A Crochet Ninja

Owl coin purse patern

2011-07-24T12:41:00.000+01:00

Huzzah!
I have finally found a free moment to write up this pattern. Its been a busy time recently. Just finished a bunch of commission work for the magazine. Now I have a lot of left over yarn and no space to stash it, so a stash busting blanket it on the knitting needles while another monster for the book is on the hook, I wish I could do both at the same time, that would be amazing. I've also been trying to organise the craft supplies and its making me think of my imaginary craft room, sigh, one day...
Any Way, the pattern:

You Will Need:

Two shades of DK or WW yarn of your choice and yellow for the eyes.

Two black buttons for eyes

A small triangle of yellow felt for the beak.

Darning needle

Sitich marker

3.5mm hook

Zip

Fabric to line

R1: 6sc in ring

R2: inc in every stitch around (12sc)

R3: sc in first, inc in next, rep around (18sc)

R4: sc in first 2, inc in next, rep around (24sc)

R5: sc in first 3, inc in next, rep around (30sc)

R6: sc in first 4, inc in next, rep around ( 36sc)

R7: sc in first 5, inc in next, rep around (42sc)

R8-14 sc around

R15: change colour, sc around

R16-22: sc around

R23: sc around in front loops only. this will create a line on the inside to make where the zip goes.

R24: sc around, FO

Eyes (make 2)

R1: 6sc in ring

R2: inc in every stitch around (12sc)

R3: sc in first, inc in next, rep around, ss FO leaving tail to sew (18sc)

Wings

R1: 6sc in ring

R2: inc in every stitch around (12sc)
R3-7 sc around FO leaving tail to sew

Assemble;
Sew wings on line where colour changes
Embroider V shapes on tummy
Add eye circles and place buttons in middle of each circle
Sew triangle of felt between the two eyes for the beak
Sew in zip
Turn purse inside out and sew in lining.

Enjoy :)

Contempory Craft Fair - Bovey Tracey

2011-06-12T11:11:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I spent the day at the Contemporary Craft Fair at Bovey Tracey with the Knit Expo team. I had a great time and the best part was I got paid in amazing hand dyed yarn for being there. Our plan for the day was to cover this amazing climbing tree with knitted stars.

The tree looked amazing, and was so much fun to climb in. It was great teaching people how to knit. Ruth and Belina who invited me, had some really amazing yarn, baby alpaca, silk alpaca and organic Merino to name some of my favorites. As you can see all of the yarn was un-dyed and there was lots to fondle.

Their patterns are amazing also, really clearly laid out and most of them only need one skein of yarn like the Gilda Gloves that I'll be making :)

There was so much awesome stuff to see. It was truly overwhelming how much creativity was there. Though if I bought the two handbags I liked the bill would have come to just under £1000. So I didn't get to much stuff for myself. I did visit the lovely people at Bunyip, they sell amazing buttons and beads. I got some buttons for my Gilda Gloves and other such pretty things.

There are a few more photos on my twitter photo thing if you want to have a look at what else is there. I cant wait for the big knit show in November

It's good to be Back

2011-05-20T12:19:00.000+01:00

Hello,

I have not long returned form a beautiful wedding in Sorrento, Italy and I thought I would share with you my yarn adventures. Before I left for Italy I had been scouring the Internet to find out if there was a wool shop in Sorrento but I couldn't find one anywhere. When I arrived I asked our tour guide but they weren't aware of any but thankfully a sharpe eyed member of the family spotted some balls of yarn in a shop window.

It belonged to this place:

And here is the address for you:
175 Corso Italia
Sorrento

Its on the main street running through Sorrento just down form the main square. They don't have a huge selection of yarn but they do have some unusual fancy yarns and some lovely merino yarn in baby colours. I picked up some merino for myself and made a lovely stole.

In other crochet news:
I have been exploring the world of Tunisian crochet and I feel it may make my kniting needles redundant. It's very addictive and faster that knitting. Though I can't seem to get the hang of doing it in the round just yet.

If you have been following me on Twitter (@MaggieVassie) you would have heard about the continuing saga of the boyfriend blanket. Well it is now complete and looking awesome. Shaun was very happy.

This was done by taking a small cross stitch pattern and making a granny square for every stitch of the pattern. I'm so pleased with the way it has turned out but it does now mean that the sofa is drowning in blankets.
Now that I have that project out of the way I am thinking of making the preppy jacket from the Happy Hooker for myself before the Christmas crafting begins.

