January!

I've loved my January blanket project so far. It comes with me each week to my Slimming World meeting and keeps me warm as I add each new colour! After a crazy Christmas making stock to sell, it was such a treat to start my Yarndale project from the lovely Lucy at attic24. In fact, my Slimmingworld buddies love seeing the next colour being started as much as I do!

I think I have been hibernating this winter! Honestly, I've never sorted so many drawers, shelves and rooms. The charity shop thinks we are so cruel as old toys and games get ruthlessly discarded although I have learnt not to do this on the sly as you do end up having to re- buy the toy that the girls have just decided they can't live without...

But February has arrived and it's time to get back into my own designs.. HB keeps losing her gloves and now that shops are trying to sell Spring clothes, glove buying is tricky. So here are a quick fix pair of seriously chunky mitts! It's such a buzz to be able to respond to the confident little statement, "Oh, you can just make me a pair, Mummy!" and nonchalantly whip up a pair from scratch in an afternoon
Now I have an easy pattern to knock up for future losses and a very distinct pair for Monday. She now wants a pink pair for home and KJ wants a full length, fingerless pair to go with her poncho (the older they get, the more specific the demands...)

The flowers were not my idea but- hey- at least this pair can't get mistaken for ANYONE else's!

 And so, it's time to get back to my comfy corner of the sofa, finish another blankety row whilst eyeing up my pretty bookshelf as I plan the next project. Maybe some feltie hearts are needed for February??

Mummycat Crafts!

It's been over a year since I last blogged and yet I have been so crafty this year that my modest stash of wool and supplies are starting to be hidden under beds and in drawers. "This huge bag of wool new? No, I've had it for ages/ was given it/ found it in the loft." 

So why no blogging? Well, this year I have been trying to work without patterns and have been working hard to design and make my own patterns. I did not appreciate how long this process could be! It definitely takes lots of concentration- not always easy with a part time job and two growing girls. I even strained my eyes trying to work under a reading lamp at night...

I was pottering around nicely with my notebook of scribbles thinking that maybe, this year, I would design and make some little items for a Christmas stall.  No rush, plenty of time, I'll just spend a couple of days to draw, design.

All of a sudden, it's October darn it!

Well, I've worked my socks off to make some lovely items that should sell at a bazaar.  I will let you know if I sell anything and will work toward my own facebook business page.  So, for the first time, introducing....

  Mummycat Crafts

Lovely little luxury

 I have often wondered why people bother to crochet facecloths.  Yes, they look lovely in the shops daintily tied around a handmade soap using a lavender stalk or whatnot, but why spend that much on natural cotton to crochet a square?  But birthdays were coming and I had some cotton so I thought I would have a little play. 
Oh, now I get it!  Stitching with cotton is such a pleasant feeling and just using one colour really shows off the definition of each stitch.  These worked up quickly whilst sitting at one of Hannah's little friend's birthday parties.  I must admit that I didn't dare use one for ages as I was worried that the cotton would stretch/stain/ fuzz up with use.  But they really are wonderful to use, wash beautifully and stay in shape.  Both my girls now have one as well with requests for new colours soon!  So here is my very simple pattern- there are so many out, I know- I hope my sisters also use and love theirs.

You will need: Natural Cotton (Rowan)
                     Size 4mm hook
                     Darning needle

Abbreviations: DC- Double crochet
                     Ch- Chain

1. Ch 34.  DC in 3rd chain from hook, DC in each stitch to the end.  Turn.
2. Ch 1, DC in first stitch, (Ch 1, skip 1, DC) repeat to the end of the row with a DC in last stitch. Turn.
3. (Ch 1skip 1, DC in next stitch) repeat to the end of the row with a DC in last stitch. Turn.
4. Repeat row 3 until you have a square. Turn.
5. Ch 1, DC in each stitch for the final row.
6. Add a DC in the corner and DC all around the edge, putting 2DC in each corner.  This will stop the fabric from stretching.
7. Weave in ends.

How to make easy-peasy felt bow clips.

Did you read my late post about the Christmas Bazaar?  Well, I was given some red and green felt and Christmas fabric to make into stockings which I promptly asked, "Just stockings...." and started to list off all the Christmas felt goodies I could make.  So, I got carried away making fully lined, patchwork stockings and then decided that a felt paper chain wouldn't take that long really.  After cutting out all the strips, I got a phone call from from one of the organisers saying- in a nutshell- "that's nice dear but we were only going to charge £1 or £2 each.  I took a deep breath, reigned myself in and sat down trying to figure out what I could do with all these strips.  And so the felt bow clip was born. 

You will need:

Felt

metal hair clips

needle and thread

glue gun or really strong adhesive 

What to do:

1) Take standard felt rectangle and cut into strips about 1 inch wide.

