Knitting and Crochet Planning for 2022

It's only January 28th and I'm already falling behind with all the knitting and crochet projects I want to do in 2022 😅.

I think I need to start writing things down in a knitting/crochet diary or planner, not that it's going to help me knit faster, but at least that may help me get my projects more organised even though that may mean I could spend 5 years making what I originally planned to make this year (if only I could afford to retire 20 years earlier 😂).

These are the knitting and crochet projects that are running around in my head right now:

1- Finish knitting the scarf I'm designing while at the moment: because of the special double-purpose it serves, it needs to be of a decent width and length, so I've spent about 3 weeks doing it so far and only have about 80% done:

WIP

2- Knit myself a biker style jacket: I have seen some beautiful celtic aran cables jackets available to buy as finished items from a few Irish gift stores but I would really like to knit my own. The only trouble is I can't find a knitting pattern available to buy so I'll have to use my brain cells and come up with my own pattern.

3- I want to make some crochet coasters for my own use, to give as gifts and if they turn out well also for my Etsy store. I'm thinking the doily type coasters, as I have an idea in mind: another one of my Million Dollar ideas that may or may not work out 😅.

4- I need to knit more socks this year, as I have some nice sock yarn left that is crying out to be used up.

5- Slippers: I've been wanting to crochet some thick boot-like slippers for the past couple of years: in fact I printed a crochet pattern for crochet slippers, only to find the exact same pattern I'd already printed before in one of my pattern stashing places (yes, I'm disorganised like this 😂).

6- I'm planning on knitting myself a sweater using some nice fingering yarn I bought last year, I have a vague idea of what I want but more knitting pattern research needs to be done. 

7- I want to crochet for myself, maybe also for my partner and for my son, Christmas sweaters using a  square that I've seen being used in a blanket crochet pattern for the front motif and plain crochet for the rest of the sweater(s). I need to do more pattern research for this too.

8- I'd like to knit a stole/shawl either for myself or as a gift using some metallic yarn I have in my stash, a Knitting and Stitching show purchase from a few years ago, I hope to have enough to knit something decent.

9- While having lunch sitting outside a restaurant in Cork last year, I spotted someone with a messenger crochet bag, I'm not sure whether it was handmade or not or what stitch it was but I loved the texture so much I can't get it out of my head and I' hoping to be able to reproduce a similar bag for myself.

Well that's only a start as I know more knitting and crochet ideas will pop into my head during the year, realistically I will need more like 5 years to made all of the above and that's only if I don't get distracted by other projects I feel I just have to do. I really need to keep my focus in check and NOT BUY ANY YARN in 2022!

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Alpine Stitch Baby Sleeping Bag: Free Crochet Pattern

I hope you've all had good year-end celebrations and I'm wishing everyone a Happy New Year 2022.

One of my neighbours just had a baby boy so when I learned she was pregnant I decided to crochet a baby sleeping bag for her. I sort of free-handed it while still working on the knitted sweater for my son, as it created a welcome distraction from the sweater's repetitive pattern.

This Crochet Hooded Alpine Baby Sleeping Bag is pretty simple to make and I thought I'd write the pattern while making it so I could share it here 😁.

Crochet Hooded Alpine Baby Sleeping Bag

The yarn I picked is a bulky weight soft acrylic, I wouldn't make this in pure wool as babies' skin can be sensitive to wool, so use soft cotton, acrylic or a mix of both as long as it's soft.

It is an easy crochet pattern as all you need to do is crochet a long rectangle that is then shaped as a hood for the top part and the main sleeping part is folded over. There is no need for button holes as the chosen stitch has large enough gaps to slip the buttons in and out.

Bulky weight is great as this sleeping bag works quickly and will ensure that the baby will be extra cosy in his/her little hooded sleeping bag.

Free Crochet Pattern for the Hooded Alpine Baby Sleeping Bag:

Materials: 

3 balls of James C. Brett Top Value Chunky (100g/150m/163yds per ball) in Blue,

3 balls of James C. Brett Top Value Chunky (100g/150m/163yds per ball) in Beige,

Crochet hook size 6mm (US size K/10.5);

6 large wooden buttons; make sure the buttons you choose are large enough so that they fit securely into the gaps formed by the alpine stitch when closed.

