Light and Lacy Crochet - A Summer Scarf

I was looking for a project that would be easy to carry, I didn't want any bulky knitting like jumpers on circular needles this time, I needed something that would fit in a small bag and I could carry with me to work on when I felt like it.

I've decided on this 'Summer Sprigs Lace Scarf' by Esther - you can find the pattern here: http://makemydaycreative.com/2014/05/02/summer-sprigs-lace-scarf

It looks perfect for what I want and I am trying it in a 100% mercerised crochet cotton, which I got from 'Boyes', a British high street store, I'm using a 2.00mm crochet hook.

The pattern is worked over 386 stitches which are decreased on each row to finally end at the point of the scarf. A two row edging is then applied to finish it off. The main area is a one row pattern repeat and I've read that it is easy to remember once you get into it.

So far so good, I've not had any problems with the pattern so far and it is easy to understand and there is also a drawn chart for those who prefer their stitches shown in diagram form, rather than written. The picture below shows three rows so you can see how fine the work is but I'm finding it easy enough to see the stitches in the white yarn and as each row decreases it should grow quickly.

I'm hoping this will be a nice scarf for a Spring or Summer evening.

I will let you know how it progresses!

Happy crocheting!

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Handmade Gift Bags

I've been making these bags for many years, in fact I used to sell them on eBay at one time until it got too time consuming and expensive to post. I remember a lovely lady in the USA who used to have a cat paw print design for her handmade jewellery.

I thought I would now share the design and template so you can all enjoy making them yourself.

They are fairly simple to do and the small bag can be made from one sheet of A4 paper, the larger bag needs two sheets.

All you need to do is download my FREE template which you can find in the Pattern or Template download page either from this link: http://www.pookiedoodlecrafts.co.uk/p/pattern-or-template-downloads.html or from the tabs at the top of the page.

Once downloaded you need to print them on to A4 paper. You can either use already decorated paper (print the template onto the back of the paper) or decorate your bag with your own design - this is a great idea for children as they can get creative!

I've made a video tutorial here giving full instructions on how to make the bags:

All I would ask is that you respect my terms of use below, I've spent a lot of time and effort on these templates and share them freely to you, for personal use only.

Have fun!!



Terms of use:

The templates is free to use for your personal use only.

You may not copy, reproduce, sell, distribute physically or digitally or put the template on your own blog/website - instead please provide a link back to my blog.

Please do not claim the template as your own.

Please credit Pookie Doodle Crafts www.pookiedoodlecrafts.co.uk as the designer and
provide a link where possible.

The items you make: You may do what you like with the items you make from the template but please give me credit for the
design where possible. I would love to see your creations please do share them.

If you sell them and make a reasonable profit please consider making a little donation to a charity from it - I would really
appreciate that and thank you in advance :) 
 

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Cats and crafts

I am very much a cat lover and cats or kittens feature in many of my creations.

Here are just a few, there are more which I will post about on another day:

Cat footstool - this was a tapestry design taken from the Crafty Cat Workbasket by Julie S. Hasler

I changed the design from that in the book to match the colours of my black and white cat at that time. The footstool was made from a piece of wood with some wadding placed between the tapestry and then the tapestry was held in place with decorative wood pins. (Similar to drawing pins but a little stronger, available from most hardware stores). I then added four small legs at each corner. Alternatively you might be able to pick up a small footstool from a charity shop and alter the design to fit the size.

Another design from the same book was this cross stitch scented bag. Once the cross stitch was finished I added a backing and a lace edge then filled it with a little soft wadding soaked in perfume.






You can still purchase this book at Amazon: The Crafty Cat Workbasket









These decorated T. Shirts were made using the 'Waste Canvas' technique.

Waste Canvas is a type of cross stitch canvas, it has an even weave. At the time I used waste canvas that was single threads and when you have finished your cross stitch you simply pull out each thread, from the top and then from the side, leaving your cross stitch in place on the work. You can still purchase this type of canvas but you can also now get waste canvas that will dissolve when wet thus providing another way of removing it. Here is an example, but it is available in many different counts: Waste Canvas

One tip for working with waste canvas is to make sure you do not catch any of the canvas in your stitches as you work, otherwise it will not pull out when you have finished.
I did two patterns both taken from 'Cute Cats and Teddy Bears' by Debbie Minton, one was a cat face and the other a sleeping kitten.

