22nd March 2025

 

What To Do with The Scraps left over from using The Scraps!

 It sounds a bit daft doesn't it, how can you have scraps of scraps?  Well I spent a day this week doing lots of free motion machine embroidery.  This is done with a special foot on an ordinary sewing machine, you take the stitch length to zero and lower the feed dogs and then off you go. There is a photo of me embroidering like this further down this post.

I save as much fabric as I can when dressmaking or doing alterations.  I keep them all boxed in colour order and getting them out is always a very messy affair.  I just don't seem to have the ability to do it any other way.  So while making these house and flower appliques to go onto cards (visit my folksy shop here if you want to see the end products) I always acquire little scraps that still have bond-a-web attached to them.

I cut off fabric that hasn't got bond-a-web on it and that either goes in the bin or back into the scrap box. The funny shaped pieces I have left have the paper removed from them, cut if needed, overlapped so you can't see the felt that I'm using to stabilize them on and iron them on.

I then use a stencil to mark out the shape I want to embroider in this case it was a heart.

Then its time to embroider using both hands to move the fabric where I want to stitch.

I don't always use a stencil but especially when I'm doing a few things the same I find the stencil helps.

After sewing them they get cut out and backed with another piece of felt.  I used a glue gun as was feeling lazy but it is much nicer if before you cut them out you sew around the piece again with the backing fabric attached.  I then made them into keyrings as you can see if the first photo.  So there you go making something out of the scraps saved from scraps!!!

Happy Crafting xxxx

Easter Hats

Hello, hello, yes I'm still here crafting away.  Not a lot has changed for me during the Covid lockdowns, I've had to buy materials on line and have missed meeting up with friends at garden centres but hey, I'm still here and very grateful for that.

I thought it was about time for another little free pattern.  I have fallen in love with a new yarn, it is King Cole, Forest Aran, a recycled yarn with flecks of colour in it.  I have purchased all of mine from the lovely Sam at Crafts of Thirsk. First I did a jumper for my hubs, then a tunic for myself, then a cardigan for myself and THEN a hat with left overs.  Well not just one hat as once you have started to write a pattern you then have to keep tweaking it and making sure it works.

Hopefully you will not find any mistakes but if you do then please let me know. 

Brimmed Flower Hat.

English Terms used throughout this pattern.

To make this hat you need to know how to chain stitch, make a magic ring, double crochet, slipstitch, double crochet increase, work in back loop only, work in front loop only and treble crochet.

Materials Required.

• 2 balls of King Cole, Forest Aran, the pattern is worked with 2 strands so you can decide whether to use to colours the same or 2 different colours.

• Oddments of yarn to make the flower band.

• 4 mm hook

• 2.75mm hook

• scissors

• darning needle to fasten in ends.

Instructions.

Make a magic circle, work 6 double crochet into the circle and pull closed.

TIP if you loose count of stitches easily you can place a marker on the first stitch of each new row.  I often just use the loose ends from my magic circle to place between the stitches as I start each new row. (6 stitches)

Row 1.  Two double crochet in each of the double crochet from the last round. (12 stitches)

Row 2.  *One double crochet in the first stitch, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around (18 stitches)

Row 3.  *One double crochet in the first 2 stitches, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around ( 24 stitches)

Row 4. *One double crochet in the first 3 stitches, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around ( 30 stitches)

Row 5. *One double crochet in the first 4 stitches, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around ( 36 stitches)

Row 6. *One double crochet in the first 5 stitches, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around ( 42 stitches)

Row 7. *One double crochet in the first 6 stitches, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around ( 48 stitches)

Row 8. *One double crochet in the first 7 stitches, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around ( 54 stitches)

Row 9. *One double crochet in the first 8 stitches, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around ( 60 stitches)

Row 10. *One double crochet in the first 9 stitches, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around ( 66 stitches)

Row 11. *One double crochet in the first 10 stitches, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around ( 72 stitches)

Row 12. *One double crochet in the first 11 stitches, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around ( 78 stitches)

Row 13. *One double crochet in the first 12 stitches, two double crochet in the next stitch* repeat all around ( 84 stitches)

TIP At this point the crown of your hat should measure approximately 16cm.  If your head circumference is bigger than 62cm, you may want to add another row at this point doing 13 double crochet then 2 double crochet in the next stitch, all around making 90 stitches in total.  If your head is smaller stop at row 12.

