Saturday, 3 October 2020

Rudolf Christmas Crochet Amigurumi and Soft Toy


Who doesn't love Rudolf!

Using the Reindeer Ralf rattle pattern which is free on Ravelry from Stip and Haak https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rammelaar-rendiertje-ralf

The pattern is really easy to follow and has photo instructions as well as written ones.

I made a Christmas tree decoration by using the basic pattern for the head but not attaching it to the rattle part. I made a tree hanger by making  a loop between the antlers. Using 4ply cotton yarn (Drops Safran) and a 3.5mm hook they came out a good size for a tree decoration.

I then made a large reindeer doll the same way but using a larger hook and DK yarn and  used my knowledge from making other soft toys to make a body and arms/legs to go with it.

I later found that Stip and Haak have a full pattern available for the same idea! So if you don't know how to do a body you can buy the pattern here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rendier-ralf

They make lovely Christmas decorations and it's a shame they have to be put away in the loft for the majority of the year because they are so lovely!






Happy crocheting!

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Short Story by C.J. Brady crochet cowl pattern review

 I think this is one of my favourite C.J. Brady patterns, so quick and easy it can be made in a couple of evenings.

It is a cowl/infinity scarf which can be made larger around the neck if necessary, instructions in the pattern although I just did the basic pattern instructions and it fits me fine.

It has a panel in the centre with patterned edge which comes down to a point at the centre front.

I did make a mistake on my first one, on row 41 it gives the row instructions then says repeat twice, I thought this meant you do the instruction then repeat two more times, making three in total but it actually means do it twice only. If you study the diagram you can see how it looks. The mistake didn't spoil the cowl, unless you studied it and knew about the mistake you wouldn't know it was wrong so I didn't bother undoing it.

The pattern is well written with a diagram and stitch count chart. 

The first one I did in Cygnet Watercolour yarn, it is a double knit and made a warm cosy cowl. It took about 60g of DK so you can't quite get two from one 100g ball which is a shame.




I then made a second one which I called Short Story - The Sequel!

This one I did in a hand dyed merino and nylon 4ply sock yarn. It used about 40g. The colours looked lovely and really defined the pattern.




 The pattern can be bought on Ravelry or on CJ Brady's Etsy shop.

I've done quite a few of her patterns which you can find on the blog by searching the tag C.J.Brady


Happy crocheting!

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Friday, 2 October 2020

Crochet Lamb pattern review

Pookie_Doodle

I  made this little lamb from the free pattern I found via Ravelry.

The pattern is very easy to follow and well set out with clear instructions. I made it in a couple of evenings.

I couldn’t get the recommended yarn but did have a ball of Drops Boucle which I thought would be good for the fleece effect.

I found the Boucle impossible to crochet with though. I just couldn’t see the stitches and kept missing them and getting holes and mis counted rounds.

So I tried holding the yarn along with some cream 4ply I had and it made the stitch definition much better and actually gave the fleece a two tone look.

The face, ears and hooves were done in brown double knit.

I recommend following the instructions for defining the eyes, it really made a big difference to the face and also the yarn wrapping to make the split hooves, it really finished off the look.

Very pleased with the finished lamb.



Free pattern here:

 https://hobbii.co.uk/teddy-basserne

Happy crocheting!


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Friday, 13 December 2019

Plot Twist. C J Brady pattern review

I couldn’t find the yarn locally but found a lovely 100% cotton yarn by James C Brett. Although it is a DK and not a blend of cotton and alpaca it still feels lovely, soft and silky.

The pattern is, as always, well written and easy to follow and can be found on Ravelry or CJ Brady’s Etsy shop. 

The cross stitch seems tricky at first but stick with it, it’s easy once you get used to it. It feels wrong to be going backwards and I found my fingers didn’t want to obey but it didn’t take long before they got used to it and it’s only a small panel, not the whole row.

I just did the tassels a little differently by simply cutting the yarn and folding in half, putting the loop through a hole then wrapping back through itself.