2) Cut off about 1 inch from the end and save piece (this will wrap around the bow).

3) Bring the ends together and slightly overlap.

 

4) Hold in place and make a stitch through the three layers at one corner.

 

5) Do a couple of running stitches to the other side.

 

6) Pull the thread to gather, pinching with your fingers to hold the folds in place.

 

 

7) Run a few stitches through the centre folds to how felt in place.

 It's looking good so far!

 8) Take your tiny felt rectangle and cut to the desired width.  (I find that if this is too wide, it can be tricky to glue into place).

 

 9) Make sure your glue gun is nice and hot!  Place a small blob over the messy stitch, press on the end of the band and hold firmly as you tightly wrap the band around the bow.

 10) Another blob of glue to hold down the end and press for a few seconds until set.

 11) Finally, add a generous blob to a shiny clip and hold the bow in place until the glue sets- this really only takes a few seconds.

As I was making these for a Bazaar, I did all the prep and stitching first and then glue gunned the whole darn lot.  These seriously didn't take long to whip up and they ALL went within minutes!

Birthday Bunny continued

I've been away so long!  It's been embarassing really but I have an excuse, honest... My computer just would not log on and so, whilst I could peek at my own favourite blogs, I couldn't get my own bits and bobs online.
This caused its own problems as I started to stop taking pictures of projects and not quite getting new ones on the go.  But work has produced so many white hairs this term that I have made myself take a break this holiday and craft.  I have really loved doing a few long awaited crafty bits and am determined to make amends for my poor blogging updates.
So, with hubby watching the racing, I am uploading this little gift from my nieces birthday gifts given on my Yarndale visit.  That's how long it has been (bad, bad, bad girl).  By the way- YARNDALE 2014- so excited by that!
This little gift was to go with last years birthday bunny (see earlier post for the free pattern) Along with a paint yourself jewelry box and some clips inspired by Attic 24 circles went the mini crochet cake and bunny party dress.  I didn't write a pattern for the cake as it was just a bit of fun that turned out rather nicely.  It was inspired by an image that I found on Pinterest however.
The dress did get written down so I hope someone uses this one:

You will need: Size 3 hook and wool scraps 
                        Darning needle
                        small ribbon rose
ss=Slip stitch
sc= single crochet
sc in= single crochet increase.
tr= triple

Dress

1. Ch 23 and ss into loop.
2. Sc all around and join with a ss.
3. Ch 1 and sc all around three times (as a spiral)- 23 stitches.
4. Sc in, 11sc, sc in, ss.
5. Ch 1, sc all around and ss- 25 stitches.
6. Ch 3 (counts as first tr), Tr all around and ss into first.
7. (Ch 2, miss 1 stitch, sc in next) to make scallop edge. Repeat all around.
8. SS into first ch2 space.  Ch 3 and 2 tr into first space.
9. Ch 2 to next space- putting 3tr into each chain space.  SS final ch2 into first stitch.
10. Ch 1 and sc all around 9putting sc into the ch2 spaces) ss into first stitch.
11. Repeat sc all around.
12. Ch 3 and tr all around.  Ss into first stitch.
13. Final scallop edge!  Ch 3, miss a stitch and sc into the next stitch all the way around.

Straps

1. Press the dress flat so that the increases sit at each side.
2. Attach the wool for the 1st strap, ch 1, 2sc across into the top of the bodice.
3. Turn, ch 1, 2sc across.
4. Repeat to the desired length (approx 11 rows) and fasten off leaving a long tail.
5. Use the tail to stitch onto the back of the dress and repeat for the second strap.

 Add any extra trim to pretty it up further!

Puppy Love.

Puppy Love

Has it really been over two months??  I have a lot to catch up on and share as craft has wheedled more of my spare time this year.  I love it!  After having to pull back when HB was a baby, I am starting to have the freedom to indulge in my hobbies during the DAYTIME!  Seriously- I love this not having to steal half hours in the evening to unwind.  Especially as the evenings are filled with marking and preparing for Class in the morning.  Any other Mummies out there will know of the serious lack of free moments when your children are tiny.  Even when playing, they still seem to need constant chatter and company! 

