An Old Favourite........Girls Crochet Snood

Hats, scarves and all manner of accessories are now beginning to appear everywhere and I've noticed that the seasonal renewed enthusiasm for knitting and crocheting woolies is starting to build momentum, so I thought it would be a good time to post this. I've been meaning to for a while now but somehow it didn't seem right when it was 21 degrees, even though I knew there would be people shivering on the other side of the world.

Anyway, here it is..... the junior version of my oh-so-basic crocheted snood, which I featured on my blog last year with every intention of providing a pattern. The adult version has been very popular and I've had a good few requests for the version for little ones that I pictured in the original post. It is crocheted in the latest chunky style and knitted in a circle so there are no seams to sew up et the end. Super quick and easy to make and great for beginners. Can be made up in as little as just one evening.

The kids snood (or cowl or tube scarf as they are otherewise known) is starting to hit the streets and the shops. It's perfect for cosying up the lttle one as the journey to school gets colder, and so practical - no fastenings or bits flapping around and so easy to take on and off.

..And here's an idea for something a little bit more quirky. Fluoro accessories are super-trending this season. Why not make it up in fluorescent yarn - there are some great neon-yarn colours out there at the moment, and let's face it - no one can carry off these brights better than our little ones.

The pattern may be adjusted for variations in width and depth and best of all it's still freeeeee...

Here it is.......

Click Here For Pattern

Item can be made to order. For information contact thredHED

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Little Werewolf

Halloween - it's fast approaching. The shops are full of scary props and decorations and the kids (and grown-ups too perhaps?) are looking forward to dressing up.
Here's an idea for a a quick costume you can make using my Bear Hat no 2, some imagination and a little bit of help from Youtube.

 

All you need is a bear hat, some white and black(mix the two to make the grey) facepaints, a steady hand and this Werewolf face-painting tutorial from Beatrice R on You tube. It comes complete with scary music and it's fabulous. I did a simpler, toned-down variation - perhaps a bit more child friendly ie. quicker - they just can't sit for too long, and managed to create my very own little monster.

Doesn't have to be a werewolf, can be a Witches Cat or any other scary creature.

Happy Halloween!

Click Here for Bear Hat Pattern 

Click Here for Facepainting Tutorial 

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Back into the woods....Bear Hat no.2

I can't believe we're already heading into Winter. Seems like only weeks since we were looking forward to the Summer.
Now the days are getting shorter and colder over here in the northern hemisphere I thought it would be nice to give you another version of my Bear Hat... let's call it an update.

This one is a slightly different fit to suit the style and a little more versatile - possibly more suitable for a boy as well as a girl, having said that, a few older girls - even women have  expressed a keen interest.

I'm sticking with the the double strand of fur/eyelash and 4ply yarn as it's such an excellent combo for cold weather  - not heavy and ultra warm, with the Trapper style flap this time, to keep those little ears cosy. Well, I say little ears - it comes in sizes up to adult. Who says only the kids should get to wear the fun stuff?

It knits up on big needles in only a couple of evenings, and makes a great pressie. There's plenty of time to start making them for Christmas.

Watch out for the 120g pack of eyelash yarn in your local UK 99p Store. It crops up every now and again  - an offer far too good to miss.

Click Here for Bear Hat 2 pattern

Hat can be made to order. For information contact thredHED

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Junior Jubilee

Red, white, blue, flags, balloons, bunting, painted faces, street parties - schools, nurseries, church halls, pubs, everywhere! Seems that even the least likely patriots of us have caught the Jubilee bug, particularly here in London where the 2012 Olympics are looming on the horizon. It's not even worth taking down the decorations - might as well just keep them up until September.
Wishing you all a lovely and not too soggy (weather forecast is dire of course) weekend of celebrations.

Patchwork Flag Dress by thredHED
Pattern is available to order.
For information contact: thredhed@btinternet.com

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Little Chukka....Baby Desert Boots

Desert boots - they're everywhere at the moment, and don't we just love 'em! A great design classic and never out of style for those who know how to wear them (big salute to those old Mod friends of mine - you know who you are). Now the tiniest member of your family can be just as cool as mum, dad or older siblings and have their own pair. Stretchy and cosy, they tie on and look great on either a boy or a girl. Pictured above in cool cotton demin yarn (also trending big-time for summer this year) with contrasting laces for extra authenticity, or why not try a contrast sole.

Can also be knitted, and felted, in wool for when it's a little colder. Shown here in a versatile neutral Shetland yarn.

Each boot knits up in one piece, apart from the laces, with a single seam to stitch up. A small amount of shaping to follow but easy and super-quick to knit with a very simple way of fastening.

Makes a great little gift to celebrate a the birth of a new baby, and will be appreciated and used.... I looked all over for a pattern like this when my daughter was 3 months old and couldn't find one - so I made my own. They use only a small amount of yarn and are a good way of using up those little leftover oddments.

If you're feeling adventurous, why not check out my new stripey version.

 Find the pattern by following the link below.

