The end of 2015 and even into the beginning of 2016 it was all about the mermaid tail blankets so I was surrounded by thick chunky yarn and a huge 12mm hook.
Now however I have very firmly been sat in amigarumi heaven so I’ve cracked out the 2.5mm hook and the thin cotton.
I’ve lost count of all the unicorns I’ve made so far this year but I’m having an absolutely great time making them! So many colour combo’s and the difference a pastel rainbow or bold rainbow mane can make is rather snazzy 😉
A blessing of Unicorn
It’s not been all unicorns however. I have also managed to squeeze in a dog, some koalas and a monkey!
Amigarumi dog Amigarumi monkey
Some of my fellow crocheters may recognise the monkey as a fabulous All About Ami pattern. It was such good fun to make and I love that the tail/arms are all posable.
I loved him so much I even made a little video….
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I’m taking a little break for the next week or two (I like to pretend it’s a summer holiday!) to work on the new range I will be releasing for *warning! Scary word coming up* Christmas which is both exciting and terrifying that we are this far through the year and then I will be back probably making more fabulously magical unicorns 🦄
My life is full of rainbows, mermaids, unicorns and pretty much anything colourful and magical at the moment. It’s like a young girls dream world. Obviously I love it!
Sticking to that theme I set about making a baby blanket. I’m not a huge fan of long projects, my attention span clearly isn’t long enough so it needed to be something I could dip in and out of with ease especially during busy periods with customer orders. Therefore a granny square blanket seemed like the perfect solution. Lots of quick little squares that can be worked on at lunch, on the sofa watching TV or waiting for an appointment.
And so I began….
simple granny squares
I chose 7 bright bold colours all from Stylecrafts Special DK range and bordered them all in white.
Finished with a border
These actually worked up super quickly in the end and as I used a slightly too large hook size (5mm to be precise) the squares ended up very neat and flat so thankfully no blocking of individual squares was needed!
Stacked and ready for joining
After weaving in all those pesky ends nice and securely I laid out my squares to check what order looked best and began the joining process.
Layout planning
I used the good ol’ whip stitch to join my squares but only in the back loops. I like the pattern this creates on the front (which you can see in the second photo below).
All joined and ready for a borderBlanket front joined with a whip stitch
I pondered for quite and while about what border to give this blanket. My first thought was a round of sc in each colour but I didn’t want to detract from the bold squares so white it had to be.
Border finished and blanket done
After a round of granny stripes in white I still wasn’t quite happy so I added a simple picot.
Picot edging
Despite my poor photos and wonky placement of the blanket it is a perfect square and perfectly flat…. No blocking needed. Winner!
This blanket is so bold and bright it makes me happy just looking at it.
A rainbow view
And finally just because I don’t think you’ve seen enough, here is one last photo of it 😉
That’s right your eyes are not deceiving you, it’s time for a free pattern 🙂
I recently had a commission for a set of cushion covers but the lady liked the look of the knitted style. As you know the art of knitting very much eludes me…give me a hook over needles any day. So I set out to create the look with crochet. Here is the finished result:
Knit effect crochet cushion cover
I made this with the humble half double crochet stitch (htr in UK terms).
Some of you might know this but it was only a short while ago that I realised when you do a hdc there are 3 loops, the back and front loops as normal and then a 3rd one behind. If you work into this 3rd loop it forces the other 2 to the front giving a knitted effect.
Special 3rd loop
This only works properly if you are working in a round. If you work back and forth you get a different look and the knitted effect is not as clear and defined.
When your working your last round will look like there is a large gap between rows (as seen below) but when you then add another row it will force the front down.
HDC stitches worked in the 3rd loop
So enough waffling and onto the pattern. I made these to fit a standard 16″ cushion but you can make them as big or small as you like just adjust your starting chains.
And remember we are working in that 3rd loop all the time unless stated otherwise
I use American terms and the ch2 at the start of each round does not count as your starting stitch.
Materials:
I used Stylecraft chunky in Graphite and I held two threads together at once so it was double thickness.
10mm hook
Tapestry needles
4 buttons
The finished effect
Method:
Ch68 and then join to 1st ch with a ss – make sure that there is no twist in the ch before you join it 1. Ch2 then hdc in the same st and around, join with a ss to first hdc (68) 2-25. Ch2 then hdc in the same st and around, join with a ss to first hdc (68)
I use a stitch marker at this point and count 34 from the joint st and mark it. 26. You then hdc still in the 3rd loops for the next 34 stitches. Ch2 and turn 27-28. Hdc across, ch2 and turn(34) 29. Working through both front and back loops as normal from now on – sc across, ch1 and turn (34) 30. Sc across (34) fasten off and weave in all ends.
