Hey there everybody! You know, after Friday’s post on Beastie work accessories, and reading about Tierney’s recent studio update (seriously, take a look! I have such storage envy) I thought I’d do something a little different this week. So, let’s have a rare behind-the-scenes post… How about I introduce you to the hard-working tools, equipment and knick-knacks that help me perform the alchemic transformation of wool into monsters?
And because the internet loves a top 5, I’ve picked the 5 tools that make my crafting life so much easier. Let’s go!
1. Swiss Army Knife
Not even one of the biggest, fanciest ones either! I think this is the most basic model out there, but I use it ALL THE TIME. The scissors are super-sharp, and they’re great for getting into awkward corners. I also use the tweezers to unpick threads, tie knots, handle small pattern pieces and push stuffing into narrow or hard-to-reach places. The toothpick works for that too, and the nail file is great for smoothing off the wooden dowels that go inside some Beastie accessories. All that, and it folds up to the size of a pencil eraser! Genius!
And while we’re on the subject of cutting…
2. Rotary Cutter
Pictured here with its lovely assistants Cutting Mat and Metal Ruler. I’m still a fan of scissors for cutting out, but for the many, many pattern pieces that call for crisp, straight lines, you can’t beat this handy trio. They’re especially good for dealing with thick, unstretchy fabrics like wool felt (my craft material of choice), so any new project will probably see me wielding my yellow cutting wheel at some point!
3. Magic Magnifying Lamp
Otherwise known as “the reason I’m not blind”. After enviously looking at the supersize versions in the labs of technicians on “Forensic Files”, imagine my delight when one of my very own appeared in my Christmas stocking a couple of years ago. This thing is brilliant! The magnifying lens shows up every stitch in glorious detail, and the circular daylight bulb means that I’m not working around the shadows cast by my hands. It’s also probably cut my electricity bill in half while I’ve been working from home during quarantine!
4. Circular Knitting Needles
These are the reason I became hopelessly hooked on knitting again. Circular needles allow you to knit tubes, rather than flat bits that will eventually need to be sewn together. Now, I don’t mind sewing. But if I can knit and have something that is already almost finished when I cast it off, that’s definitely a bonus! What you see above are my most-used sizes, but I have… um… a few more that aren’t pictured.
Anyway, moving swiftly on… I’ll distract you from my knitting needle hoard with magic disappearing pens!
5. Air-Erase Markers
Well, full disclosure – it’s the ink that disappears, not the pen. There are lots of options out there for marking your pattern pieces onto fabric before cutting them out, but these are far and away my favourite. They’re thinner than tailor’s chalk, don’t rip up felt like chalk pens do, and the marks fade away all by themselves. Or, if you’re in a hurry, you can help them along with a spritz of water. The lines are also easy to see on most colours, apart from the very darkest ones. I’m still looking for something that draws well on black felt!
Did I miss anything out?
Oh yeah, Beastie assistants!
Hmm, then again… Perhaps not, if you actually want to get anything done.
What makes your creative life easier? Be sure to share the tools of your trade with us in the comments! And we’ll be back on Friday with another look at Beasties past – see you then!
My very first Beastie dogs were knitted. You know me, I love to knit! But although the technique and yarn worked well enough here, I soon found it quite limiting. It’s hard to capture the huge range of dog body shapes, colours and fur textures with yarn!
… And he makes a special guest appearance in Tierney’s latest blog post, 
…And a Pekingese from a little later that same year.
And of course, because I err more on the side of “cat lady”, I also started making Beastie kitties along the way. My first ones were special editions for my first time selling at the Dublin Cat Fair…
… But I soon started making them to order as well! This Beastie with a black cat was made as a partner for the one in the photo above…
… And then there’s this handsome fellow, created as a gift for a lady who owns a beautiful polydactyl cat called Paddy.
I still love those glasses.
While Dad was harking back to the “Madchester” era in a football shirt and parka. Check out the furry hood!
I also can’t believe I managed to do all that teeny embroidery on the album cover before I got my wondrous magnifying lamp!
Back before we were all confined to our homes, in a time when it was still perfectly normal to sit in a room and have a chat with someone, I was lucky enough to be interviewed by 
… And her miniature miniature schnauzer, Mikelet!
