WIP Wrap-up

WIP Wrap-up

The last two weeks, I've been busy finishing some WIPs and continuing my two main projects - my Moorland CAL and my Cosystripe blanket. After finishing the Cosy stripe baby blanket, I was a bit behind on the Moorland CAL and I wanted to finish part 2 before the next part was released.

I had last Friday off work as me and my partner were looking after her parent's dogs and her brother and sister whilst her parents were away for the weekend. One of the dogs had a poorly foot, so he was especially cuddly, and a great crochet companion. I spent the majority of the day on the Moorland CAL, getting half way through part 3. 

This blanket is getting quite big now, and the pattern is extremely satisfying - both to make and to snuggle under. The repetitive wave pattern is relaxing and therapeutic - and I look forward to seeing the development of colours each week. 

On the Saturday, I made a baby hat to match the blanket I made. I designed the pattern myself, and was quite happy with the outcome - although I don't know it it is the right size or not. 

I then wrapped it up with a thick pink ribbon. I love to put ribbons on finished projects as I think it makes them look special. 

On the Sunday, I went to Blakemere with my Sister in Law and we went pottery painting. 

I chose to paint a travel mug, as I've wanted one for a while but couldn't find one that I really loved. I wanted a Cath Kidston one, but the patterns I love the most are her old ones - which don't tend to be printed on new products. When I saw a travel mug - I thought it was the perfect opportunity to create a mug that I knew I would love. I copied (tried to) one of my favourite Cath Kidston patterns. 

The picture on the left is the mug before it was 'baked' and the second is after. The colours become vibrant and the texture goes from matte and powdery to shiny and smooth. I'm very happy with the outcome! 

I also made a bit of progress on my Cosy Stripe blanket, and I'm now on the second repeat of colours. The further I get with this blanket - the more content I am with the colour palette. I'm using Stylecraft Special DK Yarns that Katie bought me for Christmas. You can see on the photo below on the right, the names of the colours I've used. I've started to keep a notebook with colour palettes for projects so that I know where I'm up to in a pattern that has several colour changes. I also think it's very satisfying to see a row of neatly stapled tassels of yarn. :)

Finally, I finished a WIP that I had started a while back. I finished my Attic 24 Yarn bag! 

I didn't use multi-colours, but instead stash busted some tweed Aran yarn that I had, and used up some grey I had left from another project. I didn't intend to put handles on this bag - but wanted to use it as more of a basket for yarn. It's great having the balls of wool stood up in there, packed in - because when you pull from the centre of a skein, it doesn't snag or pull your ball of wool around the floor. I made the bag tall so I could fold the top down and give it a bit more structure, but in the end I decided to add handles anyway. I thought 'There's no harm' and also thought it added the convenience of being able to just 'pick up and go'. So far, I'm loving the practicality of this bag and also love that when I don't need it, I can fold it up and put it away - unlike a wicker basket. 

So as you can see, last weekend, I was extremely busy-not busy. Haha. I had nothing important to do, so really cracked on with some of my current projects. I enjoyed ignoring adult responsibilities at the flat and crashing with the in-laws for the weekend - even if I did come home to a pile of washing ;)

This weekend wasn't much different from last - although I did go into work on Saturday to catch up. It's amazing what can be done in 4 hours on a Saturday morning compared to a whole day during the week. I think it's because the phones aren't ringing!

I am excited to celebrate 200 followers on Instagram! To some people, this is insignificant but I'm so happy. I'm really trying to commit to posting photographs often... and photographs that I'm proud of. I'm so thankful to everyone that is supporting me and liking my photos. It's making me feel 'not quite so weird'. 

charlielittlearty

Hope you liked this little catch-up. 

Love Charlie, Xx

Current W.I.P's

Current WIPs

Well, this post was originally '3 projects I'm working on now' - but has since developed into 5!

Just a little comment first though...

I'm so happy right now with the way my life is. I mean, I'm learning not to care if people think I'm strange. Of course, everyone wants to 'fit in' but I'm more comfortable with who I am now. I love to crochet, and I love to read - but that doesn't make me weird. In fact, I'm starting to think it's pretty cool... It's only taken 4 years. I'm proud of what I can do and what I can make. It makes me unique, and maybe that's not so bad after all. 

Anyway, enlightenment over...

Here are my current projects.