TTFN

Keep Hooking

Maggie

THANK YOU!!!!

2011-04-25T17:05:00.001+01:00

Well there are just no words to explain how pleased I am with the response to the survey. You are all so amazing for taking the time to fill it out. The answers you have given me will really help in making a pattern book that crocheters actually want and I love that a lot of you think the same as myself about book that are around at the moment.

I've been crocheting odd little things recently and will post the patterns in the future for you all. Here is an especially cute pattern for to say thank you again:

Itty Bitty Owl Pattern

You Will need:
Small amounts of DK or WW yarn
3.5mm hook
10mm eyes
Small triangle of yellow felt
Stitch marker
Fiber fill
Embroidery needle

Body
R1: 6sc in ring
R2: inc in every st around (12sc)
R3: sc in first, inc in next, rep around, (18sc)
R4: sc in first 2, inc in next, rep around (24sc)
R5-8 sc around
change colour
R9-14: sc around FO leaving tail to sew

Eye patch (make 2)
R1: 6sc in ring
R2: inc in every stitch around
ss in next, FO leaving tail to sew

Wings (make 2)
R1: 6sc in ring
R2: sc in first, inc in next, rep around (9sc)
R3-5: sc around, ss into next, FO leaving tail to sew

after adding all the face detail and embroidering the v marks of the tummy, stuff and sew the top closed, sew diagonally for 1cm down the corners to make the ears stand out.

Enjoy your itty bitty owl

Book Book Book

2011-04-16T14:28:00.000+01:00

So I have started work on my Amigurumi book. I'm currently trying to write a proposal to see how publishers will like it. A part of the process is market research, seeing what kind of people would want to purchase a book written by me and this is where I need your help. I want to know all about you. Copy the questions, click on comments and past the questions in and fill in your answers. This is your chance to tell me exactly what you want. I will be eternally grateful for your help.

Survey:

How old are you?

Are you Male/Female?

Where in the world are you?

How long have you been crocheting?

Do you consider yourself beginner/ intermediate / skilled or highly skilled?

What do you like to see in an Amigurumi/Crochet book?

What is your favorite crochet book out at the moment?

Thank you so much for taking the time to fill this out :)

Maggie

Crochet Every Day!

2011-04-03T10:44:00.000+01:00

Hello Everybody,

Wow, well it's been busy in the crochet ninja world. I've suddenly jumped to over 300 followers thanks to the lovely people at All Free Crochet who linked Elmo and Cookie Monster in the news letter that goes out to thousands of crocheters every month. Thank you and welcome to all the newbies!

The hooks haven't stopped recently, I discovered Must Have Cute, that is a part of lol cats and it is full of cute inspiration. I thought I had to make some amigurumi clouds and it took me a while to figure out how I could make a cloud 3D but gosh darn it I did it and aren't they just adorable:

I'm also working on a rainbow to go with it but that is still a work in progress.

Yesterday I was working on this cute owl coin purse. I seem to be making lots of purses at the moment. I love lining them with funky fabric, it give the project a nice professional looking finish. I think I'm going to make a little amigurumi buddy for this owl in blue and grey.

I can't say how pleased I am with the cover for Inside Crochet Issue 16:

He looks cute as a button. We have been joking about framing the magazine, its like being on the cover of the crochet version of rolling stones. This is something I never get tired of showing off, he he!

And finally, last year I was interviewed by a lovely girl who was recording a documentary about Knitting and Crochet for University. We were talking about Yarn Bombing and together we tagged a tree in the city centre in Plymouth. A few days ago I went to see if it was still there, and what do you know...

Its a bit tatty and dirty now but still there and contributing to a more friendly kind of global warming :)

Hooded Scarf 2.0

2011-03-20T11:24:00.000Z

Hello,

As promised I have gotten round, at last, to writing the pattern for the intermediate hooded scarf. With this pattern the hood and the scarf are made seperatly then sewn together:

You will need:
Chunky yarn. I used Picasso Chunky
6.5mm hook
Needle to sew

Hood:
Ch17
R1: dc in 3rd chain from hook and in next 13ch, 5dc in next, dc along other side of foundation chain, ch 2 turn (33dc)

R2: dc in next 14, *inc in next, dc, rep from * 3 times, dc in next 14, ch 2 turn (37dc)

