Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

I am very lucky that I live so close to the coast. I can walk to the beach in 30mins. Every morning on the way to work I pass the sea. I've seen some amazing sunrises and sunsets that have made me feel truly blessed.

I'm sure as a child I took this for granted, but now I am thankful for the calming feeling I get from sitting watching the waves. 

My daughter tells me that it's one of the things she misses the most while she is away at university (the rivers of York don't have the same effect).

This half term our class topic is the seaside, after reading our class book 'The Singing Mermaid' by Julia Donaldson, I have been so inspired to make lots of lovely props for our role play area. I've hooked up starfish, crabs, jellyfish, seahorses, mermaids, and my favourite make of Gulliver the Seagull

Seagull

3mm hook, dc yarn

Body

1.       Make a magic ring, 6dc

2.       2dc in each st                                       (12st)

3.       1dc, 2dc, repeat around                     (18st)

4.       2x 1dc, 2dc, repeat around                (24st)

5.       3x 1dc, 2dc, repeat around                (30st)

6.       – 18. Work 1dc in each st

19.  11x1dc, 8x 2dc, 11x 1dc                      (38st)

20. 8x 1dc, 3x 2dc, 16 x 1dc, 3x 2dc, 8x 1dc  (44st)

21. 1dc in each, attach eyes

22.7x 1dc, 2dc, 28x 1dc, 2dc, 7x 1dc,        (46st)

23. dc2tog, 42x 1dc dc2tog,                        (44st)

24. 16x 1dc, 2dc, 10x 1dc, 2dc, 16x 1dc,    (46st)

25. 8x 1dc, 2dc, 8x 1dc, 2dc, 4x 1dc, 2x 2dc, 4x 1dc, 2dc, 8x 1dc, 2dc, 8x 1dc              (52st)

26. 1dc, dc2tog, 6x 1dc, 2dc, 8x 1dc, 2dc, 6x 1dc, 2x 2dc, 6x 1dc, 2dc, 8x 1dc, 2dc, 6x 1dc, dc2tog,

        1dc                                                             (56st)

27.1dc in each

28. 1dc in each

29. 1dc, dc2tog, 50x 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc            (54st)

30. 1dc, dc2tog, 4x 1dc, dc2tog, 9x 1dc, 2dc, 6x 1dc, 2dc, 2x 1dc, 2dc, 6x 1dc, 2dc, 9x 1dc, dc2tog,  

       4x 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc                                      (54st)

31. 1dc, dc2tog, 4x 1dc, dc2tog, 36x 1dc, dc2tog, 4x 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc            (50st)

32. 1dc, dc2tog, 3x 1dc, dc2tog, 34x 1dc, dc2tog, 3x 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc             (46st)

33. 1dc, dc2tog, 3x 1dc, dc2tog, 30x 1dc, dc2tog, 3x 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc             (42st)

34. dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 26x 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog              (36st)

35.dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 14x 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc,

      dc2tog                                                                                                                        (28st)

36. dc2tog, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 14x 1dc, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, dc2tog finish off leaving tail to

       stitch edge together.

Beak

1.       Make a magic ring, 6dc

2.       1dc in each

3.       2x 1dc, 2dc, 2x 1dc, 2dc

4.       1dc in each

5.       1dc in each, finish, see picture for position of beak

Wings

1.       Make a magic ring, 6dc

2.       2dc in each st            (12st)

3.       2dc, 1dc, 2dc, 1dc, 2dc, 1dc, 2htr, 1dc, 2dc, 1dc, 2dc, 1dc

4.       2x 1dc, 2dc, 2x 1dc, 2dc, 2x 1dc, 2htr, 2x 1tr, 2htr, 2x 1dc, 2dc, 2x 1dc, 2dc

5.       3x 1dc, 2htr, 3x 1htr, 2htr, 3x 1tr, 2tr, 2x 1dtr, 2tr, 3x 1tr, 2htr, 2x 1htr, 2x 1dc, 2dc

6.       3x 1dc, 2dc, 4x 1htr, 2htr, 4x 1tr, 3tr, 2x 1dtr, 3tr, 4x 1tr, 2htr, 4x 1htr, 2dc, 1dc, 1stst to finish, leave tail to stitch to body of bird

Tail

1.       Ch11, dc in 2^nd ch from hook and in next 5st, 4x htr, turn

2.       Ch2 (does not count as a stitch) 4x 1htr, 6x 1dc, turn

3.       Ch1, 6x 1dc, 4x 1htr, turn

4.       Repeat row2

5.       Repeat row3

6.       Repeat row2, finish

Feet and legs

1.       Make a magic ring, 6dc

2.       2dc, 1dc, repeat around,                                     (9st)

3.       1dc in each

4.       2dc, 2x 1dc, repeat around,                                 (12st)

5.       1dc in each

6.       2dc, 3x 1dc, repeat around,                                  (15st)

7.       1dc in each

8.       2dc, 4x 1dc, repeat around,                                   (18st)

9.       This row is worked through both sides

2tr, 2x 1dc, 2x 1tr, 2x 1dc, 2x 1tr,  finish

Legs

1.       Make a magic ring, 6dc

2.       – 11, 1dc in each st,   finish

I hope you enjoy hooking up your own flock of seagulls

love Katie x x 

A Little Me Time

So it's the Easter holidays and I get a break from the day job. What am I going to do with all this spare time (silly question)? 

