Monday 31 December 2012

Happy New Year 2013!

 
Thanks to the Graphics Fairy for the lovely image

Monday 24 December 2012

Merry Christmas to You All!

thanks to the Graphics Fairy for the lovely image.
 


Friday 21 December 2012

Crochet Slippers Pattern



I've been waiting to show you my latest creation, my beautiful new crochet slippers. 
 
I couldn't resist buying the pattern for these from
Two Girls Patterns on Etsy as they are so cute.
 
 
 
 
The wonderful thing about them, is their double sole that most other patterns for crochet slippers don't have.  They are so comfortable and I now have very warm tootsies!!  Something which is very pleasing as usually, at this time of year, my feet are freezing.
 
The pattern comes in 6 different sizes for ladies. I made up mine in size 9, which converts to a UK size 7.
 
I used a shoe size conversion chart to make sure I was making the right size for me.
 
 
The pattern is in US terminology but I didn't find it hard to convert to UK terminology. 
 
It is an extremely well written pattern and straight forward to follow. 
 
 
 
Two Girls recommended using worsted weight yarn so I opted for Sirdar's Supersoft Aran in Brown for the sole, and Aqua for the upper.  It is a good quality 100% acrylic yarn, very soft but hard wearing, ideal for slippers.
 
 
Buzz approves too!
 
 
I used two buttons from my stash that I  found on one of my hunting trips around the charity shops. 
 
I love them so much, I think I will definitely need another pair!!
 
If you would like to purchase the pattern follow the link below to Two Girl's shop
 
The pattern is called Violet Women's Slipper
 
Bee x
 
o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Hats for a family of four & a little mouse

 
 
I have been busy knitting 'warm wooly' hats for my brother's family of four, for presents for Christmas, in my desire to avoid the maddening crowds and the busy shops, which I just can't stand at this time of year.....
 
 
 
So I decided to make them each a beanie hat in varying sizes from age child, teenage, and adult female and adult male
and of course, a little mouse ... for Emily, my 7 year old niece. 
 
 
 
I chose to knit them in a stripy pattern in different colour ways  for easy identification.  
They didn't take long to knit. 
I used a pattern I found in a book I had taken out of the library
called 
Made in France Knitting by Hikaru Noguchi
called Stocking-Stitch beanies for the whole family.
I adapted the pattern with increasing the number of stitches to get the right sizing.   
 
 
 
 
 
The little mouse pattern was taken from
Laura Long's Knitted Toy Tales 
book that has sat on my bookcase for a while waiting for a moment to make one of her lovely animals from her book.
 
 
 
 
I love the little mouse, he is so cute, no doubt I will make more!
 
bee x
 
o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o 
 
 

Wednesday 12 December 2012

New Crochet Magazine - Simple Crochet

   Wooo hoooo!   
 
Hip Hip Hooray!
 
Get those hooks at the ready & that stash out of the cupboard.....for the launch
of a new magazine
 
You might be able to guess I am a little bit excited to be able to show the cover of Simply Crochet Magazine to be
launched in January 2013
 
 
 
Simply Crochet is a brand new monthly craft magazine from the makers of Simply Knitting and Mollie Makes so it is bound to be lovely.
 
It is full of creative ideas for anyone who loves – or would love to learn crochet, so good for beginners and more experienced crocheters.
 
It will contain patterns and designs for the home, fashionable accessories, and gift ideas with clear and easy-to-follow instructions to ensure the best possible results every time.
There is a fabulous launch offer,
currently the first three mags are available for:
 £5 if you live in the UK (http://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/scrx16/),
 
and $10 if you live in the US/Canada (http://www.imsnews.com/simplycrochet-2001).
 
The first issue is out on the 10th January 2013
 
You can guess, I have already signed up to it.
 
It will be something to look forward to in the New Year when the winter blues start to set in.
 
You can join in the fun at the following places too ....
 
Blog: http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk
 
Twitter: @SimplyCrochet_
Facebook:/simplycrochetmag
Pinterest:/simplycrochetmag
Ravelry:/groups/simply-crochet
 
 
bee x
 
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Monday 10 December 2012

Folk Christmas Garland Decoration

 
 
As promised in my previous post, I have finally completed the
Folk Christmas Decorations,
it took me longer than I thought! 
 
