Crochet workshops @ Butterfly Bright, Sherborne Call Ali or Lizzie on 01935 817303 for details of upcoming crochet workshops or check out the website for lots of other gorgeous crafty courses.
Daisy May's crochet workshops Join me at Daisy May's in Wareham for:
Beginners & Intermediate Crochet. Call Fiona or Karen for information on upcoming courses 01929 551185.
Crochet @ The Olive Tree Easter courses for children & grown ups, come & crochet some egg cosies & pretty flowers at The Olive Tree. Plus, a four week summer course (one date per month, giving you plenty of time to work on your skills in between classes!), where we'll be putting together a gorgeous summer throw, amongst other projects. Call 01929 477260 for dates and details.
A beautiful sunny day yesterday gave me the perfect opportunity to take a quick snap (or two) - seen here hanging on my magnolia stellata! Whilst I had most of Blossom's measurements, I'm not privy to them all (a girl's gotta keep her modesty after all), so the dress will definitely be long enough but it might be a little large around the middle, so all that is left is to thread a pretty satin sash around the waist which can be tied in a pretty bow to fit. And with spring on it's way (the first primrose is out in the garden), I thought I'd add some tiny blossom...
...and what doll's dress would be complete without a birds eye button to fasten...
I only hope Blossom likes her new dress, and more to the point, I hope the Red Nose Day Dolls raise a smile and heap of cash for Comic Relief - keep an eye on the Comic Relief auction website (and the Red Nose Day Dolls Twitter and Facebook pages to see all of the other gorgeous handmade accessories being created). Every time I make a little crochet dress, I dream about making a 'grown up' version one day, definitely a project for the future! xxx
Over the next few weeks I will be sharing the 'Red Nose Day Dolls' project with you, and more specifically the dress I am contributing. The rather brilliant Ros Badger and Emma Mitchell hatched a plan to make some lolly for Comic Relief - handmade dolls kitted out in the best the craft world has to offer, silver tiaras and all. You can read all about it over on the Red Nose Day Dolls very own blog, you can follow said dolls on Twitter (@rednosedaydolls) and you can spread the word about the dolls to anyone who'll listen! The ultimate fate of the dolls will be to appear on the Comic Relief auction website where they will find a new home with the highest bidders!!! The task ahead for me is to come up with the prettiest, cutest little crochet dress made to fit one of these discerning little ladies. So with the dress I made for Olympia bunny as my guide, I've been working up swatches to help me decide on colour and stitch pattern. I'm going for a bit of 1950's glamour with my shape (I might even add a few layers of soft tulle to give volume to the skirt of the dress), but I'm thinking simple, cute and lots of fun to dress up in!!! If you can think of anyone who would just love to own a bespoke, handmade doll then send them the link ;) xxx
Just a quick post to show you how I"m joining my random granny squares as I work...
As you can see, I've moved on to the pinks and greys. Essentially, I work three rounds of the square and then position my square to see approximately where it will fit with a fourth and final round. I then start the round on the top side and join where appropriate on the joining sides. I work 1dc (1sc US crochet) in the place of the 1ch that would normally separate the 3tr. At a corner, I work 1ch 1dc into the adjoining squares 1ch in between my two sets of 3tr. I wish the photos were clearer, but with the snow and a sick boy (we've been house bound for 3 days now), I haven't been able to pick up my dad's super duper all-singing, all-dancing camera, and my little old Olympus automatic isn't really up to 'how to' photos!!! Hopefully, you'll get the picture though.
And for those of you with some odd bits of yarn crying out to be used up, here is the bookmark 'flower' pattern...
Use the hook size appropriate for your yarn, I used a 3.5mm with a dk yarn (mix of baby cashmerino, eco baby cotton, sirdar snuggly...).
Round 1: with a slip ring work 3ch (counts as 1tr) 11tr into ring, pull tight and ss into top of 3ch to close. Cut yarn and weave in end.
