Crochet with wire

One of the reasons I wanted to learn to crochet was so that I could use the skill to work with other materials, mainly carrier bags and wire.

This copper and brass wire flower was my first attempt towards this. I worked with electrical wire a lot when I was studying and my final pieces were baskets from electrical wire and food cans.

I'm hoping to source some fine coated wire (Telephone/Computer wire) for my next project.

Crochet Floppy Hat Pattern

I found this fabulous free floppy hat pattern on Red heart and I have made five hats this month already! They have proved very popular so I can see me making some more, I might even get chance to make myself one.

I adapted slightly for the chunky wool ones and created my own patterns. I have to watch out for the UK/US terminology though gets me every time!

I have crocheted a couple of other bits as well this month but can't post as they are birthday presents and I don't want to spoil the surprise!

Between the crocheting I have been rebuilding the Trash Revamp website www.trashrevamp.co.uk

Christmas Crafting!

Busy, busy, busy!!!

I feel really disorganised this year but managed to get some Christmas pressies crafted!

Had some fun with preserves making spiced oranges and wicked Christmas pears, I just hope they taste OK will have to wait for the verdict!

We also made peppermint creams, honeycomb, candycane biscuits and star biscuits with boiled sweet windows!!

Finished with a ribbon and a scented paper mache star, the stars were made from shredded paper, cinnamon  cloves and orange peel!

I have crocheted several gifts as well, a hat, flower and pompom bookmarks and keyrings but my favourites were the slippers for my sister

I am quite pleased with my husbands new stocking!

We have also managed to squeeze in a spot of decorating, I managed to save a roll of retro/vintage wallpaper that was destined for a skip following a house clearance.

There was enough to do the chimney and a bit behind the shelves.

Happy Christmas!

Crochet Keepsake Christmas Cards

I made some crochet Christmas ornaments, I started with snowflakes. There are some great patterns about, I particularly liked these http://fabact.co/christmas/snowflakes/crochetsnowflakes.html

I used Ayleene's fabric stiffener and a little glitter to finish!

I then made a few more designs up. I am particularly pleased with the trees!

As I only use wool oddments I was a bit limited in colours in the finer thread hence the purple, mint and white combo!

I'm sharing a craft stall with the Trash Revamp group next weekend so I added them to card blanks to sell as keepsakes cards.

Crochet Strawberry

This project evolved from what started out as a hat. After adding the green rim I decided to make it into a bowl as an excuse to use the fabric stiffener I bought recently.

I then decided it needed a lid and having made that it reminded me of a strawberry so I added some green leaves to the edges and some yellow flecks to the bowl, as you do!

Now my daughter has a funky pot to keep her bobbles in. 

I used Ayleene's fabric stiffener but I am keen to try some home made alternatives when the bottle runs out.

I currently have some Christmas decorations hardening on the side, pics soon!

Christmas Stocking Filler Ideas

I've been stocking up on bookmarks ready for some Christmas craft fairs and wanted to make some with a Christmas theme.

For the Crochet range I have added a holly leaf. Made from green wool oddments and a reclaimed red button. This is made using doubles, increasing and decreasing to achieved the required shape. Simple chain stitch for the stem.

For the pompom range, well it had to be a snowball! Simple white pompom with chain stitch.

Click here to see full range

Booties Pattern

I raided my mums stash of crochet magazines and found this great booties pattern in and old 'Woolworths Knitting Magazine'. Issue 4

Cosy toes for baby Charlie!

Pattern Summary

Leg

Chain 25 , Work 24 dc into the chain. 

Work as many rows of dc as you want to form the leg. 

I worked 14 rows. 

Instep

Miss 8 stitches, work 8 dc into next 8 dc.

Work 8 rows.

Sides

Work 8dc along bottom of leg. Work 7dc into side of instep. Work two dc into corner of instep. Work 6 dc and then another two dc into next corner. Work 7 dc into side of instep. Work 8dc along bottom of leg.

Work 4 rows,

Sole

Work 8dc into centre of side edge, Work 8 rows reducing by 1stitch each side in last two rows.

Attach sides of sole and leg seam.

Chain 100 and thread around ankle. For bobbles chain 4 and join with ss. Work 10 dc into circle. Attach

How long should a scarf be?

I have made a crochet scarf for my mums birthday and had the usual problem of not knowing when it's long enough. I have been sticking to the method of trying it on until I think it's about right and try and imagine it with fringing!

I am happy with the length of this one though and so I will work to this size from now on.

This scarf is 54"/137.5cm before adding fringing. The fringe is 7"/18cm long each side.

Crochet Mug Warmer

I was looking for small gift ideas and came across this pattern for a mug cosy, there are lots out there but particularly liked this one!


Pattern “Marion’s cozy mug warmer”

http://finvara.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/pattern-marions-cozy-cup-warmer/

I was really pleased with how this turned out, I just need to find some more small simple projects ready for Christmas! I know it's only September!!! It will be here before we know it and I like to make as many gifts as possible and not just because it saves me a fortune!

What to do with all these wool oddments??!?

My mission for this year was to learn to crochet properly, having made several attempts in the past and not having got it quite right. I am very lucky as my Mum is fabulous at it and so I have a constant source of handy hints and access to some great patterns and how to guides!

So far I have made a small baby blanket

Then I got a little more adventurous and had a go at making up my own creations, I decided on Owls,

All this crochet coupled with a dabbling last year with knitting I am accumulating rather a lot of oddments and have been coming up with small projects that will make use of them.

I have made some pompom key rings and bookmarks

and now I am working on Flower versions

Any more ideas? I will have to chat to the very talented, fellow Trash Revamp member Janine Booth http://folksy.com/shops/trashtasticknits