Challenge 5000 Update

Happy Sunday morning, sun is shining for a while at least so I thought I would give you my first update. July was a slow month due to other commitments but below are my makes, 12 in total which will be donated to various charity groups. In total I used 363g and still have huge way to go. On my hook at the moment is a blanket for my Daughter who starts university in September, I only started the blanket yesterday so I hope I get it finished in time.  I shall share on my next post.

Angel Baby Sleeping Bag

Today's new pattern is a small angel baby sleeping bag.

You will need 4mm hook and approximately 25g of DK wool.

Finished size approximately 4.25" x 6.5"

Button holes are optional, the sleeping bag can also be closed with ribbon, but if you use buttons like in the photo, you would make them on rows 2 and 12.

Row 1: chain 19, then starting from the 2nd chain from the hook, work 1htc in each stitch to end, ch1 and turn = 18 stitches.

Row 2: 1htc in 1st st, ch1, skip 1, 1htc in each stitch to last 3 stitches, ch1, skip 1, 1htc in last 2 stitches, ch1 and turn.

Rows 3 - 11: 1htc in each stitch to end, ch1 and turn.

Row 12: repeat row 2 to make buttonholes.

Rows 13 - 35: 1htc in each stitch to end, ch1 and turn.

Row 36: 2htctog, 1htc in each stitch to last 2 stitches, 2htctog = 16 Sts

Row 37: 2htctog, 1htc in each stitch to last 2 stitches, 2htctog = 14 Sts

Row 38: 2htctog, 1htc in each stitch to last 2 stitches, 2htctog = 12 Sts

Row 39: 2htctog, 1htc in each stitch to last 2 stitches, 2htctog = 10 Sts

Fasten off and sew up the 10 Sts on last row to form a hood. Weave in ends, sew on buttons and embellish if required.

This pattern can be made larger by chaining 25 or 31 at the beginning, work a few extra rows and move buttonholes to rows 2 and 16.

New Challenges

Hi

Sharing my new pattern and a new challenge.  I have been extremely busy over the last 2 years and have put myself under unnecessary pressure to make and sell my crochet.  I have now decided that selling isn't for me.  So from here on my patterns will be published on my blog for FREE for you to make and donate to charity or for your own personal use.

 I have a huge stash of wool and crafty goodies and I have decided that it will be used for charity which I will share along the way here and on my Facebook page.  I have a stash busting 5000 items to make and donate, to various charities around the UK.

My first pattern in along while is a knitting pattern. I wanted an easy go to pattern that is easily re-sized.

This version measures 15.5" x 15.5" but is easily made smaller or larger by - / + 7 stitches and -/+ pattern rows.

You will need 70g of any DK wool and 4mm needles

Cast on 86

Rows 1 - 7: Knit

Pattern Rows

Row 8: Knit

Row 9: K7, P72, K7

Row 10: K9 * YFWD, K1, P3tog, K1, YFWD, K2* repeat from *-* to last 7 Sts, K7

Row 11: K7, P72, K7

Rows 8- 11 form the pattern, repeat these 4 rows 26 times ending with the 4th row.

Rows 116-122: Knit

Cast off loosely and weave in ends.

Gift Bag Pattern

I've been playing with some scraps of yarn and following on from my cutie pie purse, I designed this little gift bag in 3 sizes, perfect for lots of different occasions.

I have used DK and a 4mm hook for this pattern, but you can use any yarn and hook to suit.

Mini Gift Bag

First chain 4 and slip stitch to form a loop

Row 1: ch3 and work 11tr's in to same loop. Slst in to the top of ch3 to close the round - 12 sts

Row 2: ch3 in same st, 1tr in same stitch, then work 2tr's in each around, slst in to top of ch3  - 24 sts

Row 3: ch3, working in back of st only, work 1tr each st to end, sl st in to top of ch3 - 24 sts

Row 4: ch3, 1tr in each st to end, sl st in to top of ch3 - 24 sts

Row 5: repeat row 4

Row 6: ch2, 1htr in each st to end, sl st in to top of ch2 - 24 sts

Row 6 is where you thread your cord or ribbon

Medium Gift Bag

Follow instructions as above for rows 1 and 2

Row 3: ch3, 1tr in same st, 1tr in next st, 2tr in next st, continue to work 1tr, 2tr to the end, sl st in to top of ch3 - 36 sts

Row 4: ch3, working in back of st only, work 1tr each st to end, sl st in to top of ch3 - 36 sts

Row 5: ch3, 1tr in each st to end, sl st in to top of ch3 - 36 sts

Row 6 - 8: repeat row 5

Row 9: ch2, 1htr in each st to end, sl st in to top of ch2 - 36 sts

Row 9 is where you thread your cord or ribbon

Large Gift Bag 

Follow instructions as above for rows 1 - 3 as for medium bag

Row 4: ch3, 1tr in same st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 2tr in next st, continue to work 1tr, 1tr, 2tr to the end, sl st in to top of ch3 - 48 sts

Row 5: ch3, working in back of st only, work 1tr each st to end, sl st in to top of ch3 - 48 sts

Row 6: ch3, 1tr in each st to end, sl st in to top of ch3 - 48 sts

Row 7 - 11: repeat row 6

Row 12: ch2, 1htr in each st to end, sl st in to top of ch2 - 48 sts

Row 12 is where you thread your cord or ribbon

Scalloped Edge - All 3 sizes

skip 1 stitch, in the next stitch work 5tr's, skip 1 stitch, slip stitch in next stitch. Continue to work - sk1, 5tr's, sk1, sl st to end of round, fasten off and weave in ends

Cord

Chain 75, fasten off.


Thread cord or ribbon through row 6, 9 or 12 depending on the size of bag you have made.

