Monday 29 March 2010

Chick Topper



I have a lady friend who saves me all of her odd bits of yarn, she's a knitter. This is a gift for her. I shall fill it with her favourite sweets. :)

Thanks very much Kath xxxxxx

Easy Peasy Pom Pom


A long time ago my grandmother taught me to make a pom pom with a dinner fork. I've used this method many times because it's super quick and there's no messing about cutting up cardboard etc. I used a sharp knife to cut down the sides of the pom pom but you could use scissors.














Step 1, Wind wool tightly around the fork, making sure that you try and keep away from the end of the prongs. Obviously the more wool/yarn you use the fatter the pom pom will be.

Leave a long tail and using a tapestry needle wind the wool/yard around the middle going between the prongs in the middle of the fork.



Using a sharp knife or scissors, cut down each side of the fork. Pull gently off the fork and fluff up, trim if needed.



Jar Topper/Pin Cushion







I made this last night whilst watching a film on the telly. I do love projects that can be started and finished in one evening :)

I did think about writing a full a pattern for this but to be honest it would all depend on the size of the jar. The one i used is a typical instant coffee size jar. I had more trouble getting the label glue off the jar than anything else. If you know an easier way rather than scrubbing it please let me know.
Stitches used are in UK terms.

So......

I started off in lilac with a magic ring with 6dc's and increasing evenly on each round until it was the same size as the top of the lid. I carried on without increasing until the side was the same depth as the lid. On the next 2 rows i did a popcorn stitch with 2 trebles in between. " 5 trebles in next stitch, remove your hook and insert it in the first treble and slip stitch into 5th treble" 1 treble in each of next 2 stitches. On the next round i placed the popcorn in between 2 popcorns from the previous round.

Finish off. Don't worry about weaving in the loose threads :)


Top of the Topper

In white i followed the instructions above until it was same size as the top of the lid. Finish off leaving a long tail and then sewed it three quaters of the way round with very small tight stitches and stuffed it. Close the gap.

Sit the lid inside and glue firmly into place

That's it, you're done.

I loved doing this so expect some more and I have some great ideas for toppers.

Sunday 28 March 2010

Shawn the Sheep




My daughter asked me to crochet her a lamb and i did this one in a little over 3 hours from start to finish. I fluffed him up with a small wire brush and it worked very well.

Look after him Shell. He was made with a little love in every stitch. He'll be in the post tomorrow :)

xxxxx

Saturday 27 March 2010

Toys and stuff



The duckling is for my niece and the chicken is an Easter present for my granddaughter Caitlin.

Christening Shawl


This is a work in progress. It's a christening shawl I'm making for my niece, her baby is due in September although I'm dying to know what it's going to be so I can make lots of things for her.

The shawl is almost 50 inches in diameter and there's about another 20 -ish rows to go before it's finished. It's taking roughly 2 hours to complete a row now and obviously that will increase as I add more rows.

I'm using 4 ply wool and a 2.50mm hook.