Monday 8 October 2012

Quick Easy Christmas Crochet Gifts


crochet patterns, how to crochet, beanies, hats, mittens, slippers, scarves, christmas,

Quick, Easy Christmas Crochet Gifts


Are you thinking of Christmas giving? Do you want to make it special? Then give the gift of HAND MADE. You can make these super quick and easy crochet gifts!

*  Crochet Hats SWEET and DUDE  *
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*  Crochet Scarf  SHADOW  *
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*  Crochet Slippers TRAVELLER with Heart or Flower*
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*  Crochet Mittens COUNTRY  *
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*  Crochet Mittens SHELLS  *

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A total of eight (8) simply perfect crochet patterns available in one (1) eBook, so you can crochet your Christmas gifts quick smart before the ***snow falls***

HOTCHPOTCH Crochet Gifts eBOOK

IS AVAILABLE FROM MY ONLINE SHOPS

Ravelry       Craftsy
crochet patterns, how to crochet, beanies, hats, mittens, slippers, scarves, christmas,

Enjoy every moment,
focus on every stitch,
create a masterpiece....

ciao, ciao...





Wednesday 3 October 2012

CROCHET INSPIRATION from the HIGHLANDS of Scotland

highlands, scottish, crochet patterns, bags, totes, hats, mittens,

We had an awesome wonderful two (2) weeks of exploration and relaxation in remote Ardnamurchan land, a 50-square-mile (130 km2) peninsula in the West Highlands, and here we found the most westerly point of mainland Great Britain, Corrachadh Mòr.

highlands, scottish, crochet patterns, bags, totes, hats, mittens,

In the photo above I am wearing my Scottish highlands inspired crochet hat/neckwarmer, while exploring the ruins of Castle Tioram. I designed it especially with an opening at the crown where a drawstring brings the opening together and closes for a hat, or your could leave it open a bit for your bun or ponytail to poke out the top. I simply wear it as a hat or totally open wide the crown and wear it as a neckwarmer. Simple really.

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I can truly say I have been inspired by the colours of the highlands, it's rugged landscapes and in places the lush growth of mossy, fern-rich woodlands. 
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These magnificient colours of the highlands especially during the end of autumn were truly magical.
highlands, scottish, crochet patterns, bags, totes, hats, mittens,

Now we are back I am keen to get into some serious crocheting after a day or two of rest.

Unfortunately, I am totally committed to a crochet submission project for DMC, and until that is finalized there is definitely no time to spare for any pattern designing or writing for my website or blog.  

In the meantime, you can always view my free patterns here for those great crochet winter accessories which are always perfect for Christmas gift giving.

Also you could check my Scottish inspired patterns listed below.

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YOU MAY LIKE THESE SCOTTISH INSPIRED PATTERNS:
crochet patterns, how to crochet, market tote, bags, shoulder bags,

crochet patterns, how to crochet, tote bags, market bags,


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Wednesday 12 September 2012

PERFECT CROCHET HEART PATTERN

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For all lovers of hearts...
makers of heart garlands, heart bunting, heart keyrings, heart motifs, heart applique, heart decorations.....


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You can PURCHASE the  PATTERN from my online shops

PATTERN AVAILABLE NOW 

FROM


CRAFTSY            RAVELRY


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Ciao, Ciao....
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Monday 10 September 2012

CROCHET GIFTS for BABY

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Rainbow delight

Here's a special little treat, I made this for my little CC when I returned from down-under.


Made to match the Crochet Baby Blanket RAINBOW
crochet patterns, how to crochet, blankets,

YOU CAN MAKE IT TOO
super quick and easy

use this pattern

TROPO CROCHET HAT PATTERN
available from my online shops

Ravelry           Craftsy

AND
best of all the mittens pattern
IS NOW ALSO AVAILABLE
LOOK FOR 
RAINBOW Crochet Mittens
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enjoy, ciao, ciao....





Tuesday 26 June 2012

Crochet Baby Blanket RAINBOW

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Last minute DOT crochet...  yes that's right just one week before my flight to Oz I decided to make another baby blanket for my daughter's first born.

QUICK PROJECT
I decided to make it easy on myself and just get something out fast and the only way to do that was to follow Helen Ardley's pattern for a "Snuggle Blanket".

I found the pattern in her book "Cute Crochet for Tiny Tots"... this book was available in my local KENT library.

The pattern is written for Rowan Wool Cotton using a 3.5mm hook; and the measurements are 42 x 58cm (16.5 x 22.25in).
Basically it is a small blanket and made with a Rowan yarn I had already used for my other baby blanket (which I will talk about in another blog soon)....  and I wanted this blanket to be different.

YARN CHOICE
I decided to use up my stash of Bendigo Woollen Mills "Cotton 8ply"... a few years ago Bendigo carried a range of colours in this beautiful soft cotton... and of course I managed to purchase at most 2 x 200g balls in each colour.... so obviously I had a good range of colours to choose from... hence the 12 colour blanket.

Unfortunately today the same colours are no longer available; however they still provide a nice selection of 10 colours... check it out here.

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IN LOVE WITH BENDIGO
From the first time I used this cotton yarn I fell in love with it... it is just so soft... and at the time when I started using the yarn there was no other yarn on the market that even came close to the softness of this cotton yarn by Bendigo Woollen Mills.

You may know this yarn by it's other name "HEIRLOOM" Cotton 8ply which is available in 50g balls.

