Time for some crochet pineapples!

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Following on from my fabric tumbling blocks Bambi quilt I decided I wanted to try something similar with crochet and combined this with an idea I had for doing a blanket with pineapples on. It took me a little while to get the pattern layout as I wanted but after many failed drawings I finally cracked it and I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out. It was great fun to make and every time I started working on it the ‘Pina Colada’ song would come to mind – random I know, but it made me smile!The pattern is available over on my Etsy site: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/621557268

Patchwork fan block quilt

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I received some lovely Japanese Florals fabric by The Craft Cotton Company and decided to do a fan block quilt. I must admit was a little daunted about all the curves – I don’t think I have ever sewn so may curved edges before, however, I made sure I took my time (I’m terrible for flying off at speed and then wondering why it all went wrong!) and all the blocks came together without too many problems – I have to admit there were one or two I got a bit carried with and in my haste hadn’t pinned properly so had to redo – getting carried and going to quickly is always my downfall! The tutorial to make one is available over on The Craft Cotton Company blog:https://www.craftcottonblog.co.uk

A Year in stitches weeks 18-23

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I’ve just about kept up over the last few weeks – its been close but somehow I have managed it!

Its really starting to fill up now – i’m hoping that my choice of using a smaller hoop doesn’t end up causing me problems of not having enough space!

Week 18: Thistles completed and two dahlias added.

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Week 19: Pine needles and winter pansies started.

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Week 20:  Winter pansies completed.

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Week 21:  Heather and red berries added.

 

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Week 22: Asters added.

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Weeks 23: Pumpkins and season names added.

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This flamingo cushion will always stand out from the crowd!

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I’ve had the idea for a flamingo cushion for a while now and when I received some Essential Trends fat quarters in pink by The Craft Cotton Company I knew they would be perfect for making one with.

It was great fun putting this cushion together and I have kept him sat on my craft desk as it makes me smile whenever I look at it – I will have to make some to go in some other rooms!

The tutorial to make your own is available over on The Craft Cotton Company blog :

https://www.craftcottonblog.co.uk/single-post/2018/05/31/Mini-Flamingo-Cushion

Take a journey out into space with a space themed wall hanging

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When I first saw the Star Gazer fat quarter set by The Craft Cotton Company I knew straight away what to make with it – an appliqué wall hanging, the fabric colours and patterns were perfect.

I opted to have a space rocket travelling through a star filled space surrounded by planets and stars and am really pleased with how it’s turned out.

The tutorial is available over on The Craft Cotton Company blog:

https://www.craftcottonblog.co.uk/single-post/2018/05/29/Space-Mini-Wall-Hanger

But of floral fabric fun with a reversible bag and woven cushion

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Don’t think it’s possible to have too many flowers so this English Garden fabric by The Craft Cotton Company was perfect for me to get making with! I decided on two different makes which combined used 1 jelly roll and 1 fat quarter set.

I was a bit worried about problems I might encounter with the woven cushion but the only thing that went wrong was me forgetting to pin some of the strips before lifting it up for sewing so they all went all over – serves me right for not checking they all had pins!

I really wanted to add something to the reversible bag when I had got it finished so decided to add a bow to the handles, I really like how it adds a little bit of detail.

These tutorials are available on The Craft Cotton Company blog:

Woven cushion:

https://www.craftcottonblog.co.uk/single-post/2018/05/15/Woven-Cushion-Cover-Tutorial

Shopping bag:

https://www.craftcottonblog.co.uk/single-post/2018/05/17/Sew-a-Reversible-Shopper-Bag-with-Bow-Detail

Two little crochet monsters have quietly snuck out my craft bag

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I have had the Edwards Imaginarium by Kerry Lord for a while now and have finally got round to making some of the fantastic creations from it, it took me ages to decide which to pick for my makes as I like so many of the different options it was hard to pick!  As there were just so many I liked I decided to make two (for now!).

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For the first I decided to use a Arran wool which would give me a slightly bigger monster than if i had used DK which I normally use for these.  This monster uses the combination H:18, A:3, and F:5.

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For the second I opted for a variegated chunky wool which I have had for a while now and have been waiting for the right project for it.  This monster uses the combination H:20, A:9, and F19 (I didn’t cut the loops as i liked how it looked).

 

Cant wait to make a few more of these!!

 

 

Another flurry into corner to corner crochet with these Minecraft Creeper and Ghast storage cases

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Following my first successful attempt at corner to corner crochet with my corner to corner hearts blanket I decided to venture back and try something else.  I have had an idea for some crochet storage cases for a while now and combined with my like for making things Minecraft related I decided to combine to two and make some Minecraft themed storage cases.

After digging out my graph paper again I got started on the patterns for a Creeper and a Ghast (I was thinking of starting with a mooshroom cow but didn’t have any red!).  once I had got the pattern sorted I could get started on the crochet part.

 

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These cases measure up at approximately 20 x 11 cm, when using DK wool and a 4 mm crochet hook.   The Ghast uses 3 colours (grey, black, white) and the Creeper uses 4 (black, dark green, medium green, light/sage green).

 

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After I had completed the crochet part and sewn in all the loose ends it was time to put the cases together.  Taking one of the cases I folded it in half with the right sides together and slip stitched down the two sides.

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After turning it back out it was time to sew on the zip.  I used a 20 cm zip but make sure you measure along the top edge of your finished case to ensure your zip size due to variations in wool and tension.  Before sewing in the zip I completed a few stitches at the bottom of the zip to hold the loose ends together which makes it much easier for sewing in.

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I first sewed the zip along one of the top edges, then opened the zip and sewed it to the other side.

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I decided to add some lining to my case just to ensure no bits could fall out.  I opted for lining which had a white wrong side and pattern on the right side for my Ghast so that you wouldn’t see any pattern through the case but would on the inside, however, you could choose any pattern or colour you would like.   To do this I cut a piece of fabric (for each case) 21 x 22 cm and folded this in half (placing right sides together) so I had a piece 21 x 11 cm and sewed down the sides.

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I then folded the top edge over by 0.5 cm and pressed it so it would hold, then I was able to sew the lining into the case by placing the lining inside the case, pinning it in place with the top edge of the lining 0.5 cm from the zip and securing using a slip stitch.

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A year in stitches weeks 13-17

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How can we be in May already, it doesn’t seem two minutes since it was the start of January and I was just getting started on this year in stitches journey.

Here’s a little update on what’s been going on over the last 5 weeks (weeks 13-17).

Week 13: saw the completion of the tulips and the addition of a branch ready for some other flowers to be added.

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Week 14: the identity of the branch detail added in week 13 was revealed as a bleeding heart plant with the addition of the leaves and flower detail.

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Week 15: fluttering in were some purple butterflies.

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Week 16: leaf stitch leaves were added and some flowers using a petal stitch.

Week 17: some more autumn leaves and snowflakes were sewn on, along with some grass detail and the start of some thistles.

Am loving how this is all coming together, can’t wait to see it continue to grow over the next few weeks.