Row 14. Working in the back loop only work 85 double crochet around.

Row 15 - 34  one double crochet in each stitch around (84 stitches).

TIP Try your hat on at around row 25 and you will know whether it is going to fit or be to big/small.  My first 2 attempts had to be undone as like Goldilocks the first was too big the second to small!  There is no shame in undoing at this point back to row 13 and then adding or taking away another row.

Row 35. *One double crochet in the first stitch  and 2 double crochet in the next stitch FRONT LOOP only* work all the way around (126 stitches if you stopped the crown at 84).

Row 36 - 41 one double crochet in each stitch around.  When you have done your final stitch, slip stitch into the next stitch and finish off the end.

To make the flower band.

Using left over yarn and 2.75mm hook (or bigger if needed).

Chain 7 stitches, turn and work one double crochet in each each full chain - 6 stitches, make one slip stitch and turn,  keep working until your band is big enough to go around the outside of your hat. Finish after the last 6th stitch, use the end to sew the band together making sure you do not twist it.

Flowers - You can find a free rose pattern here. I made 3 of these flowers using just one strand of the King Cole aran and a 2mm hook, find what yarn size and hook you need by having a go.

At this point you could let your imagination go wild and do all sorts around the brim, I'm thinking I need to make some hellebores from this pattern on Ravelry which I have used in a Christmas wreath in the past.

I would love to see any of your creations.  Bye for now xx.

As I have been gifted so much beautiful fabric and yarn over the years I've decided to use it to raise money for charity, I'd love to see you if you can make it,   Jane x.

Free Bunny Pattern

It has a been a very odd start to the year and I have been struggling to keep going for some of it but I seem to be emerging and of course my bits of hooky have definitely helped to keep me slightly in touch with reality.  Depression and Anxiety can rob you of so much, I found that I could only concentrate to hook on one pattern, one that I made up last year for a client - my bunny.  As you can see I got through all the colours of my Debbie Bliss Eco Baby cotton yarn (some of which is old stock colours that I have stashed).

If you would like to make one for Easter then here you go.....

This pattern is worked UK crochet terms, in the round starting at the nose finishing at the bottom, then adding feet and tail.

I used a 2mm crochet hook.

Head and Body
Row 1. With nose colour - 6 d/c in magic circle (6)
Change colour to bunny body.
Row 2. 1 d/c in each stitch around (6)
Row 3. 2 d/c in each stitch around (12)
Row 4. (1 d/c in next stitch, 2 d/c in next stitch) repeated 6 times in total (18)
Rows 5-8. 1 d/c in each stitch around (18)
Row 9. (1 d/c in next stitch, 1 decrease d/c) repeated 6 times in total (12)
Stuff head, using black thread and a needle make two french knots for the eyes leaving the tails of starting and finishing yarn inside with the stuffing.
Row 10. (1 d/c in next stitch, 2 d/c in next stitch) repeated 6 times in total (18)
Row 11. (1 d/c in next 2 stitches, 2 d/c in next stitch) repeated 6 times in total (24)
Rows 12-17 1 d/c in each stitch around (24)
Row 18.  (1 d/c in next 2 stitches, 1 decrease d/c) repeated 6 times in total  (18)
Row 19 (1 d/c in next stitch, 1 decrease d/c) repeated 6 times in total (12)
Stuff body
Row 20 (1 decrease d/c) repeated 6 times in total (6), cast off, run a darning needle through each stitch with the tail and pull closed before fastening off completely.

Ears x 2

Row 1.  Make 4 d/c in a magic circle. (4)
Row 2. (1 d/c in next stitch, 2 d/c in next) repeated twice (6)
Row 3. 1 d/c in each stitch around (6)
Row 4. (1 d/c in next stitch, 1 decrease d/c in next) repeated twice (4)
Row 5. 1 d/c in each stitch around (4) cast off leaving a long tail to sew to head.

