Yarn Festivals

I've gone and done it again - Yep, another YouTube video.

This time, grab your glow sticks, 'cos I'm talking about Festivals !!
(Yarn Festivals, that is)

Watch the video here. (Show notes and links below)



Episode 2: Yarn Festivals Show Notes

To find a Yarn festival near you, see here:

Yarns:

Manos Del Uruguay Silk blend DK - website
Unique Yarns Co  - Glow in the dark yarn 
Whimzy yarns - Sokkusu O Max in 'Man of Rock' and 'Medallica'
Sparkleduck  - Lucy in 'Purple Pigeon' / Pulsar in 'Enchantment'
Rosie's Moments  - Lace Weight in 'Autumn Floor'
The Knitting Shed - Ainsworth & Prin Alpaca Silk Lace
Eden Cottage Yarns - Oakworth 4ply
Bilum Yarns - Pukpuk
The Women's Institute Soft and Chunky yarn in Grey - from here

Doodlestop Yarn Buddy

Pattern
The Little Mitts in Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend DK

Inside Crochet magazine

YouTubers
Chrissie Crafts

Hope you enjoyed it!

Have a great week,
Sarah xx

Autumn Storm Shawl

Here in the U.K. the weather has changed; darker evenings, damper mornings and a distinct chill in the air mean that Autumn has most definitely arrived.

 

 

 

And so I felt the need for a big ol' shawl-type-thing. 

Something I could drape around my shoulders to keep the shivers at bay and wrap around to completely cocoon me in warmth.

 

 

And I came up with my Autumn Storm Shawl*

 

 

*Actually, I cannot take any credit for the name. I ran a little Instagram competition and had lots of amazing suggestions- this is the one I chose and it's pretty perfect, I think.

 

 

Crocheted in the most lovely Deramores Vintage Chunky yarn, this Shawl is a simple and speedy project, despite its size.

 

If you'd like to make one, then you can find the pattern here. 

I can promise it'll keep you super-snug.

 

 

 

Happy crocheting,

Sarah xx 

Flamingo

Just a super-quick post to let you know that my latest pattern is now available in my Etsy shop!

It's written in both UK and US terms, too.

Enjoy, lovely peeps.

Sarah xx

The one with the little purses

'

So, on a recent mooch around t'internet, I found some little sew-in purse frames and a few ideas were formulated.

(All of which involved crochet, you'll be pleased to know).

So I drew a few sketches and mucked around with some yarn and a hook, and I'm pleased to say, both designs worked first time (a rare, but welcome event, as any designer knows).

If you also fancy mucking around with some yarn and a hook, then the pattern to make both is available just over there in my Etsy shop. You'll need a 65mm frame (find these in craft shops or online) and some dk yarn.

These would make gorgeous presents for ...dare I say the C-word ??

Happy crocheting

Sarah xx

A doll named Astrid

I realised the other day that I hadn't shown you the newest addition to my Etsy shop:

The pattern for my Astrid doll.

She really is very easy to make 

and would make the perfect gift for a perfect little girl.

The pattern's just over there in my Etsy Shop sidebar. Click on a picture to take you to the shop.

Enjoy making.

Sarah

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

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 

The one where she makes a little doll. And then a big doll. And gets a dog.

As many of you know, I love a little amigurumi. (Japanese meaning 'knitted toy') Probably because they are so cute and fairly quick to make (and I am such a lazy crocheter at heart)

So I thought about a little doll.

With stitched hair (I didn't fancy making a wig this time)

Complete with her own crocheted clothes and accessories.

And then I wanted to make a bigger doll. I used exactly the same pattern, but held two strands of yarn together and a slightly bigger hook.

Pink hair was the order of the day. And she has clothes too.

I hope you like them.

If you fancy having a go- the pattern is available in my Etsy shop (see the link just over there in my sidebar) and contains all the instructions you need to make both the dolls and all the accessories.

