric no one Mini looks the same as another. By stitching eyes, noses and mouths by hand they all have their own expression, their own personality. Here are some of them:
Ragnar
Ragnar is made in Shetland wool with a knitted sample for the Skog Jumper. He has a bright orange smiling mouth, green embroidered eyes and a melange green pompom as hair!
Ragnar is an old soul with no rush. He takes his time making decisions, making up his mind.
Nettan
This is Nettan. Nettan loves upcycling pretty things into hand made jewellery that it sells on festivals around the globe.
Nettan is made of felted and knitted fabric made as a sample for the Hej! Jumper. The eyes are made of a woven fabric hand dyed in Indigo. On the top – two woolen bobbles!
Bob
This is Bob. Bob throws itself into new adventures headfirst – never worrying about what comes next or if this always is the best course of action.
Bob is made of felted and knitted fabric, stuffed with upcycled polyester stuffing and has hand embroidered eyes, mouth and eye lashes. The eyes are made of a woven fabric hand dyed in Indigo. On the top – a woolen bobble!