Angels watching over me

For a long time I have been coming up with my own designs, but never really thought they were good enough. 

Yesterday I posted a picture of some angel wings I had designed and the response amazed me and encouraged me to keep going. 

Thank you to all you creative people out there who boost each other and help us to feel like what we do is worth it x x

It is down to those people and their kind words that got me to share this pattern. 

Use it to remember those you have lost, or spread love to someone in need x

(Please give credit to myself for the pattern when you share pictures of your work, thank you)

I've always been reminded of those we've loved and lost when I see a white feather floating down, it's comforting to think they are watching over us. This inspired me to come up with this angel wings pattern.

I used Stylcraft special dk and a 3.5mm hook, uk terms

Begin by making a ch of 17

1. dc in second ch from hook and then to the end, ch1, turn
2. dc in next 16st, then work 1dc into the side of the row, ch1, turn
3. dc in next 15st , ch1, turn
4. dc in next 14st, 2dc in next st,1dc on the side, ch1, turn
5. dc in the next 15st
6. dc in next 14st, 2dc in next st continue along the side, 2dc, 2xdc, 2dc, then work 6dc along the opposite edge, ch1, turn
7. dc in next 7st, 2dc in next 2st, dc in next 3st, 2dc in next st, dc in next 12st, ch1, turn
8. dc in next 13st, 2dc in next st, dc in next 5st, 2dc in next st, dc in next 6st, finish

Repeat for the 2nd wing.

If you want to make the hanging decoration, place the two wings together and rejoin the yarn through both wing in the 2nd st from the end of the last 6dd. 

Work 5dc through both wings ch20 the join at the top of the 5dc with a slst, finish.

Please feel free to pop by my Facebook page and share your wings with me.

Much love

Katie x x 

Bauble inspired blanket

It seems like Christmas was months and months ago! Time just wizzes by when you're having fun, or sitting crocheting!
When putting all my decorations away I was inspired by the colours of some of my Christmas decorations, to make a blanket. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of them before they were packed into the loft.

I loved the colour, the patterns, the texture, and wanted to recreate it as much as I could.

I chose my favourite Stylecraft special DK for the project, going with, Emperor, Royal, Mustard, Magenta, Teal, and Petrol.

My favourite size of blanket is one that just fits nicely across my lap on a chilly evening, so I started with a ch of 152 in Emperor, and with my trusty 4mm I began. Turn after each row, all beginning ch3 count as first tr unlass stated, all starting dc do not count as a st.