Final dimensions:

40cm (15.5in) width × 66cms (30in) length when finished (folded over).

Gauge:

11 sts x 10 rows in alpine st make a 10cm square.

Abbreviations:

SC: single crochet (double crochet UK);

DC: double crochet (treble crochet UK);

FPTR: treble crochet in the front post (double treble in the front post UK);

Pattern:

(a) Using colour A, ch46;

Row 1: SC in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn (45 sts).

Row 2: ch2, DC in each st across, turn (45 sts).

Row 3: ch1, SC in each DC across (45 sts).

(b) Row 4: ch2, DC in first SC, *FPTR in DC from row below next SC, DC in next SC*, repeat from *to* across, turn (45 sts).

Row 5: ch1, SC in each DC and FPTR across (45 sts).

Row 6: ch2, DC in first SC, *DC in next SC, FPTR in DC from row below next SC*, repeat from *to* across up to the last 2 SC, DC in the last 2 DC, turn (45 sts).

Row 7: ch1, SC in each DC and each FPTR across (45 sts).

Repeat rows 4 to 7 five more times or until your work measures about 23cms from the beginning. This will be the hood.

(c): Using colour B, work rows 4 to 7 twice.

(d): Using colour A, work rows 4 to 7 once.

Repeat (c) and (d) alternatively 5 more times, then repeat (c) once.

Last row: ch1, SC in each DC and FPTR across (45 sts).

Fasten off, weave in loose ends.

Assembling:

Form the hood by folding the top of the hood into 2 halves in order to make a triangle shape and sew or slip stitch both halves together.

Position the buttons: fold the sleeping bag all the way to where the hood finishes (where the baby's shoulders should be) and 3 buttons on each side of the back part, spaced evenly apart; there is no need for buttonholes as the buttons will close into the gaps left by the alpine stitch. 

Congratulations! You have completed your crochet hooded alpine baby sleeping bag! 

You can use this pattern for making your own baby sleeping bags for personal use and selling your own finished products but you cannot give or resell this pattern; If you know anyone who would like this free crochet pattern please give them this link to direct them to Sophie's Knit Stuff's Hooded Alpine Baby Sleeping Bag Free Crochet Pattern.

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My WIPs November 2021

I could be naming this post WIP Wednesday but I am slightly too disorganised to guarantee that I'll be publishing this today (I'm starting to write this on a Wednesday 😅).

At the moment I am working on 2 main projects: the main one being the sweater I'm knitting for my son at his request:

For this sweater I'm using a free knitting pattern I found on Ravelry called Turtle Dove II, but since my son had a specific idea in his head, I'm only using the pattern as a basis, mainly for the construction method.

I really like the ribbed split hem, even though I'm not allowed to use it (as Jack wants the version with the closed rib), but whenever I get time to make myself a sweater, I will add a split hem to it.

The thing I like best about this knitting pattern is that it's all made in one piece, so no sewing apart from weaving in the ends!

I've changed the pattern stitch as the sweater needed to look bulky, and I am also finishing the sleeves differently, adding a gap for the thumbs so that the sleeves can be either folded back or used as fingerless mittens.

Because it's a big project, I was getting bored by it so I also started a crochet project on the side. I can't really say what it is until I give it to the recipient but I'm planning on writing the pattern and sharing it on this blog if anybody's interested 😉. Here's a sneak peak:

What is everyone up to these days? Let me know in your comments or on my Facebook Page 😁.

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Knitting Weather (Not)

As we're just coming to the end of our mini-heatwave in Ireland, this is definitely not weather for knitting or crochet. Well, that hasn't really stopped me as I've been indulging myself in a CAL (Crochet Along): the Overcomer Shawl. You can read about it on A Knotty Habits Designs blog.

Blocking the Overcomer Shawl

With a shawl like this, I'm ready for anything this autumn, rain, hail, snow or frost!

