A little Christmas panic!

I can't believe that Christmas day is just over a week away. I am sure many other crafters like me out there are busy trying to get all the gifts you panned to make, finished.

Nearly done now, thank goodness!

Luckily this year I decided for the first time to make a skirt for my Christmas tree.

Why Luckily?

Well, when putting my tree together this happened...

 No, the sellotape didn't work, I was being rather optimistic there.
 What did work was my hubby with a bucket, bit of wood and a drill.

Phew! He's a good'un.

With my day job in a school I have been so busy with lots of crafts there too, And of course we needed a class elf. However our elf is an excellence elf, who gathers evidence of good behaviour to make sure all the children get on to Santa's good list.

So far this month, Elfine has had them telling Santa the good things they have done, cutting snowflakes for the North Pole, making baubles for Santa's tree and making repeated pattern paper chains, amongst others. The children love their little challenges.

I know it is too late to make an elf for Christmas, but if you would like to make her as a general doll/elf/fairy, here is my pattern.

Using a 3mm hook and dk yarn in soft peach or any chosen skin shade.

Head,  Work in soft peach

1.       Magic ring, 6dc into ring

2.       Work 1dc in each st

3.       Work 2dc in each stitch            (12)

4.       Work 1dc, 2dc in next st,  6 times              (18)

5.       Work 1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat  5 times            (24)

6.       Work 1dc in next 3st, 2dc in next st, repeat  5 times             (30)

7.       Work 1dc in next 4st, 2dc in next st, repeat  5 times             (36)

8.       1dc in each st

9.       1dc in each st

10.   1dc in each st

11.   1dc in each st

12.   1dc in each st

13.   1dc in each st

14.   1dc in each st  Place eyes between rows 6 and 7, 7st apart

15.   Work 1dc in next 4st, dc2tog, repeat 5 times       (30)

16.   Work 1dc in next 3st, dc2tog, repeat 5 times       (24)

17.   Work 1dc in next 2st, dc2tog, repeat 5 times       (18)  fill with stuffing

18.   Work 1dc in next st, dc2tog, repeat 5 times         (12)

19.   Continue working dc2tog until hole is closed.

Body  Begin in white

1.       Magic ring, 6dc into ring

2.       Work 2dc in each stitch            (12)

3.       Work 1dc, 2dc in next st,  6 times              (18)

4.       Work 1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat  5 times            (24)

5.       Work 1dc in next 3st, 2dc in next st, repeat  5 times             (30)

6.       1dc in each st

7.       1dc in each st

8.       1dc in each st

9.       1dc in each st

10.   1dc in each st

11.   1dc in each st,  change to soft peach

12.   1dc in each st

13.   1dc in each st

14.   1dc in each st

15.   1dc in each st

16.   Work 1dc in next 3st, dc2tog, repeat 5 times        (24)

17.   1dc in each st

18.   1dc in each st

19.   1dc in each st

20.   1dc in each st

21.   Work 1dc in next 2 st, dc2tog, repeat 5 times      (18)

22.   1dc in each st

23.   1dc in each st

24.   1dc in each st, fill with stuffing

25.   Work 1dc in next st, dc2tog, repeat 5 times          (12)

26.   Work 1dc in each st.   Finish

Ears (optional)  work in soft peach, make 2

1.       Make a magic ring, work 6dc, slst to join

2.       Ch2 2tr in next st, 2hdtr in next st, 2dtr in next st, ch1, turn

3.       Work 1dc in next 4st, slst in next 2st, ch1, turn

4.       Miss 2slst, 1dc in next 3st, 2tr in last st, fasten off.

Arms, soft peach, make 2

1.       Make a magic ring, work 5dc

2.       Work 2dc in each st                                                 (10)

3.       Work 1dc in next st, 2dc in next st, repeat 4 times           (15)

4.       1dc in each st

5.       Work 1dc in next st, dc2tog, repeat 4 times        (10)

6.       Work 1dc in each st

7.       1dc in each st

8.       1dc in each st

9.       1dc in each st

10.   1dc in each st

11.   1dc in each st

12.   1dc in each st

13.   1dc in each st

14.   1dc in each st

15.   1dc in each st

16.   1dc in each st

17.   1dc in each st

