Christmas Crochet

Yay! Christmas!   Bring on a load of festive-themed-crochet-goodies*!

Ooooo, he looks like trouble

*free, of course. It IS Christmas, after all...Click on the picture to find the pattern.

Make a stocking for all the family

Totally LOVE that little sheep..

  

Simple stars. Perfect for the tree or as gift tags

Aren't these trees absolutely BRILLIANT? (shamelessly plugs own pattern)

 

 

This Christmas Light garland would look fab on a mantlepiece

A stunning wreath of crochet balls

Christmas wouldn't be complete without sprouts eh?

 Enjoy making ALL the Christmassy things!

 Sarah xx    

Easy-Peasy, super-quick, one ball of yarn Crochet Bobble Hat (THE perfect last minute Christmas gift

Yep.

The title says it all.

Perfect for beginners, this hat uses chunky yarn, a big-ish hook and UK treble crochet (US doubles) to create a hat in about half an hour. And as it only uses one ball (plus some extra yarn from your stash to create a pompom) it's a bargain to boot. 

I bought some Drops Andes a looooong time ago to make a thing. The thing never happened and so I had some yarn which needed a new thing, so I decided on a hat. 

Not just any old hat; a bobble hat. 

You know- the one with the pompom. 

And not just any old pompom. A BIG pompom.

You can probably tell from the photo that this yarn is mega-lush. Slightly fluffy, being 65% wool and 35% alpaca, this stuff comes in a nice range of colours and is the perfect ingredient for winter woolies (and at the time of posting, I've found it online for less than 3 quid a ball... so a very reasonable price for a super-warm hat).

'Enough of the waffle,' I hear you say. 'Give us the pattern!'
 Here it is. The pattern fits an adult. Adjustments to make it fit smaller people are given, too.

Now if you're not a written-pattern kind-of person, then don't worry- I've got a YouTube video to guide you through, step by step. You'll find it below.

Enjoy, you lovely lot and have a wonderful Christmas!

Bobble Hat pattern (In UK terms. For US, substitute treble crochet (tr) for double crochet (dc)

Abbreviations:

Chain = ch

Stitches = sts

Slip stitch = sl st 

Treble crochet = tr

You will need:

1 X 100g ball Drops Andes in colour of your choice (or any other yarn which requires a 9mm hook)

9mm hook.

85 mm pompom maker (optional)

Worked in joined rounds. 

Note: I used a chain of 2, rather than 3 at the beginning of each round- I found a ch3 just too tall. It still counts as a stitch in the pattern.

Rnd 1: Ch2 (counts as tr here and throughout), 11 tr in magic ring or ch2, make ch2 and 11tr into 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st to top of ch2. (12sts)

Rnd 2: Ch2, 1tr in same st, then 2tr in each st around. Join with sl st to top of ch2. (24)

Rnd 3. Ch2, 2tr in next st, then *tr 1 in next st, 2tr in following st* repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to top of ch2. (36)

Rnd 4: Ch2, tr 1 in each of next 7 sts, 2tr in next st, *tr 8, 2tr in next st* repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to top of ch2. (39)

Rnds 5-11: Ch2, 1tr in each st around. Join with sl st to top of ch2.

Brim

Rnd 12: Ch2, TURN, 1tr in each st around. Join with sl st to top of ch2. 

Rnds 13-14: Ch2, 1tr in each st around. Join with sl st to top of ch2. 

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Make pompom and stitch to top of hat!
Job done.

To make this hat fit smaller heads, then simply leave out round 4 and even round 3. Then continue making just one treble stitch in each stitch around. Simply adjust the number of rounds to fit the size head you need. 

Here's the YouTube video:

Happy crocheting, 

Sarah xx

The one with the crochet balls

So I found a couple of polystyrene balls which I've had in a box for yeeeears and I decided to do something festive with them.

I was thinking along the lines of homemade Christmas baubles for the kids' teachers, but actually, these would look great displayed in a big bowl too. 

The first ball is made using good old double crochet in continuous rounds. A few increases and decreases help create the shaping- you'll need to use a stitch marker so you know where the beginning of each round is. 

