Fawn & Sky Bunny Rug

I've been meaning to do a bunny rug using these yarns for a while, but it was something that kept getting postponed. Then a few weeks ago in a flurry of activity I did most of it in one very long day!

making this fawn and sky bunny rug was very relaxing

The fawn and sky blue colour combination is an interesting one, but quite lovely I think, I matched them because they were both 8 ply pure new wool and I had a lot of it. I have even more of the fawn colour left so have already started on another rug to use it up. It will be a swirling circular rug like this one. This fawn and sky bunny rug is currently for sale in my online store at madeit.com.au

my round rugs have swirling chain spaces to mark the increases

I wasn't as happy with how I started the rounds on this one, as it shows slightly even after blocking. And blocking a large rug like this is quite tricky to get it symmetrical while damp. Photographing it was also tricky, and I spent a whole day on that. After a frustrating day I posted on the facebook page for a sellers group on madeit. I got some feedback and advice, which made it worthwhile. I brightened the contrast in a photo shop type app, I think its just called 'paint'. Its simple enough for me to use, anyway!

detail of the center of the circular rug

Blue Angel Hat

Here is a hat I made for my niece Chloe in size 0, for when she is 6 months old in the winter. I made it to test my pattern which I hope to have available for sale in my Ravelry store by the end of the Australian autumn in May. For this hat to be called a 'Blue Angel', its a blue hat with white trim. I hope I get to see a photo of Chloe wearing it!

A Blue Angel hat is blue with white trim

size 0 hat worn by a doll with a 15 inch head

Blue Easter Basket, free pattern

I just quickly made up an Easter basket this morning using some acrylic yarn. It's basically the same idea from a couple of years ago when I made some little red Easter baskets.

this basket holds more than half a dozen chicken-sized eggs

the handle can be pinched into shape so it stands up

This time I used two strands of textured blue yarn, and a 4mm hook. The thickness of the yarn helps hold the basket upright. I finished off with some fluffy craft yarn along the top edge. The finished basket measures 11cm across the bottom, and is 7 cm high. The handle can stand up or it can be folded down along half the edge. The handle is simply a chain with a row of sc around it, this gives the handle a little substance.

Easter Basket pattern by Teena Sutton Murphy
gauge not necessary, the yarn and hook you use will determine the final size of the basket
I used two strands of thin textured acrylic yarn and a 4mm hook
1. 3 ch, sl st to form loop, 6 sc into loop, sl st into 1st sc
2. 1 ch, 2 sc into each st around (12 st), sl st into 1st sc
3. 1 ch (2 sc, sc into next) repeated around (18 st), sl st into 1st sc
4. 1 ch (2 sc, sc into next 2) repeated around (24 st), sl st into 1st sc
5. 1 ch (2 sc, sc into next 3) repeated around (30 st), sl st into 1st sc
6. 1 ch (2 sc, sc into next 4) repeated around (36 st), sl st into 1st sc
7. 1 ch (2 sc, sc into next 5) repeated around (42 st), sl st into 1st sc
8. 1 ch (2 sc, sc into next 6) repeated around (48 st), sl st into 1st sc
9. 1 ch, sc into back loop of every st (48 st), sl st into 1st sc
10-21. 1 ch, sc into every st around (48 st), sl st into 1st sc
22. 24 ch, skip 24, sl st, sl st into next, 24 sc around ch back to start of round 22, sl st, fasten off
23. in fluffy yarn, sc into every st around the edge, fasten off

detail of the inside of the basket

Large Blue String Bag

I finished this blue string bag a couple of weeks ago, but I've finally got my camera back so I can take some photos. This is the first thing I've managed to complete from a book I borrowed from the library called 'Crochet so fine'. Its full of beautiful crochet patterns, but none of the yarn I have stashed here could make anything other than this bag from some blue 4 ply cotton.

