Spring Bunnies Free Pattern Release

I'm so excited that the Spring Bunny pattern is now available to download from Black Sheep Wools.  Designing a toy can be a stressful business; as I send over the pattern and pictures,  I anxiously hover over my inbox, waiting to see if they're happy.  Happy with the toy that I designed, happy that it meets their needs, that what I thought was cute they think is cute and something that their customers want.  It's a strange experience for me, in my day job I'm confident and sure of myself, of my expertise and ability, but designing is a huge leap outside of my comfort zone, opening myself up to public critique, good and bad.  I'm very pleased with how the bunnies turned out, and I hope you think they're as cute as I do!  

What's made the Spring Bunnies even more exciting is that Black Sheep Wools ran an Easter competition in their honour!  Twitter, Facebook and blog followers were asked to think of some adorable names for the bunnies to win everything you need to make them  including yarn, stuffing, safety eyes and crochet hook.  A great Easter present I think!

Good luck to everyone who entered; I'm choosing the competition as I write this post.  Don't forget to tweet, Instagram and email your pictures of the bunnies, I really do love to see them :) 

Sneak Peak! Spring Bunny pattern

For the past week or so I have been burrowed away (ha!) working hard to make an idea spring (ha!) to life.  Ok, ok, I'm sorry for that, but it was just too hard to resist; my brain has turned to all things Easter Bunny related following a week desperately trying to bring a rabbit to life in extra quick time :) 

The lovely ladies at Black Sheep Wools have asked if I have had any ideas for new designs a few times now.  Valentines, Mother's Day has come and gone whilst I've found myself disappointingly uninspired.  I was getting a little worried; perhaps I was not cut out to be a designer after all?  I was determined to make something for Easter, but found it very hard to find ideas I wanted to turn into something more.  Scanning through Pinterest and Ravelry only made me more miserable as I realised that it would be hard to come up with anything particularly original.  

I doodled in my little ideas book, a coral (my favourite) coloured leather bound book trying out different possibilities and shapes.  Doodle is an accurate word for what I was doing, drawing has never been my strong point and apparently I am particularly bad at drawing rabbits.  Still nothing.  But then one morning I woke up and had a perfect idea in my head of what I wanted to make, and how I wanted it to look.  I scooped up some cotton to get started on a prototype and crocheted away...

And realised I'd made a cat.  Rubbish. (although on the plus side, free cat pattern coming soon!)  I went straight back to it and by now had received some delicious Sirdar Cotton DK through the post from Black Sheep Wools in a selection of rabbity colours which spurred me to keep on.  I could see a little more clearly how I wanted the bunny to look; big feet and a round body.  It was starting to come together.  

So I worked away each evening to make sure the pattern was ready with just enough time to get crafting for Easter.  I even made a second bunny, partly to test the pattern out and partly to try out a couple of different looks.  I have to admit, the little cream bunny is my favourite, although there's something cute about the brown bunny too.  

Although the pattern isn't up on www.blacksheepwools.com just yet, I'm sure Black Sheep Wool wouldn't mind if I gave you all a sneaky peak of my bunnies, especially as I'm so proud of them :)

I hope you love them as much as I do.  I'l be sure to let you know as soon as the pattern is available to download.  I also have a photo tutorial coming out just in time to show you how to make a mini pom pom, perfect for a fluffy little rabbit tail.  I'd love to know what you think of the Spring Bunnies.  Have you been crafting for Easter this year too?

Free Hanging Christmas Tree Decorations!

A while back I asked you to keep your fingers crossed for me as I'd had some exciting news and was waiting for it all to be finalised.  Well now is the time when I can finally share it all with you!

I'm so happy that the British company Black Sheep Wool asked me to design some free christmas tree decorations for their christmas campaign.  I was a little hesitant at first; I'd only ever designed Sheldon before and that was completely on a whim, what if I couldn't come up with anything this time?  I decided it was a huge opportunity I could't turn down, and set about coming up with some designs.  

And here they are:

Pretty cute right?!  

The patterns are available on the Black Sheep Wools website here along with christmas patterns from popular bloggers Annaboos House and Little Things Blogged.  

And there's something even more exciting.  Black Sheep Wools are launching the Creative Christmas Competition and they need your help.  The christmas tree at Black Sheep Wools' headquarters is looking bare and waiting for you to send in your decorations to make it festive!  There are fabulous prizes for the five best decorations selected the week before christmas so start crafting!  I can't wait to see what fantastic decorations you come up with, so remember to use the tag #bswcreativechristmas on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest so we can see your awesome work :)

Loop Stitch Tutorial

The loop stitch is an easy one, but on first glance appears quite fiddly.  I thought it might be useful to make a tutorial to help you work through the stitch, so that you can go ahead and make your very own Sheldon the Sheep!