She also left Beastie Towers with two outfits…
… And a whole heap of accessories!
Her “survival kit” pays tribute to a few of Human Tierney’s favourite things – quilting, blogging and visiting her local library.
Hey there, FrankenBeastie!
Woooooooo! SCARY!
Finally, I dressed him in a ragged-edged shirt and faded charcoal trousers.
Let me know if you bump into him when you’re out for your daily half hour of exercise!
First of all, you can see she’s sporting a very lovely handknitted Aran sweater. This Beastie’s human counterpart loves to travel… And although she’s been to some pretty far-flung destinations, the Aran Islands (which lie just off Ireland’s west coast) remain one of her favourite places to visit. What better way for a Beastie to celebrate this connection than with knitwear?
And now, how about something to tie into her working life? For a time, our Beastification subject worked for St Patrick’s Athletic Football Club – a Dublin team based in Inchicore, just to the west of the city centre. She’s also the head of a family of self-confessed football addicts… That made this a prime candidate for being included in the accessory lineup!
When it’s not holding the ingredients for her latest gastronomic experiments, she can use it to carry everything she needs for her other favourite pastime – getting lost in a good book!
As you can see, I’ve provided her with a selection of Beastie-appropriate titles – The Monster Family Cookbook and a classic Hercwool Poirot crime thriller!
… And let the good times roll!
Thanks to Niamh for choosing to celebrate her Mum’s retirement the Beastie way… And for all her help in getting the blend of accessories just right!
Now, I don’t mind admitting that this was a pretty big project. All Beastifications are important, of course, but it was hinted that this pair would be joining the wedding party on the day. They’d be given the monster task of looking after (not eating!) the wedding cake, and the ceremony and reception were to take place in the oh-so-fancy Merchant Hotel in Belfast.
The jackets close with a snap fastener, and are completely removable. Underneath, a shirt with felt collar and cuffs completes the look… Then a black ribbon bow tie adds a final flourish. Here’s Mr P Beastie to give us a close-up!
Let’s just take another look at those jackets… First of all, they’re fully lined!
I used a lighter weight wool and viscose blend felt for this, to make sure the jackets kept their lines and didn’t end up looking like bulky winter coats. They’ve got black satin collars, and…
… I even copied the cuff buttons from the human-sized version!
… And then sending them down the aisle with a special accessory each!
Meanwhile, Mr D Beastie decided to toast to the success of the marriage with a refreshing Beastie-sized pint.
Strategically-placed magnets mean that the Beasties can set their goodies down and hit the dancefloor at the end of the night, too!
And while they’re off honeymooning, we might indulge in a bit more holiday reminiscing ourselves! Join us next week for more from 
That said, the most attentive BeastieBlog readers will surely remember 
And I’m hoping she’s as happy with her hairstyle as I am – check out those cute wool and mohair curls!
Well, the way I see it, you never know when you might be faced with a baking emergency. And I’d hate to send any Beastie out into the world without their favourite piece of kit. But if you can think of any other eventualities where a rolling pin might be useful, or if you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where you thought “I really wish I’d had a rolling pin with me”, be sure to share them in the comments!
… Which is apparently hovering above us somewhere!
But how is he holding onto that thing?
Now he can grab all sorts of cool stuff.
A Beastie has to stay fit, after all! And since this little guy’s human counterpart works in a gym, he’ll fit right in there too. Especially in his cool shorts and muscle vest outfit…
Wait a sec, who’s that I hear?
It’s our Beastie’s trusty pup – a Beastie-sized Pekingese! (Or should that be Beastie-ngese?)
SUNGLASSES!
… Because this modelling malarkey is tougher than it looks!
Admittedly, she doesn’t look very detective-y just yet. Let’s get ready for work!
Aha! That’s better. This might also be a good time to admire her lustrous red locks and sweet star print tunic!
I always knew this Beastie would be going to live in Texas, so this sweet fabric was the perfect nod to her new home in the Lone Star State.
A nice frothy felty cappucino is the best way to start the day. Yum!
Rockin’ it! Time to grab your bag and go!
Oh cool, Beastie-sized crochet! Just in case she has any downtime.
Every detective needs her badge! This Beastie-sized version is made of felt, with teeny embroidered details and a magnet inside to hold it in place.