R3: dc in first 14, inc in next, dc in next 2, inc in next 2 stitches, dc in next 2, inc, dc in next 14, ch 2, turn (40dc)

R4: dc in next 14, *inc, dc in next 2, rep from * 4 times, dc in remaining stitches. ch 2 turn (43dc)

R5: dc in next 14, *inc, dc in next 3, rep from * 5 times, dc in remaining stitches, ch 2 turn (49dc)

R6: dc in next 14, *inc, dc in next 3, rep from * 6 times, dc in remaining stitches, ch 2 turn (55dc)

R7: dc in first 14, * inc, dc in next 4, rep from * 6 times, dc in remaining stitches, ch 2 turn (61dc)

R8-15 dc in every stitch, ch 2 turn.

Optional edging:

I didn't write the patten for this bit but if you wanted to do the edging it roughly goes like this:

3 dc in 1st stitch, *skip 1, 3dc 2 chain, ss in first chain, 3dc in same space, rep from *

Make scarf to desired length and width, or even longer if you want to fold the ends up to make pockets :)

I hope you enjoy the pattern :)

Hello Hello

2011-03-04T09:44:00.000Z

Hello everyone.

It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to post anything; I’ve been very busy with odd commission work and personal projects.

I’m currently working on a hooded scarf for Lisa from Hiptronic Hoops I’ll be writing the pattern for this one so we will have a beginners and an intermediate pattern for the hooded scarf. The intermediate pattern will have a hood with no point at the back as the hood is made separately from the scarf and sewn on. Lisa has requested a big floppy hood so it will look pretty cool when it’s done.

I fell in love with a pattern on ravelry it’s a hooded shawl, it kind of looks like a cape, I have to make it, this needs to be a part of my life regardless of the ridiculous amount of projects I have going on at the moment.

Also on the hook I am making a blanket for my boyfriend. Its going to be made form granny squares and each square is going to be a pixel of a 1up mushroom from Mario brothers. I’ve given myself till his birthday in May to get it done so I’d better not hang around. Thankfully granny squares are a nice portable project so I can take them out and about with me.

I am super excited about the next issue of Inside Crochet. My project is going to be on the front cover, Click Here to see a sneak preview of the cover. The issue will be out on the 8th of March and inside will be my Leonard the Lion pattern and a designer inspiration piece about me
I’ll post pictures when the issue is out, so very very excited!

I’m currently having second thoughts about selling on etsy. At first I wanted to sell finished projects but I just don’t seem to have the time to build up enough stock to have a nice full shop so I think I will sell patterns instead and stay true to my designer roots. I have a few things ready, Just need to take photos and get them on-line.

Cookie Monster Pattern

2011-01-15T15:16:00.005Z

He is complete!

Its been a long time coming but I have finally gotten round to re-making cookie monster and writing up the pattern and I'd just like to say now that I never want to crochet with eyelash yarn every again. Night mare!

Anyway I am pretty pleased with the way he turned out, he is smaller than the last cookie monster but I feel that the mouth turned out better this time, The dec rounds on the body are a bit rough but as long as he is
getting smaller at that part thats all you need to worry about.

You will need:

150g of Stylecraft Eskimo Double Knit Blue eyelash yarn
Small amounts of white and black DK
10mm safety eyes
3.5mm hook
Stitch marker
Fibre Fill to stuff and a needle to sew

NOTE: this is an intermediate to advanced pattern, if you are having problems check the comments below the pattern as the answer may be there or there is always Google.

Mouth Black (make 2)

R1: 4sc in ring, ch 1 turn
R2: inc in every st, ch 1 turn (8sc)
R3: sc in first, inc in next, rep (12sc)
R4: sc in next 2, inc in next, rep (16sc)
R5: sc in next 3, inc in next, rep (20sc)
R6: sc in next 4, inc in next, rep (24sc)
R7: sc in next 5, inc in next, rep (28sc)
Sc along straight edge
Attach blue fuzzy yarn and sc around curved edge, sew flat edges together

