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.

Happy Monday

Hi everyone, the sun is out at last. It's been a bitter few days but hopefully turning the corner now into milder weather. Well I was surprised to find my new pattern format for my angel baby blanket has been the most read post I have every had, so I suppose this new format is a hit. I ave updated the post slightly because I forgot to mention how much yarn to use. I have been sorting through everything I had made recently and was surprised to find I had a box full ready for posting. I have photographed and noted how many items I have made so that I can update my challenge list. The list now stands at 395 items made and donated which I'm rather proud of. These little makes will be posted today to Janet who runs Crafted with love - donation group via Facebook. Now to find what to make next. Enjoy the rest of this sunny Monday x

Angel Baby Blanket

I decided to have a new format for my patterns. So from today I'm going to post a photo tutorial on my blog and then a written pattern in my Ravelry store, so you can print and keep.

My first pattern in the new format is a tiny 9" x 12" blanket which is to be donated to charities who help parents of angel babies.

I have chosen to use a baby DK yarn approximately 50g, but you could use 4 ply and increase the starting chain in increments of 2 stitches until you arrive at the desired width.

Using a 4.5mm hook chain 34

Row 1: starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, work 1htr in each st to the end, ch1 and turn = 33 sts

Row 2: work (1sc, 1htr) in first st, then skip 1, (1sc, 1htr, sk1) forms the pattern, continue to the last st, 1htr in last st, ch1 and turn.

Row 3: There is little spaces between the stitches, this is where you skipped a stitch and this is where the next set of stitches go. in the 1st space, work (1sc, 1htr)

 then in the next space work (1sc, 1htr) continue to do this till you've worked the pattern in every  space to the end

You can see you are left with an odd looking end of row. this is fine because you will end up if you follow my photo's with a lovely straight edge. Work 1htr in the last stitch, ch1 and turn

Row 4: the pattern is a repeat of row 3 and you will end up with a lovely tight textured finish. Repeat row 3 another 35 times, you should have 38 rows in total.

Row 39: work 1htr into each to end, ch1

Now we create the ruffle border, working in the end of row 39, work 3tr in each row end all the way around 4 sides , sl st to the 1st tr of the border, Fasten off and weave in ends and decorate if you wish.

Close up of stitch

I hope you enjoy making this little blanket, please ask any questions via the comments box should you have any or use the links to get in touch. A written pattern will be in Ravelry store shortly x

Jamberry Nail Wraps

Morning everyone, I mentioned a few posts back that I have a new love in my life, Jamberry nail wraps. A friend became an independent consultant for them last year and she offered me a free sample. Now at the time I didn't really 'DO' my nails, I never seemed to have the time to varnish them for it then to chip and look a mess with in a couple of days, I would varnish them if I were going out some nice but thats all. So when my friend offered me a free sample I had the 'these won't be for me' attitude. I tried the 7 day challenge, which is take 1 wrap, that you cut in half, apply to two nails (I did one on each hand) then paint the rest of your nails (I used a 7 day varnish) and then see which holds up best to everyday life. The wraps or the varnish. Needless to say the wraps won! from then on I was hooked (pun intended)

Once I had worn my wraps for the 7 days I wandered about buying a full set, I then discovered that there is over 300 designs currently for the UK market but also exclusive wraps for special holidays, annual charity wraps, plus a monthly Sister's Style. I was spoilt for choice, no idea which ones to get. I thought 'don't run before you walk' try another 7 day challenge but again the wraps won.

That was it for me, I like having pretty nails but won't pay salon prices and I find high street varnishes don't last. When I removed my 2nd set of wraps I felt a bit lost with out them, so took the plunge and bought the full kit. Now this isn't something I would normally do but I kinda fell in love with them. From then on I have pretty nails all the time. I now get a couple of hours 'me time' each time a change them, now I could have had that before but I didn't realise that. I always thought I was too busy, not enough hours in the day etc. Not anymore. I get myself organised with my kit, grab a drink and sit merrily playing with my nails for an hour or two. Here are some photo's of my wraps since I bought my kit.

They even held up against decorating!

This is what my nails looked like once I had removed them. Perfect.

This last photo is my "Plum Polka Dot' wraps which I applied 11 days ago and they are still going strong.

I have started a Facebook group if you would like to learn more about them, just click the link.