1. Virus Shawl

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/virus-shawl---virustuch

I added this to my list on Ravelry quite a while ago, and also bought the wool a while ago too! I chose Stylecraft's Cabaret in Rainforest, but I didn't realise how beautiful this yarn was until I started working it up. Oh, this shawl is so simple! There's only a small section you need to learn, and then it just repeats and repeats until you reach your preferred size. 

The colours in this yarn are gorgeous and autumny - but I think any yarn would look lovely crocheted to this pattern. I think I'm liking making shawls. And I could get used to making more for myself. However, every time I make something - I'm thinking 'oooh, Mum would like one of these' or 'maybe I should give this to so and so...'

2. TV Blanket/Stash Buster

This is an ongoing blanket that I started a year or two ago. I'm just making lots of granny squares 4 rounds big in pretty pastel colours. I've used up wool from my stash and also bought some new skeins and just crocheted the whole thing. I'm building up quite a pile of squares now, which I will edge in a 5th 'granny' round in cream before joining them randomly. 

This is as easy as it gets, and that's the whole point. I love this project because I don't have to concentrate on anything, so I can watch films (hence it being called a TV blanket) I can also get on with this in between other projects, and when I'm busy I can put it away for months and just pick it up again. 

3. Moorland Blanket CAL by Lucy @ Attic24

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2016/11/introducing-the-moorland-blanket-cal.html

Finally :) I've been waiting for this one for a while. Mum bought me the wool for Christmas, and I've been so eager to start. This is my first CAL (crochet along), and my first Attic 24 pattern - What do they say? 'Two birds, One stone?'

Parts of the pattern are released each Friday. The colours are inspired by the Yorkshire Dales, and are fresh, mellow and comforting. The wave pattern is easy, repetitive and relaxing - and helps the colours blend together in a natural, organic way. I can't wait for Part 2 to be released! Only one more day...

4. Cosy Stripe Blanket

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/cosy-stripe-blanket.html

As I finished the first 20 rows of the Moorland Blanket CAL within days, and my girlfriend said she was going to claim it when it was finished, I decided to make another blanket alongside it. I've wanted to make this blanket for a while and have had it saved on my Ravelry for over a year. This blanket was also released as a CAL. Katie, my girlfriend bought me a Stylecraft colour pack for Christmas with 12 colours in, so although it's not the same 15 colours in the original pattern, I figured I'd just make it as big as I could before running out. If it was a gift for someone else, I would have bought 3 more colours, but I'm not too bothered about the size. 

I arranged the colours I had into a 'rainbow' colour order and started the pattern. I hope to make about the same amount as the Moorland blanket each week so that by the end of February I'd have 2 blankets. I've not made much yet, but what I have done - I love! 

5. Cosy Stripes Baby Blanket

So, this week I had a phone call from my Mother-in-Law, asking for a baby blanket as a gift for a friend. I spent a while looking at patterns, but in the end, decided to carry on with the Cosy Stripes pattern I started the day before but in cream. I made the width shorter, and will carry on until I have a square. Then I will choose an edge. 

I only have 2 weeks to get this finished, so my other projects are on hold for the moment. I'm hoping to have this done by the end of next week, so I can catch up on the Moorland CAL. Even though this is a random project, I;m loving it, and the Cosy Stripes pattern is looking lovely even when it's worked up in one singular colour. I wouldn't mind one for myself! 

As you can see, I have a lot of projects on the go... But the more the better! :)

I hope you liked this blog post as much as I enjoyed putting it together. 

Love Charlie, Xxx

Last Day of Christmas Ramblings

Last Day of Christmas Ramblings

Today was the last day of my Christmas break - tomorrow it's back to work. I spent the morning cleaning and putting presents away. Then I has my friend over with her children for coffee and chocolate :) It was nice to catch up and we must meet up more often. 

I had plans to return to the local knitting club tonight (first time since losing Gran) but I couldn't face it without her. I know the women there are lovely, but I just felt that going alone was too overwhelming. Maybe next week. I did however spend the evening crocheting. I finished a shawl that I started on New Year's Day with the wool that my Girlfriend's Nan & Granddad bought me for Christmas, I'm going to make a lilac and silver one too soon. 

The pattern was from Simply Crochet magazine - which my Mother in Law bought me the subscription to for Christmas -  the pattern by Davis De Herraiz. The pink is really glittery, although you can't really see that from the photos. This is the first crocheted thing I've really made myself - the year's off to a great start! Also, after watching the whole series of 'The Crown' on Netflix, I started watching 'Victoria' on Now TV. Kinda into the Monarchy at the moment. :)  

Today was nice because I got a lot of jobs done and the flat is clean and airy and ready for my return to work. I made overnight oats for my breakfast and a salad for lunch. I washed my hair and yesterday, I painted my nails, and drank a lot of green tea. I think it's done me good to take a bit of time for myself. 