large blue string 'willow' bag

I even tried making a lacy cardigan with some left over 4 ply wool, but when I got more than half way through it I realised the American pattern called for what I understand to be 2 ply lace weight. No wonder it wasn't working out! For this large string bag, I used less than three 50g balls of blue 4 ply cotton and a 3mm hook. I actually made it larger than the pattern called for when I suddenly realised I needed to start the edging, but I don't mind as this generously sized bag will be a perfect carry-all to take to the beach!

detail of the willow pattern

It took me a few moments to try and decipher how to do the double treble linked whatever it was called, but I persisted and figured it out. The foundation single crochet stitch just wasn't going to work out for me though, and I figured a chain of 72 then an extra round of sc inserted above it would probably be quicker so I did that instead.

this bag is quite big and long, next one will be shorter

I'm quite happy with how this turned out, and I'm wondering if I should order some green 4 ply from Bendigo and make one to sell in my shop? I wonder what price I should put on it and if anyone would like it? Talking of my shop, I'm happy to report someone has finally bought something, they bought the set of 6 spring flower coasters. Its only the 5th time someone has bought something from me, and the first time from the shop. At least I don't feel so bad now about the money I spent there to list the items in the first place!

Turning Circles into Flowers

The four striped circle coasters that I made and posted about yesterday looked plain to me, and they were on the small side, so I added an extra round in blue. These are for sale in my online shop.

4 circle coasters get the floral treatment with scallops added in blue cotton

I simply added 12 petals, sometimes called scallops. The pattern for the 5th round for these flower coasters is ch 3 2 dc into same, sk 1, sl st into next, sk 1, (5 dc into next, sk 1, sl st into next, sk 1) repeated, end with 2 dc into starting ch, sl st into 3rd ch for 12 petals or scallops.

now they're the perfect size to become coasters at afternoon tea

Tiny Shells Coaster, free pattern

This flat circle, which can be used as a coaster, is the first 5 rounds of a premmie beanie I'm working on. Please let me know if this coaster pattern is not right! I'm hoping to share the premmie beanie pattern with you very soon.

5 rounds of a flat circle in yellow and blue

~ Tiny Shells Coaster ~
worked in 5 rounds, gauge is not needed, hook and yarn determine the size of finished coaster
(I used 3.5mm hook with 8 ply cotton)

1. (main colour) ch 4, 16 dc into 1st ch, sl st into 2nd dc tucking the starting chain behind the last dc
2. (3 hdc in next, sl st in next) repeat 7 more times (8 small petals), cut yarn and fasten off
3. (contrast colour) sc in 2nd hdc (sk hdc, 3 hdc in sl st, sk hdc, sc in next hdc) repeat 6 more times, sk hdc, 3 hdc in slst, sk hdc, sl st into 1st sc, cut yarn and fasten off (8 tiny petals)
4. (main colour) sc in 2nd hdc (sk hdc, 5 dc in sc, sk hdc, sc in next hdc) repeat 6 more times, sk hdc, 5 dc in sc, sk hdc, sl st in 1st sc, cut yarn and fasten off (8 scallops)
5. (contrast colour) sc in 3rd dc of petal (sk 2 dc, 5 dc in sc, sk 2 dc, sc in 3rd dc of petal) repeat 6 more times, sk 2 dc, 5 dc in sc, sk 2 dc, sl st in 1st sc, cut yarn and fasten off, weave in ends (8 scallops)

Please let me know what you think!

Doll's Blue Easter Bonnet, free pattern

The pattern for this doll's Easter bonnet has been something I've worked on since Easter, now I think I'm ready to share. Please let me know what you think, or if there are any problems with it. The gauge is determined by measuring the diameter of the first 2 rounds, which should be 3cm if this hat is being made for a fashion doll like Barbie by Mattel.