Ready for the next cold snap

I loved making this shawl, I've learned some new stitches and this CAL taught me a little more about mixing various crochet stitches in order to get beautiful results, and judging by the comments from the other participants in this CAL, this one gets 5/5 😊.

Funky Crochet Hat

It may look like I've made this for Pride Month but this was actually a request from a friend of my son's:

He saw the navy hat I had made for my son and asked if I could make him the same in rainbow colors. 

I haven't seen the recipient wearing his colourful hat as my son did all the wheeling and dealing (I actually made it for free as I used wool that had been in my son's stash and that he was willing to give me for the cause 😅), but I've been told he loves his new hat, which goes to show there's a market for everything 😂.

I have to mention my son is struggling mentally, partly due to the fact that he recently came out as a trans-male (born a girl but feeling he is a boy); luckily he is blessed with a good network of fun and supportive friends, but even then, some days are tougher than others 😢.

That's all for today, I am still working on my new knitting pattern for fingerless gloves, I've had to start from scratch more than once as I wasn't happy with the result, oh why did I have to be born such a perfectionist? 😂

Currents W.I.P @ 30th April 2021

I'm a long way off my unofficial original plan of releasing 1 knitting pattern per month but not stressing too much about that; after all, I need to remember that knitting is a hobby, so no need to stress over deadlines as I already have a full time job that puts bread (and sometimes cake too 😉) on the table!

I started designing a pair of mittens with a lace hearts design (to change from the cable hearts 😅), but I got a bit sidetracked as the sun came out while I was at the boring stage (i.e. writing 2 more sizes and putting everything down on Word before testing the knitting pattern), so this will have to wait for a while.

As the sun came out I decided to knit myself a light summer top using some leftover bamboo/cotton yard from my stash (I'm hoping I will have enough of the turquoise yarn as I only have 2 balls of this colour, if I run out I will have to frog some and add a white band in the middle using the ball of yarn of the same type that I also have in my stash: I don't want to do the upper part in white as that may be a bit see through 😅).

The pattern for this top is called Strawberry Summer; it's a free knitting pattern from Drops and I am using 2 balls (maybe 3 depending on how this progresses) of King Cole Bamboo Cotton 4 Ply in Turquoise. This yarn is very soft and has good drape, I hope my top turns out as lovely as it feels knitting with this yarn 🤗

The bottom of my top 🤪.

Also, not really a Work In Progress as it's finished, but since it was made in less than a week I didn't get the chance to show it here yet. This is a hat I made for my son, as since I was guilty of botching his hair (his sister gave him a nearly bowl cut and I was trying to rectify it, I should have left it as it was: damn these YouTube videos that give you the confidence to try something you should never go near 😖).

So now my son is proudly wearing the 2 hats I made him, I needed to wash the one I made last winter so made him another one made of cotton for Spring, as he claims these are the only hats that will cover his hair and hide my awful haircut 😳.

The pattern for the hat is the Crochet Easy Ripple Hat, free crochet pattern from The Crochet Crowd, using 2 balls of Rico Cotton Aran in navy.

My son loves his new hat but wouldn't model for me 👀

My next project will be the Wild Bees Socks, the 3rd pattern from the Handmade Sock Society 4 by Helen Stewart, which I am planning to knit in the lovely looking Unicorn yarn I ordered especially for this and that came in the post earlier this week, but I will try and finish my mittens knitting pattern first, I am nearly hoping for bad weather so that I can get more time to focus on that rather than the sunny weather 😅

My yummy new sock yarn

May Day Pocket Shawl: Free Crochet Pattern

It has been at least a year since I started my pocket shawl, which was initially started as a poncho, and for all the work I had to put into it, I decided to call it the May Day Pocket Shawl:

The May Day Pocket Shawl

You can scroll down to see the full pattern, the good news is is it's free* :)

First I need to share the Sunset Poncho pattern (available free from crochetdreamz.com), as this was how the idea of making it a pocket shawl came to me.

Even though the original Sunset Poncho pattern is for a worsted (Aran) weight yarn, the yarn I used for this was 3 cakes of Sirdar Colourwheel, shade 206 (well I used a bit less as I've had to cut some when I was undoing the poncho that was already assembled, so there was some waste), and 2 balls of Quality Yarn, shade 06, all in DK (you can use a thicker yarn, if you reduce the stitch number accordingly).

