Christmas Craft Gifts

Hello,

Hope you have all had a lovely Christmas.

I have had a nice Christmas and Birthday spent with my family.  They always ask what I would like so I make a wish list on Amazon and this year most items are very craft based.  I am looking forward to testing them out.

Mitten making kit - Includes pattern and wool.

Crochet your own Stickman Kit - I will be making this for my Grandson who loves the book.

Teardrop Bag Kit - Pattern and fabric to make a bag.

New methods for Crochet socks - These look great and the pattern looks clear with modern pictures.

Small purse Kit - Includes pattern, fabric and zip.

M&S Knit your own cushion or hat or snood - Includes needles, hook, wool, pattern and pom pom pattern. 

Crochet 2017 calendar - A different pattern for everyday of the year.

Button Angel from Bobbin Patch - Lovely pattern for a felt decorated bag.

The little book of Hygge
Cosy Winter Hygge colouring book and pencils - I have been tempted to try colouring books for  a while but never actually bought one.
Mittens of Latvia - This is a lovely book with traditional patterns. 
Cute and easy Crochet with Flowers  - Lots of simple flower patterns. I do love crocheted flowers.
Crochet Journal - This is a great notebook to help you record works in progress (WIP).
Ruby & Custard's Crochet book - Lots of little crochet projects.

Baby washcloths & Afghan Squares - Lots of small patterns for washcloths. Nice clear photos.
Modern Crocheted Shawls & Wraps - Crochet pattern book
Boho Bags - patterns for bags to sew.
On the go bags - More patterns for bags to sew.
Crochetterie - Lots of patterns for contemporary crocheting projects.

Wow I really don't know what to make first..

Don't forget Wool to your door the online wool shop is now open.

Alison x

December 2015

Merry Christmas

It's been a busy December for me with a weekend away, my birthday and visiting my Grandsons school to watch the Nativity, to mention just a few things.....

We had a lovely weekend in Chester although there was lots of rain we still managed to visit the Christmas market and take lots of photographs.

I did get some time to crochet

This blanket pattern will be available soon.

I had lovely birthday with lots of presents, Fimo, a beautiful new iPad and crochet and cookery books.

We also had a day out visiting my Aunt in Knaresborough then going to Fountains Abbey where the mist was drifting across the Abbey.

Here is my very first try at making a Fimo hook handle

It's not the best it's really a bit bumpy but I am hoping that I will get better with more practise.

Christmas Day was magical and spent with my family, the children had lots of toys which became trip hazards, the youngest is Oliver who has autism he loves to line things up so we are unable to move them 

Here are a few of his most important toys

Planets through the dining room 

Shapes on the table

And houses in the lounge this seems to be our road...... Not to mention the train track all over as well.

We all wish you a Happy New Year in 2016 and happy crocheting....

Christmas Snowballs

Hello,

I have had a good week getting lots of projects finished. I am still working on a collection of rabbit toys.  The small doll pattern has gone for testing so will be going live soon.

Rabbit nearly finished - Just needs ends darning in and some stuffing.

I have just added these cute snowballs onto my Etsy store.  The pattern includes 3 sizes of snowballs with the choice of 2 hats each. 

 Snowballs

Lots of Christmas patterns 

Take care,
Alison

Getting organised for Christmas

Hello,

I know its only October but if you want to crochet some items for Christmas now is a great time to start.

Lots of Christmas patterns on my Etsy store for Christmas toys and decorations.

I am hosting a beading workshop today, looking forward to catching up with everyone.

Take care,

Alison x

Sorry, long time no blog :-)

Happy Tuesday

Sorry to have been so long in adding to this blog,

I have been very busy over the holidays and we have been away a lot as well.

The last trip was Dubai and Mauritius I did do some crochet while I was there and on the planes, a new doll, pattern and name to follow, I will have to alter her face she looks grumpy in the picture.

I am remaking Christmas snowballs to take to the NEC Birmingham in November for the Hobbycrafts Show, I can't wait to meet everyone again.

