I don’t know about you, but February has just zipped by for me and the Beasties!
A lot of this was down to the fact that I’ve been focussing on just being a Maker of Monsters this past month. I took the plunge, and booked time off from Other Work to take care of some Beastie business that’s been sitting on my to-do list for far too long. So, I’ve already shared my new improved workspace and spruced-up home on the internet… But what else have I been up to?
Well, for starters, I’ve been collaborating with a spinner! I met Diarmuid from S Twist Wool at one of my pre-Christmas markets, and I jumped at the chance to create a very special Beastie for him using his own range of yarns. Of course, Explorer Beastie was on hand to help me choose which wool to use for the project…
… And now here’s the newest member of the Beastie family, hot off the needles!
Diarmuid dyed the chunky 2-ply yarn in blue and purple especially for this Beastie, and I used S Twist’s sock yarn in Tiger for his lovely red hair, and Juniper for his traditional Aran-style sweater.
I was also able to use natural sheep’s fleece as stuffing instead of my usual polyfill! And since S Twist Beastie has been recruited to help out with the business, it seemed only fair to get him started with the spinning straight away… so I made him a Beastie-sized drop spindle!
And now he’s ready to get to work!
But wait… There’s more to this Beastie than meets the eye!
No, your mind isn’t playing tricks on you! Beastie-volution has taken another leap forward… And this little monster has BONES! That means he can wave, dance a jig, or sit down to do his spinning!
And believe me, this extra flexibility is going to come in handy in his new job. Because Diarmuid sources his wool locally (it all comes from farms in Kilkenny and Tipperary), and prepares, spins and dyes it himself, there’s always plenty of work to do!
I’m really looking forward to seeing how S Twist Beastie gets on in his new career as a master spinner! They also have plans to attend several shows across Ireland and the UK over the coming months… If you get a chance, why not pop along and say hello? You can keep up with all the latest news from S Twist on Facebook or Twitter!
It’s always exciting to try out new methods and materials, so this collaboration couldn’t have come at a better time. And we’re not done yet with the Beastie R&D either!
February was the month where I finally broke the ice with my sewing machine, and now we’re working together on some exciting new projects. But they’re not quite ready yet, so you’ll have to stay tuned to find out what monster-making mayhem we have in the pipeline… In the meantime, there will be Beastie antics aplenty, starting with a special travel feature from Explorer Beastie on Friday. See you then!
Ooh, lovely yarn (and very charming Beastie). I’m now looking at my craft-store, factory-made, mostly-polyester yarn with a critical scowl on my face. Can’t wait to see what your adventures the Beasties will be able to get up to now that they have a skeletal system!
Isn’t the yarn great? I loved working with materials that are SO local… For all the sheep we have trotting around this country, 100% Irish wool is a tricky thing to come by! As for those be-skeletoned Beasties, I’m so excited about this development! My dream is to animate them, but I can’t see how I’d do that without an extra 6 hours in every day… 😆
Hmmm…Lots of sheep, little wool yarn…sounds like your Irish sheep are running some underground yarn trading scheme. Sheepish mafia.
Ha! I wouldn’t have thought they were smart enough, but that’s clearly part of their cunning ruse!
Wait until you see their plans for world domination!
I’ll believe it when I see it… 🐑🐑🐑😱
I love your beasties!
Thank you! This little guy was a dream to make… One of those rare Beastie creations where everything went according to plan 😀 Cheers for your comment!
Helen,you surprise me more and more!! Well done, girl, you rock! And I’m sure you’re going to love your sewing machine! 🙂 🙂 🙂
(I didn’t forget to write you about dr. Who, I was a bit busy but I have a big wish to give him to my BM for Xmas this year..)
Heehee! Well, I’ve never been one for repetition… I think that’s why I make every Beastie unique! So I love any excuse to try out a new skill… Even if that does involve a few days of frustration/yelling/pleading with the project to cooperate 😆 Let me know when you’re ready to get started on your Dr Who Beastie, anyway… Although ideally I’d like to get him under way BEFORE the start of December this time around 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
Love those arms! Thanks for inspiring me to create!
You’re welcome! I’ll have to drop over and see what you’ve been making lately 😀 Thanks for your comment!
I can’t imagine how busy you must be. And you find the time to make these amazing posts for us to enjoy. Thank you for all your hard work. Best wishes for March and your new projects. ❤ SB
Awwwww, thank you! I love the fact that people take the time to read my ramblings… But a comment like this really makes my day! Cheers, SB, and I hope March is good to you too 😀
Thank you. It’s my pleasure.
A Beastie dancing a jig? Michael Flatley had better look out! Can we expect a Beastie version of Riverdance in the near future? Smashing colours…love the Aran jumper!
Oh, that would be AMAZING! I can just imagine it already, all those Beastie toes tapping away in time… I’m opening auditions immediately! Thanks for your comment 😀
What a perfect collaboration! I adore his little cable sweater, and wavy arms 🙂 I look forward to seeing what amazing creations you make with your sewing machine!
Thank you! I do love making Beastie-sized sweaters! As for the sewing, I’ve had a couple of ideas for new critters… All I have to do now is get my machining skills up to scratch 😀