Head and Body
6sc in ring
R2:inc in every st around (12sc)
R3: ssc in first, inc in next, rep around (18sc)
R4sc in first 2, inc n next, rep around (24sc)
R5:sc in first 3, inc in next, rep around (30sc)
R6: sc in first 4, inc in next, rep around (36sc)
R7:sc in first 5, inc in next, rep around (42sc)
R8: sc in first 6, inc in next, rep around (48sc)
R9: sc in first7, inc in next, rep around (54sc)
R10: sc in first8, inc in next, rep around (60sc)
R11-16 sc around
R17: sc in first 5, ch 25, skip next 25 sts, sc in next 30 to end (35sc 25ch)
(The chain creates a gap in the head for you to sew the mouth onto, on the next round you single crochet onto this chain and continue with the rest of the head and body. You sew the mouth in after you have completed the body.)
R18: sc in first 5, sc 25times on chain, sc in last 30 to end (60sc)
R19 sc in first 4, dec in next, rep 4 more times, sc to end (55sc)
R20: sc in first 3, dec in next, rep 5 more times, sc to end (54sc)
R21: sc in first 2, dec in next, rep 6 more times, sc to end (47sc)
R22: sc in first 6, dec in next, *sc in next, dec, rep from * 4 more times, sc to end (41sc)
R23-28: sc around
Sew in mouth segments with blue fuzzy yarn

R29: sc in next 4, inc in next, rep 3 more times, sc to end (45sc)
R30: sc in next 4, inc in next, rep 3 more times, sc to end (49sc)
R31: sc around
R32: sc in next 4, inc in next, rep 3 more times, sc to end (53sc)
R33: sc around
R34: sc in next 4, inc in next, rep 4 more times, sc to end (58sc)
R35-50: sc around
R51: sc in first 3, dec in next, rep 9 more times, sc in last few stitches
Stuff as you are going along
R52: sc in first 2, dec in next, rep 9 more times,
R53:sc in first, dec in next, rep around
Dec until closed

Eyes (make 2)
R1: 6sc in ring
R2: inc in every st around
R3-5 sc around insert safety eye
R6:Dec and stuff until closed, FO leave tail to sew

Arms
R1: 6sc in ring
R2:inc in every st around (12sc)
R3: sc in first, inc in next rep around (18sc)
R4: sc in first 2, inc in next, rep around (24sc)
R5: sc in first 3, inc in next, rep around (30sc)
R6: sc in first 4, inc in next, rep around (36sc)
R7-10 sc around
R11: sc in first 4, dec in next, rep around (30sc)
R12:sc in first 3, dec in next, rep around (24sc)
R13: sc around
R14: sc around, dec randomly 4 times (20sc)
R15-22 Stuff
FO leave tail to sew

Legs (make 2)
R1: 6sc in ring
R2: inc in every st around (12sc)
R3: sc in first, inc in next, rep around (18sc)
R4:sc in first 2, inc in next, rep around (24sc)
R5: sc in first 3, inc in next, rep around (30sc)
R6: sc in first 4, inc in next, rep around (36sc)
R7: sc in first 5, inc in next, rep around (42sc)
R8-11 sc around
R12: sc in first 8, dec 8 times, sc to end (34sc)
R13: sc in net 6, dec 8 times, sc to end (26sc)
R14-24 Stuff

FO leave tail to sew
Sew body parts where they should go and enjoy

This weekend!

2011-01-07T10:45:00.000Z

This weekend I will be re-crocheting the famous cookie monster

I made this in 2008 and didn't write the pattern so now I have more yarn to do it again and I will write the pattern this time. If you would like to follow my progress over the weekend and see how he is coming along you can follow me on twitter @MaggieVassie and hopefully by the end of the weekend we will have an all new pattern for the blog :)

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T10:06:00.002Z

Well it certainly has been an interesting festive season. Thankfully I got all of the Christmas presents made in time. Next year I must start earlier. We had some real trauma just before Christmas. I got my boyfriend a pet snake for Christmas and gave it to him early as you can't really wrap it up and put it under the tree. He is a milk snake and we called him Merlin:

This is him having a bath. Anyway a few weeks ago he disappeared, we tore the house apart looking for him, set noise traps, left food out, put flour on the floor so we could see if he moved through it but after two weeks there was no sign of him and I was beginning to loose hope. But thankfully, the day after my birthday the neighbour who lives in the flat below us knocked on the door and asked if we had lost a reptile. I was thrilled! He had some how got into their fireplace and was hanging out there. Thank God the decided to clean it out before they lit it and that they were very calm and didn't kill him.

