Monday 30 March 2015

A hoppity of bunnies

It's been a very busy few weeks for me. As well as crochet I love to sing, and have been getting ready for a couple of big concerts with the choir I am in. This weekend we were singing at The Sage. It was an amazing experience, even if did have to be cut short.
 
 
Normally I am at the back of my section, but somehow I managed to be placed on the front row of the ladies choirs, eek!! Luckily I remembered all my words.
 
I have been able to keep hooking while learning my words, and as Easter is coming up I thought I would make some Easter chicks.
The first one seemed ok, but the following chicks - well - I wonder if they look a little 'evil'? My son thought they looked like they should be on an episode of Dr Who.



 
I'm still undecided, I think if I get some small safety eyes they might look friendlier?
 
 
Some one who is less scary is Alby, my white rabbit.
Hopefully I will find the notes I took while I was making him, then I can get them on here x
It is lovely to relax on a lovely spring morning, with a cup of tea and my crochet.
The little rabbit applique is from Simply crochet magazine.
 
 
I think I got a bit carried away, and I was soon covered in them.
I looked up the collective known for rabbits, my favourite of the list I found, was a 'down of rabbits', however I prefer a 'hoppity of bunnies'.
 
 
 
I hope all these bunnies leave me plenty of chocolate eggs!
 
Love Katie x x

Wednesday 11 March 2015

Little Leprechaun


This weekend I ended up with a new little friend to join the fairies that wander through my garden.
I have only made the pattern once but wondered if anyone out there would like to give it a go and have their own Little Leprechaun.
 
Apologies if you spot any mistakes, just message me and I will have a look x
 
 
What you will need
 
3.5mm hook
Beige dk
Green dk
Light green dk
Black dk
Auburn dk
safety eyes
button
 
 
R1) Make a magic ring in beige, work 6dc into the ring
R2) 2dc in each
R3) 2dc, 1dc, repeat around
R4) 2dc, 2xdc, repeat around
R5) 2dc, 3xdc, repeat around
R6) 2dc, 4xdc, repeat around
R7-13) 1dc in each
R14) dc2tog, 4xdc, repeat around
R15) dc2tog, 3xdc, repeat around
R16) dc2tog, 2xdc, repeat around
R17) dc2tog, dc, repeat around
R18) dc in each
 
place safety eyes between rows 10 and 11, approx. 9st apart
         Change to green
R19) dc in each
R20) 2dc, 1dc, repeat around
R21) 2dc, 2xdc, repeat around
R22) 1dc in each
R23 2dc, 3xdc, repeat around
R24) 1dc in each
R25) 2dc, 4xdc, repeat around
R26-270 1dc in each
R28) 2dc, 5xdc, repeat around
R29-32) 1dc in each
R33) blo, 1dc in each
R34-36) 1dc in each
R37)dc2tog, 5xdc, repeat around
R38) dc2tog, 4xdc, repeat around
R39) dc2tog, 3xdc, repeat around
R40) dc2tog, 2xdc, repeat around
R41) dc2tog, dc, repeat around
R40) dc2tog, repeat around
 
finish
 
Coat tails
 
Re-join green yarn in the centre (front) of R33
R1) flo, ch1 (does not count as a st) dc in each, ch1, turn
R2-3) 1dc in each
R4A) dc in next 21st, ch1, turn
R5A) dc2tog, dc to end, ch1, turn
R6A) dc in 18st, dc2tog, ch1, turn
R7A) dc2tog, dc to end, ch1, turn
R8A) dc2tog, dc till last 2st, dc2tog, finish off
 
re-join yarn in 22nd st
R4B) ch1, dc in first st, dc to end, ch1, turn
R5B) dc in 19st, dc2tog, ch1, turn
R6B) dc2tog, dc to end, ch1, turn
R7B) dc to last 2st, dc2tog, ch1,turn
R8B) dc2tog, dc to last 2st, dc2tog, finish off
 
Colar
 
In green ch20
R1) dc in 3rd chain from hook, dc to last st, 1htr in last st, ch2, turn
R2) tr in first st dc till last st, 2tr in last st, finish off.
 
Stitch around neckline of body.
 
Belt
 
In black ch38, dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc to end, finish off
 
Stitch hair in place
 
Legs (make 2)
 
R1) In green make a magic ring, 5dc
R2) 2dc in each st
R3) 2dc, 1dc, repeat around
R4) 2dc, 2xdc, repeat around
R5) 1dc in each
R6) 3x tr2tog 14xdc
R7) 3x tr2tog 11x dc
R8-9) 1dc in each
        Change to green
R10-28) 1dc in each
finish off
 
Arms (make2)
 
R1) Using beige make a magic ring, 5dc
R2) 2dc in each st
R3) 2dc, 4xdc, 2dc, 4xdc
R4-5) 1dc in each
R6) dc2tog, 2xdc, repeat around
R7) 1dc in each
      Change to green
R8-22) 1dc in each
finish off
 
Hat
 
R1) In green make a magic ring, 6dc
R2) 2dc in each st
R3) 2dc, 1dc, repeat around
R4) 2dc, 2xdc, repeat around
R5) 2dc, 3xdc, repeat around
R6) blo, 1dc in each
R7-14) 1dc in each
R15) flo, 2dc, 3xdc, repeat around, dc in last 2st
R16) 2dc, 4xdc, repeat around, dc in last 2st
R17) 2dc, 5xdc, repeat around, dc in last 2st, slst in next st
finish off
 
Hat band
 
In black ch32, dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc to end, finish off
Stitch around hat.
 
Clover
 
In light green ch8, slst in 4th ch from hook, ch3 slst in same place as before, ch3 slst in same place as before, finish off, weave around centre of clover and pull tight to close centre.
Stitch one clover to hat and one to shirt.
 
 
Hope you enjoy the pattern, if you make my leprechaun please credit me for the pattern.
Thank you
 
Katie x x
 
 



Sunday 1 March 2015

A Doily Kind of Day

The first thing I ever crocheted when I was a little girl was a doily (well of sorts). My grandma taught me to chain and the double crochet and so I just went round and round feeling very pleased with myself.
Ever since then I have always loved a doily. I didn't care when they were out of fashion, I was still happy to display my doilies with pride.
 
Now the doily seems to have become a little more popular again (I don't think it's just my wishful thinking). Large, small, plain or colourful, the possibilities are endless. I started adding more colour after looking at beautiful mandalas on Instagram.




 
I admit I love working a repetitive pattern and getting mathematical with my crochet.
 

 
 
I have been hunting through all my old copies of Simply Crochet to find pretty patterns. I don't always follow the colours given as I like to go with colours that match my mood, or other things that become an inspiration, such as a vase of flowers on the mantelpiece.
 



 
Sometimes I like to just pick up my hook and yarn and let the crochet flow, add colours and shape as I feel them. Although I do get cross with myself if I can't work out what I've done when I later want to write out the pattern.
 
 
So why don't you pick up a hook and decide how colourful you are feeling today, see what beauty you can create x x
 
Katie x x