Two Angels - angels & petals AND crafty angel

It's the bunting season

Oh yes, how I love the bunting.

So I decided to make some more.

This time it's a more traditional take on bunting - all be it still crochet.

It is does look rather jolly hanging across the shop.
 

Happy, happy colours for bright sunny days.

Enjoy your weekend.
 

Baby Bunting

I have been crocheting some little heart bunting over the weekend for the shop. It was fiddly trying to work out how to form the heart, but I think these look very pretty now.

I can see them draped around children's bedrooms, across the kitchen, over the fire place............

Outside to decorate the garden for parties, hung from a tent for quick recognition in a field of tents etc etc

In wacky shades

Or themed to match a colour scheme.

Ah well, better get back to it. It's not the quickest of projects!
 
 

 
 

Finished bag

A few of you have seen me hooking away at a bag for the last couple of weeks - so I'm happy to show you the result.

It is a large bag. Ideal for a day at the beach, carting stuff to work, or stashing yarn.

It was very simple to crochet. I used a treble stitch throughout. Striping with 3 colours of Stylecraft Special DK, which is just £2 a ball.

 

I finished it off with a scallop style edge.

and a pretty flower at the base of the handles.

 

You don't really need a pattern, but I will print some out and they'll be in the shop if you fancy having a go.

 

Home comforts

 
A couple of balls of Sirdar cotton and I whipped up a little blanket for a little girl.

She had of course, felt that the sofa and cushions were perfect.

But it didn't take long for her to appreciate it really was quite snuggly, these surprisingly chilly evenings.
 

 

Lay the blanket on the ground..............

When I photographed the blankets below, I fully intended to lament about the glorious weather we're having and how great they'd be for a picnic. However, I hear this morning that winter is set to return. Snow and temperatures of -7C are forecast (although I didn't quite catch where for), but what I can tell you is, it's definitely time to load the log basket and get the blankets out again.

So, I now offer you a selection of beautifully hand crocheted blankets ideal for chilly weather or picnics!

You'll never be short of a cheery colour with this one.   SOLD

Light weight and perfect for keeping in the back of the car for impromptu blanket moments!

Almost too lovely for laying on the ground, this sage & burgundy beauty, like all the above is fully washable and priced at under £40.
 

 
 

How do you like your eggs in the morning???

I like mine to be crocheted. Have a look at this fab little book. Full of adorable little characters to crochet.

Just in time for Easter these little chicks & eggs are quick & fun to crochet.

The eagle eyed amongst you might even be able to take the pattern from here!
 

Otherwise you could treat yourself to the book. There are lots of quick and easy projects that children (and adults) will love. You wont regret it.
 

See - even they agree.!!
 
 

A little nest

With Spring in the air now I thought you might like to have a go at crocheting a nest. You could fill it with mini easter eggs and give as a gift, or keep your tiny treasures in it. Mine is filled with almonds - less fattening than chocolate eggs, but no where near as much fun.

The nest is really easy to make and you can make it bigger, or smaller to suit various projects, once you master the basic, which are very basic, I promise.

Base

Chain 2. Join to form a ring.

Round 1. Work 6 Single Crochet (SC) into the ring, join to complete the round.

Round 2.Work 2SC into each stitch - makes 12 st. ( doing 2SC into one stitch is increasing).

Round 3. Work 2 SC into the 1st stitch, 1SC into the next, 2SC into the next, 1SC into the next and so on to finish the round. (18 st) (Should look something like the photo)

Round 4. Work 2SC into the first stitch, then 1SC into the next 2 stitches, then 2SC into the next stitch,  followed by 1SC into the next 2 stitches, and so on, to finish the round. (24st)

You may decide the base is big enough now, however if you want to make a larger nest just continue the increasing rounds, spacing out the increases. i.e next round 2SC into first st, then 3 SC, before increasing again. Next round would be 4SC between the 2SC into same stitch. Is that clear?

SIDE SHAPING

Simply Single Crochet (SC) in every stitch all the way around. (count your stitches to make sure you end in the correct place) and finish off when your nest is the height you require, by joining with a slip stitch.

I hope this all makes sense, if you've any problems pop into the shop & Jane or I will help.

Ta Dah!

For all those who have witnessed me crocheting my picnic blanket over the past few weeks. It's done!

 
I used 22 balls of Kon-tiki cotton (£2.10 each), 2 balls each, of 11 colours. Made a chain of 200 and randomly striped  2 rows of Treble crochet, in each colour. I finished off with a single crochet edging all the way around. The finished blanket measures 46" x 75".

I'm all set for a nice warm sunny day now!

This has been my latest WIP (work in progress). I was itching to make a Signs of Spring, crocheted something, and I decided on a cushion,this time. I used Stylecraft DK and backed it by felting a woollen jumper. The using of one item to make another is called Upcycling. Very trendy right now. so, what are you waiting for? Isn't it time to rush down to Crafty Angel and get started???

Thought I'd show you the throw I made my sister. She said it made her think of a midnight sky with sparkling stars.
I'm keen now to start a summery shades one, to cover my knees on chilly evening in the garden, (assuming we get any summer at all).
The new Kontiki cotton should arrive next week, with lots of gorgeous pastel & brights to choose from.