Walnut Baby

Handspun Kid Mohair

2012-02-10T13:30:00.002Z

I got some new fibres to spin, Mohair, more silk (because I want to do better at spinning silk) and some Alpaca.

I've started to try to spin the Mohair, its difficult to know how to spin it "right". I have been doing a bit of research and there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer to should it be spun worsted or woolen. I decided to spin it worsted, for these reasons. The staple length is pretty long, its between 4" and 5", so its definitely long enough for worsted, the preparation is combed top & it has a nice lustre.
Here's what I've got ...

I've just started really, but you can see how fluffy it is already. It really has a lovely feel, although the fluff does get EVERYWHERE!

I wanted to see what a plyed yarn would look like so I just pulled back some of the yarn I had already spun off the bobbin and hung my threading hook in the middle so that it would naturally ply itself. It doesn't look too bad really, I think I'll make a 3 ply in the end though.

Getting to grips with handspun

2012-01-30T16:07:00.000Z

I've been spending quite a bit of time peddling away on my spinning wheel (Ashford Traveller), trying out various fibres and trying to get the hang of it. I'm pretty sure I've not got a classic style or indeed spin "properly" but to be honest as long as I create something I'd be able to make something with then surely thats OK?

Here's some of my efforts, some more successful than others as you can see. The big blue ball sitting on top is Merino/Silk blend and was lovely to spin - this is done 3 ply (as is the brown ball that its sitting on).

At the other end of the scale is the ball of silk (over on the left), that was really tricky to spin - if you have rough hands (as I do all winter!) the fibre sticks to your hands and the fluff gets everywhere. Also I didn't realise just how much twist you need to put into silk. For a first attempt I'm not too disappointed, its a little inconsistent and there are a fair few fluffy bits in the yarn - but overall its OK, and good enough for me to try making a little lacy scarf with it. I'll post the results of that adventure when I get closer to finishing.

The others are camel - right at the front, merino in the middle, generic "wool" at the back and the black one at the right side is black shetland.

I'll post again with close up photos of the yarns when I get a moment.

Handspun baby socks

2011-11-15T13:05:00.001Z

I wanted to make a pair of socks for my husbands cousins (relatively) new baby.

Both of these yarns are spun from merino tops. I created the first by plying together one black and one white single yarn. The second was made by spinning a sea green and light blue top together to create the singles & then plying those together.

And here are my little socks. They are sized for 6 to 12 months.

T
There is a slight gauge difference between the yarns - my consistency is getting better, but its not there yet. Even with the difference I think that they look OK.

They are pretty cosy. Hopefully the little fella will like them.

Next batch of yarn

2011-11-02T12:40:00.000Z

I've been spinning again. I liked how the two colour pink yarn came out so much I made a two coloured green one.

I think I am starting to get more consistent with my spinning - not perfect yet, but getting better. I think that getting near perfect will take many years :)

I made this two coloured yarn the same way as the pink, by spinning the singles in each in a colour and then combining them by plying. I've not settled on a project for this little ball of yarn yet, perhaps another set of booties - ideas are welcome.

Completed booties

2011-10-31T13:54:00.001Z

I have completed my booties now.

My first finished project with my own, handspun yarn. I confess I am quite pleased with myself.

Now I just need to package these up and send them to my friend.

In the mean time I am spinning like fury to create more yarn for more projects.

My handspun booties

2011-10-26T12:38:00.001+01:00

As promised .... here are the booties I am making for my friend.

So far I have just finished the body of the booties.

I still need to sew up the fronts so that they sit in the correct position, add the piping, flower and fastening.

You can see in the background my little ball of handspun yarn. In the end I did have enough to finish my project - and even a little to spare :)

I think that, although I actually spun this in the wrong way - clockwise for the singles and anti-clockwise for the ply. I think it turned out pretty well.

The consistency is not bad, and it worked up quite nicely into the booties.

Finally making something with my yarn

2011-10-25T11:09:00.001+01:00

I finally got round to starting a project with some of my hand spun yarn.

My friend as recently had a new baby daughter so I thought I'd have a go at crocheting these from a pattern selection I got from Annies Attic called Beautiful Baby shoes

I got a selection of merino fibres from forestfibres

I have plyed the pink and pinky-grey colours together to make a 2 ply yarn and have started my little project. I'm not sure I'll have enough yarn to finish so I have another one of these selection packs on order in case I need to spin up another batch.

I'll post the results of my endeavour when I get a chance to take some photos.

My first attempts at spining

2011-10-18T13:11:00.001+01:00

I have had my spinning wheel for almost 1 month and now that I have worked out how to setup it up I am starting to get into actually spinning some yarn.

One of my first attempts is this generic wool top.

Its pretty inconsistent and lumpy .....

You can see some of the areas look like actual yarn, but others are pretty fluffy!

But I don't like to give up so I kept on going and spun this from some Grey Suffolk wool tops.

I think I am getting a little better with my consistency

Don't get me wrong, I know its a long way from perfect and I still have a LOT to learn about plying but I feel like I am making some progress - what do you think?

I'll keep posting with further progress or if I actually make anything with this yarn I am creating :)

Second frame coin purse

2011-10-07T12:40:00.001+01:00

As promised, here is my second frame coin purse. Using the same Sirdar Baby bamboo yarn, but this time using both strands together rather than in stripes.

I kept the base the same, as a circle

But I altered the shaping of the purse a little so it came out more squat and puffy.

I think I prefer the shape and colour of this one.

My new Niddy Noddy

2011-10-04T15:54:00.001+01:00

Now that I am becoming (will become - eventually) a seasoned yarn spinner I need to gradually build up my kit ... so I have purchased my first Niddy Noddy.

Firstly - what a great name !!! Niddy Noddy :) I love it

I put a bit of thought into this purchase. Originally I was going to get an Ashford niddy noddy (that name again!) but they come in 2 sizes and are not adjustable, so I wasn't sure if I should get the small one now - because my capacity for creating yarn is pretty small right now - or if I would "out grow" that one and then have to just go and get the large one.

So I did a little research and found the Louët Niddy Noddy (below) which is adjustable - it can either be a 90cm or 180cm length. So I get both sizes with one device, happy days.

It comes in 4 sections, the two end pieces and two middle sections that can be fitted together to adjust from the smaller to larger size.

I got mine from the lovely people at ForestFibres.

I am looking forward to joyfully niddying and indeed noddying with my newly created yarns :)

Learning about my spinning wheel

2011-09-29T11:04:00.000+01:00

I've been trying really hard to learn how to use my new spinning wheel - don't let the folks at the craft shows fool you, its not nearly as easy as they make it look!

First off I had my wheel set up completely wrong - I have a double treadle, double drive wheel. The wheel comes with a scotch break, so I was confused about what I was supposed to do with it. I have subsequently learned that I have a piece of my wheel I don't need to use - the scotch break

The picture below shows the WRONG setup. I was using the scotch break and putting the drive bands around the flyer whorl.

What I should have done was remove the scotch break completely, put one drive band round the other end of the bobbin and one drive band round the flyer whorl.

What I have also recently found is article in eHow which discusses changing the tension with an Ashford traveller double drive. Now I understand why the wheel came with a scotch break at all!!

I think I am managing to get a little better with my spinning - I don't think I have my technique quite sorted out yet. I am still struggling with drafting and not letting the twist get back into the bulk of the fibre, I am having to control the twist by slowly letting it travel down the drafted fibre until I meet the bulk by just slightly releasing my pinch on the drafted fibres and sliding my fingers back along the fibres until I meet the bulk. Then I pinch hard to stop the twist completely and then draft out the next little piece of fibre. I know its not a classic or indeed correct approach but I don't think I have sufficient control of the speed and density of twist yet to just let it fly.

I decided that I would try to make things easier for myself by getting some pencil roving - the theory being if I don't have to draft then that I removing one complication, I just have to control the twist.

Well as they say "the best laid plans of mice and men" .... the fibre is lovely, its 100% pure wool and very finely drafted from Cornish Wools. But sadly my talent is not up to the job. When I tried to spin it, it just breaks immediately - I simply cannot get any twist into it - I have absolutely no idea what I am doing wrong and the experiment has just proved how much I have to learn.

In an effort to not waste such lovely fibre I decided to try spinning two thicknesses of the fibre together. I have no idea if this was smart or not - but after a few false starts it "seems" to be working.... for now ... we'll see.

Crochet Frame Coin Purse

2011-09-28T13:05:00.002+01:00

I've had a few coin purse frames for a while and just hadn't got round to using them. So in between learning to use my new spinning wheel (still a work in progress!) and finishing off my shawl for my mum I decided to get them out and make a little purse or two.

These little frames are abut 3.5" wide and have pretty little olive shaped heads.

I Sirdar Baby Bamboo DK yarn in my two favorite colours, purple and green, alternating in single row stripes.

I think its quite a cute little coin purse and not bad for a first attempt with this frame.

I'll blog again soon with my next attempt with this frame size .... its still a work in progress.

New Spinning Wheel - Have I got it right?

2011-09-22T09:37:00.001+01:00

Can any spinners out there help?

So I have my new Ashford Traveller Double treadle spinning wheel, but I confess I am not sure I have it setup right ....

The bit I don't understand is the Flyer, bobbin, drive band & break setup. Here's how I started with it.

Here's the thing, my flyer & bobbin don't match those in the assembly instructions.

My flyer doesn't have the stepped end next to the oriface. Its at the other end.

And my bobbin's have a stepped end, unlike the ones in the instructions

Now I originally had the break on the stepped end of the bobbin, but since the break thread length is 32cm between the springs that just didn't work. I had to put the break on the other end - Is that right ???

Also in the instructions the drive band is at the other end of the flyer.

But the stepped "cap" I have doesn't have a hole in it so I can't put on the other end

An educated guess says I have this the right way round, the drive band on the right thing (the cap) and the break on the right end of the bobbin.

But, since I am a complete novice at this - does anyone know if I have this right or not??

Finished my Shawl

2011-09-21T11:47:00.002+01:00

I have managed to finally finish my Midsummer's night shawl. Woo and indeed Hoo.

After my wopping mistake and the painfulness of having to rip back 17 rows when I had almost finished, I finally got there !!

In the end I really like how it turned out. Even if it tested my patients enormously during the creation.

