Ice Creams Down by the Sea

This is the title of my latest finished crochet blanket.

I thoroughly enjoyed Eleonora Tully’s recent Crochet Along, ‘Down by the Sea’

Her design uses a few new techniques which have been fun to try and I was inspired to make a few alterations.

I tried Eleonora’s way of representing the balustrades found at seaside resorts,

but they didn’t go with the dreamy quality of the ‘atmosphere’ of the blanket. Can a blanket have an atmosphere?

I wondered if they would look better in pastel colours, but after a couple of days of looking at it, I realised it was the pointiness of the zig-zags that didn’t sit happily in my version and so I changed them for the waves. I also added a picot on top of each ice creamdid two more stripes in the ‘parasols’ and added an extra row of granny stitches to each side to give the blanket a little more width. Ta Dah!

Made with Stylecraft Special Double Knit and various sized hooks.

8 Colours: Cream, white, toy, clematis, powder pink, duck egg, storm blue, lincoln

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Bonfire on the Beach at Sunset

The Coastal Crochet Cal (crochet along), Picnic on the Beach, has finished and it was a joy to take part. The pace was just right and although it is not a race it is nice to keep up and be part of seeing all the amazing blankets that are being created at the same time, all over the world. I do love the sense of community that builds through the Facebook page, and by Eleonora sharing picture collages on her Instagram pages and on Facebook.

Eleonora’s video tutorials are excellent. I am excited to see what she comes up with next.

My colours were inspired by the colours I used in Attic24’s Dahlia Blanket and the sunsets I see from my west-facing sitting room window.

One was from last week

A painting in the sky.

I used Stylecraft Special DK  and a 4.5mm hook.

Colours: Lipstick, Spice, Matador, Claret, Burgundy, Clementine, Sunshine, Pomegranate, Blush, Duck Egg, Dandelion, Tomato, Storm Blue, Petrol.

In my last post about this blanket I showed you the horror of all the ends to sew in. Eleonora did provide a tutorial on how to weave them in as the Tunisian Entrlac was being worked, but there were still a LOT of ends to sew in for this blanket. Worth it though, and amazingly they are all sewn in. Sometimes it takes me months to do that job.

The blanket has been designed as a picnic blanket and so is not too big to carry around, and works very nicely as a blanket to snuggle up in on cool evenings.

Free Pattern: Sea Fairy Shell Scarf

I was talking on the phone to Twiglet (8) the other day and she asked me if I was making anything for her. We haven’t seen each other for well over a year.

I said.”If I were to make you something, what would you like?”

The reply was, “a scarf in blues please”.

The thought of making a scarf with hundreds of short rows is not my idea of crochet fun, so I decided to create a pattern that goes around a central long row of double crochets at the centre.

Here it is:

Sea Fairy Shells for a Child

(This pattern is untested at the time of posting – I would love to know if any of you try it out – all feedback welcome ❤ )

Size:

104cm x 11cm

41inches x 4.5inches

About 54gms DK yarn and 4.5mm hook

I use US terms and I am left-handed

Special Stitches:

V st : (dc, ch1, dc) in the same stitch.

Shell: [dc, (ch 1, dc) 4 times]

Foundation chain.   Ch 154

(when I create a foundation chain I put in a stitch marker every 20 sts when I am counting.

I don’t count the loop on the hook)

Foundation Row: Dc in the 4^th ch from the hook, dc to the end. 

Counting the chains at the beginning as a stitch. 152stsRound 1: Ch 1, sc into the same st, (dc over the bar of the last dc of the Foundation Row, ch 1) 4 times, dc over the bar, sc in the first loop at the base of the foundation row,

(skip 2 sts, in the next st: [dc,(ch 1, dc) 4 times], skip 2 sts, sc),  repeat 24 times to the end of the row.

In the end bar (which is the foundation chain that formed the first stitch of the Foundatuion row) [ dc, (ch 1, dc) 4 times],  skip2 sts, sc in first st (where the stitch marker is in the photo),

[Skip 2sts, dc, (ch 1, dc) 4 times, skip 2sts, sc]  Continue making these shells to the end, making sure that the centre of the shell is opposite the shells on the other side of the Foundation row.

