New Year, New Arrivals, New variation - Stripey Chukkas

A little something for the New Year new arrivals.

 Two new versions of my Little Chukka boot…. in stripe. I've been dying to try a stripey version of these. Knitted in two rows of each colour - a nice stripe width, it's also easy to change colour without floating yarn or finishing off. You may need to juggle the colour variations slightly depending on the size you make.

We've still got plenty of cold weather to come before the spring, so this makes a great gift.

You can find the pattern HERE.

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More Stashbusting - Modern Patchwork

Here I am again, sorting through my stash, not wanting to throw away these scraps of fabric. It just seems so wasteful.

Time for another project….. some modern patchwork. As lovely as traditional patchwork is, it takes on a whole new lease of life when we bring in right up into the digital age. "How do you do that?", I hear you ask…….

…….PIXELS

1. Pixel Ice-cream Plimsols, 2 & 3. AIE Fashion, 4. 3 Rings, 5. Avant Garden, 6. Socialphy

These graphic inspired textiles are currently all over the blogosphere, and are crying out to be made up as modern patchwork.

I decided to stick with something pretty simple - a cushion comprising of 9 rows of 9 squares, 81 squares in total. 

For anyone who'd like to give this a go HERE's what I did. 

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Ring in the New - 2014

It's been…..

a good….

2013….

but 2014….

is going to….

get more…

Interesting.

Watch this space….

Wishing all you thredheads a Happy, Healthy, Lucky

and Creative New Year. 

XXX thredHED

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Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

Best Wishes, thredHED

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The Cheat's Guide to Christmas Crochet Bunting

Back in August, you may remember, I did some crochet granny bunting (well just a bit). I liked it so much, I wondered if I would be able to find a Christmas version. I did - I found this  great little Crochet Granny Christmas Tree over at the fabulous Royal Sisters Blog. It's nice and simple with a great step-by-step photo tutorial to follow.

Just what I was looking for - although it needed a little something to finish to off….

That's more like it.

As ever, the madness of of the run-up to Christmas means that there's never enough time for me to crochet up a stack of these. I will at some point, but in the meantime I did exactly as I did with the last lot of crochet bunting. Yes, you guessed it - another printable. Another little crochet trompe l'oeil.

It works really well…. and it means that you can have Christmas Crochet Bunting even if you've never crocheted in your life. Once again it's available as a free download for thredHED Facebook page fans. Get it HERE.  As with the previous bunting, make sure you print it on a good  quality paper and a high quality media setting….or…. you could use iron-on transfer paper, even printable cloth.... for crochet-print fabric bunting. 

Happy Decorating.

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Yarn Christmas Wreath, Part 2….Time to Embellish

Okay, time's pressing on. The lights are up and our high street is positively twinkling. Trees are stacked outside the shops, and one by one our windows are beginning to light up. Your Yarn Wreath is made and now it's time for the best bit - embellishing. 

There are lots of ways you can do this - it doesn't even have to be knit or crochet, although it's nice to continues the theme. I've used my own pattens for my wreath, but, sadly due to my other commitments haven't yet written patterns (perhaps that's something for next christmas). There are, however, loads of great patterns out there, free and to buy, for little christmas flowers, leaves etc…..or you can even but them on Etsy or Folksy if you're a bit pushed for time. 

 Here are some of my favourite, most realistic, free patterns for fabulous knit and crochet Christmas decorations. 

Mistletoe (crochet)

This one's my favourite. It's very simple and quick to make…and it's so effective. Would also look great as a garland. You can get it over at the blog Marie's Making

Holly (crochet)

Here's a lovely, lovely, and very simple holly leaf. There's a great step-by-step photo tutorial with this one, from everyone's favourite Attic 24

Holly (knitted)

Here's another Holly option if you prefer to knit. Looks great doesn't it. You can get it here at  the Cvetulka blog

Pinecone (crochet)

I love this one. It's a very clever idea - and much easier it looks. Here it is from Planet M Files

Poinsettia (crochet)

Last but not least, a beautiful crochet poinsettia. I think it looks fab. Find the Pattern here at Hobbycraft - Christmas Craft Ideas

I think that's enough to be going on with, don't you. 

Don't forget, it's important to give thanks to these bloggers for sharing their great patterns, and giving something very precious - their time - for free. Writing patterns is not easy, I know. It takes a lot of knowledge, time and concentration to be clear and accurate.….so a big 'Thanks' guys, and all the very best to you.

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Countdown to Christmas …Yarn Christmas Wreath, Part 1

Christmas…..here it comes. It's everywhere, the shops, the telly, the internet - there's no getting away from it. The West End, here in London, is lit up and sssppparkling, and soon we'll be seeing the first wave of decorations and chrismas trees appearing in the streets of our towns.

