Hello Lovelies! It is great to see soooo many of you here, looking at the little blog, you are all very welcome! As a reminder you can also find me on Facebook HERE and on Ravelry HERE. Do pop by!
We’ve had Halloween. We’ve had Bonfire Night. We can officially start thinking about Christmas, not that we haven’t sneakily been doing so already, over the next few weeks I have two craft fairs coming up. One is in my home. Yes in my home! My local area is having a Craft-y-Crawl, where makers open up their homes, showcase their makes and, hopefully, have a few sales. The second craft fair I am going to be at, with York Makers. This year York Makers are having two fairs: one on the 29th November at Wiggington Recreation Hall, the other (the one I’ll be at) is on the 5th December at Clements Hall, in my local area. I would love, love, love to have done more fairs this year, but work has got in the way. Here is a sneaky-peek at some of my makes that I will be taking along to the fairs…
Mini crochet wreaths…
Sparkly snowflakes…
Perfect stocking-fillers: bookmarks…
More stocking-fillers: brooches…
And hair blossoms...
It would be just lovely to see soon of you at one of these fairs: but don’t worry if you can’t make, I’ll keep you updated right here!
It’s been a bit quiet here in blog-land, as I’ve been away. You’ll be hearing quite a lot about my time away over the next few weeks. I’m not going to apologise for telling you about my time away, I’ve had an amazing time and can’t wait to share some of it with you!
I want to start with the most amazing exhibition that I have ever visited. The exhibition featured crochet: in a way that I have never seen before. The exhibition was inspiration, fun, poignant, thought-provoking but most of all you walked around with a giant grin on your face.
The exhibition was at the Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum, which is the national museum of decorative arts and design, in Trondheim, Norway. The exhibition Into the Zoo featured work by the incredibly talented Felieke Van Der Leest . Felieke Van Der Leest combines plastic animals with precious metals and textile techniques, especially crochet, to create a zoo where humor and seriousness go hand in hand. The aim of her work is to appeal to both the inquisitive child and the playful adults: and it certainly did.
Want to see?
This is a small selection of Felieke Van Der Leest amazing creations on display. If you’re grinning like I was when I saw her work, I would recommend treating yourself to a copy of the exhibition book the Zoo of Life. The book has lots and lots of photographs of Felieke Van Der Leest’s work and also explains the thinking behind some of her creations. The book is a lovely memory of this amazing exhibition and will put a smile on your face!
Thank you for the staff at Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum who allow photographs (without flash) to be taken in the galleries! If this exhibition ever comes to your country, please, please, please, get yourself along!
*** Warning. This blog post contains the “C” word! ***
I’m reliably told that we are only one-hundred sleeps away from Christmas: so I thought that it was ok to tell you that I have commenced with my Christmas crochet projects. I have a few Christmas crochet projects that I am working on; snowflakes (like the ones I've crocheted before), a nativity scene for my friend’s little girl (the one I often crchet for) and some mini-wreaths. Want to see?
Snowflakes…
Snowflakes…
Multi-snowflakes…
Crochet nativity…
Crochet nativity…
The above crocheted nativity is what I am using for inspiration, so mine is going to look slightly different, and the camel won’t be putting in an appearance, here it is so far…
I can’t decide if I should add faces or leave them Waldorf. Any thoughts?
Mini-wreath, still a work in progress but I’m happy with it so far…
What are you crocheting, or making, for Christmas?
Hello! Hello! Hello! I know I’ve been very quiet for the last few weeks. I’ve changed jobs and I’ve been having a few family things going on, hopefully, things are starting the settle down and life will return to normal and I’ll be picking my hook back-up over the next few days. My hook hasn’t been totally still over the last few weeks. You can always catch-up with me on Facebook! I’ve slowly, slowly, been working on a pattern to share with you. The crochet pattern is for a water-lily square, inspired by the water-lilies that I saw at Burnby Hall. I hope you like it…
To crochet a water-lily square you will need yarn in a selection of colours (I used Stylecraft’s DK), a yarn appropriate hook (I used a 4mm) and some scissors. Ready?
Round one: 5ch, ss to join…
Round two: 3ch, working into the ring, 2tr tog, *3ch, 3tr tog,* repeat *-* 3 more times, you should have 5ch sp, finish off and weave in ends…
Round three: join new yarn in any ch sp, *dc, htr, 3tr, htr, dc* into ch sp, repeat *-* into each ch sp…
Round four: working into the back of the petals *ss into 2nd tr, 5ch* repeat so you have 5ch sp…
Round five: as round three.
Round six: as round four.
Round seven: as round three.
Round eight: as round four.
Round nine: as round three only work evenly so you have 4ch sp, finish off and weave in ends…
Round ten: join new yarn in any ch sp, 3ch, 2tr into ch sp, 2ch, working into the same ch sp, 3tr, 5ch, *3tr, 2ch, 3tr, into ch sp, 5ch, * repeat *-* in each ch sp…
Round eleven: 3ch, 2tr, 3ch, 3tr, into ch sp, 3ch, 2tr into next ch sp. Continue working in this way around the square, finish off and weave in ends. You should have 3tr, 3ch, 3tr in each corner, 3tr in each side ch sp and 3ch between each…
Round twelve: join new yarn in any ch sp and continue crocheting as with round eleven…
After round twelve I finished off and started my next water-lily square, but it is up to you how many rounds you decide to do before finishing off. I’m going to crochet a few more squares, then join them together so become a water-lily cushion cover.