He is now back in his viv and we keep checking it every two seconds to make sure he is still there, very paranoid now! But to celebrate his valiant return I decided to crochet him a effigy:

He's not finished yet and the stuffing is a bit dodgy but it's nice to immortalize him in wool. The real Merlin has a mark on his head that we call his centre parting so I had to put that in so there was no mistake who this snake is.

Right well down to business. I having been doing lots of planning for the crochet year ahead and I just can't wait to see how this will all unfold. I have two free patterns to make and write up in the pipeline:

Kitty hooded scarf 2.0 and toddler version
COOKIE MONSTER!

I got an email today (as I do about once every month) asking for the cookie monster pattern and it reminded me that I have the yarn just sitting there waiting to be done. So in the next few months there will be a cookie monster pattern! I can't wait.

I need to start stock piling finished projects for my etsy store that currently has nothing in it, But fear not, when I have enough stock to make it look good you will know about it as I will be doing a ridiculous amount of shameless self promotion.

I am feeling really good about this year and I'm looking forward to sharing my journey with you all :)

200 FOLLOWERS!!!!!!!!

2010-12-14T13:39:00.000Z

Wow!
What a wonderful surprise this afternoon to log in and see that I have 200 of you lovely people wanting to see what I'm up to :) I feel so special.
I really want to celebrate now but I have derby practice tonight and work tomorrow and as I have learnt from experience drinking and skating is a dangerous combo, ha ha!

Well the Christmas crafting is coming along but is starting to drag like a dog with no legs. I have about 8 projects left to make and 11 day s till Christmas, will I get it done in time?

My mum has been dropping hints for a while that she would like a light weight shawl to take on holiday so I made her the sweet pea shawl from The Happy Hooker

I love the yarn for this shawl, Reflections, its nice and light weight with a metallic thread running through it to make it glitter in the light, also 100g of this yarn has over 200meters in it, more that enough to do this shawl. i have made this pattern 8 times now and i am currently on my 9th for my grans Christmas present. What can I say, it's a really good pattern.

I have redesigned the Kitty Hooded Scarf now with extra paws:

I'm sure I'll get round to writing up the pattern at some point and then we can have a beginners and intermediate pattern :)

In a moment of madness I decided to organise my yarn stash:

I took ages but it was worth it as it saved me buying more yarn that I didn't need and sort some of it into future projects, though trying to organise it into categories was confusing.

Right I have yet more projects to get done!
TTFN

Getting there

2010-11-24T16:42:00.000Z

I knew it would be insane to make my niece's a blanket each for Christmas but by golly did I do it!

I was so glad that I got them done. Its the largest of the projects I had to get done for Christmas. I used the pattern from Angel Fire. Now it's time to get on with the ridiculous amount of cowls I'll be making for everyone.

I had some devastating news yesterday on the way to derby practice. My favorite shop the Pin Tin is closing down :'( they have such a lovely selection of yarn and fabric. I plan to go there on Friday and stock up, and also take advantage of the 20% discount that is on everything until Nov the 30th. It's such a shame that we are losing yet another haberdashery in Plymouth, earlier this year we lost Derrys due to the recession and it is even sadder that we are losing the Pin Tin because it's an independent store. I hope that the reason the Pin Tin is closing is for something good like moving to a new premises but from the posters in the window it doesn't look like it. There is a new haberdashery opening soon in Plymouth but I'm not holding my breath for quality yarn, i have a feeling that there will be lots of synthetic novelty yarn :s

Keep Crocheting!

2010-11-20T10:37:00.000Z

So the Christmas crochet saga continues. I was writing a list of all the presents I need to make then I remembered that the is also 5 birthdays in December not including my own. E'gad! I'm going to need joint replacements in my fingers in January! I am so glad i have discovered the cowl, Its so easy to make and is unisex, Fantastic!

The magazine contacted me yesterday. Although some of my patterns have been moved back i have one or two patterns in the next issue out in December and I get sent a free copy of the issue every time I am in it, gotta love the perks of the job :)

I'm trying to set up an Etsy shop at the moment but making my banner look good is driving me crazy. Any suggestions or help?

I was reading the Woo Work blog today. I love it, every post has a little story of what he has crocheted, its wonderful and definitely worth a read :)

Going Cowl Crazy

2010-11-17T09:49:00.000Z

Hey there.

I'd like to start by saying I am not Simon Cowl crazy, he is rubbish and I get the impression he smells like TCP.......Anyway! I've been making a bunch of Cowls of the woolen kind as presents for Jen my graphic designer and I have decided that everyone needs a cowl in their life. Maybe its the fact that the chunky wool is so easy to work up that I love them.

