Business Branding

I have been very despondent lately with the way things are going in the shop. While I have greatly reduced my outgoings, my sales have also taken a hit. This morning I had a Business Branding planning meeting with Rob Morris. Over plenty of coffee, we discussed ways to raise my profile online. We also discussed various aspects of the business, which ones to concentrate on and which ones to put on the back burner.

One of the results of this meeting was that a pattern I was considering saving as a CAL, is now going to be published as soon as I finish it. This pattern is one of the many that has been sitting in a WIP folder on my computer for a long time. It is about time it saw the light of day. It is called Starry Night and is a tibute to one of my favourite paintings by one of my favourite artists, Vincent van Gogh.

I am starting a new project - and it is one I can share with you. :D. My nieces are getting married and I wanted to make them something. After lengthy discussions, we have decided on a crocheted version of "Twister". Rather than the traditional 4 rows of 4 colours we are going for 6 rows of 6 colours chosen to compliment their wedding colours and we are going for dice rather than a spinner. If this works out, it may well end up as a new pattern, we just need to think of a name for it.

Kiss Me Quick

Meet "Kiss Me Quick". The CAL will start in March 2018 and full details will be available in January on Rainbow Valley

Mini Flowers

Block 5.

This is actually the first block I designed for the Secret Garden but after discussion with the testers, we decided to go with a different order.

It is made with 9 mini blocks which are joined as you go. As always, please read the instructions carefully and refer back to the notes where necessary.

For more information go to the CAL web page.

More Butterflies

Block 4.

An important thing to be aware of is that it changes from rounds to rows and back to rounds.

You need to use a lot of numbered stitch markers on the butterfly. I suggest you use different coloured yarn and make a list giving each colour a number. The wing tips are attached through the bottom layer only. All other marked stitches are attached through both layers.

For more information go to the CAL web page.

Following on........

Block 3.

The large flower is made in a sinilar way to the dragonfly which is why I chose this one next.

For more information go to the CAL web page.

Block 2 is here.

I decided to release it a day early, mainly because I am at home all day to answer and questions.

This one is a Dragondfly. Again, it is made in all four colour ways

For more information go to the Secret Garden web page.

And we are off!

The long awaited first block of the Secret Garden was released today.

This one is a daisy with four small butterflies dancing around it. Each block is made in four different colour ways.

For more information go to the Secret Garden web page.

Cover girl

WooHoo! Great news I made the cover of Inside Crochet issue number 81 and not just a small photo but the main image. For the lovely yarn I used please go to my online shop below I have made some suggestions of possible colour variations. Dont forget to share pictures of your completed sunrise stole on my facebook page as I would love to see them.

Twit twoo luggage

Issue 77 Inside Crochet you will find my Magical Owl bag pattern

Full kits are in either DK or Natura at my online store

I would love to see your completed bags, so please post pictures on my facebook page.

Back to Crocheting

A whole load of events, over which I had no control, seemed to take over last year.

First there were the Distance selling regs which meant I had to re-evaluate the way I ran the website. With Ravelry not being able to provide a shopping cart which complied with the regulations, I had to change my instant download provider.

Then came the EU VAT. More changes to the website but many of which could no be done until the last minute due to not having clear guidelines to follow.

All of this meant no new patterns!!!!!

That is set to change this year. My first pattern is finished already! This Tiger blanket (no, not a Zebra) was designed in collaboration with one of my students, partly as a learning exercise. She is making hers in orange and black DK. I just used some yarn I had in my stash which happened to be cream and grey aran. It is worked in 3 panels, with the middle one being flipped over to match up the stripes before they are sewn together.

Short rows are used to make the wiggly stripes. These also make for an interesting pattern on the background. The pattern is just the first four stripes which are repeated. Because is is designed this way you can make it as big or as small as you wish. And in any type of yarn. The pattern is currently with testers and translators. Watch this space for when it will be available.

