Crochet-A-Long Episode 1: Kit List

Joining us for the CAL?
Glad to hear it.

Here's your kit list:



Stitch marker (a piece of coloured yarn will do the job).
Crochet hook to suit your yarn (I used a 4mm).
Yarn of choice (now, my first Blue Monk used 1 skein of Rico Cotton, BUT subsequent Monks have needed a squidge more- be on the safe side and make sure you have more than you'll need).
Eyes. You can use buttons or proper safety eyes. I used 12mm buttons (size 18L).
Embroidery thread (for attaching buttons/ felt etc).
Felt/ fabrics (for face/ dress etc).
Polyester fibre-fill/ toy stuffing.
Sewing needle and tapestry needle.

[Cup of tea and left-over Easter egg optional]

I'll be back after the weekend with the first part of the CAL.


If you're a beginner, then  your homework is to practise your single crochet (US)/ double crochet (UK) stitches. Don't worry about increasing and deceasing stitches yet - I'll show you as we go along.
Oh, and as we'll be crocheting in the round, it might be worth having a look at the magic ring method of starting a circle (again, don't worry if this is too tricky, I've got an easier option too).

And don't forget to join our Flickr group- just click on the CAL picture over there on the right and get ready to share your CAL progress- it will be great to see what everyone's up to.
[NB Flickr is free to sign up]

Any questions? Do ask.

I look forward to seeing you next week...

.... I hope this rain stops, I've got my stall at the village Duck Race on Sunday..!


Enjoy the rest of your week,
Xx

Blue Monk(ey) and Friends

I absolutely cannot make any more crochet flowers.
I need to, to boost my stocks for the shop and the stall, but no. I am done.

So what to make next?
Why a blue monk(ey) of course.
(brown is so last season, don't you think?)



This little monk (all monkeys are called 'Monk' in my house) uses one 50g skein of Rico cotton- (so quite a thrifty make, really) and loads of US Single Crochet/UK Doubles (easy, too).





This had me wondering whether the same pattern would work with an odd 50g ball of Noro Kureyon I had lurking in my woolly piles (from my amazing Noro-tastic treasure found in a charity shop yonks ago). 



Not a Monk, but A Kureyon Kat!
(using the same pattern, but with a slight variation on the ears)



And in fact, the pattern makes this doll, too:

 

A one-size-fits-all kind of pattern. Just change the ears/tail/hair combos...

..... So that got me thinking-
And I feel a bit nervous asking you all, but.. 

Would anyone like the pattern? 
No, bit of a boring post. 
Would anyone like a tutorial? 
No, that would be a ginormous task, so..

.....does anyone fancy a Crochet-A-Long with me ....?


I thought I might explain a little bit of the pattern each week, with a photo tutorial (suitable for beginners and pro's alike) and we could all make a little monk/kat/doll/whatever-you-fancy together...?

I'll break it into manageable steps with a week or so between each post to give you plenty of time to ask questions and have a go.

I'd love to know if anyone's interested. 



And yes, that is a crochet flower on Monk's head. 
I know, I know. I can't help it.

Someone call the crochet police and have me put away.....

Xx