Bauble blanket part 1

1. dc in 2nd ch from the hook and continue to the end (151st)
2. ch3 miss first st work a tr in the flo of the next st and repeat this to the end.
3. ch3 1tr in first st,* miss 2st, 3tr in next st, repeat from * to end finishing with 2tr in last st.
4. ch3 miss first 2st *work 3tr in sp between the group of treble in r3, miss next 3st, repeat from * to end, finishing with 1tr in last st.      CHANGE TO MUSTARD
5. ch3, 1tr in first st *miss 3st, work 3tr in space between 3tr group from r4, repeat from * finishing with 2tr in last st.
6. ch3 miss first st 1tr in next st working flo, continue to the end.
7. ch3, miss first st, 1tr in each of the next 2st*ch1, miss 1st, tr in next 2st, repeat from * to last 4st, ch1, miss 1, tr in last 3st
8. ch5,miss first 3tr1tr in chsp,* ch2, miss 2st , 1tr in chsp, repeat from * till last 3st, ch2, miss 2st 1tr in last st.   CHANGE TO PETROL
9. ch1, dc in first st, *2dc in 2chsp, dc in next tr, repeat from * finishing with a dc in 3rd ch of previous starting 5.
10. ch3, miss first st work a tr in the flo of the next st and repeat this to the end.
11. ch3 1tr in first st,* miss 2st, 3tr in next st, repeat from * to end finishing with 2tr in last st.
12. ch3 miss first 2st *work 3tr in sp between the group of treble in r11, miss next 3st, repeat from * to end, finishing with 1tr in last st.
13. ch3, miss first st, *3trtog, ch2, repeat from * to end, finishing with 1tr in last st.
14. ch1, dc in first st dc in chsp,* 1dc on top of 3trtog, 2dc in next chsp, repeat from * finishing with 1dc in last st.    CHANGE TO MAGENTA
15. ch3, miss first st, 1tr in next st working in blo, repeat to end.
16. ch3, miss first st work bptr around each st to the end.
17. ch3 1tr in first st,* miss 2st, 3tr in next st, repeat from * to end finishing with 2tr in last st.
18. ch3 miss first st work a tr in the flo of the next st and repeat this to the end.   CHANGE TO ROYAL
19. ch3 1tr in first st,* miss 2st, 3tr in next st, repeat from * to end finishing with 2tr in last st.
20. ch3 miss first st 1tr in next st working flo, continue to the end.
21. ch3 miss first st 1tr in next st working blo, continue to the end.
22. ch4,miss first 2st, 1tr in next st, *ch1, miss 1st, 1tr in next st, repeat to end.
23. ch1, 1dc in first st*ch1 miss chsp, 1dc on next  tr, repeat from * to end
24. ch1 1dc in first st * 1dc in chsp, 1dc in next st, repeat from * to end.   CHANGE TO TEAL
25. ch3 miss first st 1tr in next st working blo, continue to the end.
26. ch3 1tr in first st,* miss 2st, 3tr in next st, repeat from * to end finishing with 2tr in last st.
27. ch3 miss first 2st *work 3tr in sp between the group of treble in r26, miss next 3st, repeat from * to end, finishing with 1tr in last st.
28. ch3, 1tr in first st *miss 3st, work 3tr in space between 3tr group from r27, repeat from * finishing with 2tr in last st.
29. ch1, dc in first st* 1htr in next, 1tr in next, 1dtr in next, 1tr in next, 1htr in next 1dc in next, repeat from * to end
30. ch1 dc2tog , 1dc in next 2 st, 3dc in next st, 1dc in next 2st,* dc3tog1dc in next 2st 3dc in next st 1dc in next 2st, repeat from * to end finishing with dc2tog   CHANGE TO MUSTARD
31. repeat r30
32. ch4, miss first st 1dtr in next st ( this counts as dtr2tog) *1tr in next st, 1htr in next st, 1dc in next st, 1htr in next st, 1tr in next st ,dtr3tog, repeat from * finishing with dtr2tog
33. ch3, miss first st, 1tr in next st working in blo, repeat to end.
34. ch3 miss first st 1tr in next st working flo, continue to the end.
35. ch3, miss first st, 1tr in next st working in blo, repeat to end.
36. ch1, dc in first st* 1htr in next, 1tr in next, 1dtr in next, 1tr in next, 1htr in next 1dc in next, repeat from * to end

I shall post the second part of the blanket soon

 Katie x x 

Sunny Baby Blanket

Who doesn't love a nice snuggly blanket. It's the best bit about being chilly, the excuse to get under a soft crochet blanket. 

As soon as I hear anyone is expecting a baby I get my hooks out to make a cosy baby blanket.

While I've been off work for the summer I've had the chance to try a few different styles and come up with a couple of patterns of my own.

I thought I would share this sunny little blanket with you (if there is anyone out there??)

It's worked in one of my favourite Stylecraft special dk colours, Saffron (3 balls). Using a 4mm hook. Terms are in English.

Begin with a chain of 111

1.       Dc in second ch from hook then repeat to end. Turn.

2.       Ch 4 (counts as tr, ch1) miss next st *ch1, tr in next st, repeat from * to end. Turn.

3.       Ch1,* dc in first st, dc in ch sp repeat from *to the end, dc in last st. Turn.

4.       Ch1, * dc in first st, ch1, miss next st, dc in next st, repeat from * to end. Turn.

5.       Ch1,* dc in first st, dc in ch sp repeat from *to the end, dc in last st. Turn.

Row 6 -109. Repeat rows 2- 5 26 times.

Row 110 – 112 repeat rows 2-4 1 time.

113. Ch1, dc in first st,* dc in ch space, ch1 miss next st, repeat from *, dc in last st.Turn.

114. Repeat row 4

115. Repeat row 113

116. Repeat row 4

117. Repeat row 113

118. Repeat row 5, Finish

Border

Rejoin yarn in first st RS facing.