I did think I could type up all the patterns I have written in notebooks, I could sort out all my yarn from its various hiding places, or hunt down all the missing pairs of craft scissors that are hiding down the back/sides of chairs and the sofa. I could even do a little housework?

Silly!

Instead I finally got started on the projects in one of my Christmas presents. Unicorns, Dragons and more Fantasy Amigurumi. 

https://www.amigurumipatterns.net/books/Unicorns-Dragons-and-more-Fantasy-Amigurumi/

The patterns in here are soooo adorable. It was difficult to choose which to start with, but I decided to be good and start with patterns I already had the yarn for ( I had told myself I wouldn't buy any new yarn this break - of course that didn't last long and there are another 8 balls in my yarn collection).

This little unicorn is such a cutie! An easy pattern to follow which works up quickly.

All fairies should have a pet unicorn!

I have a feeling I'm going to be asked to make a few more of these once my friends see these pictures.

A larger project is the Pegasus.

This was a joy to make and is definitely a favourite of mine.

Of course I had to make Tootles a dress to match for the photographs.

The third project I have made from this fabulous book is the baby phoenix. I feel like I need to go get a cute ornamental birdcage to home him.

I feel a matching dress for the fairies is going to be required.

Whatever you are doing this Easter, I hope it is magical x

Love Katie x x x

Alice's adventures in world book day

Who doesn't love world book day ( well, apart from parents who have to rush about to get their child the right costume)?

I have always loved books, children's book, teenage fiction, I still go back to my old favourites.

This year my school had chosen Alice in Wonderland as our theme for world book day, no costumes required, just lots of fun activities.

Of course being me, I had to get my hooks out and make something to inspire my class.

Alice came first. None of my fairies have blonde hair so I needed to begin with a brand new little lady.

 It took a while to get the hair right.

 Her outfit followed, the Disney style dress, and bow for her hair.

Next came the white rabbit. This was a pattern I had designed a few years ago, when I made one for my daughter in law.

I think I would rather like to spot a rabbit in a smart jacket, running through my garden. 

As I was short on time for making these, he borrowed a jacket I had made for my choir doll which accompanied me when I went to sing at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Cheshire cat was the next to come to play. I had worried that he looked a little scary for five year olds, but I needn't have worried, they found him quite loveable.  I was lucky to find some cats eyes tucked in the corner of my eyes/nose box (I bet not many people can say they have one of those!).

A sleeping dormouse to fit in a teacup. I left my teapot at home, the risk of breakage was too high. He was a chubby little thing , and it took me awhile to be happy with his eyes. I have to admit I am not very good at getting my stitching symmetrical.

The Mad Hatter was rather a rush to finish, I only began him the evening before he was needed, I ended up staying up very late, then getting up rather early, and didn't manage to get his jacket made.

It was lovely to see the looks on the children's faces when they saw them. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Of course my other fairies had to get in on the World Book Day fun...

Our next topic is superheroes. I wonder how the girls will dress for this?

Love Katie x x

A well loved doll

I am sure that you had a favourite toy as a child. Like many others of my age, my Tiny Tears doll (Jenny) was my favourite. I have searched but have been unable to find any pictures of her. But coming a close second was Mr Beany, who still resides on my bookcase.

He's a bit dirty and worn, When I was younger I had to knit him a jumper to stitch his hands to before they fell off.

My dad has a bear that he has kept from his childhood.

He has lost an eye and has a few bald patches, but the look suits him.

Unlike the doll my mum still cherishes. After seeing some of the dresses I'd made for the fairies, she asked if I could make a dress for Annabelle, to make her look pretty.

Now it's a good job my daughter is away at University, as for her this would be the stuff of nightmares. (I have to admit to sending her the odd snapchat of the doll in various places in the house)

Annabelle is 65 and made by Pedigree. When I was young she still said "mama" when you tipped her forward, but she is quiet know. Her head still moves as you make her walk. Her eyes are a little sunken and my mum remembers cutting her hair because she was not allowed to have long hair herself, and if she had to have short hair, so did Annabelle!

So yesterday I dug into my yarn stash to choose a colour that would suit her, and began to create. I decided she needed a matching hat to finish off the look.

Luckily my mum is very happy with the result and thinks she is beautiful, she now plans for her to live on her dressing table instead of the top of the wardrobe.

I am so glad that she is still loved.

Love Katie x x x

Hello 2019

So here it is, New Year, with all it's promise.

2018 was a strange one for me, hopefully this year I'll take what was good and grow on it, and learn to avoid the things that made it bad. 

I really need to keep myself motivated this year. I want to create more - and write my patterns down. I want to be able to share more. This year I found that people like my work, that my patterns are worth sharing (just got to make sure I don't start doubting myself again).

It was these angel wings that encouraged me to keep going. So many lovely comments about them. I hope that they have brought comfort to many who have made them.

So what's to come this year?

I have lots of ideas and plans in my head for the fairies. 

I love making the fairies, and now they have many more clothes than me!

Everyone needs a little magic in their lives x

Wishing everyone a wonderful year ahead. May it be full of happiness, magic, and creativity.

Love Katie x x x

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