Jam with Vicky

or if your interested you can pop over to my website to see all the beautiful designs.

https://vickyc.jamberry.com

So now I have a colourful yarn addiction and a colourful nail addiction too!

New Pattern Monday!

Good morning, we have a very cold but sunny day today and has promised a new pattern for you.

I was asked to make a little cocoon for an angel baby, I researched sizes and read some very sad stories along the way too. I wanted something simple that could be used for tiny babies from about 12 weeks gestation. This pattern is very easy to adapt and make bigger but I thought I would start with my smallest then arrange a pattern for larger sizes at a later date.

I used Stylecraft Special DK in white then finished in candyfloss pink. I used ribbons to close the sides but you could use buttons also. I uploaded the pattern to my Ravelry store on Friday afternoon and since then it has been downloaded an incredible 220 times. I am over the moon that you keep downloading my patterns.

The pattern is available to download for FREE from my Ravelry store: Angel Baby Sleeping Bag

Cute Baby Jacket

Oh my what a windy day! I was rudely awoken at 3.30 am with the windy conditions. Our dustbins were trying to escape up the street and our small garden table ended up in our fish pond soon to be followed by the 2 chairs. I rescued the chairs and my daughter managed to lift the table out of the pond. Everything secured and hatches battened down yeah! I did think it was supposed to subside by lunch time but as I sit here writing this post I can assure you it hasn't and we are due snow tomorrow. I hope the wind dies down before the snow comes. I joined Slimming World back in October and up to press have lost 1st 8lb so its time to start excersing I thought. I have been doing gentle exercises but now its time to really go for it, so starting yesterday I walked 2.2 miles to our local post office and back to send of my Valentine baby beanies. My plan was to walk 2-3 miles each day, well today that failed. It is so windy you  can hardly stand up, so I thought have a productive day with crochet instead. I made this little jacket a good few weeks ago but never got around to writing down the pattern, so today I have written the pattern and uploaded it to my Ravelry store.  I made it to fit a 12" chest so a baby about 3 - 4lb in weight. I wanted something quick and easy with not a lot of thinking about and I think this fits the bill. It took approximately 25g plus 1 button and it can be made in about an hour. I think this would make great little stash buster and also to be donated to charity. I hope you like it and would consider making one for charity. Be back soon with another pattern, enjoy the rest of your Wednesday x

Simple Baby Jacket Pattern

Beanie Fest!

I mentioned in my last post that I was making little Valentine beanie hats for premature babies around the UK. I make and store items so I can send a box full rather than just a few to save on postage costs. I have had a snaffle through my made stock items and have come up with a box to go today (if the rain stops) to the lovely Janet who runs Crafted with love - donation group Facebook group.  I have updated my charity totals too and so far I have made and donated 373 items. I would love to reach my 1000 makes goal by 31st December 2017. Gonna be busy busy busy but it makes me happy. If you would also like to help the group, just click on the link above or maybe find a group nearer to you and jump on board and make something for charity even if it's just one small beanie. The free pattern for the beanie is in my Ravelry store, just click on the link. Happy crafting on this wet and miserably Monday x

My Ravelry Store

Sweet Valentine

I have recently joined a Facebook group called Crafted with love - donation group the group is run by a lovely bunch of ladies who create and organise donations of handmade items plus shop bought items then distribute them around the UK and also overseas to various charities. They are just coming to the end of a Valentine's hat run. Little beanie hats decorated with a little heart, these will be sent to various maternity units for the new babies born around Valentine's day. I have written a FREE simple pattern which is available in my Ravelry store, should you wish to make one for your local maternity hospital. If you would like the pattern just click on the photo and you will be directed to my Ravelry store. If you would like to join the group and find out more about donating then just click on the name above.  I'm going to take my 3 dogs for a walk now and I will be back later with another pattern for you x

Stash Busting Pet Blanket

I would like to start of by apologising for been AWOL for most of this year. I have still been crocheting and knitting but its been a strange year. The loss of my friend back in February knocked me for six, my girls growing up too fast and the eldest leaving home for University, discovering a love for caravanning plus lots of other reasons have made 2016 a bit of a strange year, some of it happy but a lot of it sad.  I have felt like I was drowning  in lots of things I wanted to do but neither had the energy or motivation to do so.  My office work space has turned into a shed and I have moved boxes from here to there and back again about 3 times. I have discovered a new love along the way too in Jamberry nail wraps, but more about that later.