1.       Work 1dc in each st along the bottom till last st, work 3 st in corner. Turn to work along the edge *work 2dc along the trc post, 1dc in each of next 3 rows, repeat this pattern to the top, work 3dc in the corner, continue to work dc along the top, 3dc in corner, turn to work along opposite edge as previous. Slst to join.

2.       Ch1. Dc in same st, ch1, miss next st dc in next st. Repeat this pattern until corner, in each 3 corner st work ch1 dc without missing a st. Repeat this along other 3 sides. Slst to join then slst into next ch sp.

3.        Ch3 dc into next ch sp, repeat around border. Slst to join, slst into ch sp.

4.       Ch3 dc into next ch sp until reaching the top edge of the blanket. Along the top work ch1, dc in next ch sp. Once back to last side continue to ch3 then dc in next ch sp. Slst to join, slst into next ch sp.

5.       Work 2dc in each ch3sp along bottom and side, Along top work 1dc into each dc and ch1sp, along last edge continue to work 2dc into each ch3sp. Slst to join. Finish.

Love Katie x

Cute Cocoons

A friend's daughter recently set up her own photographic studio. A few weeks ago they asked if I could make a hungry caterpillar cocoon to use as a photo prop.

I have always loved the Very Hungry Caterpillar, a few years ago I made my own caterpillar hat to wear for our class ugly bug ball.

(Crochet is a handy talent to have when you work in early years!)

I am sure that a sweet little baby will look much cuter as a caterpillar than me.

I can't wait to see some pictures of the cocoon in use.

Once I'd finished the caterpillar I followed on with a bumble bee cocoon.

After working the hat I thought it might look a little too girly, so I added a straight edged hat for little boys.

Now it's not very often I remember to write down my patterns, I have a bad habit of just going with the flow then forgetting how I got there.

The good news is I wrote these down, so I thought I would share the bumble bee pattern with anyone out there who would like to try it. Now I have only worked this pattern once and no one else has tested the pattern, but it's very simple so there shouldn't be any mistakes. However if anyone comes across one, please let me know.

For this pattern I used one ball each of  Stylecraft special dk in black and daffodil, working with a 6.5mm hook.

Starting with the black yarn;

1)   make a magic ring and work 6htr                (6 st)

2)   inc in each st                                                (12 st)

3)   inc, 1x htr, rep                                              (18 st)

4)   inc, 2x htr, rep                                              (24 st)

5)   inc, 3x htr, rep                                              (30 st)

6)   inc, 4x htr, rep                                              (36 st)

7)   inc, 5x htr, rep                                              (42 st)

8)   inc, 6x htr, rep                                              (48 st)

9)   inc, 7x htr, rep                                              (54 st)

10) inc, 8x htr, rep                                              (60 st)

11) inc, 9x htr, rep                                              (66 st)

12) inc, 10x htr, rep                                            (72 st)

13) inc, 11x htr, rep                                            (78 st)

14-16) 1htr in each st

            change to yellow

17-26) 1htr in each

            change to black

27-31) 1htr in each

            change to yellow

32-41) 1htr in each

            change to black

42-46) 1htr in each

            change to yellow

47-56) 1htr in each

            change to black

57) 1htr in each st, join with a slst

58)  chain 3, 1fptr, 1bptr, repeat around and join with a slst

59) Repeat row 58

Finish.

Baby girls hat

Start with yellow yarn

1) make a magic ring and work 8htr

2) inc in each st                                                           (16 st)

3) inc, 1xhtr, rep                                                          (24 st)

4) inc, 2x htr, rep                                                         (32 st)

5) inc, 3x htr, rep                                                         (40 st)

    change to black

6-7) 1htr in each

    change to yellow

8-10) 1htr in each

    change to black

11-12) 1htr in each

    change to yellow

13-14) 1htr in each

15) miss 1 st, 5tr in next st, miss 1 st, slst in next st, repeat around

finish

Baby boys hat

Start with black yarn

1) make a magic ring and work 8htr

2) inc in each st                                                           (16 st)

3) inc, 1xhtr, rep                                                          (24 st)

4) inc, 2x htr, rep                                                         (32 st)

5) inc, 3x htr, rep                                                         (40 st)

    change to yellow

6-8) 1htr in each

    change to black

9-10) 1htr in each

   change to yellow

11-13) 1htr in each

    change to black

14-15) 1htr in each

16) 1dc in each, join with a slst

finish.

