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

The one with the knitting needles and the bracelets

It's a well known fact that the Mister thinks I'm bonkers.

So it's just as well he didn't see me boiling my knitting needles at lunchtime today.

Yep, you read it right. Boiling my needles.

See? Here's the proof.

No, I'm not THAT hungry. I just fancied trying something crafty.

I'd found the green and red plastic needles in a charity shop (10p per pair, I kid you not) and knew just what to do with them. 

And for once, it didn't involve yarn.

Here's what I made:

Bracelets! 

If you'd like to follow suit and confound your family and friends with your culinary madness, then here's what to do:

1. Find some plastic knitting needles (raid your stash for lonely ones, or keep your eyes peeled in the charity shops for cheapo ones).

2. Boil them for 20 mins or so -they need to be really soft for them to take shape. My first attempt didn't work as they weren't pliable enough.

Do be aware of nasty fumes which can be released- ventilate your kitchen and you'll be fine.

3. Remove them carefully from the water. Within a couple of seconds they'll be cool enough to handle.

4. Bend them quickly into shape and use something to hold them in position. (See my imaginative use of the elastic bands the postman insists on dropping along the street)

5. Allow to cool completely.

If you're not happy with your bracelet, then just pop the needle back in the boiling water to soften and start again.

Now adorn your wrists with your awesome creations and wait for the comments to come flooding in...

NB: not all plastic needles will bend. The grey one refused to comply and has been returned, sulking to my stash.

Enjoy your week!

Sarah x

The big stuff

I loves a bit of mahooooosive yarn.

Not your Granny's doily

It has to be a favourite of mine.

It's so exciting- seeing that huge skein, rolled up in a cone or ball. So many possibilities ...

I've made quite a few things now, with the big stuff:

A knitted thing

A crocheted bracelet

Slippers

And I've got a few projects in mind for the book, too.

If you fancy giving it a go, then there are plenty of commercially produced yarns available. And you can always make your own t-shirt yarn - there's lots of tutorials online to guide you - try this one for size.

My stash (and there's more)

It goes without saying that you'll need a big hook-anything from 10-20mm (US 15/N/P - S) depending on the pattern and then you're good to go. Hold it in exactly the same way as you would a smaller hook and yarn- it takes a little getting used to, but you'll soon adapt.

The great thing about this yarn is that it works up really quickly.

In no time at all you can have a bag or basket or slippers! 

Enjoy your mahosssive  yarn adventures,

Sarah xx

Twenty

A magic number.

Not my age (alas), but the number of projects I need to design for the book.

Luckily, as it's a book for beginners, the projects are neither complicated nor lengthy. 

However, designing everything from scratch involves a lot of testing and trying and fixing and frogging.

And there's a lot to be done..

I do hope you likey.

Enjoy the rest of your week, 

Sarah xx

Let's Get Crafting

Its funny how things work out, isn't?

I've never exactly had what you might call a business plan, but I've tried to give myself a goal or idea for what I'd like to achieve each year.

And so a few months ago, I'd said to the Mister that it might be nice to have a pattern published in a magazine.   

I had no idea how to go about this, but imagined I might have to send lots of emails. A daunting task, I thought. It would be something I'd do later on in the year. Maybe once the little'un had started school.

Yes, something I'd definitely aim for later in the year. 
Much later.

So that was the plan.

And then I received an email from a lovely editor, saying how much they liked my designs *blushes* and would I like to accept a commission for the knitting and crochet magazine, Let's Get Crafting?

 

Ooooooo, yes. I said.

How exciting, I said.

And so I was asked to design a cactus, a toadstool keyring, a flower pen cosy and a toadstool pen cosy!

What fun!

Images courtesy of Let's Get Crafting Magazine

I designed. I made. I wrote up the pattern and emailed it. I sent the physical items..

And then I waited...

And here it is!!

I'm very proud to say that my little cactus made the front cover..

Image courtesy of Let's Get Crafting Magazine

.. and the keyring made the front jacket..

.. AND I have a full spread inside, too!!!!

Happy days.

What's more, I've been asked to take on another commission. Here's a sneak peek:

But now, it's back to the book. More designs need to be made and more writing needs to be done.

Suffice it to say that things are a bit busy at Annaboo's House these days. 

But that's how I like it best.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend,

Sarah x