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.

When Mummy takes requests!

 

So now I am building up a mini gallery of Pinterest related projects.  It's such a good way to find inspiration but also to find free patterns!  I came across these on a search for simple bands for Katie to wear on her first Communion and decided that they just had to be made straight away!  I've made crocheted hair bands before without much success as they do tend to slip off.  This clever trick of crocheting in a hair band really works to keep the tension.  I can also share the link for once! http://www.lanasdeana.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/baby-head-bands-tutorial.html .

 The danger with whipping up one quick hairband means that I end up having to do the same for Hannah and cousin Myf who was over at the time!  Now I will just have to make one for Emily too.  The other danger with taking requests is that you can't completely control the colour choices (yes, it's neon pink again) and I end up with a frantic request for clips and crocheted food.  This is always the case when you crochet for others- the little ones start building up a list of wants!  Check out my recent post on how to make these lovely clips.

Are you Pinterested?

 

Images from Pinterest

Do you Pinterest?

I am loving my little pin collection at the moment!  Let me share this mini snail tale with you...

It's birthday time for a little nephew who loves Turbo.  The toys in the shops look pretty weak so I start thinking, hmm, I have that simple snail finger puppet pattern from "Crocheted Finger Puppets" that I've used a few times.  I wonder if I could change the colours and make a simple Turbo....

So, on goes Pinterest, and a quick search later, I pin the above collection onto a board.  Now I'm thinking that I could really just make up my own Turbo using these visuals to guide me.  Now, this is pretty much all me.  The circles for the shell and the starting shape came from the book but everything else was just off the hook!  I am so chuffed as this just shows how far I have come as a crocheter.  I came, I saw and I most definitely conquered this awesome snail!

 

Admire his super spoiler.  Swoon over the jazzy light swirls.  Gasp at the speedy lines of his curvy shell.  We all love Turbo and have made lots of zoom- zoom noises as we race around the house.  He needs to burn a lot of energy before we wrap him ready for Sunday....

So, Pinterest, I love you and will upload my final picture to grace someone else's tiny board of inspiration.

"The Snow Maiden"

Here is my January project! Gosh, I love holiday blog catch up time.  My sister's sister-in-law (my sister-sister-in-law) was due in January and I was determined to make her a little bundle after she so kindly made me gorgeous bibs for my first.  As she is not your average lady, I thought that she would love a non-pink gift for her little girl.  I adapted a simple cardi from Nikki Trench's book "Cute and Easy Crocheted Baby Clothes" to match this fabulous  free bonnet I found  online (I just can't remember where from...).  The Nordic themed colours were because I had just finished a book called "The Snow Maiden" which describes the old lady's winter efforts to make a coat for the snow maiden child who lives in the woods.  The handmade coat is described as being trimmed with white fur and embroidered  with snow flakes and that just sounded gorgeous.  I did have fun finding and buying tiny star buttons and playing with the borders to balance both items.  Looking at them now, they are so very "Frozen"!

The crochet bibs and balls were from the same book using my beloved dk cotton.  The bibs were part joke as the bibs she made for me were used until faded and worn and then folded away in my memory box.  The bibs made for my sister's first born were always laughed about as my sister couldn't bear to use the lovely things.  I therefore couldn't resist making impractical crochet bibs (they are washable...honest).  Do you think she will use them? I just don't know!  The balls  are so squishy and perfect for gummy chews and squeezy fingers.  I popped a few bells inside the yellow ball using a clean kinder egg case firmly glued shut which I then crocheted inside the stuffed ball.  One shakey, squishy, squeezy bit of fun!  I must say that I'm so relieved to find these lost pictures.  My husband thinks I am mad-naturally- but when you give away most of your crafts, having a picture keeps the memories, the textures and the ideas ready for another day.
Congratulations Cara and Nick and I hope your baby managed to wear these at least once before growing out of them!

Why Yarndale was the best day ever.

Oh Yarndale, How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

1. Crocheting all the way from Kent to Manchester.
2. First time going away on my own since my first little one came along (almost 8 years ago).
3. Staying with my sister and the family.
4. Having a steady stream of cups of tea- it always tastes better from a sister.

 

5. Making crochet bunting months ahead to send over to the lovely Lucy.

6. Reading all the Attic24 blog posts in anticipation.

7. Not taking any work away with me....okay now I'm just boring myself. 

 Let me just say that I am not a strange, middle aged lady who gets excited about wool.  I am one of many!  I was far too excited, bounced up and down all the way there and caused much annoyance as I screamed at first sight of the bunting.  I just didn't care.  I embarrassed myself as often as possible and indulged every woolly whim.  I did not rush around stalls, I did touch everything, go back to first stalls, chat to everyone and yes, even insisted on a photo with Lucy (poor woman).  I didn't even notice the lovely Heather from tiny tin bird until later as her blog page has only a partial face shot! 

We sat from the opening hours until well after lunch engrossed in learning how to knit tarantula style with six pointy needles.  I loved it so much that I wouldn't leave the table until absolutely desperate for the ladies and when my back started to seize. 

We loved it so much that on returning late that evening, Sis and I continued to knit with a large glass of wine until after 11pm.  I came home feeling at one with woolly urges and realised that I had only bought a Yarndale tote bag for myself.  This was shocking as I had come away ready to spend, spend, spend.  I think that, when every yearning was met, there was no need to even try and buy.  It was the best rest and reconnect with my lovely sister.  So, I don't care that this is 9 months ago.  Look at this and be inspired to come along to Yarndale 2014!  I can't wait and look forward to sharing all the Mandala Madness that's being going on ready for my new Yarndale contribution.