BlanketStitch

Block number 4 is done at last.  I linked the flower petals with blanket stitch here is a drawing of the steps involved in making this stitch work.

Have a Crafty week
XXX

RecycleABag

 This was a pair of toddler pants. Can you see it? I
like using as many of the original pockets as possible.  

Have a Crafty week.

BabyBlockToys

These are the easiest baby prezzies ever.  Just cut 6 blocks roughly 12 x 12cm of some fun fabric. Sew them together so that you end up with a cube,  stuff and sew closed.  One of mine has a little bell inside so it's a bit jingly. 

The tags can be from any ribbon. I have found the greatest place to buy a super selection from. Have a look at  Craftqueen

Isn't the ribbon super?

Have a Crafty Week.

CuddleBunnyFriends/pattern

My Cuddle Bunny is getting some friends.  I've made a few for various prezzie extras and quite like the new look with button eyes.                                                                                

The pattern is also evolving as I go so here is the basic one:

CUDDLE BUNNYUsing 6.5mm needles ( or any to suit your wool
 as tension is not important), cast on 1 st.
1st row: Knit into front and back of st.
2nd row: Inc in first st, K1.
3rd row: Inc in first st, knit to end.
Rep 3rd row 3 times … 7 sts.
7th row: K3, M1, knit to end … 8 sts.
Rep 7th row until there are 40 sts. (DEPENDING ON WOOL
THICKNESS AND NEEDLE SIZE YOU CAN KEEP GOING
 TILL YOU HAVE A GOOD SIZE)
Cast on 12 sts at beg of next 2 rows (for Paws) … 64 sts.
Knit 6 rows garter st.
Cast off 12 sts at beg of next 2 rows … 40 sts.
Dec one st at beg of every row until 28 sts rem.
SHAPE HEAD
Change to 4.5mm needles.
1st row: * K2tog, rep from * to end …
14 sts.
2nd row: Inc once in each st … 28 sts.
3rd row: * P1, sl 1, rep from * to end (this
is knitting the front and back of the head at
the same time).
Rep 3rd row until head measures 9cm.

SHAPE EARS
1st row: P3tog, return st to left hand needle, cast on 17 sts, then P3tog, P15, [you now have 16 sts on right hand needle and 25 sts on left hand needle], turn.
2nd row: P14, P2tog, turn.
3rd row: P16, turn.
4th row: P12, turn.
5th row: P14, turn.
6th row: P16, P2tog, turn.
7th row: P18, turn.
8th row: P16, P2tog, turn.
9th row: Cast off 18 sts, P1, * sl 1, P1,
rep from * to end, turn … 20 sts.

Beg 2nd Ear:
1st row: P3tog, return st to left hand needle, cast on 17 sts, then P3tog, P15, [you now have 16 sts on right hand needle and 17 sts on left hand needle], turn. Work 2nd to 9th rows as for 1st ear … 12 sts.

FINISHING
Cut a 25cm length of yarn. With wool needle, thread yarn through every other st on needle, then back through rem sts. Remove knitting needle and stuff head with stuffing. Pull yarn tightly to close top of head
and secure, embroider face using black or brown yarn and straight sts. Weave in ends. Tie a knot in each paw.
I would like to credit Lincraft for the original bunny pattern as it was there that I first saw the pattern.

Have a crafty week
XxX

TopDownBasic

This is so that I will be able to repeat this in the future.  Record keeping has not been a strong point and it is frustrating when you want to do the same thing but can't remember what size or pattern you used.

This is probably the most basic top down sock but it fits nicely and I managed to adjust a few different patterns to get just the right fit.

MATERIALS
1 Ball (100g) Self stripe sock yarn
Set of 4 DPN size 3 mm

Cast on 64 stitches very loosely
Divide stitches over needles N1 16, N2 32, N3 16
LEG Rib cuff. Establish a 2x2 rib pattern for 18 stitches or 5cm
        Work in St st for 56 rounds or 15 cm

HEEL flap Over N2 with right side facing work back and forth as follows:
          Rw 1 : *Sl 1 purlwise, k1. Repeat from * to end.
          Rw 2 : Sl 1 purlwise p to end.
Repeat these 2 rows until 32 rws are complete 6 cm

TURN Heel : Note Sl 1 = sl 1 purlwise

Rw 1: (RS) K18 ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 2: Sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 3: Sl 1, k6, ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 4: Sl 1, p7,p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 5 Sl 1, k8,ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 6 Sl 1, p9 p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 7 Sl 1, k10, ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 8 Sl 1, p11,  p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 9 Sl 1, k12,  ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 10Sl 1, p13, p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 11Sl 1, k14, ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 12 Sl 1, p15,  p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 13: Sl 1, k16, ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 14: Sl 1, p 16, p2 tog, p1 Turn
Knit 9 sts Beginning of round

HEEL Gusset
Continue with same needle pick up 16 sts along the left side of the heel
Pick up and knit st from the row below the first instep st to prevent a hole
Knit across instep sts with free needle pick up and knit from the row below the first heel st to prevent a hole. Pick up 16 sts along the right side of the heel and work across the remaining heel sts.

SHAPE gusset: dec. rnd.
N1 work to 3 sts from end, k2 tog, k1.
N2 (instep) work even.
N3 k1, ssk, work to end.
Repeat these two rnds until  there are 64 sts remaining.
Foot: Continue working until foot measures 15 cm about 28 rounds

SHAPE Toe: Rnd 1:
N1(Heel) work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
N2(instep) K1,ssk, work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
N3(heel) K1, ssk, complete round.
Rnd 2: Work even.
Repeat these two rnds until 32 st remain(16 rounds)
Work Rnd 1 only until 20 sts remain.
Use Kitchener st to finish sock off

Work second sock.

Have a crafty week

CrochetZipperPouch

This project started as leftover sock yarn and hating leftover bits lying around ...  What do you do with itsy bitsy pieces ???

Single Crochet demo  

I started with about 30 chain stitches and then carried on with rows of single crochet stitches. When I got to the end I decided that it would be nice to have a little handle so two stitches and about 10 rows did the trick.

fold your whole piece in half and sew one side and bottom closed

I sewed the zip into place by hand.

and there you have it a zippered pouch with a tag. 

Have a crafty week
xxx

ScatterBlanky

What do you do with all your wool bits at the end of projects?? Well I have an ongoing project (actually one in each colour scheme).  I'm not much of a crochet 'er but can do the basics.  Every time I have a left over bit I see which blankly it would suit best and add to that one.  It is basically a Granny Square that doesn't stop.

About.com has some great Crochet tutorials and this Crochet_Granny_Square one is basically what I've been doing except I just carry on and on until the blankly is the perfect size for cuddling while reading a good book or watching a great movie.

Have a Crafty week.