Toys

World Pomination

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I do love a pom pom. Little B and I have had a fabulous time making little creatures with spare wool. Here is our little Penguin – so cute.  Making pom-poms is so much easier than when I was a gal. Threading wool through a cardboard doughnut for hours on end would never induce you to make a garland or hair-band.

The new pom-pom makers are a complete boon when it comes to creating the fluffy spheres. When Kirstie Allsop featured them on her craft programme, retailers sold out of them within hours. I did a quick tutorial of how to use a pom-pom maker here.

lucysmithimagingThe image above is copyright Lucy Smith, Smith Imaging

Recently I was browsing the gorgeous Mollie Makes Handmade Wedding magazine and was inspired by some mohair pom-pom garlands. I knew I just had to make them for my friend Lucy, who is the most amazing photographer. (More about Lucy in the next few weeks). I think a pom-pom garland would make a great decoration for a winter wedding. Such a pretty idea.

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Making pom-poms with mohair yarn is so satisfying they are like little baby chicks of colour – SO FLUFFY

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If you are similarly obsessed and would like to pom for charity, Kirstie Allsop is attempting to break a world record using pom-poms. Simply make 3 or more pompoms, tie them together and attach your name, then either drop them off at your local Hobbycraft store or bring them to the Handmade Fair this September. Hobbycraft stores across the country will also be holding ‘pomination workshops’ during the summer holidays for children to join in the fun. Check out the website here for more information.

Worth mentioning is that Let’s Get Crafting magazine are giving away a pom-pom maker in their current issue so if you have yet to experience the modern way of making these fluffy beauties check it out!

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Crochet Chat

Dear Lovely Friends, thanks to the technical genius of my husband (who is very kind to me and patient) I was able to record my talk that I gave at Manchester Art Gallery and splice it onto the photograph presentation I delivered at the same time.

The result is not perfect – but if you have the patience you can listen to the little snippets of musings as you scroll through the images. You will need to press the arrow keys to jump to the next slide and hear the recording. Not all slides have a commentary.

All the opinions given were entirely personal and the recording was live and unrehearsed. So please do excuse the ‘umms’ and ‘ahhs’. However the presentation does give you some idea behind my inspiration and crochet journey – enjoy x

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Reworking a favourite

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Of all of the patterns I have designed, my Campervan doorstop continues to be the most popular. Originally a magazine commission, people have continued to contact me and the magazine for a copy of the pattern. So I have decided to rework the pattern and make some improvements. I have spotted some really good ideas from photos sent in to the blog. So if you have emailed recently asking for a copy of the pattern. A new improved version will be available soon!

The image of campervan fronts has been saved from a copy of The Simple Things Magazine.

 

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Crochet Colour in Conran

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At the weekend I had a glorious day meeting up with my oldest friends. We had a lovely wee mooch around some of the shops in the Marylebone area of London. Top of the agenda was a little look in the Conran Shop.

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If you want to find a contemporary curation of all that is cool and imaginative for interiors, this is your destination. Each area is beautifully set out. I was attracted to a table laden with ‘man things’, and just ooooed and ahhed over the chosen selection. Basically the combination of humour and beautiful objects brought a smile to my face.

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My favourite area was the Childshop. What a lovely imagination the store designer has.

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If you were about 5 or 6 you could just loose yourself in  this area. Ok, I’ll admit it, this part of the shop was heavily dominated by the crochet genius of Anne-Claire Petit.

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Lovely. Lovely. Lovely.

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But also look at this gorgeous Miffy light!

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Not far away was a beautiful arrangement of Nutscene gardening twine. As we all know, sometimes it is not the object you choose but how your arrange it to make a big impact.

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I was particulary  taken with these rather zingy laundry baskets and this wonderfully elegant flatware Baroque by Jasper Conran for Wedgwood.

What a lovely treat of the window shopping eye.

