Lullaby Lodge

Hello friends.  I have been meaning to write this post for quite some time, but with one thing and another it has gotten pushed to the side and forgotten.  This heatwave that has been going on for what seems like forever, has finally broken and I am loving the freshness of the air and the sound of the raindrops outside my window.  This gives me the perfect opportunity to take some time to write on my blog. Everything is growing really well this year with all the hot weather.  It has taken some considerable efforts to keep everything watered though and little T has been very helpful on that front.  As you all know we do not have a garden at home and so our allotment garden has become our haven and we love to spend as much time there as possible.  Mostly little T likes to sit in a shady spot and read while I get on with the gardening.  He does love to help with planting new things though and has asked for his own  "bit of earth" .  So we decided to make a small bed for lit

This hot weather has been doing crazy things to our berry patch at the kitchen garden.  We have so many berries ready for picking and many more ripening on the bushes.  Little T has been really enjoying picking them and enjoying the berry crumbles even more.  A couple of years ago I made some blackberry vodka and it was delicious, so I thought I might have a go at a mixed berry version.  He's how I made it... Bramble Berry Vodka You will need... A few handfuls of berries (we used blackberries and the mystery berries, you can read about them here ) Sugar to taste (around 150 g) Vodka (the cheap kind is fine) A large jar First give the berries a good wash... ...then add them to your jar... ...tip in the sugar... ...and cover with vodka.   Give the jar a good shake and leave in a cool dark place for a few weeks shaking every day until the sugar is dissolved. When your vodka is ready it will be look all gorgeous and b

Hello everyone!  I have a new pattern ready for testing.  It is a cute granny square baby bonnet perfect for keeping little ones cool in this hot weather we are having.  This is the first of 3 sun hat patterns and will be released as part of an e-book.  Granny Square Summer Bonnet If you would like to take part in testing this adorable pixie style sun hat, head on over to  The Testing Pool  on Ravelry where the test will be taking place.  You need not be an experienced tester or crocheter.  This pattern is suitable for beginners and I will be available to help all the way through the process. Enjoy the sunshine! Catherine x

Hello everyone, I have a new pattern ready for testing.  It is a cute baby blanket featuring a lovely gingham pattern dotted with daisies.  What new baby wouldn't look gorgeous wrapped up in this?   If you would be interested in helping to test this blanket you can sign up  here  on my Facebook page or head on over to  The Testing Pool  on Ravelry.  All testers will receive a free pattern chosen from my store as compensation.  You don't need to be an experienced tester as long as you have some crochet experience I can help you with anything else you need to know... Look forward to hearing from you Catherine x This pattern can be found in my Etsy Store...

With this gorgeous weather we have been having recently, things seem to be finally taking off at the allotment.  What with the really cold winter and late start to spring and also the pesky birds and slugs, we haven't had much growing this year so far.  We have had a few strawberries but everything else has been playing catch up...  Even though we have not had any great harvest, it is lovely just to sit in the kitchen garden and enjoy the sunshine.  Living in a small flat really makes me appreciate the space we have at our allotment. Last year (our first year of growing) was a constant battle with the weeds.  One which I cannot say we won...  So this year we are trying things a little differently and keeping the majority of the ground covered in black plastic.  We have a lot of perennial weeds to tend with including bindweed and nettles.  Also the previous tenant was growing horseradish which has spread over most of the plot.  It puts out really deep tap roots and is impossibl

If you are looking for an edging that is both perfectly pretty and super simple, then this is the one for you.  It's great for those blankets that you want something a little less girly around the edge.  This is one of my favourite go to borders and is so, so simple, making it perfect for beginners. Abbreviations US Terms dc - double crochet sc - single crochet sl st - slip stitch This border requires an even number of stitches around your blanket.  If you have an odd number, simple increase or decrease 1 stitch on the first round.  Or if you are like me just fudge it (it's only 1 stitch). Attach your yarn anywhere on you blanket with a sc Work sc's into every stitch along each side and 3 sc into each corner stitch continue in this way around your blanket and join with a sl st to the first sc Now turn your blanket over and work from the wrong side, dc in the first stitch and... sl st in the next stitch Repeat these

Hello lovely people!  This is just a quick post to share with you a new pattern that I have been working on.  It is designed for beginner knitters and uses the popular yarn cakes which come in a variety of gorgeous colours.  The shawl is knitted in garter stitch making is very easy for newbie knitters.  It features an asymmetric shape with cute sewn in tassels and a shawlette style.  A larger shawl may be maid simply by using 2 balls instead of 1.  The shawl can be worn in many different ways, around the shoulders or as a cowl.  Caron Cakes is recommended for this project, however any similar yarn may be substituted... The pattern is currently undergoing testing over on my Facebook page and if you are interested, I have space for a couple more testers.  Testing is very easy, you simply follow the pattern and report back with your views on ease of understanding, clarity etc and check for any mistakes.  As compensation for all your hard work you will be gifted a finished copy