Winter Garlands

Over the last few weeks I’ve been making garlands to hang around the house over Christmas.  It’s been a great way to practice my crochet and I’ve been spoiled for choice with all the gorgeous patterns out there at the moment.

My first one is made using some King Cole dk yarns and was from a pattern on Craftseller magazine.  I started this whilst I was in the hospital recovering from my second foot operation.  The fairy lights appealed to me as there’s no need to change bulbs or batteries and the garland can even be put in the washing machine! It measures well over a meter in length and drapes beautifully from the fireplace.

Crochet fairy lights

Having really caught the bug for crochet I found another pattern in an issue of Knitting and Crochet magazine. This time for a shorter garland, which looks lovely over a door. With my daughter being mad on Frozen still, I thought the stars looked quite like snowflakes.

Star garland

I’ve made a few of these as they look so pretty over the doors.

I’ve just recently finished another couple of garlands, as I discovered a stash of cotton in my yarn bag. The cotton is lovely to crochet with and it really holds the shape of the stitches well. I’ve made a little flower garland in cream and a dark turquoise.

Flower garland

Finally I’ve made a 3 metre long garland, ideal for the hallway, using red, green, cream, white and beige cotton for the stars.

All of the garland pictured are available for sale, so be quick if you want them as these are all one-offs!

Happy Christmas crafting
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Crochet Hearts

I’ve been working on some crochet hearts recently, perfecting the design and trying lots of different yarns. My question now is what to do with them all?

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I’ve thought about making a garland with some. Maybe putting some onto cards, or making them into brooches. I was also thinking about having them as Christmas tree decorations. I’ve had one suggestion on my facebook page to make them as wedding favours.

I’d love to know what you think I should make with them. Comments below by 10th November 2014 and I’ll put all names in a hat to win a set of 5 hearts in a colour of the winners choice.

Happy crafting
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Christmas Snowflakes

I’ve been working on some more Christmas decorations this week, in particular a number of crochet snowflakes.

With ‘Frozen’ still being so very popular, the snowflakes are a perfect little decoration for this years tree. My daughter is particularly thrilled that she will have some for her tree this Christmas. I’ve used several different yarns, mostly dk, but I think they work well is cotton and in some different colours too.

Cotton Crochet Snowflakes

Icy Blue crochet snowflakes

I’m working on making a garland with alternate large and small snowflakes on next.

Happy Christmas crafting
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Baby Comfort Blankets

I’ve been working on a number of baby comfort blankets since Bury Show. I had such a lovely response to them that I couldn’t help myself but make up some more. I’m trying different patterns in the granny squares and trying out different ways to edge them together too.

I’ve combined different colours of yarn too. This one is yellow and two shade of pink, with a bunny in the centre. Each square has a different shape in the centre, heart, flower, square and circle.

Baby blankie 2

I then made one to match a blanket I made, using blue and white yarns. This time I added a birdie to the centre, and made plain squares with white square centres.

Blue Bird blankie

I like the birdie so made another in pink with yellow squares and pink borders.

Pink birdie blankie

I really enjoyed making crochet flowers and decided to make another blankie with just flower motifs. This one is white with pink flowers and borders.

PInk flower blankie

Finally I have another pink blanket, this time with alternate heart and flower centres to the squares and a bunny to cuddle.

Pink Bunny blankie

I don’t know which is my favourite. I love them all. They are fully machine washable on a cool wash and certainly kept my knees warm while I was making them.

Which is your favourite?

Happy crafting
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Christmas in September

Yes, I’m starting to think about Christmas. I know fellow crafters will have started making already, and non-crafters will be thinking I’m crazy. I’ve had my first stocking tree decoration order and I’ve been thinking about adding some different things to my range this year.

With my new love of crochet, I thought I’d try some crochet stockings. I’ve made a few as a trial and I’m after some feedback now. They are a little larger than the knitted ones, so will hold a few sweets or a small gift.

Crochet stockings

They are lovely to make up and I’m going to try with other coloured yarns too. I’m working on one now to which I am going to add a little snowflake design and button. My next project is to try a stripy one.

I’m also going to look for some ‘Frozen’ beads and buttons to add to them as I know my daughter and her friends are crazy about that film.

Back to the needles!

Happy crafting
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