I packed it up to day and posted it off to my mum. I really hope my she likes it, fingers crossed.

Expanding my crafting empire ....

2011-09-12T10:43:00.001+01:00

I've been toying with this idea for a long while, ever since I tried out a drop spindle. I managed to get the hand of drop spinning "fairly" quickly, but was frustrated at the speed of progress. Also I had the habit of dropping the spindle on my feet rather too often (OUCH!)

I love hand spun yarns, they are so much more interesting than most commercial yarns. But with the slow progress in trying to spin with a drop spindle I thought that the only course of action to continue was to get a wheel.

I first enquired about a wheel back in May and got some really good and honest advice from Shiela Dixon at Handspinner.co.uk. I wanted a compact wheel that I could store relatively easily and I wasn't sure if I should go for an Ashford Joy or an Ashford Traveller.

Ashford Joy

Ashford Traveller

After the some advice I have chosen the Traveller, which I finally plucked you the courage to buy over the weekend. It is currently en route and I am like a 3 year old at Christmas waiting for it to arrive. How I am going to explain what it is when it arrives at my office is any one's guess. They already think I am quite eccentric :)

Check back here from time to time to see how I get on, perhaps I will be a one woman yarn factory before long :) having said that I would be thoroughly satisfied if I can successfully make enough yarn to keep my little projects moving.

Well frog it all to hell....

2011-09-09T13:07:00.000+01:00

I have been working on my Midsummers night shawl that I am making for my mum.

I was getting on great, progress was going well - given that I only have a couple of hours a day at most to work on crochet.

I got up to the final piece of the edging and then disaster struck ... the pattern just didn't work. After a couple of attempts and a bit of head scratching I finally thought to check that the shawl was even on both sides.

AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH.

It wasn't, damn it all .... I'd made a mistake, and not one of those "I can cover this up" sort of mistakes - a proper, buggered it up mistake.

So I took a deep breath and thought to myself. "It might not be that bad. Just start frogging ("rip it") and see when the mistake happened, its probably not that far back".

17, yes 17 rows of frogging and I finally got back to where the shawl was correct. 17 !!!!!!!!!

Feeling pig sick, I wound myself up the largest ball of yarn and got back to crocheting those 17 rows. So far I have managed to rework 6 of my rows.

I should chalk this up to a learning experience, at least now I am checking that everything is as it should be with every finished row. I don't plan on frogging this one again.

what to do with a butterfly

2011-08-15T14:01:00.000+01:00

I created this Irish Crochet butterfly during one of my enforced periods of resting.

This is created by crocheting over a number of strands of cotton to create the padded appearance. This was quite a challenging piece of work for many reasons. The tiny gauge thread, working over multiple strands to create the padding and also the pattern was vintage. The phraseology and ordering of instructions in vintage patterns can take great patients to work through.

Having battled my way through the pattern and the pain of stabbed fingers from the tiny hook I needed to use I finished the butterfly. I think it looks quite pretty.

The final challenge is what to do with it. I had considered;

1. Make a brooch
2. Thread it up for a Christmas decoration
3. Attach it to a hair ornament

At the end of the day, I'm really not sure what to do with it - but it seems a shame to have put all the effort in and just leave it there.

Midsummer's night Shawl

2011-08-12T09:54:00.000+01:00

After returning from my holidays again and having put my shawl to good use again I have decided to make another one. This time for my mum.

I had a good look through my existing patterns but I found that a lot of shawl patterns are too light weight for what I had in mind. I wanted to create something that had a little warmth but not heavy weight.

I found this pattern for a Midsummer's Night Shawl on Interweave Store. It's just what I was looking for.

It is substantial enough to have some warmth but also not too heavy. The pattern is pretty easy to follow and has a really useful stitch diagram - actually after the first couple of rows I put the rest of the pattern to one side and just followed the diagram.

I am creating this using Adrafil Azzura 3 ply yarn, this is a 70% Wool and 30% acrylic mix. It is lovely and soft, east to work with and comes in a pretty good range of colours.

Shade Card

I've chosen to use shade 33 Turquoise. I've really only just stared with this project, but so far so good - I think its going to work out quite nicely, fingers crossed anyway.

Finished my shawls

2011-07-06T16:26:00.000+01:00

I can't believe how long its been since I posted here, the fact that I have completed both the shawls I blogged about before says it all !!

These are the two shawls that I planned to create, the patterns are by Kristin Omdahl from her Crochet So Fine book

Here are the images of what I was attempting from Kristin's website

I made the first shawl for myself. For this one I used Louisa Harding Willow Tweed in Heather. Its a wonderful luxury yarn of 40%Merino Wool 40%Alpaca 20%Silk

My shawl has already been put to good use on holiday :)

Having finished this one I was inspired to start the second shawl, I started making it using Anchor Aida #10 crochet thread but no matter how I tried I just couldn't get it right. I had to use a large hook to get the right gauge and it was working up very loopy, even when blocked. So I took an executive decision and went for a completely different yarn, I used Rowan Panama in Daisy.

Rowan Panama is 33% cotton, 12% linen, 55% viscose, it has a sheen to the yarn and is lovely to work with. I found that using this heavier weight yarn I could work with a smaller hook and get a less loopy outcome.

I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, and thankfully so is my mother-in-law who I made it for (or maybe she's just being polite!) :)

iPad cover #2

2011-04-12T15:46:00.000+01:00

Quite a while ago I created an iPad cover for myself I blogged about it here. Ever since I made this one I have been planning to make some more.

I couldn't make more of the same without risking the wrath of Apple so I needed to come up with another design. I decided that I would like to create my next cover in an envelope design.

When I decided to teach myself Tunisian crochet the opportunity presented itself to give it a go.

If you've never encountered Tunisian crochet before its done using a long crochet hook which resembles a knitting needle with a hook on the end.

The fabric is worked in two distinct rows, one where you pick up all the stitches onto the hook and the return where you work the stitches off the hook.

There are various Tunisian crochet stitches, for this project I used the simplest one. I think it creates a great looking fabric - completely unlike standard crochet.

I created this cover using Patons Smoothie yarn - not the easiest to work with because it tends to split, but I got there in the end. I used the shade "Linen" for the body and "Lilac Mix" for the flap.

I finished the cover off using a blue and white shell button.

Although the yarn was difficult to work and was probably an unwise choice for my first attempt at Tunisian crochet it is very soft to the touch and a wonderful sheen. I think that it worked out quite nicely in the end.

So many things on the go

2011-04-04T16:21:00.001+01:00

I am in one of my flitting between projects stages right now, I currently have 5 projects started and none of them finished.

I am still working on the shawl for my mother-in-law, but its proving to be quite a task. I just can't get into it, I keep being distracted by other things, the thing is ... it would be lovely if I just could get up the enthusiasm to finish it.

In the meantime I have started another shawl, for myself this time

And before I've finished this I started making myself a pair of gloves

Which I am making with some lovely multi-coloured Noro yarn

Having made one glove I then started a new Kindle cover, which I am crocheting in Tunisian crochet. My first attempt at Tunisian crochet was an iPad cover I made somewhere in the middle of starting all of these projects (I've not got round to taking photos of it yet).

Oh..... and I also have a belt just started in Tunisian crochet too ....

I think I need to get some focus !!!!

Giant Rose Headband

2011-03-07T12:07:00.000Z

I've blogged about 6 months ago about making my giant Irish rose, well I finally got round to using it on the headband I made.

It has worked out better than I had hoped, the size of the rose is just perfect for what I had in mind.

As everyone's head is different I decided that I needed to add a little piece of elastic into the back of the headband to allow for expansion The band itself is crochet using TR stitches so has a bit of stretch regardless, but the addition of the elastic piece allows the band to stretch but still remain a snug fit.

I used Twilleys goldfingering in black for the headband, it is a metallised yarn which makes it catch the light and "glint"

The contrast of this glittery yarn with the softness of the Rowan Silk Twist yarn that I used for the rose works really well.

Overall I am really happy with how this one turned out - if you like it too its available in my Etsy shop

Kindle Cover

2011-02-28T13:32:00.000Z

I got a kindle for Christmas and I decided to put my skills to good use and create a cover for it. It gave me a great excuse to try out some cable stitches I've been wanting to crochet.

I created it using Anchor Style Creativa100% cotton yarn, its DK weight. This yarn comes in wonderfully vibrant colours, I've done the front side in bright red and the back in lime green.

For the front I worked drunken cables, they wander back and forward across the work.

And for the back I worked some linked bobbles.

The back needed to be worked a little longer so that it creates a flap to cover the top of my kindle, it also has a couple of little button holes worked near the top edge.

I very rarely block my work, but as you can see from the pictures above I needed to this time. The drunken cables tends to pull the sides in and out along with the wondering of the cables.

I blocked them by soaking in cold water for around 20 minutes, then rolling them in a towel to remove excess water. Then I pin them out to the shape and size I wanted and leave them to dry naturally and completely.

In my case because these are relatively small pieces of work I pinned them out on my ironing board.

Once they were completely dry I backed them with felt. I sew them using a bobbin thread that matches the yarn colour and a sewing thread that matches the felt.

I also sew around the button holes and cut through the felt.

The last things to do is sew the front and back together

...... and add the buttons. I added a couple of little flower buttons with crystal centers just for a little glam.

Now my kindle has a cosy new home.

Pattern books - I have so many!

2011-02-18T14:23:00.001Z

I can never go into a book shop with out somehow ending up in the craft section .... I can't pass it by without having a quick rummage - even though the selection of books is pretty poor for Crochet (usually 1 to every 4 or 5 knitting books) I still have to have a look, just in case there might be a new one.

I also get those wonderful Amazon suggests emails, and quite often there is a nice shiny array of crochet books - that I've never seen before !!!

Its not as if I only buy "pattern" books, I love to get stitch and motif books. They are a great inspiration for coming up with my own designs.

I thought I'd share a couple of books that I have particularly liked or found useful.

201 Crochet Motifs by Melody Griffiths.

My copy of this book is seriously dog-eared, I have referred back to it so many times when I am looking for a little inspiration.

Basic Crochet Stitches (250 to crochet) from the Harmony Guides series.

Although this book does give a great guide to the most basic crochet stitches it also has much more. It has detailed stitch diagrams that are invaluable. Sometimes it is very difficult to express in just pattern language what is required to create the stitch and that is when the stitch diagrams come into their own.

