Crochet flower hanger

Do you remember last week I mentioned that I was thinking of making a crochet flower garland? Well the garland sort of morphed into a hanging flower decoration. After a lot of playing around to try and create the kind of flower shape that I had in mind, I finally came up with something I was satisfied with!

The flower shape was actually inspired by a notebook I have:

I wanted a nice fat looking flower, with cute little stubby petals. I also wanted it to be a solid flower shape, so that I could make 2 motifs for each flower, stitch them together and stuff them to make the decorations. So that meant I had to come up with a flower design where the petals grew straight out of the centre, rather than being worked into a chain space, like you often see with flower motifs.

I'll try and explain with the aid of pictures how I did it:

To make the decoration you need:

Yarn: scraps of DK weight yarn in various colours - 2 colours for each motif. I used Rowan Pure Wool DK, but anything would do.
Hook: 3.5mm
Needle to sew sides together
Stuffing or wadding
Ribbon

Motif pattern (make 2 in the same colours for each hanging flower).

In colour A Work 4 chain, join into a ring using a slip stitch

Round 1: 3 chain, work 11 trebles into ring, finish by slip stitching into top of 3 chain from start of round (12 stitches)

Round 2: 3 chain, work 2 trebles into each treble from last round, finish by working treble into same stitch as 3 chain. Slip stitch into top of 3 chain from start of round 2. 24 stitches

Round 3: 3 chain, work 1 treble into next stitch, then *2 trebles into following stitch, then 1 treble into next stitch. Repeat from * to end of round, joining with slip stitch to 3 chain at start of round. 36 stitches.

Round 4: Work slip stitch into first stitch, then 1/2 treble into next stitch, then 2 trebles into next stitch, then 2 trebles into next stithc, then 1/2 treble into next stitch then 1 slip stitch into next stitch. This makes one petal. Repeat until end of round - 6 petals.

Round 5: Change to colour B. Work into top of petals from last round, work 1 slip stitch into first stitch, 1dc into next stitch, 1 1/2 treble and 1 treble into next stitch, 2 trebles into next stitch, 2 trebles into next stitch, 1 treble and 1 1/2 treble into next stitch, 1 dc into next stitch and 1 slip stitch into next stitch. This forms edging for one petal. Repeat until end of round so that all 6 petals have edging. Complete by slip stitching into first stitch of round and fasten off.

I made 8 of these motifs (4 pairs) in different colours for my hanging decoration:

Now all that's left is to fasten off the loose ends, stitch motifs together by oversewing the edges (leave a gap to stuff the motifs before you finish sewing up.

Phew! I hope all that made sense, I am not a great pattern writer!

 Actually you could make these out of cotton yarn and they could be cute coasters.

 Well, I had better show the finished product!

Even though the sun is out here this evening, the light isn't great - this is the only good shot which I managed to get of the finished decoration!

Cute and easy crochet - Russian dolls

Anyone who has ever embarked upon a knitting or crochet project larger than an egg cosy will know that sometimes, when you're working on something big, you need a little light relief, also known as instant gratification knitting (or crochet!).

So, because I needed some relief from the ripple throw (lovely and ripple-y though it is), this weekend I've been making the little cute Russion dolls from Nikki Trench's Cute and Easy Crochet.

I've had this book for a while, and pull it off the shelf regularly to flick through and sigh over the lovely patterns. However, I've never actually had a go at anything in it until now!

I have to admit I was aprehensive at the thought of trying these dolls - I have little experience of amigurumi (the style of crochet used to make these) and they looked  fiddly to make! But, I was spurred on by the success of my octopus last weekend.

The result:

What do you think?!

These dolls were made using the left over scraps of Rowan Pure Wool DK from the Rainbow afghan, which is why Mrs Large Dolly has a body in 3 colours instead of 2 (I ran out of pale pink before I got to her headscarf).

Still, aren't they cute? Actually there weren't too bad at all to make - the most difficult thing about making these wasn't the crochet part, it was sewing on the details of the faces at the end, and stitching the flowers to the bodies of the already stuffed dolls.