18.   1dc in each st

19.   1dc in each st

20.   1dc in each st

21.   1dc in each st

22.   1dc in each st

23.   1dc in each st, fasten off

Legs, you can either use soft peach, or white (for tights),  make 2

1.       Make a magic ring, work 6dc

2.       Work 2dc in each st

3.       Work 1dc in next 5st, 2dc in next st, repeat 1 more time.

4.       Work 1dc in each st

5.       1dc in each st

6.       1dc in each st, ch1, turn

7.       Work 1dc in next 7st, ch1 turn

8.       Work 1dc in next 7st, ch1 turn

9.       Work 1dc in next 7st,  slst to join to opposite side of heel,ch1

10.   Work 14 st around the foot  (turn foot inside out and stitch up heel)

11.   1dc in each st

12.   1dc in each st

13.   1dc in each st

14.   1dc in each st

15.   1dc in each st

16.   1dc in each st

17.   1dc in each st

18.   1dc in each st

19.   1dc in each st

20.   1dc in each st

21.   1dc in each st

22.   1dc in each st

23.   1dc in each st

24.   1dc in each st

25.   1dc in each st

26.   1dc in each st

27.   1dc in each st

28.   1dc in each st

29.   1dc in each st

30.   1dc in each st

31.   1dc in each st

32.   1dc in each st

33.   1dc in each st

34.   1dc in each st

35.   1dc in each st

36.   1dc in each st

37.   1dc in each st

38.   1dc in each st

39.   1dc in each st

40.   1dc in each st

41.   1dc in each st

42.   1dc in each st

43.   Work 1dc in first 5st, dc2tog, repeat 1 more time, fasten off

Hair – whatever colour you wish

1.       Magic ring, 6dc into ring

2.       Work 2dc in each stitch            (12)

3.       Work 1dc, 2dc in next st,  6 times              (18)

4.       Work 1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat  5 times            (24)

5.       Work 1dc in next 3st, 2dc in next st, repeat  5 times             (30)

6.       Work 1dc in next 4st, 2dc in next st, repeat  5 times             (36)

7.       1dc in each st

8.       1dc in each st

9.       1dc in each st

10.   1dc in each st

11.   1dc in each st

12.   1dc in each st

13.   Work 1hdc in first st 2tr in next 2 st, 1hdc in next st, 1dc in next st, 1hdc in first st 2tr in next 2 st, 1hdc in next st, 1dc in next st, 1hdc in next 3st, 1dc in next 3st, 1dc in next 2st, 1hdc in next 3st, 1tr in next 3st, 1hdc in next 3st, slst in next st finish leaving a long tail for stitching hair to head.

You can add a braid to the back of the hair , ponytail, or leave it short.

Curled ponytail

1.       Ch20, 1dc in second st from the hook, *1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st* repeat to end, slst into first ch

2.       Ch32, 1dc in second st from the hook, *1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st* repeat to end, slst into first ch

3.       Ch28, 1dc in second st from the hook, *1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st* repeat to end, slst into first ch

4.       Ch23, 1dc in second st from the hook, *1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st* repeat to end, slst into first ch

5.       Ch32, 1dc in second st from the hook, *1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st* repeat to end, slst into first ch

6.       Ch34, 1dc in second st from the hook, *1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st* repeat to end, slst into first ch. Fasten off, position on head and stitch on.

You can make wings from the patterns in my earlier posts. I used to stitch the wings on but now prefer to use Velcro so I can change the wings when I want.

Have a very merry Christmas

Love Katie x x x

A crochet Halloween

So today we come to the end of October, and find ourselves at Halloween. 

My memories of Halloween were costumes made from black bin liners , paper hats, and carved turnips (now that took some effort!), there's nothing that reminds me of Halloween more than the smell of burnt turnip.

My own children would dress up as ghosts, witches, or characters from Harry Potter, but the weather was always so cold the costumes would have to be covered by warm coats.

Now that they are all grown up and not needing me to take them trick or treating or stay with them at parties, I have to make do with making costumes for my fairies!