Have fun x x

     

          Katie x x

Temperature Blanket

At the end of last year I started to see all the lovely pictures popping up on Instagram and Pinterest of finished temperature blankets. Until this time I hadn't heard of this idea  but as I seemed to have lost my crojo I thought it would be a good way to get myself hooked again. This method uses the temperature from each day the determin the colour of the row you crochet.

I found a few charts online with ideas for colours to use for the different temperatures but I wanted more colour than these had.

After spending more time looking at pictures of lovely yarn I decided to order the Attic24 Cosy stylecraft dk kit from Woolwharehouse, adding a few extra colours to the mix.

The yarn pack came with a pattern for Lucy's cosy blanket so I decided to keep to the pattern, changing the colour order to match with the temperature chart I matched the colours to.

Each day I checked the temperature and wrote in my diary. I had to wait a week into January to get started while I waited for my lovely Stylecraft yarn to arrive.

At first everything seemed to be going really well. I loved the way the shades were working up and I was getting good at making sure I weaved in the ends every few days so I wouldn't be left with that job at the end ( oh how we all love the job of weaving in the ends of striped blankets)!

Then came the end of January and I wanted to take a picture to share with friends to show how it was turning out. This was when I discovered that January no longer had only 31 days, that there were now 32!

Oops

Looking back matching temperatures in my blanket to the changes of colour, I had managed to add an extra day right in the middle of the month.

I would love to say I was the type of fastidious person who would rip 15 rows out to get rid of a little mistake - but no, not a chance. So from now on January 2017 had 32 days.

So now we are in March. The colour stripes started off predominately purple at the start of the year, now there are more blue shades, with the odd warm(ish) day adding a splash of green.

I am looking forward to see how the pattern grows though the year, and hopefully there will be no more extra days!

Love

Katie x x

Blanket love

Duvet days are not for me, just give me a crochet blanket to snuggle under and I'm a happy girl.

I've always loved a pretty blanket, but since learning to crochet the love (and the collection) has grown and grown.

This was the first blanket I made, four years ago.

I taught myself to hook up a granny square from You Tube.

I then started making large granny squares as baby blankets, then gifts for friends.

Got to love a colourful Granny blanket.

However my son preferred this Storm Trooper blanket.

Of course many of you who crochet will have come across the fab Attic 24 page, who can resist making one of Lucy's gorgeous ripple blankets?

I love the bright colours of Stylcraft dk, and the soft feel of it. Perfect for cold nights on the sofa, or stretching out on in the garden on warm summer days.

I also used stylecraft for this gorgeous round blanket from Simply Crochet mag by Hanjan crochet.

I then started to get a little adventurous in creating my own blanket patterns.

I wanted to make one that reminded me of a toadstool, and another like a meadow.

My next project was filet crochet. I loved the idea of putting messages on blankets or making something personal.

My friends son was very impressed with his very own Tardis blanket.

I like the idea of making things that are individual, one of kind.

My latest blankets have been made up using the c2c pattern from Simply crochet mag. I love the way this pattern works up so quickly. A few people are going to be getting this style blanket as Christmas gifts this year.

I hope that I might have inspired more people to go grab a hook and make pretty blankets to snuggle under    x x x

Katie

Mermaid Tales

Hello again

Oh my goodness, I hadn't realised how long it had been since I last posted!

Time flies when you are having fun.

So what have I been up to recently?

Well it seems that lots of my friends and family have fallen in love with mermaid tail blankets. I have had so many requests. Up to now I have made 12!

They are so fun to make! I found a pattern on Pinterest, but have played around with it to change they way it is shaped at the bottom, and have tried a few different ways of making the fin.

I have hooked up adult size to baby size, and I am looking forward to seeing of all the pictures of them in use.

I love using variegated yarn, it gives a really pretty illusion of scales.

I think my little mermaid here agrees they are very comfy.

I wonder how many more I will make before Christmas arrives?