Snood DIY

Part two of my snood season is making a snood from scratch! This is such an easy sew make and because of that it is rather dangerous. I first learnt to make snoods out of my scarves, but that wasn't enough. It just made me want to make my own, and I did.

What you need is some fabric, a sewing machine (or a strong will and a needle and thread) and some corresponding thread.

When you look for your fabric, remember it is going to be around your neck so you don't want rough or too heavy pieces. The best and easiest way to get the size right is by going to the store, most fabric rolls come in around the same width, all you need to decide is the length. your snood is going to be doubled over so depending on the thickness of your snood double that length and add your seam allowance and that is what you buy. Done, and cut out for you by a lovely person :)

I hope that makes sense, the next steps involve the actual putting together of the snood.

1. Fold the two right sides together with the long sides together. Sew along this seam leaving 4 inches either end un-sewn.

2. Put your arm all the way through the long tube and pull inside out so that your snood is facing the correct way. Here comes the hard to explain bit, Now I read so many tutorials on this part that I just could not understand it, it may just be me not being clever so I youtubed a video instead. If you want the video that I used to see how to sew the two ends together then you can find it here.
 

 

3. Then you just need to stitch the hole in the middle where the two end gaps come together and you are done!

Good luck in the making of your snoods! :) X

Simple Scarf Change

Who doesn't love a scarf or a snood? I have so many of the things. But lately I have been preferring a snood. They just go on, hardly move and there is no annoying trying not to get them stuck in your coat zip moments. So I looked at my stack of scarves and wondered which I could improve after finding the most simple tutorial on how to make a snood. I thought, why have I not done this? This amounted in me making 3 snoods in just over an hour. Crazy. But also dangerous!!

So, how do you turn a scarf into a snood you ask? It is so simple...

1. Take your scarf...

2. Trim off the tasseled ends...

3. Then work out which will be your right side, then right side together pin the two raw ends together and sew and zig zag the edges. (Or overlock if you have a fancy machine.)

4. You could then leave it at that but to make mine a little neater I then folded that seam down and pressed it and sewed  it parallel to the fold seam to make it a flat seam. Like so...

5. That's you done. Grab and go for a fast paced lady!

X

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!

X

The Simple Things

These days life gets too busy and now, more than ever, we need to focus on the simple things, take time for ourselves and do what we want to do! One of the things I love each month is getting my copy of The Simple Things magazine. It means I can sit down and take a good hour or so to myself, reading it cover to cover. It gives me such inspiration and ideas of things that I would love to do! Living the simple life sounds pretty good, and so I am promising myself that I will do something every week that is simple and gives me some 'Me' time!

This week I decided to have a go at some sewing. I love sewing by hand, having thrown things together before but never a proper garment. I found this beautiful free pattern and went on a fabric shopping spree! I don't have many fabric stores near me, and many fabrics are just replicated from store to store. But I did come across these beautiful gingham cottons and I got so excited. I couldn't just buy the one I had to have both and they are beautiful!

Now my brain is flowing with so many ideas and I am searching the net for more patterns. The small check I think would look lovely in this top with a white trim. The bigger check would look great as a skirt maybe, or a prom style summer dress. How exciting :) Happy Zoe!

What simple things make you happy? 

X

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!

X

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!!

X

Knitted Doll

Say "Hello" to my little knitted friend! Her name is Sarah. I am making her for a special little project that I am really excited about :)
I want to share the pattern with you because everyone should have a little knitted person in their lives! It would be a great gift for a little girl, for her to practise making clothes! Getting a bit carried away probably with my dreams!
Sarah (using 3.25mm needles) comes up at around 22cm tall and 24cm from fingers to fingers.

So what do you need to make one of these lovely ladies?
* Yarn (I used Sirdar's Country Style wool blend DK in shade Palest Pink 0391) - you need less than one ball
* Needles - 3.25mm in this case but obviously the bigger the yarn the bigger the doll
* Stuffing
* Sewing needle

How do I make Sarah?

