Tuesday 16 April 2013

She's a crafty one...

Every so often I get the urge to do something creative, if you've read my blog blurb you'll know that I'm a big fan of crochet.  In truth I don't have much talent, but I do enjoy it and I find it relaxing, so when the mood takes me I like to try my hand.  The main problem that I have is that I'm useless at following a pattern, it all comes down to thinking that if whatever I'm making isn't exactly the way the pattern says it should be, I decide it's gone wrong, lose interest and move on to something else.  If I "go rouge" and do things my own way I can't go wrong, only take a different course.  I find I finish more projects if I stay away from patterns...

So, I thought I'd show you what the crafty bug has had me doing lately:


This blanket is pretty much my nemesis.  It's been hanging around for a long old time now!  In actual fact this picture isn't exactly up to date either, I have since completed a third row, but I haven't sewn them together yet.  That Baby asked me to make her a bright colourful blanket to go over her bed, and this is the result.  It's my go to project when I have nothing else on, which is probably why it seems to be taking ages to finish, it's already huge!  I love the fact that I don't need to have specific wool for it and that I can just use up whatever is left over from a real project.



I recently finished my hot water bottle cover, another project that seems to have been hanging around for a while.  This was my first foray into bobbly crochet and I rather like the effect.  I'm pretty happy to have finally finished this, albeit just as the weather seems to be taking a turn for the better...


Ahhh, the bee and the chick.  I made the bee because That Baby asked for one, we used to dress her up in a bee outfit when she was little and I've always associated little fuzzy bumble bees with her.  This particular specimen also looks a little fuzzy because This Baby took a liking to it and she's given it a pretty good chewing.

The chick on the right hand side was a trial run of a toy that I wanted to make for my friend's baby when he or she arrives in June.  I like to have go at a rough copy first if I'm making a gift so I can get my head around what I'm doing, usually I cock it up somewhere along the line.  This particular chick has one massive wing and one tiny one, a bit like Nemo.  Still This Baby doesn't seem to care and she's given it a lot of love.



I was asked to make a pink strawberry the other day and this is what I managed.  Terrible picture quality for which I apologise. I can't say I love it and I'm not particularly proud of it, but I knocked it up in about an hour and my little madam was pleased as punch.  



Finally this is the chick toy I have made for my friend's baby.  I decided to switch materials to a bamboo/silk/wool blend as I wanted it to have a smoother finish and I'm pretty pleased with the result.  It has a rattle inside which was a pain in the 'arris to get in!

The problem that I have is that I tend to think everything I've made is crap and I find fault with it, so obviously I'm not JUST going to give her a home made crocheted chick as a baby gift, I'll make sure she has some proper presents to go with it.

What do you think?  Any favourites?  Is the chick an ok present, or should I just keep it for one of my own little ones?   Some feedback would be much appreciated!

Love, love,


48 comments:

  1. Aww I've always wanted to learn how to do crochet. :( I admire definitely admire your skills! I think the chick toy is my favorite hehe :) so cute!!

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    1. Thank you Anna, you should take it up. I taught myself using Youtube, it's very easy :)

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  2. Really wish I could crochet! I think the chick really would be a good gift, you should go for it. My fave is definitely the water bottle, love that bobble effect xx

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    1. Thanks Kirsty, I feel much happier to give it to her now after some good feedback. I love the hotwater bottle too, I'm dying to use it!

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  3. Cute little creations!

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  4. The chick is a perfect present, it looks beautiful!x

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    1. Thank you Helen, I'm pretty happy with it :)

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  5. The chick is a wonderful present and think all your creations are great! I particularly like the bumblebee, very cute! x

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    1. I LOVE the bumble bee, even if he is a bit fuzzy! Thank you Lauren :) x

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  6. That crafty bug is a good one! Wow, I totally admire people who can work magic with their hands and a few balls of yarn. I tired knitting once, and well, let's just say that it resulted in a major temper tantrum. I don't think I'm cut out for that kind of thing!

    Love the little toys, and that hot water bottle cover!

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    1. Funnily enough I'm exactly the same with knitting. It ends up so tight I can't take the loops over my needles and I just get red fingers and really cross! Crochet I'm ok with, far less stressful!

