Decorated Mini Easter Egg Chart

 

Easter is fast approching, here is a simpler and smaller version of the Decorated Easter Egg Chart I posted a few years ago on my NezumiWorld Website
This pattern could, be used as an insert on cushions, pillows, clothing, bags. Or if using a thinner thread a bookmark.

Remember the finished size is dependant on the yarn weight/ or thread and hook size used (plus if using the chart for filet crochet the type of filet crochet 1X1 1X2 1X3 made)

Note: The chart is not just a filet crochet chart, you could also use the graph/ chart for tapestry crochet, beaded crochet, tunisian filet crochet, crocss stitch, embroidery even knitting!


APPROXIMATE FINISHED SIZES Using 1 X 2 filet crochet blocks = 1 square (As a guide only always do a tension square/ swatch):
Using Crochet Cotton size 10: width = 2.5 inches, height = 8.2 inches
Using Crochet Cotton size 20: width = 2.4 inches, height = 7.9 inches
Using Fingering/Baby Weight: width = 7.7 inches, height = 23.8 inches
Using Worsted Weight: width = 9.9 inches, height = 30.4 inches
TENSION/ GAUGE:
Using Crochet Cotton size 10: 10 squares = 2.3 inches, 10 rows = 2.5 inches
Using Crochet Cotton size 20: 10 squares = 2.2 inches, 10 rows = 2.4 inches
Using 4ply / Baby (UK) Fingering/Baby Weight (USA): 10 squares = 7.0 inches, 10 rows = 7.2 inches
Using Aran (UK)/ Worsted Weight(USA): 10 squares = 9.0 inches, 10 rows = 9.2 inches

INSTRUCTIONS (Following the chart) 1x2 filet crochet blocks:
Starting at bottom of pattern chain 34. Chain 3 to turn this counts as first treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) of first row.
Treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) in 5th chain from hook.Treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) in next 2 chains to complete bottom right solid
square of pattern. Continue following pattern for first row reading pattern right to left. After completing first
row, chain 3 to turn to start next row. Continue following pattern until all rows are complete. At end of row
33 fasten off.

If you prefer following using crochet symbols here's a chart for you

Chain Stitch
Treble Crochet (UK)     Double Crochet (USA)

As an added bonus here is the

INSTRUCTIONS (Following the chart) 1x1 filet crochet blocks:

(better for a thin thread when making a bookmark)

Starting at bottom of pattern chain 23. Chain 3 to turn this counts as first treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) of first row. Treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) in 5th chain from hook.Treble crochet(UK)/ double crochet(USA) in next 2 chains to complete bottom right solid square of pattern. Continue following pattern for first row reading pattern right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row. Continue following pattern until all rows are complete. At end of row 33 fasten off.

Happy Easter :)

Jewellery Jigs

 At Christmas I treated myself to some jewellery jigs. They are quite cheap so I was not sure if the results would be good, but I was pleasantly surprised. They were very easy to use and gave good results. Here's a few pic of one of the earring wire jigs. I'll post more results soon.

Which came first the sea dragon or the egg

Yesterday I managed to finish and enter (just in time!) my entry to the "Mythical creature plushie pattern" contest run over at Spoonflowers site. Here's the brief "Create a cut-&-sew pattern to make a plush mythical creature toy. The sewing pattern, with instructions, should fit on a fat quarter of linen-cotton canvas (27" x 18"). Contest will close for entries on February 17, 2015. Voting opens Thursday, February 19th."

So here's my entry "Sea Dragon and Egg" usually I do more complicated cut n sews but decided to keep the pattern simple and let the design shine through. I thought also my doing this the design could be used for an appliqué onto a t-shirt, cushion, bag. There's also a little touch of the metal cogs design to match my other steampunk inspired "Cogs and Gears Collection".
Here's the link to vote for your favourites, no need to sign in and you can vote for as many as you choose.
http://www.spoonflower.com/contest_voters_temp/new?contest_id=291
I am looking forward to seeing all the other entries.

January Speeds By

It feels like the month has only just started not coming to an end. I have been busy transferring and updating patterns because as of the 1st of January the EU VAT laws on digital services, that includes digital downloads (this also includes music, apps, ebooks) yes knitting and crochet patterns. Here's the link for the UK government page for more information. Basically I can register in all the EU countries that might sell one of my patterns in and file quarterly paperwork (even if I don't sell anything) or as many have no longer have my pattern for sale (big companies who are VAT registered do not have to do this). But a third option was found in December when Loveknitting.com came forward (together with ravelry.com) and they will handle the payments and paperwork for designers who go through them. This means all my EU (except the UK as I live here) pattern sales will now go through loveknitting.com links will still be on ravelry as normal. Loveknitting also sell books, needles, hooks and yarn.