25 shells each side of the Foundation Row and one at each end.

It takes about 20gms yarn to get to this point.

Round 2:

(Round 2 and 3 use approx 15gm)

Colour 2: Standing sc in the third dc of the end shell., *ch3, V st into the next sc. Ch2, (sc into the 3^rd dc of the next shell, ch1, V st in the sc, Ch1)  24 times, sc into the 3rd. dc of the next shell, ch2, Vst into the sc, ch3*, sc into the 3rd dc of the end shell, Repeat from * to * . Sl into the standing sc.

 

Round 3:

Sl into the V of the standing sc. Ch4, into the V of the standing sc (dc, ch1, dc)

ch1, *sc into the ch3 space, (make a shell into the ch1 of the next V st, skip 2sts,  sc in the next sc) 25 times,

make a shell into the next Vst., sc into the ch3 space, ch1,• into the V of sc [dc, (ch1, dc) 4 times], ch1,

Repeat from *to *, into the V of the standing sc (dc, ch1) twice.

sl into 3rd ch to complete the round. Cut the yarn and fasten off.

Round 4:

(Round 4 and 5 take approx 20 gms yarn)

Start with a standing sc in the 3rd dc of the 13th shell on one side.

(starting here so that the sewing in of the ends can be as discreet as possible)

^^(ch1, Vst in the next sc, ch1, sc in 3rd dc of the next shell)^^ 13 times.

**ch1, Vst into the next sc, ch1, Vst into the same sc, ch2,

sc into the 3rd dc of the end shell, ch2, Vst into the next sc, ch1, Vst into the same sc, ch1, sc into the 3rd dc of the first shell of the next side.**

Repeat from ^^ to ^^25 times,

Repeat from ** to **

Repeat from ^^ to ^^ 12 times.

Sl into standing sc, do not cut the yarn.

Round 5:

ch1, (skip 2sts, shell into Vst, skip 2 sts, sc into sc) 13 times

^skip 2 sts, [into the next ch1 space, (dc, ch1) twice, dc] 3 times, skip 3sts, sc into the next sc.

skip 3 sts, [into the next ch1 space, (dc, ch1) twice, dc] 3 times. skip 2 sts, sc into next sc,^

make 25 shells in the V sts to the end.

sc in next sc, Repeat from ^ to ^

Make shells to the end of the round, sl into ch1.

Cut yarn and fasten off.

These scarfs are like hugs and kisses for my Granddaughters

Twig’s Scarf: Teal and Lobelia

Scarf 2: Storm , Duck Egg, Petrol

Twiglet’s Scarf +1: Stash busting, machine washable DK yarn.

 

 

Another Day Another Dreamcatcher

This is my second ‘Agnes’. (a free pattern) You can see my first one in Turquoise here.

I made it with Scheepjes Sweet Treat, Snow White and a 2.5mm hook.

It took 2 balls, with just one row to go, so I had to break into a third to do the last row and for sewing onto the 50cm hoop.

I first attach the completed doily onto the hoop with stitchmarkers and then sew each point onto the hoop, threading the yarn through the work to the next point….

like this one: Ruta

also in Scheepjes Sweet Treat, but this time in Tropic 

and a 2mm hook, attached to a 40cm hoop.

Onto the next one.

 

Beach Baby Bunting

This post follows on from the previous post: Knitted Bunting where you will find the free pattern for the triangles.

It is inspired by the Attic24 Dune Blanket colours. Wouldn’t this bunting go SO well with a baby blanket in the Dune design. AND how about making a little jacket (see my free Baby Jacket pattern here)  in Dune colours too – ooooo – mouthwateringly delicious!

I have used Stylecraft Special DK: Spearmint, Cloud Blue, Pale Rose, Parma Violet, Powder Pink, Duck Egg and Spearmint.

Joining the triangles and making them into Bunting

Line up all the triangles on a 4mm needle in the order you want them to be, with Right Sides facing.