7 easy rounds make up this doll's hat, including 6 scallops in the brim

doll's blue Easter bonnet with contrasting drawstring to help keep the hat on tight

Doll's Easter Bonnet by Teena Sutton Murphy
~ worked in rounds ~
recommended 2mm hook with 4 ply cotton or 4 ply baby yarn
gauge - 1st 2 rounds has a diameter of 3cm

1. 3 ch (counts as 1st dc throughout), 11 dc into 1st ch, sl st into 3rd ch (12 dc)

2. 3 ch, 1 dc in sl st, 2 dc into each dc around, sl st into 3rd ch (24 dc)

3-5. 3 ch, 1 dc into next, 1 dc into ea dc around, sl st into 3rd ch (3 rounds of 24 dc to form sides of hat)

6. (sk 1, 7 dc in next, sk 1, sc) repeat 5 more times, sl st (6 dc scallops for 1st round of brim)

7. 4 ch (counts as last trb), sk next 3 dc, sc in centre dc (4th dc) of 1st scallop, sk next 3 dc, (7 trb in next sc, sc in centre of next scallop) repeat 4 more times, 6 trb into last sc of prev. round, sl st into 4th ch, fasten off (6 trb scallops)

8. ch a length to weave in and out of the dc in round 5 (about 30 ch), sl st into 1st ch to form a drawstring to keep hat on tight

doll's blue Easter Bonnet modelled by an old Barbie

Girl's Blue Headband

My husband thought the blue flower I posted about yesterday was the prettiest, so I made a little headband to go with it! I wonder if anyone would like it?

girl's adjustable headband

I simply started with a chain then went back along it doing scallops, when I got to the end, I did a round cluster then went back the other way along the chain doing scallops on the other side to match the first side. This forms a pretty scalloped headband. At the end I started doing 6 dc a row, then every second row has a gap to allow for the button. Making several gaps like this allows the headband to be adjustable so it can be worn in several sizes. I used some more of the 4 ply cotton and a yarn needle to sew on the headband. Pretty!

Easy Baby Doll Outfit

I found this tiny dolly in the RSPCA op shop on Wednesday, I got it with a pink plastic doll bath for $1.50! I thought it would be perfect for Thomas to play with in the bath, and to dress, its just the right size for him. This doll is 8 inches long.

a cute baby doll I found at an op shop, and dressed in a quick to make outfit

When I gave it to him he loved it straight away, cuddling and kissing it. I was surprised when he moved the baby's head while saying 'no, no, no, no, no', something he's only just learnt to say himself recently. So today I decided I should quickly make something to dress it in, so I made this outfit because it was very quick and easy.

blue square and sleeve, with yellow sleeve

yellow square and sleeve, with blue sleeve

I started with the sweater, which is simply two granny squares of 4 rounds each. I used a 3mm hook and 4 ply acrylic baby yarn. After I finished the 1st square I did not cut the yarn, but left it ready to use for one of the sleeves. When I finished the 2nd square I then attached it to the 1st square right away, just joining 2 clusters with slip stitch. I sl st along 2 clusters to leave a gap for the arm hole then joined the corners only at the shoulder. Then I went straight into the 1st sleeve, doing 4 rounds of dc, finally fastening off when that was done. I then went to the yarn left at the end of the 1st square and joined 2 clusters at the other side seam, left a gap of 2 more clusters for the other arm, then joined at the corners for the 2nd shoulder. I finished with the 2nd sleeve of 4 rounds of dc. Because I used two colours I hope you can see what I mean, with one square and one sleeve in each colour. This made a very quick project, with only 2 fasten offs. You certainly are too busy to spend too much time on something like this, aren't you?

this outfit for a baby doll was very quick and easy to make

For the hat, I did 3 increasing rounds in blue, the 1st round is 10 dc, the 2nd is 20 dc, the 3rd is 30 dc. Then I switched colours and did the rest in non-increasing rounds. 7 rounds were enough to cover the doll's head with a turned up brim. This was also really quick to make up, I used the same yarn and hook as for the sweater.

detail of the crown of the hat, and back with contrast sleeve

Lastly, I made the shorts using 2 squares of printed material I had left over from other projects. I'm not too happy with how the shorts turned out, but I'll be the first to admit that working with fabric is not my forte! But I do think they look cute, with wide legs like a little sumo wrestler! The elastic waist sits very low, because I didn't leave enough room for the elastic pocket. Something I'll have to remember next time I sew pants!