Body (make 2)
Cast on 16 stitches.
Row 1: Knit to end
Row 2: Purl to end
Row 3: K1, M1, K14, M1, K1 (18sts)
Row 4: Purl to end
Row 5: K1, M1, K16, M1, K1 (20sts)
Row 6: Purl to end
Work in Stockinette stitch for a further 12 rows, finishing with a WS row.
Row 19: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K14, K2Tog, K1 (18sts)
Work next 3 rows in Stockinette stitch
Row 23: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K12, K2Tog, K1 (16sts)
Row 24: P1, P2Tog, P10, P2Tog, P1 (14sts)
Row 25: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K8, K2Tog, K1 (12sts)
Row 26: Purl to end
Cast off.

Head (make 2)
Cast on 12 stitches
Row 1: Knit to end
Row 2: Purl to end
Row 3: K1, M1, K10, M1, K1 (14sts)
Row 4: Purl to end
Row 5: K1, M1, K12, M1, K1 (16sts)
Row 6: Purl to end
Work in Stockinette stitch for a further 10 rows ending on a WS row
Row 17: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K10, K2Tog, K1 (14sts)
Row 18: Purl to end
Row 19: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K8, K2Tog, K1 (12sts)
Row 20: Purl to end
Cast off

Leg (make 2)
Cast on 11 stitches
Row 1: Knit to end
Row 2: Purl to end
Repeat rows 1-2 14 more times (28 rows in total)
Row 31: K1, M1, K9, M1, K1 (13 sts)
Work 3 more rows in stockinette stitch
Row 35: K1, M1, K11, M1, K1 (15sts)
Row 36: Purl to end
Cast off

Arm (make 2)
Cast on 7 stitches
Row 1: Knit to end
Row 2: Purl to end
Row 3: K1, M1, K5, M1, K1 (9sts)
Row 4: Purl to end
Row 5: K1, M1, K7, M1, K1 (11sts)
Row 6: Purl to end
Work a further 26 rows in stockinette stitch
Row 33: K2, SL1, K1, PSSO, K3, K2Tog, K2 (9 sts)
Row 34: Purl to end
Cast off

When you have finished all your pieces, trim and weave in all loose ends, press and block to the correct size. I sewed all my pieces inside out and turned the right way around before stuffing them, then sewed up the open side and stitched all the pieces together. Head onto body, arms and legs onto body. Then all she needs is a face. Sometimes this can be easier to do before you sew the two head pieces together, but it depends on the detail of the face.

I have used this pattern before to make a memory for a friend from her wedding day and made a little knitted and crocheted couple. It took some work but it was well worth it!

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!

X

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 :)

X

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

X

Valentines love..

One of the most important people in my life has had their heart badly broken in this past year. So with Valentines day coming up this week, I decided to give her lots of love to hang up for all to see! :)

I decided on a pallet of whites and greys because the wall it is going on is soon to be a gorgeous teal colour and I figured they would stand out more. Then I took my heart pattern and went to town! I used four different yarns in four different sizes to add something more to it.

To join them together I crocheted a really long chain. I was planning on french knitting a long chain but I had made more hearts than I had planned and that would have taken me forever!

What nice things are you making for loved ones this St. Valentines day? Hope you enjoy making it. I enjoy making things as they always make me feel like more love has gone into them :)

X

Pin-ups

I have decided that a weekly feature is needed. It can be used as inspiration or just something pretty to look at. This week I have decided to pin all my recent favourite crafty upon my 'pin board' and thought I would share them with you. :) Hope they give you ideas like they gave me.

Cushion

Gloves

Rug

 Felt needle cases

Cute Hats

Do you have any 'Pin-ups?' X

Long Skinny Scarf

Last year for Christmas I received some Colinette Point 5 yarn which I placed in my stash until I thought of what to do with it. One of my many resolutions for the New Year is to make my way through my stash, stop just buying things for the sake of it, or if it's pretty (well, that's what the plan is).

One thing that I have always wanted is a really long skinny scarf. I love seeing pictures of people with long boots, jeans a blouse and a long skinny scarf. I don't know why. So I got on it.

 What I love about the Point 5 yarn is that it goes from chunky to really thin so the texture is great. This colour is a beautiful dark brown with flashes of blues and burgundies. To make this scarf I cast on 10 stitches and knit one row, purl one row until I ran out of yarn. I used 2 skeins in total and I can wrap it round 4 times easily to make it short, 3 times for it to be long. Its beautiful!

I just added a couple of pom poms to each ends. Simple but great with jeans and a nice blouse X