patterns

Sewing Tutorial: Solar System Embroidery Hoop Decoration

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This Solar System themed embroidery hoop makes the perfect decoration for a space themed room and would be a great gift for any space fans out there.

I received the Outer Space fat quarters set by The Craft Cotton Company and soon as I saw it I knew it would be perfect for some sort of wall decoration, I have already made a space themed wall hanging previously so decided to do something a little bit different and make an embroidery hoop decoration with a solar system pattern.

I opted to use the star pattern fat quarter from the fat quarter pack but it was a tough choice as the quarters with planet details one would also look good – might have to make another one using that at some point!

Fabrics gifted by The Craft Cotton Company.

This would also make a great cushion, you could make a round one or a square. If making a square one – instead of sewing the planet names around in a circle you could sew them around the square edge.

Solar System Embroidery Hoop:

Materials:

  • Felt – in various colours for the planets/sun.
  • Felt – to form a backing piece for the hoop.
  • Embroidery hoop.
  • Scissors.
  • Fabric for the background – I used the star detailed fat quarter from the Outer Space fat quarter set by The Craft Cotton Company.
  • Needle.
  • Thread.
  • Ribbon to create loop at top of the hoop.

Assembly:

  • Cut out 8 planets from the different felt colours, and one large semi circle for the sun.
  • Choose a fat quarter from the set and place into the embroidery hoop.
  • Sew on the sun and planets.
  • Sew on details to the planets.
  • Using French Knots add in an asteroid belt.
  • Sew the names of each of the planets around the edge of the hoop.
  • Leaving a 5cm gap cut around the edge of the hoop.
  • Sew around the edge then pull to close the fabric around the back of the hoop.
  • Cut a circle of felt to cover the back of the hoop, then sew to secure.
  • Create a loop at the top of the hoop using thread/ribbon.

Crochet Valentines Love Hearts Ladybird/Ladybug Pattern

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I needed a quick make for a little love themed gift and had the idea of making a ladybird/ladybug but instead of having the dots on its back to make them hearts instead!. Half way through making it I realised that these little hearts ladybirds/ladybugs would also be perfect valentines makes.

You could always make the hearts in different colours rather than just having the black hearts on the back, and could use buttons or plastic safety eyes for the eyes.

I have another idea for one of these with a slight twist – keep a look out for it over the next few weeks!.

Crochet Valentines Love Hearts Ladybird/Ladybug Pattern

Materials:

  • 4mm crochet hook.
  • 50g ball red DK wool.
  • 25g ball black DK wool.
  • Stitch marker.
  • Darning needle.
  • Toy Stuffing.
  • Small amount of white DK wool.

Ladybird/Ladybug body:

4mm hook and using 2 strands of red wool at the same time:

Make a magic ring, ch1, 5sc into ring (5).

Round 1: 2sc into each stitch (10).

Round 2: *2sc into the next sc, sc into next stitch. Repeat from * around (15).

Round 3: *2sc into the next sc, sc into next 2 stitches. Repeat from * around (20).

Round 4: *2sc into the next sc, sc into next 3 stitches. Repeat from * around (25).

Round 5: *2sc into the next sc, sc into next 4 stitches. Repeat from * around (30).

Round 6: sc around.

Round 7: 2sc into the next 3 stitches, 12sc, 2sc into the next 3 stitches, 12sc (36).

Rounds 8-17: sc around.

Change to black – using 1 strand:

Round 18: sc around in the back loops only.

Change to black – using 2 strands at the same time:

Round 19: sc2tog 3 times, 12sc, sc2tog 3times, 12sc (30).

Round 20: sc around.

Round 21: *sc2tog, sc into next 4 stitches. Repeat from * around (25).

Add stuffing.

Round 22: *sc2tog, sc into next 3 stitches. Repeat from * around (20).

Round 23: *sc2tog, sc into next 2 stitches. Repeat from * around (15).

Round 24: *sc2tog, sc into next stitch. Repeat from * around (10).

Round 25: *sc2tog. Repeat from * around (5).

Fasten off, leaving a long thread to weave around the final 5 stitches and pull tight to close, fasten off.

