Crochet hand warmers

Now the nights are darker and the wind is up, its time to get knocking up some quick fixes to warm me up. Last night I made these crochet hand warmers. I made them using some really pretty yarn that changed colour as I went along. This means that they will probably go with everything, which is always a good thing!

Here are some pretty pictures of my hand warmers...

Mmmm Warm and Snuggly x

Patches

I recently purchased some denim dungarees and I have made them my comfy crafting clothes. They are really comfy but not a lot to look at, so I decided they needed an update. I went for some crochet patches. Just teeny tiny versions of granny squares and flowers that I stitched to the front.

To find out how you crochet a granny square, have a little looksie here. But crochet flowers are even more simple!

Here is how you put them together...

Tools you will need:
* Yarn
* Suitable crochet hook for your Yarn

Recipe (UK terms):
1. ch 6 then sl st to the first ch in row

2. dc 16 times into circle, sl st into first dc on row

3. *ch 2, 1tr into next 2 sts, ch 2 sl st into next st. Repeat from * 4 more times. Fasten off and you are done!

I am planning on adding more as time goes on, maybe some fabric patches too. The yarn I used was this really beautiful cream with a little added sparkle. Cute!

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Pin-ups

Lately I have had a real crush on all things woven, Navajo, western, Aztec whatever you want to call it. I love the natural fibres used and I really want to know all about Peruvian weaving and the natural dies that they use.
Here are some crafts, makes and ideas of different degrees of skill for you all to peruse. Some beautiful things...

Arrows

 Clutch Bag

Wall Hanging

Dip Dyed Baskets

Dream Catchers

Hope you like them too! 

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Butterfly

I have been super busy in my outside blog life lately, so much so I have not had time to spend time with a needle or a hook! So tonight I decided to sit down for ten minutes and design a pattern to brighten someones day.

Photo Courtesy of Google

One of the people closest to me loves butterflies, and when you know how to crochet something, you can make hundreds of them! So I can now fill their life with butterflies.

What you need:
* Some beautiful yarn
* Crochet hook to match the yarn size
* Scissors

How to make a butterfly:
1. Make your slip knot, chain 4 and slip stitch together. (a magic circle works well with this piece too, depends on how you like to start off your crochet rounds)

2. Ch 5, triple treble, double treble, treble, half treble, sl st then ... ch 2, treble, double treble, half treble, sl st then... ch 2, double treble, treble, half treble, sl st then... ch 2, treble, double treble, triple treble, ch 5 , sl st. Then tie off and tie the two lose ends together (these form the antennae).

You are done! 

I think these would look great dip dyed with an ombre effect! Beautiful :)

Photo Courtesy of Google

Pin-ups

Because of a little project that I am working on, I have had nothing but crochet on my mind this week. (That isn't all true, because I am on holiday by the sea, and that is mostly what I have thought about). There are so many different things that you can do with crochet, and all of these pins are great and mostly beautiful pieces.

Doilies

Cushions

A summery dress

Some slippers

Bunting

Small patches to mend a split in a favourite piece of clothing

What is your favourite piece of crochet? Or style?

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Yarn Bomb

Today I took a big step in growing in confidence. I took the idea from the Voluntary Arts Week Craft Bomb. I have looked at other peoples yarn bombs throughout the past few years and wished that I could do something like that. Spread a little beauty through nice things. I love taking a walk through a park or somewhere and coming across something nice. The Eden Project is amazing for things like that!

So what have I done today? Well, I used my rose pattern and knocked up a few roses in different bright colours that would stand out. Then I linked them all together on a long chain. My mistake was that I didn't scope the area first. If so I would have measured the area first and known exactly how many flowers I would need. I then went for a walk in a local park area and found a lonesome tree looking for some attention. It was surrounded by some beautiful pink flowers so I decided to add more colour and strung my flower chain around a branch. I could have done with a step stool but that might have given me away! :) Have any of you ever done anything like this? I would love to see pictures!

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Wedding Presents

Today one of my oldest friends has got married to a really lovely lady. He was always a really lovely guy to me and I have very fond memories of him in my life. So I didn't want to get the usual toaster or vouchers so I decided on something a little more special. Something that I could make to bring lovely memories in the future. So here they are...