If you crochet the borders using the main yarn, you will need an extra cake.

I used a 4mm crochet hook for the main part and the pockets, and a 3.5mm for the borders, as the Quality Yarn must have been slightly thicker than the Sirdar Colourwheel and using the 4mm hook for the border made it bunch a little, but if you are using different yarns, you'll have to see what works best for you.

I recommend making the pockets first if you are using the main colour as I did, just to make sure you don't run out of yarn before you get to that stage.

Pocket Shawl Wrong Side Out

Final dimensions for the May Day Pocket Shawl:

One size fits most adults: 

Length 64 inches x width 23 inches;

Width not including borders: 19 inches;

Each border is 2 inches wide;

Each pockets is approx. 8.5 inches high x 8 inches wide.

Pocket Shawl before blocking

Sample: 

6 repeats of the main shawl pattern (6 ch3 loops) and 16 rows (8 pattern repeats as the main pattern repeat is made up of 2 rows) for a 4 inch sample square. 

Abbreviations:
The pattern is written in US/[UK] terms.
ch- chain
sc- single crochet/[double crochet]
dc- double crochet/[treble crochet]
sk- skip
fpsc- front post single crochet/[front post double crochet]
YO- yarn over
hdsl - half double slip stitch

Some of these stitches may be new for some, so I found some video tutorials that are easy to follow (I haven't quite got around to filming my own!):

Front post single crochet video tutorial;

Half double slip stitch video tutorial;

1- Pockets: make 2 (my 2 pockets are actually slightly different from each other as I wasn't writing down what I was doing, variations are very forgiving, especially if using variegated yarn):

Ch 36;

Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from the hook, sc in each following ch across, turn (35 dc);  

Rows 2 & 3: ch3 (counts as 1 dc), dc in each following ch across, turn (35 dc);

Rows 4 & 5: ch2 (counts as 1 dc), dc in each following ch across (back loops only), turn (35 dc);

Rows 6, 7, 8 & 9: ch3 (counts as 1 dc), dc in each following ch across (both loops), turn (35 dc);

Rows 10 & 11: ch2 (counts as 1 dc), dc in each following ch across (back loops only), turn (35 dc);

Rows 12,13,14 & 15: ch3 (counts as 1 dc), dc in each following ch across (both loops), turn (35 dc);

Rows 16, 17 & 18: ch2 (counts as 1 sdc), dc in each following ch across (back loops only), turn (35 dc);

Rows 19, 20 & 21: ch3 (counts as 1 dc), dc in each following ch across (both loops), turn (35 dc);

Row 22: ch1, sc in each dc across (35 sc), fasten off.

I recommend either leaving a long enough tail in order to have enough yarn to attach the pockets when finishing the pocket shawl, or make sure you keep some yarn once you finish using this colour for the rest of the shawl.

2- Main part: 

Ch 434 (yes I know, but it will be worth it in the end);

Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd chain from hook, *(ch3, sk next 3 chs, 1sc in next ch), repeat from * across to end of row, turn (108 ch3 loops);

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as beginning ch3, sk next ch3 loop, *(3 dc in next sc, sk next ch3 loop), repeat from * across, finish this row with 2 dc instead of 3 in the last sc, turn (107 3dc groups with 2 dc on each end);

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as beginning ch1, *(ch 3, 1 fpsc around the middle dc of the next 3dc group), repeat from * across until you work a fpsc in the last 3dc group, ch3, 1 sc in last dc, turn (108 ch3 loops);

Row 4: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st as beginning ch3, sk next ch3 loop, *(3 dc in next fpsc, sk next ch3 loop), repeat from * across, finish this row with 2 dc instead of 3 in the last sc, turn (107 3dc groups with 2 dc on each end);

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until your work measures the desired width (mine measures 19 inches but you can do more, with a smaller border if you wish). Finish on a row 4, do not fasten off. 

