Hygge Nook

Crocheted granny star garland

 
Do excuse the slightly wonky frames - I didn't notice until I uploaded the pics. 

I love bunting, I love garlands. I like colour, I like creating. So, of course, I love everything about this pretty star garland. I don't think this is where it will live, but I wanted to take a snap. I suspect that my daughter will want it for her room as soon as she sees it!

I found instructions for the granny stars here at The Royal Sisters, via Attic 24, and soon whipped up 12 stars. They take no time at all to make, are easy enough for beginners, and I had plenty of colours in my yarn stash to make lots of cheerful mix'n'match colourways.

A pretty stack of stars

 
 

Closer look at the colours used

 

Not so twinkly, but very pretty, stars

To make them into a garland, it was a case of making up a long chain with enough length at either end for hanging and equal space in between each flower.

Simply 20 chains and a slip stitch to attach each star

I'm thinking of crocheting a trim - perhaps a simple scallop edge - over the chains to make the chain a little more substantial and also to make it look a little more 'finished.'

For now, though, I think they're delightful.

Christmas tree skirts

Odd title, isn't it? Bear with me. I use the same artificial tree year after year (a real one would not survive with my rambunctious children and I'd feel guilty for pulping it) and I do so loathe the very obviously artificial stand. The ideal choice is to cover it up with something pretty rather than leave it on show.

I fingered some very lovely tree skirts strewn with emboidery in Anthropologie last weekend but, alas, my budget does not stretch to £130+ (actually their website says £75.26 for this one, very odd as I recall the price as very different in store) for something that will be used on the floor for two weeks of the year.

Here's the Anthropologie tree skirt that I think is just delightful (click to make bigger):

It's embroidered with hummingbirds and dragonflies on 60" of green sateen. Not traditionally Christmassy but very charming.

Anyway, would it be terribly hard to pick up a metre of cotton sateen fabric, learn some embroidery and make something similar?

It's a project too late for this year, but I shall file it away for next year (and have a whole year to learn some embroidery!). Is there anything you wish you had made this year, and will possibly do next year?

Pretty, easy DIY pictures

I'm currently doing up my five year old daughter's room (which she shares with her two year old brother) bringing in more colour, pretty basics and things that won't date. Think no to cartoon characters, yes to bright and lovely. The walls of her room have been thoroughly bare and I've just started addressing that with a DIY alphabet print. I've also recently picked up three Ikea Ribba frames. As they're white they should be super easy to update as time goes on. My daughter requested butterflies and flowers as a theme and taking that on board, I did this:

Three easy DIY pictures

 

I created them by picking up pretty wrapping paper from Asda. For two of the frames, I simply cut the paper to size and inserted it -

It really doesn't get any easier than cutting the paper to size.

For the middle frame, I initially used a contrasting polka dot print. Then I decided it looked a little boring wedged between its glittery companions. So, I whipped out a little butterfly punch and (using this collage as inspiration) snap, snap, snap, made a whole bunch of butterflies from that polka dot wrap which I then attached to paper using sticky dots.

 
It's hard to photograph the paper but I want to try and show you how pretty the glittery touches are, they really sparkle when they catch the light -

 

Sparkly, girly and non dating. Mission accomplished!

 

Et voila! It doesn't get easier than this to create three mini bespoke frames.

I think you can tell that I've been struggling with the light for these pictures and I wasn't able to get a good pic of them all together (too much shadow and reflection) but I will try and snap a finished result soon.

Let's not forget those Posh Graffiti letters that I bought recently. Here's how the big 'S' ended up neatly fitting between a larger frame and the headboard. I think it is a great addition to this previously redundant space.

Here's a breakdown of what it cost:
Ribba frames, £3.99 each, so £11.97 for all three.
Wrapping paper £3 total.

Posh Graffiti large 'S', £10.

Items I already had:
Double sided photo dots.
Butterfly punch (bought from eBay).

My adventures in crochet land

I had some down time last week. So, what better to do than learn to crochet. Ever since I spotted a prettily coloured crochet granny blanket at Cath Kidston and then followed a forum discussion (I forget where) on how people could make their own using much nicer yarns, I was determined to learn.

Then I stumbled across these very lovely blogs - Henhouse, Do You Mind if I Knit and Attic 24 - and cooed and wowed over their lovely crocheted creations. Hen of Henhouse (whom I found after reading about her home in a magazine) had learnt how to crochet very recently and was making pretty pieces, so I decided it couldn't possibly be too late for me too. Do have a look at their blogs and see the beautiful things they're making.

Yes, I made these!

I've always toyed with the idea of learning but haven't had anyone to teach me. Books didn't make sense either when it came to the basics. Then I turned to YouTube and *ping* I found a video, watched a couple more and that was it... I could crochet. It was that easy! I opened up a book and looked at the pattern for granny squares... Hey, it was just single chains and trebles. I could do that!

Surprisingly I found I understand the diagrams far better, than I understood the written instructions. I am the opposite when it comes to knitting. There, diagrams bamboozle me. Here in crochet land, diagrams are my friend. I love seeing exactly how the pattern should look on paper.

The pink and white square on the bottom left above was my first attempt. See, how I messed up the first couple of rounds? The square on the right was were it all came together.

