Giveaway Bunny

9TH FEBRUARY UPDATE: GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED 

Isn't he (or is it she?) cute? Around 8 inches (20 cm) tall this bunny is up for adoption. I adapted the pattern from KnitandStitch magazine's teddy as part of my recent reviews (issue 1 and issue 2) and the one-of-a-kind rabbit is now ready to go to a new home cos he's outgrown my egg (not included).

How can you win?

Your first, compulsory entry is to choose a name for the rabbit and leave it in a comment on this blog post together with a way of contacting you. Any form of contact is fine, email, twitter, facebook whatever. Because I moderate all comments due to the daft amount of spam I otherwise receive, it is possible that you choose a name that has already been picked but not published. That won't matter, because I will put all the names (together with your name) in a hat so I'll know who has chosen the winning name.

Want extra entries for a better chance of winning?
You can do each of these once a day if you want!

Extra entry method #1 Share the giveaway on twitter and leave me a new comment with the link to your tweet* and your contact details with the same name you chose in your first entry.

Extra entry method #2 Share the giveaway on facebook and leave me a new comment with the link to your post and your contact details with the same name you chose in your first entry.

Extra entry method #3 go to my Etsy or Folksy shop, choose something you like and share it on twitter or facebook and leave me a new comment with the link to your post* and your contact details with the same name you chose in your first entry.

*to find the link to a tweet or facebook post click on the time/date of your tweet or post. You should see the link pop up in the address bar. If you can't find it, just come back and tell me you've done it.

Ready, set, go! I'll pick the winner next weekend (9th February). As always, this is open internationally. Good luck! Don't forget - I MUST be able to contact you, or you won't be able to win.

P.S. I know some of you have been looking for the bunny pattern. I adapted the teddy pattern from issue 1. All I did differently was switch to lighter yarn when I started the front of the head (don't cut off the dark pink). I increased to 2 stitches less than the pattern, and crocheted 2 rows fewer. I then returned to using the dark pink, crocheted all around the edge up to the top of the head to the first ear position. Crochet a chain (I did 7, you might want more) then DC back to the base, up the other side to the top and back down again, continue across the top of the head to ear 2, make that one the same and then DC back to the other side of the neck and finish. For the tail, I used a fluffy white yarn and picked up stitches in a circle in the appropriate place (it's easier to do this before you stitch front and back together), crocheted into them for a few rounds till it's big enough and then pulled the yarn through to pull the top together (stuff the tail first!)

Knit and Stitch magazine issue 2

If you saw my post about issue 1 you'll already know I've been given the first two issues of Knit and Stitch to review for you. This time both balls of yarn are for the final patchworks, one knitted in stocking stitch, the other in double crochet. Also included are knitting patterns for a lovely waterfall jacket, a scarf, a man's sweater and a baby outfit, and a crewel work drawstring bag.

I particularly like the waterfall jacket, but was disappointed that the sizing was given in the form of S, M, L etc with no explanation...or so I thought. When I investigated further I realised that the explanation for sizing was in a "know-how" page, but that is in issue 1. So it would appear that unless you buy the full series, there might be problems with referring to information in other issues - be warned. (and LOL guess what? I'm large. Humph.)

I checked online price of the recommended yarn for the waterfall jacket and it'd come to around £60, way out of my budget, but not bad really for a fun project and a beautiful handmade garment.

I decided to crochet the patchwork square, partly because I wanted to use the pretty pink crochet hook! (All my needles and hooks are plain) The instructions said to cast on 30 stitches for a 20cm square, but to change to fewer or more if necessary. Sure enough, 30 stitches was too big for me, so I started again with 26 and that worked out fine as you can see. It also shows that I do indeed work quite loosely, so that is why I ran out of yarn yesterday. (Yes, I know I should have done a test piece, but that's like reading a recipe all the way through before starting cooking, or finishing the sanding-down before painting...)

So, what do I think about the magazine? I've enjoyed having the chance to look it over, and I've enjoyed the challenge of crocheting from a pattern. Would I make any of the other patterns? No, very unlikely I'd say. Not because they're not good designs, but because my knitting time is already accounted for with filling my shops. I think it'd be a good series for someone starting out in their crafting life, who isn't sure just yet which craft they wish to pursue, to give a taster of several disciplines and allow the chance to develop your skills in a structured way in your own time. I've not been converted to a crocheter! Although I enjoyed making the bunny, all the time I was thinking that I could have knitted half a dozen in the time it took me - I'm definitely a knitter!

Anyway - here he (or she) is. Come back tomorrow and I'll tell you what to do to be in with a chance of winning him in time for Easter!