Christmas Crochet 2019: Ideas

Now that our last burst of summer has gone from London I can now start to think about Christmas. I always find it a bit daunting thinking about how many presents there are to buy and for the past few years I've not crocheted anything. Sometimes a handmade gift is more appreciated than something bought as there is always a lot of time and effort that goes into making things regardless of the craft. Other times people think its the cheaper option but actually it can work out to be more expensive when you take into consideration material costs etc.

This year I'm only going to make a few things for selected friends and family and I'm planning to keep things fairly simple so there's no pressure on me to make loads of things in a short space of time (100 sleeps until Christmas I was told today!).

So far I've thought about making Mummy/Child hat and scarf sets, possibly a bag and then I'm pushing it a bit by considering a cardigan for my mother in law. Apart from children I've never made a clothing item for someone else so I'm going to leave that one for now and see how I get on with the others first!

I'll keep you update on my progress and yarn hauls over on Instagram!

Are you making anything for Christmas?

September Makes: part one

September started with a feel of autumn in the air and I for one, was very happy about this. As much as I love summer; long days, warmth etc there is something nice about feeling the crisp morning air and grabbing a cardio or jumper to wrap up in. I'm sure I'll be moaning I'm too cold in another month or so, but for now it's giving me the perfect excuse to crochet more!

So far this month I've managed to finish my first cardigan! I love the colour and style and it feels nice and thick so I can wear it in place of a jacket for a while. The pattern is the Sunday Funday cardigan (by Iron Lamb) and was really easy to follow, although I somehow managed to frog and redo the sleeve three times! I think by that point I  wanted to get it finished and was rushing a bit. I also didn't have any Aran yarn so I thought I was being clever by doubling up some DK yarn but I think this made it a bit thicker than it needed to be, and also meant I had lots of tangled yarn along the way.

I'm so happy with how it turned out and can't wait to wear it!

As a quick make I also whipped up some hairband/scrunchies; me and the little one have been wearing them lots so I plan to make a few more for Christmas to pop into stockings for various friends and family. 

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My next project is the Rainfall cardigan by Little Golden Nook. Yarn has been ordered, pattern purchased and I can't wait to get started! I've got lots of makes planned as well as trying to design something of my own!

Extended Break

Well it’s been over three years since I blogged and almost the same amount of time since I last picked up my crochet hook and yarn. The main reason for the break was a baby. It’s funny how many things I thought about crocheting for a baby of my own but when I finally find out I was pregnant in April 2016 I didn’t want to jinx anything so made nothing, not even a blanket! And then once she came along in January 2017 of course I didnt have the time or energy to think about crochet. We then moved house last year and I cleared out loads of yarn and magazines I had stored. Part of me was sad as I had totally lost interest in making but recently over the past few months I’ve been drawn back to crochet and a few weeks ago I finally ordered some yarn and got making!!

I’m so pleased I found my love and mojo not just for crochet again but to be creative and use my brain in a different way to my usual everyday life. I have time in the evenings now to sit down and relax with a project which has been lovely.

Currently WIPs on the go are a sleeveless cardigan I need to finish off, a gorgeous cardigan from Iron Lamb that’s almost complete and I’ve just finished a cardigan for the little one from Stitching Me Softly. I have to say, in my three year absence there are now so many lovely crochet designers out there with gorgeous patterns. I have plans to try and make my own designs at some point as well as trying to locate my old notebook which had a few patterns and ideas I had written down.

I’m excited for autumn now and all the cosy cowls, hats and jumpers I want to make and blogging about it all too!

Ashlie x

First Attempt Crochet Bag

I don't know about you but I'm a pattern hoarder. If I get an idea in my head I spend some time researching the best pattern, yarn or method of how to make it. As I've mentioned before I usually look to the internet as my main source and before I know it I have 20 tabs opened all with patterns to be downloaded or purchased. I then either print them and squirrel them away if I'm not going to make it that evening, or store them in iBooks on my iPad.