I think I have a soft spot for this little one, which is actually the medium size doll (though she seems a lot smaller than the large one) - she just looks so happy!

If you've never tried anything like this before, and are able to get hold of a copy of Cute and Easy Crochet, I really suggest giving these a go. The pattern is very clear and well written, so if you're intimidated by amigurumi like I was, this is a good place to start.

I'm already comtemplating some amigurumi snowmen for Christmas decorations!

And, in case you were wondering I have still had some time to make some progress on the throw too!

Bye for now!

Beyond the square: Crochet motifs.... and things I'm making in August

I'm very excited to have a new book of crochet motifs! It's Beyond the square: Crochet motifs. I've already eyeballed this in the flesh in Foyle's on Charing Cross Road, but didn't purchase it at the time. But, the other day I decided the take the plunge and bought it from Amazon. I think the thing that intially put me off was that its an American book and I was worried about translating the American crochet terminology in to UK terms. Then I decided I was just being cowardly and decided to go for it anyway!

I'm glad I did - it just looks so delicious and colourful. I already have some favourite motifs picked out:

I'm not sure what I'll make with any of these patterns. I'm kicking around the idea for some form of crochet garland, or one that combines crochet and felt shapes maybe. I haven't really found the right kind of motif for what I have in mind though. I'll let you know if my idea develops!

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You may have noticed in the first photo of the cover of the book, a little secret I have been keeping in the background. I've started a new throw already! This one is a ripple throw and has turned out to be quite an ambitious project as I unwittingly made an initial chain long enough to be a double bed size throw. It'll be the biggest project I've ever attempted in either knitting or crochet.

So far I am loving every moment of making it! The ripple stitch pattern and the gorgeous colours just make every stitch a complete pleasure. It's only been a few days so its not very big yet, but here's a little look:

I hope you'll agree its going to be a beauty!

More on the colours and yarn I've used when its finished, and I can show you the complete project.

Goodbye July

Sometimes I really do overdo things a little with knitting and crochet! After finishing the throw last night, I for some reason decided that I had time to start a small new project of another Kindle case. To be honest it was mainly an excuse to try out a stitch pattern that I found in one of my books.

Anyway, I started it last night and made the fabric before bed time so that all I had left to do after work this evening was finish it off and stitch on a fastening. Not much for one evning you would think, but after yesterday's hook fest, the bones of my hands are actually still aching!

But here it is anyway. What do you think? I love this new stitch - already I can see cushion covers, bags and maybe even another throw using this stitch.

It took me a while to work out how to stitch it together. In the end I decided that the neatest way would be to go all around the edge in double crochet in red, and then do another row of dc along the red edging to join up the sides.

So after my crafting-binge of yesterday, I am taking it easy tonight - retiring early to bed, lighting candles and snuggling down under the duvet to watch some escapist drama!

See you in August!

Camden finds on a sunny Saturday

I thought I would share some lovely things which I found on a trip to Camden market yesterday. Also the rainbow throw is complete, and I have another little make to share - its been a busy weekend!

My boyfriend and I spent a  lovely couple of hours wandering around London's Camden market, and I was a little naughty, and had a bit of a splurge! You see some lovely things there, things that you don't really find in many high street shops, so I just couldn't resist!

The first purchase was a pretty oilcloth satchel, which I bought from a stall near the lock.

The lining is pretty too!

I also found a purse in a pretty oilcloth fabric:

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My little make this weekend (in between the biggie of the throw!) was a small challenge to try and improve my crochet skills! On Saturday night I got it into my head that I wanted to try and make an octopus, practicing working in the round and decreasing. And I actually managed to produce something that does look recognisably like an octopus!

I have to admit I'm pretty proud of him. I might try and make some little sea creature friends to join him. I do have a bit of a fascination with the sea and sea creatures. When I was little I used to have a big photo book of sea life, and spent hours flicking through, looking at pictures of coral and other creatures of the depths.

