Edged fleece blanky

This is an old fleece blanket that I edged in 2010 with blanket stitch and blue cotton. But it really wasn't very good, so I undid it and gave it a crochet edge instead!

a fleece blanky edged with crochet

The first 3 rounds are the same as the pattern explained on hand crafting with love. For the first round I used a 1.5mm hook so I could pierce the fleece, then I switched to my 3mm hook. The final round of the edge I simply did clusters of 3 dc 2 ch 3 dc in next ch sp, sk 1 to form pointy peeks. The yarn I used for this is an Australian made acrylic baby yarn by Patons, its mostly white but is variegated with flecks of purple and yellow.

detail of crochet edge on a fleece blanky

I have another fleece blanket that needs edging, so I hope to find some time to do it, but next time it will be in a different colour!

Yellow edged Handkerchief

Thomas and I have been really sick with flu for the last month, David also got it but not as bad as he's had the vaccine. Next time I'm at the G.P. I'll be getting a flu vaccine, having the flu with a sick baby is Not Fun!

I'd misplaced this handkerchief and thought it had been thrown out because it's white, it might have been mistaken for a tissue. When I found it yesterday I decided to have a go at edging it so it will be less easy to loose. I used the petal edge pattern on page 87 of "Crocheting on the edge" by Nicky Epstein, and a 1.5mm hook and yellow cotton my mother gave me. For the 1st round I used my .75mm hook, I took one evening and a bit of a morning to complete this.

I'm not really thrilled with how it turned out, but I don't have a lot of time for something as frivolous as this, so this will have to do! I think it came out tight perhaps because my tension didn't match the gauge. It was a good exercise none the less, to learn something new. But next time I edge a handkerchief, I think I will try a more simple stitch.

Small Crocodile Stitch Purse

I made this small purse as I was learning how to do the crocodile stitch. I liked the stitch so much, I turned my learning sample into something practical.

small crocodile stitch purse

I saw how to do the crocodile stitch on a youtube video by Teresa. But the scales were rounded, like the ones in my first round, which is at the bottom of the purse. Then I saw another video which said to add ch 2 to the end of the scale to make it look more pointed. I did that from the second round up. I rather like how I managed to make the shape of the purse look rounded by folding an otherwise square bag. I added a button hole by (sc sc dc, ch 1 sk 1, dc sc sl st). For this purse, I used a 3.5mm hook and some of the pretty variegated acrylic from Wangaratta Mill.

I think this purse looks so cool, I'm going to carry it with me in my handbag as a small make-up purse.

Hello to all my fellow Pink Saturdayers! I'm linking in with my favourite blog party hosted by How Sweet the Sound, be sure to check out this great blog party!

Here are two other bloggers who link in with Pink Saturday that also like to crochet, check them out!
Charlotte's Web - Oh Baby!
Howling at the Moon - Sort of Grannies

Small camel stitch purse with a fluffy edge

I just finished this small purse today, completing the purple fluffy edge. I had made this to give to a friend as a gift, but I've decided to make her something else instead! I don't know who I'll give this one to.

The other week while on youtube, I stumbled upon some videos of a stitch I didn't know. It was called the 'camel stitch'. It was interesting because it's supposed to resemble knitting, so I decided to give it a try. I made a rectangle that measures 18cm x 8cm of the camel stitch. Then I went around it with a border of 2 rounds of sc. I used the last of my berry pink yarn from Lincraft, and a 4mm hook. Then I folded it to make the purse and stitched the sides and the lip in sc, leaving a 5 ch loop for the button, using the fluffy purple yarn. I ended by stitching a large purple button on the front. Hey presto! A small purse!

The finished product measures 11cm x 9cm, I wonder if anyone would like it.

Variegated Slanted Shell Cap

variegated slanted shell cap for a 9yo girl

I'm really pleased how this cap turned out, I hope it fits the intended recipient and that she likes it enough to wear it!

For this cap, I used a beautiful variegated yarn from the Wangaratta Mill, which is in Australia. If I had a choice, I would only use locally produced yarn, but of course its amongst the most expensive. Luckily I found this yarn on special! It has flecks of green, purple, pink and blue in it, which is very nice! My guess is this is acrylic, not wool due to the price I got it at, but I might be mistaken as the label did not say.

