Crocheted Infinity Scarves

Sharing two Infinity scarves crocheted for my sister and a friend using
Melanie Ham's pattern which you can find HERE on her blog and HERE on YouTube

For my sisters scarf, I used 2 x 50g balls of Stylecraft DK, Batik Elelments
in the shade Titanium 

I purchased this yarn from The Cheap Shop, Tiptree, Essex

For my friend's scarf I used 1 x 100g ball of James C. Brett Stonewash DK
in the shade: SW14 Heather

I purchased this yarn from Hobbycraft and used a 5mm crochet
hook for both.

These are easy projects to make and are good for making 'on the go',
as everything fits into a zip-lock bag.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

 

A Crocheted Throw Blanket for my Niece

Today, I am sharing a crocheted throw blanket I made my niece for her
40th birthday. I'm pleased to say she loved it.

My plan was for her to start using it late September/October time, when the
weather starts getting cooler, but she's told me that she's used it already,!

I adapted the pattern which I used HERE to make the Infinity scarf.
The pattern consists of just the V Stitch. 

I first decided how wide I wanted the throw to be, and then crocheted rows
of the same stitch.

I finished it by adding a small border of double and treble crochet stitches
and then wrapped it with a pretty crocheted blanket tie. 

I purchased the yarn online from The CheapShop, Tiptree, Essex.

I used eight 100g balls of Stylecraft Special DK in the colour ‘Spearmint’

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

Sirdar - Sweet Blossom Blanket CAL

Back in April, Sirdar in conjunction with Hayfield yarn were advertising a
Crochet Along (CAL) to make the Sweet Blossom Blanket.

Straightaway, I loved the look of it, especially as there were some new stitches 

and techniques for me to learn.

I signed up with Sirdar to receive the weekly pattern by email 

and also ordered the yarn pack from The Cheap Shop, Tiptree

The designer of the blanket is Sue Rawlinson also known as ‘Sweetpea Family’

on Facebook and Instagram

The CAL was set out over 5 weeks, although I knew it would take me longer than 

that to complete. Both Sue and Sirdar set up Facebook groups which enabled 

everyone taking part to ask questions, seek help on a particular problem 

they encountered and also share their completed blankets.

Each week's pattern was supported by YouTube videos made by Sue,

showing the details of the pattern for that week and tutorials on the 

stitches used.

I am pleased to reveal, that the blanket took me only 8 weeks to complete in the end. 

It’s not 100% perfect, but for my first attempt at following a pattern, I am pleased 

with out it turned out.

Here is how my blanket looked after each weeks pattern…

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

I even learnt how to 'block' the blanket to straighten up my wonky edges 

before adding the border to it.

Week 5

Sue also has a YouTube tutorial HERE to make a pretty blanket tie, which is
a really nice addition if the blanket is being gifted. 

I'm keeping this one as it's my first, but I thought I would try making the tie anyway!

She’s also made one with pom poms instead of the hearts.

I've now purchased the pattern and yarn for Sue's Sweet Summer blanket,

so I'm looking forward to starting on that soon.

 I have a feeling blanket making may become a little bit addictive!

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

 

My First Crocheted Blanket

 After teaching myself to crochet through lockdown and starting with small projects
(pumpkins, infinity scarves and nested baskets, I thought I’d try being a bit
more adventurous and try making a blanket.

Not wanting it to be too difficult, I searched online at various designs, and
decided I should start with making one using just one colour, one stitch
and one border! I thought it best to work up gradually to crocheting in
different stitches and colours.

I have been following Christine from Hope and Chances with her card making
for a few years now, and attended a few of her classes when she owned her
studio in Gravesend.

She is a self taught crocheter, and has made some lovely blankets and cushions
which you can find on her blog and also in her Folksy shop HERE

Seeing a couple Christine has made up in this style, I thought it was a
good one for me to try.

This is just rows and rows of double crochet which took me a few weeks to complete.
For the scalloped/shell border, I followed Bella Coco’s Crochet tutorial which
can be found HERE on YouTube.

