FO Friday #3: Mug Cosy

Pattern: Mug Cosy (not yet published)

Yarn: Sirdar Supersoft Aran
Needle Size: 4mm crochet hook
Started: 27th September 2011

Finished: 27th September 2011

I can't believe it's time for another FO Friday!

This is just a small one today as I am working on some quite big projects at the moment, though I haven't done very much knitting or crochet this week.

I was asked to test out this pattern (to be published soon) which took me about an hour or so to crochet. It's quick and straightforward and would make a lovely personalised Christmas gift. Stick it in a hamper with some nice coffee and biscuits....not forgetting the mug!

The one thing I really did want to show you finished was the cardigan for Evie as part of my September Challenge. However, once again I have managed to keep putting it off. Having said that I still have 6 hours of September left....maybe there's still time.....

This post was inspired by Tami's Amis & Other Creations.

WIP: Crochet Blanket

As the end of the month is approaching it dawns on me that I am highliy unlikely to finish the crochet blanket as part of my September Challenge. Partly because I have changed my mind in how I want to finish it & how big I want it.

I want it to be big enough for me and Evie to cwtch together underneath rather than it being a pram blanket and I have decided to crochet it all instead of adding a knitted border. I want to add a bit of colour & am in need of some instant gratification pieces - as I have decided that the Beekeeper's Quilt isn't really for me, not right now - so will be adding a granny square border. Small projects I can do in between feeds & while I am expressing.

Crochet Blanket progress so far

The colour scheme will be based on the Hodge Podge range by Mamas & Papas that adorns Evie's nursery. A lovely collection of colours including red, purple, orange & green - nice & bright & autumnal.

Blanket from the Hodge Podge range - beautiful colours

So new plan is to have it finished by Christmas.

You can check out more WIPs on Tami Ani's blog.

I've been shopping...

As the title says - today I went shopping. And in town there is a rather fabulous shop called Knitters & Sewers world, that holds lots of yarn, buttons, thread, patterns, everything you could possibly need (or want) - a knitter's dream shop. I can quite happily spend hours in there deliberating over yarn colours and patterns. I even went in with a specific list of what I wanted in the hope I would be quick while hubby was shopping elsewhere - but no. I was completely distracted by knitting possibilities!

I went in to get yarn for my first ever commission - a baby sleeping bag. I chose Sidar Supersoft Aran...but couldn't decide on a colour scheme. So planning a couple of swatches tonight to see what looks best. Colours look a bit odd in the photo below....but you get the gist.

I also bought some sock yarn, to attempt my first pair of socks for Socktoberfest.

And this fabulous Big Bamboo yarn from Sirdar, a little bit inspired yesterday's FO Friday post by AutumnGeisha, it's already been knitted into an i-cord tube! It comes with a scarf pattern on the ball band, so will knit a test one (for me) but can see this becoming a very handy Christmas present idea....

FO Friday #2 Baby Booties

Pattern: Greemy Baby Booties

Yarn: 4 ply baby cotton. (From my stash - can't remember the brand.)
Needle Size: 3mm straight & DPN
Started: 20th August 2011 

Finished: 23rd September 2011

Well, I just about made it to this weeks FO Friday! 

Apart from not changing yarn colour and using different yarn to that specified, I followed the pattern exactly. This is a quick and straightforward pattern, and I could happily make a few pairs to match Evie's outfits. Best of all, they stay on her feet - unlike the socks that she managed to kick off before I've managed to get the second one on!

This post was inspired by a linky set up by Tami's Amis & Other Creations.

Kids Clothes Week Challenge

Following my discovery of Crafts from the Cwtch I have found a load of new blogs to read and things to try. One of them being Elsie Marley's Kids Clothes Week Challenge.

This challenge takes place during the second week of October, the premise being that for one week you spend 1 hour a day making clothes for kids.

I would love to be able to make clothes for Evie (& myself). I have great memories of my mum's friend making clothes for me and sister and we'd have great fun picking the fabric. I've tried making clothes before, but not really with any degree of success and I have have no idea how (or if) I'll be able to work it around baby duties, but I want to give it a try.

So, this is me signing up. Wish me luck! (And if you can recommend any basic/getting started patterns - that would be great.)

FO Friday #1 Baby Sleeping Bag

Pattern: Baby Cocoon Sack by Bernat
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted (Pistachio) & Cascade 220 (Cream), approx 1 skein of each for sack, plus oddments for flowers
Needle Size: 4.5mm, circular, 3.75mm crochet hook for flowers
Started: 20th July 2011
Finished: 16th September 2011

I didn't follow the pattern exactly as I just wanted the stripes rather than texture. I added the little crochet flowers & a button to make it a bit more girlie, and lined it with a light fleece blanket to make it super soft & cwtchy.