 
 
I was inspired by the folk style decoration project in
I mentioned in my previous post and the free kit to make them.
 
Here's my effort:
 
 
 
I made mine into a
Red and White Folk Felt Christmas Garland
as I love draping my windows with beautiful garlands at this time of year.
 
 
 
It's been difficult to get a great photo of it as it very long and the light hasn't been great either for taking photos.
 
 
 
I wasn't keen on the green thread on the red felt so I kept mine just red and white. 
 
 
 
I made pom poms out of white and red wool and strung them along with the decorations on a red thread at regular intervals.
 
 
 
I love the results.
 
My embroidery skills could do with a little improvement but I like their charm.
 
 
 
I have hung them on my main window in my flat long with a hand crocheted snowflake garland I made earlier in the year.
 
 
Now it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!!!!
 
bee x
 
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Wednesday 5 December 2012

Homestyle Sewing Bookazine Review

 
 
 
 
I was delighted to be sent a copy of  a beautiful and lovely sewing bookazine, Homestyle Sewing, published by Immediate Media Company for me to review. 
 
What struck me immediately, was the amount of good quality projects and the fact that it is jam packed with selection of projects for the every sewer from beginner to more advanced. 


 
Apart from only two pages taken up with adverts (which is extremely unusual), a 'things to do, places to go' section
and an article on individuals discussing
how they utilise Pinterest to their own style,
all  other pages are full of beautiful, and stunning photographs, comprehensive step by step guides and  'you will need' lists for each project. 

 
  
Every issue comes with a very comprehensive kit that relates to one of the major projects included in the issue.  The projects aren't Christmasy, apart from the Felt Folk Decorations, so they have longevity and can be used for gifts for all other occasions and for all.
 
 So I think that it is value for money in that respect and it is one that you will want to keep and refer back to again and again.  If you are anything like me, I keep all my magazines and often find inspiration in forgotten projects that I've had tucked away and it helps me to get my creativity flowing again.    
 
In particular, this issue comes with a pack for all one needs to make the 8 felt Christmas decorations (Shown below). I can't wait to have a go at making these as they look stunning. I love folk style decorations. I will show you later in the week my efforts so pop back soon to take a peek!
 
 
Homestyle Sewing was launched at the end of 2009 also with Christmas special.  
Since then, there have been 6 special seasonal issues so it is available twice a year and each issue comes with an assortment of free gifts.
So at £7.99 it is very good value. 
If anyone wants to get their hands on a copy,
you can order one, just click on the magazine cover at the top of the blog post for a link to the subscription page.



Bee x

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Saturday 1 December 2012

Free Debbie Bliss Egg Cosy Patterns


Debbie Bliss Christmas Jumper Egg Cosies Pattern Image
 
 
As promised in my previous post regarding
the Save the Children / Debbie Bliss
Knitterati evening, I attended recently,
in aid of the Christmas Jumper Day
on the 14th December,
I mentioned I would be knitting the egg cosies and posting the pattern so everyone can have a go too.....
 
Here's a link to the lovely patterns Debbie Bliss designed for the evening
 
 
 
Here are my two that I have finished this week
 
 
 
I think they are really cute.  I need to refresh my memory again on how to do bobbles and try to do the Aran one as well. 
 
I think I will be giving them to my Mum and Dad with some egg cups for a little Christmas Pressie.
 
Crafty tips!
 
Knit a few and hang them on string and make mini
washing line garland.
I love those mini pegs you can buy these days, they would look great pinned to the line.
OR
Make mini wire hanger and dangle them on the Christmas Tree.
Or use my favourite mini pegs and peg them on the tree!!
 
 
 
Have fun anyway.
 
They would make great Christmas gifts or stocking fillers.
 
 
 
 
Bee x
 
o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o
 
 

Monday 26 November 2012

Knitterati Evening

A hand knitted Blanket with the Save the Children
emblem on the wall of the shop


What a wonderful evening I had last Thursday, at the
Mary Portas Save the Children, 
Giving and Living Shop,
in Primrose Hill, London.
 