The misty foggy mornings are here this week and I don't feel like doing much when it's dark and gloomy, how about you?

Must get on with the jobs, ironing done, washing started and now to crochet, hurrah !!

Free Christmas Bird Pattern

Hello,

Its so cold today but the sky was amazing this morning so I took a few photographs.

I am feeling festive after going to my Grandsons Christmas play, so thought I would put my Christmas bird pattern on here for free.

These are so quick, easy to make and use up oddments of yarn.

Abbreviations

beg.	beginning
ch.	chain
dc.	double crochet
htr.	half treble
rep.	repeat
ss.	slip stitch
st.	stitches
tr.	treble

Materials

Oddments of Double Knitting Yarn, a 3.00 hook and a small amount of toy filling.

  

Body

Start with red

Ch.4, ss. to join in 1^st ch. to form a ring

1. Ch.2, 9htr. into ring, ss. to join in 2^nd ch. at beg.  (10sts)
2. 3ch., 1tr. in same place as ss., 2tr. in each htr., ss. to join in 3^rd ch. at beg.  Fasten off first colour (20tr)
3. Join 2^nd colour to sp. between sts., 3ch., 1tr. in same place, 2tr. in each sp. to end ss. to join in 3^rd ch., fasten off.   (40sts)
4. Join new colour to same place as ss., Fold in half and working through both layers of curved edge, work 1ch., 1dc. in same place as ss., 1dc. in each st. to end of curve.  Place a little stuffing inside if you need it.  (20dc)
5.  1ch., turn 2dc. in 1^st dc., *1dc. in next, 2dc. in next dc., rep. from * until you have worked 15 dc., then work first leg, 10ch., work 2dc. in 2^nd ch. from hook and 2dc. in each ch. to main work., work 2dc. in next dc. on curve and 1 dc. in next then work 2^nd leg as first leg., rep. from * to end of curve.

No need to fasten off ss. into 2^nd st on curve and work beak

Beak

4ch., 1dc. in 2^nd ch. from hook and 1htr. in next ch., 1tr. in last ch., miss 2dc. on curve and ss. into next dc., fasten off.

Hanging loop

Join yarn to front edge of first ring, ch.25, ss. into 1^st ch. to form a loop fasten off.

Darn in all ends.

Wings – make 2 and stitch to side of body 

Ch6., work 1dc. in 2^nd ch. from hook, 1htr. in next ch., 1tr. in next, 1htr. in next 1dc. in last. Fasten off.

Tail

Cut 3 lengths of yarn.  Fold in half and pull loop through the last dc. and then pull ends through the loop.  Trim to the length required. 

Really hope you enjoy making these decorations.

Merry Christmas,

Alison x

George Doll pattern now on Etsy

Meet George, named after my 7 year old Grandson...

I designed George to go with Princess Blueberry.  He is approx. 12.5 inch (31cms). This version in blue was my first prototype but I have slightly changed the edging on the hat since but you can see he works well in different colours.

He is worked in Stylecraft special double knitting yarn. The pattern is now available in my Etsy store.

Hope you enjoy this pattern. You have plenty of time to make him for Christmas presents,

Alison

Birds and Owls

Hello everyone,

I am back from my lovely holidays with lots of new ideas and patterns.

I have just completed a bargain Bird PDF pattern which is now available in my Etsy store at only 50p. Christmas Robin PDF pattern

Also ready is Oswald Owl. He is very cute and easy to make.  He would make a great gift or thank you present. You can also find this pattern in my Etsy store. Oswald Owl PDF pattern

I do hope you enjoy these new patterns, please let me know if you have any problems with my patterns.

Alison x

A Twist on Tartan

We have been pretty busy over the past few weeks creating some new patterns. This is my latest blanket design, A Twist on Tartan.  I really enjoy making these, it is quick to do and they look very effective.

A Twist on Tartan on my Etsy store

I have also done a video to show how to crochet the twisted fringe.

Around June I always start thinking about new designs for Christmas. I have decided to create a Christmas doll this year. The pattern will be available soon...