Sorry I am in my bathroom taking these pictures so that I could see myself in the mirror.
The crochet cowl in the top is very simple:

You will need:
7mm hook
chunky yarn of your choice

ch48
R1, sl st into first ch, ch 2, dc in every st around, sl st to join
R2-9 ch 2 dc in every st around

Shell edging
ch1, *sk 1, 5dc in next st, sk1, sc* rep around
attach yarn to the bottom and do the same.

See, easy :)

Tales from the Knit Expo

2010-11-13T19:46:00.000Z

Wow!

The Knit Expo was amazing. I've never seen so much yarn in one room. Had I all of the money in the world I could have bought enough yarn to keep m amused for a life time, but only having £40 I had to make some wise choices instead. My first purchase was from Nimu Yarns, I got some beautiful cashmere lace weight, hand dyed in a luscious Green and a mohair lace weight in a lovely rusty yellow colour. I hope to work this up into a shawl in the new year.
I got a shawl pin from the lovely Belinda Harris-Reid and she went crazy for my Knit Fast, Die Warm tattoo.
For the beautiful man in my life I got some nice alpaca and wool blend yarn in a manly grey from Heavenly Yarns who have a shop in Exeter. I'm going to be making him a cowl with that, then maybe I'll get my scarf back.
And finally an awesome mini sock knitting kit from Five Moons which will be perfect for making tiny stockings for the Christmas tree and some cute little socks for my new fairy god daughter.

This was the awesomely colourful table form Felt Folk, they have some great wet felting kits and inspired me to make some felt bunting :) There were so many people there that encouraged me not to give up on my drop spindle and I got some great tips from Sara's Texture Crafts she reassured me that she also turned the air blue when she started spinning.

I had a wonderful time and I can't wait for the next one. I'm defiantly going to put more money aside so that I can be a part of the masterclasses. This year there was a lace masterclass by the lovely people form iKnit.

Anyway I shall leave you with the rest of my photos :)

Knit Expo Exeter

2010-11-12T17:51:00.000Z

So excited,

My wonderful boyfriend is sending me off to the knit expo in Exeter tomorrow. Stand by for lots of photos. I am charging my camera specially. I was thinking of taking another camera just in case but I thought that might be a bit excessive.

I was so gutted that I didn't get to go last time that I am going to make the best of it this time. I have promised myself that I will leave my cards at home as there is no way I can afford to take them with me, I'll end up buying so much stuff. I am really looking forward to showing off my tattoo as there will be so many people there to appreciate it and will get a giggle from it.

Do you like the changes? Thought I should go for something a little more modern in preparation for the new logo. I can't wait to see it all together. Not long now :)

Anyway, i shall update again tomorrow night with how wonderful the expo was :)

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

2010-11-11T16:59:00.001Z

Hello there,

Exciting news! I am currently working with the lovely Jen Brookman, graphic designer, to make a lovely new logo for the blog and the future crochet ninja enterprise. It's very exciting, so far the logo does feature both a ninja and crochet hooks, very freaking awesome!

This is in preparation for my new years resolution:

Get on with plan for crochet domination!
This plan can be broken down into a few steps

Join Etsy and start selling
Start writing patterns for Book
Start selling at Local craft fairs
Ridiculous amount of self promotion

I can't wait to see my logo on my business card and on the blog banner, it's the first little steps in doing what I love full time, well thats the dream anyway. Get out of the call centre and start working for myself. If only someone could give my an £18k a year salary to play with wool, that would be very nice.

Well back on to the wool ranting.

I am loving chunky yarn at the moment, so soft and quick to work up. I have improved on the Kitty hooded scarf design for Christmas, so soon there will be a beginner and and intermediate design for y'all. I am dragging my feet a little with the Crochet Christmas presents, need to get a move on as there is no way I am putting Christmas on the credit card again.

I'll get some pictures taken of the presents so far for a Christmas Craft Showcase :)

Conjoined Aliens Pattern

2010-10-12T13:07:00.000+01:00

So this pattern has been a long time coming but I realised that in order to have crochet dominion over the world I need to put a little more effort in so I sat down with my lappy and cracked out this pattern.

Its been strange writing in the normal American format again as writing for the magazine I have to write in British terms, but I find the American terms make more sense.

