Mr.Spock mug cosy

Friday was a very sad day….. A true sci-fi icon has left us; of course I mean the legend that is Leonard Nimoy.

I’m not a trekkie, but I still vividly remember watching the original series with Mr. Spock and Captain Kirk and still to this day I was all too aware of just how iconic those characters had become. Although Leonard Nimoy played quite a number of other roles throughout his career including films such as ‘Invasion of the body snatchers’ and the more recent sci-fi series ‘Fringe’, to me he will always be Mr. Spock.

So in honour of the great man, I felt inspired to crochet this star trek themed mug cosy, perfect for popping round a mug of hot drink fresh from the replicator ;)

The colours I’ve chosen are also a nod to his original uniform: blue top with silver communicator badge.

Grab a crochet hook, some yarn, make a cosy and raise a mug of tea (or whatever Vulcans drink) to the great man.

Abbreviations

ch - chain

ch-sp - chain space

dc (US sc) - double crochet (single crochet)

htr (US hdc) - half treble crochet ( hald double crochet)

tr (US dc) - treble (double crochet)

dtr (US tr) - double treble (treble)

trtr (US dtr) - triple treble ( double treble)

st(s) - stitch(es)

RS - right side

WS - wrong side

Materials

Oddments of DK yarn in blue and silver, I have used:

Rowan Handknit Cotton in blue

Rowan Cotton Glacé in silver

3.50mm (US E/4) crochet hook.

1 x button

Tapestry needle

Pattern

With blue yarn make 13 chains.

Row 1 (WS): 1 dc into second ch from hook, 1 dc into every ch to end, turn.

Row 2: ch 1, *1 dc into front loop only of next st, 1 dc in back loop only of next st, rep from * to end, turn.

Continue repeating row 2 until work measures 24.5cm (or however long you wish the cosy to be).

Break off yarn.

Buttonhole band

With RS facing, re-join yarn to 4^th stitch on last row.

Row 1: ch 1, [1 dc into back loop of next st, 1 dc into front loop of next st] 3 times, turn.

Rep row 1, 5 more times.

Row 7: ch 1, 1 dc into back loop of next set, 1 dc into front loop of next set, miss 2 sts, 1 dc into back loop of next set, 1 dc into front loop of next set, turn.

Row 8: ch 1, 1 dc into back loop of next st, 1 dc into front loop of next st, 2 dc into ch-2 sp, 1 dc into back loop of next st, 1 dc into front loop of next st.

Fasten off.

Communicator badge

I have used two strands of cotton glacé held together for the badge, as I wanted it to really stand out.  Cotton glacé is mercerised cotton, with weight in between DK and 4 ply, has a gentle shine to it which is just ideal for the badge.

With your silver yarn make 13 ch.

Row 1: 1 dc into second ch form hook, 1 dc into next 2 ch, 1 htr into next ch, 1 tr into next ch, [1 dtr, 1 trtr, ch 1, 1 trtr] all into next ch, [1dtr, 1 tr] all into next ch, 1 tr into next ch, 1 htr into next 2 ch, 1 dc into next 2 ch.

Fasten off.

Making up

Weave in ends.

Attach button to the cosy, placing it in the centre of 5th row from the start of work.

Using photograph as a guide, sew on communicator badge on the side of cosy, pulling it into shape as you sew.

If you wish; with tapestry needle and silver yarn (I held it double) embroider LLAP (Live Long And Prosper) so it would display on the opposite side to the badge. 

Dave and Anna

Well Dave and Anna are getting married!! 

When Dave proposed it really took me by a total surprise, well we did talk about tying the knot at some point, but it was just that, talk. So when I came home on Friday and was taken for a lovely dinner, I didn’t think much about it, until we got home and Dave got on one knee, with a gorgeous ring in his hands. As you can imagine my answer was a big YES! Well how could I not!? I cannot say no to a man who has chosen the perfect ring!

To be honest the proposal was the biggest surprise as my Dave is not the romantic type at all, I always expected when he did pop the question it would be more in line of: ‘So shall we do it then?’