Colour is a lovely silver grey and I’m really pleased with the finished shawl.







It’s large and very cosy wrapped around you and the panel really stands out being an unusual stitch.

Highly recommend all C J Brady’s patterns, always a good price too and very detailed instructions. 

See other blog posts for reviews of others I’ve done. You can search using the tag C.J.Brady

Happy crocheting!

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Saturday, 9 November 2019

Shine On by C J Brady crochet pattern review


Pookie_Doodle

I love C J Brady patterns so when I saw this one called Shine On I wanted to make it. Quite often she has special offers where you can buy one get one free and I got Shine On when buying another of her patterns called Plot Twist, I’ll review that in another blog post. 

Shine On is an infinity type scarf /small cowl crochet in one long piece and joined with a short seam to make it circular. The decorative lace edging gives a lovely drop at the centre front.

I loved the lace section so much that I made a second one but made it wider, I added another two repeats.
I used Lion brand shawl in a ball metallic.  One x150g ball will make two shawls.









 Happy crocheting!




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Thursday, 29 August 2019

Fire and Ice Shawl Pattern Review


Pookie_Doodle





This pattern makes a lovely shawl, I used the recommended yarn Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball metallic. "Moonstone" shade.

It is beautiful to work with and although described as an aran yarn it is much thinner, works more like a double knit to me. It is cotton and acrylic with added metallic thread.

 I used a 6mm crochet hook to get the recommended gauge.


 The pattern is by Marie Segares and is easy to follow, a free version is available on Marie's blog or you can buy a pdf ready made copy. Full details on Ravelry here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fire-and-ice-shawl-2

I did get a little confused with the instructions - for instance at the end of some rows it says "(Decrease 1 st to an even number of sts)" I thought this meant that you then decreased at the end of the row but what it is actually doing is just confirming what you have done in that row, you've decreased one stitch




After reading some comments on Ravelry I understood it better and I think once you get into actually working something it makes more sense than just reading a pattern. 

It is worked from side to side, starting at one point, working to a wide centre then decreasing down to the other side point.


One thing I did not like was the idea of making a separate small circle and stitching it on to the end to match the start. This is simply because I really hate sewing/joining :)

So, once I had come to the end instead of cutting my yarn I slip stitched over the the other side to make a small loop and into this I crocheted 6 trebles (dc in US terms) and weaved in the end to make it into a circle. It looks fine and certainly matches the start and any discrepancies, if there are any,  are hidden by the multi colour of the yarn. That's the best thing about multi colour yarns, they hide a multitude of sins. :)

I did work the edging stitches, someone said they didn't bother as they thought it did not look right as the colours changed along the row due to the yarn changes, but I think mine looked lovely and was happy with it. It's whatever suits you that matters.

I would highly recommend this pattern.

Happy crocheting!



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Monday, 26 August 2019

Jordan Sleeveless Pineapple Top Pattern Review


Pookie_Doodle

I love how this crochet pineapple pattern top has come out.


The pattern is easy to follow with well written and diagram instructions.

I made the L/XL size and it fits perfectly - I am a UK 12/14 size.

I used Drops Safran yarn which is 100% cotton 4ply, I used the Denim Blue shade.

I used a 4.00mm crochet hook

It is a paid for pattern available via Ravelry, well worth the money.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jordan-sleeveless-pineapple-top
 
I did add a few extra rounds around the neck as it seemed very low cut.

I love how the pineapple design shows up if you wear a neutral colour beneath it. It looks better with something under it, rather than just your underwear but youngesters could probably get away with it! :)



I also like the pointed drop edges at each side which gives a lovely floaty look, much better than a straight finished.


Once you have made the yolk section you work from the top down, all in the round, all the way down to the bottom so if you wanted it would be possible to add more rows to make it longer. 


This also means there are no side seams to sew YAY!

 It might look a complicated design but once you get into the row repeats you begin to see how it comes together and can remember what stitches to do. The main thing is to add stitch markers at each side so you know where to increase as that is what gives the flare.


Happy crocheting!



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