Now I do like to see a nice wreath. They're popular in my local area of little Victorian townhouses. There are all kinds - small and discreet, real foliage, tinsel, and some seriously ostentatious wreaths in my 'hood. I love it. My old urban pad in the sky was way too modern, but now in my new 'old' house I make sure I have a wreath on my little front door.

Of course…. I had to have a yarn one, didn't I. Nothing quite so simple for yours truly - something a lttle bit different. Looks like your average wreath...but when you look closer….

Fancy a making yarn wreath? It's really not as complicated as it looks. 

Here are  my instructions for Step 1 - How to make the base

Here's Step 1 of how to make my Yarn Wreath

For Step 2 - embellishments, keep watching.

CLICK HERE FOR MY YARN WREATH BASE INSTRUCTIONS

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Remembering.... Crochet Poppy

In Flanders Fields

 John McCrae, May 1915 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The Great War 1914-1918

It's that time of year when we especially remember those people who did, and still do, make the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the lifestyle and freedom we have today.

We buy the paper Poppies and they're great for a couple of days, but then they fall off, or get squashed and are forgotten about.

I was told some pretty disturbing tales of fighting in a war, first-hand, from my grandfather when I was young. I'm very thankful he did - they've stayed with me, and they give me the reality check I need when i complain about the injustice of  everyday trivialities, like my toaster not working.

Why not get yourself a bigger, blousier, in-your-face version by making this distinctive Crochet Poppy corsage. It's pretty easy for anyone who has a basic knowledge of crochet. The pattern I've devised provides written instructions, also step-by-step, photo instructions and stitch charts for the more visually inclined. It's not free, but that is so that I can donate the proceeds to the British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Doing it this way not only makes more of a statement, but saves wasting paper and manufacturing on a new Poppy, and uses up yarn that may otherwise be thrown away. You can wear it year after year , although PLEASE, when you do, make sure you give your usual donation.

The Poppy can also be used as an embellishment, or in other decorative ways.

You can get my Poppy crochet pattern HERE

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More Stashbusting....Appliqué Cushion Cover

I've got loads of scrap fabric.

LOADS. 

I can't get rid of it, it's far too nice... but the pieces are small - not enough to do much with. I've all the bunting I need and no need for anything 'patchwork' at the moment.

Here's something I thought I might try with a scrap of a lovely large flower print I found and a small piece of nice upholstery linen - Appliqué. 

I've a lot of cushions without decent covers. I've decided, in my new 'old' house, that I'm not going to buy any more cushion covers - they are so easy to make, and it seems to be the only way to get something unique, original and interesting, unless of course you pay megabucks for one offs or designer exclusives. 

One by one, I'm covering them, slowly but surely, and I thought that this might be a good use for some of my fabric scraps. 

This is what I came up with - an appliqué cushion. 

I sewed a big red Poppy from a large flower print piece of scrap I had in my stash onto this green linen.

I then used my Easy Cushion Pattern to make it into a cushion. It worked pretty well and was quite easy to do.

I think it looks pretty cool. You can make it as unusual and as unique as you like. 

...and you can get my free instructions on how to do this-

HERE

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Time to Make Warm Stuff

I can't believe that within the space of a week the seasons  shifted from Summer to Autumn. That quickly.

Two weeks last Thursday was hot, and I mean late 20s, but now it's positively chilly. Ok,….it's September, and all the signs have been there for a while - southbound geese, that familiar damp chill at the beginning and end of the day, and the mornings and evenings getting slowly darker. Yes, there'll still be the odd sunny day...thankfully. but let's face it - it's time to fold away the Tshirts, and to reluctantly box away the sandals, in the realisation that the fabulous summer we've had this year is drawing to a close. It's time to rifle through that Jumper drawer and panic that you have nowhere near enough woolies to see you through to the spring. Last winter was coooold and long. This year I plan on doing a lot less shivering.

It's time to wrap up.
It's time to get those needles and hooks going. 
It's time to make warm stuff.

So.... where to start?...is the question. How about something small… and quick and easy. What is turning out to be THE accessory of the decade, it seems,....

 .....A nice chunky knitted cowl to start off the chilly season. The featured pattern provides instructions for a three colour stripe but can be easily changed - different colours, more stripe variations, or simply just plain. Perfect as a quick project for those with a boredom threshold like mine, ie low. Knits up in a couple of evenings and it's versatile.... can be worn however you like. 
Looks so cozy doesn't it. It is.

Like My Facebook page and get the Free Pattern HERE

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