Gifts I made for Christmas

Gifts I made for Christmas

I made a few presents this year... I love making things for friends and family. In fact, the only thing I've ever made myself is a teapot cosy. 

Anyway - this year I made two blankets, an embroidery, a crocheted bag, and a stuffed sleepy cat... and a few coasters.  

Sunburst Granny Square Blanket

The first blanket I made was for my girlfriend's Nan and Grandad. I used the Sunburst pattern from CraftyMarie. 

http://www.craftymarie.com/2015/07/easy-free-sunburst-granny-square.html

I used the women's institute wool from Hobbycraft, as it's super soft and great value for money. I managed to get exactly the colours I was looking for and I think the end product is nice. 

Victorian Lattice Square Blanket

The second blanket I made was for my mother-in-law. I wanted to make a big blanket that could be used for either snuggling up on the sofa with or using as a bed spread. I used a beigey brown? colour and cream so it would match the interior decorations. This blanket turned out lovely. I used the Victorian lattice square from Destany Wymore. 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/victorian-lattice-square

I chose this pattern as I wanted the blanket to look vintage and classic but I didn't want to use plain granny squares. I felt that this pattern was kind of shabby chic and antique. I used the women's institute wool from hobby craft for this blanket too - it's just so soft and snuggly. 

Sleepy Cat Plush

I made my mum a crocheted cat plush from Nekoyama. 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amineko-crocheted-cat

This project was fun and was my first proper amigurami-type finished toy. He's been named Bob Cat and he looks cool however he's sat. For this I used a varied coloured yarn from my stash. Not sure what the brand was, 

Cotton Bag

For my girlfriend's great grandma, I made a bag. I made this pattern up myself, taking inspiration from photos on Pinterest. I lined it with pretty floral fabric.

Embroidered Elephant

Finally, I made my mum an embroidery of an elephant. I got the pattern off Pinterest. It is an embroidery that my Gran wanted to make my mum, but I only remembered this as I was halfway through making it which I thought was quite cool. This is the first embroidery I've ever finished so I'm proud of myself. 

That's it for 2016. I'm very happy with my handmade gifts. I like to make gifts specifically for people I love as it's so much more thoughtful, and shows you care. 

Hope you liked these, check my projects out on my ravelry page:- http://www.ravelry.com/people/lovecharlieblog

Love Charlie, Xxx

Guess Who's Doing Some Bombing!

Guess Who's Doing Some Bombing!

Yes, I said bombing. Yarn-bombing! I am so excited to be involved in a project with the Boatyard Artspace on the canal side in Middlewich. You may have heard of yarn bombing before; or may be wondering what on earth it is. 

Yarn bombing is when a craft-artist or activist creates a knitted or crocheted piece of fabric that is custom made to be installed somewhere in the environment. Typically, bright, colourful stripes or patterened pieces are wrapped around trees and benches, bollards and statues. The purpose or this unique and quirky art practice is to reclaim urban, industrialised and corporate environments and bring in some creative energy and colour. Turning concrete and metal into a soft, familiar and comforting inhabitance. But it doesn't have to have purpose. This craft is a celebration of colour and the handmade. It can be a community project where several artists contribute or just an individual artist. Yarn bombs can be made from typical wool and acrylic blends or even recycled materials, raising issues of ecology. Yarn bombing can be a colourful and interesting way to draw attention to architecture and features of an environment. 

Over the next 3 weeks, I will be making various creations to decorate and celebrate a new and exciting community project and hopefully raise awareness of the incredible artistic talent we have harboured in Middlewich. The boatyard Artspace is developing swiftly into a creative hub of local talent. Ian Hill-Smith and other 'Middlewichian' artists have successfully turned an old boat keepers house into a tidy gallery, surfacing some of the hidden characterful architecture and traditional features of the cosy space. 

I have also been given the opportunity to display and sell some of my handmade gifts so please take a visit and have a look. The boatyard is also successfully running a tea shop so have a wonder down. The boatyard is on the section of canal opposite the British legion.

I am considering running some crochet workshops/lessons in the autumn/winter; where participants can learn to make a granny square and chunky hat. If you are interested please contact me through my Facebook page: Love Charlie Crochet, or email me at lovecharliecrochet@gmail.com

Check out the Artspace on Facebook at: Facebook/boatyardartspace