Ladybird/Ladybug Eyes:

4mm hook, white wool:

Make a magic ring, ch1, 4sc into ring.

Fasten off.

Large Hearts – Make 2:

4mm hook, black wool:

Make a magic ring, ch1, 6sc into ring.

Round 1: sc, (sc, htr/hdc, tr/dc, htr/hdc, sc) into next stitch, ss, (sc, htr/hdc, tr/dc, htr/hdc, sc) into next stitch, sc, 3sc into next stitch.

Fasten off, leaving long thread to attach.

Small Hearts – Make 4:

4mm hook, black wool:

Make a magic ring, ch1, into the ring:

sc, htr/hdc, 2tr/dc, htr/hdc, ss, htr/hdc, 2tr/dc, htr/hdc, 4sc.

Fasten off, leaving long thread to attach.

Feet – Make 4:

4mm hook, black wool:

Make a magic ring, ch1, 4sc into ring.

Round 1: 2sc into each stitch (8).

Round 2: sc around.

Round 3: sc2tog 4 times.

Fasten off, leaving long thread to attach.

Antenna – Make 2:

4mm hook, black wool:

ch15, htr/hdc into 3rd ch from hook, htr/hdc along rest of the row.

Fasten off, leaving long thread to attach.

Ladybird/Ladybug Assembly:

  • Using black wool cast on at the bottom of the ladybird/ladybug and sew a line up the middle of the back of the ladybird/ladybug.
  • Sew the feet onto the bottom of the ladybird/ladybug.
  • Sew the hearts onto the back of the ladybird/ladybug either side of the line.
  • Sew the eyes onto the front of the head, then using black wool, cast on and sew on the pupils.
  • Sew the antenna onto the top of the head.

Crochet Christmas Bunting Pattern, Complete With Santa, Reindeer And An Elf!

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While working on my Christmas decorations/mats over the last few weeks I have been thinking about making some into bunting. I could have used these previous Santa decoration/mat, Elf decoration/mat, and Reindeer decoration/mat patterns that I had already completed to make some but I wanted to do some that were slightly different as I had an idea in mind to have the hats as the flat top edges rather than having the hats at the point!.

This pattern is available free for my members over on Patreon.

Granny Square With A Twist: Crochet Granny Triangle Blanket Pattern

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I love crocheting with Granny squares – there are so many different types around and they all look amazing. Its been a little while since I had a chance to work on something granny themed so I decided it was time to try something. I have previously created a blanket with a bit of a twist on a traditional granny square with my Granny’s Log Cabin Blanket pattern and I decided to continue with this different trend.

For the twist on a granny square this time instead of a traditional square shape I have opted for a triangle shaped blanket, and if using the triangle shape wasn’t enough I have also thrown in a few different stitches into the mix to give some extra texture.

I love how this blanket has turned out – about half way through I hit a bit of a problem where it wasn’t laying correctly and I realised it was due to a stitch i has tried to use, I realised this wasn’t going to work and had to unravel most of it – it was then left in a project bag for a long time before I could face starting it again! however, eventually I got started on it again and altered the stitch that had caused the initial problems – I am really pleased I didn’t give up completely as I think it would have been such a shame for it not to be finished.

The pattern to make your own Granny’s Triangle Blanket it now available over on my Etsy and Ravelry shops.

You can choose to use the different colours every 2 rows like I have, but also you could use different colours on each row (perfect for using up leftover wool) or do the whole blanket in one single colour.

Star Wars Lightsaber Crochet Pattern: Part 1 – Blue Lightsaber

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Since making my crochet R2-D2 I have been thinking about making some crochet lightsabers but I wasn’t too sure whether I would be able to make something that would look ok. After much deliberation I thought I would give it a go and see what I could come up with. After a while of researching lightsabers (I never realised there were so many different ones!) I got cracking on making the lightsaber using a rough design I sketched up based on some I had seen. After completing it I was very pleased with how it came out, so much so in fact I’ve decided to make a couple of other slightly different ones including a dark green, light green and mini lightsaber.