DO NOT CUT THE YARN OF THE LAST TRIANGLE

Working on the last triangle: Cast off purlwise.

until the last stitch

* Turn your work so that you have the Wrong Side facing you.

Knit one stitch

Put the stitch just knitted onto the left hand needle and knit one. Repeat 8 more times to create a joining chain of 10 stitches altogether.

(Add more chains if you want your triangles further apart)Turn your work so that you have the RS facing.

Bring the yarn to the front and cast off the next triangle purlwise

Repeat from * across all the triangles.

 

When you have cast off across the top of the last triangle make a chain as long as you want it to be, for hanging up your bunting.

I have done a chain of 30 stitches.

Join yarn to the first triangle and make a matching chain.

Sew in all the ends.

Here is the pre-blocked bunting

Now to block and add some beads and/or shells.

I have had these beads for years.  The supplier I bought them from no longer exists but I found these semi-precious gemstone chips online which are similar.

The shells have been collected over time, from lots of different far flung beaches.

The pattern is untested – please let me know how you get on.

Here is a post about attaching the beads and shells.

Knitted Bunting

There seems to be a bit of bunting fever on the net.

Lucy Attic is making some, Eleonora has made some new seaside themed bunting for Little Box of Crochet, and she has other patterns on Ravelry and Wendy of Red Brick Glass is busy making some for the upcoming Purbeck Arts Week.

No wonder then, that as I was making some more Pixie Points to start a new jacket like my Flower Fairy Baby Jacket  that I started to think of bunting.

Bunting in Lucy Attic’s latest Dune colours.

I’m thinking of attaching some shells to the bottom of each triangle.

This is work in progress, and I have not worked out how I’m going to attach the triangles together yet, but in case you would like to make some yourself here is the pattern for the triangles.

They measure 3.5 inches across the top and are 4.5 inches long.

Bunting Triangle

Cast on 1 st.

Row 1(WS) inc one st by knitting into this st twice. (2sts)

Row 2 K

Row 3 yon, K2 (3sts)

Row 4 yon, K1, yfwd, K2 (5st)

Row 5 yon, K2tog, P1, K2

Row 6 yon, K2tog, K to end

Row 7 yon, K2tog, P1, K2

Row 8 yon, K2tog, yfwd, K1, yfwd, K2 (7sts)

Row 9 yon, K2tog, K1, P1, K3

Row 10 yon, K2tog, K to end

Row 11 yon, K2tog, K1, P1, K3

Row 12 yon, K2tog, yfwd, K1, yfwd, K2tog, yfwd, K2 (9sts)

Row 13 yon, K2tog, K2, P1, K4

Row 14 yon, K2tog, K to end

Row 15 yon, K2tog, K2, P1, K4

Row 16 yon, K2tog, yfwd, K1, yfwd, K2tog, yfwd, K2tog tbl, yfwd, K2 (11sts)

Row 17 yon, K2tog, K2, P3, K4

Row 18 yon, K2tog, K to end

Row 19 yon, K2tog, K2, P3, K4

Row 20 yon, K2tog, yfwd, K1, yfwd, K2tog, K2, yfwd, K2tog tbl, yfwd, K2 (13sts)

Row 21 yon, K2tog, K2, P5, K4

Row 22 yon, K2tog, K to end

Row 23 yon, K2tog, K2, P5, K4

Row 24 yon, K2tog, yfwd, K2, yfwd, K2tog, K2, yfwd, K2tog tbl, K1, yfwd, K2 (15sts)

Row 25 yon, K2tog, K2, P2, K3, P2, K4

Row 26 yon, K2tog, K to end

Row 27 yon, K2tog, K2, P2, K3, P2, K4

Row 28 yon, K2tog, yfwd, K2, yfwd, K2tog, K4, yfwd, K2tog tbl, K1, yfwd, K2 (17sts)

Row 29 yon, K2tog, K2, P9, K4

Row 30 yon, K2tog, K to end

Row 31 yon, K2tog, K2, P9, K4

Row 32 yon, K2tog, yfwd, K2, yfwd, K2tog, K6, yfwd, K2tog tbl, K1, yfwd, K2 (19sts)

Row 33 yon, K2tog, K2, P2, K7, P2, K4

Row 34 yon, K2tog, K to end

Row 35 yon, K2tog, K2, P2, K7, P2, K4

Row 36 K

Row 37 P

Cut yarn and put onto a Size 8 needle, Right Side facing.

