GAD #98 and Inspiration 4 a new Pattern!

Granny A Day # 98 is this little Pink, Yellow, Beige & Lime Green number

After taking a lesson this morning, which I really enjoyed taking PLUS my pupil brought in her finished bear, so I took a little photo shoot of her bear and all the bears that  I have made....

Aren't they FAB?  Well done JC and Hello Blue Bear!

After that, I threw myself into writing a new pattern and taking pictures as I go along the process.

My inspiration came from the Lion that I made yesterday, however what I want to do is to make a TOTALLY 

ALL - IN - ONE

TOY

Not only will it be an All - In - One Toy but you will be able to adapt it to make a Lion, a Bear, A Rabbit, A Pig - whatever really - the possibilities are endless!!

So this pattern will mean that you can crochet without stitching arms, head and legs etc. on after making the main body

I have also reduced the size that it's current Lion (see yesterday's post) is working up too, so I am trying to reduce the whole thing by half and incorporate the All-in-One thing into it.

I am currently half way through, so I have 2 legs, already joined on to half a body with no sewing (so no needle) involved - only a crochet hook.

One calamity was that I ran out of a certain colour wool in mid pattern and I had to rush off to the Wool Shop to try to match the yarn up - I didn't have the band and I knew that it was an old / odd ball that I was using but I managed to get a very good match - phew!!

Would this interest you if I were to PUBLISH this pattern?

The more YES 'es I get the more inspired I will be, so if you read this blog then please let me know if this is a pattern that YOU would like to see and be able to crochet for yourself.

Please send me a comment.  

Crochet On Hookers!!

Thanks for reading

Ali

New Pattern Available + Granny a Day 23, Class news & more!

AVAILABLE NOW!

Yes, it's my next pattern, a Love Heart
&
 with Valentines Day approaching,
you have plenty of time to get your Wool & Hook out and get making
LOVE
hearts!

CLICK HERE to be taken to the patterns page


"When you give a gift that you have made with love,
It turns into something priceless"
M.A.Campbell (that's me!)

Granny A Day - Day 23 - Chinese New Year, so in honour of Chinese New Year, I made a RED square as in China they consider Red a colour that brings good luck

Baby Blanket News!

I have decided that the blanket is now big enough, so I have made an edging of trebles to finish it off.  However me being me, I wasn't totally happy with that, so I have now made a further edging

An Edging for Edging !!

Yes, as you can see I have added a scalloped edge to the original edge by making a SC, then 2 tr's then another SC and repeated this.

I am really REALLY pleased with how this is looking now - I only hope that I have enough white 4ply to finish of the 2nd edging - otherwise it will mean a trip to the WOOL SHOP - oh no - poor me - the torture one has to endure! 

LOL

Finally I took a Crochet Class today and my pupil has now decided to start making a little Teddy Bear.  I am so pleased that she's so keen and that she's picking Crochet up so effortlessly.  The only downside to this of course is that she'll soon have learnt enough to be getting on with and won't come along for more lessons so often!

Oh well - that's life.

At least I have passed on a dying art, which she can then pass on to the next generation one day!

My FIRST Crochet Tutorial - A Chunky Cowl

Ok - here's my first Crochet Tutorial - How to make a Chunky Cowl.  I have been meaning to make a Cowl to match my Chunky Beanie Hat and after searching my many Crochet Books and various websites, I decided to go it alone.

You will need:

A ball of Chunky Wool - I used Patons Caressa Express
6.5mm Hook

Stitch Used:  UK Treble Crochet or US Double Crochet

Abbreviations:  BLO = Back Loop Only

Start by making 55 chains

TIP:  If you are using a larger hook then make fewer chains e.g. with a 9mm hook you will only need to chain 48 - measure the foundation chain around your head for a bespoke fit!

And join with a slip stitch into the first chain to make a large loop / ring

TIP: Make sure your loop / ring is not twisted when you join it

Your Loop / Ring should look something like this

Now make 2 chains (I know we are working in Trebles, but I find that 2 chains works better - a tip I picked up from a Hat pattern some time ago.

Then work treble crochets into the foundation chain

When you get to the joining stage, do not slip stitch into the 2nd chain of the turning chain but the next one along

In the photo above,  the point of the hook is resting on the 2nd chain but I will slip stitch into the chain that's just above the hook point.

This will help to close the gap in the join or seam. 

Like above.

Then make 2 chains and Treble Crochet into each Treble below but into the BLO - the BACK LOOP ONLY 

This will give a nice "ridged" effect all along the row

This is my hook going into the BLO

And the "ridged" effect

Continue to work as many rows as you would like your Cowl to be.

At the end, with the last loop remaining on the hook, slip stitch into the 2nd chain away from the hook then fasten off and darn in the end.  I find that this gives you a smoother finish.

I managed 8 rows from my ball of wool. 

And here it is!

A nice chunky Cowl to keep you warm this winter!

One other thing that I find is that your original knot can stick out a bit, so I undo this, leaving a loop, insert my hook and then slip stitch into the 2nd chain away (going backwards if you like) from the hook then fasten off.  This creates a nicer / smoother finish.

p.s. Can you see some of my wool stash in the book shelves behind me?

Any Questions?? Please ask away.