Mid Month Guest - Charlotte Stafford

The first of my mid-month guest bloggers!

Charlotte Stafford is a well-educated, enthusiastic freelance writer with a passion for interior design. She is fascinated with combining different materials to create a unique look in the home.

Incorporating crochet into the home

A beloved pastime amongst crafters everywhere, crochet is the perfect way to brighten up your home, injecting colour into tired-looking rooms, or transforming dull furnishings and appliances. Whether you’re moving into a new home, or simply looking to give your current pad a little bit of love, crochet can be the perfect way to add the flash of inspiration you’ve been looking for.

While the most popular crochet patterns include jumpers, blankets, scarves, and shawls, more and more crafters are turning to their hook and yarn to breathe a little life into their homes. In fact, far from being ‘just’ decorative, crochet items are also incredibly practical; think soft furnishings like cushions and pillows, place mats, rugs, lampshades, and even flowerpot covers. The good news is that crochet needn’t be complicated, and patterns can be adapted to suit just about any home; just use your imagination and let the hook lead the way.

Crochet in the home

© Inside Crochet. Used with permission.

There isn’t a room in the house where crochet is off limits. From mats and toilet roll holders in the bathroom, to tea cosies in the kitchen; decorative placemats in the dining room, to cushions, rugs, and lampshades in the living room, inspiration can be found in every corner of your home. Of course, crochet doesn’t have to think big to be effective; if you ever have trouble finding your keys, consider creating a cute keyring, or a special pouch to keep them in. Even photo frames, candles, mugs and flowerpots can be reinvented with a flick of a crochet hook; it’s amazing what a little light work with some yarn can achieve, and in no time you can rediscover items you may have previously disregarded.

Reviving tired furnishings

Everybody has that item of furniture, be it an old corner sofa, armchair or bed, which has seen better days. Rather than spending money on a brand new item, though, consider cheering it up with a brightly coloured throw, brash cushions, or crochet detail. It’s amazing what a little yarn and some nimble fingers can do. Of course, there’s nothing to stop you creating various items for your home and swapping them with the seasons; it’s certainly less time consuming – and more enjoyable – than redecorating regularly.

Crochet items also look fantastic in guest rooms and areas where you regularly entertain visitors. Crochet bedspreads can keep guest beds looking smart and loved, while wall hangings, chair covers and coasters will brighten your everyday furniture without any expense; perfect for those who love to keep their homes fresh and exciting.

Crochet for all occasions

The good news is that, when it comes to crochet, the possibilities are as boundless as your imagination. Consider the charm of crochet Christmas decorations, hanging from the tree for all to admire, spooky Halloween trinkets to scare and amaze, or charming Easter ornaments to brighten a windowsill. Crochet items make fantastic presents for friends and family, with the added charm of being handmade with love. Perhaps you’d like to crochet a soft best friend for a new baby in the family, a memory blanket for a beloved relative, or even create fashionable jewellery that’ll get tongues wagging; simply use your imagination, and anything is possible.

Ally Pally 2013

I had an exhausting day but loved every minute of it. Not so sure today though, aching all over!

Up at 6.00am to pack my lunch, tea and crochet. Because we are back so late, I always take something to eat on the bus on the way home. I can leave it on the bus so it isn't as if I have to carry it around all day.

We arrived rather early for the bus and sat in the van where it was warm and dry waiting for it to turn up. We made good time and got there about 10.15am.

First stop - Tulip. I had to say hello to the friends I made last year. We had a chat then I spoke to Pauline Turner. We chatted a little about James Walters and Sylvia Cosh (my Crochet Heros)and off I toddled to my next stop.

I know the Owner/Designer of the Natural Dye Studio from Ravelry, so really had to pop in and say hello when I found out she was there.

And, my final planned visit before things got too busy, was to the Crochet Chain to see my friend Diana. Some things never change. Just as bouncy and cheerful as ever, even with all that pink! She knows I have a thing about pink so my rude comments about it were just laughed at. We shared forthcoming patterns to be published in Inside Crochet and congratulated each other on our success. It is always fun visiting with Diana.

After that, I went back to the beginning and systematically went up and down the aisles so that I didn'r miss anything out. I was on my feet from 10.15am when we got there to 4.30pm when we left.

Is it any wonder I am aching?

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.

Crocheted Buttons.

No, not the type you put on your cardigan, this type! I decided that, as I was revamping the web site, I would crochet my buttons for it. Here is the first one. Watch out for more!

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.

Crochet Cables

I love crochet cables. Actually, I love the whole effect of crocheted aran. I think I am going to be doing a lot more of it very soon.

Yes, it takes up a lot more yarn than regular crochet but it creates a thick and warm fabric - perfect for chilly autumn days. And just as perfect for fresh spring days!

To ease you in gradually, I have two new patterns which are quick and easy to make.

