Happy New Year 2013!

 

Thanks to the Graphics Fairy for the lovely image

Merry Christmas to You All!

thanks to the Graphics Fairy for the lovely image.

 



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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 

 

 

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

 

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o

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

Homestyle Sewing bookazine,

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

 

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o

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

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o

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

 

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/DB_Egg_Cosy_Patterns.pdf

 

 

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