If you are looking for something a bit different then Loop 'd Loop by Teva Durham is a good choice

This book has the works, it even has a pattern for a hammock !!!

For baby, I really like Lois Daykins Baby Crochet: 20 Hand Crochet Designs for Babies 0-24 Months

This has a nice collection of toys and accessories, it isn't as hot on the clothing side of things, just 2 patterns of the 20.

For clothing I think Cute crochet for Tiny Tots by Helen Eaton is better

This book has a nice selection of clothing for babies and toddlers. It also has a pretty decent set of patterns for the nursery, blankets and accessories.

I have many many more books (its a bit of an obsession) so I am sure I will be posting more recommendations another time

Baby's Stacker toy

2011-02-15T14:25:00.000Z

I love to make little toys, I always try to make them baby friendly - by that I mean, no hard eyes or sharp bits that can be bitten off or chewed or cause injury.

I saw this pattern and decided to make this little stacker toy which is available in my Etsy shop

It is made this using Sirdar Snuggly DK yarn, which is a baby yarn and - as the name would suggest - very soft.

The whole toy is the post to stack the rings on, which I think looks like a turtle

And then three rings of decreasing size. The largest is a bumble bee - which I made in yellow and black with white wings.

The next ring is a ladybird/ladybug and then the smallest is a dragonfly

The ladybird is created all in red with individually made and sewn on. The Dragonfly is made with purple yarn for the body and tail and yellow for the wings.

Finally the base is decorated with little pink flowers and green leaves.

Made it ....

2011-02-14T11:04:00.000Z

I made my Oyster/Credit card holder and I am quite pleased with it really

I made it with 100% cotton yarn and made a little heart design on the front.

The whole inside is lined with red felt

And to make it a bit more secure I added a little popper to keep it closed

I think it turned out quite nicely :) Now all I need to do is write up the pattern and I'm done.

Oyster card/Credit card holder

2011-02-09T14:40:00.000Z

My Oyster card holder is getting really quite tatty - which is to be expected since its the same one I had when I lived in London more than 6 years ago. So I thought I'd put my hook to good use and create a new holder .

For those who don't know and Oyster card is a contact-less card used for accessing the underground network (Tube) and buses in London.

Its about the size of a credit card so I thought that the holder I am making would double as either an Oyster holder or a credit card holder.

Ideally I want to have a pocket for my Oyster card and one to hold my tube map too. The original wallet that came with my card has 2 interior pockets, one for the Oyster card and one for the photo ID card itself and then 1 external pocket for the tube map. Since no one ever asks for the photo card I was thinking of just the 2 interior pockets - but I'll see how it evolves.

So far I've made three-quarters of it and then ripped it back to try again, I thought I'd put a heart design on it to "pretty it up".

I plan to line the inside with felt and put a popper closure onto the finished wallet.

Once I get some daylight I'll take some photos of progress and let you see what I've created and how things are going.

So frustrated !

2011-02-07T14:53:00.003Z

One of my "to do" projects is a wonderful shawl by Kristin Omdahl from her Crochet So Fine book

I decided that I would make this shawl for my mother-in-law, thankfully I didn't mention I was doing it so there is no pressure to finish.

The shawl calls for No10 crochet cotton and 3.5mm hook. Well I'm really struggling, my crochet is coming up really loopy and messy looking - not at all like the photographs in the book. I have been half tempted to go for a smaller hook and just keep crocheting until the size looks right

To make matters worse, when I made up the swatch to measure the gauge it came up small !! I really can't go for a bigger hook since its already so loopy with a 3.5mm one. So I've ripped it back and started again - I can't say it looks much better this time but I don't really know what else to do with it.

I'm so frustrated with it right now, I've put it to one side and started making something else until I have some inspiration on how to make this look better.

Any hints or tips will be extremely welcome !!

.... Think I got the right yarn ....

2011-02-04T14:52:00.000Z

I tried out making my swatch last night with my new yarn and the 3.5mm hook. It honestly looked to me like it was working up too big, but when I measured it, it was still 1/2 cm too small !!!

Tried again with a 4mm hook and it came out just about bob-on. I think I must crochet really tight.

I decided that I didn't really like the colour of yarn I had so I've ordered a couple more colours. Its so hard to tell what the colours will turn out like when you can't really see the yarn texture and the colours are dependant on the quality of your monitor.

So in the end I've ordered up one each of numbers 5, 9, 19, 33, 58 & 95. I'd previously got a 48 and 20. The 48 is a little bit "school jumper" and 20 is quite nice but I think it might be a bit dark for the cardigan I am making.

I will always find a use for the various yarns, so I don't feel too guilty about ordering such a selection of colours.

Trying to get the right yarn...

2011-02-03T15:00:00.000Z

This is kind of proving a point, I mentioned in my last post that I had found a couple of projects in the Crochet so Fine book. One of them is a hooded cardigan that I really like the look of (lets see if I can do it justice!).

The pattern calls for "lace weight" yarn, and names the variety used in the photos - unfortunatly it is a brand that is not available in the UK so I have set about trying to find something that will do.

So lace weight yarn is 0 - 3ply - so I thought I'd start with 1ply yarn. I found some at Buttercup Miniatures

So I got myself 1 skein to see if it would do the job. The hook size called for is 3.5 mm.

I created the swatch required for measuring the guage and it was WAY too small - so I tried again and used a 4 mm hook, better but still too small.

So I have just bought a 3ply yarn to try it out and see if the size is right, the colours aren't as good but I'll worry about that if the guage is OK.

I think we should start laying bets now on me acutally needing 2ply yarn !!!

Lining up the projects again ....

2011-01-31T16:11:00.001Z

I've been almost obsessively lining up the projects again. I'm in the process of making a babies stacking toy right now. I have the pole and base made and one of the rings (which is a bee) and I'm half way through the second ring (which will be a ladybird (ladybug)). But not satisfied with that I am already lining up the next "few" projects.

We were in our local town and I was lured into the little haberdashery shop we have there, usually they have a reasonable selection of average yarns and maybe the odd interesting one - but this time they had some brand new ones it. Katia yarns, I'd never heard of them before.

I got a couple of different yarns to try out. Rizos and Zenith.

The Rizos yarn is a tape like yarn

The difference here is that at the top of the tape there is a loopy band, and its this loopy band that you use to work with.

I tried and tried to work out a way to crochet with this, following the Knitting instructions, but it was just too difficult to see the stitches - so I had to admit defeat and get out my dusty old knitting needles and give it a go with that. I need to finish the stacking toy first - but at least I've proved to myself I can make something with this yarn.

The Zenith yarn is a fluffy, sparkly, lumpy yarn

The Knitting Instructions say to knit it up with large needles, so I thought I'd give it a go with a large (12mm) crochet hook - I think this will work :)

Mind you, this is a "make no mistakes" yarn, it is impossible to frog it!

Clearly, this is not enough to be going on with !!! I've also bought a patterns book Crochet So Fine by Kristin Omdahl. There are quite a few of the patterns that I really fancy the idea of creating. There is a shawl made with No10 Crochet thread that I'm planning on making (already have the thread on order), its great to see a garment pattern for No10 crochet thread rather than just doilies or motifs. Also, I've just got a sample of really fine, lace weight yarn to see if its the right gauge for little cardigan I fancy making from the book.

Oh, yes ... I also have yarn waiting for me to re-make my cable fingerless gloves because I made a half-arsed attempt at writing the pattern the first time and I need to do them again to get all the details down properly! Will I ever learn?

I think that's it for the lined up projects, those and a couple of patterns to write up :)

Should keep me out of mischief for a little while anyway don't you think?

Finished my Crochet Shawl

2011-01-19T10:18:00.000Z

After much frantic crocheting I managed to finish my shawl in time for my evening out.

Here it is modeled by my faithful "head".

I am really pleased with how it turned out, the yarn choice was perfect. A little bit of shine from the silk fibres and so warm too. Exactly what I was hoping for.

I finished the whole shawl off with a ruffle edge, just so that it wasn't too plain - but also not too fussy.

Next thing will be to write up the pattern for this and hope someone likes it enough to try to make it for themselves.

New born baby high tops

2011-01-18T11:04:00.000Z

I blogged yesterday about making some high top booties from an Annies Attic pattern. Well I finished them :)

I changed things just a little to make them into a left and right, the way the pattern is written the colours would have been green outside on one and green inside on the other - just didn't look right to me !

I think they turned out really cute. I crochet them using Sirdar Snuggly yarn, the colours are a bit more muted than they are in the pattern but I like them like this.

When will I learn ...

2011-01-17T11:12:00.002Z

I made an attempt to write up the pattern for my cable fingerless gloves, and its not going well - I always think that I'm making enough notes when I am making up a new pattern, but from time to time I skip some bits that I think are obvious or that I'll be able to work out later.

It seems that I've been a bit over zealous with my skipping with this one, I have more gaps than information ... the only thing for it will be to rip back the gloves and make them again - do you think I'll learn my lesson this time? Probably not :)

I have a couple more patterns to write up, for my hooded scarf and the shawl that I made for myself. I've also got a pattern for the peaked cap I made my DH (photos to follow) - I'm laying bets now that I discover some detail I forgot to note down before I'm finished these too.

In the mean time I'm making some new-born booties from an Annies Attic pattern.

I'm changing things a little because these look like 2 left feet to me, I think the colours should match with Blue on the outside of each bootie & green on the inside. I'll post again when I've finished them.

Just never enough time in the day ....

2011-01-11T14:35:00.000Z

I have so many projects on the go right now and just not enough time for them all. I work full time, I leave the house at 7am to get to work and generally don't get home until 7pm so during the week I really don't have much time for crafting.

Right now I need to get my shawl finished, I only have 3 days and there is still a lot to do... I have to crochet at least 1 ball of yarn every day to get it finished in time!!! and I don't know about you but the faster I try to work the more likely I am to make mistakes and have to frog-it. In an effort to try to catch up some time I used a few minutes of my lunch hour today to ball-up my yarn. I can't find a way to work with this yarn with out it ending in knots without unravelling it and balling it up myself.

So the aim this evening is to finish the ball I'm currently working on and also the one I just balled up this afternoon - maybe I can get a bit ahead that way.