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  7. Wish I had the patience to crochet and knit. These are wonderful. The strawberry is lovely - such a happy little creation!
    Claire

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    1. Thank you Claire! I was quite pleased with the strawberry, considering it was done on the spur of the moment - I'm dreading her asking for an articulated lorry or a scaled down version of the Eiffel Tower or something like that!!! :)

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  8. wow I love all of these!! You have some serious skill there :) xx

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  9. i can totally relate to the blanket being your nemesis... i started mine about 3 years ago and only finished it this winter... seems like such a good idea at the time then ughhhh!! worth it in the end though, its going to be so pretty! xxx

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    1. Thank you Adam! Three years, gosh! Well done for sticking with it! I'm already bored of mine and I only started it in October. Must stick with it, must stick with it....

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  10. #PoCoLo Kate, these are AMAZING! Speaking as someone who is not at all crafty, I wish I could turn out something half as decent as that blanket. You are clever! xx

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    1. Ahhhh, thank you lovely! Crochet really is ever so easy, give it a whirl!! :) x

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  11. #PoCoLo love the hot water bottle, looks like it would be so snuggly!

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    1. Thank you! I'm desperate to give it a try!!

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  12. I would love to have the talent and ability to make these, they are fab. I really want a Strawberry! #PoCoLo

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  13. no its not crap you should see the stuff i make it allways goes wrong! i once chucked my sewing machine on the floor and it hasnt forgiven me since! #pocolo

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    1. Hahahaha! Really? That's brilliant!! Like a craft based version of a rock star throwing the tv out the window, I love it!!!

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  14. Lovely!! Always wanted to learn how to crochet, my daughter would love the strawberry. Thank goodness she's at home or she'd be asking me to make one.
    Popped over via #PoCoLo
    Jeannette http://www.ditchflabgetfab.wordpress.com

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    1. Ha! I'm a little scared of what she'll decide she wants next, I'm a bit worried it might be a goldfish!!!

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  15. Love that chick! And while I can knit I can't crochet, really should learn.

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    1. I just watched a lot of YouTube videos and picked it up! Really worth a squiz :)

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  16. Aww these are brill, you do have talent.

    I lack attention span I think to do craft, I'm trying, but it's hard going

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    1. Thank you! I am exactly the same, I'm almost a little afraid of having to commit to a big project as its more than likely I'll lose interest and won't reach the end!

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  17. Oh I love the chick! So, so cute. Definitely great pressie. I'd love to be able to crochet, must be so relaxing (when you actually get the chance to do it!). I used to knit a lot when I was younger - you've just inspired me to start again! x #PoCoLo xx

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    1. Ahhh, thank you! That's fantastic, hope you've been having fun with it xx

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  18. They are fabulous and the chick is more than 'good enough' as a gift. I would prefer homemade gifts over shop bought any day as it shows real time and effort and not just running into boots to grab a baby grow. You're very talented and I'm every so slightly envious! #PoCoLo

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    1. Bless you, thank you :) I feel the same way about a home made gift, but I have to convince myself that I'm not cheating or looking cheap! Excuse the pun ;)

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  19. I think the chick is fab - it looks very professional & definately classes as a 'proper' present! The hot water bottle cover looks great too. I took up embroidery a while ago & found it quite relaxing, but - like you - if I went wrong, I got annoyed with myself & gave up! Maybe I will look into crochet as an alternative. Keep up the good work!

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    1. Thank you! I definitely found crochet far easier. Once I understood what I was aiming for it seemed to make a lot more sense :)

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  20. Wow, these are really amazing Kate - you have a definite talent. Something I certainly wouldn't have the patience to do. I'd be over the moon if my baby got a gift like that chick. Thank you so much for linking up to PoCoLo again xxx

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    1. You're so welcome! It's really lovely to have so many valued opinions before I hand over my little gift, I was really unsure about it!

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  21. check you out!! i am loving the hot water bottle cover :-)

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  22. Wow Kate - you have a real talent. I love anything creative and so do my girls. I'd love to learn to crochet but wouldn't know where to start. Just loving all your creations. You could sell them at a craft market xx

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  23. These are fantastic! My gran taught me to crochet when I was younger, but I haven't done it for years, honestly can't remember how - wonder if it would come back to me...?! The chick is lovely, the different wool was definitely a good choice - I would love to get something that had been made for me/my baby - much more special xx #PoCoLo

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    1. My Gran would knit with me as a child, I have such lovely memories of it. I'd make a hash up during the day and she'd sort it all out for me overnight!! I bet it would come back to you, I think it's the motion that you get into the swing if as much as anything....

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  24. I love these and think that the chick is a perfect gift. You've put thought time and effort into it and that makes a far more special present than walking into a shop. Love the hot water bottle cover xx

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    1. Thank you Karen, that's so lovely of you :)

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