Giveaaway winners

Well done to my lovely IG follower for winning all 11 patterns from my shop.

I also have 2 runners up, who can choose two of patterns from my shop (except the slippers) as their prize.

The first is another IG participant and the second is one of you lovely bloggy gals: PATTY S

Patty- sling me an email and let me know what you fancy and I'll email them along as soon as I can.

Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks for following my little bloggy space, too.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a very jolly New Year,

Sarah xxxxx

Some slippers and a Christmas Eve Giveaway

Hello, you lovely lot.

How are we all? 

Ready for Christmas?

No, me either.

Well never mind.

I've been too busy making slippers! 

They started off life as baby booties (I have new baby twin nieces- awwwww) from a pattern I'd found on the interweb, but me, being me decided to simplify things a bit and create my own pattern...

Very nice I thought.

And then one of my lovely Instagram buddies asked if I could use t-shirt yarn to make an adult version.

Great idea. Game on....

And so, armed with my trusty mega-hooks (12mm and 15mm) I set about my task.

Ooooooo, me likey!

So soft and squidgey (and made using one cone of Hooplayarn with plenty left over, too),

If you fancy making a pair, then the pattern's available in my Etsy shop. Just click on the link over there on the left. The pattern shows how to make various sizes, too.

And now for the second part of my post...

How about a Christmas Giveaway to cheer you up?

You could be the winner of all of these lovely patterns from my Etsy shop!!!!

It's easy

1. Be a follower

2. Leave me a comment here to let me know you'd like to enter!

That's it. No jumping through hoops.

I'll draw the winner on Christmas Eve.

Good luck,

And have a very Happy Christmas!

Sarah x

A famous Reindeer

You know Dasher, and Dancer, andPrancer, and Vixen,
Comet, and Cupid, and
Donner and Blitzen
But do you recallThe most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeerHad a very shiny noseAnd if you ever saw it

You would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor RudolphJoin in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas eve
Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright,Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then all the reindeer loved him
And they shouted out with glee,
"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history!"

Awww and Mister Fox loves his new friend, too!

If you'd like to make yourself a Rudolph, or a Mister Fox, then head on over to my Etsy shop where you'll find the patterns.

Not sure about you, but it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here at Annaboo's House!

Happy making, everyone!

Sarah xx

Free Winter Dolls Pattern

Meet Big Pip, Nat and Baby Mo!

These little guys are a quick and easy make (well, you know me by now).

They'd look really sweet sat near the fireplace this winter time.

Big Pip

Nat

Baby Mo

I designed them for the lovely people over at Black Sheep Wools, so head on over there to find the free patterns (and all the lovely yarn you will need to make them, too)

Enjoy making!

Sarah xx

Mister Fox

And so here he is:

Mister Fox.

A little pattern I've been working on recently.

He's crocheted in the round, amigurumi-style and measures abut 25cms tall.

I used my favourite Rico Creative Cotton and a 4mm hook. 

If you fancy making one, then head on over to my Etsy shop (just over there on my left side bar) and purchase yourself a pattern! 

I do hope you like him.

Enjoy your week,

Sarah xx

Selling

I recently had an interesting comment on an old post, which got me to thinking about an issue I've been debating for a while, concerning my patterns and the products made from them.

I have always asked people not to sell the items they make for the simple reason that I sell them in my little (shelf in a) shop in Arundel. And one day, I thought I would have my Etsy shop full of crocheted creations too.

Well, the latter has not happened. I just do not have the time.

Besides, I really prefer working on new designs (that fox is on my hook just now) and so my Etsy shop is full of crochet patterns.

And so I have decided that the products made from all my designs (whether purchased, or free) can be sold wherever you choose. I just kindly ask that credit for the design is referred back to me here, or at my Etsy shop, depending on the origin of the pattern.

Happy making, everyone.

Sarah x

Mini Crochet Stocking

So one of the lovely gals from the world of Instagram asked me if I had a simple pattern for a mini Christmas stocking.

I didn't. 

So I sat down and made one. (No, this is a lie. I stood and made it whilst cooking the kid's tea)

It ain't nothing grand, but a simple stocking it is.

The pattern is worked in continuous rounds, so don't turn your work. The Double Crochets (UK Trebles) make up the heel part of the stocking.

Mini Crochet Stocking

You will need:

Yarn of your choice and a hook to match.

(I used RICO Creative Cotton and a 4mm hook)

Stitch Marker

Tapestry (blunt needle) for fastening off the end.