I did enjoy making this, so I have now started another, again in just one colour

but this time using a different stitch and border.

I purchased the yarn online from The CheapShop, Tiptree, Essex.
I used seven 100g balls of Stylecraft Special DK in the colour ‘Stone’

 

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x

A Handmade Packing Cube

Today, I am sharing a Packing Cube, which is one of the projects

available to make on the online sewing course with Claire Mackanass

at Beautiful Things Craft and Sewing Classes

This is the smaller of the two sizes available to make, and
you can see itincludes a carry handle.

Making this project, I learnt how to make binding, sew with mesh
and also how to insert a continuous zip.

I purchased the fabric from The CheapShop in Tiptree, Essex

This is the third project I have made in the Silver Course,
The first one, a Travel Mug Bag can be found HERE and the second
one the Vivien Bag can be found HERE

Claire's step by step video tutorials are easy to follow, along

with her written instructions. In each group, there are six projects
to make, as and when you want to.

I plan to make the larger cube and another one this size, in the hope
I will be able to use them when things hopefully return a little more
back to normal.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

 

Another Crocheted Infinity Scarf

After crocheting my first Infinity scarf recently which you can see HERE,
I decided to make myself another, this time in a different colour way.

I purchased the yarn online from The CheapShop in Tiptree, Essex, and the
pattern I used is designed by Melanie Ham which you will find HERE on her
YouTube channel and is also covered HERE on her blog.

Melanie's instructions are very clear, easy to follow, with the stitch used 

being easily converted from U.S crochet stitch to the UK one.

It’s really handy too, to be able to pause or re-wind the video instructions

 as and when needed.

I used 2 x 50g balls and chose the colour 'Platinum' from
the Batik Elements Double Knit range made by Stylecraft.
I also used crochet hook size 5mm.

When sewing the two ends together, I decided this time to
make it a twisted infinity scarf, which Melanie shows how to do with
a short video further down in her blog post.

I am sure this won't be the last one I make,
but I am currently crocheting a blanket/throw which I will
share once it is finished.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

A Crocheted Infinity Scarf

 Moving on from teaching myself to crochet pumpkins which you can find HERE 
(if you haven't seen them already), I set about trying to find myself something
a bit bigger to make, which would still be good for beginners.

I found THIS infinity scarf on YouTube, designed by Melanie Ham.

I knew that crochet stitch names differ between the U.K. and the U.S but this
pattern used only one type of stitch, so it was manageable for me.

After calculating how much yarn I needed, I bought it online 
from The CheapShop in Tiptree, Essex.

I used 2 x 50g balls and chose the colour 'Krypton' from
the Batik Elements Double Knit range made by Stylecraft.
I also used crochet hook size 5mm.

Melanie's instructions are very clear and easy to follow, and
it was really useful to be able to pause the video as and when you need to.

I'm pleased to say it didn't take me too long to complete, so I started making
another one straightaway, using the 'Platinum' shade which I bought at the
same time. I really love the colour combinations of this yarn.

I am definitely enjoying this new hobby in Lockdown 2.0, and will be
looking for more projects to make.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

A Vivien Project Bag

Today, I am sharing a Vivien Project Bag, which is one of the projects
 available to make on the online sewing course with Claire
at Beautiful Things Craft and Sewing Classes

This is a lovely drawstring, quilted bag designed for keeping knitting or 

crocheting projects in. When you pull on the drawstring, you can use

 the handles to carry the bag around.

It also has a very useful large zipped compartment inside,
which can be used as a divider to separate different projects.

It could easily be used as a wash bag too.

This is the second project I have made in the Silver Course, the first one,
a Travel Mug Bag can be found HERE

The outer fabric is a Rose and Hubble design - Tropical Lily on Black
which I purchased online from Fabric Love along with the green
cotton lining fabric.
The red cord is from The CheapShop in Tiptree, Essex

Claire's step by step video tutorials are really easy to follow, along

 with her written instructions.

