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

Vintage cotton crochet bowls

Made this week by moi for sale at my duck-race-stall next weekend.
I found the vintage cotton in the local antique shop. 



It's called Stutt's Candlewick Cotton and is from the 1950s. It's very thick and sturdy to work with- if you wanted something similar you could work with 2 strands of cotton yarn together.

Anyhoo, a short post this week. Too much to do...

..must run.

Want to make a Monk, Kat or Dolly?



CAL coming soon- thanks to everyone for your interest and smashing comments.

Back soon.
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   

Uses for Crochet flowers. Number 2

Crochet flower hair clips



Make some more crochet flowers. Pattern here.

Add button, glue/ stitch to hair clip.

Another easy make. 
Soon to be for sale on my Duck Race stall and in the shop.

And yes, I can make these flowers in my sleep... *actually I wish I COULD crochet in my sleep- it would save me soooooo much time*

X

Uses for Crochet flowers. Number 1:

Crochet flower hairbands.

 

Make some crochet flowers. Pattern here.
Sew a little button to the centre of the flower and attach to hairband.
(I used 'Tacky Glue' and stitched the tail from the flower around the band too for extra strength).

Simple, eh?

Enjoy your week!
X