Selection of new cushions for Christmas, inspired from a motif in my Book Granny Squares 1

We needed some new cushion covers for the lounge I had some cream and pale grey  

 and i wanted to use them with a touch of gold to match the new sofa throws

Inspired by the motif in my first book Granny Squares

But with some changes, I used
with my favourite middle this time the finger wrap...so easy and no kno and no ends to deal with...some one at one of the shows commented it looks almost like an embroidered centre.

Patons woll blend Aran weight and 6mm hook so I only needed 9squares for each side
The grey is a bit scratchy but perfect for cushions that need to take some use.

 

Finger wrap to start

then the flower from the book then finish with a granny shell round

 

The Ivory cushion is another Aran but I'm not sure of the brand
used a 5mm hook for this one so i needed 16 motifs per side

 

 

 

The Bobble side is a basic circle cushion with 3 and 4 rounds of bobble stitches added

 and the flower side is this pattern...here

 Loving the touch of gold and the two colour striped band

Wanted 2 Ivory and 2 grey but run out of time now to do another ivory.....next year i will make another

 

A Granny star or Snowflake

Sorry for being absent for so long...book 2 is finished just the proof reading to do still doing design work but some free time to play before Christmas.

Been trying to make the blogs easier to use so lots of old patterns are listed on the right hand side and i will do my best to share a new pattern or two from now on.

The first is.....

A GRANNY SNOWFLAKE MAT PATTERN
US Terms as always on my blogs

It's late now to take pictures of how too so I will add them in the morning

but this is the Snowflake Mat

Granny Snowflake Mat Pattern

Chunky or two strands of DK worked as one, 6mm hook.

A loose finger wrap of 6 wraps

Round1: 12dc into circle

Round 2: 2dc, ch1, 2dc, ch1, miss a st,  repeat 5 more times, sl st to complete. ( 12 x 2dc)

Round 3: 2dc ch3, 2dc in each corner sp, 3dc in each side sp, sl st to complete.

Round 4: 2dc, ch3, 2dc in ch3 sp, 2dc in in next 2sps, repeat 5 more times sl st to complete. (6 sides)

Round 5: 3dc, ch3,3dc in ch3 sp, 2dc in next 3sps, repeat for all sides, sl st to complete.

Round 6: repeat round 4 with 4 side sps.

Round 7: start in a corner sp, ch5, sl st into point, ch6, sl st into point, ch5, sl st into point, sc into next 6 sts, miss 2 sts, sc into next 6 sts, repeat for all sides, sls t to complete.

Makes a mat approximately 12" (30.5cm) from point to point

Update...decided no pictures needed so simple to follow

 The Snowflake below is here...LINK

Great for decorations, coasters or joined together in a wrap or scarf

 Great buy from The Works....with teeny tiny sequine yarn £1 a ball and i'm sure it will make 6 stars 6" (15.25cms) point to point

HAPPY HOOKING

Triangle bag is finished...

About 23" x 17" so it will hold a lot of yarn...been a fun project over the weekend as i was on my own had a little time to play.

 

Off to London tomorrow....going to be fun.

Decorated a little bag i made a few months ago....off to the show with me

 

Decorated Bag in Stylecraft Harequin and a 6mm hook

 

Hoping to finish the Triangles wool bag to go with me too....Stylecraft Classique Cotton

 

 

 

 

 There's been a lot of triangle in my work this ast 18months or more....

 Special and Life from Stylecraft worked as a double strand or use the Chunky or Aran now there is a good colour rangle

Have fun...cya at the show next week if you are going.

Almost there...last 5 designs finished, the patterns almost written........Plus the last chapters to write, a few commissioned designs to do and then I can take a bit of time off.

Worked over 12 hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday trying to complete the last 5 designs...and write the patterns but i didn't quite make it, another day should see the last posting.

 

A cushion to go with the throw I made earlier this year or was it late last year...time does fly!

 

Soon be time for the next London trip and the Knitting and Stitch show.

Can't wait.

A little bag for my hooks and things...complete with a Stylecraft Flower Key ring.

Almost finished Book 2 and Book 3 has been requested....how great is that?

Everyone seems to be really pleased with the projects I have sent for the Book 2 and Jonathan (GMC Publisher) asked me if  was ready for Book 3!!

We met at the Excel Show on Monday.

SO EXCITED!!

I made the bag to go to the show with...a bit of fun.

Don't forget, if you are at the Knitting and stitch show from the 8th October, pop in and say hello....I'll be on the Stylecraft stand.

pictures of the Excel Stylecraft stand this last weekend...fabulous job Carol, loved the stand and great to catch up with the whole team again too.