Round 2: change yarn and join to any of the stitches from the previous round with a dc. Work a further dc into same st and then 2dc into each st, ss into original dc. Cut yarn and weave in end.
Round 3: using a fine crochet cotton, eg. Anchor artiste no.8 and a 1.25mm hook, work a dc into the top of any stitch from previous round. Work 1tr 3dtr 1tr into next st, ss into following st, continue this petal pattern round finishing with a ss into original dc. Cut yarn and sew in.
I attached my flowers to a short length of ribbon on the sewing machine with a simple running stitch, back and forth a few times. I would probably have hand stitched them, but the machine was out on the kitchen table and I was after an instant project! You can see there is some variation in my bookmarks - I'm not good with repetition, hence some I have used htr for the centre (in which case just ch2 to start), some have only 9sts to start, some I have worked in an additional round in the same colour after round 2 (2dc into blo followed by 1dc into next 2sts, repeat around), etc. I gave each of the flowers a quick press with a steam iron before sewing into place - just lay a linen napkin or tea towel between your flowers and your iron to protect them when ironing. Have fun with what you've got ;) xxx ps. will post a photo tutorial for this as soon as I get my hands on that camera!!!
....I'm still gradually working my way through my stash. At times it is heavy going, other days it is inspirational! I love the creative challenge of making something new from the now limited yarn at my disposal. So, without further a do, and whilst it's snowing outside - yep, even here in sunny old Dorset! - these are my January stash busting projects...
Project 1: Knitted man's cowl, knitted on a circular needle in stocking stitch using up some beautiful hand-dyed, hand-spun yarn from a couple of the clever girls at the Wednesday Wool Workshop. The Sicilian loved it, but it is destined for my brother!
Project 2: this has been on my 'to do' list for ever! I love granny squares, I hate sewing them together - solution, crochet them together as you work. It is slightly haphazard because I am using lots of different yarn and hook sizes. Once I've used up all the 'blues', I'm going to move on to the left over pinks, greens, greys etc.
Project 3: Surprise, surprise I've got lots of gorgeous summery linen and cotton yarn left over! Not to mention some really pretty ribbon. This project combines a bit of everything in a charming little bookmark.
Looking at my stash earlier this month, even I wouldn't have believed it would yield so much variety! And I've still got a project on the knitting needles to show you, but will save that one for later! Let me know if you'd like the pattern for the flower bookmarks and I'll post it asap. Keep warm and safe ;) xxx
I simply couldn't resist! Having made one baby ellie (pattern in Jan 2013 'Inside Crochet' by Lucy Collin) for my friend Emma's newborn, I thought it only fair that older sister Sophie should get one too! With two myself, I have come to appreciate the importance of making them both feel equally special. And ready to be posted, I turned to wrapping. Rather than the usual paper and ribbon, I've decided to stitch them a little storage bag each, just in case they need taking out and about! Here's baby Harriet's bag in the making...
I've chained a length of pink yarn and using one of those 'magic' pens (dissolves with water) I've written the name on the linen as a guide. Once pinned in place, I'll just machine over the top of it to hold it in place - looks a bit like crochet graffiti! Now Pipi and Dante are back at school (big sad sigh!), I'll have time to crack on with Sophie's bag and other projects - it's good to be busy! xxx
With Christmas now behind us here at the cottage, we're looking forwards to the New Year with excitement and trepidation. The Sicilian has wonderful plans for new courses and foodie adventures at the cookery school. The children are planning their next trip to Canada (think they might need to save their pocket money for several years first!). And me, well I am still eyeing my stash, which, although dwindling, is not insignificant in stature!!! My brother is in Chile as I write and he very thoughtfully sent a photo from a yarn store selling native wool. I had that little flutter in my chest when I spy new yarn and heavenly colours. My mind immediately racing through all the new patterns I can devise to put it to good use. So, with my colour and yarn weight request duly emailed off to Santiago, it is on to stash busting with a vengeance. I'm determined to finish off every last scrap of yarn in my bowl before I lay a finger on the yarn from Chile! But before I start, I promised you a finished stocking and here it is....