For this cap I used the 4mm hook and started with 7 rounds of increasing dc. I then tried a new stitch I saw for the first time the other day on youtube called a slanted shell stitch. I had to have a think about how I would do it in a round though. I turned the cap around and went back the other way, starting with 3 sl st before starting the slanted shell pattern. There are 10 rounds of slanted shell in this cap. Finally, I edged it with 5 dc scallops, with a sc in the 3rd dc. This is 24cm along the rim (so 48cm circumference), and its 19cm high.

This cap might be too warm to wear on a hot summer's day, but hopefully it will make a very pretty autumn cap.

Three Small Things - coaster, dishcloth, flower

These are three small things I've made recently using patterns from Rachel's Crochetspot. Needless to say, this is one of my favourite crochet websites for free patterns and crochet related discussions.

<<< This drink coaster is proving to be handy, I'm using it by my pc to sit my bottles of water on. This was with a 4mm hook and my thickest cotton, it's great for soaking up the condensation on my drinks. The pattern for this coaster is at Crochetspot.

>>> I haven't made a crochet dishcloth before, so I started with this small one to test it out. It's about the size of a hand's palm, we've started trialling it in the kitchen, and so far so good. I made this basket-weave dishcloth with a 3.5mm hook and some thick aqua coloured cotton my mum gave me for my birthday. The pattern for the basket-weave stitch is at Crochetspot.

<<< I had a go at this small flower from Crochetspot for fun. This was with a small hook and fine cotton and is currently hanging from my pc with the my purple premmie booties.

A big thankyou to Rachel and her team at Crochetspot for these patterns!

Light and Lacy Purple Scarf with Flower Ring

I'm really pleased how delightfully light the lacy trellis stitch on this scarf turned out. Finished with a nice scalloped edge, it has a cute detachable flower scarf ring.

The scarf took me a couple of evenings to complete while watching Battlestar Galactica on our tivo. I used some of the left over winter warmth yarn from Lincraft and an 8mm hook, following the 'plain trellis' lace stitch which is basically made up of 5 chains,  on page 94 of Crochet Basics by Jan Eaton. It's a handy book so I extended my library loan on it for an extra month. The light purple yarn turned out beautifully I think, and I made it nice and long, too. The edges are some scallops I added to make it a bit more 'pretty', putting 7 trebles (US dc) in each one, 4 in the corners, each edge has 2 rows of scallops to round it out nicely.

I still felt the scarf needed 'more' so I searched for a new flower pattern. I wasn't happy that the ones I know would 'match', so I found this flower on youtube by Teresa. She does heaps of very  well explained crochet tutorials on youtube and has helped me with several things so I do recommend her. This flower turned out real cute, using a 4.5mm hook to make the shape more defined than the loose stitch in the scarf. By making a chain on the back, the scarf can be threaded through and held firmly, so this flower can be used as a scarf ring which can be removed.

I made this purple scarf with my mother-in-law Freya in mind, as I remember she likes purple and I still had this beautiful yarn in my stash.  Although winter is over, it's still a little chilly, maybe she will get some use out of it before it gets really hot. I hope she likes it!

Apricot Angora Shrug

The beautiful apricot coloured angora that I got on special from Lincraft has been calling me, so I've turned it into this lovely lacey shrug!

a simple shrug made from imported Angora

I made this pattern up, which is based on another shrug I made. This time I made the cuffs in rounds of 10 rows, then used a new pretty lacey stitch for the body of the shrug. I'm really happy with how the lacey part turned out, and I'm glad I now have this stitch in my repertoire. I used the 'shell trellis' lace stitch on page 95 of a book I borrowed from the library called 'Crochet Basics' by Jan Eaton.

lace detail of my shrug

The pattern for a basic shrug is very simple. I use a fine and hairy wool, like angora or winter warmth from Lincraft, and a large hook (5mm). This makes a very 'loose' stitch. It uses just over 1 x 50g ball of yarn.