IOS FOLDER here

Forgot to say, any one passing the Parade shopping centre in Shrewsbury at 10.30 Friday morning there is a coffee morning happening in 

SPLAT AND  SPLODGE. 

A pottery painting shop run by Kerry...sorry Kerry forgot to say. Yes I will be there so cya later

It's in aid of the Macmillan fund

Re posting this pattern I keep getting asked for it

Monday, 6 June 2011

NEW 8 PETAL FLOWER BATH MAT

As l couldn't work on the new craft room rug..total frustration...l decided to make a new bath mat using the same 8 petal flower

mix 6 strands of DK...l used: aqua x2, grey,ivory x2 and beige Acrylic

Pattern

3 strands of Chunky yarn or 6 strands of DK

12mm hook

Row 1: magic circle with 8 DC (3chain as first DC)(8sts)

Row 2: 2dc in each stich with a chain st between each pair of sts.(16sts)

Row 3: 2dc 3 chain and 2dc in each space

Row 4: 7dc in the loop made by the 3 chain of previous row and sl st in the middle of the 4dc of previous row

use the join as you go method of joining each of the flowers together using 2 petals for each join

Fill-in

the large hole is made up of the 8 petal sides..3 sts each making a total of 24 sts

Row 1: Magic circle with 12 dc (2chain as first dc)

Row 2: 2 dc in each stitch using the join as you go method of sl stitching into the 24 stitches of the petal sides then sl st into the first st to finish off

repeat in the second hole

l always work the ends into the work as l go so there is only a few ends to sew off

If you don't want to do the fill-ins then do a staggered join as you go 

matching like this and using a similar method matching the stitches and sl stitching as you go

Hoping to get the craft room yarn today or order it if l can't 

They really feel lovely under your feet

Teresa...yep l really am going to put it on the floor and walk all over it lol

Still thinking about the backing but something none slip as they slide all over the place on laminate floors

Have a wonderful week everyone and thanks again for the lovely comments on the rug making

hugs to all xx

Update on a HOMESPUN READERS version of my design

LINK TO SOME EXTRA MORE FORMAL FLOWER ARRANEMENTS FOR THE RUG

Hi Homespun,

On receiving my August copy of Homespun, as soon as I saw Sue Pinner’s "All That Brightly Blooms" crochet blanket, I just had to drop everything and make it. I changed the colours to suit me and I am thrilled with the result. I always finish my crochet blankets with crab stitch, I find it looks tidier, (on my work anyway).

I am an "O.C.C" ( Obsessive Compulsive Crafter!!) and my wool stash is as bad as my material stash ... It was certainly a way of using up some odd balls of yarn that I had. I have started on another crochet blanket, so Sue keep those patterns coming.

Regards Margaret McDonald.

A mail from Homespun arrive in the week, with a picture and a letter (above) from a delighted reader, who had made the throw from the August magazine....isn't it wonderful?

Well done Margaret McDonald

 Sorry the pictures won't size up

 Below is the original before I added the flowers, a black background version

Book 2 update

I'm about to post the next 5 designs for Book 2, that's 3/4 of the designs finished.

Going really well so far, almost finished, and really pleased with everything so far.

Sylecraft Life

Link to the new Stylecraft Life designs just launched....

second Link to new Stylecraft Life design on Facebook, loving the pictures so much

HAPPY HOOKING ALL XX

Absent blogger!!!

Sorry I've not been around much for a few weeks, i'm still working my little socks off lol.

 

I've just sent the second set of design for the new book and its a lot easier this time round.

I know what I am doing this time, well so far anyway.

On target at least, commissioned designs are also keeping me really busy and I have just been sent the latest copy of HOMESPUN...it includes a design i did for them and a small article about me too.

 

All the Stylecraft pattern I did last year are selling well, so I am told, I have done quite a few more since then, so crossing fingers they are as successful.

 

My favourite is the teacosy and the flower topped pots and mats.

 

STYLECRAFT TEACOSY PATTERN...red colourway.

The Sylecraft patterns are available from lots of places so hope you will buy one or two of the designs and give them a go.

This set of patterns use mostly

Stylecraft Classique Cotton

I have already seen a few around in blog land.

 

Latest Yarns i am using for the book are

ROOSTER YARNS

...a super soft and gorgeous Almerino, in the most scrummy of colours, hoping to do 2 projects in the new book using the Almerino.

 

Stylecraft, Cassique cotton, Senses and the Alpaca should all be in the new book too.

All super gorgeous yarns.

 

HUGS TO ALL XX