I've also got a cap on the go that I'm making for my DH. He wants a crochet peaked cap. The cap is made but not the peak ... I think I have worked out what I need to do now, having tried crocheting the peak without an insert I think it definately needs one - now I have a plastic insert so that the peak will hold its shape, I just need to find the time to finish it. If it works I'll write up the pattern.

Speaking of patterns, I also have to write up patterns for a pair of fingerless gloves I made

And also a hooded scarf I made myself.

I hate wearing hats - they make my head itch!! so I decided to make this hooded scarf to keep my head warm with all this freezing weather we've been having ... It turned out quite well so I'll have to get the pattern written up - just in case anyone else wants to make themselves one :)
Then I have a few other projects waiting in the wings ..... Just never enough time in the day !!

... I'll just make one ...

2011-01-10T13:47:00.000Z

Its our office "Christmas" party this week. I got a dress .....

But its winter & cold ... so I need something to cover up without having to wear a great big overcoat.

I had a look around in the shops and everything that they have is either really flimsy or ridiculously over priced. So I decided I could make one myself.

First thing is first, what yarn to use. I thought of getting some fine mohair yarn but decided against it because it wouldn't be warm enough. Then I thought of getting silk yarn, but couldn't find one that I liked. So I settled for some Debbie Bliss Andes - which is an alpaca/Silk blend and absolutely lovely to work with.

Then the next thing was to make my shawl. I had a look through my pattern books but couldn't see anything I liked - I didn't want it to be too lacy, but then again I didn't want it to be too solid either. There was nothing in my patterns that was quite right.

So the only thing for it was to make one up myself. This is what I have come up with.

Its offset fans with blocks of treble crochet between.

I think I've managed to get the balance between lacy and solid I was hoping for.

Only thing I need to do now is work very quickly to finish it on time ... I have more yarn on order, fingers crossed it arrives today or tomorrow or I'll have no chance !!

Needle tatting - My first try.

2011-01-07T09:16:00.001Z

I get quite curious about different crafts from time to time. I've always liked the look of tatting - it reminds me of some of the more delicate Irish crochet. Quite a while ago I tried out shuttle tatting and just couldn't get on with it. I found it very unforgiving, its tremendously difficult to recover from mistakes and I found joining threads almost impossible.

I persisted with it for a while but in the end gave it up as one of those things I just couldn't really get the hang of properly.

Then I found out about needle tatting, the first challenge was getting a needle - they are almost impossible to come by in the UK. Not that they are expensive or anything, just no-one stocks them .... shuttles I could find everywhere, but not needles. I managed to find them through an online shop (http://www.tatting.co.uk/) and they were delivered yesterday.

So last night I thought I'd give it a go ... and its much easier to get the hang of (so far!). With the help of some videos on You-Tube by TotusMel and Agasunset I managed to make a little flower - what do you think of it?

I know its not the neatest thing in the world, but I don't think its TOO bad for a first attempt.

Yarn weights & hook sizes

2011-01-05T12:59:00.005Z

I don't know about you but I get royally frustrated with yarn weights quoted on patterns, I make an "educated guess" as to the correct weight and quite often end up getting it very wrong - which can be costly. The patterns state to check the gauge first (which I highly recommend) but to check the gauge you need to have already purchased your yarn and given that a lot of patterns simply refer to a yarn category rather than a particular yarn you need some information so you can make the best choice.

There are 7 categories of yarn, I've listed them below with their closest UK type and also the hook size that is usually used with the yarn category.

To add to the confusion the hook size and the knitting needle size are often different for a yarn ... and usually the yarn band only states the knitting needle size (what is this crocheter discrimination ???!!!)

I have tried to put all the information that you would need to "calculate" the correct yarn in the table below.

Here is a handy PDF file containing all of these conversions and more Conversions

Symbol	US Type	Ply	UK type	hook size (mm)	Needle Size (mm)	Wraps Per Inch
	Thread, cobweb, lace, fingering	1 -3 Ply	10 count thread	1.4 - 1.6	1.5 -2.25	18 +
	Fingering, stocking, baby	3 - 4 Ply	3-4 Ply	2.25 - 3.5	2.25 - 3.25	14
	Sport	5 Ply	Light DK	3.5 - 4.5	3.25 - 3.75	12
	DK, Light Worsted	8 Ply	DK	4.5 - 5.5	3.75 - 4.5	11
	Worsted, Aran	10 Ply	Aran	5.5 - 6.5	4.5 - 5.5	8 or 9
	Bulky	12 Ply	Chunky	6.5 - 9	5.5 - 8	7
	Super Bulky, Roving		Super Chunky	9 and larger	8 and larger	5 or 6

I've included the wraps per inch (WPI) measurement, you can use this where you don't have the yarn band anymore or if you are recycling old jumpers etc.

To measure the WPI you need a pencil or pen and a ruler or measuring tape. I find it easier if you cut a nick into the top of the pencil to hold the yarn tight, then just wrap the yarn around the pencil until you have covered 1 inch - using your ruler or measuring tape to measure.

When you have covered exactly 1 inch count the wraps (in the image below 13) and that is your WPI. You may find that the WPI doesn't match a yarn type exactly but you will get a reasonable understanding of the yarn type you have.

Then comes the question of hook sizes, clearly it would be too simple to have a standard :)

There are metric, US and old UK sizes. Rather confusingly there is a cross over between the steel (or thread) hooks and the plastic hooks in sizes. I've split them out to (hopefully) aid clarity.

Here are the conversions;

Steel/Thread Hooks

Metric (mm)	US	UK
0.60	14	6
0.70	13	-
0.75	12	5
0.80	11	-
1.00	10	4
1.25	8	3.5
1.50	7	2.5
1.75	6	2
2.00	1	1
2.50	0	0
3.00	00	2

Plastic Hooks

Metric (mm)	US	UK
2.00	-	14
2.25	B/1	13
2.50	-	12
2.75	C/2	-
3.00	-	11
3.25	D/3	10
3.50	E/4	9
3.75	F/5	-
4.00	G/6	8
4.50	7	7
5.00	H/8	6
5.50	I/9	5
6.00	J/10	4
6.50	K/10.5	3
7.00	-	2
8.00	L/11	0
9.00	M/N-13	00
10.00	N/P-15	000
12.00	O-16	000
15.00	P/Q	-
16.00	Q	-
19.00	S	-

Another link to that conversions file.

How to do Trinity Stitch

2010-10-26T12:02:00.002+01:00

I was reviewing my instructions for crochet trinity stitch and thought it would be so much better if I could show it ... and then remembered that my (very) old compact camera has a video mode, so it has no audio but at least I can show what I am doing.

This is my first attempt at making a crochet video ... so sorry the quality isn't exactly brilliant. Hopefully its good enough for you to see what is happening.

A trinity stitch is (oddly enough) made over 3 stitches. It can be made over any number of odd stitches (+1 for your turning chain). Start your work with the base chain as follows.

Using US Notation.

SC into the second CH from hook

Then working into this same chain, insert your hook and draw up a loop, keep the loop on your hook and work into the next 2 chains in the same manner, inserting your hook & drawing up a loop - you will have 4 loops on your hook when you finish. You have worked into 1 previously worked chain and 2 new ones. Then yarn over and draw through all 4 loops.

Chain 1.

Then repeat this across your work until the last chain. When you have worked your last trinity, do not chain this time, but work another SC into the last chain of the trinity.

The little video that follows shows how you continue to work.

The movie should be viewed in conjunction with these written instructions.

On your second and subsequent rows you start with a turning chain.

Then working into the last SC from the previous row work 1 SC

Working into the SC just worked, insert hook and draw up a loop, insert your hook into the next stitch and draw up a loop, and again for the third stitch. You now have 4 loops on your hook, yarn over and pull through all 4 loops. (You worked into 1 previously worked stitch and 2 unworked stitches.)

CH1

Continue across the work in this manner, creating 1 trinity stitch followed by a CH until you get to the last trinity.

With the last trinity you will see that you have 2 unworked stitches to reach the end of your row plus the already worked last stitch of the previous trinity. So working as before.

Insert the hook into the last worked stitch and draw up a loop, insert the hook into the next 2 stitches drawing up loops. 4 loops on your hook, yarn over and draw through all 4 loops.

This time do not make another chain, but work 1 SC into the last stitch of the last trinity.

Bet you thought I'd forgotten about you

2010-10-25T14:46:00.000+01:00

I know, I know ... its been too long since I wrote in this blog. I blame the summer (which I know is long gone) because I don't crochet so much in the summer ... I've got a few half finished projects that I just couldn't sum up the "bothered" to finish.

My shape sorter stalled at three sides !! Not much of a shape sorter really, I think I need to revisit the circle side anyway - it didn't turn out so circular in the end ... So I guess the shape sorter is really two sides and a experiement went wrong. I'll need to get back to that one again at some point.

The giant rose project stalled as well - I have the giant rose and decided to make it into a tie-together Alice band . So I have the rose and half (if that) an Alice band ... then this one was abandoned as well.

Now I've had a request for a pattern for my Red Cowl.

I should have thought of writing it down at the time - I usually do, but not this time. So I need to make another so that I can get the pattern right ....

So that will leave me one 1/3 finished shape sorter, one 3/4 finished Alice band and another project on the go .... Plus a holiday (Hoooooo-ray) coming up next week - I see this ending in a third half finished project, well at least I am starting to think about picking up my hook again, I suppose that is progress of a sort.

What to do with a large Irish Rose??

2010-08-12T15:58:00.000+01:00

I got this absolutely beautiful silk & mohair blend yarn, and decided to make another rose. I wanted to make a larger one this time which is why I chose this yarn. I used Rowan Silk Twist.

The photographs don't really capture how luxurious this yarn is.

So as you can see the flower worked out at around 7" across, so quite large really. Now I am struggling for what to do with it.

Typically I make these as embellishments for bags or as brooches. But this one is a bit large for a brooch and it’s just too nice to be an embellishment.

My thought was perhaps to make a long headband and attach this? What do you think?

I got a commission!!

2010-08-09T16:51:00.001+01:00

I am generally wary of comissions, I've had a few where I have put in an awful lot of effort even going as far as purchasing yarn and the whole thing falls though without as much as a single penny coming my way.

Anyhow, I was contacted at the end of last week by a lovely Etsy buyer. She saw my bluebells crochet pattern but doesn't know how to crochet herself, so she asked if I wouldn't mind making some for her.

