I don’t think I can explain how exciting it is to be able to say that! (and what a relief it is too)
On Saturday we held our first Crochet Sanctuary of 2021 – it was a day event so a really nice way to ease our selves back in. We set the room up on Friday evening and it was so lovely to unpack everything and make the room all cosy ready to start at 10am the next day.
For most Crochet Sanctuary events we pick a theme for the day or weekend and this time we chose Cherry Blossoms and made a breakfast set. We started with the teapot cosy in the morning then after lunch we started on egg cosies and napkin rings to match, considering Lisa and I don’t really do hot drinks it’s odd how we really enjoy making teapot cosies. We actually had some guests finish their teapot cosy by the end of the day which was amazing!
It was really exciting for us as this was the first event where we have used our brand new Crochet Sanctuary bags for the gift bag, we had them printed locally at Top Print as we love to shop local when possible and they turned out great. Inside our guests found their teapot, a themed stitch marker from Mrs G Makes, a sewing kit, a nail file set, a Scheepjes pattern folder with an after party pattern, a photo album, a teabag from Bloom Teas and a Eucalan sample.
It really was amazing to spend the day with our lovely guests, we even had a few new faces to welcome into the Crochet Sanctuary fam. I cannot wait for our crochet weekend in June, bring on the 80s!
As I mentioned in my previous blog post I have a list of goals I’d like to achieve in 2021, we are in the third month and I’m already behind due to a positive covid test on Valentines day. Considering I don’t really go anywhere, I really didn’t expect a positive result (my other half also had a positive test, he does all of our shopping and occasionally has to venture into the office so I think he brought it home with him). We have both been very lucky and have recovered for the most part, we both have a lingering cough and post covid fatigue but things could be a lot worse couldn’t they. So anyway, on with the crochet!
Back in January I had my annual clear out of crochet projects, I divide all my WIPS into three piles – to finish, to throw and to frog so I can reuse the yarn. One of the projects in the throw pile was a pair of amigurumi legs, I have no idea what I was making! But it was using King Cole Beaches which is such a beautiful, soft yarn so I saved the rest of the ball to make a hat.
I used my nifty hat templates from Babe Crochet to make a hat to fit from age 3 to 10 years. These templates are really handy as they also give you the head circumference so you can make a hat for anyone without having them near by to try it on for you! As it is made in DK yarn its a perfect hat for moving into the milder spring months. You’ll find the pattern below but if you would prefer a PDF version you will find it in the files on our Facebook group along with an age 1-3 years version
Bobbles hat pattern is written in UK terms
Materials required:
4mm crochet hook
Less than 100g of DK weight yarn
Optional 8cm elastic loop faux fur pompom and small button
Abbreviations:
Ch – chain
St – stitch
Slst – slip stitch
Tr – treble crochet
Bob – bobble
Fptr – front post treble
Bptr – back post treble
Inc – increase – 2 treble in 1 stitch
Pattern notes:
The ch1 at the beginning of each round of the main part of the hat does not count as a stitch
If you prefer not to use a magic ring you can ch4 and join with a slip stitch to make a ring instead
If you want to add a faux fur pompom do not fully close your magic ring after round 1, sew in the yarn tail but do not cut it off. You can then use the tail to sew a small button just to the side of the gap you have left (inside the hat), then thread the elastic loop through the hole and secure it around the button. The pompom is then removable when you need to wash the hat. You can use this same method to add a yarn pompom, tying the ends around the button so you can remove when needed.