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Finally for today, here's the completed throw!

This one is destined for the sofa, but it could fit a single bed too. One day soon I will pluck up the courage to make something double bed sized! And hopefully one day I will get a chance to take pictures in some decent light!

Adriafil yarn

I'm a bit excited as I have discovered a new brand of yarn, Adriafil Regina. I was looking for a wool yarn in a really nice bright, sunshire yellow, but I struggled to find anything in the shops - Rowan don't seem to have this shade in any of their ranges really, and the best I could find in other brands was a fairly pale yellow Wendy Merino.

Then, I looked online and found this:

Not only is it a lovely yellow, like sunshine, buttercups and daffodils, its 100% merino wool, and it also about £1 cheaper than brands I would normally expect. The quality feels very fine - I have yet to make anything with it, but based on looks and touch alone, I recommend it. I've ordered a whole batch in various colours, and hopefully they will arrive today!

She's a Rainbow

I've always liked that Rolling Stones' song, Shes a Rainbow.

Well my new throw is definately coming along as a rainbow! I thought I would share some of the progress pictures with you.

 

It was a gloriously hot and sunny day here in the South East today. The flowers in the garden were enjoying the weather too:

 Lets hope the weather lasts! More on the rainbow throw soon - its a surprisingly quick make - maybe because there is something so addictive about changing the colours in the granny square.

After this I think I will try some smaller crochet projects though - I'd like to try and improve a little on some other techniques. Even simple things like working turning chains at ends of rows still fox me now - I always seem to end in a bit of a mess. Still with all the lovely colours I'm going to have left over from the throw, I'll definately be inspired to make something!

Rainbow squares

The first batch of rainbow granny sqaures is complete.

I think I'll stitch groups of 4 together and go around the edge for a couple of rounds to make a series of larger sqaures and then put those larger squares together to make the final throw.

I also made a little brooch, using a button which I got from the V&A gift shop and have had for years. It was too pretty to just go on a cardigan or something, so it was always destined for something like this!

Spicy granny!

Finished a orange, red and yellow afghan, which is destined for my boyfriend's sofa! The first fruits of my study free summer holiday!

According to my mother, just looking at this throw makes you feel cheerful, so that must be good!

Actually now I'm looking at the picture online, it is a little hurt-your-eyes. Trust me, in the flesh it is nice.

I love the fact that you can make something substantial from just odds and ends of yarn with crochet. This was made from various colours of different balls of yarn (all DK weight) which I've had hanging around for a while. I don't know how many balls I had altogether as some were half used, but it can't have been more than about 15. This throw isn't massive, but considering its made from scraps I think its not too bad!

Lets hope the boyfriend likes it - I'll let you know next week!

So, with the success of this, and having been inspired by the beautiful rainbow wares to be seen on Attic24's blog, which I've just discovered this week, I've started a rainbow coloured granny square afghan!

Here's a pre photo - after pics soon!

Hmm, I really must try and find a book of crochet motifs at the weekend - so I can make something other than basic granny squares!

Feet up, time for a cup of tea (and some crafting!)

The 4pm deadline has passed and I now feel it pretty safe to say that I am done and dusted study wise, at least until September. Which means I have 6 glorious weeks in which to do whatever I like. Oh, apart from going to work that is! Actually I am one of those annoying people who likes their job, so I'm quite happy to go to work!

So, now I can mentally put my feet up (apart from work obviously - I promise to still use my brain when I'm there - at least I'll try to!) and have a cup of tea! And, just in time, my latest eBay Tea Cup purchase came in the post yesterday!

I have to say I think this is absolutely the most gorgeous tea cup I have ever seen!

Also I have been making some little rose scented hearts. I try and make heart shaped scenters periodically - somehow I feel I have never got the shape right, as I'm still practising my machine sewing skills (I'm not very good at sewing the sort of gentle curves required - straight lines and corners I can manage).

However, I think I'm getting there with these. Perhaps I'll perfect it in time to make some Christmas presents.