The second uses joined rounds and a few different stitches and techniques, but is just as simple to make.

Fancy making one, or two? 

Then here's what to do...

(Oh and BTW if you're quick, you can still use the fab 10% discount code, ABXMAS off RICO Creative Cotton from Black Sheep Wools. It's valid until 2nd December 2014...)

I used:

2 x 70mm polystyrene balls (if you haven't got these, then you could try stuffing them firmly with toy filling instead),

Odds and ends of Rico Creative Cotton Aran from my stash: Red (05), Orange (74), Light Green (40), Light Yellow (63), Turquoise (36), Candy Pink (64), Fuschia (13)

4mm hook,

Stitch marker

Ribbon for hanging loop.

[This pattern is written in UK terms. US equivalents are given below]

UK double crochet = US single crochet
UK treble crochet = US double crochet

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch dc = double crochet
dc2tog = double crochet two together*

sts = stitches

* how to make the dc2tog stitch using the invisible decrease method:

Insert hook into the front loop of the first stitch.

Insert hook into the front loop of the second stitch (3 loops on hook).

Yarn over and pull yarn through the first two loops (2 loops on hook).

Yarn over and pull through both loops.

Striped Ball

Worked in continuous rounds.

I changed colour every round. You'll find that this isn't at the beginning of the round where stated in the pattern, so use a stitch marker and you won't lose your place.

To make the colour change, work the last dc until you have 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over in the new colour and complete the stitch. Make the next stitch a slip stitch (not too tight as you'll need to work into it on the next round) and continue for a few more stitches. Knot the ends of your old and new yarn together and you're done! (And there's no need to weave in your ends- they'll be on the inside, so won't show.)

Work in the following colours: Orange, Candy Pink (from Rnd 2), Fushcia, Yellow, Fuschia, Turquoise, Green, Yellow, Red, Turquoise, Orange, Fuschia, Green, Turquoise, Yellow, Candy Pink, Red, Yellow, Fuschia, Green, Orange.

6dc in magic ring, OR ch2, 6dc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnd 1: 2dc in each st (12 sts)

Rnd 2: 2dc in each st (24)

Rnd 3: (dc 2, 2dc in next st) repeat around (32)

Rnd 4: dc 32

Rnd 5: (dc 3, 2dc in next st) repeat around (40)

Rnds 6-15: dc 40

Rnd 16: (dc 3, dc2tog) repeat around (32)

Insert polystyrene ball and continue to crochet around it

Rnds 17-18: dc32

Rnd 19: (dc 2, dc2tog) repeat around (24)

Rnd 20: (dc 1, dc2tog) repeat around (16)

Rnd 21: dc 16

Rnd 22: dc2tog around (8)

Sew closed. Add hanging loop.

Star Ball

Worked in joined rounds

Change colour every round in the following order:

Turquoise, Fushcia, Yellow, Green, Red, Yellow, Turquoise, Candy Pink, Fuschia, Green, Orange, Yellow.

You'll need to know a few extra stitches here, in addition to the ones above:

tr = treble crochet

sk st = skip stitch

beg tr cl = beginning treble cluster*

tr cl = cluster**

* to make the beginning treble cluster stitch:

Chain 2, then make 2 trebles, leaving the last part of each tr unworked (3 loops on hook). Yarn over hook and draw through all 3 loops.

** to make the treble cluster stitch:

Make 3 trebles, leaving the last part of each tr unworked (4 loops on hook). Yarn over hook and draw through all 4 loops.

Begin with a magic ring OR, chain 4 and join with a sl st to make a ring.

Rnd 1: beg tr cl, ch 3, (tr cl, ch 3 repeat x 4) into ring [you should have a 5-pointed star shape] join with a sl st to top of ch 2. (25 sts)

Rnd 2: ch 1, (dc 3, ch 2 in each ch-3 space around) join with a sl st to first dc. (25)

Rnd 3: ch 1 (dc 3 then dc 2 in each ch-2 space around), join with a sl st to first dc. (25)

Rnd 4: ch 3 (counts as tr), 2tr in next st, (tr 1 in next st, 2tr in next st around), 2tr in last st, join with a sl st to top of ch 3. (38)

Rnd 5: ch 3 (counts as tr), tr 1 in same st, sk st, (2tr in next st, sk st around) join with a sl st to top of ch 3. (38)

Rnds 6-7: ch 3 (counts as tr), tr 1 in space between 2tr sts, (2tr in each space between 2tr sts around) join with a sl st to top of ch 3. (38) 

Insert polystyrene ball and continue to crochet around it.