Yarn used is King Cole Beaches DK in Beaches and Cream
Using your chosen yarn and a 4mm crochet hook make a magic ring
R1: ch1, work tr x10 in ring. Slst in first stitch to join (10)
R2: ch1, inc in each st. Slst in first st to join (20)
R3: ch1, *inc, tr. Repeat from * until end, slst in first st to join (30)
R4: ch1, *inc, tr x2. Repeat from * until end, slst in first st to join (40)
R5: ch1, *inc, tr x3. Repeat from * until end, slst in first st to join (50)
R6: ch1, *inc, tr x4. Repeat from * until end, slst in first st to join (60)
R7: ch1, *inc, tr x5. Repeat from * until end, slst in first st to join (70)
R8: ch1, *dc x9, bob. Repeat from * until end, slst in first st to join (70)
R9: ch1, tr in each st. Slst in first st to join (70)
R10: ch1, dc x4, bob, *dc x9, bob. Repeat from * until 5 sts remain, dc x5. Slst in first st to join (70)
R11: ch1, tr in each st. Slst in first st to join (70)
R12: ch1, *dc x9, bob. Repeat from * until end, slst in first st to join (70)
R13: ch1, tr in each st. Slst in first st to join (70)
R14: ch1, dc x4, bob, *dc x9, bob. Repeat from * until 5 sts remain, dc x5. Slst in first st to join (70)
R15: ch1, tr in each st. Slst in first st to join (70)
R16: ch1, *dc x9, bob. Repeat from * until end, slst in first st to join (70)
R17: ch1, tr in each st. Slst in first st to join (70)
R18: ch1, dc x4, bob, *dc x9, bob. Repeat from * until 5 sts remain, dc x5. Slst in first st to join (70)
R19: ch1, tr in each st. Slst in first st to join (70)
R20: ch1, *dc x9, bob. Repeat from * until end, slst in first st to join (70)
R21: ch1, tr in each st. Slst in first st to join (70)
R22: ch2 (counts as bptr), *fptr, bptr. Rep from * until 1 st remains, fptr in last stitch (60)
R23 – 25: repeat round 22
Fasten off yarn and weave in. If you wish to add a pompom follow the instructions in the pattern notes or purchase a pompom with a press stud
And done! I’d love to see your Bobbles hat so please tag me if you post on Instagram or post in our Facebook group (linked above). You can also email me at lyndascraftroom@gmail.com
Hello there, how are you? If you’re anything like me you’re probably a bit fed up but we have crack on don’t we! I’ve had a productive week for the most part, I’ve been sorting though my Craft Room and I have a box of things to donate when I’m able to. I have also sorted through my yarn and made some lists of projects I want to make to use some of it up, anytime I’m making lists I feel super productive 🙂
Speaking of lists, at the beginning of January I made a list of goals for 2021. One of the first things on that list was free patterns I want to design and upload here, the first one being something for Valentines Day. The first thing that came to mind is a simple and cute bear, I didn’t realise until I had almost finished that he looks very similar to the first bear a boy ever gave me on Valentines! The poor bear was hidden under my bed for years as I didn’t want my siblings spotting it and trying to figure out who gave it to me lol. You’ll find the pattern below or if you would prefer a pdf copy you will find it in the files on our Facebook Group.
Valentine Bear – pattern is written in UK terms
Materials required:
4mm crochet hook
Aran weight yarn in White & Red (I have used Stylecraft Special Aran in White and Lipstick)
10mm safety eyes
12.5mm oval safety nose
Stuffing
Stitch marker
Abbreviations:
Dc – double crochet
Inc – increase – 2dc in one stitch
Inv dec – invisible decrease – insert hook into front loop of the first stitch then straight into the front loop of the second stitch (three loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through two loops (two loops on hook),yarn over, pull through two loops
If using suggested yarn your Valentine Bear should measure around 8 inches tall. Any weight yarn can be used, adjust your hook accordingly
Pattern notes:
This pattern is worked in a spiral, do not join your rounds
Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round (move the marker up each round to keep track of your progress)
Legs – make two
Using White
Round 1: 6dc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Round 3: dc, inc. Repeat around (18)
Rounds 4-9: dc around (18)
Fasten off leg one – weave in the end but do not cut off yarn tail (you will need this later). Repeat rounds 1-9 for leg two but do not fasten off
Joining legs
Round 10: dc in each stitch of leg one – this is the first leg you made/the leg the yarn is not attached to – 18 stitches. Dc in each stitch of leg two – 18 stitches (36)
Body
Rounds 11-12: dc around (36)
Using the yarn tail leftover from leg one, sew together any gaps left over from joining the legs. Weave in the end and cut off
Round 13: dc x5, inc. Repeat around (42)
Rounds 14-23: dc around (42)
Round 24: dc x5, inv dec. Repeat around (36)
Round 25: dc around (36)
Begin stuffing, adding more as you go on
Round 26: dc x4, inv dec. Repeat around (30)
Round 27: dc around (30)
Round 28: dc x3, inv dec. Repeat around (24)
Round 29: dc around (24)
Round 30: dc x2, inv dec. Repeat around (18)
Fasten off yarn, leaving a long tail to sew the head to the body
Head
Using White
Round 1: 6dc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Round 3: dc, inc. Repeat around (18)
Round 4: dc x2, inc. Repeat around (24)
Round 5: dc x3, inc. Repeat around (30)
Round 6: dc x4, inc. Repeat around (36)
round 7: dc x5, inc. Repeat around (42)
Rounds 8-16: dc around (42)
Round 17: dc x5, inv dec. Repeat around (36)
Round 18: dc x4, inv dec. Repeat around (30)
Round 19: dc x3, inv dec. Repeat around (24)
Round 20: dc x2, inv dec. repeat around (18)
Fasten off yarn and sew in tail
Muzzle
Using White
Round 1: 6dc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Round 3: dc, inc. Repeat around (18)
Round 4: dc around (18)
Fasten off yarn, leaving a long tail to sew the muzzle to the head
Insert safety eyes on Round 12 of the head, 6 stitches apart (make sure the muzzle will fit between the eyes before you place the backs on). Stuff the head.
