Hygge Nook

Freebie download: Cable knit hot water bottle pattern

 
Judging from the amount of hits my freebie knitted hot water bottle pattern has received, a lot of you have really enjoyed making it. (I hope.)

I took a few minutes today to turn it into a PDF pattern so you can download it and print it out.

Download HyggeNook Cable knit hot water bottle cover

****NOTE: If you emailed me to let me know row 5 was wrong, I've just checked it and this is the correct line (Aug 26th 2011) This has been updated on the download too: 5th [RS]: K2, P2, [C8B, P4] x2, [C8F, P4] x1, [C8F, P2] x1, K2 *****

Perhaps it's time I designed a new one for this year?

Crochet circles project

Wasn't the past weekend glorious? I'm really lucky to have a large garden in London and even luckier that I got to sit outside all weekend (including in the fab new hammock), sunning myself and getting stuck in to a new crochet project while the children whizzed around on their scooters and played on the grass. We ate every meal outside, listened to the birds sing and admired all the flowers that are blooming. Pretty heavenly.

 

So, this is the start of the new project. It's the same circles pattern that I made my first cushion cover out of. However, this time I stuck to a palette of three colours - pale blue, royal blue and lilac in a bamboo/wool mix which is great to the touch - and gave the overall pattern more structure. I plan on finishing it off with cream bamboo (as soon as the yarn arrives) squares before stitching it up into a cover. So more on that soon (also, much as I hate to say it, I've spotted an error and might have to redo three circles. Ugh!)

New Amy Butler yarn

Amy Butler is one of those go-to sources of fabric for anyone who wants something vibrant and exciting. Now, though Butler has turned her hand to new ranges of yarn and wallpaper which should excite crafters and decoraters alike. There's even a bunch of free downloadable patterns to get you started here - I love the sexy hexy patchwork quilt, love and peace wall art, Amy's Mid Mod quilt, Nigella silhouettes and the yoga bag.

Seeing as my sewing skills are pretty basic, let's look at the yarn instead. Amy has collaborated with top yarn company Rowan to create Belle Organic, a range of - you guessed it - organic yarns in DK and Aran in both cotton and wool.

 
There's also a pattern book called Midwest Modern knits with some stylish modern knits that are really a cut above the often so old-fashioned knitted garments that are still touted by other yarn companies and publishers. I think this scarf and gloves will be popular items but there are some nice blankets and cushions to make too. The 50g balls will cost around £5 each so it is pricey but not much different to other quality yarns.

Will you be trying out this new range of yarn? What will you make?

Pretty crochet pillowcases

I've been meaning to post about this super sweet and quick pillowcase update. It's a splendidly simple make & do project. Just take a pillowcase, throw in some crochet and a dab of basic sewing skills and voila! Updated covers with a crochet trim.

It's not my idea - the fabulous Rosehip came up with it and you must, must, must visit her blog for some beautifully photographed pillowcases which she sells through her etsy shop. They sell out quick so you must keep an eye out and snap them up fast.

 

Oh. My. Word. Aren't they pretty? Did you spot the Eiffel Tower print? I may have died and gone to heaven. And isn't the little pink bench with its turned legs darling?

If you do fancy having a go yourself, you can find the instructions that I followed here at You Go Girl. The instructions come with close-up photos and are really easy to follow.

 
All you'll need is a pillowcase - I used a plain pink one that I happened to have spare (when you are trying something out for the first time, sometimes you just want to use what you have to hand, rather than mess up a prettier, pricier cloth). However, I think a floral or graphic print pillowcase would look fabulous and that's what I'll be trying next. You'll need some yarn for the trim. I like Rowan handknit cotton and a 50g ball (around £3.75) will give you plenty of trims.

Christmas tree skirts

Odd title, isn't it? Bear with me. I use the same artificial tree year after year (a real one would not survive with my rambunctious children and I'd feel guilty for pulping it) and I do so loathe the very obviously artificial stand. The ideal choice is to cover it up with something pretty rather than leave it on show.

I fingered some very lovely tree skirts strewn with emboidery in Anthropologie last weekend but, alas, my budget does not stretch to £130+ (actually their website says £75.26 for this one, very odd as I recall the price as very different in store) for something that will be used on the floor for two weeks of the year.

Here's the Anthropologie tree skirt that I think is just delightful (click to make bigger):

It's embroidered with hummingbirds and dragonflies on 60" of green sateen. Not traditionally Christmassy but very charming.

Anyway, would it be terribly hard to pick up a metre of cotton sateen fabric, learn some embroidery and make something similar?

It's a project too late for this year, but I shall file it away for next year (and have a whole year to learn some embroidery!). Is there anything you wish you had made this year, and will possibly do next year?

Pretty, easy DIY pictures

I'm currently doing up my five year old daughter's room (which she shares with her two year old brother) bringing in more colour, pretty basics and things that won't date. Think no to cartoon characters, yes to bright and lovely. The walls of her room have been thoroughly bare and I've just started addressing that with a DIY alphabet print. I've also recently picked up three Ikea Ribba frames. As they're white they should be super easy to update as time goes on. My daughter requested butterflies and flowers as a theme and taking that on board, I did this:

Three easy DIY pictures

 

I created them by picking up pretty wrapping paper from Asda. For two of the frames, I simply cut the paper to size and inserted it -

It really doesn't get any easier than cutting the paper to size.