Tonight I shall sit at home and listen for the knocks on the door, and act scared as small children giggle.

Most years we don't get too many visitors, which means I get to eat most of the treats myself.

I wonder what mischief the fairies will get up to tonight?

Happy Halloween

Love Kaie x x x

A Prickle of Hedgehogs

I was looking up the collective noun for hedgehogs, the official term is an array of hedgehogs, but I much prefer the more apt prickle of hedgehogs.
A couple of years ago we had to round up 6 hoglets that had been nesting in our garden, after their mother was killed. Not an easy task as the nest was under the bramble bush! Eventually we had them all snuggly in a box and taken to the local hedgehog rescue centre, where they were weaned and fattened up before being released.

This year I have not managed to spot any of our prickly visitors, but I know they have been from the little 'messages' they leave.

So I have had to make my own prickle of hedgehogs instead.

Crochet Hedgehog

You will need

Dark brown yarn, light brown yarn, 3mm crochet hook

1.       With light brown yarn make a magic ring, 5dc

2.       1dc in each st

3.       2dc in first 2st, 1dc in next 3st   (7st)

4.       2dc in the first 4st, dc in next st, 2dc in next st, dc in next st.     (12st)

5.       1dc in first 2st, 2dc in next 4st, 1dc in next 6st.       (16st)

6.       1dc in first 4st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8st.  (18st)

7.       1dc in each st.

8.       *dc in 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat from *     (24st)

9.       1dc in first 6st, 2dc in next st, *dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat from *2 more times, dc in next 8st.     (28st)

10.   1dc in first 8st, 2dc in next st, *dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat from *2 more times, dc in next 10 st.    (32st)

11.   1dc in first 6 st, 2dc in next st, *dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat from *6 more times dc in next 8st.   (40st)

Attach or sew eyes between rows 8 and 9, 5st apart. Sew on nose.

Change from to dark brown yarn

12.   From now work in BLO, 1dc in each st

13.   1dc in first 4st, 2dc in next st, repeat around.  (48st)

14.   1dc in each st.

15.   1dc in each st.

16.   1dc in each st.

17.   1dc in each st.

18.   1dc in each st.

19.   1dc in each st.

20.   1dc in each st.

21.   1dc in each st.

22.   1dc in each st.

23.   1dc in each st.

24.   Dc in first 4st, dc2tog, repeat around   (40st)

25.   Dc in first 6st, dc2tog,*dc in next 2st, dc2tog in next st, repeat from*6 more times, dc in next 8st.   (32st)

26.   Dc in first 8st, dc2tog, *dc in next 2st, dc2tog in next st, repeat from * 2 more times, dc in next 10st.   (28st)

27.   Dc in first 6st, dc2tog, * dc in next 2st, dc2tog, repeat from *2 more times, dc in next 8st.    (24st)

28.   Dc in first 2st, dc2tog, repeat around, 

29.   Dc in next st, dc2tog, repeat around

30.   Dc2tog, repeat around.

Finish off and sew in ends.

Small crochet hedgehog

1.       With light brown yarn make a magic ring, 5dc

2.       1dc in each st

3.       2dc in first 2st, 1dc in next 3st   (7st)

4.       2dc in the first 4st, dc in next st, 2dc in next st, dc in next st.     (12st)

5.       1dc in first 2st, 2dc in next 4st, 1dc in next 6st.       (16st)

6.       1dc in first 4st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8st.  (18st)

Change to dark brown yarn, sew in eyes between rows 3 and 4 , 3st apart. Sew on nose.

7.       Working now in BLO, 1dc in each st.

8.       1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat around.

9.       1dc in first 6st, 2dc in next st, *dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat from *2 more times, dc in next 8st.

10.   1dc in each

11.   1dc in each

12.   1dc in each

13.   Dc in first 6st, dc2tog, *dc in next 2st, dc2tog, repeat from *2 more times, dc in next 8st.

14.   Dc in next st, dc2tog, repeat around.

15.   Dc2tog, repeat around.

Remember if you are having a bonfire this autumn check that no hedgehogs have chosen it as a good place to hibernate under, before you light it!

Love Katie x x x