Ripples

I have finally started my first project for the new baby - although with only 8 weeks to go I'm cutting it fine!  I am making a lovely ripply blanket in bright rainbow stripes (as Bea insists her little sister is called Maka paka Rainbow it seems appropriate!) using the neat ripple tutorial from Attic24.


The pattern is easy to follow and a nice simple repeat that doesn't require much concentration.  I'm choosing the colour order as I'm going along so the stripes are random.  I'm about halfway through now  so fingers crossed I can get it finished!  Along with all the other things I wanted to make!

 

Little bow shoes

These little shoes were a quick crochet project for a new baby gift (not for our own baby, although I have at last started making something for her).  The pattern is the French baby booties pdf from Luz crochet patterns on Etsy.  As a self taught crochetist (crocheter?) I generally wing it a bit and hope the finished item turns out ok but the pattern was pretty easy to follow and I think my shoes look enough like the originals to call them a success!

Nesting

I'm thinking about projects for the new baby. I think I will hold off starting anything until we know if we are expecting a boy or girl (only 3 and a half weeks to go!) but whatever the gender I would love to make a ripply blanket inspired by this one from Attic24 and she luckily has a ripple tutorial I can use too.

Finished dolly blanket

The little crochet blanket I made for Bea's new dolls pram is finished and now keeping Little Red Riding Hood warm.

I really enjoyed the granny stripe, nice and simple to crochet and watch tv at the same time!

Its just a shame Bea is not a fan of dolls at all and prefers to chuck a few megabloks and Peppa Pig figures in there to push about. Nevermind, I get to play with it when shes asleep!

Mini crochet project

I have been working on a little toy blanket to go in a lovely wooden dolls pram that Bea got for christmas. I love crochet blankets and would love to make a full size one one day but thought this teeny one would be good practice for now!

I used Attic 24's granny stripe pattern and made up a border. I have used cheapy acrylic toy yarn and the colours are a lot more garish than they appear in the photos but I quite like that - it looks like its come straight out of the 70's! I have finished the crochet now so just need to block it before I post photos of the final article!

That blanket again...

I recently had a request to post instructions for the blanket I talked about making for Bea.

I can't take credit for the design as it is a pattern by Alicia Paulson that you can get here, but I changed the yarn for Rowan all seasons cotton and chose a different colour scheme.

Here is the young lady herself chewing on the velvet ribbon!

Lovely Clusters

I thought I would give you a break from the baby news and mention this nice site lovely clusters which currently includes a couple of my handmade toys. it has lots of lovely other things too.

Whats that? Just one more picture? oh go on then:

Baby blanket

I mentioned this blanket a while ago when I was working on it and here is the finished article.  I am very pleased with the outcome, and quite proud of my biggest crochet project yet!

Its a simple crocheted blanket with scalloped edge and lovely dusky pink velvet ribbon trim.

I used Rowan All Seasons Cotton which has a lovely soft texture and seems to wash really well - important when its for a new born baby!

These pictures also give a sneaky peek of the crib.  It is a very old family crib that my niece has only recently moved out of so I will show it properly another time.

Baby post in disguise

I think I'm probably going to be boring you with quite a lot of baby posts from now on so I'm thinly disguising this one as a craft post.

I'm crocheting this baby blanket (although I have temporarily run out of yarn) which I started before we knew what flavour its going to be.  Luckily it will have a ribbon threaded through the border where I can add a girly touch.  I have to say its very soothing repeating the same crochet stitch over and over again on something this big.

And while we are on the subject of the blanket here is the project bag I'm keeping it in.  I got it from Loop and it comes with a choice of bird print.  I may have to go back for more as its very handy to keep projects separate.  (my knitting bag is bursting at the seams with halve finished projects, pattern books and balls of yarn so things tend to get a bit tangled!).

Crochet break

Hello.  I thought I'd take a break from illustration updates today to talk about some crochet stuff instead.  I decided to learn to crochet after I discovered I love knitting so much and found it just as addictive.  My favourite crochet project so far is this little blue bunny that is now for sale in my etsy shop.

I just love the slightly concerned look on his face and those enormous ears!  If you would like to give this little rabbit a home in time for easter you can find him here.

Round and round...

I had been meaning to learn crochet and finally bought some hooks at the weekend so I decided to have a little practice.  Well, what fun!  It is almost as satisfying as knitting!  I would love to make one of those brilliant granny blankets that use mismatched yarn scraps.  Think I will need a bit more practice first though!