So I did :)

These are made using 100% cotton 4ply yarn

When I've made them before I put a brooch pin at the back, but this time they are for a 1 year old, so (for safety) I have left them just as they are.

As I always do, I have attached one of my little Walnut Baby tags on a piece of yarn. In this case I used that to hang my bluebells for one of the photos.

And finally I boxed them up for their trip to their new home.

Its nice to get out one of my patterns and try it out again. I was trying to think what else I could do with them if/when I make them again, other than make a brooch - but what else?

The Pattern for my Crochet Irish Rose

2010-07-29T14:41:00.000+01:00

I mentioned before that although I love making Irish Roses and they feature not only on many of my handmade items but also in my shop banner & on my avatar I have never got round to actually creating a pattern for it.

Well I have now. After getting an email asking if I had a pattern for sale I thought I really need to write this down.

When I make them, no two are the same. I usually have another idea of making frilly edges or adding beading. Even the number and densitiy of the petals can change.

I love to mix colours, use multi-coloured yarns or even use different yarn weights & textures when making them. I think, like in nature, my roses should be individual.

Have a look in Walnut Baby to see some of my little rosy creations and the pattern is there for you too

I love the rose I created for this pattern

I made it using DMC multi-coloured embroidery thread. The silkiness of the thread gives this particular rose a lovely sheen and the feel is so soft.

Shape sorter - side 3 completed

2010-07-28T14:28:00.000+01:00

Sorry I've been away so long ... no excuses, just havn't been doing a lot of crochet recently. I think that the hot weather makes me just want to spend time in my garden reading rather than crocheting (see Stuff and things)

Anyway I managed to organise myself to complete side 3 of the shape sorter (finally!!)

This time its a circle.

So now I have a triangle, circle and an offset square

So far I am happy with how it is turning out, I particularly like the bright colours. Time to raid the yarn stash again and find the next colour.

Sorry its been a while, more on Irish Roses ....

2010-07-13T09:28:00.000+01:00

There is something about this lovely weather that we've been having that makes me not want to crochet.... so unfortunately my shape sorter has not progressed much in the last couple of weeks.

I do have 3/4 of the circle side done, it would only take me an hour to finish it - so why don't I???

In the mean time I was contacted about my Irish Roses

I make them in all sizes and designs, some with the little ball in the center & the ruffled edges & some a more classic design

And others decorated with beads, or crochet using embroidery thread

I guess they are my signature piece :)

So when I was contacted about them and asked if I had a pattern, I was embarrassed to say "No". Now I am writing up the pattern(s), I have my first draft that I need to try out to check that it works as expected & I'll need to do the photos ... so watch this space, hopefully I'll have a new pattern for Walnut Baby very soon.

Shape sorter Triangle side

2010-06-25T14:54:00.000+01:00

Since the weather wasn't as good yesterday evening I managed to get my triangle side finished.

I'm still wondering if I've gone too large on the holes but, I am committed now and will keep on going and see how things turn out.

Two sides down four more to go :) Maybe I'll do circle next ?

Shape sorter Part 2

2010-06-24T12:47:00.000+01:00

I confess that progress is slow, mainly because the weather is nice and I am choosing to sit in the garden reading rather than get on with my crocheting ... but I am happy to sacrifice a bit of progress for some good weather - it comes soooo infrequently!

Anyway, I decided to make the triangle side next. Its is a bright, almost electric blue colour.

The second part of the side is currently underway and looking at the weather today, I should finish it to night :)

Shape sorter Part 2

2010-06-18T13:02:00.000+01:00

I have started making my shape sorter. I decided to start with the offset square (parallelogram) side.

In order to give the toy some structure I need to make two if each side

Then they need to be sewed together creating a sandwich.

And then the sandwich is stuffed with toy stuffing

The final result has some substance and can hold its shape.

I am having some doubts right now, I'm thinking maybe the hole is too big .... I think I'll create the next side and see how things are looking then.

Crochet Shape sorter

2010-06-16T13:05:00.001+01:00

I think I'll give the shape sorter a try ... in the spirit of if you don't try you'll never know :)

I'm going to keep it pretty simple. One sorter hole per side, that way I only have to create 6 shapes :)

I'm thinking of the following shapes

Circle

Square

Star

triangle

Cross

Offset Square

I had thought of creating a moon shape, but I just can't get my head around how I would create that successfully.

I think that creating the Star hole will be the most difficult to create, so I think I'll save that one up and do it later. I don't want to put myself off the whole idea before I even start.

I'll start with the holes, I think I'll have more scope to adjust the sizes of the shapes rather than trying to adjust the sizes of the holes.

So, first thing I need to do is start to design the sides & figure out what size the holes need to be.

Keep checking back for progress.

Ideas time again

2010-06-15T15:32:00.001+01:00

I still really need to use up some of this stash of yarn I have. So I need to think up some ideas. I spent a bit of time before my holiday just making things for me so perhaps its time to make something new for the shop.

I have an idea for a shape sorter toy, it needs a bit more thought and planning though.

I am thinking of something even simpler than the one in this picture, with just one sorter hold in each side. I'm just not sure if a completely soft shape sorter would work ... perhaps an experiment worth trying?

Or perhaps I could make another mobile, they seem to be popular ...

Every time I've made one of these little bird mobiles they sell quite quickly.

I have an idea for a little boy one, with cars and trains etc. It would need much smaller versions of some of the toys I've made so far

I'm just trying to work out if I have the patients to start into this one!!

Crochet iPad cover

2010-06-02T12:22:00.001+01:00

My lovely DH bought me an iPad for my birthday & I finally took delivery of it last Thursday - I don't care what anyone says its a great little gadget. We have barely put it down since I got it.

Rather than get one of those dull, shop bought, commercial, everyone has one, covers I thought I'd just make my own :) What's the point of being able to make things if I don't make myself something now and again?

Being every so slightly ironic I decided to go retro on the colours and use brown and yellow. The front is a yellow apple on a brown background and the back is reversed. I made up the pattern to create the apple image, so its not quite 100% but I guess its close enough.

Its closed over with a little tab and button. The cover is made with 100% cotton DK yarn, so its not scratchy and its pretty thick without being bulky.

This particular one is to keep my personal iPad cozy & protected. I plan to come up with other designs to make some more.

Finished coin purse

2010-06-01T12:58:00.000+01:00

As expected the coin purse came out sized somewhere between a small handbag and a coin purse, its large enough to store money, mobile phone and of course the mandatory lipstick :)

What do you think? I plan to take it on holiday with me, just need to go and get a little strap for it.

Crochet coin purse with purse frame

2010-05-28T12:50:00.001+01:00

This is a project that I have been planning to start for a while, I kept putting it off because I wasn't really sure where to start but then I decided - I'll just give it a go.

First off I purchased my frame, It's not the smallest frame so the end result is likely to be a bit of a cross between a small handbag and a large coin purse.

Then the next thing to do is to crochet the bottom. I've chosen to use 100% cotton 4Ply yarn in green and ecru and a 3mm hook.

I decided to create an ellipse for the bottom. To crochet an ellipse just follow these simple rules. (I am using single crochet)

start with the chain length you need, the longer the more elliptical the shorter the more circular your finished crochet will be.

How to create a crochet ellipse:

On the foundation chain, 2SC into second CH from hook, SC in each chain to the last, 3SC in last CH
DO NOT TURN but continue to crochet into the back of the foundation chain, SC into each CH to end and 1 more SC into first CH. Then Join with a Slip Stitch.
Now you have the basis for your ellipse. To continue simply increase by 3 on each end on every row. This means you are increasing by 6SC every ellipse row. The increases should be done visually to keep the curves even. Remember your turning chains and to close every row with a slip stitch.
Try to not increase in the same stitch every row as this will tend to lead to curling.

For my purse I have created the ellipse so that it is as wide as the widest part of my purse frame.

The next stage is to create the sides of the purse. To start this process I have done a single row where I crochet into the back loop only, then continue rows working into both loops until the purse is as long as I want it.

To explain further, When you look at an SC stitch from above it is a < shape, one half of the < is the front loop and the other half is the back loop. The back loop is the one furthest away from you.

Have a look on the Craft and Yarn Council website for more details. Figure 8 on the "Crochet Patterns - How to read" section shows the front and back loops in a diagram.

At this stage I need to start to decrease the width, so I am crocheting each side individually. I am decreasing a single stitch at the end of each row.

When I have done both sides I will then sew the purse into the frame. Fingers crossed it turns out OK.

Crochet Document Holder Part II

2010-05-26T15:28:00.000+01:00

I mentioned in my last post that I wanted to complete my document holder by adding a pocket for passports, driving license etc.

Fortunately when the holder is folded in 3 there is just enough space on the back to create a little pocket big enough to hold a few small documents.

I added a little tab to button over the pocket opening to make sure that the passport etc don't fall out. I did a single row of SC round the tab to finish off the edges - it was a little rough looking before doing that.

I fasten the pocket with another of the coconut buttons that I've used to close the main document holder.

Crochet document holder

2010-05-24T16:36:00.000+01:00

We always have a mess of documents to take on holiday with us, the flight confirmations, hire car confirmations and sometimes even hotel booking information etc etc etc

Usually they are just folded up and bunged into our hand luggage somewhere. Which inevitably causes some panic at some point when we are trying to locate the right document.

So I thought I'd put my yarn stash and hook to good use and make a document holder for our travel documents.

First things first ... Pick a suitable yarn - so I chose this vibrant cotton, multicoloured DK yarn. Its got a really holiday feel about it. This particular yarn is Anchor Magicline Blocks in 1440 (Yellow) it also comes in Green & Orange shades.

I made this holder using simple Double Crochet (SC for my American readers) all the way. Then crochet an additional piece for the "flap" at the top.

I also crochet a length of chain and pulled it through under the flap. Making sure the distance between the entry points matched the distance between the holes on a standard hole-punch.

Punched holes in the top of my paperwork and threaded it onto the chain & tied in a bow.

The document holder folds in 3 and is closed with 2 pretty coconut buttons

I am planning to add on a passport & driving license pocket to the back so that we can keep all of our documents together.

Crocheting Toys

2010-05-18T15:18:00.001+01:00

I love making crochet toys, they can be quite fiddly and difficult to create because they often have many and multiple parts - but the end result is usually very satisfying.