In each group, there are six projects to make, as and when you want to.

I still have one more to make from the Bronze group, which is an envelope
backed and zipper tabbed cushion, but as we didn't receive the instructions until
recently, I thought I would make this bag.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

A Note Book Cover and Sliding Pencil Case

Today, I am sharing a note book cover and a sliding pencil case that I made 

for my next door neighbour as a thank you gift.

Whilst being home on maternity leave, she has spent these weeks in lockdown, with

her new baby son, and her daughter who was home from school.

As if that wasn't enough to be keeping her busy, she also found the time on a regular basis

 to make sure I was ok, and offering to get any shopping for me if needed.

I've really appreciated her kindness and time. Since she was returning to

work as a teacher this week, I thought both these might come in handy for her.

I followed YouTube tutorials for both projects.
The Sliding Pencil Case can be found HERE and the Notebook Cover HERE

The materials are from

The Cheap Shop in Tiptree, Essex.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x

My Latest Sewing Project - A Waist Bag

I fancied having a go at making myself a waist bag.

It will be handy to use, to hold my keys, mobile phone, and tissues etc,
when I go out walking.

In the colder months it will easily fit underneath my jacket or coat.

I found a free YouTube tutorial HERE by Miko Craft which I followed.
Although it is all spoken in Inonesian, Miko does provide an English written
translation, so I found his instructions and pattern easy to follow once
I had watched the video a few times.

I purchased the canvas outer fabric and the cotton lining fabric from
The Cheap Shop in Tiptree, Essex.

Whilst we are in lockdown, they have been operating on
minimal staff, and requesting orders to be emailed to them.

I emailed my order through to them, adding a few extra items which 

were not shown on their website e.g. bag making hardware.

Stephanie called me the next day, and kindly Whatsapped me photos
of the stock they had for all the additional items for me to choose from.
Postage and packaging of £2.99 was added to my order which

I received the next day by courier.

An amazing, friendly service from a local company, who have a great selection of
fabrics, knitting wools and haberdashery items. I would certainly recommend
and use them again.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x

A Travel Mug Bag

Today, I am sharing a travel Mug Bag, which is one of the projects available to make 

on the online sewing course with Claire at Beautiful Things Craft and Sewing Classes

It is a handy, padded bag which can be used to carry a mug inside it, and it has
 three pockets on the outside of it, to pop snacks, tea bags and any treats into.

This is the first project I have made since moving up from the
Bronze Course to the Silver Course

 My bronze makes I have made so far are...

A zipped doorstop HERE
A lay flat drawstring make-up bag HERE

A sewing machine mat HERE
A quilted table placemat HERE
A patchwork placemat HERE

In each group, there are six projects to make, as and when you like to.
I still have one more to make in the Bronze group, which is an envelope
backed and zipper tabbed cushion.

Claire's step by step video tutorials are really easy to follow, along with her 

written instructions.

I used some fabric I had leftover from the sewing machine mat I made.
This was purchased from The CheapShop in Tiptree, Essex

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x

Another Quilted Box

Today, I am sharing a quilted box that I made yesterday, as a small thank you gift 

to a kind lady who has donated me this piece of fabric, plus some other lovely
off-cuts, mainly used for making blinds.

One of my friends who I used to work with, knows this lady through her local U3A.

She happened to say to her one day that she would like to
find a home for these off-cuts, when my friend mentioned about my 

new sewing hobby!

I have been given a bagful of gorgeous material, lots of different designs

which I'm really looking forward to putting to good use.
Now I just have to wait for this crisis to be over, so I can meet my
friend for lunch to give it to her. 

 

You can see the three others I have made HERE, HERE and HERE

I do love making these boxes, especially as it was my very first sewing project that 

Claire from Beautiful Things taught me last year on her Beginners Sewing class.

She is currently offering a selection of online sewing courses, which you can find 

on her website, as well as plenty of free tutorials which you can find on her
YouTube channel HERE

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x