Rnds 8-9: ch 1, (dc 1, ch 1 in space between 2tr sts around) join with a sl st to the first dc (38)

Rnds 10-11: ch 3 (counts as tr), tr 1 in each ch-1 space around, join with a sl st to the top of ch 3. (19)

Rnd 12: ch 1, dc2tog around, dc 1 in last st (10)

Sew closed.

And that's about it.

Enjoy making and have a fab week,

Sarah x

A BIG Crocheted Christmas tree (Free pattern)

'Could you design us a large, free-standing, crocheted Christmas tree?' the lovely Lesley from Black Sheep Wools asked me.

Yep. 

Sure can.

I used one of my favourite yarns, Rico Creative Cotton Aran, as the colours are bright and it's sturdy stuff.

If you'd like to make yourself a large, free-standing, crocheted Christmas tree, then head on over to Black Sheep Wools, where you'll find the FREE pattern (yes, free- it IS Christmas, after all) AND there's a jolly super 10% discount code to use on Rico Creative Cotton Aran if you use the code 'ABXMAS'. It's valid until the 2nd December, too.

Have fun making and do show me if you make one- I love to see what you've been up to!

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

Sarah xx

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

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

Crochet Christmas Trees

I'm the happiest Christmas tree, 
Hoo hoo hoo, hee hee hee 
Someone came and they found me, 
And took me home with them!



Oh, I'm the happiest Christmas tree, 
Hoo hoo hoo, hee hee hee 
Look how pretty they dressed me, 
Oh, lucky, lucky me! 
 


You might remember their simple beginnings a while back:



And many of you clever peeps had guessed correctly, too!

They have taken me an age to finish. For no other reason than being distracted by everything else: 
1. Craft fair/shopping night. Big success. Sold lots- now panicking ever so slightly over need to replenish stocks for more upcoming sales.
2. EBay. Compulsive. (Bob the builder pants sold at a profit)
3. A cowl. For myself. I would actually like to finish it while it is still cold.

Back to the trees.


Fancy making one, or two, or a shelf-ful?

Here's my pattern to make the smallest, squattest tree. 
Want a taller one? The instructions are below too.

If you make some, then do let me know how you get on and don't forget to link back to this post if you mention them on your lovely blogs. 

You'll need:
Whatever hooks and yarn you have to hand
Stitch marker
Stuffing
Felt for base
Beads/buttons etc to decorate


These are crocheted in the round, amigurumi-style and I use US crochet terms

Sc 4 in magic ring (find good tutorials for this on YouTube)
1) [sc, 2 sc in next stitch] repeat around (6 stitches)
2) [sc, 2 sc in next stitch] repeat around (9 stitches)
3) [sc, sc, 2 sc in next stitch] repeat around (12 stitches)
4) [sc, sc, 2 sc in next stitch] repeat around (16 stitches)
5) [sc, sc, sc, 2 sc in next stitch] repeat around (20 stitches)
6) [sc, sc, sc, sc 2 sc in next stitch] repeat around (24 stitches)
7) sc 24
8) [sc 2 tog] repeat around (12 stitches)
9) sc 12
Stuff
10) [sc 2 tog] repeat around (6 stitches)
11) [2 sc in each stitch] repeat around (12 stitches)
12) [sc, 2 sc in next stitch] repeat around (18 stitches)

Decorate.
Cut a felt circle to stick to the bottom of your tree to neaten things up.

These will stand quite happily on their own, but would also be perfect as tree ornaments too. Just attach some ribbon.

To make your tree taller, insert the following rounds:

2a) sc 9
2b) sc 9

3a) sc 12
3b) sc 12
You get the idea.



Job done.

Xx