I made this patter for my friends son for his birthday, I'm so glad he really liked it, though I got in trouble for giving him so many sweets for his birthday also. he was like a blur for the rest of the day.

Conjoined Aliens

You will need:
3mm hook
Stitch marker
100g of worsted weight yarn in a colour of your choice
A pair of 10mm and 5mm safety eyes
Fibre Fill
A needle to sew
Large part
R1: 6sc in ring
R2: inc in every st around (12sc)
R3: sc in first, inc in next, rep around (18sc)
R4: sc in first 2, inc in next, rep around (24sc)
R5: sc in first 3, inc in next, rep around (30sc)
R6: sc in first 4, inc in next, rep around (36sc)
R7: sc in first 5, inc in next, rep around (42sc)
R8: (ANTENNA ROUND) sc 3,* ch 6, ss in 2nd chain form hook and down the chain (5ss)(do this loosely to prevent curling) sc to join with rest of work* 5sc, rep form * the sc to end
R9-27: sc around, ss in next st, FO leave to one side.

Small Part

Rep large part until R17 DO NOT FO

Body

With a safety pin or stitch marker join a stitch from each part where you would like them to join. SC around until you reach the join then sc into the other marked stitch to join them. Sc around and rep the join on the other side. Continue to sc around for 8 rounds finishing at the right hand corner when the work is facing you, when the piece is flat.
Add eyes and embroider mouths

Feet
The number of stitches you have at this point may vary so to make the feet take the number of stitches you have and % by 3. If it is a difficult number, like I had 89, inc to 90st to make it nice and even. Place marker, sc 15, count backwards from marker 15 sts and sc into that 15th st you counted and sc around to marker.so the first foot will have 30sc.
Sc around 2 more times

Dec round for feet
R1: sc in first 3, dec in next, rep around (24sc)
R2: sc in first 2, dec in next, rep round (18sc)
R3: sc in first, dec in next, rep around (12sc)
R4, Dec until closed, FO

Stuff as you are going along
Attach yarn to st next to first foot. Sc 15, count back 15 st on other side and join as you did for the first foot, sc around 2 more times and dec the same as first foot
Last foot, sc around in the remaining stitches for 3 rounds and dec the same as the other feet.

Hands (make 3)
R1: 6sc in ring
R2: sc around inc randomly twice (8sc)
R3-5: sc around, FO leave tail to sew

Sew the arms to the body and sew up any gaps that might be between the bodies or the feet. Experiment with different facial expressions for each hear and enjoy your freaky alien.

Crochet Christmas

2010-10-11T17:51:00.000+01:00

I know, I know some of you may be cursing me because it's way to early to be talking about Christmas, but if you are like me and making all your presents this year then now is the time to start. I'm getting very excited and inspired by colours at the moment as I always have a problem trying to pick colours to put together but I'm getting there with practice.

A few weeks ago I crocheted for a fundraiser for the Roller Derby team; The Plymouth City Roller Girls

We had an awesome time and made over £350 for the team, some people even purchased my hats!

I found a pattern on ravelry that I love so much I want to make it over and over again. This baby dress pattern is so quick to work up.

I made it without the edging an yes that is my build a bear wearing it. Her nudity was offending me, hence the dress. My poor boyfriend was getting worried when I started crocheting baby dresses.

Currently on the hook I have a Star Afghan blanket, I'm making one for each of my two nieces, I think they will love it, especially in they lovely bright colours I have.

I am in absolute lust with this pattern but I can't seem to find any good sock yarn to make it in. Maybe I will make a huge version in worsted, hehe

Oooh Stuff!

2010-08-31T18:21:00.000+01:00

Wow, I just discovered the stats thing on blogger. Its so cool, I can see what are the most popular page views, what times of the day get the most views and where most of my page views are coming from. Apparently there are a lot of crocheters in Canada closely followed by the UK and US. Very cool.

I was on craftster a few days ago and saw a post that had so much awesome stuff in it I had to share it with you all http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=357391.0 As you know I am all about monsters and I need an apple cozy in my life.

I went to Salisbury over the bank holiday weekend to see my lady friends. While with the ladies I decided that this time next year I will be starting to write my crochet book. I went to visit a Castle where a part of Robin Hood Prince of Thieves was filmed and bought my boyfriend and awesome wooden sword to make up for him not being there. On the long journey home I managed to get loads of crocheting done. I am surprised at home many double takes I get if I crochet in public, or people who will just sit and stare at me. Dose that happen to you?