I’d love to see what you crochet yours into. You can share them here, on Facebook or on Ravelry.
For those of you that prefer a copy and paste pattern, here it is…
Round one: 5ch, ss to join.
Round two: 3ch, working into the ring, 2tr tog, *3ch, 3tr tog,* repeat *-* 3 more times, you should have 5ch sp, finish off and weave in ends.
Round three: join new yarn in any ch sp, *dc, htr, 3tr, htr, dc* into ch sp, repeat *-* into each ch sp.
Round four: working into the back of the petals *ss into 2nd tr, 5ch* repeat so you have 5ch sp.
Round five: as round three.
Round six: as round four.
Round seven: as round three.
Round eight: as round four.
Round nine: as round three only work evenly so you have 4ch sp, finish off and weave in ends.
Round ten: join new yarn in any ch sp, 3ch, 2tr into ch sp, 2ch, working into the same ch sp, 3tr, 5ch, *3tr, 2ch, 3tr, into ch sp, 5ch, * repeat *-* in each ch sp.
Round eleven: 3ch, 2tr, 3ch, 3tr, into ch sp, 3ch, 2tr into next ch sp. Continue working in this way around the square, finish off and weave in ends. You should have 3tr, 3ch, 3tr in each corner, 3tr in each side ch sp and 3ch between each.
Round twelve: join new yarn in any ch sp and continue crocheting as with round eleven.
After round twelve I finished off and started my next water-lily square, but it is up to you how many rounds you decide to do before finishing off. I’m going to crochet a few more squares, then join them together so become a water-lily cushion cover.
Well after a few weeks of fuzziness the world is starting to look clearer. There are going to be some big, but very exciting changes in mine and Si’s life over the coming months. I’m changing jobs and Si has some really exciting opportunities that he is exploring. So, in celebration me and a large glass of something red, my crochet hook and my camera sat out in the sunshine and designed a new flower, especially for you! I’ve called it a layered flower, as it has two different layers of petals...
You are going to be crocheting into the front loop only and back loop only of a double-crochet. In case you need a reminder, this is what I mean….
Front loop only…
Back loop only…
You can use any yarn that you have to hand and a hook appropriate for the yarn. A copy and paste pattern is at the bottom of this post!
5ch, ss to join…
7dc into the round, ss to join…
Working into the front loop only, * ss to first dc, 5ch, ss into the dc*…
Repeat *-* until you have your first layer of petals…
Working into the back loop only **ss to first dc, 7ch, ss into the dc**…
Repeat **-** until you have your second layer of petals…
Have fun experimenting with different number of double crochet and different lengths of chain petals. I’d love to see you flowers. You can share them here, or on Facebook or on Ravelry.
Happy crocheting!
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For those of you who like to copy and paste patterns…
5ch, ss to join
7dc into the round, ss to join
Working into the front loop only, * ss to first dc, 5ch, ss into the dc*
Repeat *-* until you have your first layer of petals
Working into the back loop only **ss to first dc, 7ch, ss into the dc**
Repeat **-** until you have your second layer of petals
Have you noticed that there seems to be blossom everywhere? I love the display that the trees are putting on at the moment, all pink and white and fluffy…
It always reminds me of one of my very favourite crochets…
You can find the pattern for the crochet blossom HERE ( oh, yes, it is still one of my very favourite patterns).
I’ve often turned my crochet blossom into hair blossom…
This week it has been all about hair blossom, I’ve lost count of how many I’ve crocheted. Here are just a few
Why so many blossoms? I hear you ask. Good question. I’m getting ready for my very first York Makers craft fair, where I’ll be selling my flowers. If you want to pop-along, it would be lovely to see you…
I hope it is lovely and sunny where-ever you are? It is here in York; there is real warmth in the air. At the moment life is r-e-a-l-l-y busy for me: there is so many exciting things happening (all at once) that I have hardly had time to stop. Don’t worry I’ll be sharing these things with you, over the coming weeks! For now I wanted to share with you a small, little, blanket that I’ve been crocheting for a friend who is having a baby (she actually had her little girl yesterday). I had lots of yarn left over from crocheting my Lucy blanket so I thought that they would made a great baby blanket. I think that I was right…
I really hope that the new baby loves it and that she spends many happy hours snuggled up in it!
