Christmas Bell

  Now what would Christmas be without a few bells?

  These are quick and fairly easy to crochet. And best of all you can get away with NOT blocking. They look better blocked, but I can never find anything the right size & shape to block bells. And if blocked in the wrong shape they just don't look right!

 As I like my bells to jingle I add a cat bell on a string.

 I found the free pattern HERE. As well as the written pattern there is also a video.

Mile A Minute Blanket

  For this blanket I used a thick wool.
  You can either do all the strips (the light blue and white) and then join them all together (the dark blue),or join as you go. I prefer to join as I go.

 

  This pattern is free HERE. 

  Click HERE to see how I block blankets.

All my Snowflakes

  As I have posted a few snowflakes patterns I thought it might be nice to see them all together. That way it's easier to get an idea of the sizes.
  All these were done with the same size thread and a 1.5mm hook.

  Here are the links to each snowflake post. They are in the same order as the photo.





Snowflake, 











Snowflake Nº4

Snowflake Nº3

Snowflake Nº2.

 



Click HERE to see how I block my snowflakes.

Snowflake Nº4

  I know, another snowflake, but they are just so pretty and easy...
  But this is the last one, for this year at least...

 

  I found the free chart for this one HERE.

  Please click HERE if you are interested in how I block and starch my snowflakes.

Blocking 2. Lace

  Now while we might get away with not blocking granny squares (see how I do it HERE). But when it comes to fine lace crochet it's necessary.

  To block things like doilies and snowflakes you need only a few things.

    *Lots of stainless steal pins.
    *Something to use as a pin board. (a piece of cardboard, cork board, styrofoam)
    *Baking paper.
    *A sheet of paper.
    *Bowl of water.
    *Starch.

Snowflake Nº3 small

  Here is another snowflake pattern that I love. This one is smaller than the others, but just as beautiful.

  I found the free pattern HERE. 

  I do make a small change when I make them. On Anabelia's pattern all the picots are 5 chains. But I found it a bit long, so do picots my picots with 3 or 4 chains. On these ones I did the first and third picot with 3ch and the second (the middle one) with 4ch.

  Please click HERE if you are interested in how I block and starch my snowflakes.

Blocking 1. Granny Squares

  Now I know this is something we all hate doing, but results are worth it.

  I have found that blocking squares before joining, doesn't only makes the joining easier, it also helps when blocking the finished project.

  To block each square (or several at a time) I have found a very easy way. All you need is two boards with lots of holes (I've got some plastic shower mats) and a handful of sticks (just make sure the sticks fit into the holes).

  1. Get your square wet and carefully squeeze out the extra water.

  2. Place your square on one of the boards. Using the sticks and holes pin your square into place.

  3. Carefully thread all of the squares onto the sticks. Don't worry if the sticks don't stand upright, or if the new squares aren't stretched as much as the first.

Pot holders

  I had planed to use this pattern to make a blanket. But the wool I used was too thick.
  So I ended up with pot holders! Well I like them under candles...

  The free pattern is HERE. It is very easy to follow and has photos for most steps.

  I really do love this pattern. I might even make a small handbag with it, when I get the chance....


  Click HERE for my post on blocking granny squares.

Snowflake Nº2

  I found these, and many more, on a Russian  web site. Each snowflake has a photo and chart.

 

  The patterns are free HERE.

  Please click HERE if you are interested in how I block and starch my snowflakes.

Blanket, Squares.

I found this pattern easy to follow.
I blocked each square before joining them. And I decide to use the a flat braid join (Instructions HERE for the join).
For the border I just did 1 round of sc (after the flat braid set up) in white and a second round of hdc in dark blue.

 

The pattern is free HERE.

Click HERE to see how I block each square.

Click HERE to see how I block blankets.

Knitted Flower Blanket

This is the very first blanket I ever made!

This blanket is knitted out from the center. The pattern is for a square blanket, but once you start the petals, every second round is just knit. So once you get the right width, it's easy to work in rows. Just change the knit rows to purl.

The free pattern is HERE.

Click HERE to see how I block blankets.

SnowFlake

Last winter I decide to crochet a few snowflakes. They ended up being so easy and quick that by Christmas I had a house full!

 

  I found the free pattern HERE, as you will see the pattern is actually for coasters, but I just used the crochet part. I found that the best way to hang them was to thread the end of the cotton up one of the longer points, They hang a lot nicer that way.

  To stiffen them I just used a starch spray while blocking.

  Please click HERE if you are interested in how I block and starch my snowflakes.

Lace Stipe Blanket

Once I was into crochet, I decide that home made baby blankets would make wonderful gifts. I decide if I was going to spend my time making something, I wanted it to last. And as babies grow so fast (and as it takes me awhile to finish and send a project) I decide on blankets. This is one of my favorites.  I like it so much that I've made a larger one for my sofa, and I love it!

The one I made for myself has the stripes going width ways.

I found the free pattern HERE. The pattern is written going out from the center (the starting chain in the middle of the blanket). As I don't like the thick stripe going down the center I just crocheted one side of the chain. The pattern is very easy, so once you get going it goes fast.

Click HERE to see how I block blankets.

Christmas Wreath

  I know Christmas is still a long way away, but if you're like me, you get bored of doing the same pattern over and over again. So when I'm doing large projects (like at the moment I've got 2 blankets half done) I like to take a break and crochet something different and small. And as Xmas is getting closer a few small decorations made now (then put away!) will be useful.

  I found this small Christmas wreath. It's a very easy pattern to follow, great for a beginner, and looks lovely around draw handles and door knobs!


  The pattern is written with only 2 colors, but it also works with 3.

 

  The pattern is free and can be found HERE. This pattern is very well written and also has useful photos to help.

Doilies

  Last Spring I got stuck working nights. As I didn't want to take a bag of wool with me, I started looking for free doily patterns. I found the following pattern on Pinterest, and was soon on the way to filling my house with these:

 

  The free pattern can be found HERE.

  Click HERE to see my post on blocking lace doilies.