Monday, 26 January 2015

Free - Cosy Blocks Cowl



Cosy Blocks Cowl is a snug, textured cowl, crocheted in 2 colours. Made in Linked Treble Crochet, it gives full coverage, with better drape than double crochet. UK terms are used throughout.

Yarn:              Aran in 2 colours, one solid, one with long colour changes (est 160m MC, 100m in CC,) Exactly 1 skein of silk garden works perfectly.

Hook:            5mm

Stitches:        FLTR (Foundation linked treble)
                        LTR (Linked Treble)
                        CSTR (Chainless starting Treble)
                       
Definitions  MC – Main Colour
                        CC – Contrast colour

If you are not familiar with any of these terms instructions can be found on Youtube in American terms (Foundation DC, Linked DC and Chainless starting DC)

Pattern

Foundation linked treble crochet (FLTR)  120 stitches in MC, join in the round by slip stitching into top of first stitch, do not include the starting chain in your stitch count.


The tail can be used to join the edge later on 



Row 1: Create first stitch using Chainless Starting Treble (CSTR). LTR MC (120 stitches).

Row 2: CSTR, LTR 1 st MC FLO, changing to CC in final step of second stitch. 2 stitches CC BLO, changing to MC in final step of second stitch. Alternate MC FLO and CC BLO, until reaching the final stitch. Change to MC in final step of 2nd stitch of CC, and use to slip stitch into top of CSTR.

Carry colours across the back of the work in a relaxed way to prevent pulling.

The linked treble will hide these floats, so there is no need to try and work them into the stitches as you go.



Row 3: Repeat Row 2

Row 4: Repeat Row 2

Row 5: Repeat Row 2

Row 6:  CSTR. LTR MC FLO until the end of the row. Join to first stitch using slip stitch.

Repeat Rows 2-6 as required to reach desired height of cowl, in the example above they are repeated 3 further times.


Join final stitch to the beginning of the row using slip stitch, and darn in ends.



Post your finished cowl to Ravelry - we'd love to see it!

Monday, 24 March 2014


SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

At last! The rain has stopped, the sun has come out, the roads are no longer flooded and all seems to be right in our little corner of the world!


But seriously, it’s amazing the difference a bit of sun makes to the the way you feel. Here at Craftynation we can feel our creativity beginning to blossom along with the spring flowers.


The first thing that came to mind was Daffodils! Lots of them! We have written a little pattern for a lovely bright Daffy. The pattern is free and will be up on the blog within a few days.


The other thing we have also been working hard on is planning our Easter Craft Workshop for Children. Offered on two Wednesdays in the Easter hols, it will be a workshop full of colour, fun and crafting creativity – also biscuits, juice and a bit of sticky glue too!





Children will be able to paint their very own uber trendy Easter twig tree and then make and decorate all sorts of Easter themed items to hang on it.

Two and a half hours of fun guaranteed, and all for only £25. Please book early as places are limited – contact us via email or phone.


And wherever your corner of the world is, we hope that you are enjoying some spring sunshine!


Wednesday, 26 February 2014

The Weeping Angel Costume




A little while ago my daughter got the ultimate party invitation, Dr Who, FANCY DRESS!!



Before I knew it, I was talked into making the ultimate Weeping Angel costume by darling daughter, who had ambitions for it to look like "The Real Thing".



My daughter is a perfectionist, and loves to give us a challenge, and with my sewing / craft skills, and Louise on face paints, we decided to go to town. I started by making a simple grey robe, using lots of gathering and many safety pins, then it was time to make a start on some face paints!




Louise is an expert face painter, having worked in the theatre for years she also has an eye for the dramatic, and after a few minutes we had a rather terrifying Weeping Angel on our hands! All we had to add were some cardboard wings made from a handy Amazon box, and voila:





I'm not sure if the other kids at the party knew what hit them! My darling daughter was delighted, though I may have now set the bar a little high for next time....





Monday, 11 November 2013

Hello, and welcome to CraftyNation!

We are Natalie and Louise, two crafty mums from South London with lots of ideas of how to add a little creativity to your life.

It's raining here today, and surrounded by slightly damp cats I'm trying to make some headway on my latest crochet project for my littlest little 'un.


This is from a free Ravelry pattern linked here:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/eloise-baby-sweater

This is such fun to do, and making a great result with very little effort, apart from the fact I've had to chase the cat with it twice so far....