Rose Brooch

I have been making these brooches for many years in all colours, I based them on this little rose tree in my garden (the crocheted brooch and the real rose are about the same size).

This is the first time I have written the pattern out (its embeded in my brain) and as valentines is near, why not make yourself a rose brooch.

The pattern starts with a row of loops

Red Rose Brooch (or any colour rose brooch you prefer)

DK yarn/ Light worsted weight

3.75 mm (5 / F) hook
Brooch Back
Abbreviations:
st – Stitch
sts – Stitches
dc (UK)/ sc (USA) – Double Crochet (UK)/ Single Crochet (USA)
tr(UK)/ dc (USA) – Treble Crochet (UK)/ Double Crochet (USA)
ch – Chain

Row: 1
[Ch 10, 1 dc UK/(1 sc USA) into the 8th ch from the hook] X 7
(You should now have 7 loops)
[Ch 8, 1 dc UK/(1 sc USA) into the 6th ch from the hook] X 5
(You should now have 12 loops)
[Ch 6, 1 dc UK/(1 sc USA) into the 4th ch from the hook] X 4
(You should now have 16 loops)

Row 2
3 ch,
Into the 1st 4 ch loop
3 tr UK/ (3 dc USA) , 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into 2nd 4 ch loop
4 tr UK/ (4 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 4 ch loop
4 tr UK/ (4 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 4ch loop
4 tr UK/ (4 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops

Into the next 6 ch loop
5 tr UK/ (5 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 6 ch loop
6 tr UK/ (6 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 6 ch loop6

7 tr UK/ (7 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 6 ch loop
8 tr UK/ (8 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 6 ch loop
11 tr UK/ (11 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops

Into the next 8 ch loop
14 tr UK/ (14 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
13 tr UK/ (13 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
15 tr UK/ (15 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
13 tr UK/ (13 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
14 tr UK/ (14 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
15 tr UK/ (15 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
13 tr UK/ (13 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops

You should have something that looks like this

Starting with the larger loops twist 4 loops as in the photo
Twist the next 4 on top so you can see the 4 below
continue until it looks like a rose

Sew into the back to hold all the layers together
Sew on a brooch back and wear

EEEKKK!! Snow

Last night about 10pm I noticed the snow settling, popping my head and camera out this morning at 7am its freezing and so much snow everywhere. i have to walk to work later as the buses and tubes are not running not to far 20 minutes but eeeeekkkk I hate the cold....... and not to fond of snow. I will bring my camera along and blog the results later (if i don't fall and break camera or me)

Out 'n' About in Portobello Market

I decided to take a walk through Portobello Market at the weekend, the market is about 15 minutes walk from where I live, but I have not been there for a few years (you forget what is right on your doorstep). I found my favourite stall, its been there for years. It has wonderful vintage buttons, lots of beautiful glass and metal and just what I needed for some new (new as in projects that just needed that something to finish them, like a button and have been living in a bag for ages) projects I have been working on. The picture does not do these button justice.

I also visited a stall and got some nice trimmings, its worth a visit to the market if you are in London. There's so much to see.

Happy New Year 2009

Happy New Year 2009 to Everyone
I was going to post a list of resolutions for a New Year day post.... like post more often, health and such but as i missed the 1st January post because of this stupid head cold I think I will just see what the years brings me instead maybe have a make no plans year (if only)

Sales sales sales

Out 'n' about in the bitter cold again to visit the sales, I must say I was very good and only bought a pair of shoes. The same shoes I wanted before the sales and had decided to wait and only buy them if they were reduced. Luckily for me they only had one pair left in my size so I believe I was meant to buy them and for half the price :)
I also popped by John Lewis in Oxford Street, they always have reduced yarn in the sales, there was some nice Rowan little big wool I bought a few balls (I had a present of some John Lewis Vouchers, Thank you, you know who you all are they went on the little big yarn) but everything else was tweedy multi-coloured type yarns, not that I do not like tweed yarns but past experience makes me buy one ball and experiment to see if the colours and texture work before committing to buying a larger amount. Solid colour yarns like the little big wool are always safer sale bargains to buy.

I finished by walking along Regents Street and having a look at the lights. I really liked them this year, they reminded me of giant sparkly spiders webs.

December madness

So far this month started with my computer going crazy, my Internet was working only when it wanted to and my mobile lost its data (due to a bus drenching me with water) and also stopping working. So I have not been able to update my site or blog arrrrrrr.... I love my techie things but when they go wrong I wonder how I managed without them and get major withdrawal symptoms :( .
Luckily this week they have all started working again so I am back.
I have been out 'n' about in Oxford Street (lots of sales, crowds of shoppers and lots of buying was going on not many worrying about the credit crunch) looking at the windows, here's a few I liked


NezumiWorld has also been updated with some new Christmas Charts (the charts at top of post)

Months speeding by to Fast

Is it me or do the days - weeks - months seem to be speeding by way to fast, I can't keep up! and I though crafts are supposed to make you relaxed and slow down..... maybe that's why I am always working on several different projects at the same time and I'm still waiting for the slowing down effect to kick in.
I finished this lapghan last week with some of the yarn I bought in the John Lewis summer sale. I am now planning to make some more larger projects and destash a bit. Well at the speed the months are going by it will be the January sales soon and if I have not used the yarn from the summer (not forgetting the Alexandra Palace Knit & Stitch Shows and last January's sale stuff) I am not going to buy any more yarn, so I had better get my paws moving faster.