Sunday 18 December 2016

Advent - Part Two

Well as expected this week has gone by in a blur.  We have had Christmas lunch at my school, my son's nativity play, my work's do, visiting Santa in his grotto, decorating the tree and carols by candlelight...

This morning we had a lovely breakfast at our local garden centre.  Little T protested greatly at having to get dressed so early on a Sunday, but I gently pointed out that there might be a special someone there today...



After visiting the big man we meandered around the garden centre looking at the Christmas displays.  We spent a long time looking at all the lovely decorations.  Every year I always buy something new for our tree and this year we picked out a silver filigree star with crystal drops.  

Once home the tree was finally decorated.  It has actually been up for a couple of weeks with only the lights and some tinsel, waiting patiently for the rest it's adornments.  I like to take my time with the baubles, removing them from their boxes and carefully unwrapping the tissue paper.  We have little china angel bells, a frosty Santa, owls and hedgehogs, countless sparkly glittery balls and of course many hand made ornaments.  Finally a glittering of icicles.  The single ornaments that I buy each year are my favourites to unwrap.  It's like meeting up with an old friend you have not seen for a long time and each of them holds memories of things that happened in the year that I bought them...


In the evening we went to Carols by Candlelight at my local church.  The service was beautiful as always.  I particularly enjoyed the song performed by "The Choir With no Name"... and of course there were lots of old favourites.


The adorable knitted nativity that they bring out every year.



It was lovely to spend the evening contemplating the true meaning of Christmas...

"And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us"
John 1:14

Catherine
x

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Saturday 17 December 2016

Free Pattern - Pocket Tissue Cosy

I recently made these again for my 2019 craft fair season, you can read all about it in this post here...

Craft Fair Idea #2 Pocket Tissue Cosy's





Free pattern - Pocket Tissue Cosy


Need a last minute gift for someone?  This quick and easy pocket tissue cosy is just the thing.  Makes a perfect stocking filler or just a little something extra for that special someone.  You can make this with any yarn weight and the pattern will also work to cosy up your mobile phone or tablet.  The cover is easily adaptable for any size...




This pattern is written in US terminology.

You will need

Yarn, small amounts of any weight
Crochet hook corresponding to your yarn weight (4 mm hook for DK, 5 mm for Aran etc.)
Wool needle
Stitch marker (I just use a scrap of yarn for this...)
A button
Optional, crochet flowers or other embellishments


Stitches used

sc single crochet
hdc half double crochet
ldc linked double crochet (if you have never used this stitch before you can find a great tutorial here)


Round 1 Make a chain that is the same width as your packet of tissues (or phone / tablet) chain 1 more and make 3 sc into the 2nd chain from the hook place your marker in the first of these sc, sc into every chain untill the last chain, sc 3 into last chain, now turn your work and continue working sc's into the under side of your chain.

Do not join we will be working in a spiral

Round 2 1 hdc into the first sc of previous round (remember to move your marker at the start of each round), dc into the next stitch, ldc into the next stitch and each stitch around.



Continue in rounds working ldc into every stitch until your crochet is the same length as your pocket tissues (it is a good idea to try your cosy on after the first couple of rounds to check the fit).  Try your cosy on again, it should fit fairly tightly add extra rounds if you need to...

Once your cosy is the right length finish 2 stitches before the marker, hdc in the next stitch, sc in the following stitch and in every stitch around, join with a slip stitch.  Optional -  work 1 round of crab stitch (reverse sc), bind off.


Make Button Loop 

Sew your button onto the front of your cosy near the top.  Chain enough stitches to make a loop that will go from the back of the cosy, around your button and back again.  I use a size smaller hook for this.  Thread your tails onto a wool needle and sew in place at the back of the cosy.   You can leave your cosy just as it is or add crochet flowers, ribbons, appliques etc...




Now give your cute gift to your loved one, or make loads and keep one for yourself...

Have a very merry Christmas

Catherine
x


I have created some cute gift labels for your small crochet projects.  Suitable for these pocket tissues or dishcloths.


You can find these labels in my Etsy Store...




You might enjoy...





Monday 12 December 2016

Advent

Well haven't the last few weeks been super busy.  There has been lots of crochet, school Christmas Fairs, School discos, The annual Reindeer Parade and of course the Christmas craft Market.  I have also been doing a little pattern testing on Ravelry, hence the neglect of any bloggy pursuits.  I'm hoping the next couple of weeks will calm down a little but who am I kidding...

I have just enough time to share a few photos with you.

The Reindeer Parade.  
We love to go to this every year.  It begins outside Windsor Castle with a marching band, 


followed by Santa's Elves


and finally the big man himself with his reindeer...





We like to follow the parade as it winds its way around Windsor.  The band playing a jolly rendition of "Santa clause is Coming to Town" and little T madly waving his flag... Having children certainly brings back the magic of Christmas. I am fondly reminded of the traditions we kept when I was a child and now I have the pleasure of making new traditions with my own.

This weekend was the Christmas Market that I have been busily been preparing for.  I arrived early to set up and had plenty of time to relax for a bit before it all started.  The other stall holders were all amazingly friendly and very complementary of my table (I was more than a little nervous it being my first craft fair...).

There were hotties, stockings and baubles galore...











It was a little on the quiet side but the atmosphere more than made up for it.  Everyone was visiting each others stalls and buying those last minute gifts.  I had my lovely friend Karen along to help me who did very well on the raffle.  We even had a visit from the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. 


Here he is with the lovely Sarah from The Mint Makeover.

I hope you are all enjoying the Christmas festivities where ever you are.  Take care...

Catherine
x

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