Big Knit 2011

Ok, so I really wanted to take part in Innocent's Big Knit this year. For every hat knitted Innocent donates 25p to Age UK. The have the info here, and some knit patterns. I am a complete novice at knitting. my stitches are usually too tight, I drop some and gain some from some unknown stitch dimension and the thought of following a pattern scares me. So seeing the beginner pattern on the Innocent site, I tried.......and came out with this:



Embarrassing isn't it? I'd much prefer to crochet one, but couldn't find any info on their site regarding patterns, so I tried one out myself and came out with this...:

As you can see, I was more confident with the final hat, that I went ahead and added the bobble. I then thought it would help others if I wrote up the pattern for this, so here it is below. This is the first ever crochet pattern I've written up, so let me know if it doesn't flow or I've missed something out.

Crochet pattern for Innocent Big Knit 2011

You will need a 4mm hook and some dk wool (this is a great way to use up any leftovers)

Start using a magic adjustable ring

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the centre of the ring. (6 sc)

Rnd 2: Sc 2 in each sc. (12 sc)

Rnd 3: Sc 2 in next sc, sc in next 1 - repeat around (18 sc)

Rnd 4: Sc 2 in next sc, sc in next 2 - repeat around (24 sc)

Rnd 5: Sc 2 in next sc, sc in next 3 - repeat around (30 sc)

Rnd 6, 7, 8: Sc in each sc. (30 sc)

Change wool colour here.

Rnd 9,10,11: Sc in each sc, (30 sc) holding the wool more taut than before (this allows it to grip onto the bottle top)

Now finish off the end of the wool, and stitch in any stray strands. If you want to add a bobble you can follow a general pom pom tutorial like this one at thingstomake.com. I used a circle of card which was approximately 3cm diameter for the size of the bobble in the picture.

Stitch the bobble onto the top of the hat with the same colour wool and voila, one hat complete.

This pattern could be adjusted to fit dolls too, I think the one I made might actually fit my vintage Sindy!

Enjoy!

xx

Something for the weekend?

If the weather with you is anything like it is here, it'll be too wet to do any of those summer outdoor activities. So feel free to take a look at these tutorials, links and ideas I've gathered together on Pinterest and give something new a try. There are plenty of things to make together with children too. It should keep someone busy at least :P.

Felt Dahlia Pin tutorial - www.notmartha.org

Enjoy

Embellishing

I have just started this on one of my summer vests (mainly to cover a stain of tea I spilt on it)!! I really wanted to embellish something on one of my tops, so thought I'd give this a go as it's so easy. Although, if you're doing this with embroidery thread, put it through the wash first in a little cotton handkerchief. I used this source on how to wash embroidery threads.

Source: craftstylish.com via Catherine on Pinterest

This tutorial was found on Pinterest, so if you haven't been on there yet, check it out, it's a wealth of information and inspiration.

Sorry, just a quick one today.

xx

Meat and greet

Just finished another order for a customer:

Felt food - meat selection

Hope she likes it. It's the first time I've sewn any of these, but am so happy with them. The t-bone steak was straight forward enough, but I had to use picture references when designing the bacon rashers as the customer requested british style bacon. I never realised how everyone making felt bacon had been making the steaky kind until now, including myself. So glad I got to try them like this. The pork chop seemed simple in my head but I found I had to refer to pictures again when drawing out the shape, and placement for the bone.

I've also recieved an email from a very trendy London shop asking for a few of my things to see how they sell in store, so onto that project now...can't wait!

bye for now

x

What kind of girl has her own tea set? A lucky girl

Yes, I have acquired a bone china tea set with pretty flowers on them! 6 cups and saucers, 6 plates, milk jug, sugar bowl and bread & butter platter. Found in my mum's shed and donated by my sister! And yes, I have already had a friend over for tea and used them!

In other news, our new place is taking shape, we have a dining table and chairs, sofas on order and I have spotted a fab retro sideboard in a charity store for just £40. I shall be buying it later (if its still there)........It was! And here it is in it's new home:

Yes, that is one of my girls sat on top, not an ornament.

There is a fab retro glass light shade I am enquiring about on Ebay too. I am trying to craft for the home but I seem to hit a brick wall with most things. I have made these fabric flowers:

 using this tutorial, and want to place them in an embroidery hoop, but when I try to embroider words, it just isn't working for me. I will keep at it though.

Apologies for the lack of blogging lately. I've been in and out of the doctor's surgery the past few weeks and sent for so many tests I feel like a pincushion. I've been having very bad ovarian pain. It made me feel really miserable, but I'm feeling a lot better lately and more positive for the outcome.

oh, oh, oh, another find at my mum's place was this...

A beautiful Kewpie doll from my younger years! Gotta love that cheeky face! Sorry Mum if I have nosed around too much!!

xx

A quick mention of toast embroidery

My attention has just been drawn to Judith G. Klausner's work here. Look at her toast embroidery here.

Wow, wow, wow! How do you begin to even contemplate embroidering on toast? I am in awe of her work. 

Does anyone else feel in the mood for an extreme arty project?

More amigurumis and a crochet frenzie

I can't help loving the amigurumis!! Here are some more finds off Folksy:

From top left to right

Loves a good yarn  - Amigurumi elephant toy

Twixt sea and pine  - Hand crochet beehive and bee amigurumi

Cute designs  - Amigurumi kawaii green bear

SophieCat  - Amigurumi Mario character

Cinnamon Street  - Harold the pear

Orange Blossom Felt  - Crochet amigurumi teacup pincushion

Claire Sibley  - Little Donkey amigurumi pattern

MiniDreamz  - Amigurumi kokeshi doll

Element Arts  - Cheeky cheese on toast amigurumi brooch

I have also completed another of my own:

This is Teddington Bear. He had a little mishap at the seaside!!! hahaha. He is now for sale at Pipinopolis at Folksy. I've started another straight away, I think this one will be a girl, I have some lovely scrap fabric for a dress! On the topic of crochet, I'm trying to cover my old Klobo sofa, which is getting grubby now, and am loving the idea of covering it with granny squares. So I have made a start on some using this tutorial at Crochet with Raymond. Have a look at Alice's other tutorials, she makes some lovely tea cosies! I am hoping I don't lose patience making these and actually finish it! The sofa will then go into my workroom as Mr thinks it'll be too girly for the living room!

Here are some other finds of granny square covered things:

Sarah London

Nature Nut Notes

Teacup Lane

 Ok, I'll leave my obsessions here for now! But, has anyone else got any crochet covered things they'd like to share? I'd love to see them.
x