An easy guide to making a crochet shrug

1. First Cuff - ch 54, sl st to form circle, make 10 rows of trebles (US dc), check the circle is large enough to go up your arm to above your elbow - I made a ridge on every 3rd stitch

2. Lacey Body - increase 1 every 6 st, use any nice light and airy lacey stitch you like, do not join, turn, make this section about 60cm long

3. Second Cuff - decrease 1 every 6 st, sl st to form circle, make 10 rows of trebles (US dc) - repeat any pattern used in first cuff

folded shrug

Easy and ready for spring!
<3 <3

Cream Ribbed Hat with Rose Brooch

I was very surprised when this beanie hat worked out so well, because I made up the pattern myself!

I learnt how to do ribbed stitches when I made my purple bolero shrug using a pattern from Lincraft. I had seen round ribbed crochet hats before but I'd never read a pattern when I made this hat. I sat down to watch tv with David with a new ball of Sullivans Softply in cream which cost $2.49. I flicked through an old stitches book my mum has leant me but couldn't find what I was looking for, but I did start thinking about the ribbing, and wondered if it would work. It easily worked out, it was a lot simpler than I thought!

Then I just had to make a big rose brooch to go with it didn't I? This is the 4th flower I've made using Rachel's pattern from Crochet Spot. But this time I remembered the pattern as I had done the Berry Pink one the day before. But I made this one different. There are 14 petals, and for the 1st 7 I did trebles (English db tr) instead of doubles (English trebles) to make the petals at the bottom bigger. The other 7 petals are double crochet (English trebles) as usual. It makes the rose more full at the bottom.

My easy ribbed beanie pattern, using 5mm hook and thickish wool
1. 1st round is a beginning 3 chain, sl st, then 12 trebles (American doubles) in the round, sl st
2. 2 ch counts as 1st treble, treble front around the post of the treble below, treble into each treble (as well as front treble around each post) = 24 trebles
3. 2 ch counts as 1st treble, treble into each treble, treble front around each 3rd post (the one thats raised from the previous round) = 36 trebles
4. 2 ch counts as 1st treble, treble into each treble, treble front around each 4th post, sl st = 48 trebles
5. 2 ch counts as 1st treble, treble into each treble, treble front around each 5th post, sl st = 60 trebles
6. 2 ch counts as 1st treble, treble into 5 trebles, skip one treble, treble front around each 6th post, sl st = 72 trebles
7+ repeat row 6 until desired length is reached

The wool I used feels soft to touch, but after wearing this hat for a short time the skin on my forehead started to itch. I'm assuming this is why people usually use nicer wool for beanies. I will live and learn! Still a fun hat to make, and I'm very glad my mother in law liked it enough so I could give it her last time she dropped by for a visit. She didn't think it was scratchy, so I hope she will get some use out of it.

<3 <3

Pink Doilies my great-grandmother made

These are a pair of embroidered doilies my great-grandmother made which are edged with pink crochet. This is my post for this week's Pink Saturday hosted by Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound.

I remember these from my childhood. My great-grandmother was so very talented with this, there are many samples of her work in our family, these are the few I have in my possession. My great-grandmother (my mother's mother's mother Margaret) embroidered these, as well as the crochet edges. These two are starting to show signs of age, and I know they look like they are in need of an iron, but I dare not touch them!

Here is another doily, this one my grandmother Beverly embroidered. That is my mother's mother. The fine embroidery is so lovely, I hope one day to improve my skill with this, but I don't think I will get it this good.
I hope you enjoyed seeing these two samples of our very special family treasures made by my great-grandmother, and my grandmother.
<3 <3 <3

Be sure to check out other pretty pinks @ Pink Saturday!

Green and White Baby Blanket

It took me about a week to do this, only working on it while downstairs when David was cooking or watching TV, using a 5mm hook and some soft thin yarn so the end result is nice and lacy. I'm linking this post in with Transformation Thursday, a blog party hosted by The Shabby Chic Cottage.

I just wanted something easy to do without a pattern, so I made this one up! It's pretty easy. I just started with 80 chains, plus 2 more to make the first treble (American double) of the first row. There are 4 x 20 chain sections, each consists of the same pattern. I used a couple of big balls of wool in the stash I've been given which I want to use up, and I thought green and white were good uni-sex colours for a baby. The end result is 60cm x 65cm.