You should now have a piece that is open at both ends with a flap at the top.
At the starting end of your work (i.e.the bottom) join some yarn and work across slip stitching the two sides closed. You will need to make sure your hook goes through both starting chains and then ss the together. (34)
Now sew on your buttons to the back, I did them about 3 rows down with 2 near the edges to hold the corners down and then the others evenly spaced. You should be able to just pop the buttons through the space of the sc’s
Finished off with a tag
These worked up super quick and I am a little in love. When I get a spare minute I might even make some for myself!
This week I have completed my first ever mandala!
I’ve wanted to make one for a while but never really had a need or time. However after recently revamping our kitchen table I really wanted a centre piece to pop underneath the big glass bowl we usually have on it.
I hunted online for a pattern but none where really catching my attention. I wanted it to have lots of stitch variation and texture. I’m aware I could have taken the time to come up with one from scratch myself but I didn’t really have enough time to plan the pattern and then make it so I continued searching.
The I remembered a really amazing blanket I had seen repeatedly (which I’m sure you will all know as soon as I mention it or show you below) that featured a circular middle before turning square –
Sophie’s Universe Blanket – click pic for link to tutorial
The middle of this blanket is exactly what I wanted.
So off I go working on the first few parts of the CAL to make my mandala
After only a few rounds I am already in love! Look at all those patterns and textures…
I chose to use shades of red with white and grey to balance it slightly (in case you hadn’t guessed our kitchen has red themes) in Drops Paris as it is a lovely thick cotton that has really nice stitch definition.
The further into the pattern we go the more complex the stitches get but it really is a piece of art you are creating.
Flowers & petal patterns emerging
I stopped a few rounds short of the circle part ending as it was big enough for my table by about round 18.
The completed Mandala
A rouge bit of grey yarn seems to have worked its way into the picture so do feel free to ignore that 🙂 I may have only just spotted it myself!
I was far to impatient to block it so I have popped it onto the table already. I will block it soon as it has a rather ripply edge from the bobble stitch round that you can see in white near the outer edge.
In place on the table
I had so much fun with this one that I am going to carve out some time to design one from scratch myself and will most definitely be making lots of Mandala’s. I really want to pop some into frames as artwork for the walls.
I don’t normally have much need for blocking my makes. Hats and amigarumi doesn’t require it so it’s a very rare day if I find blocking is required and when it is it’s usually granny squares before I join them to make a blankets so very small scale.
A recent customer order however meant not only blocking was required but on a large scale!
I was commissioned to make a beautiful baby blanket (don’t you love her colour choices!)
ripple blanket
Once finished I was left with a slightly mishapen square so I needed to give it a decent blocking.
all finished by mishapen
Sadly my usual places/methods are far to small so I resorted to pinning it in place on the bedroom floor as its carpeted.
pinned in place
pinning the corners Thankfully our iron has a rather impressive steam setting so holding it slightly above the blanket I steamed the entire piece with extra attention on the edges. I was also treated to a wonderful steam facial in the process and there was a rather large amount of bum wiggling while in the air as I stretch, leaned and crouched over the blanket to make sure it was all blocked.
steaming away
Once completely dry and un-pinned the blanket was finally complete and ready for its new owner!
A very belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I hope you all had a lovely festive period and got a well deserved break.
Ours was filled with food, Christmas jumpers, more food, presents, games and just a little bit more food.
Sadly it is all now over and January has very much arrived, bringing with it lots and lots of rain!
Seeing as January is usually a bit glum with not much to look forward to I am skipping ahead and thinking of Valentines Day.
I keep coming across some wonderful patterns from fellow crocheters so I have picked my favourite 8 and posted them below 🙂 (Just click the pictures to be taken to the FREE patterns)
First up is this adorable heart mug cosy from Kirsten at Haakmaarraak.
I love the use of the popcorn stitch to create the pop out heart!
Heart Mug Cosy
CreatiKnit has provided this fab head warmer pattern. It is in sizes ranging from baby to adult and also has a knitted pattern available!
Heart Head Warmer
Don’t fancy crocheting the gift itself? Then what about the packaging? This adorable gift bag is from Amy over at Little Doolally and the best bit is you can use any size hook or yarn you have to make it in a variety of sizes.
Valentines Day Gift Bag
It wouldn’t be a Valentines round-up without a little cuddly toy included and this one from Lilleliis is just too cute! I’m loving the little sewn heart on the belly.
