Jelly Bums Meerkat

Happy September everyone, can you even believe it's got this far into the year already?

Just popping on to formally introduce the Jelly Bums meerkat pattern, even though he has been available for a while now, I though it would be rather rude not to give him a shout out like the others. If your in the UK you may know where my inspiration has come from for this little fellow. If not then I'll let you know my inspiration was from a little meerkat by the name of Aleksandr Orlov who is founder of Comparethemeerkat.com , and face of the TV ad campaign for Compare the Market.com Try not to get the two confused it get Aleksandr very cross! He is an adorable little Meerkat who has the catchphrase 'simples'. I'm even thinking of making a little smoking jacket outfit complete with cravat to accompany him, a little bit of Hugh Hefner style for the Jelly Bums, don't worry I won't accompany it with any buxom blonde dress up.

My thoughts at the moment are turning to the holiday seasons, first Halloween so perhaps a few spooky outfits and then thanksgiving and Christmas, so will definitely try and get some more themed outfits and perhaps animals out by then.

Also it is 1st anniversary of the very first Jelly Bum pattern being released on 23rd September so I'm hoping to perhaps have some sort of special celebration for that, so keep your eyes peeled.

Happy Knitting

Raynor x

Jelly Bums Hippo

Sorry to those who have been patiently waiting to find out what the newest animal is, I've been having trouble trying to log in to my blogger account so the pattern has been available for a few days now. SoIi present to you the Jelly Bum hippo

 
This little fellow was in demand as I had a few requests to make him. He gave me a great opportunity to try out double stranded knitting as the grey yarn I used was really thin so I doubled it up (Note to self: do not send hubby yarn shopping again). The method was a lot easier to do than I originally thought so I'd defiantly do it again.
I'm already started on making the latest pattern as I'm hoping to have 2 more animal patterns out by Christmas time, so finger crossed I don't get too distracted by the holiday season.
It's getting so much more difficult to photograph my toys in the natural light these days as the winter weather draws ever closer. We even had a blast on snow here on Sunday so it was really dark and chilly, so we have to wrap up warm every time we are out and about. looks like it's going to be a really cold winter in Scotland this year, i just wish I knew how to knit gloves and beautiful cowls, although a girl can dream by window shopping on Etsy!
Take care
♥ Raynor

Jelly Bums Sheep

Ok ok I confess I've been procrastinating again this week! However I have not been slacking and as promised I've eventually finished the pattern with my fuzzy wuzzy yarn. So here is a new little sheep pattern for you all.



 
The yarn used was sirdar snuggly snowflake, and it was perfect for creating a fleecy fur look. Although it was the first time I have ever worked with novelty yarn and it was strange but in a learning curve sort of way.
The finished toy reminds me of a Lamb toy my dad bought in Amsterdam when I was small. We affectionately named him Lambsy and he had a 'baa-er'* inside him. Lambsy was the star of many of a nativity shows at our primary school. He is still round today looking a bit scruffy and weary after one too many rough play times from my siblings and now our children. Sadly now his baa no longer works but he always leaves me feeling sweetly nostalgic.
I'm now planning to get started on a particular animal which I've had a few requests for since I've started creating the animal patterns. I promise I'll get it out as soon as possible as I know a few people are knitting furiously to pop a few little critters into their loved one's Xmas stocking this year (yes it is that time of year already!).
Happy Knitting
♥ Raynor


* A 'baa-er' is my own made up word used to describe the device inside Lambsy which made him 'baa' when rocked backwards, similar to a teddy bear 'growler'.

Jelly Bums Giraffe

After a few days of knitting (and mostly frogging) the latest pattern picked by Michelle T in the very first Jelly Bums competition, It's eventually finished and I'm proud to present a little giraffe.

 
The pattern was a nice challenge as it required a whole chart design for the body and neck, plus the addition of the long neck. I think he is super cute and he seemed to be in demand before he was even created. Out of the 92 entries for the competition a giraffe was selected as the most wanted pattern with 17 entries. So if you want to get your mitts on your very own little giraffe he is now available as a single pattern and also part of the pattern deals from my etsy shop.

So for now I'll dash off to get working on another new pattern, and I'll see you all back here in a few days for the pattern reveal.

Take Care

♥ Raynor

Jelly Bums Monkey

As promised I'm back with another new pattern for you all, it's a little cheeky monkey. He is now available to but from my etsy shop.


 
Jelly Bum monkeys are mischievous little critters. They extremely fun-loving and especially love to play practical jokes . Bananas are their favourite food and swinging from trees is their favourite pastime. They are very curious, but don't let them get easily bored as they may stir up some trouble!
Ok I'm off to have some me time now that the kids are in bed, and tomorrow I will be starting on another new patterns so keep your eyes peeled for any updates.
♥ Raynor

Jelly Bums Pig

I've eventually got around to finishing my latest pattern today and it's now available to buy from my Etsy shop. This time we have a little piggy!

Jelly Bum pigs are shy little fellows. They will always be a little friend who is very trustworthy and will never let you down. They love the countryside and a roll in a nice muddy field will make their day. A lover of all foods, these cute little porkers will make you smile with a wiggly of their curly tail and a sweet little 'oink'.
I nicknamed this little guy Ham, and reminds me of the three little pigs from the Shrek movies, and I just imagine him speaking in a little German accent like them. All he needs is a pair of mini lederhosen.
Just in case anyone was wondering, if you wanted to buy my patterns but don't have an Etsy account then you can still buy them through my Paypal account, just email me at jellybums[at]hotmail[dot]com letting me know what patterns your after and I'll send you an invoice.
Ok I'm off to get started on the new pattern as I know some of you are looking forward to having more patterns to choose from.
♥ Raynor

Jelly Bums Cat

Today another new pattern is available in my Etsy shop, and it's a little kitty cat.


 
Jelly Bum cats are the perfect little furry companions. They are playful little creatures and love nothing more than to chase after your balls of yarn! A piece of fish and a bowl of cream will go down a treat with these guys, and to show your their delight they will sit for hours on your lap purring contentedly.

As a request from a fantastic customer of mine I'm going to working on a new free pattern for my other blog The Knitted Toy Box for the next day or so. Then I'll be right back to creating more pattern for my Etsy shop. Hopefully I should have another pattern ready for next week.

Once I have a few patterns available I'm going to put up pattern deals where the more you buy the more you save. Remember I have a list of about 50 animals I'm wanting to make so you may want to hang fire if there is a particular little critter you want.
♥ Raynor