I have a few guidelines I try to follow when creating new toys, I like to use cotton yarn if I can. I find that cotton is more durable than wool for something that will be played with - some early toys I've made with wool have needed some surgery after some playing. The seams don't hold together as well and they generally don't wear so well.

I prefer to use DK cotton yarn for larger items, although if I want a finer look I'll use 4Ply.

Also, I like to avoid buttons or hard eyes if I can. I prefer to sew on eyes and other "decoration". That way you don't need to worry about letting little hands play with the toy afterwards.

Happy car

My happy car is a good example. everything is made with yarn or embroidery cotton. There is nothing on this toy that is sharp or hard.

Where possible I like to use several colours, in many instances the more the better :) This train pattern I created is just an example of how you can combine many colours into a single toy.

Cuddly Train Pattern

All in all, creating toys should be just as much fun as the end result will be to play with.

Coffee cup cuff / cozy

2010-05-17T12:09:00.000+01:00

Having become thoroughly weary of burning my hands on the coffee cups at work I thought I'd put my crochet skills to good use and create myself a coffee cup cuff or cozy.

It is made with Rowan cotton glace, its weight is between DK & 4ply. I used a 3.5mm hook.

I used shade 833, Ochre for this one.

I have also added a couple of buttons, these are decoration only but also serve as a good gripping mechanism for the cup. These are are 20mm black wood carved buttons.

I am now trying to figure out if I should make more to see on my Etsy shop. What is your opinion?

Crochet kiddy Rucksack

2010-05-14T14:45:00.003+01:00

I made this one a while ago, but its been packed away until now. This is made with 100% cotton yarn and I don't mind saying it was quite some work to get this one done.

The front is made up of individual squares made of 3 different coloured yarns, an ecru, denim & darker blue. they are then individually crochet together to make the front panel - trying to make sure that the same colours aren't together!.

The back is made up of stripes of various sizes, again using all 3 colours of yarn. Same for the straps which are attached into the seam at the bottom & buttoned at tht top.

Then the closure is a simple crochet chain & I've added a couple of chunky beads to the ends.

The finished garter

2010-05-12T13:38:00.000+01:00

I did promise to take photos in day light when I could, fortunately the sun was still shining when I got home last night so here they are;

I tried to keep the beading subtle, so its just round the very edge.

Now its finally ready to take its place in my shop

Thinking of my next project

2010-05-11T14:41:00.000+01:00

I have finished my wedding garter now, and will photograph it this evening if I get home during daylight hours! So I need to think up my next project.

As per my promise, I will need to make something with the stash of yarn I already have. It is so easy to get sucked into making something that means I have to go and buy even more yarn - I am completely useless at estimating the amount of yarn I'll need to I almost always end up with leftovers.

So I since my collection of cotton yarn seems to be the largest I think I'll have to find projects for that. I need a coffee cozy sleeve because the drinks at work are super heated & the cups are super thin! So I can start off with that.

I could also do with a little coin purse for my holidays - if they happen! I'm at the mercy of the British Airways cabin crew on that one, I'm hoping the strikes get called off.

So I think that I'll be making things for me for a while rather than my Etsy shop.

Crochet Wedding Garter

2010-05-07T13:07:00.000+01:00

I have almost finished the wedding garter, I decided to use a blue ribbon - in tune with the "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue".

I think that it works with no elastic and just the ribbon to tie it.

The concensus of opinion is that it needs beads as well, I agree. I plant odd some small beads along the domed bottom edge.

I also plan to take better photos ... in daylight !!

Time to get organised!

2010-05-05T13:45:00.000+01:00

My yarn collection has been getting out of hand, I don't know what I have and its starting to turn into yarn spaghetti. I'd try to extract a single ball of yarn and end up with three more that its got tangled with. So I really had to take action, the time has come to sort out the mess that is my yarn collection.

So let the sorting begin ....

I have started by putting like yarns together, maybe I'll rearrange later.

The most amazing thing is just how much I have, I have filled 2 storage units like this one & I still have odd yarn's left over in a box.

So I now have a resolution;

I Promise to use the yarn I have before I go buying any more !!!

White lace wedding garter

2010-05-04T15:10:00.001+01:00

Since the wedding season is upon us I had a notion to make something wedding related. I decided on making a garter, but I want it to look fairly old fashioned.

To get the look I want I have decided to crochet it in an old lace style.

The idea is that this garter will not have elastic, but will have a ribbon threaded through the larger "holes"

I also intend to sew on some beads, but until I have completed crochet and see how it looks I'll hold off on the final decision on beading.

My mum was so talented

2010-04-29T19:27:00.000+01:00

So far I have been blogging my exploits with a crochet hook (and other yarn related activity). So I thought I should give some insight to where I got the crochet bug from.

My mum was an extremely talented woman, she could knit and crochet so many wonderful things. She would not only make clothes for us but also outfits for our dolls as well - we had the best kitted out Cindy's and Barbie's in the world ... in my opinion anyway :)

She taught me to knit, when I was very young but never got the chance to teach me to crochet. She died when I was 9. But the legacy of wonderful crochet things that she left behind inspired me to learn myself. I am hoping that the genes I inherited from her will give me even half the talent she had.

This photo shows my sister and me (I'm the little one) ready for our aunt's wedding - we were bridesmaids - or at least the junior versions :) my mum crochet these dresses for us. As you can see it was in the 70's, Orange & Brown has never been so popular :)

And there she is, the woman behind the hook - hanging on to me.

I have other examples of her work ... I just need to find the time to photograph them properly.

Yarn storage ...

2010-04-26T12:29:00.001+01:00

I've been meaning to sort this out for a while, my current yarn storage is one large plastic box with everything thrown in. It started out with some order. I put the cottons at one end and the 4 ply's together etc, but that never lasts long. They very quickly become a jumble of yarns getting tangled together.

So I have finally got my act together and have bought myself some storage.

I got 2 of these. Originally I was thinking of getting some drawers, or those plastic buckets that fit into a drawer unit. But the problem with those is that you can't immediately see into them. So this this unit I can see whats been stored in each "pigeon hole".

The units have arrived today! So now I need to figure out how I'm going to get them into the car - I may be enlisting some help from the guys at work :)

The major downside of this is, now I have to tidy the storage cupboard that I keep my yarn in so that I can fit these in! I guess there has to be some pain somewhere.

Next project, destination unknown

2010-04-21T14:38:00.002+01:00

Now that I have finally finished the walnut baby bear I can move onto something else. I've not got a specific project in mind, so I am just going with the flow. I am struggling to find the time to spend on crochet right now, there always seems to be so many things to do when I get home from work in the evening & the weekends are just tooooo short!

Right now I am kind of doodling. I am doing some lacy crochet using some cotton yarn I have lying around (Sirdar luxury soft) - I really need to get my yarns organised, another job to add to the list!

At the moment nothing is presenting itself as an end result for this effort, but I will keep going and see where my imagination takes me.

I think that these lacy strips often make nice jewellery pieces, but this one is too substantial for that. I will keep working using this same pattern for a bit more and have another think.

Woo (and indeed) Hoo, Walnut Baby bear is complete

2010-04-20T16:30:00.000+01:00

OK, so I'm not sure how happy I am with the finished result ... but here he is anyway.

I don't generally use toy eyes, because I like my toys to be safe for even the smallest of hands, the result is ... he looks a little stoned !!!

I always find the finishing touches the most difficult ...

I think I'll have to write up the pattern as a next step - as the face is embroidered I guess that anyone else who makes him can use their own artistic license.

Walnut Baby Bear .... Nearly there

2010-04-16T14:05:00.000+01:00

So the saga continues ... but the end is in sight.

I managed to get the motivation to finish the ears & put in a nose last night. I'm thinking about how to do the eyes & mouth and if I need to add a "tip" to the nose ... maybe something embroidered or something else. I need to add the eyes and then think what it needs to be finally complete.

Drop spindle spinning

2010-04-15T12:31:00.000+01:00

As you know from my previous blog entries I took a notion to learn how to drop spindle spin. So my kit arrived

And I started spinning, its not as easy as the YouTube videos make it look !! So I saught advice from the spinners on Etsy & they reassured me that "it takes time", "don't worry if its lumpy" ... So I gave it a proper try

As you can see, they were right about the lumpy!! Its so hard to keep consistency,

As you can see, I had a few nice thin bits ... but plenty of chunky fat bits & a few over twisty bits. But you know what, I was happy enough with this as a first try.

So I thought, lets go again. So with my new found confidence I decided to give it another go.

Here we go with try #2, I think I am gettin the consistency better - hardly perfect yet, but better. At least there are fewer chunky lumps :)

I am still struggling a bit with joining in a new piece of roving, I'll still get a chunkier bit there - but I think there's been progress.

Its really good fun, and you know what? I am starting to think that, maybe, one day, I'll actually spin something I can crochet with ... You never know!!

If you fancy giving it a go yourself, there are some good videos from YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPUORvO-GZE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UOZoYJCQ2Q
http://www.youtube.com/user/AlpacaDirect#p/u/7/-IoF6OtjY2E

Walnut Baby Bear ..... looking differently scary

2010-04-14T15:05:00.000+01:00

Ta-da ... one Walnut Baby Bear with head & jumper :)

Now I need to make some ears, eyes & a nose - I've not decided on the nose yet, classic round bear nose or something different. The ears will be semi-circles - unless some other inspiration hits me between now and when I make them :)

Walnut baby bear ... progresses

2010-04-13T12:14:00.000+01:00

So progress continues, I have stuffed the body & attached the arms. Its now looking alarmingly like a headless chicken !! I hope that it transforms when the head is attached & the little finishing touches are done.

I've also done the front of the jumper with the WB initials. What do you think?

Walnut baby bear progress report

2010-04-12T15:14:00.000+01:00

I've got to the stage where I can start putting my bear together. So the legs were the first bit that got attached.

The arms are next then I need to figure out if the jumper needs to be added before the head or not - my thinking right now is that jumper first then head it should make the sewing together much easier.

Right now it looks a little scary, my headless bear!

Etsy CreateCrochet Team - how talented are these guys!!

2010-04-09T10:29:00.000+01:00

Here are some great items from the Create Crochet Team from Etsy

How cute are these? Perfect for your little one this summer.