Anyway, lots of work to do tonight. just one week until my first published pattern is released.

Maggies got a brand new bag!

2010-08-24T13:59:00.000+01:00

Hello.

So I got the bag done, and not being an epic sewer the lining took a while but I think it looks pretty good. I took it for a test drive in work and was very pleased.

I designed it to be the ultimate crochet kit bag and it works pretty well. I don't like taking my wooden hooks out and about after the tragic Brittany hook break of earlier this year so I treated myself to some nice metal ones from eBay and made them a nice sleeping bag to stay in. I love lining bags. it makes them look so nice and professional looking.

I'm starting the Christmas craft early this year as there is no way I'm being caught short and having to put everything on my credit card again. I'm going to do more than just crochet to, so I've been collecting loads of tutorials for gift ideas. I got my first one done last night. I made a hello kitty candle, join the Christmas Craft Club on facebook and you can see what we are up to.

And finally. Writing for the magazine, Inside Crochet is very exciting. My first published pattern will be out in the begining of September. I can't wait to see it. I just wish I could do something like that full time. At least it is a foot in the door for when I am ready to publish my own book. ou never know I might even have crochet groupies, haha!

Well i plan to be more frequent with my posts now so you should be hearing from me soon

Maggie

Hey, Long time no Blog

2010-08-16T10:41:00.000+01:00

Hey Guys.

So I admit I have been letting the blog fall by the way side while I've been working for the magazine but it has been paying off as I now have a pattern in every issue up untill January 2011. My first pattern will be out at the begining of September, if you are in the UK you can get it from WHSmith, it's called Inside Crochet. Or if you are outside the UK you can download the magazine here.

So my first pattern the wanted hair accesories, I'm not sure what they were expecting but they were surprized when I sent them this:

And here it is on the back page of this months issue as a pre-view

Its so exciting to see my work in print and the best bit is that they send me the most awesome yarn to work with. Stuff that I could never afford to buy for myself for every project.

So lets talk about new projects. For a while I've been wanting to have the ultimate crochet bag, Somewhere to take my projects out of the house in and have a crochet hook holder in it. I was going to but a canvas satchel then I thought "what am I doing, I can make a bag!" So I am. I took inspirartion from this crochet satchel. I've started crocheting the main body in basket weave and I have some awesome fabric to line it with. I hope to get it done really soon so I can meet the deadline for my next project submission. I'll have photos to how it off soon.

Well its been great to blog again.

It hopefully wont be as long till my next post

Maggie

Hello Friends

2010-06-04T11:47:00.000+01:00

Hey Guys

Sorry for the quiet period, I’ve been away on holiday in Scotland. It was wonderful to get away from everything for a while and of course I found an amazing yarn store in Stirling called McAree’s, it was the best, got some lovely angora yarn from there that I’m going to turn into some wrist warmers. I’m also very excited about the prospect of writing a few patterns for a UK crochet magazine. I’ve got lots of ideas and I just can’t wait to get started. SO I promise you now I will get off my butt and post a new pattern for you all, he’s all done just need to write it up, what do you think? :)

Thank you for all the lovely comments recently. I’ve been making lots more hooks since I invested in a new saw so I’ll post some pics of that soon.

Much Love

Hand Made Hook, yay!

2010-05-10T20:35:00.000+01:00

Hello friends,

Check out what I’ve been up to. I made my own crochet hook!

Recently one of my lovely Brittany hooks snapped in my bag, sad times :(

I spent ages looking for a replacement and I have always been interested in making my own hooks and when I found a scabby old stick outside my house I thought it must be a sign. I found a few tutorials online from Craftster and eHow and thought I would give it a go. I started with scraping off all of the yucky bits like bark and bumps with a Stanley knife and shaped the tip into a rough point. I then drew with a pencil where I wanted to hook part to be cut and started working the shape with the Stanley knife. I used a nail file to make the groove deeper and then went to town with the sand paper and did a lot of the shaping of the tip with that.

After going through 3 different grades of sand paper I then rubbed the hook with a candle to give it a nice shiny finish and used the heat from my hands to smooth it into the wood.

Then I tried it out and this is what I made for my friend Sam

I hope you like my new hook, I'm hoping to make more, I think a small saw and a sharper knife will help lots.