After I made my first granny square, I got a bit over excited and made a sunburst circle (what does one do with these?), then a hexagon.

 
Then another square that didn't look quite as appalling as the first one. I'm quite proud of this one.

Then I went to John Lewis and eBay, went mad and bought a whole bunch of other yarns and Amazon for some pre-Christmas crochet books for moi. Heaven help my house, because it stands a good chance of being covered in as much crochet as knitting now. Still, we shall all be so very warm and snuggly.

And best of all, I have succeeded in my ambition to crochet. Now, where's my hook and that lovely new yarn?

Learning to crochet with YouTube

I've wanted to crochet for ages but I've never had anyone to teach me. I picked up Jan Eaton's Encoloypedia of Crochet Techniques, but I don't think it's really suitable for beginners (there's some lovely patterns though - I want to make the hexagon pillow and the bobble necklace the most). So, what's the next best thing to have someone right next to you to teach you? YouTube, of course!

I had already worked out the single chain stitch that is the root of all crochet work but couldn't work out the next steps. Then I found Beth Essington from Expert Village and her short video workshops are pretty easy to follow. She's American but I think the basic stitch terminology is the same (correct me if I'm wrong, please - edit: yes, I was wrong. UK terms added). Here's the basic videos:

~ Chain Stitch
~ Double stitch (UK treble)
~ Treble stitch (Uk double treble)

I've embedded the first one which shows how to make your first chain. Isn't Beth nice? I want to invite her over for tea and cake.

I'd post a picture of the sample I made using treble and double stitch but I'm not entirely sure you can tell the difference! I won't be harsh on myself though, it was my first go and I did have my two year old hurling himself at me for cuddles throughout.

I'm also considering signing myself up for a course when I find a one off workshop as I really can't commit to several weeks of classes (too many children, work and not enough me time. Ho hum.)

Kirstie's Homemade Home series 2

Kirstie Allsop is making a new series of Kirsties's Homemade Home and I, for one, am really looking forward to it. We all know crafting is picking up a fair pace and it is good to see so many different ones brought to the screen. You can currently make suggestions for the series via the website.

I put my 2p in for knitted furniture ala Ruth Cross, crocheted granny blankets and also a makeover of a piece of hideous pine furniture (you know, the type you can find on ebay for (£10) using paint or decoupage.

Which crafts do you want to see?

Mini pastel sewing machine for £49

Like many of us rediscovering crafts, I'm keen to have a go at other crafty things like sewing and crochet. I don't need a big, expensive sewing machine to do little things and learning so this £49 one is seriously tempting. It's from John Lewis (but I don't see it on the website) and the powder blue version is just calling to me...

Vintage knitted "sausage dog" draught excluder

I'm so pleased to share my sausage dog with you. I've never knitted anything toy like before but my dear Nanna set me the challenge to knit her something that would stop the draughts from whooshing under a door in her house. Each piece - body, head, two front paws, two back paws, tail and a pair of ears - are knitted seperately, stuffed individually and then sewn together to create this (it's a bit scrunched up because it's so long) and it was amazingly easy to do:

Let's take a close up of the doggy's lovely little face. The safety eyes and nose were bought from my local haberdashery for 40p. Bargain!

But wait, what's missing?

Every dog needs a cute collar, but it looks a little plain...

That's better!

The flowers were a first for me too. I found the pattern in Let's Knit (August 2009) and it was super duper easy to follow. Each petal is made individually...

When they were sewn together and a button added to the centre, I attached it to the collar. Isn't it cheery? I got a bit carried away with the flower making and made another one then attached a brooch pin on the back and turned it into a lovely brooch for a boring cardigan of mine that needed jazzing up. Do you like it? I do.

I hope my Nanna likes her pressie. It is nice to receive something handmade especially for you, isn't it? Almost as nice as making something for someone you love.

Tapestry and cross stitch are the new cool

Well, it certainly seems to be looking that way. I've spotted these make your own hug and kiss needlepoint cushion kits from Emily Peacock all over the place though I think the price is going to be offputting for many though everything is included (they start at £54.99 each or £100 for two in small). Brilliant though, aren't they?

I also really like the tattoo inspired cushions such as this swallow, heart and love version (£54.95 for the small). Of course, you could go for something a lot simpler - and readymade - like Miso Funky's witty cross stitches (prices from £18).

Then there's the real design it yourself experience where you come up with your own concept. It doesn't have to be difficult either. I recently came across these programmes (and I wish I could remember where) which help you size up and design your own cross stitch lettering and messages. I imagine they could be translated quite well to knitted items too - cross stitch caption maker and stitchpoint. 

I have the urge to stitch up a simple 'Sweet Dreams' sampler for my daughter's room. You?

Knitted "sausage dog" draught excluder

Regular readers of Hygge Nook will know already that I've recently rediscovered a fondness for knitting. I'm not really one for toys but last week my Nanna asked me to make her a draught excluder for a rather draughty door in her house. In my head I rather fancied whipping up a black and white cat with a long body and a little face but I changed my mind when I spotted this sausage dog on eBay. It's from a vintage pattern and was only a couple of pounds. I'm not sure what colour to make it in yet (a chocolate brown?) but I think it will be fun to make - I'll let you know how I get on.