Rugby – Beastie HQ

Rugby Shirt Featured - Wales Rugby Jersey - CrawCrafts Beasties

A Wales of a Time!

Posted on May 7, 2019June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Commissions

Well hello there everyone! This week I’m finally getting around to sharing a sort-of-commission that was requested by long-term BeastieBuddy Jan, who blogs at The Snail of Happiness. She already opened her home to a pair of Beasties last summer…
… But following a Grand Slam victory for Wales in the Six Nations rugby tournament earlier this year, she thought a special celebratory addition to their wardrobe was in order. So I found a willing Beastie model to help me get the sizing right, and TA-DAAAAAAH!
One Beastified Wales Rugby jersey!

We decided to go for a classic short-sleeved shirt, with a crisp white felt collar. Then I embroidered the Welsh Rugby Union logo on one side…
… And added an appliquéd number 8 on the back!
The significance of the number 8 is still a mystery to us here at Beastie Towers, but it’s clearly got some sort of special meaning to Jon Beastie and his human counterpart. I’m keeping an eye on their blog in case an explanation is forthcoming!

And here is the jersey, being expertly modelled by Jon Beastie himself! Looking good, sir!

JonBeastie gets a new outfit #wru #newnumber8 #beasties @crawcrafts https://t.co/TsOaQZAKLV pic.twitter.com/jTlMhyiEBX

— Jon Sayer (@JonSayerAuthor) April 19, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

(Plus I was able to heave a sigh of relief that it fitted!)

Any other sports-loving Beasties out there? Be sure to tell us all about your monster fan moments in the comments below!

And we’ll be back next week with some late spring shenanigans from Paddy and Plunkett… Hope to catch you then!

Rugby Beastie, Ready to Play - CrawCrafts Beasties

A Rugby Star is Born!

Posted on February 5, 2019June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Commissions, Knitted Beasties

Happy Tuesday, everyone! And today I have a real monster treat for you all… The first new Beastie of 2019! Here he is – a brand new Rugby Beastie!
It’s been a while since I made a Rugby Beastie – you can check out past members of Team Beastie here and here – but they’re always a fun challenge.

For starters, I usually make them a little taller than regular Beasties. Human rugby players often stand a few inches above the rest of us, so it only seems right!
So, in knitting terms, this guy is rocking an extra row on his torso, and a couple of extra rows to lengthen his legs!

And now, he needs some kit! This Rugby Beastie was requested by a lovely lady who met me at one of my markets before Christmas. She wanted a gift for her son… A lucky monster mascot to cheer him on from the sidelines at a very important match that would be taking place at the end of January.

So, it made sense to dress him in the team’s colours. That’s a deep blue rugby shirt with white collar and trim, completed with an appliquéd and embroidered star motif.

He’ll also need a ball, or we won’t be able to play! As with many previous Rugby Beasties (and even rugby supporter Beasties) he’s carrying a Beastified version of the official Ireland rugby ball.

And finally… Check out that hair!
The colour is inspired by his human counterpart, and the yarn I used was a luxurious blend of alpaca and wool. You’ll have to take my word for it, but it’s unbelievably soft.

Now, I reckon you’re ready to hit the pitch!
And hopefully he worked a little monster magic for his teammates, too!

Join us again next Tuesday, when Paddy and Plunkett are off to Belfast to check out one of the city’s most popular attractions. See you then… And have a monster week in the meantime!

Rugby Girl Beastie Closeup - CrawCrafts Beasties

A Very Beastie Birthday Surprise!

Posted on November 8, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Commissions, Knitted Beasties

Well, THIS has been a while coming! Today’s new Beastie actually left Beastie Towers back at the end of September… But since I devoted all of last month to Hallowe’en-themed monsters, this is really the first chance I’ve had to introduce you to this little lady! However, now that the days have suddenly got much colder, and tickets for the Six Nations have gone on sale, it seems like a good time for you all to meet Rugby Girl Beastie!
Rugby Girl Beastie was commissioned as a very special birthday gift for a devoted Munster Rugby fan! So of course she’s proudly wearing her team’s jersey…
… Featuring a hand-embroidered crest and a personalised number, to mark the occasion!

Rugby Girl Beastie’s new human friend also LIVES in her Converse trainers, so I made her a pair of her own to match!
And so that she can join in on the pitch if needs be, she got a hand-embroidered rugby ball too!
This Beastie girl’s new human buddy is a busy lady! When she’s not following her favourite rugby team’s exploits, she loves going to gigs and festivals… and so that Rugby Girl Beastie can tag along, I included a special VIP wristband to help her sneak backstage.
Then, as a final finishing touch, an accessory to celebrate her love of travel!
The hand-embroidered felt “stickers” are from some of Rugby Girl Beastie’s new friend’s favourite holiday destinations… and since she often travels to see Dublin band The Coronas play overseas, I’ve included a nod to them on there too!

Now I think we’re ready to hit the road!
Thanks so much to Katie for requesting this commission!

Oh, and thanks to all of you as well! Last week the BeastieBlog hit the 400 followers mark… And we literally couldn’t have done it without you. So… CHEERS!
Join us again on Friday for more overseas antics with Paddy and Plunkett… And don’t forget that this weekend we’ll be at the Creative Collective Ireland Craft Fair in Ranelagh, Dublin 6!

One Big Beastie Family - CrawCrafts Beasties

Meet The Family (Part 1)

Posted on January 26, 2016June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Commissions, Knitted Beasties

The last quarter of 2015 saw me taking on my biggest Beastie challenge yet (in what had already been a pretty good year for big Beastie challenges) – an entire Beastie family! As always, each individual Beastie had to capture the look, personality and interests of their human counterparts… And we couldn’t leave out the family cat, of course!