For the middle frame, I initially used a contrasting polka dot print. Then I decided it looked a little boring wedged between its glittery companions. So, I whipped out a little butterfly punch and (using this collage as inspiration) snap, snap, snap, made a whole bunch of butterflies from that polka dot wrap which I then attached to paper using sticky dots.

 
It's hard to photograph the paper but I want to try and show you how pretty the glittery touches are, they really sparkle when they catch the light -

 

Sparkly, girly and non dating. Mission accomplished!

 

Et voila! It doesn't get easier than this to create three mini bespoke frames.

I think you can tell that I've been struggling with the light for these pictures and I wasn't able to get a good pic of them all together (too much shadow and reflection) but I will try and snap a finished result soon.

Let's not forget those Posh Graffiti letters that I bought recently. Here's how the big 'S' ended up neatly fitting between a larger frame and the headboard. I think it is a great addition to this previously redundant space.

Here's a breakdown of what it cost:
Ribba frames, £3.99 each, so £11.97 for all three.
Wrapping paper £3 total.

Posh Graffiti large 'S', £10.

Items I already had:
Double sided photo dots.
Butterfly punch (bought from eBay).

My adventures in crochet land

I had some down time last week. So, what better to do than learn to crochet. Ever since I spotted a prettily coloured crochet granny blanket at Cath Kidston and then followed a forum discussion (I forget where) on how people could make their own using much nicer yarns, I was determined to learn.

Then I stumbled across these very lovely blogs - Henhouse, Do You Mind if I Knit and Attic 24 - and cooed and wowed over their lovely crocheted creations. Hen of Henhouse (whom I found after reading about her home in a magazine) had learnt how to crochet very recently and was making pretty pieces, so I decided it couldn't possibly be too late for me too. Do have a look at their blogs and see the beautiful things they're making.

Yes, I made these!

I've always toyed with the idea of learning but haven't had anyone to teach me. Books didn't make sense either when it came to the basics. Then I turned to YouTube and *ping* I found a video, watched a couple more and that was it... I could crochet. It was that easy! I opened up a book and looked at the pattern for granny squares... Hey, it was just single chains and trebles. I could do that!

Surprisingly I found I understand the diagrams far better, than I understood the written instructions. I am the opposite when it comes to knitting. There, diagrams bamboozle me. Here in crochet land, diagrams are my friend. I love seeing exactly how the pattern should look on paper.

The pink and white square on the bottom left above was my first attempt. See, how I messed up the first couple of rounds? The square on the right was were it all came together.

After I made my first granny square, I got a bit over excited and made a sunburst circle (what does one do with these?), then a hexagon.

 
Then another square that didn't look quite as appalling as the first one. I'm quite proud of this one.

Then I went to John Lewis and eBay, went mad and bought a whole bunch of other yarns and Amazon for some pre-Christmas crochet books for moi. Heaven help my house, because it stands a good chance of being covered in as much crochet as knitting now. Still, we shall all be so very warm and snuggly.

And best of all, I have succeeded in my ambition to crochet. Now, where's my hook and that lovely new yarn?

Learning to crochet with YouTube

I've wanted to crochet for ages but I've never had anyone to teach me. I picked up Jan Eaton's Encoloypedia of Crochet Techniques, but I don't think it's really suitable for beginners (there's some lovely patterns though - I want to make the hexagon pillow and the bobble necklace the most). So, what's the next best thing to have someone right next to you to teach you? YouTube, of course!

I had already worked out the single chain stitch that is the root of all crochet work but couldn't work out the next steps. Then I found Beth Essington from Expert Village and her short video workshops are pretty easy to follow. She's American but I think the basic stitch terminology is the same (correct me if I'm wrong, please - edit: yes, I was wrong. UK terms added). Here's the basic videos:

~ Chain Stitch
~ Double stitch (UK treble)
~ Treble stitch (Uk double treble)

I've embedded the first one which shows how to make your first chain. Isn't Beth nice? I want to invite her over for tea and cake.

I'd post a picture of the sample I made using treble and double stitch but I'm not entirely sure you can tell the difference! I won't be harsh on myself though, it was my first go and I did have my two year old hurling himself at me for cuddles throughout.

I'm also considering signing myself up for a course when I find a one off workshop as I really can't commit to several weeks of classes (too many children, work and not enough me time. Ho hum.)

Kirstie's Homemade Home series 2

Kirstie Allsop is making a new series of Kirsties's Homemade Home and I, for one, am really looking forward to it. We all know crafting is picking up a fair pace and it is good to see so many different ones brought to the screen. You can currently make suggestions for the series via the website.

I put my 2p in for knitted furniture ala Ruth Cross, crocheted granny blankets and also a makeover of a piece of hideous pine furniture (you know, the type you can find on ebay for (£10) using paint or decoupage.

Which crafts do you want to see?

Mini pastel sewing machine for £49

Like many of us rediscovering crafts, I'm keen to have a go at other crafty things like sewing and crochet. I don't need a big, expensive sewing machine to do little things and learning so this £49 one is seriously tempting. It's from John Lewis (but I don't see it on the website) and the powder blue version is just calling to me...