I got a commission!!

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?

Crocheting Toys

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.

Crochet Wedding Garter

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 !!

Etsy CreateCrochet Team - how talented are these guys!!

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

Wedding Crochet from Etsy

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

Spring Crochet from Etsy

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.

Mothers day is coming

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.

Got a commission ... I hope it works out

I have a pair of barefoot sandals in my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28654448

A potential buyer spotted them and would like a pair made in a different colour for their wedding ... I'm really quite excited, I love getting commissions.