4 x 20 chain pattern - 6 trebles (US dc), sk 2, 2 tr in next ch 2 2 tr in same, sk 2, 2 tr ch 2 2 tr in same, sk 2, 6 tr

repeat pattern 4 times for each row, turn, ch 2 to form 1st tr of next row

I changed colours every 5 rows, with a total of 50 rows (10 stripes of 5 rows each)

Edging

row 1.  (in each corner 3 tr 2 ch 3 tr in same), sk 1 space, 2 tr 2 ch 2 tr in same, sk 1 space, repeat to end,  sl st (one space needed 2 sk instead of 1 to even it up)

row 2. in contrast colour (in each corner 3 tr 2 ch 3 tr in same), in next 2 ch space 2 tr 2 ch 2 tr, repeat to end, sl st

I'm planning to use up most of the wool I own, making items that will hopefully be useful in our future. Hopefully this light and lacy blankie will be handy!

<3 <3 <3

Be sure to check out other crafty transformations @ The Shabby Chic Cottage!

Here are my favourite highlights from this week's party

• homemade air fresher @ http://www.homemademamas.net/2010/06/homemade-air-freshener.html


• rag quilt made from recycled jeans @ http://memoriesbyannadawn.blogspot.com/2010/07/jean-quilts-new-and-improved.html


• crochet rug with link @ http://www.flamingotoes.com/2010/06/cute-crochet-rug/


• fridge magnet bag idea @ http://terelauritsen.blogspot.com/2010/07/fridge-magnet-bag.html


• big brother, big sister t-shirts @ http://lemontreecreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/big-brother-sister-bags.html


• reversable baby dress made from recycled t-shirts @ http://jessicakenenske.blogspot.com/2010/06/reversible-baby-dress.html


• turn children's art into soft toys @ http://www.camilledawn.com/2010/07/childs-art-turned-softie.html


• home sewn child's play tent @ http://3punkmom.blogspot.com/2010/06/childrens-play-tent.html

A White Dress for Barbie

I'm very surprised how this turned out, how could it be that the bodice of this dress fits so perfectly? This is my post for White Wednesday which is hosted by Faded Charm. I'm also putting this in for this week's Transformation Thursday hosted @ The Shabby Chic Cottage.

I used white dimples baby yarn from Lincraft, that's their cheapest baby yarn and it costs $1.99 for 50g. I started with the bodice as usual with all of these dresses I make, working up from the waist. When I got to the cleavage area I attempted a sweet heart neckline. I have attempted this before on a top I've made but undid it as it didn't work out. This time I did it over two rows and I am totally amazed at how perfectly it sits, I was certain it would be a little wonky.

The skirt is the 5 cluster separated by english doubles in the cluster below pattern which I saw in a picture of a Barbie doll wedding dress, although that's the only thing I used from that pattern. I didn't plan for the skirt to be this shape at all, it just kind of happened. I forgot to increase more before starting the shell pattern so the skirt is more fitted at the top, so then I flared out at the bottom. It was nice but it needed something more so I finished off with a row of picots, and low and behold, they really wanted to sit up in the air like that! It kind of looks funny but it is a 'white dress' after all, so they are kinda of required by law to look a bit frilly and silly!!! lolzzz

I have many white buttons and I knew I wanted the one holed pearl kind, but the only ones I could find in my stash were a little too big or had peeling polish so I actually bought these buttons new /gasp! That really is naughty for a doll's dress isn't it? I got some really cheap ones and there are plenty left over to use on other things, so I figure I'm not toooo bad!

The last thing to do was to make something white for her hair so I just whipped this thing up. It's simply a row of English trebles (US dc) to allow room for ribbon to be threaded through, then some shells like the skirt on top of that. I didn't really know what I was making, this kind of just happened! I threaded the ribbon through then around again to form a loop that the hair could go through. Tying it tightly keeps her flyaway hair in place and every bride needs a little something white on the head, don't you think?

<3 <3

Be sure to check out other pretty whites @ White Wednesday!
My favourite highlight from this week's White Wednesday

• another beautifully embroidered baby dress @ The Old Fashioned Sewing Room

Check out lots of cool & crafty ideas @ Transformation Thursday!
I checked every participant this week for this blog party as I always find so many useful posts. Here are some of my favourites.

