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Picking Up Stitches

Knitting, crochet, cross stitch and more - the wonderful world of working with wool

Month: December 2017

It’s Christmas crochet season – time to get busy

December 22, 2017 by Annie Leave a Comment
Christmas crochet stars and snowflakes

It’s Christmas crochet time

I’ve been soooo busy with Christmas crochet in the past few weeks, that I haven’t had a moment to write my blog until now.

Phew, the presents are all made and sent and Christmas merriment can finally begin… I’ve enjoyed all my Christmas crochet makes at the kitchen table, especially as I replanted the kitchen windowsill in Christmassy colours. I even managed to incorporate a little ‘Christmas tree’ with a tiny crochet star.

Christmas crochet star on tiny 'tree' on windowsill

The Christmas windowsill arrangement

I love the fact that the pink daisies from summertime are still going strong, and now with the addition of white cyclamen, silvery foliage plants, ivy and plants covered in bright red berries, the whole view over the back gardens looks so festive.
White cyclamen and pink daisies

Christmas crochet decorations

Even before I started the presents, I crocheted quite a few crochet stars and snowflakes… I’ve taught a couple of classes on stars in the run-up to Christmas, so hopefully crochet decs will be adorning a few trees in North London now. I particularly like my snowflake design, which I crocheted in sparkly yarn.

Christmas crochet stars and snowflakes

As usual, pride of place in our Christmas decorations at home goes to the wreath that I crocheted some years ago, using Attic24s wreath as a basis. There are lots of lovely floral patterns on that blog and it was a delight crocheting the various elements and positioning them with the beads and baubles.

Crochet Christmas wreath

I love the way that it incorporates buttons, bows and pompoms too…

close up of Christmas crochet wreath

Close up of holly on Christmas crochet wreath

Christmas in the open air!

Talking about wreaths, we take our dog Lily to a lovely park just minutes from our flat every morning and there are often unexpected artistic delights in wait there. Here’s a twig wreath that just appeared on a tree…

Twig wreath in park

And when we walked up to Alexandra Palace Park there was a completely unexpected tree standing alone in the middle of the grass. What a delightful surprise!

Ally Pally tree

Christmas crochet presents

But what about the presents? I hear you ask. Well, to all my relations, look away now (unless it’s after Christmas Day!).

For everyone else here’s a sneak preview of some of the items I’ve designed this year…

These coasters were made out of coloured garden twine and specifically designed to be used on the garden table (and there was a large matching mat, too)

Christmas crochet coasters

Using a few shades of Hoooked Zpagetti tee-shirt tape, I made striped baskets. I’m thinking of making a few more for myself now!

Striped crochet basket

One of my other favourites this year are my new Flora fingerless gloves/wristwarmers, which will be making their way to my Etsy shop very soon, as I think they’ll be perfect for chilly spring days. I’ll also be selling the pattern very soon as well. I’ve really enjoyed trying out lots of different colourways. They’re made from Stylecraft Special DK, which comes in loads of shades, so there’s scope for so much variety.

Flora crochet fingerless mittens

Mauve/pink Flora crochet fingerless gloves

It snowed!

And finally, I must say that it’s been lovely this year to actually have snow on the ground in London even if it was only for one day. Here was the view from the kitchen the morning it snowed.

Snow in the garden from the windowsill

It’s such a rarity, that our dog had never experienced snow before despite being two and a half. Here she is in here Rad’N’Bad collar. I think that snowy morning was definitely her Christmas treat!

White Staffy on the snow

Lily loves the snow!

Happy Christmas, everyone!

 

 

Posted in: crochet, Crochet patterns, inspiration Tagged: Christmas, crochet, crochet baskets, floral inspiration, snow

Fabric and fabulous finds in the North

December 4, 2017 by Annie Leave a Comment
Crochet china pincushions

In search of fabric

Fabric – that’s what I’ve been searching for recently. So many items need lining and I was desperate for something interesting to finish off my designs. Luckily, it was time for one of the highlights of the year: my annual trek up North to visit the Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show with my sister, Helen, where there was bound to be fabric galore.