Front Paws x 2

Row 1. Make 6 d/c in a magic circle. (6)
Rows 2 - 4. 1 d/c in each stitch around (6) finish off leaving tail to sew to body.

Back Paws x 2

Row 1. Make 6 d/c in a magic circle (6)
Rows 2 - 5.  1 d/c in each stitch around (6) finish off leaving tail to sew to body.

Tail

Row 1. Make 6 d/c in a magic circle (6)
Row 2. (work 2 d/c in next stitch) repeat 6 times in total (12)
Row 3. 1 d/c in each stitch around (12)
Row 4. (1 decrease d/c) repeated 6 times in total (6) Stuff tail and finish off by using the tail to first draw the tail closed (as for body) and then to fasten the tail to the bottom.

Sew all together and you should have a bunny!

Should you find any problems with the pattern please let me know in the comments, I would also love to see your own bunnies that you make!

If you would like to see more of my patterns, do go and visit my Ravelry Store, I have just added Mrs Sheep to the collection.

Free Christmas Snowman and Santa Claus Bauble Patterns!

It's almost Christmas and I have finished all my craft fairs for the year.  I have just a few Christmas items left which will go in a facebook sale some time this week, but have been chatting with my dog groomer Roy this afternoon and he has persuaded me to write up my pattern properly and has even bought some of my yarn stash so that he can have a go!  So I better get my finger out and get those instructions down.......

You need:

Yarn in the colours of your own choice.  I use Debbie Bliss Eco Baby (which is sports weight)
2.75mm crochet hook
toy stuffing

Instructions are all in British crochet terms

Snowman 

Body and Head
 
Starting from the bottom of the snowman and working in the round to the top of the head:

1. 6 double crochet (d/c) into a magic circle(m/c) (6 stitches)
2. 2 double crochet into each stitch around (12 stitches)
3. *1 d/c into the next stitch, 2 d/c into the next* repeat 6 times (18 stitches)
4. * 1d/c into the next 2 stitches, 2 d/c into the next* repeat 6 times (24)
5. * 1 d/c into the next 3 stitches, 2 d/c into the next* repeat 6 times (30)
6 - 11. 1 d/c in each stitch around (30)
12. *1d/c into the next 3 stitches, 1d/c decrease* repeat 6 times (24)
13. *1 d/c into the next 2 stitches,  d/c decrease* repeat 6 times (18)
14. *1 d/c into the next stitch, 1 d/c decrease * repeat 6 times (12) fill with stuffing
15. 1 d/c decrease around (6)
16. 2 d/c in each stitch around (12)
17. *1 d/c into the next stitch, 2 d/c into the next * repeat 6 times (18)
18. *1 d/c into the next 2 stitches, 2 d/c into the next* repeat 6 times (24)
19-23  1 d/c around (24)
20. * 1 d/c in next 2 stitches, 1 d/c decrease * repeat 6 times (18)
21. * 1 d/c in next stitch, 1 d/c decrease* repeat 6 times (12) fill with stuffing
22.  1 d/c decrease in remaining stitches (6) fasten off

Hat

1. 6 d/c in a magic circle (6)
2 - 9 follow pattern for head from 16 - 23 (24)
10. 1 d/c in each stitch around in front loop only (24)
11. 1 d/c in each stitch around through both loops (24) fasten off leaving a long tail.

Scarf

1. Chain 30 stitches
2. Work one d/c in second chain from the hook, one d/c in each remaining stitch (29) fasten off.

Bobbles x 3 

1. 6 d/c in magic circle (6)
2. 1 d/c in each stitch around (6) Fasten off leaving a long tail. With a needle and the long tail, stitch in each of the stitches and pull together to form a ball.

Making Up

Using a black piece of yarn enter the top of the head bring it down  to the centre of the face and make two french knots to make the eyes, take the thread back to the top of the head and tie the yarn pieces together. 

Using orange thread do the same as the eyes, but make long stitches to form a triangle.

Thread one of the bobbles into the top of the hat and fasten off well.

Sew hat to the top of the head.