Oh, and here's the reasons I've been absent these past few weeks: 

Two words:

Holiday  (Fabulous. Majorca. Hot. Pool. Sangria. 'Nuff said)

And ...

Puppy (11weeks old. Biting. Chewing. Chasing. Cuuuuuuute. 'Nuff said)

Yes, life is officially bonkers in Annaboo's House at the moment, thanks our lovely little pup.

She'is a Jug (3/4 Pug and 1/4 Jack Russell).

And we love her.

Have a wonderful week, everyone. Now things are a little quieter (ha!) I look forward to having a proper catchup with your wonderful blogs. I've missed you guys!

Sarah x

Wabbiting around

 

 

Hello to you all in 2013!


 

 

I cannot believe that Christmas has come and gone (as have all the icky bugs) and that the New Year is upon us (and has already settled in and got its feet well and truly under the table).

 

 

 

 

 

I have so much to share with you. I really have been a most busy bunny.

Ahhhh, bunnies. Let's start there.

Last year I made little rabbits from a pattern I found here on the Internet. And very cute they were too.


But I wanted more: Bigger. Longer. Leaner.

And I wanted to use my pompom maker (onto that later).

 

So I had an idea.

 

Some people have asked how I develop a pattern.

I begin with a sketch (and not always a good one at that) one which gets the dimensions right.

I then muck around with the yarn a bit; I sort of know how to make sphere and cone and tube shapes, so I try different things.

There is a lot of frogging at this stage.

And swearing.

And cups of tea.

 

Sometimes I draw an actual sized sketch. This helps with shaping a lot.

 

 

 

 

I try things out for size and try to imagine what the whole piece will look like.

 

 

The most important thing is to keep a track of exactly what I've done, writing down every round of stitches. Every increase and decrease.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then I get to a point where I'm happy and the Wabbit is finished.

 

This one is going to be a newborn baby's gift.

Nice. I like it when people buy my little toys and there is a story to tell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And once I've made one, I set about making another, straight away (and then another and another) to test the pattern and check for inaccuracies.

 

This one worked out rather well. I love the Peruvian colour print in this yarn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here he is, finished.

 

This one was bought by a lovely lady who gave it to her little girl. She was then kind enough to send me some photos. So I could see my Peruvian Wabbit being hugged and cuddled, taken for a trip in the buggy and fast asleep with his new owner.

It made my heart sing to know he has a story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fancy making your own Wabbit?

There's patterns a-plenty for everyone in my Etsy shop.

 

Oh and the pompom maker?

Not a necessity, but such fun!!

 

(Incidentally mine is made by Clover and I bought it on eBay)

 

 

 

Have a lovely week.

Xxx

 

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Crochet Imps

I had an Imp-ish idea.

So I played around with some Rico Cotton and a 4mm hook

and came up with one of these:

A festive Imp

And, well you know how these things tend to multiply once you start making them ...

 

 

Fancy making one or two?

The pattern is in my Etsy shop here.

 

Have a great week!

Xx

 

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Dabbling with Grannies

So, I've been crocheting for about 18 months now and decided that the time has come for a grown-up project.


Something with Granny squares, I decided.

I've admired their simplicity and their diversity.

I've been ogling lots of lovely blankets and cushion covers for ages and have bookmarked lots of amazing pictures and projects to inspire me.


And then I saw this over at Wisecraft's blog and I was smitten:

 

Love the pattern.

Love the colours.

Love the styling of the photo, too.

And I thought, THAT's my project.

So, after mastering the pattern (easy-peasy) I am off in a world of granny-goodness.

At the moment I am planning a cushion cover. But who knows...?


One thing is for sure, I am addicted to these little beauties, they are blissfully therapeutic to make, and I love seeing them grow into a little stack.

 

Wish me luck...


Oh, and one more thing, here's something else I've been enjoying making:

Handmade fabric-covered rings.

Available now in my Etsy shop.


Happy week to you all!

X



 

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