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Miss Mouse

A good friend of mine was chatting with me last week. She was teasing me about the lack of a mouse pattern in my Keyring book. She couldn’t quite believe I had missed out this cutest of animals.

She really needed to make a mouse as a present and undeterred she took the head of Archie dog and elongated the pattern to make a body and then took the ears of the kitten to create a beautiful little mouse.

For many people this is how designing begins – creating a design from different pattern elements when you have failed to find it elsewhere. It has got me thinking perhaps I should design a little mouse keyring in the next few weeks.

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Fabulous New online patterns

 

I like to keep my eye out for new pattern, especially when the a new season is approaching. If I am in the middle of designing some new patterns I am even more tempted to work on a pattern which someone else has designed. It is that old distraction habit. You know, a pressing bit of work needs doing and suddenly – cleaning out the fridge seem like the most appealing thing to do.

I came across some great new patterns available online from Deramores. They have the most adorable dolls which you can knit – Pip and Polly.

I seriously think these are by far the most attractive knitted dolls I have seen in ages. Ten out of ten for the designer. You can also match them up to a litte cardigan for a toddler you might know. Which would make a lovely gift.

I also really like the crochet dress pattern, in fresh green tones. It is great that you have the option to buy these patterns in the printed form or an online PDF for just £1.99 – what a bargain. If you are tempted go and visit the Deramores website and if you order do say you popped by the blog.

(There has been no deal done here – I genuinely like the designs and I am happy to recommend them to you.)

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Archie Campervan

Oh how I love to see photos of things you have made. Especially if I can dare say it – from one of my patterns. I had waiting for me when I got back from our hols some lovely photos of Archie Campervan, made by the very talented Julie. Look at the detailing on her lovely creation.

She has made this rather fine doorstop for a friend. How lucky are they?

Anyway I also noticed a rather beautiful garden in the background. What a creative lady! Thanks for sharing Julie x

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Have a look inside…..

I was just looking at my Ravelry page this evening , thinking I should really add some new patterns and I noticed that a certain on-line bookseller is offering the opportunity to look inside my book Crochet Keyrings and Charms. Cool. I often use this facility before I buy a book. Certainly it is great to have an opportunity to look at the contents.

The publisher GMC has always done a brilliant job with this Cozy series with an example of each pattern shown in the contents. I have bought 2 of the Teacozy books because I liked the look of the patterns inside. Anyway peek a look if you have yet to check it out.

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Get ready for Flag Day!

When I started to make keyrings a couple of years ago I made this Stars and Stripes design for my American friend Elise. At the time she didn’t crochet much….but now my friends she another of my fly-away crochet addicts and also manages to design her own patterns.

Today was amazing to come home and realise that the wonderful Lion Brand Yarn website in the States has featured the Stars and Stripes design for their 4th July celebration! How cool is that? We are talking yarn royalty here. Anyway if you have time and want to make your own version the pattern is here.

When we were developing the content for Crocheted Keyrings and Charms we steered away from flags, but I think it is quite a popular choice for a gift. So if I ever write a second book maybe I will look into a range of flags.

 

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Inside Crochet ~ Issue 42 ~ Poplar baby sweater and bonnet

The new issue of Inside Crochet focuses on colour and is such a joy to look through. It features some lovely patterns from my friends Tracy Todhunter and Lynne Rowe, I also really love the cardigan on the front cover by Rohn Strong and the Dahlia Stole by Liz Mouter.

I was really thrilled to see the very cute pictures of my little jumper and bonnet in this issue.

Particularly this very CUTE picture which is so sweet. The jumper is a greater beginner garment for a new crocheter. I really enjoy making things for little people.

But do you know the most satisfying part of this issue is that there is a article ‘Getting Hooked’ where a newbie to crochet makes my Millicent Rabbit pattern from issue 34. That brought a smile to my face!.

I have to say that  I read this real review with a small wince, thinking ‘Will it be good? will it be good?’ But luckily the end result worked and the new little Millicent Rabbit will be winging its way to a new baby soon.

 

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