When I say Dave isn’t romantic, I mean in the traditional sense. He is romantic in a way that means far more to me than any amount of flowers and jewellery can buy. Dave is romantic in a way that he cares 24/7. If I want to scream and shout at the world he will listen, when I want to cry he always has a shoulder ready, if I need help or advice he’s always there.  And above all he makes me laugh like no one else  ever could, and he’s also a wiz with computers which is just amazing, it has come in very handy during the creation of moochka and all that has gone with it, and all it cost me was biscuits HA!

From our first snowy Christmas together to our many holidays to finding our first home with Ollie the cat…..and then upsetting him with the introduction of Brick the cat, it has been a fantastic and very special journey, and I can’t wait for many more years of adventures.

I have already started ‘operation wedding’, the secret board on Pinterest has been created, I have perfect venue in mind and of course the dress has already been sketched and Dave has taken to hiding under the bed in preparation of bridezillas arrival.

                       This is not the greatest photo of us, but it is my favorite. It was taken many years ago at the first concert we every went to.

The wedding will be a full knitted and crocheted affair (come on! You didn’t think I would just buy everything ready-made, did you? ) and I’ll keep you all updated on my progress.

With all this love in the air and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, to celebrate my pattern for ‘Love is in the air’ egg cosies is on special offer, just 50p until 14th.

The egg cosies are really adorable and will add a little quirky touch to your breakfast for two.

The pattern comes with alphabet chart to personalise your cosies. 

To purchase the pattern, please click here

Anna x

New chapters

Happy New Year!

I bid a very sad farewell to 2014, it's been a good year, it has been a mixture of the good and sad, thankfully the good outweighing the sad, lots of very exciting things have happened, the biggest ones being my crochet book, which will be published in May as well as giving a sweet little kitty a home. 

But as one chapter closes new one starts, and I'm waiting with pure excitement to see what 2015 will bring. I never make New Year resolutions as they are pointless to me, but I do make plans, more of what I would like to achieve in 2015, less of meaningless promises that don't last past the middle of January.

My plan is a bit like a shopping list, I can tick off things when done. I don't know why, but there's something very satisfying about a tick next to a completed task, makes you feel like you've achieved something and then you can have a cake to reward yourself, ah any excuse to have a cake.

Oh my, I do sound rather boring! But in my defense, I never used to make plans, I only started last year and I have to say it has been an immense help in keeping me focused, I have an attention span of a gerbil so my list in the diary is vital.

Another new chapter that is starting is my kitty Brick's new life.

Brick is just awesome! The most mischievous little monkey on the planet, but also the cuddliest one, he's so sweet you will forgive him everything, looking at his cute little face I just melt.

Brick is only 8 months old but had a very tough time in his very young life.

He's been rescued by an incredible lady who saw him being kicked then swung by his tail by a group of teenagers. She bravely intervened, but being in a tough personal position she was unable to keep him, so she took him to her local branch of MediVets where he got the most fantastic care and attention from all the amazing nurses. He was in the vets for around a week and a half without anyone coming forward to claim him, when my partner met him. Dave was installing new IT hardware there and little Brick kept coming over to say hello when a nurse said that he was being taken to the local cat rescue center, Dave didn't think twice and brought him home.

Our biggest worry was how Ollie would react to having to share his space. Ollie has been the king of the castle for a good few years and he is rather spoiled. Over the next few days we kept them apart, swapping them backwards and forwards into different rooms so they will get used to each-others smells. Eventually we introduced them and slowly a friendship was born. Ollie is a rather a lazy cat who likes nothing better than sleeping in a patch of sun while Brick is just a bundle of energy that climbs every shelf, cupboard, wardrobe in the house as well as finding Ollie fascinating. He follows him absolutely everywhere, which at first really annoyed Ollie, but now they do everything together, even groom each-other. 

I want to say the biggest thank you to the amazing lady who rescued little Brick and to all those fantastic nurses at MediVet. I'm forever grateful to you all.

And in case you wonder why the name Brick, it’s the name of the youngest child from the series ‘The Middle’…which we just thought was a very cool name.

Anna x

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