Autumn nights and crochet blankets

I've been back at the day job for one week and summer already feels so far away. The nights are drawing in and the mornings have that fresh chill to them. I have so many ideas in my head that I want to make, so am looking forward to the dark nights of sitting under a pile of homemade blankets with my hook and yarn.

I have a rather large collection of blankets that I've made for myself, but an even bigger stash of blankets I just make because I need to keep my hands busy.

My daughter decided to set me up with an Etsy shop, so I had to start getting the blankets out to photograph and measure. So far I've got 32 of them done, and I still have more to do!!

oh goodness, I had no idea I had such a collection. 

I love trying out new patterns for blankets, it's fun to try out new stitches and see how they work together, but I also love old favourites that work up quickly (and that you don't have to concentrate on).

Making personalised blankets is also a favourite of mine. I love to be able to give someone a gift that is totally unique.

I'm not sure what my hubby thinks of all these blankets, my daughter thinks I'll end up on an episode of extreme hoarders with rooms full of them.

Hopefully I'll get more of them on my Etsy shop (I've only got as far as putting one on) and some of them will find a nice new home.

Hoping you all have a lovely cosy yarn filled Autumn

Katie x x x 

A Frolic of Fairies

Ever since I was a little girl I have loved fairy stories, I have looked for the magic around me, hunting for fairies in nature.

Now I have a love of making my own fairies.

My house is full of fairies, my best friends house is full of fairies, and the fairies are setting out on their own adventures.

My most recent love has been making small fairies to hang in trees. I spotted a picture on Pinterest but there were no written instructions so I came up with my versions.

For each fairy you need 2x8mm beads, 2x10mm beads 1x20mm bead

Begin by making the arms, legs, and body.

Thread the 10mm beads then the 8mm beads onto your yarn.

Begin by starting your first chain with a 8mm bead, ch18 add second 8mm bead, finish. These will be the arms and hands

Start the next chain attaching a 10mm bead, ch60, put your hook though the 21st st from the bead, then through the centre of the arms, wrap yarn around the hook and pull though, ch20 more before adding last bead, finish. sew in ends of yarn.

Dress

 make a magic circle and make 6dc

R1, 2dc in each   (12)

R2, 2dc, 1dc, repeat around    (18)

R3, 2dc, 2xdc, repeat around   (24)

R4, 2dc, 3xdc, repeat around   (30)

R5, 2dc, 4xdc, repeat around   (36)

R6, ch2, dc in next st, repeat around, finish leaving a long tail (this will be used to stich along the arms.

You can change colour at any round or just leave as one colour.

Hat

Make a magic circle and make 6dc

R1, 2dc in each   (12)

R2-4, 1dc in each

R5 1dc 1tr in each st, finish leaving a long tail for attaching to dress and head.

Draw the face on your bead.

Use your hook to pull the loop through the centre of the dress, followed by the bead for the head, then the hat (put through second row, not the centre).

Use the tail on the dress to stich where the sleeves divide, then the tail from the hat to stitch the hat to the back of the dress, then the hat to the loop. This will secure the head from being pulled off.

Although when I first began to make these, they started out as white Christmas fairies, I soon began adding colour to make them more flower like. 

My best friend was so taken by these she has her own frolic of fairies living in her home!

Please let me know if you create your own frolic of fairies x x 

Katie

Finding Fairies

So many people loved the angel wings which I previously posted the pattern for, I have decided to share some more of the wings that I have created for my fairies. 

When I began I wasn't sure whether to make dresses with wings on, or put the wings on the doll. I decide to put them on the dolls  (you can see this on my other page A wander with the fairies ), apart from Mabel (all my fairies get named) so she can model the different styles.

Today I have chosen these delicate wings, which are quick and simple to make and look beautiful on dolls or teddy bears alike, or simply strung with some ribbon and hung as a decoration.

For these wings I have used Stylecraft special dk and a 3.5mm hook. 

You can make the wings larger or smaller by changing your yarn or hook.

R1 ) Magic ring, 6dc

R2 ) 2dc in each st, slst to join   12dc

A (first side of wings)

R3 ) ch3, 1tr in same st, 2tr in next 3 st, ch1, turn.

R4 ) 1htr in first st, 2htr, 1htr, 2htr, ch1, turn.

R5 ) miss 2st, 7tr in next st, miss 2st, slst in last st. finish

Rejoin yarn in 5^th st of R4

R4 ) ch2,2tr in next st, 2tr,1tr, ch1, turn,

R5 ) miss 2st, 7^th in next st, miss 2st, slst in last st. finish

B (second side of wings)

R3 ) miss 2 st from last st worked in this round rejoin yarn, ch3, 1tr in same st, 2tr in next 3 st, ch2, turn.

R4 ) 2tr in next st, 2tr,1tr, ch1, turn

R5 ) miss 2st, 7tr in next st, miss 2st, slst in last st. finish

R4 ) rejoin yarn , 1htr in same st, 1htr,2htr,1htr,ch1, turn

R5 ) miss 2st, 7tr in next st, miss 2st, slst in last st. finish

I love how dainty these wings look on the fairies.

Please if you make or share these wings please credit me for the pattern.

Remember to keep an eye out for fairies, and believe in the magic of every day.

love Katie x x

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