This is the Chunky version. Materials 2 balls Sirdar Click (chunky), 1 for the headband and 1 for the mitts. Equipment 6.00mm hook and a needle for sewing in ends. Tension (UK terms) 9 htr and 7 rows to 8 cm

And this is the Aran version. Materials 1 balls Cygnet Aran. Equipment 4.00mm hook and a needle for sewing in ends. Tension (UK terms) 11 htr and 9 rows to 8 cm

You can find them both on Rainbow Valley

Daisy & Sweetheart Couch Potatoes

These Cushion covers are designed to be fun items for your home.  They use a standard 16inch cushion insert.

Materials:  Cygnet Aran: 4 x Harvest (A), 1 x Coffee (B), 1 x Red (C), and White (D), small amounts of Green and colour of choice for flower, 4 buttons. Equipment:  4.00mm hook and a needle for sewing in ends. Tension:  15 dc and 20 rows to 10 cm Graphs:  Written instructions and graphs are given for each cushion. You can follow which ever you find easiest. Finished Size:  42cm (16 in) wide x 42cm (16in) tall.

Flower Power uses just over 2 balls of Harvest and Sweetheart uses just under 2 balls. 4 balls should be enough to complete both cushions.

As the flower and leaves are made and stitched on separately, you can use any yarn you would like to because size and tension is not important.

The pattern is available on Rainbow Valley

I have been really naughty!

I haven't blogged in what seems like forever!

So, I am going to try to be good, and blog a bit more.

For those of you who don't know, I went to Ally Pally in London to demonstrate those gorgeous Tulip Etimo hooks. I hade a wonderful time. Four whole days at the Knit & Stitch show. Four whole days without cooking, cleaning and washing the dishes. And I got paid for it!

And, as you can see, it wasn't only me who had a good time. Thank you to everybody who came and made weekend very enjoyable! There are more photos on Facebook.

I am please to announce.......

.......That I have finished my Clematis pattern and it is up on Rainbow Valley. And I am even more pleased to announce that it didn't take as long as I thought it would. I am not going to post loads of picture here but if you click on "Clematis" in the labels at the bottom of the post, you can find plenty.

About that Clematis.............

After being featured in Issue 26 of Inside Crochet, I have had lots of requests for the Clematis pattern. So I thought I had better get on and write it. It isn't a quick project as it will include the frame, stems, leaves, fluffy heads, six different flowers and three differnt buds. Well, if you are going to do something, best do it properly.

The original one was quite large and has attracted a lot of interest. The new one I am making for the pattern will be a lot smaller, the bamboo poles are about 40cm long. I have also crocheted the stems rather than luceted them as it is meant to be a crochet pattern.

I have also changed the colour of the leaves. I thought the new colour would look better but until I see them with the flowers, I am not so sure. I am hoping to have the pattern finished and up for sale by the end of the month. In the meantime, I will keep you updated on my progress.

I have been working very hard!

In the summer I had a Crotat article and pattern published in Inside Crochet. I have re-written the article, taking into account feedback from readers and teaching workshops, so that it now includes more detailed instructions and more advanced techniques. But the best news - for all of you - is that all of this hard work on Rainbow Valley.

If you have a go, I would love to see the results. Pop along to my Facebook page and post there.

What a bad, bad blogger!

I knew I hadn't blogged in a while but it wasn't until I signed in that I realised quite how long it was since my last post.

What can I say apart from the fact I have been really busy.

First of all the bad news. The home I working in has closed down. This means that I and all the other staff have been made redundant. And all the residents have been moved to new homes.

The good news is that I have been doing really well with the crochet. I had a "How to Crotat" article and Crotat Coaster pattern in Issue 19 (July 2011). The six months of the contract is almost up so this pattern, along with a matching oval one, will be available soon. I am working on a whole new free "How to Crotat" download. After getting some feedback and giving some lessons, I am including more pictures and instructions to make it easier to follow.

My "Barefoot Sandals" were in Issue 20 (August 2011) I will be designing some more of these to publish when the 6 months of the contract is up.

And I had some "Crotat Jewels" published in Issue 22 (October 2011). All of this has been very good for business and the knock on effect has doubled the sales on my site. There are also some new Crotat patterns on Rainbow Valley.

And, when you are a famous designer - DMC send you freebies!

All in all, its been quite an exciting time. The problem is that I still need a job as this really doesn't earn me enough money. It would be wonderful to be a full time designer but needs must.

And some things never change. Its tea time so I need to go and cook it.

Inside Crochet 18 is out

Yes, Issue 18 should be in the shops and I am in it again with the final part of my Alphabet Mobiles.

For anybody who wants the matching Uppercase and Numbers, you can get those on my site.

I have finally finished designing the Crotat Mini Bags I have been working on. The last one gave me a bit of a headache as the butterflies just wouldn't go right. This one is "Urban Camouflage". I was going to call it something really boring like mono stripes.