Do not cut the yarn on the last triangle you make

Make sure all the triangles are lined up in the order you want with Right Sides facing.

~~~~~~

Photo Tutorial for joining the triangles can be found here.

And

Adding the shells and beads here.

Free Pattern: Pixie Hat

This is for a newborn – 3 month old baby

The pattern has been tested by Tialys, pop across to see her beautifully stylish version made especially for her new great-nephew. Thank you Tialys!

Hat

Materials:

Stylecraft Special DK, Needles: Size 9 (3.75mm) and Size 8 (4mm)

Abbreviations:

yrn           yarn round needle

stst           stocking stitch

K2tog      knit two together

 

Starting at the rim of the hat, using Size 9 (3.75mm) needles and Lavender

Cast on 73sts

Next Row: K

Next Row: P1, (yrn, P2 tog) to the end.

Starting with a K row, work 6 rows of stst.

Change to no 8 needles and Cypress

Next Row: K

9 rows moss st.

Change to Meadow

Starting with a K row, work in stst

After two rows change to Pistachio

Continue in stst until work measures 9.5 cm (straighten out st st border to measure) ending with a P row.

Next Row: (K8, K2tog) to the last 3 sts, K3

Stst 3 rows

Next Row: (K7, K2tog) to last 3 sts, K3.

Stst 3 rows

Next Row: (K6, K2tog) to last 3 sts, K3.

Next row: P

Next Row: (K5, K2tog) to last 3 sts, K3.

Next Row: P

Next Row: (K4, K2tog) to last 3 sts, K3.

Next Row: P

Next Row: (K3, K2tog) to last 3 sts, K3.

Next Row: P

Next Row: (K2, K2tog) to last 3sts, K3.                                  24 sts

Next Row: P

Next row (K1, K2tog) to last 3 sts, K3

Next Row: P

Shape Point

Next row: K5, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K5

Next Row: P

Next row: K3, (K2tog, K2) x3

Next Row: P

Next row K1, (K2 tog, K2) x2,  K2tog, K1.         9sts

Next Row: P

Next row (K1, K2tog) x3

Next Row: P

Next row K2tog x 3

Next Row: P

Next row K3 tog

Break yarn and pull through leaving at least 30cm for sewing up.

 

To Make Up

1. Sew from the point to the rim in mattress stitch, working on the reverse side for the stst of the curled rim.

Copyright: Sandra Dorey

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am happy for you to sell anything you make using my patterns. It would be great if you could credit me as the designer.

I’d love to see photos of what you make. You can tag them on Instagram.          #wilddaffodilpixie

Please respect my pattern, it is for your own use. Please do not pass it on to anyone else except by a link to this post – thank you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you try the pattern I’d love to know how you get on. Feedback most welcome.

Would you like a Pixie Point Jacket to go with it?

Here is a link to the free pattern: Flower Fairy Jacket with Pixie Points

 

Cosmic Bedspread Complete

Tah Dah!!!       Drum roll please!

At last it is finished

This has been a really fun project to make. The journey began back in April when Helen Shrimpton’s Crochet Along started and I finished the CAL back in June, but I wanted to do a few more rows to make it bigger and work out how to make a scalloped edge.

The bedspread, shown here on a 5′ wide double bed, had to wait patiently in the background whilst I made a couple of dreamcatchers for birthday presents, and then it was hard to pick it up again.

But I did it!!

I can highly recommend Helen’s patterns and this one is FREE and comes with a video tutorial.

To see other amazing Cosmics, join Helen’s Hookaholics on FB and go to the Photo Albums. If you ever need inspiration for colour combinations there is surely no better place to go.

I made this Bedspread with Scheepjes Whirl and Whirlettes and a 3mm hook:

2 x Rosewater Cocktail Whirl

1 x Jumping Jelly Whirl

1 x Citrus Whirlette

1x Blueberry Whirlette

I really enjoyed mixing up the Whirls and playing with the gradients in the colours to get the effect I wanted.

It measures 1m 41cm – 1m 35cm.           or             4’6.5″ x 4’5″

Blog posts showing progress:

Making a start. Parts 1 and 2

Parts 3 and 4

Parts 5 and 6

Parts 7 and 8

Part 9 and beyond

I am so happy with my zingy bedspread!

A Dreamcatcher for Miss E

