Experiments in Crochet

 I've mentioned previously that I've been devoting a lot of my spare time on developing my crochet skills and working on more projects. I was taught by my babysitter when I was around 6 how to crochet, but after a few failed attempts at making bits and bobs in my teenage years, and not having the patience to stick to patterns, I forgot all about it and started sewing instead. Last year however I vowed to change that and get back into crochet, thanks to my very inspiring friend Miss Amy Phipps, who, together with She's called Claire own and run Super + Super HQ. Amy taught me how to Hairpin Lace Crochet in July and reminded me how much fun it is to work with wool, and also how easy it is to improvise once you've learnt your basics.

I've now passed on some of my knowledge and taught a few friends, two in particular (you know who you are!) who have picked it up stupendously quick and have made some amazing piecesalready, in under a years worth of time!

When I've not been helping others along with their projects, I've been learning how to freeform and improvise to come up with new ideas. I'm so sad I forgot to take any pictures of the Christmas presents I made this year, so I've been making sure I document projects since then, including these two pillows:

I saw a pattern for a circular owl on Pinterest, and used it to come up with my own circular designed owl, and then a little fox too! Both pieces are worked in the round, changing colours as you work. That's definitely a new trick I've learnt this year, changing colours properly and neatly in the right stitch so you get crisp lines. Really really pleased with how these two turned out, and I've had lots of offers of adoption for these tow, who will be making their way to their new homes shortly :)

What do you think?

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Pussycat Pussycat, Where have you been?!

...I've been up to London to visit the Queen.

Well....not really (but I do wish!)....haha! 

A very belated Happy New Year to all, and an even more so belated Merry Christmas! 

I decided to put down the keyboard over the festive period so I could crack on and get the mountain of presents finished, and then just enjoy and indulge myself. I'm happy to report this plan was a great success, however many a box of chocolates have had to offer themselves up and are no longer with us ;) well worth it!

Christmas was spent with my nearest and dearest, and I have to admit, I was itching for them all to open up their presents, this was after all my very first home made Christmas! Stupidly, I failed to take pictures of 99% of the presents I made, so cannot share them with my lovely readers :( sorry. Will do better next year.

I absolutely loved making everyone's presents, and have learnt a few lessons for next year:

Leave more time for completion

Vary the crafting techniques (not everything has to be crocheted!)

Plan further ahead and prep. I have leftover bits and bobs coming out my ears!

However, one present I can share with you is what I made for the little furry ones in my life. I realised none of them had their own stockings, so of course it was my duty to make them, and stuff them full of home baked dog biscuits. Of course the cat didn't miss out, she got catnip instead (very funny!). So here is one of them, made for Charlie Beagle:

I was so happy with how these turned out, and they loved them just as much, as Maisy can prove. I'm thinking of making a few of these for the local dogs trust.

Now normality has returned, I fully intend to make a come back to the blogosphere; it brings me so much joy writing this blog, and how I have missed it so.

Much love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Puzzling Away

Sticking to the theme of classic cars, I managed to pick up an old puzzle in one of the charity shops in Shoreham a few weeks ago. Finally finished it, but only to discover quite a few of the pieces were missing.....

 

Does anyone have any tips how I could maybe scan in the box lid and make up the missing pieces?! I'd love to stick it in a frame, but unfortunately the missing pieces are in rather obvious places! Grrr!

 

 

Much Love from Brighton,

 

 

L.J.

xxx

Experiments in Vintage Crochet - Part 5

Strictly speaking, not exactly vintage corchet, but crochet none the less!

I've started branching out from cardi's now...5 of them are enough for the time being, heh. and with Christmas a few months away, I'm trying to crack on with some present making. First up, and because the recipient of this is only a wee one and unable to read the blog, I've made a crochet unicorn pillow friend!

If you want to give it a try yourself, the free pattern can be found right here

I'd say this is a very good beginners project. It was a lot simpler than I thought, and only used double and triple crochet stitches with very easy to follow instructions for the increasing and decreasing. All pieces were made in the round which was an interesting and very fast way of making this up.