This one is "Rainbow Waves" and made in pretty much the same way as the Urban Camouflage. Just with a lot more colour.

I went a bit patriotic with the "Fleur De Lys" one. After all, I was designing it when all the hype about the wedding was on the TV.

I love this colour, its so fresh. So I made the "Daisy Chain" bag from it.

And here is the "Butterfly Parade". The smaller one was made with my new hook. Scarlet Dash very kindly sent me one to play with. Its a 2mm Prym Bamboo Hook.

When it arrived, I though it was far too fragile, it just looks too thin. And I needed to sand the head to make it suitable for crotatting. However, it is surprisingly strong and supple. The head had to be sanded a few times as I was scared to take too much off but, eventually, I got it right. And, unlike the metal crotat hook, I was able to use it for both "normal" crocheting and crotatting. It saved switching back and fore between two different hooks.

I have to admit though, it did take some getting used to.

Is it that long since I last posted??????

Inside Crochet issue 17 is out, with more lovely pictures of my alphabet. I didn't make these ones, they did. Can't wait to see what they come up with for next month.

And, I have won an award! Do you remember my A-Z of Chatteris in Photos"? The Cambridgeshire Association for Local History" has given me an award for it. I have to tart up all posh and go and collect it on June 4th at Denby Abbey.

I am still crocheting hard, working on patterns for both the site and Inside Crochet. I officially went self employed on April 1st. I have never bothered before as I have always spent loads more than I earned on hooks, yarn and thread. But, with the work I am doing for IC, I am going to be in the black this year.

So, as part of all this, I have set up a Facebook page.

I only joined Facebook originally because the family nagged me. I haven't been on there much but last weekend a lady emailed me to tell me that somebody has been using my pictures to advertise that they are selling items made from my patterns.

I contacted them about it, they apologised and took them down. The silly thing is, if they had asked first, I would have given them permission. When I told them this, the excuse was that they were new to it all.

New to what? Didn't their mother teach them manners???????

Anyway, all this brought me to the realisation that Facebook is a great (and free) tool for reaching potential customers and interacting with them.

Very steep Facebook learning curve coming up!

Any help appreciated.

And, to help me get lots of "Likes" for my page I am having a prize draw of a £5 Paypal voucher when I get to 500 and a £10 Paypal voucher when I get to 1000. You will be able to spend these on my site, my Etsy shop or my Folksy shop.

All you have to do is put a link to my Facebook page and this post on your blog, then leave a comment to let me know where the links are.

When I get to 500 I will draw for the £5 and when I get to 1000 I will draw for the £10.

The vouchers can be used for patterns or finished items and if you are entered into the first draw, you will also be entered into the second draw.

Ooooh! I am all excited.

I feel like a kid at Christmas but I really can't help it. I have been officially published in Inside Crochet. And I get paid for it! Yes, I know I have been in mags before but not like this. I have never been paid before for a start. Anyway, if you want to see a free online preview, you can click on the picture.

And there are more to come. The full Lowercase Alphabet is going to be published this and the next two issues.

And I have to say, the photos they have taken are lovely and make my letters look stunning.

Now, as to why I haven't blogged in ages.

Well, there has been all this overtime in work. And there have been the driving lessons and studying for the Theory Test. And there has been all the time spent working on more patterns for IC.

And there has been all the time spent working on a new pattern for Rainbow Valley. This one is "Scrapbooking with Crotat". As you might have guessed from the name, its a motif pattern for scrabooking - or anything else you would like to use them for - and is all crotated.

Crochet Tatting is a form of tatting done with a special type of crochet hook and combined with crochet to produce a unique effect. Here are just a few of the motifs from it, I think there will be 15 different designs in all, along with some basic instructions.

It is almost finished and will be published in April, along with a slightly revamped site.

I have started working on a crotat jewellery one as well.

Art Exhibition

This weekend there is an Art Exhibition in March Town Hall, Cambridgeshire. It is free to go and see it and well worth a visit.

I entered my Clematis and Mushrooms into it. I have put a rather high price on the Clematis because I don't really want to sell it. But, if somebody is willing to pay £1495 for it, I can always make another.

I have never put a picture of the finished mushrooms on here, so here they are. I went to the opening reception on Friday. There were lots of people there and lots of comments about my Clematis. But nobody bought it!

For me, however, the highlight of the evening was seeing all the childrens work on the boards. These are the ones from All Saints School.

On Friday morning there had been a workshop for some of the local schools. The chilren had re-created some of the artwork in the exhibition. I was delighted to see that so many of them had chosen my mushrooms to re-create! One child did a wonderful re-creation of my clematis and another did the mushrooms.

Apparently, there were lots more mushrooms but the children chose to take them home.

And these are the ones from Burrowmoor School. As you can see, lots of mushrooms!

And some of my favourites which were on display. Dancing by Margaret Williams.

Go Bananas by Heather Kinnear.

The name of the Apple by Jenny Furlong