A certain special person has an 11th birthday this week and I made her this dreamcatcher

Using one and a half balls of  Scheepjes Sweet Treat, Chrystaline and a 2mm hook.

I’m waiting to see if Miss E wants it hanging up on the wall or twirling free like a mobile before I add any dingle-dangles, and something to hang it up with.

It is a free pattern by Zoya Matyushenko from Estonia, if you join her Facebook Group.

It is not as complicated as it looks, and Zoya’s instructions are very clear and easy to follow, but I did find Round 25 a bit of a struggle which was also the round when the first ball of yarn ran out. Thank goodness for Facebook Groups where everyone is so helpful with handy hints and advice on how to get through the tricky bits.

 

There is only one photo for this pattern (her paid for patterns have a photo for each round), but I had the photo enlarged next to the pattern on screen and that worked well. ( I have obscurred some of the instructions)

 

Zoya’s patterns are a delight, each round creates beauty

Stopping here would make a sweet little coaster or mat.

(or in yellow a little Sun to applique onto a fabric collage)

I must discover how to join foundation rings in a neater way – any tips?

It was blocked to pull out all the picot points – I love my new blocking pins –

before attaching it to the 45cm wire ring with stitch markers

I try to use small independent suppliers when I can and found Glitterwitch, based in Kent, UK. A very efficient service and nice friendly communication with Jan the owner.

After attaching the mandala to the ring with the stitch markers I sewed each point on individually with the same thread, going over the ring 5 times, and sewing through the picot, working from the back.

Here it sits on a nail in my hall.

Of course it is also Teddy’s birthday and since she is part of the family, she got a couple of new dresses, with a bag to keep them in.

The little Tote Bag comes from my Society 6 Shop

It is one of my paintings photographed and printed on fabric.

Can you guess what Miss E’s favourite colour is. 😉

I’m in the process of writing a pattern for the dress, but in the current heatwave, my brain is not co-operating very well.

There seems to be a heatwave in most of the Northern Hemisphere this Summer – how are you all doing? I’m loving the early mornings and glorious evenings.

Happy Friday!

Cosmic Cal Parts 7 – 8

With Part 6 of the Cosmic Cal completed,

doesn’t it look perfect with this chair covered in a luxurious fabric by ‘Timorous Beasties‘…..

…….. on to Part 7 in which we meet the dastardly Cosmic Stars!!!

Helen’s You Tube tutorial for Part 7 is  here.

Continuing with the Jumping Jelly Whirl until completing Round 78, I worked Round 79, the first part of the Cosmic Stars, in Citrus Whirlette.

I don’t know if it is because I am left-handed and following a right-handed video, or because I was using a 4 ply cotton yarn which has no give, but I just could not get the placement of the spokes right – stitch markers to the rescue!

There was much chat on the FB groups about these stars and I was near to giving up on them when one wonderful person suggested working into front posts instead of front loops and this worked much better for me. Phew!

By the time I had worked along one side I was down to only needing the bottom middle marker to show me the way

Finding the ‘eye’ of the star in the completing row was tricky, so I employed a knitting needle to make the hole big enough to get my hook through

I was so relieved to get to the end of those Stars, knowing I would never have to make them again!

However, lots of people said they loved them and are making several more Cosmics including the Stars.

Mercifully Part 8 was delightfully relaxing as I continued into the orange section of the Jumping Jelly.

Part 9 to come.

Cosmic 4

 

I am thoroughly enjoying following Helen Shrimpton’s Cosmic Crochet Along (Cal). She really is an outstanding designer with plenty of challenges to keep you on your crocheting-toes.

Following  Part Two came the excitement of Part 3 in which we would be learning a new stitch – Star Stitch!

Cute!

But first there were a few more rows to square up the hexagon……