 

Stitches and Abbreviations:

I use US terms, so single crochet is the same as UK double crochet here. Double crochet is the same as UK Treble Crochet

Single crochet (sc)

Double crochet (dc)

Stitches (sts)

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

To single crochet 2 together:

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop. (2 loops on hook)

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)

Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

 

PATTERN starting with the toe

1. Sc 5 in magic ring OR

ch2, sc 5 in 2nd chain from hook.

2. 2scs in each sc around (10)

3. Sc 10

4. Change colour, sc 10

5. Sc 10

6. Sc 2, sc2tog, sc 2, sc2tog, sc2 (8 sts)

7. Sc 2, 2 scs in next st, sc 2, 2 scs in next st, sc 2 (10 sts)

8. Sc 7, dc 3 (10)

9. Sc 7, dc 3 (10)

10. Sc 4, 2 scs in next st, sc 3, sc2tog (10)

11-14. Sc 10

15-18. Change colour Sc 10

Fasten off, turn top down.

These would make cute little tree decorations- just attach a little ribbon and maybe a jingle bell or two. Or make into a brooch. Or keyring. Or bag charm.

Enjoy making!

Sarah x

Upcycled wristwarmers

When I saw a wool jumper at a carboot sale, in its already felted and pre-shrunk state, I knew that one day it would be fated for an upcyling project. It was just too good to be cast aside (100% wool? 50p? - it's a dead cert in my book). 

You may remember some upcycled legwarmers I made from the Mister's cashmere jumper (the one I accidentally shrank/felted in the wash)? Well, with the weather turning decidedly brrrrrrrrr here in the UK, I decided that wristwarmers were what was needed and that the same technique would be perfect.

This project is super-quick and easy.

You need to make sure that your jumper has been felted and will not fray, otherwise you may end up in a pickle.

First, cut off the arms.

Next, cut a vertical hole for your thumb. Remember the original cuff now becomes the bottom of your wristwarmers.

Try them on and trim off any excess from the top.

You could just leave them plain, but I decided a crochet trim would finish them off nicely.

With your choice of yarn, stitch a blanket stitch around the edges, including the thumb hole.

Now with your crochet hook, single crochet (UK double crochet) around your blanket stitch. You must ensure you end up with a final number of stitches which is a multiple of 3. Ideally, make 3 scs between each stitch and then you'll be sorted.

To make the scallop edge, ch1 and make 1 single crochet (sc) in the first st, *skip 2 stitches, make 5 double crochets (UK trebles) in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, sc in the next stitch* repeat between ** around. 

Fasten off.

Now, laugh in the face of the Autumnal chill and wear those wristwarmers with pride. You may also add a nonchalant 'oh, I made these' when your neighbour comments on how nice they are.

Cheerio!

Sarah x

Life's a Beach (hut)

I've got a bit of a thing for beach huts, so it seems.

Must be because I grew up near the coast. 

I'd love to own one, but they are a little out of my price-range. So instead I thought I'd make my own.

Far cheaper. And still cheerful on a rainy day, too.

If you fancy making this beach hut cushion, then pop into my Etsy shop (just over there on the left) for the pattern. It's available to download instantly too, so no faffing around waiting for an email to appear.

Wishing you all a very happy weekend,

Sarah x 

Beachhuts: Cut out and Keep

If you'd like to make my little Crochet Beach huts, then head on over to Cut Out And Keep's fab website.

If you love free stuff as much as I do, then this is the place for you.

While you're there have a mooch around- it is seriously brilliant- you'll find tonnes of patterns, tutorials and inspiration for anyone of a crafty bent. (knitting, sewing, recipes, papercraft, DIY, beauty etc etc)

Each week, a featured Superstar shows you how to make something fabulous, too.

Do check it out... 

.....hmmm, not sure about this one- she looks a bit iffy..

Enjoy your weekend, and happy crafting!

Sarah x

Decoupage Votives

You may remember the Vintage Votives I made once upon a time? 

Super-quick-and-easy to make (the only kind of project I like) they looked pretty during the day and magical when illuminated at night.

Well here's an idea for some colourful votives:

You'll need:

A Glass/ tumbler

Decoupage paper or tissue paper

Tacky Glue (this is basically a very thick PVA glue which stops the paper from sliding around too much)

Method:

Using a paintbrush, apply the glue around the outside of the glass, wherever you want the paper to cover.

Tear your decoupage paper into manageable portions and stick onto the glass, covering the glue.

Once covered, add a little water to a small amount of glue (this loosens it slightly) and apply a coat all over the paper.

Leave to dry.

Add a tea light and bingo! A lovely votive.

Or how about using it as a pencil tidy for your desk?

Enjoy making!

Sarah x

Fungi fun

So I couldn't just stop with the little guys.