I’ve decided that Spring is here. The weather may be disagreeing, but there are definitely signs of Spring springing. I decided to crochet a Spring garland in celebration. I am sooooo happy with how it turned out, I had to share it with you…
I hope you like it? I thought I’d share the pattern with you, so that you can have a little bit of Spring, no matter what the weather decides to do this weekend. I used five different colours of DK yarn, but I’ll leave the colour and yarn choice for you to decide. You’ll also need a yarn appropriate hood, scissors and a needle. To make the flowers, you’ll need to crochet a puff stitch (ps), I’ve provided instruction for this at the end on the main pattern. For those of you that don’t need photograph instructions, or want to copy and paste the pattern, just scroll to the bottom of this post. OK? Ready? Here we go…
4ch, ss to join…
3ch, *ps into the ring, 2ch*…
repeat *-* so that you have 5ps and 5chsp, fasten off and secure in the ends…
join a new colour in any ch sp…
1ch to secure the new colour, then working in the ch sp, **dc, htr, 3tr, htr, dc, **…
repeat **-** into each ch sp, ss into first stitch to join, fasten off and secure in the ends…
join new colour in any st…
dc into each st, including the top of the ps on the first round…
ss into first st, fasten off and secure in the ends…
Make as many flowers as you need for your garland. Crochet some leaves, the pattern for leaves can be found HERE. I crocheted seven flowers and nine leaves…
Start to crochet a long chain, joining the flowers and leaves as you go along…
Hang you Spring garland and enjoy…
Let me know how you get along. Remember that you can find me on Ravelry HERE and on Facebook HERE.
repeat *-* so that you have 5ps and 5ch sp, fasten off and secure in the ends
join a new colour in any ch sp
1ch to secure the new colour, then working in the ch sp, **dc, htr, 3tr, htr, dc, **
repeat **-** into each ch sp, ss into first stitch to join, fasten off and secure in the ends
Join new colour in any st
dc into each st, including the top of the ps on the first round
ss into first st, fasten off and secure in the ends
make as many flowers as you need for your garland. Crochet some leaves, the pattern for leaves can be found HERE (sorry no copy and paste). I crocheted seven flowers and nine leaves
start to crochet a long chain, joining the flowers and leaves as you go along
Puff stitch (ps)
Yarn over hook, * insert hook in to st, yarn over hook and pull through,* repeat *-* until you have nine loops on your hook, yarn over hook
I’VE FINISHED MY CROCHET BLANKET! Yes, I am shouting. Yes, I am jumping around the house feeling, somewhat pleased with myself. It seems like ages and ages since I started crocheting my blanket: oh I was ages ago (back in 2013), when I first crocheted that l-o-n-g foundation chain!
My crochet blanket is most definitely a Lucy blanket, using her colour pallet. Crocheting using someone else’s colour pallet has been a rally interesting experience. Lucy’s colours, and not really my colours: Lucy’s colours tend to be from Spring and Summer, whereas mine are very much Autumnal.
So why crochet with Lucy’s colours? Good question. I think that it is good to move outside of your element occasional and try something new. Lucy is a real inspiration, and the way she uses and blends colour is just fabulous, so why not. Crocheting using different colours, I have learnt A LOT: about how colours complement and contrast with each other and about how colours blend together and shout against each other. Most of all I’ve really enjoyed crocheting it! Want to see it? Ok here you are…
Remember that you can now find me on Facebook - HERE and on Ravelry - HERE.
Hello Lovelies ! It’s been a crazy week here in blogland, as I have had lots and lots of new people dropping by. You are all very welcome. I really hope that some of you will stay awhile: I love sharing my crafty adventure with you all. The big increase is completely down to the lovlye Lucy, from Attic24, sharing a photo of my winter wreath. Thank you Lucy!
You can choose to follow my blog, or join me on Facebook HERE and I put my crochet patterns HERE on Ravelry: just in case you were wondering!
I thought that I’d ease us into 2015 crochet with something simple: crocheting granny squares. I do like granny squares, I don’t think I love them in the same way some crocheters do, but I definitely like them A LOT! Actually I have more granny squares, in my home, than I realised! I have them on cushions,, cushions,cushions,I use them every day as coasters, there on my needle case and I used them on my foot-stool…
I thought that I share with you how to crochet yourself a simple, basic, granny square: a request that also came from a conservation in a pub over Christmas.
I am using dk yarn and my trust 4mm hook, but you can crochet your granny square out of anything (copy and paste pattern at the end of this post).
Start by crochet 3ch and joining with a ss, to make a circle, 3ch, 2tr into the circle, 2ch,…
3tr into the circle, 2ch…
3tr into the circle, 2ch, 3tr into the circle, 2ch, ss to join…
Turn, either continue with the same colour, or join a new colour, 3ch…
2tr into the chsp, 2ch, 3tr into the chsp, 2ch…
3tr into the next chsp, 2ch, 3tr into the same chsp, 2ch…
Repeat this into each chsp, then ss to join…
Turn, either continue with the same colour, or join a new colour, 3ch, 2tr into the chsp…
Into the corner chsp, 3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 2ch (the 2ch moves you to the next chsp), 3tr into the side chsp…
Keep going, all the way around …
Keep crocheting in the same way until your granny square is the size you want: small or big…
HINT – if you find that your granny square is curing up at the edges you might you to try putting in an extra chain or two, so that you have a bigger chsp to work into. If you find that your granny square is on the baggy side, only put one, or even no, chain, on the side of your squares and work into the small gap rather than actual chsp.
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