The rows of doubles and trebles (US) in this 4ply cotton yarn were getting to look a bit like a string vest in the corners so I decided to add a bit of texture in the form of popcorns and bead stitches.

To keep in with the Cosmic theme, I’m calling them Sputniks

The yellow for the two rows of Star Stitch came from the beginning of my second ball (yarn cake) of Rosewater Cocktail.

I continued with the first cake, which was now moving into the pink mixed with turquoise.

The photo below shows Parts 3 and 4 completed

I was thrilled that the first Whirl just made it to the end of Part 4.

The tail of yarn you can see was all that was left!

Joining in with

 

Crochet Oak Leaves and a Finger Puppet

Yarn Along! Yarn along! Tra-la-la-la-la! I love Yarn along!

I love to see all the other things that are being made, book recommendations, and mainly because I just love Ginny’s Blog and seeing what she is getting up to. Her photographs are always superb.

So this month I am making the finishing touches for the Squirrel Nutkin Woodland Blanket.

There will be leaves and squirrels appliqued onto the blanket

The little oak leaves are from Lucy’s Pattern here.

The larger ones are on Charlotta’s blog In the Yarn Garden

Charlotta makes them with 4ply cotton. I made them with the Stylecraft Special DK and they turned out to be monsters!

The one on the left is made with a 4.5mm hook, the middle one with a 4mm hook and the monster on the right is made with a 3 mm hook.

I have felted the two biggest ones. Click  felted to see how I do that.

Here they are compared with Lucy’s oak leaf made with a 4.5mm hook

I’m planning a cascade of leaves in the bottom left-hand corner of the blanket

Not sure how many yet.

Squirrels will scamper all over the blanket and a few leaves and an owl, Old Brown, will be in the top right hand corner.

If you would like to make a Squirrel motif you can find my free pattern with photo tutorial here.

And look!

If you sew two together – you can make a finger puppet! Ta Dah!

~

Ginny adds a book she is reading to her Yarn Along post.

I don’t read much, as it takes up too much crafting time, but I do love to listen to podcasts or music whilst I’m crafting and this is making me so happy right now

 

I’ve been wondering about making these characters in crochet, what do you think?!

Squirrel Nutkin and Old Brown

Click on the link for the free Squirrel Motif Pattern – I still have more photos to add, but I’m glad to have heard from a couple of people who have been able to make a squirrel.

The throw measures 1m60cm, 5’3″ long, and I have decided to stop here (just short of the end of Part5) as this will be just the right size to go on Little Bro’s bed and for him to carry it downstairs to the sofa for snuggling under with his Big Bro. Any bigger and I think it might be too cumbersome for him.

We Attic24 Woodlanders eagerly await the intructions for the edging, which will be posted on Friday. I have been loosely following Lucy’s Random Colour Order and have substituted Mocha with Walnut (brown)

Toooo-whit-tooooo-whoooooo-hooo-hooo!

Crochet Squirrel Motif

As the Woodland Blanket is being made for Little Bro aged 5, I wondered if he would like a few leaves and squirrels.

He would!

and so it seems would some of you!

I was pleasantly taken aback by the squirrel-love that poured in when I posted a picture on Facebook and Instagram, with lots of people asking for the pattern.

Oh my goodness – creating a squirrel is relatively quick and easy compared with creating a pattern for others to follow.

These mischievous little creatures have led me a merry dance, but at last I have arrived at a pattern.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Pattern for the Squirrel Motif

Stylecraft Double DK

4.5mm hook

US crochet terms. I am left-handed so the photos will show work from a LH perspective, but the pattern should work just fine for right-handers. Working with the right hand the squirrels will face the other way.

Starting with the back leg

Make a magic loop, Ch1, 8sc into the loop, pull loop together, sl into the 1^st ch. to join.                                                  8 sts

2^nd Round

