Hobbycraft Show at Birmingham NEC

Hello,

My husband and I have had a fantastic weekend at the Hobbycraft show at Birmingham NEC. Thank you for all the wonderful comments about our products and patterns.  We never expected to be quite so busy.

I really enjoy meeting new customers and having a chat about crochet although we had a few laughs about 'no knitting here' comments from my husband.

Thank you to all the returning ladies we love to have your feedback about our designs.

This was our stand once we had just set up...

The most popular patterns over the weekend seem to be Princess Blueberry and George..

Princess Blueberry

George on Etsy

Really looking forward to the next big show in March, Sewing for Pleasure.

Alison x

New patterns on Etsy

Hello,

This week I have been continuing changing my patterns to PDF patterns.  I have added two shawls and Mandala cushion cover to my Etsy store.

This is the Spider shawl which is a full circle shawl crochet pattern. It is made in double knitting yarn or Noro Silk Garden Lite with a 5.5 hook.  The finished shawl is light weight and easy to wear and measures around 44 inches (112cm) diameter across. 

Spider Shawl on Etsy

This is the Jessica Shawl which is a Half circle shawl measures approx 46 inches (102cms) across top edge 28 inches deep (72cms).

Jessica Shawl on Etsy

Also the Mandala cushion pattern is now available to buy. 

Mandala Cushion cover

Mandala Workshop Day

Here are a few works in progress for today's workshop

These are Hilda's lovely colours

This is Sarah's 

and Carols 

How different they all look.

They have all worked very hard today and got lots done.

My cushion is now finished and all buttoned up..........

It's been a super day well done everyone........

Alison xxxx

Winter is coming

Hello,

I have just been selecting colours for the winter blanket. I wanted this blanket to feel bright, crisp and cold.  I am still using the Parchment as the main colour in each seasons blanket.

I had a picture from Hardwick Park, Stockton taking two years ago and then chose the colours based on the photograph.

Alison x

Trip to Thailand

Hello,

I have been away to Thailand for two weeks. We had a lovely time but it was very very hot.

View from the hotel...

This is a picture of downtown Nathon...

 I even managed to find a wool shop...

Sunset view from our balcony...

I did get plenty of time to do some crochet while I was away...

Now I am starting to prepare for the Hobbycraft show in November at the NEC, Birmingham.  I am wanting to start doing some kits of wool and patterns.  Starting with a seasons blanket...this is spring.

I am now starting on the Summer version of the blanket but have also been trying to finish this mandala cushion design for a workshop on friday.

Ava pattern now on Etsy

Hello,

Ava doll has now been tested and her pattern is now on my Etsy store.  She is a slightly smaller doll around 16 cms tall and is worked in cotton.

Pop along to my Etsy store for more patterns...Ali Crafts Designs

I always have a number of projects on the go at the same time.  I have just started a new blanket in these colours....This one is for spring. I love choosing different colour combinations, these are Spring green, wisteria, sherbet and parchment.  I am going to do the blanket design in 4 different colour ways for each season.

For Autumn I uploaded a photo and selected colours based on the photo, it was taken at Falling Foss near Whitby.

These are the colours similar to the photo. My blanket only needs 4 different colours so I have chosen, Parchment, Meadow, Spice and Mocha.

Alison x

Free Yoga Mat Pattern

This is a free pattern for a yoga mat bag. I designed this a number of years ago when my daughter started doing yoga....

400 grams Double knitting wool used double

can be made in stripes of different colours

5.00 hook

ABBREVIATIONS

ch.     =    chain

dc.     =    double crochet

dk.     =    double knitting

ss.      =    slip stitch

st.      =    stitches

tr.      =    treble

1. Chain 4 ss. to join

2. 2 chain, 11 tr. into ring ss. to join (12 sts)

3. 2 chain, 2 tr. in each st ss. to join (24 sts)

4. 2 chain, 1 tr. in same place as ss. *1 tr. in next st 2 tr. in next st. rep from *all round ending with 1 tr., ss. to join        (36 sts)

5. 2 chain, 1 tr. in same place as ss. *1 tr. in next 2 sts, 2 tr. in next st. rep from *all round ending with 1 tr. ss. to join (48 sts)

6. 2 chain, 1 tr. in same place as ss. *1 tr. in next 3 sts, 2 tr. in next st. rep from *all round ending with 1 tr., ss. to join (60 sts)

7. 1 chain, 1 dc. into each st., ss. to join

8. Working in the back loop of each stitch for this row only work 2 chain and 1 tr. into each st., ss. to join

9. 2 chain, 1 tr. into each st., ss. to join

Repeat row 9 until work measures 25 inches from row 7

1. 1 chain 1 dc. into each st., ss. to join

2. Working in the back loop of each stitch for this row only work 2 chain and 1 tr. into each st., ss. to join

3. 2 chain, 1 tr. into each st., ss. to join

4. 2 chain, 1 tr. into each st., ss. to join

Fasten off

Strap

Join thread 8 stitches from join at the base in the stitches left when row 7 was worked

1. 2 chain, 1 tr. into 14 stitches

2. turn and work 2 chain, 1 tr. into each stitch repeat this row until approx 24 inches

using dc. join the strap to the top of the bag using the loops left from round  1 on top edge

Fasten off.

Using double thread make a chain with 200 stitches to use as a drawstring. fasten off

thread through the last round of bag and tie.

Hope you enjoy this pattern x