The one where she Crochets things on a hairband...

The little'un asked if I could make her pink cat ears on a hairband.

So I did.

And then I made bear ears on a hairband.

And then I made bows on a hairband.

And then I made bows as brooches.

Not really rocket science, but they'd make cute party bag fillers. Make the bear ears in a different colour and they could be mouse ears, too.

The cotton yarns I used stand up quite well, but you may need to insert some card or wire to stop your ears flopping. I also used hairbands with teeth along the inside edge. If yours don't have teeth, then a spot of PVA glue on the underside should help secure your stitches.

Here's what to do:

I use US crochet terms, so Single Crochet (sc) here is the same as UK double crochet

Pink Cat Ears

I used:

Rico Creative Cotton in Fuchia (13) and a 4mm hook.

Hairband

Stitch marker

Wire or card to add strength if needed.

Tapestry needle for sewing in ends.

1. With a slip knot on your hook and working from right to left, make 12 scs onto the hairband.

2. Ch 1, turn. Sc 12 across the Front Loops Only. Turn. Sc 12 across the Front Loops Only (24)

(working in rounds- use your stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round)

3. Sc 24

4. Sc2tog, sc 8, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc 8, sc2tog (20)

5. Sc2tog, sc 7, sc2tog, sc 9, (18)

6. Sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog, sc 8, (16)

7. Sc2tog, sc 5, sc2tog, sc 7, (14)

8. Sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog, sc 6, (12)

9. Sc2tog, sc 3, sc2tog, sc 5, (10)

10. Sc2tog around (5)

Sew closed

Repeat for other ear, working from right to left again.

Bear Ears

I used:

Rico Creative Cotton in Nougat (56) and a 4mm hook.

Hairband

Stitch marker

Wire or card to add strength if needed.

Tapestry needle for sewing in ends.

1. With a slip knot on your hook and working from right to left, make 8 scs onto the hairband (see photos above)

2. Ch 1, turn. Sc 8 across the Front Loops Only. Turn. Sc 8 across the Front Loops Only (16)

(working in rounds- use your stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round)

3. 2scs in first sc, sc 6, 2scs in sc, 2scs in sc, sc 6, 2scs in last sc. (20)

4. Sc 20

5. 2scs in first sc, sc 8, 2scs in sc, 2scs in sc, sc 8, 2scs in last sc. (24)

6-8. Sc 24

9.  Sc2tog, sc2tog, sc 7, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc 9 (20)

10. Sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog (16)

11. Sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog (12)

12. Sc2tog, sc 3, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc 1, sc2tog (8)

Sew closed

Repeat for other ear, working from right to left again.

Bow

I used:

Various shades of Rico Creative Cotton and a 4mm hook, or Drops Paris Cotton and a 4.5mm hook

Tapestry needle for sewing in ends.

There are plenty of fabulous free patterns for crochet bows on the interweb. Mine is an amalgamated version of a few I found:

Working in rows

1. Chain 16

2. Beginning in 2nd stitch from hook, sc 15 (15)

3- 9 Turn, ch 1, sc15

10. Do not turn, but sc around the 3 edges (you don't need to sc across row 9)

Fasten off

Pinch the rectangle of crochet in the middle and wind your yarn tightly around. You can continue to wind the yarn around a hairband (and secure with a couple of blobs of glue) or sew it to a brooch back instead.

That's it really!

Enjoy making.

Sarah x

Grey Mouse

A little while back now, I was asked by the lovely Emma at Lemonade Yarns if I could design a little pattern for her yarn shop.

I'd love to, I said.

How about a mouse? I said.

Yes, she said.

So here he is. (Inspired by Beatrix Potter's wonderful illustrations)

If you'd like to make him then just follow the link here to Emma's wonderful online yarn and craft emporium. 

And why not pick up all the supplies you need, too?

And some extra yarn.

And a few crafty things.

And a book.

Or is just me who shops like that?

Anyhoos, enjoy making!

Sarah x

The one where she starts a blanket ...

Yes, I know.

A blanket is so not me. They take too long and I am something of a crochet butterfly, flitting between quick projects with the greatest of ease.

Or so I thought..

Then I came across lots of people talking about their #crochetmoodblanket2014 on IG, started by Stacey at FroFunky.

The idea is simple, yet genius;

Choose a motif. You make 1 motif a day, choosing your colours as your mood takes you.

T'is all.

By the end of the year you will have a huuuuuuuge blanket. 

Even I can manage this in amongst all my other projects.

I decided on the African Flower Hexagons, following instructions from Yvestown's blog. Aren't they great?

Needless to say, I am a little behind- I have been working on a new pattern for the shop - but still, I am enjoying seeing this grow immensely.

I will keep you posted on my (hopefully impressive) progress throughout the project.

Here's a teaser: Fancy making a little mouse?

Coming up in my next post will be the link to another free pattern! Yay!

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Sarah x