Oh, and did I mention that they had to be ready in time to catch the last Christmas post to Italy? Never have knitting needles moved so swiftly! Anyway, now that the festive season is over, the presents have been unwrapped, and no surprises will be spoiled, I’m delighted to be able to introduce La Famiglia Beastie at last! First of all, let’s meet Antonello – creating a family of monsters was his idea, so it’s only right that we should start with him!

He’s a fan of all things Irish, especially our ever-popular exports of Guinness and world-class rugby players! So he is proudly sporting a Munster rugby jersey, Ireland rugby ball and felt pint…

…And as you can imagine, I had a great time styling his beard and hair!

Next up – Antonello’s wife Tiziana, who is an ER doctor. So get me a set of Beastie-sized scrubs and a stethoscope, STAT!

And here they are in extreme close-up!
I was also able to indulge in a spot more Beastie hairdressing… I loved capturing the highlights in Tiziana Beastie’s hair!

And of course, no family home would be complete without a beloved pet!

This is Tris, the family cat! She’s made of soft cuddly felt, with embroidered markings to match her feline big sister’s… oh, and a super-contented smile!

But what about the rest of the family? Well, that’s another story for another day – swing by next Tuesday lunchtime, when we’ll be meeting the boys! In the meantime, I’ll have another update from a Beastie abroad on Friday… and you still have time to put your name in the hat for the Great January Begone Giveaway if you haven’t already! I’ll be picking 5 lucky winners this coming Sunday at noon (Irish time) – check out the original post here to find out how to enter!

See you Friday!

PS It seems like the Beastie kitty has stolen the show! So, for all my fellow cat people out there, I thought I’d introduce you to the real life inspiration behind the felt feline – this is Tris!

Isn’t she a sweetie? Thanks again to Antonello and family for your Beastie-tastic order 🙂

It’s A Family Thing

Posted on October 13, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Knitted Beasties

Hooray! It’s new Beastie time again! And who’s this battling his way through the undergrowth?

He definitely seems to be looking for someone! Oh, wait…

…There they are! That must mean it’s time to unpack the picnic…

YUM!!

And there was just enough time after lunch for me to take some studio photos of these Beasties and their accessories! For starters, Cool Dad Beastie is a big Munster Rugby fan, and can usually be seen wearing his favourite team jersey…

… And his luxuriant beard is the envy of all his monster friends!

He also has everything his family needs for a day out exploring – they love to go camping together!

And what about our beautiful Beastie Mum?

Well, she’s super-proud of her little one, and has wrapped him up in a cosy hand-knitted blanket to keep him toasty!

She’s a rugby fan too… but she’s a Leinster girl! Let’s hope there aren’t any fallings-out on match day!

Oh, and check out the back of their shirts…

Yes, I know there’s no 17th player on a rugby team, but what a sweet way to commemorate their baby’s birthday! Definitely one for the family album!

And since we’re talking about families, it seems like a good time to say a big thank you to my own nearest and dearest! Your photographing, word-spreading and general support is very much appreciated… the Beasties and I consider ourselves lucky to have you all on our team!

A New Kind of Beastie!

Posted on July 21, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Knitted Beasties

Big Tall Rugby Beastie, by CrawCrafts Beasties
Rugby players look normal enough when they’re on the pitch, or standing with other rugby players. It’s only when you see them among the regular, non-rugby-playing public that you realise that they’re often around a foot taller than the rest of us, and built like tanks.

So when I was asked to make a rugby-playing Beastie buddy for a friend’s boyfriend, I was hardly surprised when she requested that her Beastie be a little taller than usual. And that’s how a new superbreed of Beastie was born… the Big Tall Rugby Beastie! Here he is posing with Explorer Beastie, to give you an idea of his superior stature.
Big Tall Rugby Beastie with Explorer Beastie - CrawCrafts Beasties
I wanted to add in a few personal touches to make this monster extra special, too. Big Tall Rugby Beastie’s shirt is a Beastie-sized version of the one his new human team mates wear…

…I even included the team’s crest!

His new buddy also always wears mismatched socks when he plays, so…

And I couldn’t let him leave Beastie Towers without an official Ireland rugby ball! Once he had that, he was fully kitted out, and ready to hit the pitch… Taaaaa daaaaaa!

Be sure to keep an eye out for him at the Rugby World Cup in a couple of months!

More New Beasties…

Posted on July 4, 2014June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Knitted Beasties

Holy moly! It’s been another busy week… this summer is just zipping by! At least I’ve been able to find a couple of spare minutes to finish off a few new Beastie friends. Yesterday, I sent a top secret Beastie commission to his new home – I’ll share pictures once he reaches his destination successfully!

I also thought that the Creative Collective shop in Dalkey could use a bigger Beastie turnout. Beasties are naturally gregarious creatures, and they’re happiest when they’re hanging out in a big bunch. So I used that as an excuse to add the final touches to some monsters who have been living in my “In Progress” box for a while.

First of all, meet our cover star… Rugby Beastie!

Rugby Beastie is the newest addition to the Irish squad. He’s shown up for training this morning with his own rugby ball and old-school rugby jersey, and he’s taped up his ears to prevent long-term damage…

Uh-oh! Looks like he’s a little too late on that one. And because he’s my first Rugby Beastie, it was obvious which number he should get…

Cheering him on from the sidelines is a lady who usually prefers to stay at home with a good book – Book Club Beastie!

With her mop of blonde hair and natty print skirt, she can easily be spotted lugging another huge bag of purchases out of her local bookshop or enjoying a good read in her favourite cafe. What’s she reading right now, you ask?

“The Great Knitsby”, of course!

Thanks for stopping by… have a monster weekend, everyone!

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