Lullaby Lodge

I learned to knit when I was around 7 years old, my mum taught me.  I made lots of things as a child, mostly clothes for my dolls and then I didn't knit for many years.  It wasn't until I had my son that I took up my needles again and the first thing I made was a knitted Iggle Piggle.  My son loved In The Night Garden and this was the first of many knitted toys I made for him.  I had caught the bug again and also taught myself to crochet, watching videos on Youtube.  I no longer make any stuffed toys as Little T is, well, not so little anymore.  I very much admire all the amazing amigurumi patterns out there though and thought you might like to see some of my favourites... Amazing Amigurumi I love foxes and these amigurumi ones are just adorable and super squishy, crocheted in chenille yarn.  The pattern is by Crafty Bunny Bun. Foxy Fox Amigurumi This crochet deer is too cute for words and I just love his knitted jumper.   Amigurumi Deer

One of my favourite things to crochet is blankets.  I just love the whole process from start to finish.  Scouring the internet for ideas of colours, shapes, texture; choosing yarn and making that first long wiggly starting chain, working on the body of the blanket, joining motifs, but my favourite part about blanket making is adding the border.  It's that time when your project is almost finished and you can see exactly how your blanket will look.  I love that feeling of completion you get while adding your final rounds. The style of your blanket will determine what kind of edging you add.  I have used fancy, lace edgings in the past, bobble edgings , pretty shells and I love them all; but sometimes you just want something simple and nothing could be more simple and effective than a crab stitch border. Crab Stitch Edging Materials Yarn Darning needle Hook Use a hook that matches your project and yarn Abbreviations / Terms US terms are used through

Hello lovely people, last week I joined a CAL group over on Ravelry .  The group is called Our Happy CAL Place  and if you like a good crochet along, I recommend you head on over to Ravelry and check them out.  The group has many different crochet alongs throughout the year, in particular a monthly and weekly crochet along.  The group is very friendly and helpful with a wide variety of projects and themes each week / month.  Joining a group like this is a great way to use up some stash and this bookmark would make a great gift for a book lover... This weeks CAL was this cute Granny Bookmark , which is a free Ravelry download by Deborah Ellis.  The pattern calls for no.10 thread and a 1.5 mm hook.  I love the way thread projects look, but for myself, I am not keen working with such a tiny hook.  So, not having any thread weight yarn in my stash. I went for this cotton fingering yarn by Drops.  I used a 2.5mm hook to make my version of the bookmark and also skipped rounds 2 &

It's nearing the end of May and summer is nearly here.  It's time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, make some tasty treats and head on out to the park for a picnic.  I have some great patterns to share with you to make your picnic perfect. Picnic In The Park Essential to any picnic, is a picnic blanket and this one by Yarnspirations looks just fabulous.  Who doesn't love gingham? Caron Gingham Picnic Blanket Make these gorgeously, colourful, crochet can cosy's.  Perfect for keeping your drinks cool in the sun.  The pattern is by Beatrice Ryan Designs. Rainbow Ridges Can Cosy Pack all your sandwiches and yummy treats in this crochet picnic basket.  The pattern is by Crystalized Designs Picnic Basket Another pattern from Yarnspirations.  These giant cushions will make your picnic extra comfy, perfect for a posh picnic. Spiral Crochet Pillow Add a riot of colour to your picnic with thi

In last week's Tutorial Tuesday, we learned how to make crochet circles and as promised this week, I will show you how to turn them into squares.  I have used Stylecraft Special Aran in colours Baby Mint, Baby Pink, Saffron, Aspen, White and Fondant to make my squares with a 5mm (H) hook; but you can use any yarn you like, just use the hook size recommended on your yarn... Circle Granny Squares Materials Yarn Darning needle Stitch marker (optional) Hook Use the hook size recommended on your yarn ball band Abbreviations / Terms US terms (UK terms) hdc - half double crochet (half treble crochet) dc - double crochet (treble crochet) tr - treble crochet (double treble crochet) sl st - slip stitch ch - chain st(s) - stitch(es) With your main colour, ch 4 and join with sl st to form ring. Round 1  ch3 (counts as dc, in this and every round), 11dc into ring, join with sl st to top ch3.  (12dc).  If you find it easier you can add

Wow this has been a tough one!  It's so hard to find great crochet patterns for men, for the summer season.  There are plenty of hats, scarves and gloves patterns for the winter, but there seems to be a lack of patterns available for this time of year.  I did manage to find 6 patterns that I love, to share with you though.  I hope you like them too... Crochet Gifts for Father's Day First off, is this gorgeously chunky man blanket.  This blanket would be great for camping if your Dad is outdoorsy or just keep it by his favourite armchair to ward off the evening chill.  It's crocheted in super chunky yarn so you could whip it up in no time.  The pattern is available at Simple Sweet Yarns blog. The Hubbie Nubbie If you are looking for something quick and easy, then this gadge stand would make the perfect gift, for dads who love their iphones.  The pattern is by 5 Little Monsters. Crochet Phone or Tablet Stand Show your dad how much you lo