Flower Fairies

Through membership of 'Croydon Writers' I got to hear about an exhibition in Croydon Museum (upstairs at the Library) curated by local theatre company, 'Good Wolf People' called

                                                       'Storytelling in Croydon.'
I had a go at creating some finger puppets/dolls based on Cicely Mary Barker's wonderful Flower Fairy illustrations. Here they are, posing with the books which inspired them. Cicely was a member of Croydon Writers, which has been going since 1945, one of the cases in the exhibition showcases our history.

They are basically three lengths of crocheted (or knitted) i-cord,two long ones for arms and legs, joined to a smaller length in the middle for the body, with a bobble for a head.
The Lesley Stanfield book, 100 Flowers to Knit and Crochet was helpful for some of their costumes.
There are so many flower fairies, I'd love to see what other people come up with!

If there is enough interest, I might have a go at self-publishing a booklet, for charity,  on how to make them, subject to permission from the publishers.Please leave comment if you would be interested.

Beech tree, Cornflower and Narcissus Fairies

Shirley Poppy Fairy

Poppy Fairy

Speedwell Fairy

So excited! Three of the fairies have been selected by Croydon Museum to go in a Virtual Handling Collection. Full story, here:

https://museumofcroydon.com/storytellers-virtual-handling-box?fbclid=IwAR1Gk6cmCrUFIUikXGJXfP_u7NMwBtPq8iemWaXZlC7z_KWkwxU-mxhmXVE

Here is the basic pattern, in case anyone would like to try it.

Flower Fairies-Basic Body

The body of the fairy is made using i-cord- knitted or crocheted. I-cord can also be made using a knitting dolly, a cotton reel with 4 nails in the top, and is known as ‘french knitting.’

(There are many tutorials on youtube demonstrating various i-cord techniques.)

Make 2 long lengths for arms and legs and sides of body, with a shorter piece with a bobble at one end for the head and the middle of the body, . By using a different colour yarn in the middle of the long i-cords, and for the smaller length in the middle, you can start to ‘dress ‘ the fairy. If doing this, leave long ends for sewing up.

Materials:

Oddments of DK yarn, with a 3mm hook. Toy stuffing optional. Tapestry needle for sewing up.

To make crocheted i-cord

Make 3ch. Work into 2^nd and 3^rd ch from hook, but leave all three sts on the hook.(Do not do crochet stitches with them)

*Remove first 2 sts from hook and pinch them between finger and thumb. Make a dc with remaining stitch on hook, them work a dc into each of the two ‘pinched’ sts. You should have 3 sts on hook.

Repeat from * to desired length.

To finish, make 2 dc with remaining 3 sts on hook until there is only 1^st, pull yarn through to close it.

To make knitted i-cord

With a double pointed needle (dpn), cast on 3 sts.Knit all 3 sts

* Slide sts to right end of dpn and taking yarn around the back of sts from left to right,k3 sts again.

Repeat from * to desired length.

To make bobble head

With flesh colour, make a magic ring and work 6 dcs into it. Use a stitch marker for start of row if you find it helpful.

Rnd 1: 2dc into each st(12sts)

Rnd 2:2dc into next st, 1dc into next st, repeat to end.(18sts)

Rnd 3: 2dc into next st,1dc into each of next 2sts, repeat to end. (24sts).

Rnds 4-6 inclusive: 1dc in each st all around.

Rnd 7: (dec rnd): 2dc together, 1dc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat to end.(18sts)

Rnd 8: 2dc together,1dc in next st, repeat to end.(12sts).

Stuff head, using toy stuffing or oddments of same coloured yarn.

Rnd 9:2dc tog all around (6sts)

Commence i-cord body

Rnd 10: 2dc tog leaving all 3 sts on hook.

 Follow i-cord instructions to desired length.

Finishing

Using long ends of yarns, sew three pieces together in the middle using mattress stitch. Sew in any ends.

With sewing thread, embroider features. For hair, make long satin sts, or invent your own way of doing hair.

Flower Dresses

I  referred to the Flower Fairy illustrations themselves, and Lesley Stanfield's book, 'A hundred flowers to knit and crochet' was helpful, too.

Butterfly Wings

There's a diagram for these, I need to root around and find it.I like doing them with variegated yarn. Although you could just as easily make your own with a piece of tulle or gauze.