Baby Daisy Gladiator Sandal Adjustable Strap

By crochele

Your laptop is naked without one

Turquoise and Espresso Crochet Laptop Sleeve

By longestyarn

I love the colours in this scarf, so cheerful and summery
La Vie en Rose Flower Scarf

By lilycobweb

My favourite colours, gone are the days of buring your hand on your coffee.

blissthings coffee cozy with lavender pom poms

By blissthings

Perfect for summer days, would look fantastic casual with jeans or dressed up for an evening out.
Blue Crochet Cotton Shrug

By justbehappy

The colours in this hat are irresistible

Shades of green leaf embossed cotton beanie

By BenjaminKrudwig

You know I am a sucker for anything purple! But this neckwarmer is quite special - those buttons are magic!

Purple/Grey Neckwarmer

By justbehappy

Oh My God, these are the definition of CUTE
Ella the Giraffe

By irenestrange

So elfish! I know that we are coming into summer, but here in the UK you never know when you are going to need warm things!

Enchantment Hoodie Scarf

By ballofyarn

These remind me of Uggs. How sweet!!

3 to 6 Months - Cute Baby Boots Booties

By CrochetTLC

Walnut Baby Bear - Jumper

2010-04-08T17:02:00.001+01:00

So I decided that my bear needs a jumper .... and I want to put a WB logo on the front - after all it is the Walnut Baby Bear.

So here is the pattern I am intending to follow. Now I just need to crochet it !!

What to do with this ....

2010-04-08T09:33:00.000+01:00

This was one of those "see how it evolves" pieces. I had an original idea, but this came out much bigger and chunkier than I had planned - having said that I still like how it looks.

It is made with crochet rings & cotton yarn. I think it sort of looks like a stylised sun.

So now I have a dilemma, what do I do with it? I am waiting for inspiration to hit but so far nothing has come.

The walnut baby bear

2010-04-07T13:48:00.001+01:00

The Walnut Baby Bear is my latest project. I want to create a good toy for newborns and have started to crochet a bear/doll. Its not going to be a classic teddybear.

Up to now I have a head, body & 2 legs ... arm #1 is in progress. It is all crochet using 4Ply 100% cotton yarn & will be stuffed with standard fibrefil toy stuffing.

The finishing touches will be some ears and a nose. I plan (right now) to sew on eyes and a smile, but as with all my inventions it will probably evolve when I get to that point. I am thinking of adding a jumper with a WB Logo.

Spinning my own yarn - I've taken the plunge

2010-04-06T13:14:00.000+01:00

I am quite excited about this. The temptation of the explorer pack from fibrecrafts.com was too much. I've ordered one of these packs.

I am not sure how long it will take to arrive, but I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas right now waiting for it to arrive. I have to try and tame my excitement & realise that spinning is likely to be quite difficult to get the hang of.

I'm in two minds about finding fibrecrafts.com, its got such great stuff ... I could end up spending a fortune !!!

Spinning yarn

2010-04-03T19:32:00.000+01:00

I've been toying with the idea of spinning my own yarn. Now I have absolutely no idea how to start with this so I engaged with my friend "The Internet".

I have found a site that sells "tops" which I have now discovered is the name for the wool that I can use to spin into yarn. World of Wool seems to be a good source for the raw materials, but I still need to find a spindle & give it a try.

The Fibrecrafts website seems to have a pretty reasonable selection of spindles

as well as selling tops. Go to their website for more details of the items below. I am seriously tempted by their Explorer pack.

I think the excuses to not try out spinning my own yarn are drying up.

I also found a pretty good resource for information on spinning, Joy of spinning. Its given me some inspiration.

Well ... I think I really should try to use up some of the extensive stash of yarn that I have already hoarded.. or maybe not :)

Crochet summer bag, with flowers

2010-04-01T14:36:00.000+01:00

This was one of my evolving projects, I was on a "making flowers" kick and then needed to make them into something. So I thought of a nice summer handbag/purse.

I love the yarn I used, its Sirdar's Luxury soft 4Ply cotton yarn. It does have the tendancy to split but its lovely to work with and the finished product is so soft and touchable.

I didn't want to make a plain or just striped bag, so I used the spike stitch to create a nice effect.

I also didn't want to just sew some flowers onto the bag as "decoration" so I made the flap from them

Just for fun I also threw in a small butterfly in the flowers :)

I have not decided if this is for sale or not yet ....

Crochet Beaded Barefoot sandals

2010-03-31T11:46:00.000+01:00

I finished these last night.

They started with making the little half-moons and then they morphed into barefoot sandals

My feet are very small, but I hope that the way that they wrap round would work on larger feet too - I like to make things that are a little different to the norm, and I have not seen barefoot sandals that wrap like this before.

I have hand sewn on beads around the tie ends & also all allong the half-moons.

The tie ends are also long enough to wrap around a couple of times.

Don't you just hate it when .....

2010-03-30T09:06:00.000+01:00

You get so engrossed with what you are watching on TV that you make mistakes in the thing you are making ... I was watching "Topic of Cancer" last night and managed to sew the beads on my latest creation on the wrong side !!!

I am currently making a new pair if barefoot sandals. I started out just making some motifs. I have some lovely glass beads that I have been looking for an excuse to use. This is often my design process, just start making something and see where it leads me.

And then decided that I would make barefoot sandals out of them. I have joined the motifs so that they make an S shape and the next stage is to add some rocailles beads around the shape ... this is where I went wrong. Oh well, I guess that its the mistakes and fixing them that makes the end result more special - well thats what I'm telling myself :)

So the task today is to fix the first one and sew the beads onto the second one. More photos to follow, sorry about the quality of the photos here - they are taken with my mobile phone and it works much better as a phone than a camera :)

Wedding Crochet from Etsy

2010-03-29T12:59:00.001+01:00

I have been trawling through the listings from the talented Etsy crocheters again, this time on a quest for handmade crochet wedding items.

Click on any of the titles to go directly to the Etsy shops where these items are available.

Romantic crochet cuff

By TwoKnit

Ivory Margurite Mohair shawl

By reflectionsbyds

White Pearl Choker

By AliBaliJewellery

White mohair triangle shawl

By Elde

Cake Topper

By PrettiesInPink

Hair pins

By Floralworld

Pearls and Ice earrings

By Lazo

Snowflake fascinator

By binkaminka

DREAM- Handmade Bridal Fascinator/Headpiece

By DzyndbySharon

Barefoot sandals

By 4MyDolly

Tatting ... Hummm

2010-03-27T19:24:00.001Z

So I got my tatting kit this morning, it consists of 2 balls of tatting yarn, a shuttle & an instruction manual.

Well I thought that Crochet was hard to learn from a book !! After quite a bit of creating useless knots and trying to figure out why my tatting looked upside down compared to the instructions I decided that I needed some extra tuition.

My mantra is "there is nothing you can't find on the internet" so I got out trusty old google and set about finding some how-to's for tatting.

YouTube - you are a Godsend! I discovered that the instructions were not making "the flip" clear ... and this, as I know now. is what tatting is all about - no flip, no tat :)

This YouTube video is great for showing what is supposed to happen - this is what made it clear to me.

Now I have managed to create a wonderful chain of tatting - hardly the most exciting thing in the world but a huge leap forward from my knots of earlier.

Aran Crochet Shawl

2010-03-26T09:30:00.001Z

As promised, an update on the progress with my aran crochet. It certainly is not a forgiving art, there have had to be a couple of re-do's on this one following lapses in concentration.

As a first attempt I am quite happy with it. All I need to do now is add a the finishing touches, a feature to the bottom & a button. I have a lovely huge coconut flower button I plan to use.

The biggest challenge with this has been getting the twists to work well, I changed how I was doing them as I went along & really was only happy by the last one - isn't that always the way?

The shawl is still curling a bit too so I think that I'll have to wash & block it, which is going to be a challenge given the length.

So what do you think for a first go? Was it a success or not?

Designing new projects

2010-03-25T10:59:00.001Z

I am getting on quite quickly with my Aran shawl now, new photos of progress to follow, so the time has come to come up with new projects.

I find the design process quite challenging, I don't generally like to simply follow a published pattern unless I am trying something out for the first time.

Since spring is upon us & summer is (fingers crossed) just around the corner I am planning to make some more light weight & Summery items.

My inspiration comes from lots of places, things I see in films & magazines, pictures, photographs and so on. Quite often I will see a piece of jewellery and think maybe I could crochet something like that - generally my inspiration comes from things that are totally unrelated to Crochet. I like the challenge of taking an idea and seeing how I can translate that into a finished crochet piece.

This little bracelet for example, clearly not crochet - but seeing something like this in a magazine or seeing someone wearing one would give me an idea to see if I could create something similar in crochet.

I have a few plans right now.

I'd like to create some Irish crochet inspired barefoot sandals. Irish Crochet can be very delicate and whispy or much heavier lace. I am quite looking forward to combining some Irish Crochet motifs to create some barefoot sandals.

I'd also like to try out some more hairpin crochet & create more shawls & also some fingerless gloves - I think that the hairpin crochet would make some very pretty bridal items too.

The one major stumbling block that I have is that I am no artist. I keep a book where I write down my ideas & also document my patterns. Unfortunately sometimes I go back to an idea I had and find myself wondering just what exactly that little sketch is supposed to be :)

Finished my "Alice" gloves

2010-03-24T12:25:00.002Z

So I have finished the gloves now, I am pretty pleased with them overall. They are available to buy from Walnut Baby on Etsy

OK, they look a bit bland when they are just lying flat - but I think they look very pretty on.

I think adding the shiny buttons adds another element to the gloves, makes them a little more special.

I think these particular buttons are a great find. They are available from Totally Buttons

Alice inspired fingerless gloves

2010-03-23T15:20:00.001Z

I am always looking for new inspiration for things to make, so when I went to see Tim Burtons adaptation of Alice in Wonderland & noticed her little fingerless gloves ... I thought I could make those :)

My interpretation is to create the stripes with blocks of solid & lace crochet

and they have to have some pretty little buttons.

I just love these sparkly ones.

