Crochet Butterfly Snuggy

I've made quite a few snuggies over the years (you can check them out here), but this time I wanted to mix things up a bit! I began with this crochet star pattern, but made six points rather than the stated five. (It doesn't sit flat, but it works find when folded into wings.) I then used basic amigurumi techniques to create a body for the butterfly, that I thought would be a good size for little fingers. I (securely!) added some antennae and eyes, before folding the star in half and stitching the body to it. It's not like a traditional snuggy, but I think it still fulfils everything you want from one? I'd love to hear your thoughts! (Colours are all from my stash.)

Crochet Puzzle Balls & Charity Craft Auction!

I made more puzzle balls! My previous versions can be seen here, including a free printable for the instructions :) I enjoy making these, and I love mish-mashing colours together! The above puzzle ball has traveled all the way to Australia to live with one of my nephews, but the one below is up for grabs...

Have you heard of a charity called Post Pals? They're a wonderful organisation run by a friend of mine, and people volunteer to send post - letters and gifts - to seriously ill children and their siblings. As an adult with chronic health issues I know how much a piece of post can make me smile, so the work this charity does is brilliant. They are running a craft auction over on Facebook from 1st-8th August 2016 and I have donated one of my crochet puzzle balls! The auction is full of handmade items and craft supplies, and is intended to raise money to take all the children involved with the charity on holiday. They can't get away from their illnesses, but with our help they can get away from the same four walls.

I don't currently crochet items for sale, so if you want a puzzle ball, now is your chance! The puzzle ball up for auction is pictured below. Interested? Click here to visit the Facebook auction to place your bid and look through the other items for purchase - both handmade items and some craft supplies!

Crochet Starfish

One of my many little nephews recently celebrated his Birthday, and I found this cute wooden book called "Little Shark" for him. It has a finger puppet shark in built into the book who features on every page, and who the story line revolves around. I wanted a little something extra to go with it, and since in the story Little Shark befriends a golden starfish, a thought that would be the perfect addition!

The starfish is made using Tangled Happy's Tangled Happy Star, although I increased the centre of the body by an extra round to reach 40 stitches. This means that each point on the star starts with 8 stitches, and it makes a slightly larger star. I made two identical stars, stitched a face on one of them and slip stitched them together. The wool is Hayfield Bonus DK and it is crocheted with a 4mm hook.

Hopefully it will make for a happy story time :)

Crochet Puzzle Balls

I crocheted these puzzle balls as Christmas presents for two of my nephews (and was requested to make one for another!) They are wonderful toys for babies and toddlers, and I've seen adults in my family spend a fair bit of time with them too! They are very tactile, and pleasing to fiddle with.

They are made using this pattern from Look At What I Made. You begin by crocheting 24 little cone shapes, before hooking them together to make the squares you see above. These three squares can then be assembled to make the pointy star ball (in the first and last pictures). The points can also be rotated after assembly to make a flat sided ball, such as in the pictures below. This means that not only can the toy be used as a ball, to throw and play around, but it also develops motor skills, as it is disassembled and reassembled, and allows for different colour combinations depending on how it is assembled!

The finished size of these balls is an adult handful, but I am hoping to make one closer to knee height, which can be used as a footstool or floor pillows - just need to save up for some super chunky wool! I made these using Stylecraft's double knitting range. At first, it can be a bit confusing how to assemble this puzzle ball, so I made up some instructions to package with them. I'm sharing it as a free PDF that you can access by clicking the image below, but ask that you use it for personal use only. Thanks!

I really recommend this pattern though. I don't see many of these being made in blogland, and they deserve more attention!

Christmas 6 || Crochet Star

I love these stars over at Little Woollie! I adjusted them slightly to have 6 points, as I thought they went together better, but that may have just been because I was using a very random selection of wools!

I finished this one off with a vintage gold button, and it is hanging on the Christmas tree. I am making more in a different colour scheme in multiple sizes to hopefully be a stand alone decoration. I will share if when they're finished :)

Christmas 2 || Crochet Nativity Scene

I've wanted our own nativity scene for years, and eyed up a few patterns before deciding on this one, from Gourmet Crochet. When there are so many free patterns available online, I can find it hard to justify buying a pattern, but this one felt value for money. The pattern includes good instructions, which can also be used to make extra shepherds, and which I have also adapted to make reindeer and snowmen, and will probably adapt further in future.

I used a variety of wools, beads and threads from my stash, and Trimits 6mm solid black eyes (although I glue-gunned these on at the end). The star is made using Tangled Happy's Star pattern. The stable is simply a small cardboard box, which can be presented as a stable, but can also be used to store the characters in during the year - storage is difficult in our house, so things that do not take up too much room is definitely an advantage!

Motivational Bundle [& Free Printable]

You may have seen this motivational bundle around the internet? Well, when I saw it I loved the idea, but it wasn't quite right for my intended recipients - partly because it's not easy to find Hershey's Hugs and Kisses in the UK, and partly because edible items aren't always appropriate. And so, I came up with this variation.

You may recognise the felt hearts from my Felt Heart Ornaments post? And I packaged everything up, with some tissue paper, in the origami boxes from this Tried & Tested post - everything has it's purpose!

If you'd like to make one using the same elements, I have uploaded a PDF version of the text here, which you're welcome to use to bring motivation to your friends :)

Crochet Granny Stars

 I recently saw this Granny Star pattern over on Petals to Picots, I needed some simple therapeutic crochet, and knew I had to try it!

I used a 2.5mm hook, and rather fine wool, as I prefer smaller decorations on our Christmas tree :)

I really enjoyed making them, and the colours remind me a little of snowflakes, too! A lovely little pattern that I would recommend :)

Why not have a look at the other crafts in my Christmas category...

Origami Star Garland

I recently came across this tutorial for an origami star by Five Go Blogging. So, I cut some pages out of a book which would a relative was about to bin, and got folding!

I found the instructions a bit confusing at first, when it comes to flattening the points. After a bit of practise I made it work though - I found it easier to rotate the star and press a couple of points down at a time, meaning the star is flattened but the folds stay in place!

I decided to make stars in three different sizes, and gave the largest ones a layer of pearl paint, before threading them all on sparkly gold thread. I loved how quick this was to put together, but also how effective it looks strung up in our house :) (And it distracts from the lovely rented accommodation wallpaper!)

Why not have a look at the other crafts in my Christmas category...

Crocheted Mug Cosies

Hello :)

Two of the secret Christmas presents I crocheted (back in November!) were mug cosies. I was inspired by quite a few posts I'd seen round the internet, but loosely based the pattern off this.

The first one was worked in two different pink DK wools...

and finished with a white button...

and two white crocheted stars, worked rather finely!

The second was a penguin version! Worked in chunky black wool, and with a velcro closing this time.

With features added in felt!