Little Robin

Well winter is finally here! It hit me with a sharp freezing wind, I mean I knew

it's coming, but with November being so mild I actually thought we might get away

with it. Still, there are lots of things to love about winter: wearing woollen

jumpers , scarfs, gloves, it's far too cold to go out and socialise so you stay at home

and actually have the time to finish all your projects, it helps that  TV  is relatively good.

And of course Christmas! 

I really do love Christmas, actually I love the run up to Christmas more, the fantastic atmosphere when it gets dark so early, but all the decorations are up everywhere and everything sparkles, the fantastic markets and even the carols being played on continuous loop, but the thing I love the most about Christmas is MULLED WINE!!

Everyone says that Christmas is far too commercial, of course it is, but it is us who made it that way. On the other hand, how often do you really treat yourself? How often have you promised yourself the earrings, handbag or bracelet, but there were always far more important things to spend money on, is treating yourself or loved ones once a year such a bad thing? Some retailers start Christmas advertising in August, but for some this is make or break period, it will decide whether they can survive and continue to trade next year or not, so not surprisingly they start as early as they possibly can.

Anyway, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without beautiful, sparkling Christmas tree! My one is not up yet, but I have been busy making decorations for it. One of the decorations is the crocheted little Robin. He’s a cute little fella with slightly wonky wings, I first designed him for my Little Festive Workshops and I’m pleased to report he has been a massive success.

If you would like to make one yourself the pattern is as follows:

Abbreviation

Ch – chain

Dc (US sc)– double crochet (US – single crochet)

Dc2tog (US sc2tog)– double crochet two together - insert hook into stitch and draw up a loop. Insert hook into next stitch and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook. (US – single crochet two together)

Ss – slip stitch

Materials

Rowan Cotton Glace or any 4ply mercerised cotton

A – Brown, Earth sh.863

B – Red, Poppy sh.741 - oddments

C – Yellow, Mineral sh.856 - oddments

3mm (UK 11) crochet hook

Toy stuffing
2 x small black beads for eyes

Finished size 
Completed robin measures approximately 15cm in circumference and 8cm in height, but it really doesn't matter if he's a bit bigger or smaller.

Body

With yarn A and 3mm hook make 6 dc into magic ring.

Round 2: ch1, 2dc into every dc. (12)

Round 3: ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first dc. (18)

Round 4: ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first dc. (24)

Round 5: ch1, 1 dc in each dc to end. (24)

Round 6: ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 3 dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first dc. (30)

Round 7 to 11: ch1, 1 dc into each dc to end,  ss to first dc (30)

Round 12: ch1, *2dctog, 1 dc into next 3 dc. Rep from* to end, ss to first dc (24)

Begin stuffing

Round 21: ch1, *2dctog, 1 dc into next 2 dc, rep from* to end, ss to first dc (18)

Round 22: ch1, *2dctog, dc into next dc, rep from * to end, ss to first dc (12)

Round 23: *2dctog, to end, ss to first dc (6)

Close opening by weaving in yarn and pulling tight.

Fasten off.

Red Breast

With yarn B and 3mm hook make 6 dc into magic ring.

Round 2: ch1, 2dc into each dc to end, ss to first dc (12)

Round 3: ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first dc (18)

Round 4: ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc. Repeat from * to end, ss to first dc (24)

Fasten off

Attach to centre of Robin.

Wings (make two)

With yarn A make 6 ch.

Row 1: 1 dc into second ch from hook , I dc into every dc to end. Turn.

Row 2: ch1, dc2tog , 1 dc into every dc to end. Turn.

Row 3: ch1, 1 dc into next 2 dc, dc2tog. Turn.

Row 4: ch1, dc2tog, dc into last dc. Turn.

Row 5: ch1, dc2tog.

Fasten off

Beak

With yarn B work 3 dc into the centre of 2nd row above red breast.

Row 1: ch1, dc2tog, 1 dc into next dc. Turn.

Row 2: ch1, dc2tog.

Fasten off.

Fold the tip of the beak and secure it to the body.

Happy Robin making! 