If you like these gloves/wrist warmers the pattern is available at my Etsy shop Walnut Baby

Spring Crochet from Etsy

2010-03-23T09:15:00.003Z

Having spent the weekend digging in the garden and planting new plants I feel that Spring is definitely in the air. So I have gone through Etsy in search of beautiful Spring inspired crochet items

Ivory Shrug by Ayca

This is such a pretty delicate little shrug, the back is even more impressive - click on the link above to see more photos

Natural Cottony Shelled Fingerless Gloves by UniquelyChicForYou

I love these lacy little gloves, perfect for an evening out.

Leaf scarf by Deniz03

This scarf is almost jewellery!

Girls hat by PamelaJean

This little hat is so cheerful.

Rose earrings crochet in red by FebystanDesigns

As with all Febystan's work, these earrings are wonderful

CARAMELLA Handknit Crochet Lariat - Lilac By Silvia66

I am a big fan of crochet flowers & this design is so feminine.

my little princess baby booties By Iovelycrochet

Ahhhhhh - nothing more to say

Steel blue tall trapezoid By RobinsFlight

Wonderfully practical bag

THINK SPRING Green Filigree Shawl By ClassicCreations2

This really does make me "Think Spring"

Giant Lavender Scarflette By KoopDeGrace

I love purple & this scarfette is just so pretty.

Aran crochet diamonds... lesson

2010-03-22T14:52:00.003Z

My aran crochet shawl is progressing quite well now. The first critical lession I have learned is that its a very visual process. You really need to view the pattern and keep a close eye on where things are going, the pattern description can be complicated or indeed simply confusing. But that can be easily overcome by watching the pattern progress.

The key stitch is a front post treble (FPTR) in combination with half treble (HTR) stitches. The plain parts of the work are done using HTR and the cables and raised areas are achieved using FPTR's

The "back" rows are all done using HTR, therefore the raised stitches are worked into the last "Front",

The difference in the heights of the stitches (TR & HTR) keeps things level while the TR is worked into the row below.

The classic aran pattern of cables & diamonds is worked by altering the number of stitches before & after the FPTR sitiches, this pulls or pushes the raised rows into the right position.

In the pattern above there are raised rows either side of the diamond, this really helps to keep the pattern right. These raised rows don't move so they can be used to visually ensure that the pattern is working out right.

To achieve the diamond shape, each front row the number of HTR's worked before making the FPTR is changed, starting with 3 HTR in this particular pattern. The FPTR is always worked into the lower FPTR.

This means that when the V of the diamond is being worked you are actually skipping an HTR from the previous row & then working these skipped HTR's into the centre of the diamond. Then the reverse is true for the ^ of the diamond.

As you can see its quite difficult to explain in words ... Much easier to visualise.

The patterns are worked over a consistent number of stitches, it is simply the number of HTR's that proceed & follow the FPTR stitches that are altered to create the diamond pattern.

In my pattern above the diamond is worked over 11 stitches. I'm ignoring the bobble for the purposes of this explaination.

1. 3HTR, 2FPTR, 1HTR, 2FPTR, 3HTR ( 11 stitches)

2. 2HTR, 2FPTR, 3HTR, 2FPTR, 2HTR - To achieve this, work the first 2 HTR, skip one HTR before the 2 FPTR, work the 2FPTR stitches, then work into the HTR sits above the second FPTR, work the 1 HTR from the middle of the diamond, work the HTR above the 3rd FPTR (creating the 3HTR for the middle of the diamond), then work the 3rd & 4th FPTR, skip 1 HTR and work the last 2 HTR stitches

3. 1HTR, 2FPTR, 5 HTR, 2FPTR, 1HTR (worked in the same manner as above)

4. 2HTR, 2FPTR, 3HTR, 2FPTR, 2HTR - to achieve this I work the 1 HTR, then 1 HTR into the HTR that sits above the 1st FPTR. Work the 2FPTR. skip 1HTR, work the 3 middle HTR, skip 1HTR, work the second 2FPTR, work 1 HTR into the HTR above the 4th FPTR, work the last HTR

5 3HTR, 2FPTR, 1HTR, 2FPTR, 3HTR - in the same manner as above.

This may not be a classic way of working aran crochet, but it works for me.

Aran crochet

2010-03-19T11:58:00.000Z

I have done quite a lot of aran knitting over time, but up until now I have not tried anything more aran than a simple twist using crochet.

So always one for a new challenge I thought I'd try to create an aran shawl in crochet. So far its slow going, It takes a bit of time to understand how to create the shapes and make sure that everything hangs together.

I have chosen to use Sirdar Click chunky. I have always preferred the look of aran when done with quite chunky yarn. I am using the Cobble (0129) shade.

You can see my attempts so far

I think I have mastered the bobble ... the jury is still out on the cable though !!

I'll update with progress as things move along.

My hairpin crochet work

2010-03-18T15:47:00.000Z

Here are a couple of examples of my hairpin crochet work. Its quite versatile.

The first example is a shawl I made, its worked with a mohair mix yarn to make the shawl even more etherial.

Another example is using hairpin crochet to create jewellery. I made these earrings using my loom, in the second example I have added in some pretty little beads.

Hairpin crochet/lace tutorial

2010-03-09T10:00:00.001Z

Having had some success with the wire crochet yesterday, I thought I'd go for another technique today.

I already have a very small hairpin crochet loom, which really is too small to be of much use but its a start. I've ordered myself a new loom this morning which is much bigger so hopefully I'll have the techniques mastered when it arrives.

Its a bit of a performance to do hairpin crochet, and quite a difficult process to explain. Having said that, once you know the technique its really quick.

To do hairpin crochet you need, yarn, a hook & a hairpin crochet loom. The loom is simply 2 pins held in position with end pieces.

Start off with a slipknot, in the same way that you would start any crochet chain. The slipknot is passed over one of the pins and positioned centrally between the 2 pins

The yarn is draped over the second pin and taken behind the loom, tension is taken up with your non hook hand. I am right handed so the loom & tension is held with my left hand.

To start the hairpin crochet, insert the hook through the loop made with the slip knot & grab the yarn.

Pull the yarn through & complete a chain. This is the first stitch in your hairpin crochet.

How we need to work through the technique for continuing the crochet. This involves flipping the hook & the loom. The hook flips front to back and the loom side to side.

Firstly, flip the hook. Take the hook and turn in so that it points downwards.

Now you are going to "flip" the hook through to the other side of the loom.

Completing the flip backwards means that the hook is completely at the back of the work. As you look at the loom the hook is facing away from you and is the right way up.

Now we need to flip the loom.

Starting from the position above, with the hook at the back. Turn the loom side to side so that B moves to position A. Do this by flipping the loom so that B comes towards you & A away.

This means that the hook is now at the front of the work again, and the yarn wraps around pin A.

Now you have the hook & the loom in position to make your next stitch.

Pass the hook through the top most loop, and make a single crochet.

Continue like this, flipping & single crochet until the piece is as long as you need it.

Tackling wire crochet

2010-03-08T11:26:00.002Z

I've attempted wire crochet a number of times but so far its always ended up with a ball of wire being thrown in the bin ... So since I have some time on my hands I am going to give it another try.

I have various reels of wire, but I think the safest bet is to try first off with some of the finer stuff, just go for something simple and see how things progress.

First off I decided to just try to crochet with the wire, a simple circle and see how that went.

First lesson is that the wire is quite hard on your fingers, I had to adopt a slightly different approach to handling the wire than I do for yarn - but it seemed to work OK.

Then I thought I'd like to add some beads to the crochet to see how that looked. Of course the trick is to remember to to "thread" the beads before starting to crochet.... how many times have I ended up having to stitch on beads afterwards because I forgot, not really an option with the wire though.

So this is how I stared, with some fine jewellery wire and some cornelian chips. I ended up with a quite pretty little bracelet.

Multi coloured arm warmers

2010-03-04T16:46:00.000Z

I have been planning to make a set of arm warmers for a while. I know that the season for warm stuff is (hopefully) growing to a close but when I get a notion I have to go with it.

I made the warmers using baby wool so they are lovely and soft, and I wanted to add a bit more to them with some irish roses.

The arm warmers have proper thumbs as well, rather than just holes.

I made the roses two different colours, but tying things togther by putting a ruffle edge of tthe other colour on the larger rose.

They are available from my etsy shop. Walnut Baby

Mothers day is coming

2010-03-03T10:11:00.014Z

Taking inspiration from the gifted folks on Etsy, here are some of my favorites

Convertible clutch to shoulder bag made in the free form crochet style. I love the colours in this little bag, its so versatile.

BlueMoonLighting On Etsy

Ivory Crochet Shawl, absolutely beautiful. It looks so warm & inviting

WeekendEveryDay on Etsy

White Swarovski Pearls on gold wire, what mum wouldn't love this necklace

OccaisionalGems on Etsy

Black and lavender fancy indoor cashmere slippers, Maybe its my love of all things purple, but I think these are lovely

ElleGanT on Etsy

Hooker, if your mum is the crocheter in the family. I had a good laugh at this one & was seriously tempted to just buy it for myself :)

matsudabunch on Etsy

Medal for Mom, title says it all really. Its quite a cutesy idea.

KnittingGuru on Etsy

Crochet hand decoration, These Irish roses are so beautiful and delicate.

HeddaVatter on Etsy

Sand Dunes.... Beaded crochet necklace, totally stunning work

IrregularExpressions on Etsy

Silver garnet and Peridot Spring cuff, I love the colour combinations in this cuff. I've never mastered wire crochet myself so I'm always fascinated by examples of this work

AliBaliJewellery on Etsy

Grey/Silver Crochet hoops, these are so delicate and pretty they are almost like webs.

TaniaNovaCrochet on Etsy

I hope that you find some inspiration in the items I have listed above.

Mohair hat with Irish rose

2010-03-02T15:55:00.000Z

My latest mohair project was to create a hat with a big Irish rose.

Its a classic hat design, made with TR (DC in US notation). It made it up quite loose and soft.

To finish off I have sewed on tiny beads around the rim of the rose.

Fat Bottom purse

2010-02-26T10:30:00.002Z

I have crocheted the sides for the purse.

The task for today is to create a credit card pocket for inside and then to make-up the purse. Installing the Zip may be the bigger challenge for me :)

I thought of hand sewing in the zip, but I reconsidered and machine sewed it.

Then I added in the credit card pocket.

The best tip I can give is to remember to open the zip before sewing up the sides, I forgot and it was quite a task to get it opened again LOL

Then I decided that it would be good to add a handle, & some beads ... I'm a fiddler!!