I made two of these knitted dolls and just made up patterns to make their clothes. Hopefully they will stay apart of their family forever more!

I wish them every bit of luck for the future in everything that they do!!

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Crochet Basket

Recently I have been noticing that there have been some crochet containers and boxes popping up in the shops. For example these, these or these, which are all a bit boring and quite expensive. So when I have a gap in my new bookcase to fill, and could do with some kind of basket to put my current project in, what more can I do but make my own basket?!

So I went to my inspiration finder (Pinterest) and found a gorgeous basket pattern. I love the colours with the ombre effect! But I decided to go for a simple black and white colour scheme. I used Patons Fab Big yarns and size 10 crochet hook for my basket. It is brilliant! I am hooked and I am going to make lots of them, maybe even a big one to put me in! Woo!

What would you keep in your basket? X

Bows

Who doesn't love bows? Boys maybe?! But bows make me smile :D
So I have found such a simple pattern to make crochet bows in whatever size you want. I am going to make millions and have them everywhere! Hair clips, shoe decorations, brooches, the ideas are endless!

So to make, you need:
* Scraps of yarn, the thicker the yarn the bigger the bow
* Hook to match the size of the yarn

To make:
1. Make a magic circle.
2. Chain 3, 2dc into circle, chain 3 and slip stitch into circle. Repeat again 1 more time.
3. Tie off the yarn and pull the magic circle tightly closed. Use the end yarns to wrap around the middle of the bow.

That's it. So pretty!

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Spring Daffodils

Spring is officially here!!! So looking out of my window this morning and seeing a couple of inches of snow I got a bit depressed. Where's the sunshine?!

I am going to have to make my own aren't I?! Recently life has got a little hectic and I have not had much chance to pick up some yarn and a hook; but now I have found a reason. A friend of mine does a lot of work for Marie Curie cancer care, both fund raising and volunteering. I decided to make her a beautiful Daffodil brooch to help her stand out from the crowd.

It was so easy to make, and turned out to around 8cm wide. I got the pattern from this lovely lady here and, although she doesn't charge for the pattern she asks for a donation if you use it. I would say to do it, if not to her then to Marie Curie cancer care.

Lets just hope that this brings a little bit of sunshine to some peoples lives, both through fund raising and just because they are pretty :)

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One year on

I can't believe that it has been over a year since I started doing this blog. I started it as a reason for doing all the little bits a pieces that I do. But there was another reason too; to gain confidence. This past year has been a tough one for me, and as silly as it sounds, my craft has done a good job at keeping me going, and so has this blog. I have decided to keep going and through doing it, test myself to do things that I wouldn't normally do. I love One sheepish girls blogging for confidence series and I am taking it as inspiration. This next year I am going to challenge myself to as many new things as I can that I wouldn't normally do. I have sort of being doing this so far this year, I gave a crochet lesson in public. I found that lots of people came and asked what we were doing and genuinely seemed interested in it. The cafe we were in even said they should start up a knitting/crochet knit and natter night. I improved my baking skills, tried new things. Became the soup dragon and perfected my soup making abilities. Tried lots of new crafting skills including embroidery, and started a big project (no it's not finished yet) with my crochet skills. I thank you all for continuing to read my blog, and hope that you carry on. :)

Here are some of my favourite projects from this past year

Crochet bag

Bracelets

Embroidered frame

Owl Fascinator

Purse

Crochet Slippers

Crochet Snood

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Pin-ups

Spring is on it's way. I love the feeling, it is almost like relief that the darkness is going and the light is only around the corner. Today was so sunny and the crisp air just made me feel magical. So this week my pin-ups are all spring related crafts. I hope they get you guys excited too :)

Beautiful crochet flowers that will never die on you.

Beautiful tea cups made from paper. This artist makes some beautiful things.

Beautiful embroidery hoop decorations. With the light behind this looks like a stained glass window.

These crochet sandals are great for when you want to be barefoot but the occasion doesn't agree with it.

Monogrammed Hankies, so pretty.

For more of my Pins please check out and follow me on Pinterest. X