Yarn question...

Is it just me, or have Stylecraft increased the number of colours in their Special DK range? I'm sure there didn't used to be 56!!
(I'm just going on what Masons have on their site...)



Louisa xx

Crochet Coasters

After reading PaisleyJade's post yesterday about these coasters, I just had to give the pattern a try! I love the fact that the pattern has been adapted from an original pattern published in 1893!
I used Stylecraft Special DK (what else?!) and a 4mm hook.
Each one only took about 20 minutes to make, they are so quick and fun!
I have 3 now, and I will make another one to make a set of 4. I would also like to try them with multiple colours of yarn, make them more flowery!
So beautiful!

Thanks Kristy for linking the pattern!

Louisa xx

ETA: I made another one with different colours! what do you think?

Granny Square Blanket Update!

Here it is, a very very long overdue update of my granny stripe blanket!
I hadnt worked on it for quite a while, then about a week ago, I picked it up again and have done quite a few rows! I was sat in the car on Wednesday night waiting for my Other Half to finish work, and worked on it some more. I really love crocheting in the car, listening to Radio 2. I think it is my favourite place to crochet!
Here is a picture of it, draped over the steering wheel! I'm onto the 4th repeat of the colours. I'm going to do 5 repeats, and if I have enough yarn left, maybe a 6th repeat, then edge it in cream.... what do you think?

Louisa xx

Beads, Markets and Alnwick Gardens...

I haven't updated since June!!! I don't know where the months have gone! I'm still keeping up with all of your blogs though, so i've not been totally away from the blogging world!

I've been very busy since June... I've done 2 more craft markets, and have another 3 to go before Christmas! Busy bee!
I haven't really done any crocheting recently, because I have been so busy making stock for my stalls.... You may remember that I also make things with Hama beads... well those seem to be my best sellers!
Here is a peek at some of the new things I have been making....

Keyrings:

 and Bag Charms:

They have been a lot of fun to make, but I still need a LOT more!
The craft markets have been going really well, especially a new one I signed up to. It was held in Cramlington, and it was a full day event. It was the very first one of that kind being held there, so no-one was sure how well it would go, but it turned out to be a really excellent (and profitable!) day! It was so good I have signed up to the Halloween and  Christmas markets!

It's been a good summer too... I went to Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth with my Other Half and we had a great time :-). We also went to see the final Harry Potter film, which was amazing, but also really sad now that it's finally all over :-( I guess I will just have to wait for Pottermore.com opening next month! (I didnt bother trying to get the early access!)

Last weekend we took a trip up to Alnwick (which isnt far away) to visit the Castle and Gardens. It was a very hot day, and I ended up being quite poorly the next day! :-( but the day itself was brilliant and I would love to live there!
Here are some of my photos from there...

It was brilliant :-)

Well I will stop rambling now! Hopefully I will be better at blogging and won't leave it so long until the next post!! :-)

Louisa xx

I love Fridays!

I do! They are possibly my favourite day of the week (for 7 weeks out of 8 anyway!) I love the feeling I get at 5pm on a Friday when I walk out of work and have the whole weekend in front of me!
In case you were wondering, the craft market was brilliant! It was very quiet but I had a great day, met some lovely people and made some sales! I've definitely caught the craft market bug... I've signed up for 2 markets in August!
Before all of that though, I've got a trip to Sonisphere festival in 2 weeks which I am so excited for!
A lot has happened since I last posted too... I went to Glasgow to see Elton John who was amazing! And do you remember the baby blankets I was making months ago? Well their recipient is here! She is absolutely gorgeous :-)
I really do promise I will post photos of my granny stripe progress this weekend. I really really promise!

Louisa xx

Stall sneaky peak, a finished blanket and a brief magazine review!

Hello!

It's been such a long time since I've blogged properly! I have been so busy these last few weeks, I have barely had time to read your blogs! 

As you will know, I have my very first craft market stall next weekend. 1 week today! I'm very nervous!. At least I have all of my stock finished. I did a trial run of my stall this evening and I wanted to share some of the photos with you! 

 

Do you like my bunting? I made it yesterday. I have never crocheted bunting before, althought I have been wanting to for a while! It was so easy to make and I love it! I think i might make a few sets and sell them on here, or my facebook 'fan' page or possibly the next craft market I do (which I think will be August 7th...) 

I think my stall looks pretty funky! You see the pink cloth covering the table? That is a huge piece of satiny fabric I had that is covered in holographic dots. Its very pretty. Last sunday I tried using hemming web for the very first time so I could hem that piece of fabric! I am converted to hemming web... even after melting my thumb on the iron. ouch. 

I also decorated my own paper bags for the market....

I used glitter glue, you know, with my business being called 'Glitter Kitty Designs' ;-)

Onto something else... I was asked months ago to crochet a blanket suitable for a cot. It was for a boy, so it had to be in shades of blue. I started this I think back in february, and I finished it today! I hope the recipient likes it. They are paying me for it after all! 

The colours are actually nicer in real life :-) I used Hayfield Baby Bonus DK for the cream, and Hayfield Bonus DK for the blues. I love Hayfield Bonus yarns. When they are washed and tumbledried they become so incredibly soft! 

Finally, the magazine review! Yesterday I got the first issue of a brand new magazine called 'Craftseller' 

As you can see, it is geared towards making and selling crafts. It is a fab little resource! In the first issue there are 20 patterns! And they are all available for you to make and sell. They tell you if you need to credit the designer, and also which book they have come from, in case you fancy looking for more similar patterns. They cover all kinds of crafts... sewing, knitting, crochet, cross stitch, polymer clay, jewellery making....

There is also the first part of a series of articles 'A Guide to Etsy' as well as some fab articles from people who have made a success out of making and selling crafts online. I am also a member of their facebook group, and I hope I can pick up some fab tips from the other members on there! The timing of this magazine couldnt have been better, with me having my first stall next week! 

Well thats all from me for this evening! I'm sorry if I have rambled on too much and bored you, but if you have made it this far then thank you! and well done! 

I promise I will start blogging more regularly again. Next time I will have a progress report of my granny stripe blanket, which is coming along very nicely! 

Louisa xx

Craft Market!

Untitled, a photo by hellolouisa on Flickr.

here is the poster advertising the very first Market I am selling at! Wohoo!