Merry Christmas!!

Anna x

Let's make a pompom

About a week ago I have released the pattern for 'Cosy' hat, it's the first pattern from

3-pattern Cosy knits collection, chunky knits to keep you extra warm.

Modelled by my boyfriend Dave

The hat is quite brilliant! (If I may say so myself) it is unisex, men and women

can enjoy the warmth of 'Cosy'. It is a super quick knit; the hat can be knitted in an evening. It can be worn as a beanie (just fold the moss stitch border) or slouchy and it only takes one ball Rowan Big Wool, 80 meters/ 87 yards to be precise and you can decorate it with a pompom made out of any yarn.

Let’s talk more about the joys of making a pompom, as I’m sure we all love a good pompom?

 Whoever said that making a pompom is a chore! Let me show you the quick and easy

way of making one. No need for expensive gadgets or cutting out circles out of

cardboard (anyone remembers that from school?). All you need is your hand, yarn

and scissors. 

Start by wrapping your yarn around your palm as many times as you wish. The more

yarn the thicker the pompom. 

When you are happy with your thickness, remove carefully and place it on a 20cm length of yarn.

 Tie the piece of yarn tightly around the middle of your wrap yarn.

Cut the loops of wrapped yarn  

Trim the pompom so all strands are even.

And voila! Pompom made

Attach it to your hat and you are ready for whatever winter can throw at you.

Pattern for Cosy hat is available at:

Moochka.co.uk

Ravelry

Enjoy 

Anna x

Vertical stripes bangles

Recently I have discovered the joys of simple one-stitch vertical stripe knitting, but with a crochet hook! Came across this technique totally by chance in my friend's ‘Stitch ’n Bitch’ pattern book.

Knitting single-stitch vertical stripes can be a real nuisance, if you use fairisle techniques the stitch will pucker, if you use intarsia you will have loads of spools of yarn getting in the way, not to mention the ends to weave in. So here comes the genius of this technique!

You knit the piece as normal, but in place of where the one-stitch stripe should be you work those stitches in reverse stocking stitch. So you will end up with a column of purl stitches running up your fabric. When the item is done, holding your contrasting yarn at the back, insert your crochet hook from front to back and slip stitch the contrasting thread through the purl stitches, working under every purl stitch continue slip stitching until the whole column is done! Brilliant!

Knit your piece as normal, but work a purl column where you want your stripe to be.

With contrasting color at the back, insert your hook from front to back under the bump of your first purl stitch (in this picture I have worked few stitches already), yarn around hook and pull the loop through.  Make sure you use the correct hook for your yarn.

Insert your hook into next stitch (under the bump of next purl stitch), yarn around the hook, and pull loop through, you should have two stitches on your hook, slip the first stitch through the second stitch and hey presto! Continue repeating until the every stitch in the column has been worked.

I have designed some funky bangles to try out this technique. It’s so simple! Have a go

I'm sure you will love it!

Materials

Range of different coloured yarn in worsted weight (light aran). I have used one of my all-time favourite yarn, Rowan Creative Focus Worsted. 

4mm (US 6/ UK8) needles

4mm (US G/6) crochet hook

Two-stripe bangle (pictured grey)

With your main colour, cast on 12sts.

Row 1: K4, p1, k2, p1, k4.

Row 2: P4, k1, p2, k1, p4.

Those two rows form the pattern.

Continue repeating the pattern until work measures 28cm, or your desired length.

Cast off

Now using the technique described above work two stripes in contrasting colours in the purl columns.

Three-stripe bangle (pictured pink)

With your main colour, cast on 13 sts.

Row 1: K4, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k4.

Row 2: P4, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p4.

Those two rows form the pattern.

Continue repeating the pattern until work measures 28cm, or your desired length.

Cast off

Now using the technique described above work three stripes in contrasting colours in the purl columns.

Making up

Weave in ends. Fold the side edges of bangle at the back and stitch together to form a tube, join two ends together and wrap a length of yarn around the joint to cover it, weave in yarn to secure.

Happy knitting with a bit of crocheting!

Anna x