However, buying direct from the mill is a more economical purchase and you get the bonus of 200g balls which are perfect for larger projects.

RAINBOW BLANKET
Materials:  Heirloom/Bendigo Cotton 8ply in 12 colours
I used my stash of 200g balls in each colour.
If you use 50g balls I estimate approximately 1 to 1.5 x 50g balls of each colour; depending on size of blanket, and your tension/gauge.
Hook:  4mm
Size:  86.4 x 86.4cm (34 x 34in) (excluding the edging)
Tension/Gauge:  2.5 fans/shells over 10cm (4in)
The pattern is written in British Crochet terms, but it is easy to follow and easy to convert to US Crochet terms.
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and there you have it... a "simply perfect" colourful baby blanket in rainbow colours... and what's even better is .... you can wash this cotton blanket in the washing machine... on a quick gentle wash... so perfect for new mums who may not have the time to wash by hand.

All you have to do is head off to your local library and borrow the book or purchase your own copy... the book includes a good number of easy crochet projects for your baby and toddler... and all worth trying...  I myself may have to revisit this book.... I enjoyed this blanket project so much and managed to complete it very quickly... estimate about 20hrs total from start to finish... and that includes 1hr of hiding yarn ends.

GO FOR IT... GIVE IT A TRY... YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED...


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Ciao, Ciao...  
-------------------------------------------------------
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Sunday 17 June 2012

Crochet PATTERNS Drought

crochet patterns Barbara Summers crocknit



NO CROCHET BLOGS FOR A MONTH !

yes I have been too busy crocheting to blog

the month of May was here and now it is gone.

June is upon me 
AND my suitcase is packed for my trip "DOWN UNDER"

crochet patterns Barbara Summers crocknit


for the birth of my first grandchild
I am so excited... woo hoo!

however that's a story for another time,
right here and now let's focus on the crochet!


Month of May was consumed by "secret squirrel" crochet 
which I can't tell you about until it is published.

free crochet patterns Barbara Summers crocknit
AND crocheting for my daughter's first baby, 
WHICH IS yet to be born 
and hopefully it will wait until I arrive. LOL



Naturally, I can't show you what I've crochet for her either


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because I want it to be a surprise for her first

so you will have to wait patiently  
for the blog revealing my crochet surprise
end of June.  


Of course, once all these crocheting projects were finished, 
I managed to finish some other projects I had to put aside.


AND NOW I can START TO SHARE with you

Firstly, another one of my favourite 
the "PERFECT MAN" beanie

TRICKSTER Crochet Man Hat


crochet patterns man hat beanie men boys unisex



SIZES:  ADULT MEN - S/M/L

SKILL LEVEL:  EASY - INTERMEDIATE

DESCRIPTION:
Simply perfect crochet hat designed for the man/men in your life. 
Beanie style with a texture stitch creating an art deco design in the fabric.
Texture stitch adds extra warmth and elasticity to the fabric of the hat.
3D illusion
Masculine
Unisex
Perfect for autumn walks in the woods or along the seafront.

YARN:  
Debbie Bliss Luxury Donegal Tweed Aran - 85% Wool 15% Angora;   OR any other similar yarn

TECHNIQUES USED:  Front and back post double crochet.

crochet patterns man hat beanie men boys unisex

TRICKSTER Crochet Man Hat Pattern 
is available from 

Craftsy          Ravelry


you can shop at your convenience in your favourite store.

Ciao, ciao... 

I am off to enjoy the rest of my day before I fly out this evening, then I will be off-line until I land at the other end 
Tuesday morning Brisbane time. woo hoo!
crochet patterns Barbara Summers crocknit



Monday 30 April 2012

EASY TRAVEL CROCHET SLIPPERS

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Barefoot Girl

Yes, I admit I am happiest barefoot, my feet are my thermostat, once in the door my shoes and socks are off and my feet are naked! 

However, every now and then especially when travelling during cooler weather a pair of slippers are absolutely essential.

AND I always prefer SHOES OFF once you cross the threshold. So, literally two days before we took to the road I whipped up these

EASY, QUICK TRAVEL CROCHET SLIPPERS



This pattern is very easy and quite quick to make up and best of all no sewing apart from hiding yarn ends and attaching the perfect heart or some other kind of embellishment.

Attaching the perfect heart at an angle and off centre made it easier to identify which slipper went on which foot. You know LEFT or RIGHT foot, I know I am getting old.

Anyway, I only jotted down a few notes re the pattern prior to my travels, so on my return from our trip away, I decided yesterday to write the full pattern out and re-check it and share it with you. 

Hope you enjoy, Ciao, ciao.




PATTERN DETAILS:

Description
Easy and quick crochet slippers, made with one stitch and crochet in the round. Warm and comfortable, get creative and make them colourful with stripes or just edge with a contrast colour.

PLEASE NOTE - does NOT include a pattern for HEART or FLOWER.

HOTCHPOTCH EBOOK does include a pattern for Heart and Flower.

Yarn: Patons Wool Blend Aran 63% Wool 27% Acrylic

Hook: 5mm

Stitches: single crochet

Gauge/Tension: 14sts to 4in; 17 rows to 4in

Measurements: Length 9.5in; Width 9in

Size: UK 5.5 - USA 8 - Europe 38 - Australia - 7

Terminology: USA - American crochet terms



Pattern instructions are now available

for the 

TRAVELLER CROCHET SLIPPERS

from my online shops

CRAFTSY           RAVELRY       


Thursday 12 April 2012