Christmas Crochet Makes 2013

With only 5 days to go, I have been crocheting like a mad woman for what seems like weeks now. I felt like I got the main Christmas gifts out the way but then others sneak up on you and before you know it, you're in the last week and it's time to start giving gifts.

I'm pleased so far with my makes and I hope that the recipients like them; WIP's so far have included the CK inspired scarves, a little cardigan for the OH's cousin, a tank top and Pocoyo doll  for my little godson.

I'm now working on the final projects which include a Pocoyo doll and tank top for my Godson

I somehow managed to make myself another snood in the meantime - you know we always have to have more than one thing on the go and this was a very quick make taking only a couple of days to finish.

I've really enjoyed having lots to focus on but I think next year I will definitely start nice and early and have a clear plan of what I'm going to make. *Note to self - order enough yarn*

I hope you've all been enjoying the festivities! I can't wait to have a break and enjoy lots of lovely food...and more crochet :)

Betty xXx

Cath Kidston Inspired Crochet Scarf

I am a self confessed Cath Kidston addict. I love the whole concept of the brand, the patterns, homewares, clothing...everything! The basic colour palette is usually a vintage inspired combination of red, pink, blue, yellow and green; colours that I love individually as well as when put together.

A while back a saw a tutorial from the lovely Kath's blog, Inverleith for a CK inspired cowl/scarf which I adored straight away. Unfortunately this was near the beginning of my crochet journey and I wasn't sure about how to make such a wonderful thing. So it was stored in the 'To Do' projects and put to the back of my mind...until now.

I've found brilliant supplier on Instagram, mentioned in a previous post and purchased her CK style colour pack which comes in 6 or 12 balls of wool. I went for 6 was plenty to make a scarf and I have lots left over.

I'm really please with how it turned out - you can wrap it around three times so its cosy and snuggly! It is meant to be a Christmas present for my sister-in-law but I'm tempted to keep it for myself!

I also made a slightly smaller version for the other sister-in-law in more neutral colours. I love this combination of nature neutrals with a splash of pink. For this I used Stylecraft Special DK in Brown, Cream and Clemantis with the green from the CK pack. I did a starting chain of 130 + 3 for turning and followed the same granny strip method as before. With this snood it can be turned twice but in hindsight I should have maybe gone up to 150 +3 so there is a bit more room to get your head in on the second turn! I might keep this one for me and make another for the SIL!

Betty xXx

Crochet Christmas Wreath

Following on from my previous post updating you on recent events you may have seen the Autumn wreath that I made, inspired by the brilliant blog Repeat Crafter Me. When I showed my mum she loved it and asked if I could make a Christmas version for a family friend in Ireland.

After planning the details with her about the design and what decorations she wanted I got cracking and after a few days ended up with this:

As you can see I've stuck to the traditional Christmas colours of red, green and white, (using Stylecraft Special DK in Green, Lipstick and White) adding some white sparkly snowflakes (yarn came free with Simply Crochet this month), holly and berries and a big red bow to add to it. The base is a simple single crochet changing colours after 12 rows, adding 3 rows of white in between. The snowflake pattern is from Simply Crochet Issue 11, the holly is from Attic 24, berries are my own creation, and the bow, again, is a simple single crochet, making it as big or small as you want it by adjusting your foundation chain. I also added a small bobble edging in white to add a bit of contrast.

Overall I'm really pleased with it and will make myself one for our flat as this will be our first Christmas in our own place and as a married couple :)

Betty xXx

WIP Wednesday: The Hat That Turned Into a Snood

This week in the UK we have seen gale force winds sweep across the country. Thankfully where I live in South East London, we were not massively effected; just a few branches and lots of leaves on the roads. Going to work has meant that I've had to scrap all my hair up into a rather sorry mess and by the time I actually get to work it looks like a birds nest, so I thought a new hat would do the trick to keep my mane at bay.

After thumbing the latest copy of Simply Crochet this month (Issue 11) there was a lovely pattern for a bobble/pom pom hat which looked super cute and cosy.


I attempted the first 5 or so rounds and realised that I was getting a bit stuck and confused so I frogged back to round three and have decided to change it to a snood/cowl instead. I always love something warm around my neck especially as the temperature here seems to be dropping. The initial foundation chain of the hat pattern would have been too big for my head anyway (it would have been very slouchy if you like that kind of style) so fits perfectly over my head and around my neck.

I have opted to use Stylecraft Special Aran in Aspen with a 5mm hook. I managed to complete it last night so it was a super quick and easy make. I probably could have done it in a day if I'd had the time but I'm really pleased with the result and it was lovely and warm on the way to work this morning! I have used a mixture of stitches - single, double and half double (US terms) with some shells and a row of bobbles!

Excuse the dodgy expression and my bathroom!

Betty xXx