Ch1, 2sc into each st, sl into the first ch. to join.                                          16 sts

3^rd Round

Ch1, 2sc, 2sc into next st,

(back foot) ch4,

sc into 3rd and 4th st from the hook, sc into same st as the 2scs

sc into the next 4sts.

2sc into each of the next 3sts, sc, 2sc into next st, 2hd into next st, 2dcs into next st, 2 tr into next st.

(neck) Ch4 

work 4dc into the 4^th ch from the hook

** please note that is between the bottoms of these stitches that you will work scs in Round 4. See Picture 6 in Round 4**

sl into same st of Round 2, 2sl, sl to join.

4^th Round

Sl into next 3sts. sl into next 2 loops (back foot)

Picture 1

2sl into next st, which takes you round the end of the ‘foot’,

Sl into next 9sts, 4sc,

Picture 2

(tail) 4sc into back loops (if you can find another loop lower down, at the back of the work, to work into as well this stabilises the back loop stitches), 2hd into back loops, ch7,

Picture 3

3hd in 3^rd ch from hook,

2dc, 2tr, dtr (yarn 3 times round the hook)  in next ch,

miss 1ch,

Picture 4

2dtr, tr in next ch

2tr, dc, in next ch, sl into next st of Round 3

Picture 5

2sl, Work 5 sc in the gaps between the next sts. (also covering the thread at the base)

Picture 6  **

Here are a few more photos to explain where the single crochets go

and in a different colour for clarity

Hope that helps.

Picture 7

At last it begins to look like a Squirrel

(head) ch3, sl in 3^rd ch from hook,

sl into one of the ch3 (into, not over), sl into first dc of the neck,

Working into the gap between: 4sc, hd, sc.

Picture 8

2sl, hd.

Picture 9

(front foot)

2sl, ch2, sl in 2^nd from the hook, sl into the body at base of front foot . Cut yarn and pull through to the front, then take the end to the back (leave a long tail of thread if you will be sewing this on as applique), or sew in the ends.

Pin to shape and block.

How did you get on? I’d love to know. 🙂

See the finished blanket here: Squirrel Nutkin and Old Brown

Yarn Along in Solva

This morning starts on the best window seat in Solva, with ‘The President’s Hat’ and the start of a new crochet project. Couldn’t be happier!

I am making another version of my Woodland Hoodie pattern, planning to adjust and improve slightly. Master R loves it so much and is still wearing it – now in it’s third year.

Joining in with Ginny’s Yarn Along

Yesterday I went in search of the yarn bombed footpath sign I’d seen on Coastal Crochet

from a certain angle it looks like a bird or a llama don’t you think?

I climbed down the slipway (centre bottom of the pic) and set off across the beach following this man who walked all the way to the sea, swam and walked all the way back again, no towel, not a hot day – brrrrrrrr!

the tide was right out at 4.30pm

so I could walk round the headland to St.Elvis Bay

and do a bit of Beach Cleaning

and then meandering back

amongst families, artists

dog walkers and fishermen all enjoying the late afternoon and early evening…..

….. before a fabulous meal at the Harbour Inn, followed by our must-do-when-in-Solva – Tony’s Tuesday Bingo – “seven and six, was he worth it”, “Theresa’s Den, number ten”, “two little ducks, quack quack…..”

With a chance to do a few rows between the rounds and the banter.

Perfect day!

Woodland Crafts

On Sunday, A was feeling better but still a little fragile, so I went along with her and her 3 littlies to a delightful Woodland Craft gathering in our village. It was beautifully set up with all sorts of things for the children to make and do, like decorating little logs as FC and wrapping jingle-bell sticks …

… cutting lengths of willow to wire together into a star. Proudly shown here by Master R in his Woodland Hoodie, (A free crochet pattern on my Wild Daffodil Ravelry site) which he is able to wear for a second year.

 

He particularly likes the hood.

 

And LOVED being able to use real tools.

Miss E and Master R made reindeers

 

 

 

 

 

And Little Miss M made clay decorations

And they were all able to have a tumble and clamber on the salvaged cargo nets hanging in the trees.

A picnic lunch followed by music and singing round the fire rounded off a perfect day.