Finally (you should have realised by now it takes me FOREVER to get a pattern written up) here is the free crochet anchor pattern, all typed out and ready just in time for Pirate Day in Hastings on the 5th of August.  Add it to your fantastic crochet skulls as a piratical bunting, or just whip some up to adorn your sleeves as briny tattoos.  As a treat it will be free for the next week, and after that will be available from my Etsy shop for the teeny cost of $3.  Hooks up you lubbers!

p.s. I'd love some feedback as to how easy the pattern is to follow, to me it makes perfect sense, but then it would!


Thanks everyone for your feedback, the pattern can now be found at my Etsy shop.

There's an amazing treasure trove of fabrics and wools tucked in the depths of the Wealden countryside and it's called the Old Loom Mill in Hailsham.  Lots of it is bonkers, end of line bolts of cloth, or amazing swags of wool that you can buy by weight, but it's housed in a rickety, sprawling old mill and has that special old lady charm you don't find many places any more, and just reminds me of my Nan.  Mein Tier has been visiting from Berlin so as a special treat I took him and the beasts, and we spent a lovely morning browsing wool, eating cakes (there is obviously a tea room there too) and playing in the field outside.  Bliss.

 

 

Just had to share this for all craft-mother's everywhere.  We found this lovely, lovely book at the library this week, not only does it have dinosaurs which keeps the beast happy, but it's also full of buttons and sequins - no crochet, but craft is craft!  Even if you don't have beasts it's such a labour of love it's worth a look...

 

The good news is I've actually written the pattern for this little puppy up!  The other news (it's not a bad thing, honest!) is that it's now available at my Etsy shop for a measly $3.00.  The lovely new-auntie for whom he was made has ruthlessly, but understandably, decided to keep him for herself, so I shall have to come up with something else pretty quickly for the poor deprived nephew, ideas on a postcard please...

woof.

This little chap is a request from a friend.  A friend who is an adoring dog-parent to a lovely miniature bull terrier, and also happens to be a new aunt wanting a baby-safe, personal pressie.  This little chap whipped himself up in just an evening, and in homage to his inspiration is named Nelson.  As ever I'll have to work out what the pattern actually is and then write it down for y'all (and I promise I will take some photos in actual daylight).

It was lazy of me not to get more specific on my last post, so while I can't tell you how long or tall to make a shrug (as I don't know how broad or slender all you lovelies are) I can at least show you the stitch I used and the beautiful book I got it from.  Now I don't work to things like yarn sizes and needle sizes, I like to keep it freestyle, so I chose a big needle for a not so big thread (after a lot of trial and error which is how I do EVERYTHING) as I wanted a loose/open weave.  Apparently the stitch is called an 'open scallop' and if you really want to know, and the photos aren't enough, let me know and I'll type out the instructions, but failing that, this book is defo worth the purchase - it's pretty and clear, what else do you need?  Still too lazy?!

Having been learning how to make clothes as part of my master plan to take over the world, I thought I should also attempt to crochet some.  This is from a super easy peasy circle shrug pattern I found here, I'm afraid I can't remember if you need to be a member or not, but I never pay for anything so if you do, at least it'll be free!  I didn't follow their stitch but picked a pretty one from my amazing crochet stitch bible, that was simple and worked up quickly.  I'll put the full on instructions on, but to summarise:

easy peasy shrug
1. find a stitch you like
2. make a rectangle with it the width of you shoulders (plus some for sleeves)
3. keep going until it at least fits around your upper arms when each, long edge is touching
4. sew ends together (it's IMPOSSIBLE to describe this with words, just look at the photos and hopefully you'll get the idea)