Over all, this was a quick little project so my son can enjoy his new toy. If I ever get the chance I'd love to make a cute pink outfit for this doll to make it look like a girl, but who knows if I'll ever have time for something like that?

Red & Blue Ipad Bag

Here is a red and blue drawstring bag I made for our Andriod, which is a cheaper version of an ipad, but quite a satisfactory subsitute.

simple red and blue striped drawstring bag for an ipad

When we went to Stanthorpe recently, we realised we didn't have anything to carry our android in, so I started making this little bag on the way out there, which is a 2.5 hour drive. I used this opportunity to practice on changing the colours, which I have always been unhappy with. Even with this new method I tried, you can still see where the colours change.

This time I tried hiding the start chain behind the last stitch of the round, which is then sl st into the 3rd stitch of the round, this totally covers that starting chain. You have to push the last 2 stitches around an extra piece of yarn which makes them a little bigger than the others, so you can still see the starting place. The only other way to do it is cut the yarn and sew in each and every colour change with a yarn needle, but that method still shows. I guess I'm just too much of a perfectionist! I'm now considering trying felting as a way to hide the starts, but that will only work when I use wool, not like this bag, which is made from acrylic.

Warm & Cool Twoway Teacosy

I made this simple granny square two way tea cosy to show my friend Lisa how it would look when finished. She's learning how to crochet and would like to learn how to turn her granny squares into a tea cosy. If she likes this one, I'll show her how its done.

"cool" & "warm" two way tea cosy, design by me

If anyone else would like to know how to make this, please just leave a comment here and I will post a photo tutorial. This is my own design, but its really easy. I already have an idea for the colours and name for the next one, so if I get a couple of comments, it will go to the top of my list of things to do!

top flower detail of my two way tea cosy

Turquoise and Apricot Granny Square Laprug

My mum has a compulsion to give a home to homeless things she finds, like stray pets and precious things at garage sales. She came across these 13 apricot coloured granny squares and just had to save them

a lap-rug made of salvaged granny squares

I was helping my mum sort out some yarn a couple of weeks ago, and we came across these squares. She thought to save these granny squares from being thrown away by someone who didn't recognise their value. My mum thought she could join them up for a rug and I said it would be quick! It was quick, but not as quick as I would have liked! We decided some turquoise coloured acrylic from South Africa matched the white flowers in the apricot squares nicely enough. 

I started joining the squares with a chain lattice. I've never done this before and never read a pattern on how to do it, but I have seen a photo of joining lattice on pinterest, so gave it a go. The joining lace is simply (5 ch sk 2 sl st) repeated. When a square comes to sit alongside another that has its lattice, the pattern becomes (2 ch, sc into 5 ch sp on other square, 2 ch, sk 2, sl st). The edge starts with into sl st (dc 1 ch dc) sc into ch sp, repeated, then the 2nd round is (2 dc 1 ch 1 dc) into ch sp, repeated.

a pocket made with the 13th square

I hope this can be put to use somewhere. Maybe it can be donated to charity to cheer up someone's lap. I even put the 13th square on top, into a handy pocket! You never know, maybe someone will like it ...

Blue Cotton Dishcloth

August is my husband's birthday month, and already I've given him a couple of presents, included a red and black basket he asked me to make for his desk. Here is another present that he asked me to make for him, a generously sized blue cotton dishcloth.

generously sized blanket stitch dishcloth in Australian made blue cotton

 I used a vintage blanket stitch I saw on crochetspot, and edged with sc. The dishcloth measure 9.5 inches by 8 inches. I've made this dishcloth to test how well this stitch and size holds up in our busy kitchen. If I have some of these for sale in my online shop by Christmas, you'll know it did well!

blue cotton dishcloth, folded

Elizabeth's Scarf #1 - thick & warm

This is the first of three scarves that I will hopefully get to make for my sister in law, Elizabeth. I was having trouble deciding which yarn to use, so she chose her own and ended up giving me enough yarn for three scarves.