• make home-made wood polish @ Nancy's Tidbits


• chalkboard top desk @ Twice Lovely, chalkboard labels @ The Scrap Shoppe, reuse the back of a photo frame chalkboard @ Keeping it Simple, old chalkboard makeover @ My Magic Mom


• ideas for home-made kids clothes @ Little Lizard King


• no glue stretchy button headband @ Love Stitched, cute girls dresses @ The Train to Crazy


• how to cut up a watermelon @ The Pumpkin Patch, jello rockmelon @ How Does She?


• home-made beauty products like parsley toner @ Homemade Mamas

I also found these Ten Parenting Tips @ Real Parenting Tips

1. Read to your children.


2. Have the courage to say “NO!” at times.


3. Create meaningful family traditions.


4. Make home a place where your children want to be.


5. Have Family Dinner every night.


6. Teach your children to work – and work with them.


7. Support your child’s interests.


8. Talk with, not at your children.


9. Listen.


10. Say “I love you” often.

Purple Bolero Shrug

It took me a week or two, doing a bit now and then while we were watching tv in the evenings, to finish this bolero shrug. This is the first crochet thing I've made to wear, other than beanies and scarves!

bolero shrug, pattern by Lincraft

I used the pattern from the Lincraft booklet I bought a month or so ago. I bought the book for this pattern specifically, as I've been looking for free patterns on the net and haven't had much luck with them working out or being simple enough for me to follow. I tried one pattern and it was totally epic fail! I had trouble starting this one too, and in the end settled on buying the specific wool stated in the pattern from Lincraft, because they won't tell you what ply the wool is. This is a purple "Winter Warmth" wool which cost $3 for 50g, and it used just over one ball so there is some left over as I got two balls. Maybe I can make a nice little beanie or something with what's left?

Now I know the pattern I think I could make this again with other wool... hopefully! Making this bolero shrug taught me how to do raised ridges which you can see at the cuffs. I've been enjoying adding this new stitch to a couple of other projects I've done since, like a beanie and a doll's dress, which I will post about soon.

Winter Hat Collection 2010

Here is a gallery of all the hats and beanies I've finished so far!

I'm hoping to give some of these to family as gifts, I just don't know which ones they would like so I hope they can tell me! <3 <3 <3

I have already written on my blog about some of these hats, but I'll be posting more in future, explaining how I made them, the pattern and washing instructions for the wool.

[gallery columns="5"]

A Family of Grey and Green Beanies

This is the post I planned for today's Transformation Thursday party hosted by The Shabby Chic Cottage, but who would have known that today we also have some special news to share? We have a 3rd member of our little family on the way or so the home test I did this morning says, so this family of three beanies seems especially appropriate!!!

Back to the beanies ... The first beanie I did followed part of a pattern in the Lincraft booklet I bought. I just made it longer, skipping the ears and edging, so it's a bit different. That's the hat with the grey pinwheel at the top. I don't really like how the pin-wheel doesn't match the rest of the hat, so the second hat I did was different. I based it on the first hat but this is my version.

Basically, you start with a round of 6 clusters of 3 trebles (American doubles) each separated by a chain, the second round has 12 clusters, 2 in each space, each pair is also separated by a chain. Except for rows 5 and 9, you just put a cluster of 3 trebles in each space. For rows 5 and 9, put an extra cluster in every 3rd space, divided by a chain. I know that's not the right way to write a crochet pattern, but I can hardly read them myself, so that's my understanding of the pattern! It's pretty basic and very quick to do.

For the first hat, I used a 5mm hook which made it fit me. For the second hat I used a 6mm hook so the hat is bigger and fits David. To consolidate the pattern in my mind, I made a 3rd beanie just with left over green and grey as I'd run out of black. The pattern and the wool are the same, the only thing that's changed is the hook. For the smallest hat I used a 4.5mm, and it's a good thing I didn't use the 4mm like I nearly did then it would have been too small! I rather like how the odd two green clusters look at the brim, it makes it look quirky!

This was a great exercise for me to do. I've now found a great, easy and quick beanie pattern that I can memorise and I can simply change the size of the beanie by using smaller or bigger hooks! These three beanies were very quick and took less than a day to whip up!