I have made both a video and photo tutorial, as I know I usually have to see both to really understand what goes where!

Photo Tutorial

The first thing to note in the Sheldon pattern is that when working the head and body, I suggest to work in the back loop only.   Why?  I'm not sure really, it's just the way I've always done it!

Step 1: Put your crochet hook through the back loop of the next stitch, and then yarn over.

Step 2: Next, stick out your index finger that is feeding the yarn.  This makes the 'loop' of the loop stitch.

 Step 3: Can you see the yarn hanging between my index and middle finger?  Catch it with your crochet hook.

Step 4: Pull it through the first loop on the hook.  You should then have 3 loop on your hook.  

Step 5: Yarn over again.

Step 6: Pull the yarn through all three stitches.  And your done!  The loop will show on the back of the piece you are working on.  

Video Tutorial

Sheldon the Sheep

After Yarndale, my head was full of all things wooly, and what better way to commemorate the first festival than with my own tribute - Sheldon the Sheep!  This is my very first attempt at designing my own amigurumi, so please let me know if you spot any mistakes, or if anything is unclear.  

I would love to hear what you think of Sheldon - good or bad - so please leave me a comment at the bottom of the page.

Notes

Pattern written in UK crochet terms (UK dc = US sc)

All rounds are worked in a continuous spiral

Abbreviations:

dc = double crochet

dc2tog = double crochet decrease 

Lpst = loop stitch

Lp2tog = loop stitch decrease

You are welcome to make Sheldon the Sheep for gifts or to sell, but please credit the pattern back to Curly Girl Coop.

Materials

Size 6.0mm (US J) crochet hook

Safety eyes

Tapestry needle

Stuffing

Chunky weight yarn in cream (150g)

Chunky weight yarn in grey (50g)

Chunky weight yarn in black (50g)

Body (in cream)

Crochet in the back loop only.

Round 1: magic ring. (6)

Round 2: Lpst twice in each st.  (12)

Round 3: *Lpst twice in next st, lpst in next st.  Repeat from *5 times.  (18)

Round 4: *Lpst twice in next st, lpst in next 2 sts.  Repeat from * 5 times.  (24)

Round 5: *Lpst twice in next st, lpst in next 3 sts.  Repeat from * 5 times.  (30)

Round 6: *Lpst twice in next st, lpst in next 4 sts.  Repeat from * 5 times.  (36)

Rounds 7-11: Lpst in each st.  (36, 5 rounds)   

Round 8: *Lp2tog, lpst in next 4 sts.  Repeat from * 5 times.  (30)

Round 9: *Lp2tog, lpst in next 3 sts.  Repeat from *5 times.  (24)

Begin stuffing

Round 10: *Lp2tog, lpst in next 2 sts.  Repeat from *5 times.  (18)

Round 11: *Lp2tog, lpst in next st.  Repeat from * 5 times.  (12)

Continue stuffing

Round 12: *Lp2tog.  Repeat 5 times.  (6)

Round 13: Lp2tog next and 4th st, and fasten off, pulling knot to inside.

Head (in cream)

Crochet in back loop only. 

Round 1: magic ring.  (6)

Round 2: Lpst twice in each st.  (12)

Round 3: *Lpst twice in next st, lpst in next st.  Repeat from *5 times.  (18)

Round 4: *Lpst twice in next st, lpst in next 2 sts.  Repeat from * 5 times.  (24)

Round 5: *Lpst twice in next st, lpst in next 3 sts.  Repeat from * 5 times.  (30)

Rounds 6-7: Lpst in each st.  (30, 2 rounds)

Round 8: *Lp2tog, lpst in next 3 sts.  Repeat from *5 times.  (24)

Begin stuffing 

Round 9: *Lp2tog, lpst in next 2 sts.  Repeat from *5 times.  (18)

Continue stuffing

Round 10: *Lp2tog, lpst in next st.  Repeat from * 5 times.  (12)

Fasten off with long tail.