detail of Elizabeth's Scarf #1

Several false starts which then had to be unravelled resulted in this being more time consuming than I had planned. Unravelling this particular kind of acrylic yarn is difficult because the fibre snags often, which slows the process further. I was having trouble determining the width of the scarf, because I only had 200g of this colour. Normally 200g would be plenty for a generously sized scarf, but the ply of this is quite thick, possibly a 10 to 12 ply. This made the stitches thick and the scarf shorter than if an 8 ply had been used. This shiny acrylic has a beautiful sheen and is soft and silky to work with, its a lovely variegated colour that in the end results in a nice thick, soft scarf perfect for the cooler months. This scarf ended up being 8 inches thick and 36 inches long, or 20cm by 140cm.

Elizabeth's Scarf #1 modelled by ... me.

Elizabeth asked the scarf be thick and warm, but we also both thought a shell stitch would be pretty. For this scarf I decided to alternate a shell pattern with thick sections of sc and dc. I began with 3 rows of sc, then 5 rows of shell stitch 2 ch, sk 1, dc, sk 1 (dc 1 ch dc, sk 2) repeat for a total of 7 times, sk 1, dc, dc, turn (next row cont. except (dc 1 ch dc) into ch sp). For the next thick section I did (3 rows of sc, 1 row of dc) repeat for a total of 2 times, then 3 rows of sc. Then I repeated the shell section and the thick section. For the middle part of the scarf I did a long shell section of 22 rows. Then I mirror imaged the first end of the scarf for the other. Finally, I had an extra bit of yarn left at the end, so I did 5 rows of sc instead of 3 like at the beginning. All this with a 7mm hook makes this a very thick scarf just long enough to fold the way Elizabeth likes. I do hope she likes this scarf, it took me several hours to make!

Rings-on-a-Tree Jacket

Like rings on a tree, this jacket will grow with the child. This is my idea to extend hexagon jackets, to increase the amount of wear you get out of this valuable garment, and to reduce the pile of small baby jackets that would otherwise accumulate if I made him a new jacket every winter. Perhaps one day it will get to be an adult sized cardigan?

18 month old Thomas wearing his extended jacket

The most time consuming part of this first extension was trying to unravel the original light blue jacket because when I made that I hadn't thought of the life-time jacket idea yet, so had not planned to unravel it. Next time it will be quicker! When I made the first blue jacket, I did the seams continuously from making the fabric of the garment, then continued to make some further extensions. Those extensions had to be unravelled before I could undo the seams for this dark blue extension. I then added the original extensions back onto the hexagons, leaving the seams undone. Then I changed to dark blue for a contrast. Like rings on a tree, you can see how the jacket grows with the child.

Thomas riding his musical rocker

I added the new dark blue extensions, also leaving the three seams undone, then sewed in all the ends with a yarn needle. Lastly, using a 3rd contrasting colour, I starting edging and joining the jacket. This way, if the contrasting trim is removed, the hexagons will come free and will be able to accept more extensions very easily. I started the white trim at one wrist then sewed one shoulder seam, I tied that with one simple knot and left the end to be woven in later. I then edged the other wrist and did the other shoulder seam the same way, using an invisible stitch with a yarn needle. The 3rd part of the white trim starts at the bottom middle of the back, edging the jacket in sc, working its way all around the inside and up to the collar. There I weave in the shoulder seam ends. I end up back at the middle of the bottom, so then I can cut enough to do the final invisible seam. The end is tied with a simple knot and woven in with a crochet hook so it can be found more easily when it comes time to undo it for the next extension. It is for this reason the contrasting yarn can be seen joining the seams.

contrasting white yarn can be seen in the seams, to make the next extension easier

I also made two ties from left over light blue wool, with 40 ch and sl st back and a 3 ch loop at the end. When I edged the inside of the jacket in white, I added these two ties the same length down the jacket as is allowed for the neck. This way, when the white trim is removed, the blue ties will come free and will be reused in the next extension. With infrequent gentle hand washes, it should wear quite well.

