Keeping Cosy

Last year in September I learned to crochet at a Workshop 33 class. I fell in love with the Granny square. I started out with a blanket for Macie's baby doll and then progressed to a cushion cover (yet to be finished ;). Since September I have seen in numerous magazines and in op shops the traditional granny square blanket and I have fallen even deeper in love with it.

I decided that I would make a blanket for Macie's bed. I only wanted it to be big enough to cover her body when she was lying in bed. The idea is that it sits on the end of her bed to be pulled up on those chilly nights to keep her cosy. Or, if she fancies, for her to snuggle under on the couch or on car trips.

I started in about October maybe... making my squares. I chose raspberry, green and a soft pink for my colours, all edged in white. Purchasing the wool in 2-3 ball lots as and when I needed it.

Over the past 4 months, I have picked up and put down this project in and around other sewing ones and Christmas pressies. It has been my only crochet project for these 4 months and I am very pleased with myself that I have seen it though from start to finish. There is something very very satisfying completing one project at at time. (If only this worked with my sewing!! Although I am working on that.)

Crochet is fabulous to take anywhere in your bag and over our two recent camping trips, in the evenings I sat and crocheted squares and then crocheted the squares together. On one particular night, I even slept under the half finished blanket for extra warmth!

Today, it is done.

The Granny square up close...

And the cosy...

Perfect fit for my little princess.

My next crochet project is all ready and waiting. I picked up a bag of beautiful wools in naturals, browns and creams to make an antique looking throw for my bed. Again, I cannot resist using the granny square. I am desperately keen to get started.

For me, a knitter since a young age, I am a total crochet convert. I normally wouldn't pick up a ball of wool and needles anytime between October and April. Too hot, too heavy. Crochet is quite different for me. You are holding a much smaller piece of work, its repetitive, its soothing, it keeps my hands busy of an evening. Do try it! I think its pretty neat!!! ;)

Cosy for my boy

Oscar has one of those Leapfrog Leap Pad things.  Being a boy he handles it pretty roughly so last night I whipped up a 'cosy' for it.  I added an outside pocket for when he has cartridge games for it (we are yet to fork out for those!).

It's pretty simple and you can apply the same principle to anything (kindle/ipod/kobo, laptop etc)

So, you need fabric for the outside (planes), inside (circles) and pocket (clouds).  Also a zip, velcro and fusible fleece

Measure your device and work out the dimensions you will need for your fabric.  You will need 2 x outside, 2 x inside and 2 x fusible fleec all the same size.  Your pocket will go across the width and be folded over and however high you want.

First iron all your fabric and iron on the fusible fleece to the OUTSIDE fabric, next quilt both pieces (I did diagonal lines 2 inches apart). 

Next step is to prepare your pocket.  Iron your fabric in half and at the folded edge sew one side of your velcro close to the top and centred on the fabric.

Next edge stitch the raw edges of your pocket to the raw edge of ONE outside fabric piece (this is to secure it at the bottom so it doesn't move around)

Next work out where your other half of the velcro will go on the outside fabric and sew on.   Close the pocket so it's nice and secure.

Now to attach your zip (I usually get a longer zip than I need so I am not in danger of breaking my needle).  Make a sandwhich 1) inside fabric facing up 2) Zip witih the pull to the left 3) outside fabric facing down  (so the two fabrics are right sides together with the zip sandwhiched in the middle).

Sew along the edge with a zipper foot.

Then flip the two pieces away from the zip and iron nice and flat.

Next sew on the right sides along the zip edge to make it nice and flat.

Then repeat for the other pieces.

Open up the zip 3/4 of the way.  With right sides facing together, place the inside together and the outside together.  Sew around the whole thing but leave a large gap in the lining so you can turn it inside out.

Trim off excess, cut off corners and the protruding zip.

Pull everything out through the gap in the lining.  And then sew the gap closed on the right side.

Push the lining back inside and you are done!

Until next time

Melissa

Hat Hats .. Such a lot of hats

NZ summer demands it.. nephews and daughters do too... A new bucket hat please. I have been having fun over the past couple of days creating bucket hats. I have made three using the Heidi and Finn Hampton Hat for Kids. This pattern is available in PDF on Etsy. It is sold as a winter hat for girls but is just perfect for a summer cotton hat for little kiddies in your world.

I make the summer version to be reversable. I chose this time to not use interfacing at all as I liked the idea of it being 'floppy'. The finished version is not floppy but is a lovely light hat to wear with a gorgeous shape that holds it own.

The pattern comes in 3 sizes, 6mth-1, 2-3 and 4-5 year sizes. I have made all three. They are easy fun and really really cute. I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance for the entire hat and had no probs making it all fit nicely. (The pattern uses a slightly different seam allowance.) I love the 1930's look to the hat.

So my 5 year old niece scored my first attempt for Macie which was too big, Macie happy with her pink one and this one is for baby Phoenix... must admit I LOVE the brown fabric.

I added some lovely green ribbon to this hat to that my sister can secure it to little Phoenix's head.

I am on the hunt of a tried and tested bucket hat pattern for larger heads... older child/adult. I would be interested in any suggestions you have!

I hope you are enjoying the summer sunshine! A xx

Reversible Merino Beanie tutorial

As promised, here's the tutorial for making your own reversible beanie pattern - get it ready for winter!

I used this basic pattern and adapted from there.

Follow the instructions until you have made the basic outline of the hat (the To Assemble) instructions.  Your hat will look like this. 



Then follow the same instructions for your 'lining' of the hat but make sure you leave a gap in the side seam as  below.







Next put the hats inside each other, right side to right side and pin along the bottom raw edge and sew the whole way around




Then, pull the inside hat out through the opening in the lining.





Sew up the whole in the lining (making sure you are as close to the edge as possible)  Then push the lining inside of the outside hat.





If you wish, add a line of stop stitching along the edge to finish it and you are done!





Pretty neat eh!

'Till next time, Melissa