No, I had to go bigger.

Much bigger.

Big enough to be a cushion, in fact.

Hope you like it.

If you'd like to make one of your very own, then the pattern is available in my Etsy shop, just over there in the left sidebar.

Go on.... 

Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on ......

(sorry, had a Mrs Doyle from 'Father Ted' moment there)

Anyhoos, happy weekend to you all 

Sarah xx

Why did the Toadstool leave the party?

Because there wasn't mushroom  !!

Oh dear.

So sorry, but couldn't resist.

*ahem* Moving on....

Who wants to make a toadstool?

You do?

Yay!

I have two patterns for you. One for a teeny fungi, one for a slightly larger fungi.

Both are worked in the same way- amigurumi-style (in the round) from the top down, in one piece (I am a true lazy crocheter, as you should know by now, so no fiddly joining)

You will need:

Yarn of your choice and a hook to match (this is a great stash-buster, as you only need little bits)

I used RICO Creative Cotton and a 4mm hook

Stitch Marker

Toy stuffing

Tapestry (blunt needle)

Felt (for base)

PVA or similar glue

Stitches and Abbreviations:

I use US terms, so single crochet is the same as UK double crochet here.

Chain (ch)

Single crochet (sc)

Stitch (st)

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

To single crochet 2 together:

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop. (2 loops on hook)

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)

Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

 

PATTERN (small toadstool)

(beginning with top and working down)

1. 4sc in magic ring OR

ch2, 4sc in 2nd chain from hook.

2. (2sc in each sc) repeat around (8)

3. (Sc 1, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (12)

4. (Sc 2, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (16)

5. (Sc 3, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (20)

6. Sc 20

Stuff top of toadstool

7.CHANGE TO BASE COLOUR (Sc2tog) repeat around (10) 

8. (Sc2tog) repeat around (5)

9. 2sc in first st, sc 1, 2sc in next st, sc 1, 2sc in next st (8)

10. Sc 8

11. Sc 8

Stuff. Fasten off. Cut a circle of felt for the base (I used a button as a template) and stick on with PVA or similar craft glue.

PATTERN (slightly larger toadstool)

(beginning with top and working down)

1. 6sc in magic ring OR

ch2, 6sc in 2nd chain from hook.

2. (2sc in each sc) repeat around (12)

3. (Sc 1, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (18)

4. (Sc 2, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (24)

5. Sc 24

6. (Sc 3, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (30)

7. Sc 30

Stuff top of toadstool

8. CHANGE TO BASE COLOUR (Sc2tog) repeat around (15) 

9. (Sc2tog) x7, sc 1 (8)

10. Sc 8

11. (2sc in first sc, sc 1), repeat around (12)

12. Sc 12

13. Sc 12

Stuff. Fasten off. Cut a circle of felt for the base (I used a slightly bigger button as a template) and stick on with PVA or similar craft glue.

You could use them to decorate your shelves. 

You could use them to make bunting.

You could make a key-ring.

Or a mobile.

Or earrings.

Or *whispers* Christmas decorations  

Do enjoy making.

Happy week to you all!

Sarah xx

Summer strawberries

Ahhhhhhh, British summertime. 

Pimms and lemonade, BBQs, donkey rides at the seaside, Wimbledon, and of course, strawberries.

We seem to be surrounded by these juicy red fruits this time of year and blimmin' delicious they are too.

And so I dug out an old pattern and worked on it a little.
It is, in fact, a version of my mini Christmas trees pattern.  

[It struck me one day that part way through making my Nordic Pine, it looked like a strawberry- who'd have thought, eh?]

Anyhoos, here's the pattern, should you wish to make a few of these little beauties. 
You could make them into key/bag charms or fill them with emery to make pin cushions which sharpen your pointy-bits.

Use whichever yarn and matching hook you have to hand.

Crochet Strawberry

You will need:

Yarn of your choice and a hook to match. I used red for the fruit and green for the leaves

(I used RICO Creative Cotton and a 4mm hook)

Stitch Marker

Toy stuffing 

Embroidery thread (to stitch the seeds) and needle

Tapestry (blunt needle)

Felt (for face, optional)

 

Stitches and Abbreviations:

I use US terms, so single crochet is the same as UK double crochet here.

Single crochet (sc)

Stitches (sts)

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

 

To single crochet 2 together:

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop. (2 loops on hook)

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)

Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

 

PATTERN

1. 4 sc in magic ring OR

ch2, 4 sc in 2nd chain from hook.