So that is how I make my Rings-on-a-Tree jacket! I hope to make many more extensions on this woollen garment as my son grows. I think that's far better than making a new jacket every winter, what will I do with all those too small baby jackets worn for just one season? Best to up-cycle it and keep on wearing it, I say! Especially if I look after this woollen hand-made jacket as well as I plan to. Better for the environment, better for my stash of wool ;)

Blue Long Drop Earrings

I really like these blue long drop earrings my mother made and gave to me, I just had to share them with you! I don't usually wear a lot of jewellery, and these ones are quite fancy, but for some reason I do like them. I wore them for last week's photo shoot! Do you like them, too?

earrings by Feather's Nest

Earbuds Sleeve

I wasn't sure this would work, while I was making it I gave up on it at one point because I was certain the ear phone cord would not curl up with the crochet as neatly as it has.

draft prototype sleeve for ipod earbuds

I started with a long chain, as it turns out this first attempt in blue wasn't long enough. The blue section was long enough to see that the cord would indeed curl up neatly inside the crochet, the purple section was added later. After the start chain, I did 2 rows of dc into that chain. Then I folded it in half length ways and lay the cord along the fold, closed up the tube with a row of sc that joins the top row of dc with the starting chain. Then I did a row of (sc ch sk 1) to thread the drawstring through, which was added at the end.

I've been using this at the gym to see how well it works. When I get the chance I hope to make a little pouch to pop it in. Don't mind the colours too much, this is just a draft!

Hand-made Labels

I've finally made a decision about the labels to attach to my work, and here they are!

hand-made labels made with an old lettering stamp and a new flower one

I was considering using tags ironed onto ribbon using my DYMO labeller and iron-on tape. I'm still not sure about that, I may yet do it as well. But the very least I need is a tag with the washing instructions, which is very important!

Thankyou to my mum who gave me these fantastic flower stamps and ink, I think they're really pretty and will do the job very nicely. I also dug out an old stamp I've hung onto from my old life, a good thing too as it's been very useful over the years. It's quite fiddly to arrange the letters, and even more so when putting the tiny letters back in the case. But its not something I have to do very often. I just leave these letters in the stamp for now! I was going to attach ribbon to these, but I've since decided that some nice clean white crochet cotton will do the job better.

My mum also gave me the cardboard tags that are cut with a special embossing machine she has. These ones are great because they fold into themselves, open them up for extra room to write the washing instructions! I think these will serve very well ...

Two more Monster Beanies

Here are two more monster beanies I have completed for my little online shop.

child size dark blue monster with blue tail and blue eyes

toddler size green monster with purple tail and dark purple eyes

The dark blue one was made to order and is sold, I wonder if someone will buy the green one?

Blue Hair Bun Net

I quickly made this on Tuesday night because I had an appointment the next day and wasn't happy with my hair and decided I needed to tie it up.I feel like I need to hide my hair until I find time to get to a hairdresser!

a useful blue hair bun net by Teena Sutton Murphy

 For this I used some blue 4 ply cotton my mother gave me and  a 2mm hook. I didn't follow a pattern for this, although I did check google images for ideas. But I didn't really like anything I saw there, so I made up my own.

blue hair bun net

I started with 12 dc into a magic circle, then dc 2 ch into every dc for the second round. The third round is a dc 3 ch into every ch sp, the 4th round is dc 4 ch into every ch sp. Then there are 3 rounds that do not increase, starting with dc 2 ch, dc into next ch sp 2 ch, dc into next dc. The 8th round starts to decrease with dc 4 ch, sk dc, dc into next dc. The 9th round is sl st dc 3 ch, into next ch sp. Finally the last round is when I attached the elastic hair tie by doing 3 sc into every ch sp around the hair tie.

detail of blue hair bun net

I'm quite pleased how dainty this turned out, I haven't worn one of these since I was a girl, I hope it doesn't look silly! At least I can hide my hair until I get a chance to get to a hairdresser!