So, I had better start catch up.  The first one to grace my blog will be this lovely little collar and dog bed made to accompany a cute puppy.  My little nephew received this for his second birthday and, as usual, the adults politely smiled appreciation until my nephew proceeded to drag puppy around everywhere, putting him to bed and generally having a lovely play.  I would love to sound smug but in all honesty, he probably put it back down the second I left not to touch it again for months!  But it was a good response, especially from both my girls who tried to hide it before wrapping…

You will need:

• Hook size 3
• Key ring
• Clip (I bought for one pound at Post office as part of a keychain)
• DK Cotton in main colour and contrast colour

Abbreviation

SC= single crochet

SS= slip stitch

Collar Instructions

I love using DK cotton.  It works especially well for this to give you denser fabric (acrylic was just too stretchy)

1. In main colour Ch 3, SC into 2^nd chain from hook and SC to the end  (2SC).
2. Ch 1, 2SC across.
3. Repeat step 2 to desired length.
4. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing on.
5. Choose contrast colour and put two SC in each row space for a Granny Square effect. Continue this along both long edges (not corners).
6. Stitch in ends and use long tail to whipstitch collar ends together.

Lead Instructions

1. Repeat collar instructions for the lead.  Leave enough in length to fold over for the handle and a small fold over to whipstitch your clip on!

So, a simple pattern but very sweet.  I designed a Puppy bed as well that I will add as soon as I can find the pattern.  

  

Baptism Bunny!

It's "Baptism Bunny"!  Sounds almost Superhero, doesn't it.  Like those new age catholics who try a bit too hard to make Church "cool".  But isn't she a peach!  I love that my little design took wings and inspired some more simple designs.  Simple because, like most crafters, I class myself still as a learner.  This is less to do with false modesty than an ongoing desire to learn, improve and create.  It really is the most addictive pleasure, being able to create without a book and a pattern!  Best of all is to become one of those teachers who share easy patterns to the learners out there.  So, I hope you enjoy these really easy little extras for your bunny. x

You will need:

-Any odds and ends of wool (acrylic is a good washable choice for baby drool)

White, yellow, red and black DK cotton for candle

-Size 2.5, 3.00 and 3.5 hook 

Instructions:

Shawl (almost a granny!)

1.       Ch 4 and SS.

2.       Ch 3 (counts as first tr), 2tr in ring, ch 2,

3.       (3tr, ch 2) repeat until you have 4 sets as in a granny square.  SS to top of first chain.

4.       SS along to next ch space, ch 2, 2tr, ch 2, 3tr in same corner space.

5.       Ch 2, 3tr, ch 2, 3tr all the way around.

6.       SS to the top of the ch 3.

7.       Repeat row 6.

8.       SS to next chain space.  Repeat as above but with ch 1 between each set of trebles.

Candle- I used DK cotton for stiffness and a size 2.5 hook

1.       Ch 2, 6sc in sc ch- 6 stitches.

2.       Ch 1, 2sc in each stitch- 12 stitches.

3.       Ch 1, sc in loop closest to you all the way around, ss into first stitch and ch 1.

4.       Sc in a spiral to desired length.

5.       SS, fasten off and stuff firmly.

6.       Make a separate circle to top the candle (step 1 and 2). 

7.       Fasten off leaving a long tail and stitch on.

Flame

1.       Ch 2, 6sc in second chain from hook- 6 stitches.

2.       Ch 1, sc in loop closest to you- 6 stitches.

3.       Continue up 2 rounds.

4.       Sc dec until final stitch, knot tail at the point of the flame and stitch on with black thread for wick.

Dress- Use a size 3 hook for this one

1.       Ch 23 and ss into a loop.

2.       Sc all the way around and join with a ss.

3.       Ch 1 and sc all the way around 3 more rows.

4.       (Sc inc, 11sc, sc inc) x2 and ss at the start- 25 stitches

5.       Ch 1, sc all around and ss.

6.       Ch 3 (counts as first tr), Tr all around and ss into first stitch.

7.       (Ch 2, miss 1 stitch, sc in the next stitch) all around to make a scallop edge.

8.       SS into first ch 2 space.  Ch 3 and 2tr into first space.

9.       Ch 2 into next space, putting 3tr into each chain space.  SS final ch 2 into first stitch.

10.   Ch 1 and sc all around, ( just pop 1sc into each ch 2 space), and ss into first.

11.   Repeat sc all around.

12.   Ch 3 and tr all around. SS into first.

13.   Now for final scallop edge!  Ch3, miss a stich and sc into the next stitch all the way around.

14.   Straps- Press dress flat so that the increases sit at each side.  Attach wool for first strap, ch 1, 2sc across into top of bodice, turn, ch 1, 2sc across.  Repeat this to desired length (approx. 11 rows) and fasten off.  Repeat for second strap and whipstitch into place.

Tiny flower

1. Ch 4 and ss into ring.
2. 6sc around and ss into first stitch.
3. Ch 3 and ss into stitch.
4. Repeat step three all around and slip stich to the first.
5. Fasten off leaving a long tail for stitching onto the dress.

Please have a go and keep an eye out for more Bunny Fun (I don't think I'm going to be able to stop!)