2. (Sc 1, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (6)

3. (Sc 1, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (9)

4-5. Sc 9

6. (Sc 2, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (12)

7. Sc 12

8. (Sc 2, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (16)

9. (Sc 3, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (20)

10. (Sc 4, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (24)

11. Sc 24

12. (Sc2tog) repeat around (12)

13. Sc 12

Stuff

14. (Sc2tog) repeat around (6)

Fasten off

Stitch the seeds

Stitch the leaves

Enjoy making!

Sarah x

A little sun

A little sun.

And a cloud or two.

Sometimes a rainbow.

(ok, so I haven't actually seen a rainbow yet, but you get the idea...) 

Just about sums up the beautiful weather we're having here at the mo.

And so, I'm inspired to make these little weather hangings. 

Simple and quick. 

(Make each from two identical pieces, stuff lightly and single crochet together)

I've displayed mine in wooden embroidery hoops on the wall, but they would be lovely as a mobile, or brooch, or keyring- I'm sure you could think of lots of other things too.

Weather Hangings

You'll need:

Yarn and hook to match (I used my trusty Rico Creative Cotton and a 4mm hook)

Polyester toy filling

Stitch marker

An embroidery hoop (the small one measures 23 cm, the larger 26 cms in diameter)

Stitches and Abbreviations:

I use US terms, so single crochet= same as UK double crochet here.

Chain (ch)

Single crochet (sc)

Double Crochet (dc)

Treble Crochet (tr)

Stitches (sts)

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

Slip Stitch (sl st)

 

To single crochet 2 together:

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop. (2 loops on hook)

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)

Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Cloud

Make 2 pieces for each cloud

At the end of each row, turn and ch1

Beginning at the bottom left corner of your cloud

1. Ch 3

2. Sc 3

3. Sc 2, 2sc in next sc (4 sts)

4. 2sc in first sc, sc 3 (5)

5. Sc 4, 2sc in next sc (6)

6. Sc 6

7. Sc4, ch 2 (6)

8. Sc 6

9. Sc 5, 2sc in next sc (7)

10. Sc 7

11. Sc 7

12. Sc2tog, sc 5 (6)

13. Sc 4, ch 2 (6)

14. Sc 6

15. Sc 4, sc2tog (5)

16. Sc 5

17. Sc 3, sc2tog (4)

18. Sc2tog, sc 2 (3)

Fasten off.

Single crochet the two pieces together and stuff lightly before completing.

Sun

Make 2

Work in the round. 

Use your stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch of each round.

1. 6sc in magic ring or Ch 2, make 6sc in 2nd chain from hook.

2. 2scs in each sc around (12 sts)

3. (Sc 1, 2scs in next sc) repeat (18)

4. (Sc 2, 2scs in next sc) repeat (24)

5. (Sc 3, 2scs in next sc) repeat x 4, sc remaining sts in round (28)

Put the two pieces together so that the stitches go in the same direction.

Single crochet around the edge (28)

To make the rays:

Sl st into the first sc, *skip 1 sc (dc 2, tr 1, dc 2) in next sc, skip 1 sc, sl st in next sc* repeat from ** around.

Rainbow

It took me ages of faffing around until I worked out this simple solution for making a rainbow.

Work in the round. Use your stitch marker.

1. 5 sc in magic ring or ch 2, Sc 5 in 2nd chain from hook. [Violet]

2. (2sc in each sc) repeat (10)

3. (Sc 1, 2scs in next sc) (15) [Indigo]

4. (Sc 2, 2scs in next sc) (20) [Blue]

5. (Sc 3, 2scs in next sc) (25) [Green]

6. (Sc 4, 2scs in next sc) (30) [Yellow]
7. (Sc 5, 2scs in next sc) (35) [Orange]

Fold the circle in half to create your rainbow shape. 

Single crochet around the arc in Red and stuff lightly to complete your rainbow.

Not-so-bumpy Cloud

This was actually my first attempt at a crochet cloud. 

You can see it's a bit less-bumpy than the others.

Here's the pattern:

1. Ch 3

2. Sc 3

3. Sc 2, 2scs in next sc (4)

4. 2scs in first sc, sc 3 (5)

5. Sc 4, 2scs in next sc (6)

6. Sc 6

7. Sc 5

8. 2scs in first sc, sc 4 (6)

9. Sc 5, 2scs in next sc (7)

10. Sc 7

11. Sc 7

12. Sc2tog, sc 5 (6)

13. Sc 5

14. 2scs in first sc, sc 4 (6)

15. Sc 6

16. Sc2tog, sc 4 (5)

17. Sc 4

18. Sc2tog, sc 2 (3)

Now you just need to decide how many of each to make and where you're going to put them all!

Enjoy making.

Sarah x