I hope to continue like this. I always put things off and end up with lots of washing and other chores on the weekend. I am an adult now! And need to get off my lazy bum and get things done. A little each day and then I can enjoy my weekend. I think it's called optimizing your time?

It was also a good day because I caught up with an old friend. We don't get to see each other often, so when we do - we talk about all sorts. Today we talked about not being so negative. It's so easy for our first reaction to be negative 'I'm too fat' or 'I'm not good enough' or 'I'll get it wrong' without even giving ourselves a chance. I don't want to be like this anymore - and maybe it's the New Year Vibe that's got me like this. (#newyearnewme) But, I'm just feeling so laid back and I don't want to underestimate myself anymore. We also talked about our lack of new year's resolutions. How we don't want to set ourselves up to fail - but just be happy and appreciate the small things in life. 

I don't know how long I'll stick to it - but I'm trying to write down things that have made my day good in a diary each day so that at the end of the year I get to read how many nice things have happened. (Like the bits of paper people put in jars - but without the mess) 

Anyway, that's it for today. Sometime this week I'll do a blog post about my crochet plans for 2017. I can't wait to start the Moorland Blanket CAL! So excited. 

Love Charlie, Xxx

Baby Blanket

I've finished a project!

I have been working on a baby blanket for a customer for a few months now. The blanket was ordered months in advance so it allowed me to take my time on the project and make other things at the same time. 

I am so pleased with the final outcome. I have made this blanket before in a baby pink colour (see at end of blog post) but I think it is so pretty in this mint green shade. The blanket takes just over 4 balls of DK wool made with a size 4.00mm hook. I used my Pony Easy Grip crochet hook and was satisfied that the colour matched the project :)

I used the Bernat Baby Blanket Pattern (< click to be taken to pattern) for this blanket as it produces a large, versatile blanket suitable for cots, swaddling, as a comforter, and for warmth. The blanket is square so it can be folded into either a rectangle or triangle making it even more flexible. The pattern is so pretty and lacy. I consider this pattern to be a 'smart' baby blanket pattern due to the delicate pattern and shape. 

I have since started two new projects with one already in progress - that's three WIP (Work In Progress). Is it just me? Or do all craftsmen and women have so much ambition they have multiple projects going at the same time? I have an almost complete Seashell Scarf using a pattern from the book, 'Cute and easy Crochet' by Nicki Trench available from Amazon.co.uk at £9.09 in paperback and £5.03 as Kindle Edition. However I always recommend getting your pattern books in physical format rather than an e-book. It makes for better sharing and easier to read. This scarf is a present and I have chose a bright, aqua blue... a favourite colour of the recipient. 

Baby blanket with WIP - Seashell Scarf

I have also started a corner to corner baby blanket with a self-striping wool as a gift to a friend who is having a baby. I have left this one for a while, wanting to get on with the mint green one, but I can now crack on with it! 

My third WIP is a granny square blanket in pastel pinks and oranges. I haven't made granny squares over the last year - preferring more complex patterns after my degree show. However the time to crave a familiar 'work on while you watch TV' project has consumed me and before I knew what I was doing, I had 8 perfect pink squares sat on the arm of the sofa. I can't wait to put time to actually design this blanket and imagine the final outcome. 

It is probably best that this becomes the project I take to 'Chicks that Knit' as I am teaching a knitter how to crochet granny squares. 

Blanket in Baby Pink

If you want to order a blanket like this, check out my 'Orders' page on the right hand side and send an email to lovecharliecrochet@gmail.com - Please make sure you order at least a month in advance to give me time to make it! 

What are you crocheting? Let me know in the comments below.

Follow me on Ravelry.com

Love Charlie, Xx

My First Twiddle Muff and Tutorial

How I made my first Twiddle Muff and how You can too!

In my last blog post on Love Charlie: Crochet, I discussed how many organisations are in need of donations of Twiddle Muffs. Over the last week I decided that I would make my own pattern as I only crochet and don't knit. There are patterns available to crochet Twiddle Muffs, but I wanted my pattern to be very flexible so I can make every one differently. These are great to make using odd bits of wool and the end of skeins. You don;t need to especially go out and buy new wool for this project as all colours and textures can be incorporated. 