<3 <3 <3

My selected highlights from this week's party

• a practical hooded beach towel converts into a backpack @ The Train to Crazy


• recycle plastic jar lids to make ladybug toys @ Crafts by Amanda


• make ruffle pants to go under girl's dresses @ Little Lizard King


• chalkboard painted herb pots @ Rose Petals and Rust


• button magnets @ Everything Else I Love

A Set of Small Purses

This set began with a shell pouch I made for my mum to say thank you for teaching me how to crochet. Now the set has grown to include more purses! This is my post for this week's Transformation Thursday which is hosted by The Shabby Chic Cottage. I transformed a ball of  lovely and soft multi-coloured wool into these purses.

I made the tiny purse without a pattern. I again used the shell pattern for one side then plain for the other so the shape would not turn out wonky. I then made a lid for the purse. I was inspired by the lid on the quick clutch at Crochet Spot but I did not follow the pattern. If I did I probably would not have had to pull it apart two times before I got it right on the third try! I also made up my own tiny button, although I might replace it with a proper button if this doesn't work out. This tiny purse took one morning to do.

I completed the tissues cover over two days without using a pattern. I had been planning to make one with a slit down the middle but then I saw the tissues I had bought for this opened a different way. I made this tissue purse using the shell stitch on the front only and plain treble crochet on the back and sides so it would keep it's shape. I had trouble deciding if I would make a lid for it, but settled on leaving it open because the shell stitch made a nice wavy edge.

I gave these and the matching tiny dancing teddy bears to my mum yesterday when she came to visit. She said she likes the set, and promptly put her pens in the larger pouch to stop them from rolling around in her bag! The tiny teddies fit neatly inside the tiny purse, they were so cute!

Be sure to check out the other things linked in with Transformation Thursday, there is always HEAPS of handy home-crafting ideas which I love to check out!
<3 <3 <3

My Highlights from this weeks' party

• sew star pin cushions or beanbag toys @ Sew a Straight Line


• recycle old jeans and pants into aprons @ Keeping it Simple


• turn a child's t-shirt into a dress @ I Can Find the Time


• make a simple memory game using stamps and wood cutoffs @ A Bit O' Shine

Simple Brown Handbag

I've quickly made up another chocolate-coloured handbag in case my sister doesn't like the other brown bag I made for her. This is my post for Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage. The materials transformed for this was about 50g of yarn and three buttons. Using a 3.5mm crochet hook it didn't take long at all, maybe one afternoon.

I was speaking to Jen last week and she mentioned she needed a little handbag just big enough to hold a couple of things so I've made another bag a little bigger than the last with a longer handle. This bag has a handle long enough that when on the shoulder the bag will hang down by the waist. I used a simple stitch, instead of the shell stitch I used in the first brown bag which made it a little wonky, so this was quicker to make.

By the way, I found out at the craft group I went to last week that the stitch I've been calling 'double crochet' is American for the UK stitch called 'treble crochet', which is the stitch I used mostly here. I'm thinking I will need to learn both crochet languages so I know the two names for each stitch. There are so many free patterns on the internet that are in American crochet, but my mother and the local craft group use British crochet, so it's best I know both!

Here's to hoping my sister likes at least one of these bags!

So MANY Fantastic Ideas at this weeks party, some day I'd really like to try these ones...

• recyled baby clothes made into a child's quilt @ Mother Lode


• recycled wine corks notice board @ I Can Find The Time


• recycled spice rack craft organiser @ Real Housewife in Minnesota


• child's number beanbags @ Lemon Tree Creations


• baby wrap if anyone in my life might have a need for that @ Canadian Rhapsody


• recycled old makeup child's toy @ Simply Designing

Women's Creative Centre, Greenslopes and Lifeline Store, Mt Gravatt

Last Wednesday I managed to get myself along to a craft workshop organised by the Women's Creative Centre in Greenslopes. I post every Wednesday to help motivate me to write about getting out of the house. Included are some photos of things I bought when David took me to the Lifeline shop at Mt Gravatt the previous Sunday, like this cute little garden charm we now have sitting on our garden outdoor table.

It was a challenge to even find out about this craft group in the first place, as I've been looking on the internet for a while and hadn't found anything local. I only happened to be told about this group when I asked at the Kingston Butter Factory craft shop if they held lessons. After searching the net for "Creative Women's Centre" I found one short page as part of some listing site which had precious little information, just an email address. So I wrote to the email address and got sent a document that I couldn't read because I didn't have the software. Luckily, David helped me download it so I could read a little more. Last Saturday David drove me out to Greenslopes to see the place, as I wasn't going to go by myself without 'casing the joint' first! I plucked up the courage to speak to two ladies in the shop about going along to a lesson.

