Ready...Steady...Get Your Christmas Craft On

It's getting chilly outside, the nights are drawing in and the skies are full of honking geese flying south, that can only mean one thing, summer is gone and winter is looming.

With winter comes Christmas!! Now I know it's only mid October so there is still loads of time, but I don't know if its the weather making me want to get cosy but I'm starting to feel a bit of a glow and excitement for Christmas.

This year I want to make more of an effort, with decorations, cooking and creating all those little things that make a house feel more like a homely Christmas. I am officially declaring 2013 as my homemade Christmas and I'm so excited about it.

So where better to start than the humble Christmas tree decoration, even better as they are relatively quick and help get you in the spirit of Christmas....not that I think I need it.

Getting your tree and decorating your house is one of the most exciting parts in the run up to Christmas, who else feels depressed at how empty their house looks and feels come the 5th of January?! 

Thanks to a bit of surfing on Pinterest and Ravelry I found my first make. A cute little toadstool crochet pattern. I'm not quite sure how relevant toadstools are to Christmas but it is super cute. 

I was lucky enough to get the pattern free from Ravelry - www.ravelry.com from Drops Design, Garn Studio. 

http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/us/pattern.php?id=4876&lang=us

Those of you who read my blog know I'm no crochet queen but I am getting better. I admit my first toadstool looks rather questionable but I'm pretty happy with the second one! 

See for yourself....

                Top of Toadstool #1

           Toadstool #1 - a bit of a fatty

Toadstool # 2 - looking more promising

             Toadstool #2 - finished

Toadstool #2 - now that's more like it! 

                     Double trouble! 

But this is just the beginning!! My brain is bursting with lots of Christmas make projects. Keep tuned to find out what else I have up my tinsel covered sleeves! Speak soon :) 

Day 26 - Crochet Part 5 - Crochet Picture Frame

My next crochet project (even though I'm still working on the previous ones) is a crochet picture frame. I saw this in my latest copy of Simply Crochet magazine

and thought it was a pretty cool idea. 

http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/

Simply crochet magazine

Keen on the crochet frame idea I decided to have a look on Pinterest to see what others have also created too. 

http://knithacker.com/2010/10/27/beautiful-crochet-

picture-frames-tutorial/

http://knittingisawesome.com/2013/01/09/crocheted-

picture-frames/crocheted-picture-frame/

  

http://www.duitang.com/album/167730/?from=detail_

bottom

Here is the early stages of my attempt at the crochet picture frame. I'll keep you updated as the project progresses!

The template in the magazine and the template cut out of thin card. I've used a cereal packet.

Double crochet around the cardboard template. 

Day 20 - Crochet Part 3 - Pretty Lace Collar

My latest crochet project was from a pattern I found in Simply Crochet. http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/

Simply Crochet

I've been admiring for a while all the pretty Peter Pan style removable collars that have been selling in the shops, so when I saw a pattern for a lace crochet collar I thought I might as well give it a go! 

Lace collar

All in all it was fairly simple, the only problem I had was an issue with my tension. I must crochet quite tight as after doing the foundation chain and row one my collar was still about 10cm too short! I had to creatively figure how to encorporate more stitches. This has resulted in the finished item being slightly uneven at the ends so it may be best to hide the join at the back of the neck rather than wear to the front as intended. No big deal, ill get number 2 right!! 

Anyway enjoy the photos, ill upload another one when it is 100% finished! 

Work in progress 

Day 17 - Crochet Part 2- The Jellyfish Has Landed

Whilst exploring my crochet self I came  across the idea of crochet jellyfish from Kirstie Allsopps "Kirstie's Vintage Home" book. 

Kirstie Allsopp book

Crochet jellyfish project

As I want to create a seaside inspired bathroom I thought these jellyfish would add something funky to the room. 

Here is how I got on:

Close up of jellyfish

Close up of jellyfish

The tentacles!!!

The tentacles are escaping......

Not the best of photographs but you get the idea! This project was really fun and easy for beginners. 

Why not give it a go and crochet your own Jellyfish friend!

Day 9 - Crochet Part 1 - Crochet a Curtain Ring!

If you have ever read any of my earlier posts you will have seen I've tried to attempt crochet before. I've always found it really tricky, I don't know why?! Maybe it is because I started with knitting so couldn't get over the concept of only using one hook instead of two needles?! 

Well I don't know what has happened but apparently I've got the hang of it! I've been dabbling in a few projects and here is one of them. 

Crochet Around a Curtain Ring

These are quite simple to make and look really pretty! I'm starting to learn that even the most basic of crochet patterns look really effective! 

An assortment of crochet rings

So far I've made 5 rings in a variety of colours. I plan to make quite a few and then hang them on a wall at different heights to create a focal point. Ill keep you in the loop when I complete this project! 

I've got some more crochet projects which ill show you over the next few days so keep your eyes peeled! 

Day 7 - Knitted and Crocheted Food, What a Mouthful of Wool

Today I thought that I'd share with you my driving companion, my knitted prawn.

My knitted prawn                                                                      

A few years ago when I was quite keen on knitting I decided to try something different so I knitted a prawn. I meant to knit some more foods but it never really took off. Recently however I came accross a textile artist called Kate Jenkins  

http://www.cardigan.ltd.uk/kate-jenkins.php who creates some fantastic crocheted food with a twist of humour. I've provided some of my favourite work of hers below.

 

Woollen Whopper with Yarn Fries

http://www.cardigan.ltd.uk/exhibition-item.php?id=151

French Fries

http://www.cardigan.ltd.uk/exhibition-item.php?id=101

Avocrochet Prawn, i love the added sequins! 

http://www.cardigan.ltd.uk/exhibition-item.php?id=29

Wool Chow Mein Fake Away

I think Kate has just managed to re-ignite my interest in knitted and crocheted foods! Watch this space and see if my prawn gets some companions soon!