Other Star Wars patterns available include: Yoda Bookmark, BB8

Blue lightsaber Pattern


Materials 

  • 4mm hook
  • DK wool in grey (50g ball)
  • DK wool in black (50g ball)
  • DK wool in blue (50g ball)
  • DK wool in red (small amount)
  • Needle
  • Toy stuffing


Lightsaber Handle

In grey.

Make a magic ring, ch1, 6sc into ring.

Round 1: 2sc into each sc.

Round 2: 2sc into same sc, sc. Repeat around.

Round 3: 2sc into same sc, 2sc. Repeat around.

Round 4: 2sc into same sc, 3sc. Repeat around.

Round 5: sc around into back loop only.

Rounds 6-32: sc around.

Change to black.

Rounds 33-34: sc around.

Change to grey.

Rounds 35-38: sc around.

Fasten off.


Lightsaber Band

In grey.

ch7.

Row 1: sc into 2nd ch from hook, sc along rest of the row.

Rows 2-36: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) sc along row.

Fasten off.


Lightsaber Band Button

In grey.

ch6.

Row 1: sc into 2nd ch from hook, sc along rest of row.

Rows 2-3: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) sc along row.

Row 4: sc around the edge (down the side, along the bottom, up the other side, along the top).

Row 5: sc around in back loops only.

Fasten off, leaving long length to attach.


Red Dot  

In red.

Make a magic ring, ch1, 6sc into ring.

Round 1: 2sc into same sc, sc.

Fasten off, leaving long length to attach.


Black Strips (Make 8)

In black.

ch11.

Row 1: sc into 2nd ch from hook, sc along rest of the row.

Row 2: ch1 (doesn’t count as a stitch) sc along row.


Coloured Light Beam 

In blue.

ch25, slip stitch into first stitch to make a round.

Rounds 1-20: sc around.

Round 21: sc2tog 4sc, 4 times, sc.

Rounds 22-41: sc around.

Round 42: sc2tog 3sc, 4 times, sc.

Rounds 43-57: sc around.

Round 58: sc2tog 2sc, 4 times, sc.

Rounds 59-63: sc around.

Round 64: sc2tog sc, 4 times, sc.

Round 65-66: sc around.

Round 67: sc2tog, 4 times, sc.

Fasten off leaving long length to attach.


To Assemble

  • Sew on the red dot.
  • Sew on the grey band to the handle and sew on the button placing a small amount of stuffing in first.
  • Sew on the black strips vertically around the handle.
  • Stuff the handle and light beam. You could also place a cardboard tube into the light beam and handle to make them both stronger and less flexible.
  • Sew on the light beam.


Quick Sewing Project: Sewing A Fabric Drawstring Gift Bag

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I had a gift ready to be gifted and had it mind to make a fabric drawstring bag to pop it in before gifting, but then the problems started….. I forgot about the making part until the day before I needed to pass the gift over!

Slight panic stations occurred and I rapidly looked through my fabric stash to see if I had anything suitable. I’ve been on a bit of a fabric scraps use up mission lately so wanted to try and keep this going and luckily I had some fabric pieces that were perfect.

This fabric was from the Craft Cotton Company’s London Town fat quarter set which was gifted by The Craft Cotton Company.

Tutorial to make the bag

  • For the front and back of the bag you will need two pieces of fabric that measure 26x30cm. They can be made up from patchwork pieces or be a single piece.
  • For the top drawstring parts of the bag you need two pieces of fabric 28×10. This gives you a front and back piece.
  • Take the two top drawstring parts of the bag and fold in the edges by 1cm and then fold in half (wrong sides together) so you have two pieces 26x5cm.
  • Take one of the top drawstring parts of the bag and the front piece of the bag and place right sides together with the top raw edge of the front piece and the bottom raw edge of the drawstring part aligned. Sew along the top edge to secure. Repeat with the remaining top drawstring part and back piece of the bag.
  • Take the front and back piece and place right sides together, sew down both the sides starting 3cm from the top edge and sewing diagonally inwards for 1cm and then down the rest of the side. Sew along the bottom edge. Turn out the right way.
  • Take a piece of ribbon 50cm long and thread through the top drawstring part of the bag, tie the two ends together to secure.