Pull cord or ribbon to close bag and tie in a bow.

I hope you like this free pattern, please use to create bags for charity or as a gift. You can sell the bags you make but please do not copy or distribute the pattern in anyway.

Happy hooking x

New Pattern

This last weekend, some of my friends who also like to make for various charities decided to have a 'let's make' party, the theme this time was little purses or pencil cases that will be donated and included in shoe boxes for various charities around the world.  My contribution was this little cutie, very simple and quick and uses less than 15g of wool. Perfect for using up your scraps. I also blogged about my stash busting antics and my 'Yarn Diet' well that failed big time and I'm now the owner of some very nice and lovely to work with 'Cakes' of yarn which I shall share next time with you. My stash increased by 3000g and my totals are out of whack at the moment, but I shall be working on sorting that out shortly.  In the meantime if you would like to make my 'Cutie Pie Purse' then please read on. I hope you enjoy making one, either for a little girl in your life or for charity.

You will need small amounts of DK wool, I used about 10g of the pink and a small amount of the grey plus a 4mm crochet hook

Chain 20 using you main colour

We are going to work both sides of the foundation chain and work in the round

Row 1: start in the 2nd chain from the hook and work 1htr in each stitch until you reach the last stitch. In the last stitch work 3htr, continue to work 1htr in each stitch along the bottom of the foundation chain until you reach the last stitch. In the last stitch work 2htr and slip stitch in to the top of the first htr you created to close the row. Your work should look like this:-

Row 2: ch1, 1htr in to same stitch, 1htr in each stitch to the end, slip stitch to the top of the first htr to close the round, you should have 41 sts

Rows 3 - 12: repeat row 2 making sure to have 41sts at the end of each row.  Fasten of and weave in ends

Row 13: join in your contrasting wool to the back section of your purse by chaining 1 and working 1htr in same stitch, work 1htr in the next 18 stitches and turn

Row 14: ch1, in the same stitch and the next stitch work a htr2tog, this is worked by wrapping wool around hook, insert in to stitch, wrap wool again and pull through stitch, repeat in the next stitch, you should have 5 loops on your hook, wrap wool around hot again and pull through all 5 loops, this is your htr2tog. Work 1htr in the next 16 stitches, htr2tog and ch1 and turn

Row 15: htr2tog, 1htr in next 14 stitches, htr2tog, ch1 and turn

Row 16: htr2tog, 1htr in next 12 stitches, htr2tog, ch1 and turn

Row 17: htr2tog, 1htr in next 10 stitches, htr2tog, ch1 and turn

Row 18: htr2tog, 1htr in next 8 stitches, htr2tog, ch1 and turn

Row 19: htr2tog, 1htr in next 6 stitches, htr2tog, ch1 and turn

Row 20: 1htr in next 4 stitches, chain 3, 1htr in next 4 stitches

Fasten off, weave in ends and attach button. 

Happy hooking x

Stash Busting Challenge

Anyone who knows me and have read my blog or Facebook page you will know that I have a rather large stash and for 2017 I put myself on a 'YARN DIET" do not under any circumstances buy more yarn I tell myself on a daily basis. I have been tempted believe you me,  I receive lots of emails everyday with lots of lovely photos and special offers on yarn and I'm proud to say that so far I haven't succumbed and my "YARN DIET" is going well.

Now some of you know that I'm a bit sad and I love spreadsheets, my daughter can testify to that, she bought me a cup with 'I Love Spreadsheets' on has a joke but I love using it. I decided a while ago to have a spreadsheet listing all my yarn, make, colour, grams etc because I found that I had so much and when I wanted to start something new I couldn't find the yarn I wanted so bought more, then found that I already had some. So enough was enough and a spreadsheet was born, I have even noted where I have stashed it, well nearly I'm about half way through that process. Anyway to combat my stash I am not buying any yarn what so ever for the whole of 2017, I will use up my stash and keep a track of it here for all to see. I updated the total this morning and I currently have 69, 682 grams of yarn and there maybe a few oddments that are not on that list. 

My stash is in boxes, bags and shelves and I can not close my office door and I really want to be able to whittle down the boxes and close the door and that is my crochet goal for the year. Because the majority of what I make is for charity I will be adding to my charity totals too. To keep a track of my efforts I shall be posting here, my makes and grams used etc but I will be getting moral support from the lovely ladies over at Linda's Crafty Corner. Linda who have spoken about before runs a monthly stash busting event, so like minded ladies with a stash problem can share their makes and how much stash they have used. 

I have been making but not keeping track of totals in respect of number of grams used, so starting today with these cute bootees I shall be keeping a running total of my stash busted. If you, where in the world you may be would also like to join in then please click on the logo in the sidebar or pop over to Linda's Craft Corner for more information.

6 pairs of baby bootees = 84 grams used

Nearly Spring

Afternoon everybody hope you are all well and have had a lovely weekend. I have been playing with my loom this weekend. I have mixed 2 strands of yarn together to give a different twist and have made these cute little hats. You can't tell but the loom knit hats are pale pink and white mixed and look cute if I do say so myself. I have made 12 little hats this weekend and they are being sent to a lady in the West Midlands for her local hospital.

We had a busy Saturday, I volunteer for the Take Heart charity based at Leeds General Infirmary and it was the monthly afternoon tea event. My husband came along and had a fun time chatting to all the different people who attended and my daughter Rebecca made some very lovely chocolate muffins for the event and she came along too, to see what volunteering at the event entails and to see how well her chocolate muffins went. By the end of the afternoon all the cakes and muffins sold and £100 was raised for the charity. We are looking forward to the next event 25th March. If you happen to be in Leeds on the 25th why not pop in and say hello.