Sinterklaas gifts: Sackboy.

A while back, Arjan's brother and a couple of their friends came to stay, and whilst they were playing games, I was busy making the presents for Ellena's baby shower.

Dennis was so impressed with my (just learning) knitting skills, that he said "Oooh, cool, you could knit me a Sackboy!". Given how new I was to knitting, I said that was way beyond me.

But Sinterklaas approached and I went online and found that someone had of course created a knitting pattern for the cute character from Little Big Planet, and had made it freely available here.

Following the pattern was definitely beyond my skills when I started, given I'd never done purl, increase, decrease or turn - but Steve, the knitting expert from work was a great help in translating for me!

Definitely knitting fingers was the trickiest bit...

But eventually, he came together well!

And now he's part of Dennis' Christmas decorations.

Sinterklaas gifts: Wooden box.

Now that we've had a lovely weekend celebrating Sinterklaas, I can add posts about the two presents which were surprises. 

First up is the box which Arjan made for his Oma (grandmother). I found and adapted a pattern from the internet, which we drew onto a thin piece of plywood.

Arjan then began (very patiently) drilling and filing out the pattern.

And then more...

Until the entire pattern was done.

After that, the rest of the box was made, including comb joint corners.

Finally, it was varnished, before being filled with biscuits and wrapped with a ribbon!