Get Pattern Here

Item can be made to order. For information contact:
 thredHED

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Not Out Of The Woods....Bear Hat

We're not quite out of the woods yet folks, it's still pretty nippy out there. Yes, spring is around the corner but there's still time to sneak in another quick knit - and this IS a quick knit. I've been asked by a few people who knit but don't sew if they could have a knitted version of my Wolf Hat. The kids love 'em - it's practical 'dressing up'... and if the weather has warmed up, why not make a start on some early Christmas pressie knitting?

The Bear Hat is knitted with two strands of yarn, eyelash and plain.

Adding plain (4ply or even dk for something a little thicker) yarn gives more stitch definition which can often be tricky to see with fur knits. It makes the eyelash yarn go further, adds more body and makes it ultra-warm - just perfect for those really cold, mid-winter days, with a scarf  - two accessories in one.
Knitted on quite large needles it does not require a lot of yarn. I found a knit-a-scarf pack of 120g for 99p in our local pound shop which was perfect – bargain! You may have already knitted one that you’ve worn for a couple of seasons. They’ve been around for a while now so you could even try unravelling, restyling, and up-cycling.
Other suitable yarns are Stlyecraft Eskimo, King Cole Moments, Lion Brand Fun Fur  (don't forget to combine with another 4ply or DK yarn, as mentioned above).

Knit loosely, it is stretchy and comfortable and moulds nicely to fit. 3 sizes cover all ages from toddlers to adults.

There is very little shaping so the pattern is simple, and the ears are shaped while making up at the end. A good project for relative beginners, knits up nice and quickly (took me 3 evenings) and I have provided clear instructions and diagrams.

 

Get Bear Hat Pattern Here

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Mama's Got a Brand New Peg Bag........Recycled Bin-Liner Peg Bag

At last... a new post. It's been a while...I've been rather busy moving out of our urban pad to a lovely old little townhouse down the road. At last we have space.......and a garden. In between trying to remember what we'd packed in which boxes, my first batch of laundry was soon flapping on the washing line, and an idea for my next blog post was hatched.

I already had plenty of pegs of but something important was missing - one of those lovely litle bags to keep them in. Yes I could've bought one for a couple of quid from the value shop on the high street, but I wanted to make one a little bit more interesting and preferably waterproof. no messing around carrying it in and out. We'd been getting a fair amount of rain - I had soggy sheets out there - a cloth pegbag wouldn't stand a chance. At the same time I was dismayed at the growing pile of bin liners and plastic bags in the corner of my new kitchen as each box was emptied - I try not to use them normally but when moving house it's pretty difficult to avoid.

Anyway....you can see where I'm going .... recycled carrier bags made from what is known in craft circles as 'plarn' (plastic yarn)! Cut up and crocheted, in this case, in fur stitch - just like grass and decorated with a couple of little flowers and a butterfly. Turned out rather kitsch, in fact perfect for plastic! Very easy to make too. The only time-consuming bit was cutting up and joining the plastic but I found it quite thereapeutic. Have a go - give a plazzy bag a new lease of life with my downloadable 4 patterns in 1 and instructions. In the name of recycling and for our lovely planet, this one's on me.

 

Get Free Peg Bag Pattern Here

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Merry Christmas

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas from a very mild non-snowy London. 
All the best,
                    thredHED

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Quick Stocking Filler No 2, Cable-knit Headband

Time's running out and if you're anything like me there'll still be those last minute pressies to find. Here's a little number - great for 'girls' of all ages and it takes but a few of hours to knit. If there's no time, treat someone or yourself and knit one for the New Year. We saw similar on the catwalk a A/W 2010/11 (yes that designer we all love - my  inspiration for this pattern) and now they're hitting the streets. Knitted with two strands of dk yarn(or chunky) and a pair of 8mm needles to give a chunky but loose knit for maximum flexibility. It's one size only so can be worn by grown-ups too - it's only pictured here on the little one because she's so much cuter than me. Great to keep you ears warm if you like your updo's (or if like me you just don't have the time to style your hair these days). If you're new to knitting and haven't yet tried 'the cable', here's a good opportunity - with something that's not too hardcore.

 Click Here For Free Knitted Headband Pattern

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Quick Stocking Filler No1....Easy Crochet Snood

Here's a quick stocking filler to run up in time for Christmas. I've already given this gift twice over and it's been well received. A chunky crochet cowl - great for keeping warm with more than one styling option and currently very on-trend.
Crocheted with a double strand of dk yarn (a favourite method of mine for the impatient among us). I made this one up very quickly - in this case in a yarn with a lurex thread running through - gives it a smarter, more 'evening' look. You can also use a substantial aran or chunky yarn. Using only a treble stitch (I think that's a 'double crochet' to my U.S. friends), and with no shaping it's perfectly suitable for those of you new to crochet.
Give it a go and get a stylish accessory at the same time, or give someone a pretty and practical pressie.

