Amish Puzzle Ball and Crochet Boots Swap

I was reading through posts one day and came across some lovely crochet slippers made by Simply Hooked with an offer I could not resist. A swap request, offering a pair crochet slippers in exchange for an Amish Puzzle Ball, “well” I thought to myself “I have made these puzzle balls before and I would love those gorgeous slippers”. So here it is ready to be shipped off.

And here are the said gorgeous slippers!

We exchanged emails and Simply Hooked agreed to my swap offer and chose the colours for the Puzzle Ball. If you haven’t seen one before I will try to explain how it works. You make twelve triangular pouches and three rows of lids. Each row of lids is attached to four pouches stuffing each pouch before finally closing it off.

So you end up with these.

First you interlock 2 of the finished rounds.

Then the last round fits into the gaps to make a round ball.

I love this pattern so much, they are quite quick to make and there are animal versions too. I made an Elephant shown in a previous post here.

If you fancy making your own puzzle ball you can download the free pattern from Ravelry Amish Puzzle Ball Pattern, there is also a flower version which is delightful. These two  patterns are kindly available free thanks to Dedri Uys.

The Elephant Puzzle Ball pattern is available to purchase on Ravelry too. Dedri is obviously quite dedicated, I talked in my post about how struggled a little with the elephant head and Dedri was kind enough to contact me and advise that she had altered the pattern and asked if I made one again would I let her know if it was better. How kind was that?

Stegosaurus

Meet Stan the Stegosaurus. Yes this is unmistakeable as another pattern from Heidi Bears design catalogue.

The making up part of the Stegosaurus pattern is different from the Bluebird of Happinness, you make the outer edge of each hexagon as you put him together. It took me a while to appreciate quite how this would work, but neverthelesss I set to and made all the flowers. It was very satisfying sitting with all the lovely colours in a neat row like little soldiers whilst I worked down the line selecting each colour in turn to create the flower centres ready to create my historic creature.

It has to be said, the pattern is huge, I started to print it out and the pages just kept on coming off the printer, I started to wonder if I had asked the printer for several copies! Eventually it stopped and I browsed through the umpteen pages feeling more daunted by the page!

But don’t be put off, this story has a happy ending as you can see. Once I got started it was so easy to follow, it takes you step by step with great photo tutorials for every hexie you join. Starting with the tail………..

……………. then the hind legs……………

……………..the back, belly and fore legs…………

………………… finally the neck and head.

Then once the body is completed you make the spikes for along his back.

Once fully assembled Stan the steg took a little break on the stool before heading out for a forage in the garden.

If you fancy making a Stegosaurus yourself you can purchase the pattern from Heidi Bears

 

 

African Flower – Bluebird of Happiness

I loved this bird as soon as I saw the pattern and just knew I had to make one, and now I have made one I want to make another!

I made all the African Flower Pentagons before starting to join the bird together.

First I made all the yellow centres, then the turquoise flowers followed by the yellow trim.

Finally the blue rounds were completed.

I have always fancied making one of Heidi Bears animal patterns but thought it wise to start with a small one just to break myself in, next be the Stegosaurus!

Crochet Cat for My Colleague

I was asked by a friend if I would make her a cat, and I have! He is very dinky compared to anything I have done before measuring approx 5 inches from head to tail.

I went online in search of a suitable pattern and chose one from son’s popkes called Dandylion . If you have a look at the pattern you will see that I have altered it a bit so he is curled up rather than stretched out, also I have stitched his arms into this curled up position.  I am rather pleased with the end result although I did set myself a bit of a task in trying to do it on a smaller hook than the yarn requires to get a nice tight finish.

 

Yarndale Purchase Coming to Life

Hi to all my lovely friends, I have not posted for a while as I have been catching up on life after a very busy summer. But never fear I have still been quietly hooking away for an hour or so in the evenings, I don’t think I could unwind after a long day without a hook in my hand poised to create!

I went to Yarndale with one of my yarn bombing buddies and we had a wonderful day wondering up and down the aisles taking it all in. The train journey there was extended as we had to be coached in for part of the way due to work on the line but it was definitely worth the hassle.  And Tajana, I must thank you again, I wore my lovely crochet rose pin, as promised I wore it on my day out and got several compliments.

We both bought this pattern book, Edwards Menagerie, the designs are so very simple but aren’t they adorable?

All the amimals were made up in very natural colours, which was great, but not really for me, so my interpretation and Angharad the donkey has a bit of colour. I am sure it won’t be everyones cup of tea but I like him with his colourful bits.