3- Top Border:

Join your border yarn, if using a different yarn, or continue using the same yarn for the border; 

Ch1, 1 sc in each dc across;

Rows 2 to 11: (you can adjust the number of rows to your own preference): ch1(does not count as a stitch), hdsl in each st across (back loops only).

Fasten off.

4- Bottom Border:

For the second border, join the yarn at either end of the bottom of the shawl (for a more symetrical look, start on the WS.

Row 1: Ch1, work 1 sc in each sc from the first row of the shawl (including first and last stitch), and 2 sc in each ch3 loops

Rows 2 to 11: (you can adjust the number of rows to your own preference): ch1(does not count as a stitch), hdsl in each st across (back loops only).

Fasten off.

Assemble the pockets on each side of the shawl (you can sew or attach using slip stitches), don't forget to leave the top part of the pockets open (it would be typical of me to do something like sewing all 4 sides instead of 3 😅).

Et voilà: May Day Pocket Shawl finished!

*Free pattern means that you can use it for your own personal use and even sell your own finished items from it, but you are not authorised to sell the pattern, and if you use it for anything, please link back to this blog post.

My Crochet Poncho Repurposed As Pocket Shawl.

Last year there was a big trend on some Facebook groups I follow for crochet pocket shawls: one particular design, The Perfect Pocket Shawl, became very popular, and soon after that, other designers shared their own modified versions of the pocket shawl.

While I was in the middle of crocheting the Sunset Poncho, I first made it too small (that happens when you use a thinner yarn and then you run out of yarn 😅), then decided that I wasn't a "poncho person", so I let my own poncho sit in a corner for a while, until I decided to unravel it and repurpose it as... a pocket shawl!

I really liked the stitch used for the Sunset Poncho and I thought it would be a shame to let such a pretty stitch got to waste so I reused it for my own pocket shawl.

Now my "Sunset Pocket Shawl" has also been taking a break as it used more yarn than I thought it would, so I've also run out, but I think I've found an alternative, which is a plain coloured yarn in a matching shade that I found in a local shop (I couldn't find the same yarn locally and I didn't have the energy to search online), so I've decided to just use the plain yarn for the 2 outside borders (this will make it wider and I'm hoping it will look good when finished 😅 ).

For main part and pockets I have used most of 2 cakes of Sirdar Colourwheel, and the borders will be made out of Quality Double Knitting (100% acrylic, it may not be the best quality yarn but it feels very soft, so I'm happy enough using it for myself).

I will try and share instructions for this very aggravating pocket shawl (maybe that should be its name 😂), and if you're not afraid of running out of yarn like I did, you'll be welcome to try and crochet your own. As for me, I have so many new projects I want to make that I'm not even sure this thing will be ready on time for next winter, but here's hoping 😁.

That Time Already? Catch Up Show And Tell...

It's been over 2 months since I last updated my blog: I will blame my accountancy course but if I'm honest it's probably all the time I spend on Facebook that's the guilty party.

Here are a few things I've been doing since August:

2 knitted dogs: one for each of my daughters. Not my favourite things to make but if my kids are happy with them, I'm happy:)

I've decided to learn a few new knitting stitches: here's entrelac, which would probably be good for a cushion cover or a blanket, but since I'd rather crochet large home accessories than knit them, I don't think that's really for me (my curiosity about knitting entrelac has been satisfied, I can move on;)

Cheering for the Galway hurling and gaelic football teams with a maroon/white headband: I'm not into sports but if I'm going to support a team, might as well be a local one (I won't mention the French rugby team that miserably failed at beating the Irish team last Sunday, I should really forget I ever tried to take an interest:(

More knitting experiments, and I've discovered twisted stitches: now I can twist to the right, and I can also twist to the left! I'm not sure how I've lived (knitted) for so long without knowing about these, but I immediately started to see a few possibilities:

 A crochet blanket (or afghan if you want me to be posh about it;) in progress: 77 of these circles made so far, the blanket is supposed to have 132 but I'm not sure whether I'll make it full size; these little circles are going to be made into squares and joined using grey, this is my week-ends project (but I can be seen working on it from Friday to Thursday if I'm between other projects;)

My lovely shiny wool that I've decided to start using at last:

I had planned to make a lace wrap that can double up as an oversize scarf (I do like accessories that have more than one use) but since it's looking like I'll need at least 4 balls of each colour and possibly also 4 weeks each to complete - especially if I'm going to continue studying AND caring for my children at the same time. I only have 2 balls of each colour, I can't see it working with different colour stripes (did you call me stubborn?) and even if I could afford buying more wool I wouldn't be guaranteed to find the exact same shades, so I've decided to made some smaller accessories...to be continued in a few weeks (or follow me on Facebook) if you want to see what I've decided to make with it.