Number 8

Number 8 finished! The Numbers are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley The Poppy is available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

Number 4 finished! The Numbers are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley The Daisies are available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

Two

Number 2 finished! The Numbers are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley The Pansies are available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

Six

Now I know when is it 6 o'clock. Or half past 12. Or I will do when I get it up on the wall! Decorated with Violets from "Scrapbooking Flowers & Friends" which is available on Rainbow Valley

Twelve

Number 12 completed. The photo is taken on my keyboard to give you some idea of the size. If you are anything like me, you see a measurement and need to get a ruler out to see how big it is. If you are not like me, you will probably want to know that it measures about 12cm tall. Yes, this is going to be a big clock! And the details?

The Numbers are from Alphabet Mobiles - Numbers which are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley

The decoration is from two of my free patterns, Doodling and Mini Flowers which are available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

Hearts and Stars

Really chuffed to announce that I am inside "Inside Crochet" again! This time it is my "Hearts & Stars Wreath". It is designed with Christmas in mind but is suitable for a few occasions. And it is designed with the beginner in mind as it is created from almost all dc (US-sc) with a few short rows for shaping.

I used a wire wreath ring for support which you can get from your local florist (or on line) and electrical tape to cover the wire to prevent it rusting. Light stuffing and some buttons give it a 3D look. And the bells on the ends of the streamers give it a festive feel.

So go and grab your copy quick! All images © Inside Crochet and used with permission.

Deck the Halls!

Is it too soon for the "C" word?

Not if you are a crafter! We have to think about it extra early to get everything made in time for Christmas.

And certainly not if you are a Designer!!!! We have to get our seasonal patterns out in time for you Crafters to make them in time for Christmas.

Here is my 2013 Christmas offering - a Holly Wreath.

This Holly wreath is designed with the beginner in mind. It uses all dc (US_sc) with some shaping and short rows.

Materials: DMC Petra size 5 in Green (5500, 5700, 5905) and Red (5321), toy stuffing, red and yellow bells, 25cm (10 inch) florists ring for making wreaths, electrical tape. The thread is used double thickness through out the pattern. Equipment: 2.50mm hook, needle for sewing in ends. Tension:  (UK terms) 24 dc and 30 rows to 10cm using a 2.50mm hook.

The pattern is available on Rainbow Valley.

Teddy Bears Picnic

The Teddy Bears Picnic pattern is finally finished and on Rainbow Valley.

I had a ball of this yarn sitting on the sofa and it was just shouting at me to become a Teddy Bear. How could I resist? Of course, when I had made one, I had to make more.

The pattern is almost all in dc (US-sc) and aimed at beginners. There is a more difficult round to join the legs and arms but I have included a photo tutorial the first time this is used in the pattern along with a schematic to help explain it.

Materials: Sirdar Simply Recycled DK, 3 x Clay (13), 1 x Camomile (15), 1 x Denim Wash (16), 1 x Fleck (18) 1 x Pollen (19), toy stuffing, black embroidery thread. 3 balls is enough for 4 bears. 1 ball will make 1 large bear or 2 small bears. The other colours are for the clothes and are optional. If you buy all of the other colours you will be able to make an additional set of multicoloured bears.

Equipment: 2.50mm hook, needle for sewing in ends and embroidering features.

Tension: This is not important but you do need to keep your stitches tight so that the stuffing can not be seen.

Remember those Crochet Cables?

Well, what got me started on them was creating a Poncho for Inside Crochet.

I love this poncho and it has been so difficult to keep it a secret. Thankfully, it is now published so I can share!

I had the poncho back in October and have been wearing it. It is so warm and snuggly.

I used Aran Tweed Knitting Wool from Kilcar in Donegal, Ireland. It comes in 200g skeins (Length = 320 m / 350 yards) Lilac-4812. The Poncho uses 8 skeins. You can buy online from COMMODUM art and design. They also sell on eBay, just search for “Donegal yarn”.

It is aran weight and 100% wool. It may seem a bit expensive, the conversion rate (at the time of designing) made it about £10 (GBP) for 200g. But when you consider that the Sirdar Click cost me £3.25 for 50g, it is actually a very reasonable price. It is lovely to work with and gorgeous to wear. The poncho is in Januarys Inside Crochet (issue 37) which was out at the end of December.

And there is a matching Hat and Mitten set on Rainbow Valley. The Hat uses 1 skein and the mittens use 1 skein.