Insert the safety nose between Rounds 1 and 2 of the muzzle, sew to the head between Rounds 12-18, lightly stuff before sewing closed
Sew the head and body together
Ears – make two
Using White
Round 1: 6dc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Rounds 3-5: dc around (12)
Round 6: dc, inv dec. Repeat around (8)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew ears to the head between rounds 9 -11
Heart
Using Red
Round 1; 6dc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Round 3: dc, inc. Repeat around (18)
Rounds 4-5: dc around (18)
Fasten off – weave in the end but do not cut off yarn tail (you will need this later). Repeat rounds 1-5 for but do not fasten off
Joining heart ‘bumps’
Round 6: dc in each stitch of bump one – this is the first bump you made/the bump the yarn is not attached to – 18 stitches. Dc in each stitch of bump two – 18 stitches (36)
Round 7: dc around (36)
Using the yarn tail leftover from bump one, sew together any gaps left over from joining the bumps. Weave in the end and cut off
Round 8: dc x4, inv dec. Repeat around (30)
Round 9: dc around (30)
Round 10: dc x3, inv dec. Repeat around (24)
Round 11: dc around (24)
Round 12: dc x2, inv dec. Repeat around (18)
Round 13: dc around (18)
Begin stuffing, adding more as you go on
Round 14: dc, inv dec. Repeat around (12)
Round 15: dc around (12)
Round 16: inv dec around (6)
Finish stuffing and sew closed, fasten off yarn
Sew the heart to the bears stomach
Arms – make two
Using White
Round 1: 6dc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Rounds 3-17: dc around (12)
Fasten off yarn
Stuff the lower part of the arms, sew the end of each arm closed and sew to the body below the neck on an angle. Use thread to sew the arms to the heart as if the bear is holding on to it.
Tail
Using White
Round 1: 6dc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Round 3: dc around (12)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the tail to the back of the body
And done! I’d love to see your Valentine bear so please tag me if you post on Instagram or post in our Facebook group (linked above). You can also email me at lyndascraftroom@gmail.com
Hello! This feels like an all too familiar January blog post where I say how I’m going to make an effort with my blog in the coming year (I then fail within a week). This time I am hoping it will be different as both myself and my bestie Lisa from The Wee House of Crochet (don’t tell her I said that) have promised that this year we are going to make a better effort with everything from designing, hosting workshops along side The Sanctuary, controlling our yarn stashes as well as being the all round good eggs we try to be lol. So for me this includes using my blog for what I intended when I set it up – posting free patterns, reviewing new yarns (a blatant excuse to buy the yarn obviously), posting my craft hauls and anything I make. Doesn’t sound too difficult does it!
I don’t feel like 2020 was that productive from a craft perspective, being in lockdown for a good portion of it means my head tells me that I had a lot of extra time that I could have used for making things, designing etc. That being said I did design three CAL blankets with Lisa (Pandemonium – a stash buster designed during lockdown, Baby Pandemonium – a smaller version of Pandemonium and The Christmas CAL). It’s a strange thing to design blankets together when we can’t see each other to discuss etc, it never occurred to us to plan zoom discussions lol. Once restrictions lifted we also started The Crochet Sanctuary Podcast (the most unprofessional thing you’ll ever listen to but you’ll love it!), our schedule for it is all over the place at the moment for obvious reasons but hopefully once things settle down we will get on track.
I think I’m probably being a little harsh on myself in regards to my productivity, I wouldn’t judge anyone else for how they managed to get themselves through 2020 so I should give myself a break. I’m currently trying to get myself back in to the habit of posting on my social media (I’ve spent months avoiding it as it was messing with my anxiety but now I’m in the headspace to work on it) so I’ve made myself some lists, hand written on beautiful stationery to keep me on track.
Fingers crossed for a productive 2021, hopefully it will be filled with blog posts, Crochet Sanctuaries, yarny road trips, podcasts and all the crafts!
It’s been an awful long time since I’ve posted hasn’t it! I’m trying to be much more organised but I’m not making any promises lol. My first official finish of 2020 was inspired by this awesome IT balloon lamp I received for Christmas, I was so excited by it that I started doodling the pattern in my notebook that evening and I started stitching on boxing day! If you fancy making your own here’s what you need (including the free downloadable pattern)
14 count aida measuring 15x20cm (I use Siesta bar frames to hold my fabric, not a hoop. If you choose to use a hoop you will need a larger piece of fabric.
Once you have finished stitching cut a piece of card to fit inside your frame, trim the stitching until the size matches your piece of card (with the image in the middle) Use the double sided tape to stick the fabric to the piece of card and insert into the frame. (This stitch is also a perfect size to make into a card)
I would love to see your stitches so tag me on Instagram, use #lyndascraftroom or drop me an email lyndascraftroom@gmail.com
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