Oh and I nearly forgot to include the mini project I made at the week end: these are 2 microwavable heat packs made with fabric scraps (I'm trying to use cotton but I don't have labels of all my scraps so I'm closing my eyes hoping they won't melt or explode in my microwave oven while I heat them up). I filled these with rice and set the oven for 30 seconds on full power (I think mine goes up to 850W), but I think they need to be heated for longer - hopefully nothing bad will happen!

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July Crafting, Exams, A Birthday And Holidays.

I successfully sat both my accountancy tests last week and I'm due to go to France in 3 days so I'm taking a break from studying until I come back (or until the girls are back in school at the very end of August if I can get away with it:)

My latest make is this reversible tote bag that I made for my youngest daughter - she wanted to make it herself but it took me so long to get the supplies ready and I must admit I was being a bit of a control freak and was afraid of mistakes. I think maybe a smaller project like a small lavender bag may be easier for her to start with (and for me to let go a little of my control-freakedness)

I've also been working a little on my yarn stash and used the best of a giant 400g ball of aran yarn with this knitted infinity scarf for my eldest daughter (I made her a grey slouch hat last year so now she'll have the scarf to match), as well as 2 crochet hats that will be listed in my shop probably from September as I'm a bit poor on time at the moment - one slouchy and the other in a more classic shape.

I also finished my daughter's green cropped box top (or turquoise - we tend to fight about colours a lot as I don't seem to see colours the same way my daughters do - They see blue when I see green!)

My daughter's birthday is tomorrow and since both my girls are spending a few days with their Dad I had an early little birthday party with a not so little birthday cake:

I wanted to cross-stitch a birthday card and since she loves "My Little Pony" I decided to do Rainbow Dash: I just hadn't planned on it taking so goddamn long! It's a surprise so I started making it in my room during the day when she's in her room or outside playing - I did manage a few hours per day but now that she's at her Dad's until tomorrow I've been spending most of last night and today on it (while binge watching "The Killing" on Netflix). I do have to go to town tomorrow so really putting in the time today and I hope to have it finished by tomorrow evening when she comes home (but I can't promise anything).

The day after I get my girls back I have to pack for our annual holiday in France so I really, really need to finish thay Rainbow Dash quickly (especially since I'll be driving 4 hours to get to the Ferry and I'll need to rest my eyes from all the cross-stitching before going on a long drive). I'm overdoing it on my eye drops (because I suffer from dry eyes and I need eye drops even when I'm not cross-stitching) so hopefully I'll be able to see the road and not billions of tiny rainbow coloured crosses!


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Sewing, Knitting, Crochet, Studying, Holidays...

I didn't know what to call this post, so it's a little bit of everything I've been doing in the past few weeks.

I finished this little bird shaped lavender bag for Emilie's teacher which she gave her on the last day of school:

I got the lavender in TK-Maxx (yes, I know, it's not the first place I would have thought of either, but I grabbed it all the same when I saw it) and I have some left so I'll make some more for the car and the house when I get a minute... Or a few days;)

I also made my teenage daughter this laptop bag which I'm very proud of. I couldn't find a sewing pattern for a padded bag with handles and velcro fastening and I wouldn't settle for a pattern that didn't do everything I wanted it to, so I mixed the instructions for a tablet cover from a sewing book I have at home and watched a Craftsy video tutorial to learn how to attach strong handles. I also added a little inside pocket that's really handy for storing earphones (also learnt through the Craftsy tutorial).

I haven't listed anything new on my Etsy shop, but summer is usually quiet enough for knitted and crochet accessories, so I'm happy enough renewing items as they expire for now.