Crochet flower embellishment

Super soft & cwtchy fleece lining

It was a pretty easy project as it was knit in the round and, apart from the lining & flowers, there was no making up to do. I am not entirely happy with the flowers, they look a bit thrown on at the moment, but I'm not sure how to improve this. Maybe by adding some leaves? (Any suggestions appreciated.)

I will definitely experiment with the general shape of this bag and plan to make another one for when Evie is too big for this. I also quite fancy one for myself....but really don't think I have that much patience.

This post was inspired by a linky set up by Tami's Amis & Other Creations, which I discovered via Crafts from the Cwtch, and I hope will become a permanent fixture on this blog.

Hexipuffs & the Beekeepers Quilt

One thing I have been looking forward to since I found out I was pregnant is creating memories and family traditions. I love looking at the albums I have from when I was younger and the little traditions we had at Christmas time and birthdays, and I can't wait til Evie is old enough for us to start making our own.

I also remember the granny square crochet blanket, made by my Mum, that we used to cwtch up underneath when we were ill, or to watch TV together. So, when I saw the gorgeous Beekeepers Quilt by Tiny Owl Knits, it was love at first sight and I definitely have to make one for our own cwtchy nights in. 

This blanket has been designed to look like a quilt with little knitted hexagons that are stuffed and sewn together. Each little hexipuff (as they have been named) is a tiny little project in itself, and will hopefully appeal to the crafty side of me that needs instant gratification. As they only need a few grams of yarn each, this is also an ideal stash busting project - for which Hubby will be eternally grateful I'm sure. :)

I am not going to put a deadline on it, but hope to make at least one little hexipuff a day. These little knitted puffs have really taken off in the knitting world with plenty of fans and knit-alongs on Ravelry, a Facebook group and plenty of blog posts showing people's progress - just search Google for Beekeeper's Quilt.

I made my first hexipuff yesterday (definitely need some practice) which isn't quite perfect and did take some getting used to, though it does give me a chance to try some new cast on and cast off techniques. I will post progress weekly & look forward to meeting all you hexipuff addicts. Very glad I'll have some time to get started while on maternity leave..... 

September's Challenge - Finish UFOs

Every month I plan to set myself a challenge, so that I have something to aim for. The first challenge is to complete some of the UFOs (Un-Finished Objects) I have started.

I am great at starting projects, not so good at finishig them off, which is probably why I get so disillusioned and tend to have a bit of an on/off relationship with the crafting world. My finishing techniques also really need some practice.

I have a few projects I started while pregnant that I am determined to finish before Fidget gets too big for them.

Sleeping Bag

This is a little sleeping bag for Fidget, knit in the round then lined with fleece. I've cut out a lining from a very soft, dimpled fleece blanket and need to sew this in to finish it.

 

Cardigan

I have done all the knitting for this cardigan, again I just need to join the seams to finish it. I've been putting it off because my finishing technique isn't great and I'm afraid of spoiling it. 

Booties

This cute little bootie needs it's partner.

Crochet Blanket

I started this blanket when we were re-admitted to hospital for Fidget's jaundice and I needed to do something productive rather than sit there worrying. So I haven't been working on it for that long, but I would like to finish it before the end of the month.Planning to finish it off with a coloured border....maybe knitted for a bit of contrast.

If you'd like to join in, you are more than welcome, just comment below telling me how you'll be taking part and with a link to your blog/website.

minirhi makes

Hello.

Welcome to my new blog, a new online home for all my craftiness.

I have always been a bit crafty, but the recent onslaught of the handmade revolution has brought it out in force, reminding me how much I like making things, and how much I have yet to learn. There are so many things I want to try and skills I want to improve.... and I'll be documenting it all here.

Just under two weeks ago I gave birth to my first child - a beautiful baby girl we've named Evie Grace. (Though from here on in we'll call her Fidget, which was her nickname while I was pregnant.) I'm hoping that maternity leave, and such a gorgeous model, will give me some time and encouragement to spend more time making and doing.

I've been knitting since I was about 16, have more recently started to crochet and have dabbled in felting. I have done a bit of cross stitch and patchwork too, and have attempted making clothes. I have a background in graphic design, and love to bake.

I'll be combining this with plans to be a bit more thrifty by saving and hopefully making money on my crafty journey by mending and customising clothes, possibly selling my crafts and any other ideas that spring up in the meantime.

And if I could make it a profitable business (alongside my cakes) ..... well, that would be just awesome.