I won't be packing it away just yet, still a few more snowflakes to stitch on to the other side and a bit of finishing off at the top. And just in case you thought I'd been slacking in front of the fire, mince pie in hand, here is a scarf I've made for my gorgeous goddaughter Holly...
I followed the 'lacy scarf' pattern from my book 'Simple Crochet' using Rooster 'Delightful Lace', colour 'Pisco', the edging used up some of my leftover Dye for Yarn 'merino silk'. It's so light, like a cobweb draped over the hydrangea.
And finally, to trumpet in the New Year, meet Ellie...
Finally after several days of complete chaos here at the cottage, silence reigns! The children are tucked up, pillow cases diligently hung on the ends of their beds - Dante even crocheted his one a loop to hang from, Santa will be impressed! My snowflake stocking is finished, but only just - with everything else that has been going on, it had to wait. It's too dark to photograph now, so I'll reveal all later in the holidays. And with Violet curled up next to me, I just need The Sicilian home from work and I can add the finishing touches to the magic.
It's been a funny old year, full of highs and lows - my book was published and I have been commissioned to write my column for 'Inside Crochet'(which, like this blog, gives me so much pleasure), the children are happy and healthy and going from strength to strength and The Sicilian is content in his work and especially his foraging! But my mum's cancer is back and the new year will bring challenges on that front. She's asked if I'll stay with her on the days when she's having chemotherapy and together we've decided we'll use the time to work on my knitting ability! In reality it's just about being there for each other, but crafting has always given us both so much pleasure and comfort that it seems the most natural way to pass the time. I know we'll find strength in each other and I know there are wonderful days ahead of us.
Tomorrow, as I sit down to lunch with the children and my parents, I won't be focused on the food for once - The Sicilian is working this holiday, so I'll be cooking and it will just be a relief to get it on the table! - I will be counting my many blessings and saying thanks for all the special people in my life, both near and far, who make this world a truly magical place to be. And with that thought, have a wonderful Christmas and I'll see you in the New Year, here's hoping it's a good one! Much love, Sara xxx
And here it is, in the form of an exclusive preview of January's 'Inside Crochet' cover. In addition to writing my regular column, IC's lovely editor Claire asked if I would contribute to their bumper edition of winter patterns. Excited by the prospect of allowing my imagination to run wild, I plumped for the super chunky, super gorgeous Magnum Cascade yarn I blogged about last month. I didn't anticipate that my oversized plaited cowl would make it to the front cover! It makes me very proud to reveal it here...
And I'm itching to get hold of a copy, I love the look of the little elephant, not to mention the wolf hat (Dante's already given that the thumbs up!). Bulging with fabulous hooky content, this issue looks to be the best yet! And apologies if I'm a bit over excited, but it's not everyday a girl gets a magazine cover ;-) xxx
....I'm still hooking up snowflakes in all colours for my Christmas stocking and just in case you were planning some last minute Christmas crochet, here is the pattern.
Yellow snowflake in foreground:
Round 1: slip ring, 2ch (counts as 1 htr) into ring,
11htr into ring, ss into top of 2ch, pull ring tight to close.
Round 2: 1ch *2dc into back loop only of next st, 1dc
into blo of following st*, repeat from *to* finish with ss into 1ch (19sts)
Round 3: 3ch (counts as 1dc, 2ch), skip 1st,
*1dc, 2ch, sk 1st*, rep from *to* finish with ss into 2ch (29sts)
Round 4: 1ch, *2dc into next 2ch space from prev rd,
1dc into next 2ch sp, 14ch (to form one spike of snowflake), sk 1ch nearest
hook and ss into each of next 13ch, finish with 1dc into same ch sp*, repeat
from *to* alternating 10ch for the next spike and 14ch for the following,
finish with ss into 1ch.