My other transfers have been to a new fabric shop on Woven Monkey similar to Spoonflower who I still love. Woven Monkey are UK based
this is a little info from their site "Woven Monkey was set up to give individuals the opportunity to have their own designs printed onto fabric. All our printing takes place right here in the UK, at our premises in Derbyshire. The textile industry has a rich heritage in the area, dating back almost 300 years. We’re passionate about reviving the industry through new ideas and technology"
They use the latest in digital fabric printing methods and very important for me was they use eco-friendly pigment inks on natural fibres. Been UK based it also means UK and EU customers who want to buy fabric will not have to worry about additional customs charges and lower shipping costs (they post free if in the UK)

Happy New Year 2015

A Happy New Year 2015 to Everyone :)

Tree Gift Tag

Yesterday I posted the Angel Gift Tag, today as promised it's the Tree Gift Tag. Both of these new designs match the Christmas Bauble Gift Tag from a couple of years. There is also some photo's on how to decrease in filet crochet.on that blog post.
Instead of making this as a gift tag you could make a Christmas tree decoration.
The chart can be used not just for crochet but also knitting, cross stitch and beading weaving, beaded crochet/ knitting, tunisian crochet, embroidery.....
I recommend a 1X1 filet crochet and no10 cotton, but you could use any yarn (make sure the hook is correct for that yarn thickness) The size will depend on the thickness of yarn used. 
 

Chain 27 turn, chain 3 (this will count as first treble crochet (UK)/ first double crochet (USA) of first row), 1 treble crochet (UK)/ 1 double crochet (USA) into the 5th chain from the hook,treble crochet (UK)/ double crochet (USA) in next 2 chains to

complete bottom right solid square of pattern.

Continue following pattern for the first row reading the graph right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row.Continue following graph until all rows are complete.

At end of row 19 fasten off.

Angel Gift Tag

 I designed two new gift tags this year to match the Christmas Bauble Gift Tag from a couple of years that proved very popular. There's also some photo's on how to decrease in filet crochet.on that blog post.
I am posting the angel gift tag today and the tree gift tag tomorrow.
Instead of making this as a gift tag you could make a Christmas tree decoration.
The chart can be used not just for crochet but also knitting, cross stitch and beading weaving, beaded crochet/ knitting, tunisian crochet, embroidery.....
I recommend a 1X1 filet crochet and no10 cotton, but you could use any yarn (make sure the hook is correct for that yarn thickness) The size will depend on the thickness of yarn used.
 


Chain 27

turn, chain 3 (this will count as first treble crochet (UK)/ first double crochet (USA) of first row), 1 treble crochet (UK)/ 1 double crochet (USA) into the 5th chain from the hook,treble crochet (UK)/ double crochet (USA) in next 2 chains to

complete bottom right solid square of pattern.

Continue following pattern for the first row reading the graph right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row.Continue following graph until all rows are complete.

At end of row 19 fasten off.

More fabrics

 

These are the other digital printed fabric pieces that arrived recently.

The black and white (with a little highlight of yellow) fabric is called "Midnight Cat Does Damask" this is the small size print there is also a larger scale print. And here's a photo of my
model in the garden. Always ready to model for food.

The blue fabric with the cameos is called "Cameo Girl Cogs" again this is the small size and there is a larger scale version. I wanted something that was a mix of old and new just like steampunk and it matches my other cog and gear fabrics. This was print on satin.

The final fabric also blue, but with sweets/ candys I remember from my childhood called "Sugar Mice and all things Nice" sugar mice, allsorts, smarties, candy canes and lollies swirling around in a sweet 'n' tasty dream. All the things I remember you could buy with your pocket money in the local sweet shop as a child, although I hated liquorice (and still do) it always looked pretty.

The fabric comes in three colours blue (as in the pic), pink and green.

Now I need some time to do lots of sewing :)

Fabric arrives

Recently spoonflower had a BOG OFF sale (buy one get one free) on fat quarters of fabric. My fabrics arrived last week, here's some of the pics.

 
The first two are cut and sew patterns, both printed on 100% cotton fabric.
"Mr Fox Awake/ Asleep Cover" is inner pillow/ cushion, that is filled with wheat or rice to create a  heatable pillow(in a microwave), it can then be put into the fox (one side awake the other side asleep) outer cover.

"Bees 'n' Flowers Barrel shaped pencil case" make one lined barrel shaped pencil case with a strap, or two unlined barrel shaped pencil cases :) 

 

 

And "Mom's Recipe - Soda Bread Tea Towel" this is printed on the linen/ cotton blend as its larger size, I think I may also make a smaller size so two prints can fit on a fat quarter. I was very happy with how this printed and it just needs the edges neatened and hemmed.

I'll post the other fabric quarters as soon as I photo them :)

Fibre Monday

Spoonflower.com are having a 12 hour free shipping worldwide event starting today :)
My fabrics from their last special offer have just arrived, I will post some pics of them tomorrow.