The pattern is very simple and easy to make but has so much character. Who would have thought black plastic eyes could look so soulful?

My favourite bit is his mane and tail. I think I may have sewn his tail on a bit high looking at him in this photo, oooops!

He has a nice round tummy that gives him a really cuddly feel, then his arms and legs are only stuffed in the very ends which makes his limbs very floppy and easy for little hands to hold. I am sure that I will use this book over and over again, I am thinking of making the floppy bunny next.

The pattern rather reminds me of an image from the Winnie-the-Pooh books, the one where Christopher Robin is walking up the stairs holding onto his bear by the paw and Pooh is just hanging there all loose limbed. Do you know the one I mean?

Another Crochet Fairy Doll

Well here she is my second attempt at making a dolly/fairy. In my excitement to introduce her to you I realised I haven’t made her wings yet! But she has been christened, the family voted for Imogen, I think it quite suits her too.

She follows the same principles as Freya but hopefully is a little more refined. I took Freya in to show colleagues and the main comment was on the colour choice I had used for her face, legs and arms, I went for pale pink this time and I think that works much better. I also used a smaller hook to get a tighter finish.

You may be able to make out from the photo that I made the arms and legs a bit thicker too which has made her feel more substantial.

I added a little white collar to the top of the dress and a neck, this has worked well apart from the hair…………….

………….which I love but all those curls are actually quite heavy and it is  teeny bit of a stain on the neck. I will reduce the row count on the neck next time and see if that works.

My favourite bit has to be her shoes, Freya’s shoes were flat but Imogen’s are 3D, more like actual shoes. I am so pleased with how they look and with the little bit of stuffing in them adding weight the legs hang really well.

How hard is writing a pattern? After making Freya I had a couple of  ideas for improvement but I didn’t take enough account on the effect these would have on other parts. So, I have to say that Imogen is part II in my first doll making, pattern writing journey.

 

Shelly the Snail

Who’s beady eyes are these? And no, it’s not a monster or an alien.

Is this a cute face or what?

I fell in love with this little cutie and just had to buy the pattern and make one.

Yes it is a snail, I know they are usually not well thought of as they invade your garden leaving their silvery streak behind them. But Shelly is just not that sort of snail, she is a loveable character created by Moji Moji Designs. Pattern link, there are smaller versions called Sheldon and Shelby too but I haven’t got around to them yet.

Here is a peek at the back.

And just so you can have a full 360 view, here she is from a side view.

I just love the frilly base, it really finishes her off and also helps her to balance.

Fairy in the Garden

Well my friends, this is my first attempt at making a doll.

I looked in all the usual places, Ravelry, Etsy etc. but there were so many patterns I just got confused and simply could not decide on which one to buy. So I thought, why not have a go and try to make one free hand.

I took her into work and the general consensus was that I could improve on the colour choices and I agree with to some degree (the green hair was not well received but I like it). I also feel it would look better using a smaller hook size to tighten up the stitches, add a bit of something at the neck and a few more tweaks here and there.

I have already started on a FairyII version because there are so many things that I am not happy with but overall for a first attempt I was quite pleased. It was a great learning curve too.

 

 

Shhhhhh…….Secret Project

I have a secret project on the go and although I cannot tell all quite yet I thought I would share these little birdies with you.

A few got out earlier and landed on the bay trees outside the front door!!

Here are the next batch waiting to hatch into colourful birds.

The pattern for these lovely colourful creatures is from a great friend to all in the crochet community, yes you’ve guessed, Lucy at Attic 24 is the creator of this simple but effective pattern. It is so easy and quick too so great for beginners.

If you fancy having a go here is the link.

Innocent Smoothie Bottle Hats for Age UK

Did you answer the call?

I did but unfortunately I saw the request a little late so have only had time to make 3 hats.

It is such a wonderful idea, the Innocent Drinks company will donate 25p to Age UK for every little hat they receive. Isn’t that great? It is called The Big Knit, I would have loved to make more but sadly have run out of time.

There were even links to patterns. I made the Tortoise and the Owl.

I did try to make my own Frog but I think I will work on the pattern as there is room for improvement.

I was so inspired by this post on Love Lucie enticing we crafters to make hats for smoothie bottles in return for the 25p donation. Now I have the link to the patterns I will make them throughout the year in readiness for next time (I hope there is a next time). They do seem to have done it for a few years now according to some of the other posts I have read.

Check out some of the links below, so many cute little hats!

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