Round 5: 1ch, ss into each st from prev rd on each of
the 6 sides in between the spikes.
On the 14ch spikes, work 2ss, 5ch 4ss back along
chain, 3ss, 4ch 3ss back along ch, 2ss, 3ch 2ss back along ch, 8ss up and over
top of spike before repeating pattern back down opposite side of spike i.e. 3ch
2ss, 2ss, 4ch 3ss, 3ss, 5ch 4ss, 2ss.
On the 10ch spikes work the same length ‘branches’, i.e. 5ch, 4ch and
3ch but separate them with 1ss, 2ss, 1ss. Finish with ss into 1ch. Cut yarn and
weave in.
Pink snowflake in background:
Round 1: slip ring, 3ch (counts as 1tr), 15tr into
ring, ss into top of 3ch, pull ring tight to close.
Round 2: 2ch *1dc into next 3sts, 2ch*, rep from *to*
four more times, ss into top of 2ch.
Round 3: 3ch (counts as 1tr), 1tr into same 2ch sp
*6ch, 2tr into 2ch corner sp* rep from *to* four more times, ss into top of 3ch.
Round 4: 1dc into next tr, 6dc into ch sp *1dc into
next 2tr from prev rd, 6dc into ch sp*, rep from *to* finish with 1dc into last
st.
Round 5: ss into top of next 7sts (blo), 10ch (to form
first ‘spike’), ss back down 9ch, ss into next 7sts, 15ch (to form next ‘spike’),
14ss back down, continue round with 7ss followed by a 12ch, 15ch and 13ch spike
(each separated by 7ss).
Round 6: ss into next 4sts, 4ch (to form picot), ss into next st, ss
into following 2sts (repeat this sequence for each ‘side’ of your snowflake, in
between the ‘spikes’). For each spike work the ‘branches’ as in the previous
pattern, but make the first one 7ch, second one 4ch (only 2 this time), 4ss up the side of your spike before the first branch and a further 3ss before the second branch, then ss up and over the top of each branch before mirroring
your pattern on the opposite side.
I used a fine crochet cotton (no.8) and a 1.25mm hook, but I've since made some using left over lace weight yarn and a 2.25mm hook, same pattern. Once you've mastered the technique of making 'spikes' and 'branches', just make up your snowflakes as you go along, that way no two will ever be the same, which is how snowflakes should be!
The stocking is nearing completion and hopefully I'll be able to 'reveal' the finished article before the 24th! xxx
It's wet and windy out there right now, but earlier this week we woke to the most beautiful frost. We might not get much snow down here on the south coast, but when we get a hard frost, it can be quite spectacular. So instead of focusing on the pouring rain outside, I thought I'd share the crisp wonder of a Dorset morning. The barbed wire looked like nature's very own tinsel. And the frozen bark of the bird table offered the perfect backdrop to this woolly number - one of my first ever crochet projects was a blanket (flower squares) from the brilliant Beata Basik who writes one of my favourite blogs, Rose Hip. It was a gift for my goddaughter Abigail in Switzerland. I've just noticed Beata has used her fabulous pattern and adapted it to create the most gorgeous lampshade, check it out over on her blog. To match the blanket I knitted a little rabbit courtesy of a Debbie Bliss 'Baby Cashmerino' book. Much to Abigail's distress, bunny's dress was lost recently on a play date, so before sending off her Christmas parcel I knitted a replacement dress to keep bunny cosy this winter. And just in case I should forget what a beautiful part of the world we live in, this view across the river Frome greeted me as I dropped the children to school on Tuesday morning. It took my breath away, and whilst I have had my head down absorbed in hook and yarn, it's moments and scenes like this that inspire me to create. How lucky I am!!! Have a lovely weekend and I'll be back on Sunday with a snowflake pattern for you ;-) xxx