The lessons, or workshop which cost only $4.50, is not held at the craft shop but in another room in the shopping centre. It was nervous for me to walk into a strange room with strange people, its a pity they kept the window blinds closed. One lady went to close the blinds because she 'didn't want people looking at us'. I think that's a shame because it makes it harder for new people. I'm really glad I went to the craft group, and it went for two hours which was just the right length of time. I fit right in with my wonderfully perfect cane sewing basket which I got second-hand for an amazing $3 from the Lifeline shop last Sunday.

I learnt a new way of starting and ending my crochet work, which is great. I also talked with the instructor about tension and how to better judge which wool and hooks I should be using for certain projects. I had a go at an Irish Rose and I got a copy of the pattern, which is great. I also talked about the bolero I want to make, ending up changing my mind about which wool to use. There was a lot of inspiration for me to get going on several projects, I just don't know which to start next! I'll be going along again today, taking my patterns and cottons to ask about making doilies and to try and use up my pile of wool ... which doesn't seem to be shrinking yet!

Perhaps I should stop buying new wool??? lol!

Three Small Things - fingerpuppet, granny square, doily

Here are three small things I've made in the last few days, a Teddy Bear fingerpuppet, a cross-my-heart granny square and a lemon doily.

<<< There is no pattern for this finger puppet, it is merely one of my early attempts at making a crochet toy. I decided to pop a little dress on her, along with a matching flower headband. It was after I embroidered her face that I realised she was back the front. Oh well, her backwards legs are hidden beneath the skirt so it doesn't really matter. She is just for practice after all, and was fun to make. You can see her before she was decorated in my Five Tiny Teddies post as one of my early attempts at making a crochet toy. I think she makes a great companion for my Octopus Boy!

>>> When I asked David what he thought I should make next, his idea was for me to make a lovey-dovey blanket for the lounge, one with a heart motif. I've seen lots of square heart motifs so went back to the net for some ideas. One I saw was a cross my heart granny square. I didn't use that pattern, just looked at it for the idea. I think I might have a go at making a granny square all in one colour then out-lining just one of the four hearts in a contrasting colour using chain stitch.

<<< I was feeling brave so was ready to give making a doily another go. I found a simple doily diagram at a page of beginner crochet doilies. I hit a snag at the 10th round so took it to the Women's Creative Centre to see if I could get some advice on it. Apparently my tension was too tight and I need to use a bigger hook, so after we unravelled the mistake we fastened this one off to make a small doily. It's just the right size to put under the phone that is sitting on my piano.

Pretty Patterned Beanie with Flower Brooch

This pretty wine-coloured beanie was not planned and has ended up being a small adult or teenager size. I wonder who will wear it?

I had planned for this to be for one of my young nephews, using the craft wool I bought from the city Lincraft store on Monday especially because this is a 'dark colour'. A good thing too, that I didn't need to use the whole 100g ball, the end of the yarn is faulty, but at least it was cheap at just $2. But this wool had such a pretty shine to it I just had to do some special stitch which ended up looking a bit pretty. This is a common shell stitch and is the same as I used on my teddy bear dress. I started the beanie with 7 increasing rounds which is the size for an adult, but the pattern makes its little tight for me to wear. For this I used a 3.5mm hook.

I don't think I'd ever wear a hat with a big flower on it, but this is just begging for one! I had a go at the rose pattern from Crochet Spot. A big thankyou to Rachel for sharing this free pattern on her site, I'm really happy with how this turned out! Because I wouldn't normally be keen on wearing a big flower on a hat myself, I've made the rose detachable by securing it to a safety pin. This way, you can wear the beanie with or without the flower, you could even pin the flower to other things like a bag.

This was really easy to make, and cheap using this wool. Maybe next time I will get some fancier yarn?
<3 <3 <3

For this post I tagged along with The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursday! Check it out for some homecrafted ideas.

Recommended Blogs from this week's party.

• Red Crochet Doily at Crochet Galore


• Jeans into Skirt at Ready-Set-Create


• Edged blanket, hat, carseat cover at Katy-Di's Creations