Valentines Bunny
Cross Stitch and crochet seems to be really popular at the moment and this hot water bottle cover by Cherry Heart features both and its adorable.
I would probably tie some nice ribbon around the neck of the bottle to finish it off.
Heart Hot Water Bottle
This free Drops pattern is a little time consuming as its made with lots and lots of sc stitches but the result is great.
Heart Cushion
I’m a big fan of patterns that allow me to use up some of the many yarn scraps that are too small for most projects and this coffee cup cosy from Cindy at Skip to my Lou guest blogging for Tatertots and Jello does exactly that while making a cute and functional gift!
Heart Coffee Cosy
Last up is the fabulous blanket from MyPicot. The hearts are worked as you go with the blanket rather than added on after and the effect is fantastic!
Heart Blanket
Well that’s your lot. If you are planning on making something for Valentines either one of the projects above or something else please feel free to show me as I love seeing what you’re all up to.
Miss B’s has now closed for another year. All orders of 2015 are complete and with their forever homes.
Its been a very very busy end to the year. The mermaid tail blankets were so popular for which I am both amazed and grateful but it is a lovely feeling to know they are all done and dusted for this year 🙂
I didn’t really have the time to focus on anything else while I was concentrating on cracking out the orders so now its full force Christmas at Miss B HQ!
The tree is up…
Christmas Tree
Some of you eagle eyed fellows might even spot the Advent Calender I made last year for Miss P in the background. Its very much being used again this year.
Of course it wouldn’t be Miss B’s HQ without crochet decorations so the bureau has gone all festive.
Crochet Christmas Tree Bunting
and the twiggy tree has been decked out in last years crochet baubles too!
Crochet baubles, tree’s and stockings
Yep that might just be Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas (there might even be a full set with Oogie, Jack and Zero hanging up too!) you can spy 😉
We had a truly festive day putting the decorations up. Christmas films in the background, Christmas jumpers all worn and lots of cursing at the tangled up lights that we declare each year will be put away properly this time.
Hand Painted Snowman Light
Creepy Santa is lurking behind the snowman light this year! I try not to look at him but he holds the Christmas chocolates so it is a real love hate relationship!
Every year we also take Miss P to our local garden centre as they do a lovely Christmas walk through. Its all decorated with lots of lights and decorations and when you get to the end there is usually a snowy scene that the kids love to look at. This year it was polar bears and huskies with a little waterfall.
My favourite part however was the massive crystal Christmas tree.
Crystal Christmas Tree
There was also a matching archway which we walked through to enter the Christmas walk.
Obviously we had to get our mugs involved with the photo opportunity.
Excuse my ‘its Sunday and wet and windy’ face…
Elf yourself!
I hope you’re all having a festive Christmassy December too!
Since my first foray into the world of Annie Sloan paint I have wanted to slather pretty much most of the furniture in my house in the stuff! (You can see project 1 here)
Thankfully I have been pretty restrained. I did however finally get around to painting our dining table. It has been on the to do list for a year at least and I kept putting it off thinking we wouldn’t cope without a table for as long as it would take to paint and dry. Seeing how quick Annie Sloan paint coated and dried on the bureau however spurred me on. Stupidly I didn’t take a before photo as I was just too blooming excited to get started but picture a scratched, faded, stain covered oak type wooden farmhouse table and you have what we started with!
The table was painted completely in one day! I did it outside this time and the whole thing had 2 coats except the top which had 3. I also waxed the whole thing twice, again with 3 coats on the top. Learning from my previous mistakes on the bureau with the graphite coloured paint I worked a damn sight harder to make sure it had a really nice smooth finish.
Annie Sloan farmhouse table
The chairs were already black but they match perfectly!
If anyone is still on the fence about Annie Sloan I really say go for it! I’m already thinking about what else to use the rest of the tins on… Yep that’s right, even after a big old bureau and a dining table I still have at least a quarter tin left of both colours.
I have also had the pleasure of being featured in Lauren’s fabulous blog. She initially inspired me to give Annie Sloan a go so it is such an honour to feature in a reader showcase! Click the picture to see what Lauren’s up to over there.
In the meantime Miss B’s has been gearing up for Christmas and my orders books have been filling up! I’ve had lots of requests for these brilliant mermaid tail blankets.
Mermaid tail blanket
I was initially commissioned to make this lilac one for a ladies daughter and as soon as I posted it on my Facebook page it became very popular. I have to admit I am pretty tempted myself 🙂 I’m looking forward to trying different colours and even have the crocodile stitch planned for one of them.
B x
In Stitches 