I spent the last 2 weeks doing quite a bit of studying - as much as I could anyway, not easy with my daughters now on holidays and at home most of the time - so not doing a lot of knitting during the day but I managed to finish my summer top while watching "Who's That Girl" on Netflix in the evenings.

I even managed to finish crocheting my youngest daughter's top that was left unfinished since last month (oops!)

I've just applied for my mock exams so that I can sit the first set of exams before going on holidays next month - I'm not the stressed-out-about-exams kind of person, but I'd rather have them out of the way when I'm visiting my family for 2 weeks in August - then I'll be ready for more studying as my next modules should be available by the time I'm back from holidays (if I do pass my exams, that is;).

In the meantime, I have to finish my eldest daughter's knitted crop top and I have a few little sewing projects in mind to use up some of my fabric scraps. I hope to make a few more Fimo buttons for using on new crochet or knit mug and phone cosies (the last buttons I bought on Ebay are very cheap looking so I don't want to use these on my accessories, maybe my daughters can find some craft projects to use them for).

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Taking It Easy

As the title suggests, there's not much happening at the moment, apart from a few small things I made, as I'm still doing my accounting course.

I've made a few crochet mug cozies for which I made my own buttons out of Fimo clay but I haven't listed these in my shop yet (they do look a bit out of season, the ones with an applique heart looks too much like a Valentine's day item to list yet).

Last week I bought some cute fabric that my daughter picked herself as I promised her a padded laptop sleeve - I need to find a nice pattern with a handle on it to make it easy to carry, maybe also an inside pocket for her earphones or a little matching purse she can use to tidy them inside.

My evenings at the moment are taken up by the box top I'm knitting for myself. The pattern is for a crop box top but at my (advanced!) age I won't get away with a crop top so I'm making it a little bit longer; since the pattern is just 2 rectangles it's easy to adapt the length:)

When my eldest daughter saw me starting my top she immediately requested one for herself too, but she's young and get get away with wearing anything so of course for her it's going to be a crop top! The yarn has already been bought and between her yarn and the materials for her laptop sleeve I've already spent over €30 (I think she's paying me back with the crochet cushion she's crocheting for me as a late birthday present...Using some of my own stash!)

And the last project I want to share here for today is a cross-stitch bookmark I made as a gift for a member of the knitting group that has been coming to my youngest daughter's class once a week and teaching them how to knit: it took me 3.5 hours and I had to do it in one single session as I was given very short notice. I can tell you cross-stitching isn't easy on the eyes: I'm just starting to recover 3 days later (well maybe also a little less time on my Facebook feed might help;)

That's all for now folks!

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Crochet Baby Sets Now In My Etsy Store

I busied myself over the last few week making these crochet baby sets in matching colours with my crochet baby blankets.

Blue and White Crochet Baby Hat and Booties Set

Pink and White Crochet Baby Hat and Booties Set

Green and Grey Crochet Baby Hat and Booties Set

Yellow and Purple Crochet Baby Hat and Booties Set

For those who wish to buy the full set of Hat + Booties with the matching blanket, I am offering a 10% discount when 2 items are bought together: use the coupon code BABY10 at checkout to avail of the discount.

The hats were easy enough to crochet but the booties were a bit trickier: I had an image in my mind and because I'm very stubborn, I made up my own design rather than using something I half liked.

As the booties were fiddly and tricky enough to crochet, I only made them in one size. I will make them in a different size if anyone requests it but I don't think I'll publish a pattern for it (I'm not really confident enough to make proper crochet patterns in different sizes and I need to focus on designing more knitting patterns anyway). The pattern for the hat is too easy to ask for payment (I also only made it in one size), so I don't feel I should ask for crocheters to pay for the pattern; I might try and write it up on here if I have an hour or 2 during the week (or next week, or next month...) so watch this space;)

During the week I also knitted 3 new headbands so I hope to have the 3 corresponding patterns soon; once again I only made them in one size so I'll have to spend a little longer knitting them in at least 2 other sizes and using different yarns before I can publish the patterns: designing is a very slow process for me.

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