Hats & a Scarf - Yes it's that time of year again!

Well the weather has been getting a little chilly around here and we've had some very blustery weather too so naturally my mind turned to making a few snuggly things to wear outdoors.

First up is this very bright Granny Hat I made for my 22 month old toddler (above) - which she promptly dumped over the side of her buggy while we were shopping and lost...

So then came Mark 2, this one with earflaps and ties in an attempt to keep it on her head!  I made up the pattern myself and ended up having to look at the photos of the first to try and figure out exactly what I did...

The pattern for this hat was in the latest edition of Inside Crochet (I bought a digital edition) and I loved the geometric design created by the post stitches.  I did do the brim of it a little different to the pattern though.

For myself I made a scarf from some lovely King Cole Riot wool my sister bought me for my birthday.  This was another pattern I made up as I went along.  I just chained until I felt the scarf was long enough then did each row in the back loop only to make the ribbed effect.

Finally I got out my loom and made this hat for my 6 year old daughter on one of my looms.  She absolutely loves the big floppy pompom on top.  My loom skills aren't fantastic though, a lot more practice is needed!

So there we are, we've all got something a little cozy for the end of Autumn and the beginning of Winter :-)

Christmas Stockings

I've been busy at the sewing machine instead of busy with a hook for a change.  I saw this lovely tutorial on Pinterest and had to have a go although I extended the toe area of the stocking slightly from the original pattern.

I don't have a massive fabric stash but still managed to make 5 stockings.  Please excuse the sellotape I used to hang them at the fireplace too - really need to find some magnets to hold them up!

From left to right I made:
Black & white stocking for my fella
Blue gingham and birdy stocking for my youngest daughter
Red polka dots & flowers stocking for my sister
Blue gingham and stripes stocking for me
And finally Red polka dots and birdy stocking for my eldest daughter

These were super easy to make too - I managed to do the bulk of the cutting out and sewing while my youngest daughter had her morning nap and finished them off whilst she ate her lunch :-)

Christmas Baubles

 I've just finished three different collections of Christmas baubles, which I hope to sell.

The first shown above is the Christmas Brights Collection.

 Next is the Funky Christmas Collection.

 And lastly the Traditional Christmas Collection.

I had lots of fun experimenting with colours before I decided on the final 3 collections and all my experiments will grace the branches of our tree this year.

I think as I get older I'm getting more colourful :-)

Halloween and Other Stuff

Well I've been rather busy just lately.  Firstly I've made my eldest daughter a Sonic the Hedgehog for her birthday but I ended up giving it to her early.  I used the pattern written by Wolfdreamer Off the Hook.  You can find it here.

I've also been experimenting with my own design of Christmas ornaments.  Above are my test pieces but I'm now working on different themes.  If I manage to make enough in time I may be able to sell some before Christmas!  I'm working on Traditional, Funky and Brights.  Not sure if I'm going to do a 2nd Brights version and a pastels as well....

It was also mine and Mr TMC's 9th Anniversary of getting together this month and I got a lovely bunch of flowers amongst other things.  He's also got me everything I need to build my own website.  Just need to learn how to use Dreamweaver now!

And finally Halloween.  My eldest daughter wants to be a cat this year so I whipped up some kitty ears for her, covering an old headband with the same wool.  I've got to make her the tail yet and fortunately there is so much stuff out there at the moment in animal prints for girls I've been able to buy her leggings and a top to complete her kitty look.  My youngest daughter will be wearing her witches outfit from last year as she's such a small tot it still fits her :-)

Hair Scrunchie

 I made this hair scrunchie by crocheting around a hair band with some King Cole Galaxy DK.

I'd love to open my own Etsy or Folksy shop and think these would be lovely items to sell in all different colours.

 It looks rather sweet in my eldest daughter's hair - all ready for school.

I just wanted to put a picture up of the Happy Flower I made from this pattern over on Lucy's blog Attic24 too.  I made it as a Secret Summer Surprise swap.  Think I will have to make one for myself at some stage - it was so difficult to give away!

Little Monster

In my last post I published a picture of a pair of eyes.

I'm pleased to say they've now been attached to a body!

Here's my little monster!  I've written the pattern myself and he will soon be on his way to his new home at my sister's house.

Here's a view of his hairy back!

I also popped a little lavender pouch inside so he smells really sweet.

I also whipped up a manly phone cozy for my dad's Blackberry.

I used half treble crochet stitches so it was really simple.

And here's a little brooch for my mum :-)

Hope they are all pleased with their little gifts.

Just Lately...

 Just lately I've been working on these few items.  Firstly a pair of eyes for a monster for my big sister.  Not sure why one is looking bigger than the other though as they should be the same!  I've nearly finished the body now too so it's coming along nicely.  I'm writing down the pattern as I go along so hopefully I can easily recreate my little monster.

 I made another cushion cover to go in our caravan using one of the granny squares out of issue 43 of Let's Get Crafting magazine.

 These little booties are for a friend for a Christening.  I used a Bernat pattern for the base of the booties then sort of did my own thing for the tops.

Finally I decided to have a go of some hexagons.  The pattern can be found here on Oneloopshort's blog.  It's super simple to make.  I'm hoping to do a few as and when I can then make up a blanket or such like.  I love the idea of little spots of colour surrounded by crisp, clean white borders :-)