Fasten a bobble to both ends of the scarf leaving long threads to fasten the scarf to the body.  Tie the scarf around the neck of the snowman, fasten the bobbles to the snowman's body.

You are done!

Santa Claus

Body and Head
 
Start the body in the same manner as the snowman.  When you finish row 15 change colour to the face colour.  Continue with new colour working from row 16 to 22, fasten off.

Nose 

Make a bobble as for snowman in face colour.

Hat

1. work 3 stitches in a magic circle. (3)
2. work 1 d/c in each of the stitches (3)
3. work 2 d/c in each stitch (6)
4. work 1 d/c in each of the stitches (6)
5. *work 1 d/c in next stitch, 2 d/c in the next* repeat 3 times (9)
6. work 1 d/c in each stitch (9)
7. *work 1 d/c in next 2 stitches, 2 d/c in the next* repeat 3 times (12)
8. work 1 d/c in each stitch (12)
9. *work 1 d/c in next 3 stitches, 2 d/c in the next* repeat 3 times (15)
10. work 1 d/c in each stitch around (15)
11. *work 1 d/c in next 4 stitches, 2 d/c in the next* repeat 3 times (18)
12. work 1 d/c in each stitch around (18)
13. *work 1 d/c in next 5 stitches, 2 d/c in the next* repeat 3 times (21)
14. *work 1 d/c in next 6 stitches, 2 d/c in the next* repeat 3 times (24)
15 - 18 work 1 d/c in each stitch around (24) Change colour to white.
19. 1 d/c in each stitch around (24)
20. 1 d/c in each stitch using the front loop only (24)
21. 1 d/c through both loops in each stitch around (24)

Hat Bobble

Make the same as the snowman bobble.

Beard

1. 6 d/c in a magic circle. (6)
2. 2 d/c in each stitch around (12)
3. *1 d/c in next stitch, 2 d/c in next stitch* repeat 6 times (18)
4. *1 d/c in next 2 stitches, 2 d/c in next stitch* repeat 6 times (24)
5. *1 d/c in next 3 stitches, 2 d/c in next stitch* repeat 6 times (30), finish off leaving a long thread.

Making Up

Thread needle with the nose tail, place in the centre of the face, stitch to face and fasten off.

Thread the needle with the black thread  and make a french knot on either side of the nose.

Stitch the hat bobble to top of the hat, then fold the end of the hat and bobble forwards and stitch to the hat.  Use the end thread from the hat and stitch to the head.

Fold the beard in half and stitch the two loose sides together, use the long thread to stitch the beard to the face from the hat edge on one side of the face, under the nose and to the hat edge on the other side of the hat.

And you are done!

I do hope you enjoy the pattern, please get in touch if you find any problems with the pattern.

Happy Crafting x.






 

Woven Braids

Woven Braids are a great way of using up scraps of left over yarn and all you need is 7 strands of yarn approximately 40 cm long and a  piece of card cut into a circle.  Mark out 8 points evenly around the card and make a small 1 cm cut into each of these points.  Next make a large hole in the centre of the circle.

First take all the strands at one end and make a knot.  Next push the knot through the whole in the circle of card.

Next turn the circle over and space each of the seven strands of yarn into one of the cut spaces on the outside. It doesn't matter which colour goes where.

 Hold the card with the one empty space facing you as above.

Count three strands going anti clockwise from the empty space.  Pick up the third thread and move it down into the empty space

Turn the card so that the empty space is facing you and repeat the process.

 As you continue you will notice the braid appearing underneath the card.  Occasional you may need to pull the knotted end gently to make sure the braid comes out nice and evenly.

Continue until you are happy with the length.  If using your wrist to measure it ensure you leave enough to tie each end in a knot together.

Once you are happy with the length, take all the pieces of yarn out of the cuts in the card and pull it all through the hole.

 Tie this end in a knot and cut both ends to the same length.

You do not have to make your braid into a bracelet, how about attaching it to a hair grip and putting it in you hair - much easier than the standard way of braiding hair!

If you have any questions or notice any mistakes please do not hesitate to contact me, details in the about me tab or leave a comment on this post. 

Happy Crafting x.