Happy Easter

Having a lazy Sunday.  I am supposed to be sewing up cushions but as you can see I have
been tempted away by the internet.  I have moved the bag in preparation... hmmm..
so a quick free pattern today.  I made this doll for my daughter.  I made a rasta version using brown wool, giving him a rasta hat and dreadlocks.  I now have an order for two more.  Boy and girl rastas for a charming couple who are friends of hers.

The original pattern is here

little emo doll

The weather is much better today.  Sunshine!  Tikka the dog has been outside sunning herself until the sun can no longer compete with that wind chill factor and she returns to her bed by the radiator.

Off to Mother's later and I must remember to take the camera and capture the remaining snow on the hills.

t shirt yarn

Helped my mum put all her clothes away in her new wardrobe yesterday.  Always a fine chance for a sort out and I came away with a few hand me downs!  Plus a t-shirt that was badly stained.  I decided to take this and keep it until I have a chance to turn it into yarn.
There is a good tutorial for doing so here

Another project on my never ending to do list is crochet a lampshade cover.  I rather like the one  by
Solveig

crochet lampshade

I had made owl cushion covers for my daughters and was in the process of sewing them up and
realised I had made a glaring error on one.  So I had to frog it and redo it.
Don't you just hate that when it happens!
So I just need to complete the head and then sew them up.
I hate sewing up, I never feel I do it justice and I tend to rush it.  So I need to slow down and pin it lots first.  Famous last words...

Free pattern of the day

Spoilt for choice today, but I think Crochetspot has won and is my link for today.

The link to the pattern is here

If you have not visited crochetspot before, please do.  It is a great site full of interesting articles and great patterns.

Free crochet pattern for dog coat

 This is a special coat for two reasons.  One it is for a larger dog, and they need extra warmth at times too!  It is also created for a guide dog by its owner.
How inspiring is that.

Link to pattern here

Haiku

Spring Baskets

Here is a quick and easy pattern for a spring basket.
I filled them with chocolate easter eggs for my daughters.

Free crochet pattern gift basket.

I am sorry for the quality of the photo, I am working on it!
You will need:
2 scraps of double knit (worsted weight yarn) I use Robin Dk (100% Acrylic)
6mm hook (US size J)
ribbon.

Holding two strands together throughout to create a thicker and sturdy basket.

Ch 3, sl. stich into 1st chain.
12 dc into loop. sl. stitch last dc to first dc.
Ch 3, *1dc into first stitch, 2dc both into second stitch* continue to end. Join with sl. stitch
Base complete.
For the first row of the side of the basket you need to stitch into the back post only.
If you are unfamiliar with this technique there is a how to here
so just dc in each stitch around using the back post only.

3ch, Dc for next two rows. remembering to sl. stitch from last dc to first.

last row : - 4ch., miss a dc, *1dc, ch1, miss a dc, 1dc* frin * to end. Ch 20 and attach firmly to opposite side of basket to make handle.
Fasten off.
Thread ribbon through holes made in last row and either make a bow or sew on a tiny flower
Attic 24 has a good pattern for tiny flowers here
I changed the colours for one flower and the other I did in one colour but also sewed a tiny button on.

This pattern has not been tested, so please comment if you have any problems.

Pin of the day

It is a little late to make in time for Easter but I could not resist sharing this with you

isn't it gorgeous.  I am going to look at some summer wreaths and make one for my room. Well I might... lol

The pattern is from favecrafts and you can find it here

Haiku

New life brings struggle
with  light, colour and joy

         into 
Hop          Easter

www.freeimages.co.uk

Pinterest

I am a big fan of pinterest.  In fact I downloaded a small gadget so I can pin any page I load from google chrome.

I thought I might do a "free crochet pattern of the day" and as I am not up to writing a new one every day, I am going to link them, here and on my pinterest board.

Today is a cute pig from one man crochet.

Introducing the menagerie.  At last count we have

• one dog
• one rabbit
• three zebra finches
• aquarium of tropical fish
• two guinea pigs.

Mr Jingles (named after the mouse in "The Green Mile" by Stephen King) and Muffin.

Muffin is nearly 5.  She has had a litter in the past and was a lovely mum.  Another of our guineas had a litter at the same time ( I was told a certain new guinea pig was a girl...wrong!) and Muffin would end up babysitting all of them, quite contentedly.  

Mr, Jingles was bought at a discounted price.  The pet shop just could not home in, goodness knows why he is very sweet and beautiful.  Suckers for a sob story, he came home with us!

We bought him just before Christmas 2012 hence the Jingles name.

Beginnings

Well this is it , the start of my new blog and I am buzzing with ideas to share with you.
Just hope that you all enjoy my witterings.

We have not had as much snow as some, but it is still bad enough to stop me going out.  "The beast" does not like snow and may just decide to quit.  Who is "the beast" well he is my sweetie really.  No, not the sweetie I married 23 years ago!  He is my mobility scooter.  I decided I wanted something sturdy, to get me up the hill I live on, speedy as I am always in a rush and a bit rock'n'roll cos if I didn't need him, I would secretly love to have a motorbike.

So it is another cosy day indoors.  I took a photo of some of the cute owls I have been making

pattern available from bunnymummy

they all have homes to go to and I just want to make more!

I experimented with the eyes, some large some small.

This inspired me to make an owl cushion for my mum.  

As soon as my two daughters saw it, Peanut and Pooky wanted them too.

So they are still in progress.

I will post the completed owls shortly.