It is a stunning charity shop, unlike any other.  It is full of shabby chic and vintage finds, it is definitely worth a visit.  Primrose Hill itself is stunning and an oasis in the midst of London.  Definitely worth a visit just for a walk around the place. 
 
If you read last week's post, you will know I was invited to attend a knitting event by
 
Save the Children
with
Debbie Bliss
and
special guest Trisha Malcolm, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Knitting
 
all in aid of their superb 'Christmas Jumper Day' fund raising campaign on 14th December, 2012. 
 
They decided that as the theme was Christmas Jumpers, that we 'knitters' could help with spreading the word and help with knitting jumpers.
 
 
internal view of shop
 
It was fantastic to meet Debbie Bliss in person.  I have been a fan of her beautiful books, patterns and her stunning yarn collection for a long while so it was a real treat to meet her.  She is such a lovely lady.
 



Debbie Bliss & Me!
 
 
Along with 14 other top UK knitting bloggers, we were given a lovely Christmas gift bag of 3 beautiful balls of Debbie Bliss yarn, Ralto DK and Cashmerino DK, and a cute pattern for 3 egg cosy jumpers, a brilliant idea, as the event was in aid of The Save the Children 'Christmas Jumper Day' appeal.
 
The Knitterati
 
I managed to complete the front of one and nearly the reverse in between the chatting whilst getting to know the other bloggers and the wonderful Save the Children Staff and volunteers. 
 
One of the egg cosies complete
 
So my knitting task for the week is to complete the egg cosies, so pop back later in the week for a peek at my efforts and a chance to get the pattern too.


please note all of the above photos are provided with kind permission of Magda Rakita/Save the Children  
 
For those of you are unaware of what
Christmas Jumper Day
14th December 2012
is
 
 
Lots of celebrities are now supporting the event
 
Jon Snow, Lisa Snowden, Mylene Klass, Mark Wright to name a few
and over 300,000 others

 Mark Wright

Mylene Klass


 
 
All the lovely goodies we had to eat and the all important symbol of why we took part in the event!


Bee x

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Wednesday 21 November 2012

Save the Children & Debbie Bliss Free Knitting Pattern

 
I am so excited, I've been invited to attend a knitting event in London this week,
 
hosted by Save the Children,
and
Debbie Bliss,
Knitting Designer extraordinaire.
 
 
It is to launch Save the Children's new charity event 
on 14th December
called the
 
 
It's a day where you can get away with wearing the silliest, most hideous, or funniest Christmas jumper to work ....
and all you have to do is donate £1.00 to do so. 
It sounds like a great fun idea to me!!
 
To take part, you need to register at
 
 
and Save the Children will send you some 'GReAt Free STuFf' for you to advertise the event in your workplace.
 
Debbie Bliss has also designed a FREE special knitting pattern to launch the event as well which can be found here for all of us keen knitters out there
 
 
 
there are also 2 other FREE knitting Patterns by TS Ramsden to get 'clicking away on'.
 
I am looking forward to meeting Debbie and the team from
Save the Children on Thursday.
 
I will let you know how I get on and tell you all about the event on my return.
 
Bee x
 
o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o
 
 


 

Sunday 21 October 2012

Crochet Christmas Puddings

Here's my latest creations for the Christmas range
I've been adding to my Shop recently ....








They are available in sets of 4 or singularly.
 
They make fun tree decorations, table decorations and a little gift for your guests to take home and hang on their own tree.
 
Crafty Idea!
 
Why not use those mini pegs to attach a piece of decorative paper with your guests name to the hanging tab and use them as a place setting.
 
They also compliment the Mistletoe decorations a treat!
 
 
 
Bee x
 
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Monday 8 October 2012

Christmas Decorations

Just thought you might like to see a sneeky peek
of some new items for the shop which will be in the Etsy and Folksy shops soon for CHRISTMAS !!!!:
 
 
Decorations and Cards
 





 
 
 
bee x
 
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