Click Here For Free Easy Crochet Snood Pattern (Adult version)

 

Here's the above sized-down to fit the little one. This one measures 30cm(width) x 20cm(depth), and she loves it - no fastenings or bits flapping around and she can take it on and off easily. Better still it makes up in an evening!

Click here for Easy Crochet Snood (Childrens version)

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Stashbusting.....Patchwork Duvet Cover

I had a big stash of fabric and not much space to store it. My little daughter was coming up to the age where she was ready to sleep in a proper bed - a lovely old one, passed down through the family. I couldn't find a duvet cover in the shops which wasn't pink and girly, gimmicky or just another brand promotion, and I wanted something a little bit quirky and individual but not too naff. The solution was staring me in the face!

A lovely vintage-style patchwork duvet cover! Perfect for that homespun look that fits so nicely with the old wooden bed, and a great way of using all those cotton prints I had stashed away. Not too difficult to do, although took a certain amount of planning re measurements etc and I can understand how a project could be a little daunting for some. So....... I've made it nice and easy for you guys and provided you with a pattern.
This one I did is for a single size duvet. It is made of simple squares, has a sheeting border which frames and shows off the patchwork, and a sheeting back to give a soft smooth surface for your little one's delicate skin. For a clean finish it has a simple side opening with a button fastening(just one of the options).
What's great about this duvet cover is that once you.ve done one you can make another in a different colour or patterns - the options are endless. You can then, if you wish, use the lefover offcuts to make cushion covers or a laundry bag (watch this space) for a matching look, at a fraction of the cost of the shop-bought equivalent.

Get my free Patchwork Duvet cover Pattern and instructions
 Here

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Cushion Covers anyone?

 

A friend of mine has been given an old 1960's sewing maching. Old but beautiful, and it's in excellent working order (they don't make 'em like they used to). Understandably she would now like to learn to sew. Thinking that cushion covers would be a nice basic pattern to start with, and hearing that she'd like to make some, I promised I'd dig out a nice easy one - no fastenings and no fancy finishes, for her and anyone else who needs to update their soft furnishings! This is an easy to follow pattern for a 45cm(18 inch) square cushion which, because of it's simplicity, can be easily sized up or down, depending on the size of the cushion pad you have. Here it is .....

Click Here For Free Cushion Cover Pattern and Instructions

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Classic Knitted Beret

It's hat time again! Dig out your ol' faves or get a nice new one. Here's one for your little one (or even for you) that never goes out of style and always looks great - even it you're having a bad hair day. A classic beret - knitted here in a cotton acrylic mix chunky yarn. Really easy and quick to knit - took me just a couple of evenings! Looks good in all colours - particularly the classics - and the stripe texture makes it a little more interesting without having to add another colour. Three sizes range from toddler to adult.

Get Free Beret Pattern Here

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Halloween ....and beyond

If you can get hold of a metre of decent quality fake fur - this is a great way to make some early Christmas presents. This fur hat was meant to be made in shaggy wolf fur - thus the name 'Wolf Hat' - but I happened to have some gorgeous quality smooth short-pile lying around and it would've been crazy not to have tried it out. The result - more of a 'Cat Hat' in this type of fur, but gorgeous and just adds to the versatilty of this pattern. Could also be made in a lighter coloured long-pile to give a great 'Husky Dog' look.  Perfect for your Halloween Cat or Werewolf costume, and then guaranteed to keep you nice and warm when the real winter weather arrives. Has the added extra of a scarf tie, with pockets at the ends to keep the wearer's hands warm. Fake fur can be a little tricky to sew but on the plus side it hides a multitude of sins. As well as this, the seams do not need finishing as it's all hidden inside the lining - and there are no fastenings. Sizes 2-3 to 8-9.

Have noticed that these are quite big with grown-ups - especially the boys. The pattern could be quite easily sized up - or would you like an adult version?....

Get Wolf Hat Pattern Here 

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Little Monster......

 

Just in time for Halloween - Something fun for those who are perhaps a little too young

to dress up properly  -A monster hat and mittens that are cute enough not to be too scary.  Made here in soft fleece - an easily handled fabric which requires no finishing. Nice basic patterns which, with a choice of different features and colours can be adapted for a girl or boy. Makes a great present.

Sizes to fit 2 and 3-4. As the hat pattern is so simple it can be easily sized up.

Download Hat Pattern Here

 Download Mitten Pattern Here

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Cool & Cosy - Toddler Hoodie

For those chilly Autumn days, this cosy chunky hoodie is perfect for your little one. Here knitted in fluorescent pink (handy for keeping them in view), but would look equally good in an aran yarn (and very 'on trend') or something a little more rustic. 

It can be made for boys and girls (just change the buttoning side if it matters) and it can be knitted in any dk yarn doubled up (knitting with two strands). Great for beginners - simple garter stitch with neat rolled edges, not too much shaping, and the pockets are optional. Knits up nice and quickly, and is a slightly boxy loose fit which means more than a season's wear. Great value. Sizes 3-4 and 5-6.

Download Pattern Here 

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