They look very effective when worn and many people were keen to know where I had got the T. Shirt.

You can still purchase this book at Amazon here: Cute Cats and Teddy Bears

I hope you have fun if you have a go at making something 'catty' :) I will come back another day and share my plastic canvas cat creations, a large cat tapestry and cat face cushion.

Happy crafting!

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Joining yarns with a 'Magic Knot' technique

Hi all

I was taught this technique for joining two yarns together to form a very well hidden knot by my friend Mary last year.

I must admit I was very skeptical that it would work, I fully expected the knot to simply come undone, but they don't and I've been using it ever since as a quick and easy way to join yarn.

I've found that it does not work with the fancy yarns like tinsel or any that are very shiny, but otherwise it works well and it is lovely not having to sew in all those yarn ends into the back of work!

It is not easy to put into words how to do it so I've created a quick video tutorial which you can see here:

Hope you find this idea useful.

Happy crafting!

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Drops/Garnstudio 'Lace Affair' 159-2 Knitted Jacket/Cardigan

Hi All

Well I've finally finished my knitted jacket, I started it in April 2015 and finished it October 2015, I have been working on other things in between as I found the pattern needed good concentration to begin with and it was hard to do unless all was quiet or I was on my own!

It got easier with time and by the end I could do it while watching TV but still made a few mistakes particularly with the shaping of the armholes - there are no pattern stitch instructions on how to incorporate increased or decreased stitches into the design, all it says is 'keep pattern correct', which I found a bit easier said than done.

I'm a little bit disappointed with the length, the pattern showed it as almost thigh length and although my tension was correct and I stuck to the measurements in the instructions it actually came out at around hip length.

Having said all that I am really pleased with it, the effect is fabulous with no side seams to stitch so the pattern goes all the way around with no breaks.

It did however mean that you have a very large piece of work to deal with.

I did it in Drops Love You 5 in 'Heather', it is an Aran weight yarn.

Recommended yarn is Drops Bomull-Lin
Link to Free Pattern: Lace Affair 159-2 Drops Garnstudio

I've done a video review of the pattern and my experience of knitting it, along with a few tips and ideas which I hope will help if you try the pattern.

Happy knitting!

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Christmas Toys and Decorations

Is it too early to talk about Christmas? ;)

Just wanted to share some of the things I've done or in the process of making that you might like to have a go at.

Knitted Santa and Snowmen Toys

Last year I did these lovely little Santa and Snowmen dolls, they are so quick and easy to knit and you can use up oddments of yarn. They stand around 6" high and all my grandchildren loved them.

They are designed by Jean Greenhowe and available in her Christmas Special book, which also has lots of other patterns (including a nativity scene) and is currently on Amazon: Jean Greenhowe Knitting Pattern Book - Christmas Special 

I also have a video tutorial of how I made my tiny quick and easy pompoms using just a fork, for the hats of the dolls:- 

Crochet Snowflakes

I am currently making these little snowflakes which measure approx. 2" across.

The pattern is really easy and consists of only 3 rounds mainly of chains and a few double crochet. The patterns is from Attic24: http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crochet-snowflake.html

I made them in 4ply cotton and did have to firm them using the PVA wash (see my video tutorial here if you want to know how to do a firming wash:  https://youtu.be/Ci0br4YfnpE) 

I am also going to try them in a pale ice blue as I think it could be quite an effective colour.

Whatever you are up to I hope you have great fun planning your Christmas makes!

Happy crafting!

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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Crochet around hoops and rings to decorate them

In this video I show you how to cover rings and hoops with crochet stitches to decorate them - I used old curtain hoops, plastic bangles and key chain rings - they can be used for all sorts of decorative effect, including Christmas tree decorations.

I also used this effect on my crochet African Flower Bag, using the hoops for the handle holders: http://www.pookiedoodlecrafts.co.uk/2015/10/african-flower-crochet-tutorial.html

A great way to use up odd balls and scrap yarn plus you can often rings and hoops very cheaply in pound shops, charity shops, car boots etc.

Happy crocheting!

Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PookieDoodleCrafts and Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/pookiedoodle

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