So I have made a decision to sort myself out and start 2017 in a positive frame of mind. Strangely enough the Christmas holidays have made me realise how bad things had gotten. I started going to my local Slimming World back at the beginning of October and so far I have lost 1.5 stone (21 lbs) with a long way to go to get to my target weight, but over the Christmas holidays I slipped back into my old habits which made me feel rubbish about myself and sitting here in my (shed) over the last few days has made my mind up for me. It is time to sort out my work space and divide it into my loves of crochet & Jamberry. Slimming World has given my a confidence that I didn't know I had and I have gone from feeling positive to negative over the holidays. Today is the start of all things positive for me and that's the way I intend to keep it.

As things are, right this minute I can't find anything in my (shed) and I want to be able to just go to what I need when I need it. I thought about making it my New Year's resolution but decided that won't work for me, it never has before, so why label it and turn it into a chore. I started bullet journaling a few months ago and I didn't really think that I had that much to write about but I have nearly finished my 1st journal and it is helping me get organised and ready for a new me.  I am working on various new crochet patterns and trying to organise my future with Jamberry.  The idea of this blog was to share with you my followers what I was up to and I haven't, but I have decided that I need you all to help me with my journey through 2017 and beyond. I never thought that anyone would be interested in my ramblings but you all seem to love my crochet patterns and I do have 70,000 kg of stash, so lots of patterns to come. I have made a decision to buy NO more yarn until 2018. Now that is a New Year's Resolution. My 1st offering is a fab stash buster, you all know that I have a few pets and I have a local PDSA pet hospital who always need blankets etc, so I thought lets stash bust a few pet blankets.  I thought granny squares, super easy but not quite what I wanted, then I thought round, lets make round simple blankets which are surprisingly quick to complete.

I started by sorting out my oddments into yarn weights, when I had a number of DK yarn balls, using my trusty winder I set about winding them into one ball. I needed approximately  100g for my blanket, when I had enough I wound them all into one ball and picked up my 4mm hook.

I started with a ch2, then 12tr's into the 1t chain.

Next row: 2tr's in each stitch to leave you with 24 sts.

Next row: work 2tr's in next st, 1tr in next stitch continue to the end to leave you with 36 sts.

Next row: work 2tr's in next st, 1tr in each of the next 2 sts,  should leave you with 48 sts.

You basically continue increasing by 12 sts each row.

I continued until my ball was coming to an end, I ended up with 22 rows using 96g. The completed blanket measures 21" which is perfect for a cat or small dog. Here is Cody modelling her new blanket. She preferred to be under the blanket rather than on top.

All that is left me to say today is Happy New Year to all of you and your families. I hope 2017 is a fantastic year for all!

Tribute to a Friend

 Through making items for charity, I made a lovely friend who called Maureen. I would visit as often as I could to have a lovely catch up and to share stories of latest makes and charity needs etc. It was like a day trip, as you could never just pop in for an hour, it was always 4 hours with lunch included. Maureen was a very poorly lady and was more or less housebound, but she was a fantastic lady with lots of friends and a crazy sense of humour. I was making this little cardigan on the day I received a message that Maureen had sadly passed away, so I decided to name this new pattern in Maureen's memory. She was more of a knitter and enjoyed to make toys but she so loved to see what crochet designs I had recently made. I used to save them up so I could take them over to show her. This little cardigan pattern just seemed a nice thing to do in her memory. I organised the pattern on Ravelry and in just two and a bits weeks it has had over 1000 downloads. This makes me happy to feel the that lots of little girls will be wearing my cardigan in honour of such a fabulous lady. If you would like the pattern just click on the photo and you will be taken to my Ravelry store. I would love it if you would download the pattern and make just 1 little cardigan and donate to your favourite charity.

Sweet Little Slippers

I adore making things for babies, wether it is teeny tiny premature garments for my charities or garments for newborns and toddlers. Not only are they quick to make but look so cute when complete that you can't help but go AWW!. These little slippers are no exception. I have tried and tried to make baby shoes using various patterns, but for some reason they just didn't gel with me, so on my every growing list of designs to create were a pair of little slippers. These took a good week to design and I am really pleased with them. Although the photos are for boys I have made these for girls just don't have the right photo to share. The pattern is available in my Ravelry store just click on the top photo.