Step 1

I started with the outside layer (a muff is made two layers thick to keep patient's hands warm.) I made a chain 60 stitches long, then I added two stitches before turning around and doing a row of treble crochet as my first row( 3rd stitch from the hook). This can be done in any stitch though, I just alternated my stitches to create texture and holes for the patient to touch. After all, this is a sensory alternative therapy. If you do your first row in double crochet only add one chain after your initial 60 and start in the 2nd chain from the hook. 

Step 2 

Carry on back and two in various different stitches. I created cluster stitches, bullion stitches, puff stitches, double crochets double trebles, and trebles. I wanted to create as much texture as possible. I also varied my colours regularly to keep the muff eye catching and interesting for the patient. Carry on until the height of your crocheted material is between 10 and 11" than fasten off and tuck in your ends. 

Outer Layer of Twiddle Muff

Step 3

Repeat the same process as step 1 and step 2 until you have a piece of material the same size. Note: The sitictches don't have to mirror that of your first piece, neither do your colours. For example, I only used one ball of wool for the inside layer of my muff, although I chose an extra soft yarn so that it would be warm and cosy for the patient's delicate hands, I presume baby wool would maybe be a good idea. 

Inside Layer of Twiddle Muff

As you can see, I have created a lot more textured stitches on the inside layer as there are going to be less accessories added on the inside than on the outside. I created the texture randomly so that it leaves the patient's hands to explore creating increased brain simulation. 

Close up of the textures I created on the inside layer.

Step 4

Next, you have to gether accessories and bits and bobs to attach to your Twiddle Muff. I made a few of my decorations. I made a Crochet button flower using this tutorial: Button Flower Tutorial

I also double crocheted around some curtain rings to give a solid but soft item for patients to play with. For example, in the picture below, I did two rounds of single crochet then created  a 3-chain loop in eaach stitch to give it it's pliable, medallion shape. I then added some large pearl beads. 

I then created a hanging decoration from beads and buttons, and another decoration made from ribbon. 

Step 5

After collecting jingle bells, ribbon and extra buttons, I lay out what I had and arranged it so items were equally spread over each surface. When I had decided about positions, I started sewing. Remember to sew onto the top surface. The next step will be to sew the backs of each layer together. 

Note: Sew everything on well!

Step 6

Next, you want to put the back of each panel together and double crochet along the top stitches, making sure to get the front and back loops of every stitch (the length not the height) At the end of the row, fasten off and tuck your end in. 

Then turn your material upside down and repeat joining the opposite edge. 

Next, you want to bring your material into a loop making sure your inside layer is on the inside. Nest you want to double crochet the edges of the inside layers together creating the inside loop of the muff. When you have done this your last step is to double crochet the outside edges together neatly leaving just one seam visible and raised. As you crocheted the inside layers on the outside of the muff first, they will not be either visible or raised. Your outside seam will look similar to mine below. 

Good Luck! And get Creative! 

Here are the completed photos of my first TwiddleMuff to be donated to Leighton Hospital. 

Love Charlie, Xx

Ray of Hope

Ray of Hope

This Morning I phoned Christine Cooper from the Ray of Hope Charity at Leighton Hospital, Crewe. I discussed my plans to crochet hats and blankets for the premature babies and it seems as though they have a great demand for 24" blankets and hats for 'normal' size babies. (Head as big as grapefruit) 

I hadn't realised that this charity provide every single baby born in Leighton Hospital with a hat and other accessories if necessary. (That's a lot of hats!) For some reason I was under the impression that only preemie babies had accessibility to the support this charity offers. Every baby will go home with a hat provided by the kindness of volunteers who have spent the time to make these items of clothing.

 

(Examples of donated handmade clothes and gifts.)

I will definitely talk to my friends at 'Chicks that Knit' on Tuesday and try and rally a group of us together that will put some time aside to make hats and blankets. Patterns are available at http://www.p2designs.com/Links-CharityPatterns.htm

If you are in Cheshire and are interested in making garments for a good cause, please contact Cristine on 01270 582187, or you can make your donations and take them to the Rydale Pharmacy in Crewe and they will make sure the donations get to Leighton Hospital. 

The address for Rydale Pharmacy is:
North Street
Coppenhall, Crewe
Cheshire
CW1 4NL

Love Charlie, Xx