the blue blog archives: addiction

I can't stop making this little tea set! I finished another saucer yesterday. I still haven't blocked any of the pieces yet and the cups still need i-cord handles, but all I want to do is start another. I love 'em!

Kerstin asked in the comments yesterday if the pattern wasn't a bit fiddly. Oh yeah, it's fiddly as all get out! There's tons of little increases to make, purling in the round, and then a bi#*ch of an i-cord bind off that takes me hours to do. I know, I know, I usually can't stand fiddly, double-pointed-needle projects, but I can't help it, I'm loving this one. The only thing I don't like is that the pieces are knit tightly so the knitting goes a lot slower. I'm used to having many inches of progress in front of me after an evening of knitting. But with these I'm averaging a day and a half's worth of knitting for each piece. That's a lot when you consider there's still the tea kettle, the sugar bowl, the creamer and more cups and saucers to come. I think each family member should have a cup and saucer, don't you? I saw on craftster.org that someone had modified the pattern to make a coffee mug - I may have to do that for hubby's! Too fun.

And proof that I've completely lost my mind: once I'm done with the tea set, I really want to make one of these little dolls that Kerstin just finished!

posted by alison at 7:45 am | in the tea party

Comments

Oh my gosh! That is so cute. And a great color!

Posted by: Wendy at June 18, 2004 7:50 AM

You are a brave woman. My fingers have been so traumatized after the buckets. I love that little tea set but there is no way I could do it. They look great!

Posted by: Kathleen at June 18, 2004 8:00 AM

I LOVE the teaset and Kerstin's doll that she made. What cute fidldy little projects..

Posted by: kerrie at June 18, 2004 8:25 AM

Very cute. Very fiddly...You have your cuppa and I'll have mine! ;-)

Posted by: Marg at June 18, 2004 8:49 AM

"mama...dolls...tea sets...we want trucks...what'da gonna do?"

Posted by: lisa b at June 18, 2004 9:42 AM

You know, Lisa, I think you're on to something. With the boys it's all trucks, trucks, trucks. If there's gonna be girly stuff around, I guess it'll have to be my stuff. Perhaps that's why I'm so obssessed with making this tea set and then the little dolls. The testosterone levels in this house are in serious need of some balancing out! :0D

Posted by: alison at June 18, 2004 9:53 AM

I love it! I love tea sets anyway. (btw have you seen the teacups in Unexpected Knitting?) so it's fiddly-- everyone needs a change from the usual likes now and again. I'm sure when you go back to other kinds of knitting it will seem much faster! Great job, wonderful tea things.

Posted by: Carrie Brezine at June 18, 2004 9:53 AM

I haven't tried the i-cord bind-off but you're not the first blogger to call it names. :) The coffee mug is too cute. I'd be tempted to pour my coffee into it!

Posted by: Kerstin at June 18, 2004 11:28 AM

I am in love with that teaset! I'll be heading off to choose colors soon. I can't wait to see your entire set. Now to be sure the boys don't pour their milk into them when you aren't looking!

Posted by: Teresa C at June 18, 2004 4:19 PM

I think the tea set is so cute too, but it'll have to wait. I figure by the time my daughter (who just turned 1 yesterday) is old enough to be into playing tea party, then I'll have worked through all my currently planned projects and have time to make the set!

Posted by: Natalie at June 18, 2004 8:48 PM

Now, that is just adorable. And totally NON-serious and mocking of the craft! I'm in! (at least in spirit...I got no time for "really" being in.) I lift my cup to you!

Posted by: Norma at June 18, 2004 10:45 PM

Your tea cup is adorable! I can't wait to make one too. Great colors.

Posted by: Kathy at June 20, 2004 6:45 PM

I am COMPLETELY up for joining you in a doll-along. I love the tea set, but I don't feel the need to jump into that one yet. The doll however...... I just went online and purchased the magazine that has the pattern. I've been looking for a good doll pattern for a long time. Thanks for linking it!

Posted by: LauraA at June 21, 2004 1:30 PM