Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Festive Crochet Decorations ::

It's all been getting a bit festive over here at the moment, I appreciate it's still a little early, and I apologise to anyone who prefers to keep Christmas firmly in December, but you know, us crafters and retailers, we need to get a head start on these things.


First up in my Christmas crafting are these crochet decorations, inspired by the kind of festive colour work found on Norwegian Christmas Jumpers. Though in all honesty the inspiration orginally struck from this manicure discovered via pinterest.


Fairly quick and easy to make up these will make a lovely addition to your Christmas tree or fabulous gifts for friends and family.  These are a brilliant way to practice your crochet colourwork, or even have a first attempt at it, as there are only 2 colours and short rows, you're less likely to get yourself in a tangled mess.
Each decoration is made up of two circles and crocheted together, before stuffing, add cloves or a few drops of festive scent to your stuffing, to make them extra Christmassy!
These are a great stash buster, using small amounts of any double knit weight yarn. In fact any yarn weight would work, just adjust your hook size accordingly and note the size of your decoration will of course reflect the yarn weight used. I suggest using a hook size 1 or 2 sizes smaller than your yarn ball recommends, to achieve a tight fabric.

This pattern includes instructions on making the decorations and 8 colour charts, it's availble in all the usual places, ravelry, etsy and craftsy.
This pattern is available in both UK and US terms, if you purchase from Ravelry you'll get 2 PDF's to download, just choose your preferred terminology, if you purchase from etsy, just let me know in notes to seller your preference and I'll email it over for you, unfortunately on craftsy there isn't the option to upload 2 PDF's, so it is available in UK terms only there, but just email me if you have any problems or questions.

Monday, 5 November 2012

Inside Crochet 35 ::

Inside Crochet 35, was released a couple of weeks ago now, but I'm a bit slow on the blogging front at the moment, so apologies for that.

However it's a great issue, there are 3 cardigans alone I want to knit for myself, plus Amy Depew's amazing tunisian crochet sweater.


I've never really progressed from swatching with tunisian crochet, so it's certainly something I'd like to have a go at.

I'm also pretty keen on this gorgeous skirt by Christine Harvey.


Each month I find myself more and more impressed with this magazine, I'm so grateful it was saved and pleased to see it go from strength to strength.

Photography by Britt Spring.
Styling by, the magazine editor, Claire Montgomery.

Friday, 2 November 2012

'Crochet Today' Jan/Feb 13 preview video ::

I stumbled across this, this morning.  Love the idea of a preview video!


I have 2 patterns in this issue, it's my first American publication.
Can you guess which are mine?

Happy Friday.

Monday, 1 October 2012

Inside Crochet 34 ::

The new issue of Inside Crochet is out (it really doesn't seem that long ago I was just saying that, this year really is zooming by!) and I have 2 patterns in this months copy.



The Harry Shawl Neck Sweater, which is my first men's design (but by no means my last).  There seems to a bit of a gap for men's wear in knitting and especially crochet patterns, in the past whenever I've wanted to make something for my other half I've really struggled to find anything inspiring, so hopefully I can change that a little.



And my second pattern, the Sweetheart Sweater.  In all honesty I think this may be my favourite of all the garments I have designed, it's made up in a lovely soft cotton (Debbie Bliss' Bella), which is perfect for wearing next to your skin, but this piece would also be a great addition to a layered outfit as the cooler weather sets in.



As usual the photography (by Britt Spring) is beautiful and the magazine has some great articles this month plus lots and lots of gorgeous patterns.

Thursday, 27 September 2012

Finding Inspiration :: Dream Craft Room ::

As Christmas (yeah I said it!) approaches, I'm already feeling utterly daunted by the amount of work I'm going to be drowning under.  Every year I say I will be more prepared, every year I fail!  Now I am by no means ready this year, in fact I'm probably the least ready I have been, so to try and combat this, I plan to completely reinvent my very neglected basement.  Almost 2 years ago now I officially moved in there as a work room, but it's never really been a very well executed functioning room.  Ideally I need tons of storage and lots of organisation, both of which are sorely lacking.  I also think realistically I need a little craft space for the little one, so we can 'work' together.

So in the next few weeks I really hope to give it a grand overhaul, but in the meantime, here are a few work/craft rooms I've been lusting over on pinterest.











Monday, 17 September 2012

finding inspiration :: London Fashion Week (so far) ::

I have too much work on at the moment to be working on any new designs just yet, so I've been using pinterest to keep track of some of favourites from fashion week, ready for when I get some time.
But I'm already feeling very inspired and dreaming up lots of new crochet garments.

Here are a few of my favourites so far ::

Margaret Howell ::





Clements Ribeiro ::





Issa London ::



Moschino ::



Sister by Sibling ::






You can see more of my favourites on my pinterest page here.

Happy Monday.

Friday, 14 September 2012

facebook ::

A very happy Friday to you.

I just wanted to say that I now have a facebook page for my crochet/knitting patterns.



You can find it over here, you know if you fancy giving me a like ;).