Glastonbury

I went to Glastonbury in Somerset for a day trip last week. I had never been before and friends said it was an interesting place to visit. It is steeped in history probably the most famous been its connections to Camelot and King Arthur.
The high street has many old buildings made of stone (I like stone so many beautiful tones and textures), there are lots of interesting, quirky and colourful shops to wander around. The place has an atmosphere I can't really describe, you have to visit the place to experience it. I hope if I return to see some more of the local places of interest like the Chalice Well Gardens with it flowing red water.
Here are some of my photos of the High Street and nearby Abbey

Midnight Cat does Damask

This weeks Spoonflower.com contest is Cat Damask here's the information that was given for entries - "This week we're asking designers to come up with damask-inspired prints that incorporate illustrations of cats. Previews will be sized as quarter yards (21" x 18") “

This is my entry "Midnight Cat does Damask", can you see the damask shaped cat-head?

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/3502190

There are 320 entries this week, you can vote for as many or as few entries as you like or just have a look, no need to sign in or join to vote. Note: you have to go all the way down to the end entry to confirm your vote/ s. To see them all and vote here's the link

http://www.spoonflower.com/contest_voters_temp/new?contest_id=270

International Crochet Day 2014

It's IDC or International Crochet Day today, ICD was created 7 years ago to promote crochet, what are you doing to celebrate :)
What will you do?
Here's a few ideas
- teach a friend to crochet
- crochet out in public
- read crochet bloggers posts and leave a comment to encourage them:)
- crochet a small gift for a friend
- try a different crochet style (broomstick, hairpin, filet)
- try a new stitch
- crochet with a different material (wire, recycled plastic, string)
- sort through your yarn stash (I so need to do this!!)
- visit Jimbo on his blog who created ICD, he has an excellent competition to win one of his beautiful hand craved hook (I won one several years ago and have purchased one also) at http://jimbosfrontporch.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/international-crochet-day-approaches.html

So to celebrate I am posting the mini version of my I ♥ 1 bookmark, follow the grid or follow the symbol chart below.

Starting at bottom of pattern chart, chain 28

Chain 3 to turn which will count as first double crochet of first row.

Treble crochet (UK)/ Double crochet (USA) in 5th chain from hook. Treble crochet (UK)/ Double crochet (USA) in next 2 chains to

complete bottom right solid square of pattern.

Continue following pattern for the first row reading the graph right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row. 

Continue following graph until all rows are complete.

At end of row 31 fasten off.

I have some tips on decreasing in filet crochet on a previous post here at Christmas Gift Tag  

And here's some links to previous pattern I posted for ICD
ICD 2009 - Red flower
ICD 2010 - I love crochet bookmarks (2 of them) also available free as a pdf via ravelry
ICD 2011 - Hearts Bookmark
ICD 2012 - A spiral flower pattern


Have a HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CROCHET DAY :)

Summer snaps

Its so nice to get out of the city and breath in some fresh air,
take a walk and snap some photos.

Its also great that this summer we have had lots of sunny bright days in contrast to the extremely wet winter and spring.

So here are some of my holiday snaps.

    

Fabric Arrived

The first of my fabrics arrived and I am very happy with the results, its my "Sweet 'n' Sour" print. This fabric makes me think of cool summer drinks. Now to make something for the summer before it ends :)

Supermoon

Did you see the supermoon last night (in between the rain, clouds and lightening).
The full moon was extra bright due to the fact that the moon is at the closest point to Earth in its orbit (perigee) it appears 30 percent brighter and 14 percent larger. It was the 2nd of the supermoons this summer the last was in July and the next is in September,so if you missed it this month, you have a chance next month to see it.

Hexagons part 1

Here's a little "how to make" for the pieced hexagon patchwork, as I have had several requests

You need 2 sizes of hexagon, 1 for the paper pieces and 1 for the fabric pieces, this is the size used for the paper hexagon with a seam allowance of your choice all around usually about 1/4" / 6mm
I use normal printer paper for my hexagons, not the really cheap stuff just the normal weight paper. When I print stuff instead of recycling it in the recycle bin I cut hexagons from it. I also recycle leaflets and junk mail that keeps coming through my letterbox. I have used 2"/ 5cm sized hexagons (the paper hexagon size) but you can usethe size you prefer.

 

1. Place a fabric hexagon with the wrong size facing up and place a paper hexagon centred on top. You can pin the paper and fabric hexagon together if you prefer.

2. Fold over 1 edge, I usually run my fingernail along the seam (finger press). Tack the fabric to the paper by starting in the middle of the seam do a few small stitches or knot the thread to begin with (whichever method you prefer to do!)








 

3. Fold over the next seam and finger press, make a stitch or 2 in the corner through all the layers of fabric and paper. Make another stitch in the middle of the seam.

 4. Repeat until last fold. Fold the corner fabric to match the other sides, stitch to secure.











You need 7 hexagons to make a flower (my next hexagon how to make)