Helen and I have been crafty co-conspirators since our teenage years, so it’s always a chance to spend a whole weekend chatting about knitting, sewing, patchwork, cross-stitch, embroidery and more, and planning future crafty projects. We are even thinking of running a craft weekend in her village next year. It’s a gorgeous setting, so watch out for more of that in the New Year.

Cottage at sunrise

Sunrise in the village

Welbeck Abbey crafters

Before the trip to Harrogate, though, we spent a lovely afternoon at the Welbeck Abbey Christmas Craft Fair. As well as all the items on sale, lots of the artists workshops were open to look around. I particularly loved the set-up at Hope & Elvis… Don’t all these beautiful chairs just make you want to sit down and get sewing?

Hope & Elvis Craft Workshop

Take a seat!

As a bonus as we left, there was a glorious wintry evening sky and a fantastic sunset colours, which will definitely be used as inspiration in the future.

Wintry sky and crescent moon

A wintry crescent moon

Welbeck sunset

What colours!

Yorkshire bound

Colourful buttons

Sweet buttons to tempt us!

The next day it was a drive up to the spa town of Harrogate in Yorkshire. Helen’s currently making some gorgeous abstract machine embroidery pictures, so it was straight to the button and bead stands. So much choice – it’s like being in a sweet shop as a child!

Green and white beads

Beautiful beads

Fabric galore

I needed fabric to line my little crochet bags and purses, and luckily we spied a pack with cute and quirky animal prints in fantastic colours… Look out for some creations heading to my Etsy shop soon…

Animal print fabric squares

Cute fabric squares

I also couldn’t resist these gorgeous prints by Angela Daymond.

Angela Daymond fabric squares

It was lovely to have a chat with designer Louisa Harding on her Yarntelier stall, and to have a closer look at her delicate lace shawls… Another project on my to do list, I think…

Louisa Harding on Yarntelier stand

Designer Louisa Harding

We left laden with purchases, slightly footsore, but excited to put our goodies to use.

What a lot of bargains!

The next day was all about charity shops just outside Chesterfield… I’ve been turning little china cups and vases into cute crocheted pincushions/storage pots and am always on the lookout for bargains. And what a haul we came away with! Look at all these gorgeous little pots and glasses I came back with.

Little pots and glasses

My charity-shop haul

They’ll eventually be turned into pincushions like these – there’s even storage at the bottom for a few hooks, buttons or other small findings. They, too, will be over on my Etsy shop very soon if you like them…

Crochet china pincushions

Ready to make more pincushions

Beads and more fabric

The Aladdin’s cave of a charity shop also yielded up some fantastic necklaces and a bracelet, which will be dismantled for the stunning ceramic beads.

Ceramic bead necklaces and bracelet

But the bargain of the day had to be at least  four metres of Sanderson Suva fabric for just £3!!!

Sanderson Suva fabric

All in all, a fantastic trip. I’ll be back there again next year!

 

 

Posted in: craft fair, inspiration, workshops Tagged: fabric, knitting and stitching show, knitting. crochet, pincushions

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  • How to guides
    • 1 Making a slip knot
    • 2 Cast on – a step-by-step guide
    • 3 Knit stitch – a step-by-step guide
    • 4 Purl stitch – a step-by-step guide
    • 5 Cast off – a step-by-step guide
    • 6 Making a chain stitch
    • 7 Making a double crochet stitch
    • 8 Making a treble crochet stitch
    • How to make a Basic Granny Square
    • Joining granny squares
  • Lessons in Thanet and North London
    • Crochet projects
    • Now We’re Knitting! (beginners)
  • Patterns
    • Annie’s Advent Calendar: Christmas CAL 2018
    • Carrot & pea bunting pattern
    • Fallen Leaves Autumn Cowl
    • Floral granny squares & little flowers pattern
    • Little crochet heart pattern
    • Little Tea Cosy pattern
    • Waffle Blanket
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