itty bitty crochet star tutorial

 I am a firm believer that if I can think up a crochet pattern,

especially one so easy,

then probably somebody else has too.

I don't believe that simple crochet patterns belong to anyone.

 This is my first ever crochet diagram.

Isn't it pretty!

 It's pretty self explanatory really if you already crochet.

 I used some kool cotton from my stash.

to begin
(I'm using uk terms)

chain 5, slip stitch into the first chain to create a ring.

{1 dc, 1tr, 3ch, 1tr into the ring} repeat 4 more times

finish with a slip stitch into the first dc.

With a darning needle weave in the ends.

To produce a pointy star, 

pin each 3chain point to a folded towel/old cushion

and spray with water and leave to dry.

For a stiffer star I like to use spray starch,

found in the laundry section.

And there you have it.

I strung mine on a piece of twine,

but you could hang each one individually..

..or make pretty parcels like below!
In answer to Deborahs question 
I used a 4mm hook :0)
Why not try my recycled christmas cards tutorial in my side bar,
any card will do!

shelf life

 Hey!

I wasn't going to post today, 

but I wanted to let you know that after resting and not sewing

my shoulder is feeling a lot better.

Although I'm still taking things easy,

typing doesn't help!

 I have found that things get attracted to hooks..

...how does that happen?

 The 'shepton mallet' shelf has added a new
and ever changing creative dimension 

to what was a bare and bumpy wall.

I have finally given up finished decorating the hallway

(all three levels!)

The colour battleship grey misted hills from dulux, other paints are available.

 This photo is our old house and the lady was Mr Fetes Great Grandmother plus dog.

Have a lovely weekend and wrap up warm it's getting colder at last?

xxx

hot cakes

Roll up roll up!!

*

Not only have I been a creative advisor and part window dresser for my friend Rachel

whilst she was setting up her new business Rosie Lea Tea House and Bakery

in Brockenhurst in the New Forest.

I am now selling my wares in the tea shop!!!!

The gingerbread men are selling like hot cakes!

Rachel has kindly set up an area to sell local handmade products.

Recognise anything?

I knew there was a reason for my rsi!

gingerbread and crochet bunting
now sold

If you are local to the area then do pop along,

you will be treated to delicious homecooked cakes and a choice of loose teas,

all served in lovely vintage china with proper teacups!

Rachel also runs her events and wedding catering business from the premises,

including the baking of bespoke cakes, gluten free etc..

This the first time I have sold anything in an actual real life shop!!

Watch this space for some exciting window changes,

and maybe even selfsewn online!

*need some sweet looking labels for your crafty products?
  selfsewn tags and business cards produced here..just drop me an email.

mo-hare monday and my top 5 memories of the 80s

  I know I said I was done with critters..

..I just had to get this one out of my system.

 Before anyone leaps in with 

omg whats that hideous thing she's wearing..

or

omg whats that gorgeous thing she's wearing!

It's a 'my Mum' vintage 

knitted for me in the 80s.

..said through 13 year old gritted teeth..

'it's not itchy at all Mum!'

I was going to unpick it and use the thread but I don't thing I can..

oh the nostalgia (and the talent!)

So 30 pence lighter and here we have Mo.

 He is from the amigurumi book..
mentioned here

me like mohair to crochet with?

not so much!

As I've mentioned the 80s in this post here are my

top five
childhood memories from the 80s

(an homage to High Fidelity by Nick Hornby)

5. wearing my first kitten heels...
and making them sound like stilettos!

4. it's blind date...and here is your host Mrs Cilla Black!

3. pot noodle and a can of quattro,
Saturdays didn't get any better than that!

2. smoke machines (that smelt like raspberry)
and strobe lights at discos.

1. wearing blue mascara in church as a girl guide..
what a rebel!


ps* I will not be wearing the vintage mohair it's far too outdated itchy!!


Okay so I wasnt sure if Mo was cute or just darn scary?
My husband just came home and he is definitely erring on the side of scary!
Wasn't there a film attack of the killer bunnies??
She says making the psycho 'eek eek eek' noise

grin and bear it

So little blue Skye didn't find a Raye of sunshine,

but she did find Tootie Frooti.

Made with Kool Kotton which I am absolutely in love with.

It's a cotton/acrylic mix
and just feels so soft for a cotton yarn.

You can find it here

 This pair were made to order,

for two sisters

so they will be hanging out together forever!

I think I'm all beared out right now...

..on to something new.

a little blue skye

It is very much a grey day here..

..so here's a little blue skye.

She is hoping to make friends..

It's just a case of finding them!

I am hoping that some of you have

a little blue skye

this weekend!

Maybe even a

ray of sunshine...

grizzly bear

 Greetings on this apparently

'most depressing Monday of the year'

Thought I would cheer you all up with the latest creation.

It seems however this bear's got attitude!

At art college I learnt that Michelangelo;

'believed that every stone had a sculpture within it,

and that the work of sculpting was simply a matter

of chipping away all that was not a part of the statue.'

 Can't wait to see who is hiding in this ball!!

 He is a crochet bear,

more or less the same pattern as Bertie.

He nearly didn't make it,

the yarn is a B* to work with.

Eventually I realised that the forgiving texture of this yarn,

meant that the mistakes don't show!

although his nickname has become

big leg bear

He remains a bare bear for now,

although he may turn up with an adornment,

depending on his attitude!

He has brightened my morning..

and yours too?

He has already found a home...

...with me!!

bertie and some crochet

 Okay before I get on with the crochet-fest,

I would like to thank my steadfast blog friends for

 sticking by me even when I don't post for a month.

Thank you all for your kind comments and best wishes, 

I really do appreciate your support.

I do my best to leave comments, 

but if I don't you can rest assured that I have read all your blogs!

I don't want to be one of those 'all about me bloggers'.

So on that note I'm going to show you what 'I' (er-hem)

have been up to whilst house-bound.

It's nearly a year since I learnt to crochet, 

it's crazy to think that this time last year I lived a
no yarn life.

I thought I would share my crochet books.

Remember I made Raymond in the summer?

Well this is the book I got the pattern from.

It has some crazy animals to make, 

but really I just wanted some inspiration,

so I've only made bears so far..

So this is Bertie a special order for my godmother.

I made him using the kool kotton I got from Texere

I think it's perfect for these toys and I love the colours too.

I think I shall definitely be ordering more.

Got any old Christmas cards?

I got this idea from creative Jewish mom

makes a change to my usual bauble

Simply punch holes around the card and granny stitch away!

This book is my crochet bible.

I would definitely recommend it if you want to learn to crochet.

It teaches you the basics as well as ripples, grannies, 

all the skills you need to make what you have seen in blogland.

Oh dear I started this with the rest of the Kotton,

now I'm not sure what to do with it?

Either a cushion or a giant blanket, 

it remains like this for now with no more yarn!

Okay this is my last book,

which includes this star pattern.

It has some really nice doilies and a nice alphabet.

It also has some crazily intricate ones, which I will probably never do!

This last one is my attempt to recreate a decoration 

that I saw somewhere in blogland.

Its really just a basic granny pentagon 

with points like the above star...

not sure I'm cut out for making things work!

Sorry for the lack of content of late,

I really haven't been anywhere,

 unless you count my adventures in blogland.

I hope I start feeling christmassy soon!!

edited to add
a must see hand pieced hexagon patchwork
over at red pepper quilts
its the one I am trying to emulate!
Lynne I think you will love it.
It's too wonderful for words!
Go visit you wont regret it!