By Helen

crochet hats complete...

Do you remember that I mentioned that I had lots and lost of hats to crochet before Christmas?  Well I have completed them.  Here are a selection...

As you can see they are all the same design, but vary in size, yarn and embellishment.

I saved making my favourite one until last...

This one is for my friends little boy: who specifically asked for a blue and orange hat.  I am really pleased with the wool that I found and think that the colours tone together brilliantly.  To make it slightly more boyish, I decided to finish the hat off it a crocheted rib, an effect that I think works quite well...

I can't wait to see him in it!

Christmas crochet find...

I was having a good old rummage in one of my local charity shops, and I happened upon this...

Perfect for making all those Christmas decorations!

There are some great projects in here.  There are also some, which I have to confess, I find a little creepy - perhaps something to do with watching too much Dr Who as a child.  Moving on from the creepy Christmas makes, others are just lovely!

As yet I haven't followed any of the patterns, so I can't comment one how well written there are.  They look simple and straight forward and are written in both English and American.  Even if you don't follow the patterns: some of the photographs of the finished projects are great and will give enough inspiration to create your own Christmas decorations.

Now where is my hook...

Christmas cards part one...

I love Christmas cards!  I love getting them and I love sending them.   I even love the round-robin catch-up letters: so you can hear people's news and gossip.

I love handmade Christmas cards, the fact that someone has put the time and effort into making something special just for you.  For the past few Christmases I have dabbled into the world of making my own Christmas cards.

Last year I decided to crochet some of them.  This was a dabble, so admittedly not everyone received one.  Never-the-less I was more than pleased with the results...

A very simple design of crocheted mistle-toe backed onto silver paper and card, then stamped with my usually yuletide greetings...

This year, I have given myself the challenge of making, crocheting, all of my Christmas cards: I'll let you know how I get on!

inspiration from the knitting show...

Like I mentioned in my last post  I would share some of the most inspirational things that I saw at the Knitting Show.  Here goes...

This amazing Christmas Tree was knitted and crocheted by over 700 people, as a fund raising project  for Livability a charity which supports disabled people, offering them a choice about how they live their lives.

More information about the Christmas Tree can be found HERE and HERE -please take a look and support this great cause.

Katie Jones won first prize for her entry into the Hand Knitting Association...

It is fantastic to see crochet been used in this way: and holding its own along side knitting!

I just had to take a picture of this...

How cute are they?  A knit your own nativity! 

Which reminds me, to remind you, only twenty-four days to go: make sure you have opened your advent calendar or lit your candle!

shop, shop, shopping...

My post is slightly late today, because I have just got home from a truly fabulous day out.  Me and my friends have been to the Knitting Show in Harrogate where we have, quite literally, shopped until we have dropped.  Here is what I have bought...

A lovely selection of sparkly wool, wool to turn into Christmas decorations (I will, will, will find the time to make, for this Christmas), an embroidery kit, a crochet kit to make a bag, a magazine and a scarf. 

What was wonderful was seeing the vast amount of yarn that there is out there and thinking of all the possibilities of what can be made.  It was also fantastic to see so many people there and seeing their inspirational work, some of which I will post here later in the week. 

For now, it is time to settle down with my very tired feet and lots of cups of tea (thank you Si) and look at all the amazing purchases I have made. 

A very happy place...

crochet sneaky peek...

I thought that I would give you a sneaky peek at some of the crochet projects I am working on at the moment.  Don't want to say too much about them, as many are Christmas presents...

Will share the finished projects with you very soon...

quick crochet project...

I thought that I would share with you a really quick crochet project: one that only takes an afternoon to complete...

...a cover for a smartphone. 

I love how the double crochet is dense enough to make a thick covering, protecting the screen. 

It is worked in the round, so no need for counting stitches or rows, just keep crocheting until it is big enough for the phone.  Then add what ever embellishment you like - in my case flowers, always flowers. 

Perfect for an afternoon spent with your hook!

shopping for crochet...

I think that one of my favourite parts of crochet, aside from the excitement of starting and finishing a project, is shopping for yarn.  You find yourself in a shop surrounded by endless choice, inspiration and possibility.  You find yourself in awe of the colours and textures and your mind whirls with thoughts of the creations that you could make...

This time I was good.  I was focused.  I had projects in mind and I went and bought only for those projects.  Why the restraint- I am saving for a BIG treat at the end of the month!

Here's what I bought...

I don't want to say too much about the projects that these yarns will be worked into: as many are Christmas presents.  I'll let you know how they turn out after the presents have been given.

Happy crocheting!

crochet hats...

Last year I crocheted my friend's little girl this lovely pink hat...

It went down so well that I made her another this year...

This went down so well, I have to make another five: yes FIVE.  Not for my friend's  little girl - though I happily would: but for other people to give as Christmas presents. 

Better get crocheting..!

NB - the pattern for the hat is taken from (and modified from) the Pull-on Hat in Melody Griffiths' Crochet In No Time.

crochet for Halloween...

I thought that I would have a go at crocheting something seasonal for Halloween.  So after a, not so quick, browse on Ravelry getting distracted by all the other lovely crochet projects that are out there - my project queue is now very very long.  I settled on a pattern for an amigurumi kitty witch by Armina Parnagian. 

This is how it turned out...

If you decide to crochet this pattern yourself, just remember that it is written using American stitches, so covert them first.  Other than that it is a really great pattern, easy to follow and quick to make!  Perfect!

Happy Halloween!