I've shown a few people these pictures and already being asked to make more for other people. think I'll be a bit busy for the next weeks!

The body was made in the round in stripes until you have a square, sew up one side, stuff or insert a pillow, and then sew up the other side, simples!

The head is then started with a straight line in the snout, which you then start working around in as circle again, increasing and decreasing as you work your way up.

Then it's ears in a petal shape, sewn onto the head with a cone for unicorn stuffed up first.

And a mane of dark green hair and tail to complete.

And all made up of leftover wool frm previous projects. A proper Stash Buster!

I'm so pleased with how this turned out. I've never actually made a toy out of crochet before, and it was so much fun! I think I might have to make one of these up for our sofa too :)

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Birthday Booting

As mentioned, I spent my Saturday afternoon rummaging through Brighton Racecourse's Boot Sale. Although we turned up quite late, I managed to spot a couple of little trinkets to bring home. Nothing big this time, but in a way that's a good thing, as we're fast running out of space and need a ruddy good clear out!

 

For 50p, I couldn't leave these cheeky cute 50's wooden coasters behind, how saucey!! My favourite has got to be the middle top; 'please remain seated wwhile the room is in motion' hehe.

 

Fine yarns for Ladies. Perfect for mending the more delicate items in my wardrobe.



So close to my own name...add an extra M in there...was meant to be!

£2 for all this wool, and 40p for the crochet hooks....never again will I be buying wool off the highstreet again. But now I have to make something in green again, what a shame ;) 

And lastly, an unpicker that matches my 1970's Elna machine, and a 'Stop that Run!' stocking and pantyhose repair kit. Amazing.

Now to get started using up all that wool!

 

 

Much Love from Brighton,

 

 

L.J.

xxx

My fever first Sewing Machine!

 

Dad sent over some very old photos from the family archives and I just had to share a few with you. So funny!

 

As you may have gathered from my posts about being a Sewing Machine Junkie here and again here, I love my sewing machines. And I had nearly forgotten what started it all off; my very first, battery powered sewing machine. And here I am, having my very first go! Mum's sewing machine was always far too scary and fast, this one provided me with endless hours of fun making clothes for my Barbies and bears.

 

 

Oh the memories..... :)

 

Here's one of me trying to be the cool kid hanging out after my first pottery lesson. Not that I continued it for long, hah. I wasn't very good. I've you look closeley enough, that blue 'vase' on the window ledge was made by me! Or rather painted by me ;) My parents still have this in the living room...cringe!

 



 

And now some evidence of the early blogger in me. POSER!!!

 

These were taken for my Mum's children's clothes catalogue when we were living in Germany. Posing from an early age, and kinda in Vintage-style outfits....The Mister recons I look like a Medieval child in the one with the umbrella...I'm sticking with Edwardian themed flavours!

 

 

All brings back many happy memories, and is making me want to go see my parents and trawl through the folders upon folders of photographs...I may be a while!

 

Much love from Brighton,

 

L.J.

xxx

 

Oh, I Say! Crochet Nipple Tassles?!

Can you tell my mind's been on burlesquey things of late? hehe!

I've put my new found hair-pin lace corchet skills to use planning a costume for the next performance, whenever that may be. So it had to start off with...crochet nipple tassles!!

What do you think?

I plundered the local Fabric Land for tassles, metalic thread to use with my metal flake balck wool, beads, and lots and lots and lots of ribbon.

I started off with the black wool, then finished off the edges with metalic embroidery thread. Beads threaded through the loops of the crochet, as well as some ribbon, and then sewd on some more beads on top, including one to hold the tassle in place ;)

Now I just need to think of what to do for the rest of the outfit. This is going to be fun!

 Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx



Cats with Thumbs

I just saw this on Channel 4 in the add break during the news and had to post it up!

Introducing...Cats with Thumbs:

could not stop giggling!

L.J.

xxx