Face (in grey)

Round 1: magic ring.  (6)

Round 2: *3dc in first st, 2dc in next st, dc in next st.  Repeat from * once.  (12)

Round 3: dc in first st, 2dc in next 3 sts, dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next 3 sts, dc in last 2 sts.  (18)

Round 4: dc in first 2 sts, 2dc, dc, 2dc, dc, 2dc, dc in next 4 sts, 2dc, dc, 2dc, dc, 2dc, dc in last 2 sts.  (24)

Round 5: dc in first 3 sts, 2dc, dc, 2dc, dc, 2dc, dc in next 7 sts, 2dc, dc, 2dc, dc, 2dc, dc in last 4 sts.  (30)

Rounds 6-8: dc in each st.  (30, 3 rounds)

Round 9: dc in first 3 sts, 2dctog, dc, 2dctog, dc, 2dctog, dc in next 7 sts, 2dctog, dc, 2dctog, dc, 2dctog, dc in last 4 sts.  (24)

Attach the safety eyes at round 8, spaced 4 stitches apart.

Round 10: dc in first 2 sts, 2dctog, dc, 2dctog, dc, 2dctog, dc in next 4 sts, 2dctog, dc, 2dctog, dc, 2dctog, dc in last 2 sts.  (18)

Begin stuffing

Round 11: dc in first st, 2dctog in next 3 sts, dc in next 3 sts, 2dctog in next 3 sts, dc in last 2 sts.  (12)

Ears

Make 2

In grey

Round 1: magic ring.  (3)

Round 2: 2dc in each st.  (6)

Round 3: *2dc, dc in next st.  Repeat from *3 times.  (9)

Rounds 4-10: dc in each st.  (9, 7 rounds).

Legs

Make 2

In black

Round 1: magic ring.  (6)

Round 2: 2dc in each st.  (12)

Round 3: *2dc, dc. in next st  Repeat from * 5 times.  (18)

Rounds 4-6: dc in each st.  (18, 3 rounds)

Round 7: *2dctog, dc in next st.  Repeat from * 5 times.  (12)

Round 8: dc in each st.  (12)

Round 9: *2dctog, dc in next 2 sts.  Repeat from * 2 times.  (9)

Stuff feet firmly

Change to grey, lightly stuff legs as you go along

Rounds 10-34: dc in each st. (9, 25 rounds)

Fasten off with long tail.

Arms

In black

Round 1: magic ring.  (3)

Round 2: 2dc in each st.  (6)

Round 3: *2dc, dc in next st.  Repeat from *2 times.  (9)

Rounds 4-5: dc in each st.  (9, 2 rounds)

Round 6: *2dctog, dc in next st.  Repeat from * 2 times.  (6)

Stuff hands firmly

Change to grey

Rounds 7-25: dc in each st.  (6, 19 rounds)

Fasten off with long tail.

Finishing

• Attach face to head by joining to each stitch, then attach ears to head.
• Attach legs to underside of the body. 
• Attach arms to top of body.
• Attach head to body.  

CONGRATULATIONS!  

You have made yourself a super Sheldon the Sheep!

I'd really like to see your finished Sheldon's so be sure to send me pictures or post to Ravelry

Yarndale 2013 part II

This was the sight that greeted you as you walked through the door to Yarndale, and it was breathtaking; the photos don't begin to show to bright colours and individual designs that made you stop and really look. 

Having said that, we were on a mission.  A Bunch of Buttons and I had scoped out the Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter feeds of many of the exhibitors and so knew what we were looking for.  My shopping list was small; a yarn bowl from County Alpacas, some beautiful hanks from A Stash Addict and a crochet hook from For The Love of Yarn for my lovely newby crocheter, Leanne.  Of course, I had still come prepared with a purse bursting with cash, just in case...  We quickly worked our way through the things we needed (yes, needed!) as we had a busy schedule.  I had secretly booked us both into one of the many workshops that were being held in the main ring.  Our class was 'Dyeing to Have Fun', and I selected it because it's not the kind of thing we usually get up to at home.  I told Anna over breakfast, when I suddenly had a panic that she might not want to do anything but shop at Yarndale.  I had nothing to worry about; Anna was made up that I was treating her to a surprise class so promptly at 11am we took our seats.

The class was run by local crafter, Jaki Bogg who was delightfully friendly and calm considering the  hubbub of the Workshop Theatre.  

The Workshop Theatre in the Main Ring

I had never tried anything like this before and so didn't know what to expect - but I loved it!  We were mostly working with acid dyes, as well as natural and food dyes, looking at how different wool materials took to colour and how you could work the dyes.  

It was a messy business!  I had stupidly decided to wear a cream top and cardi (no idea what I was thinking when I packed given that I knew exactly what we'd be doing on Saturday!) but was especially cautious and luckily managed to keep the dye on the table and the wool.  Jaki was well prepared and had gloves, aprons, jay cloths and kitchen towel all ready for us.  

We worked with super soft merino, a complete knitting swatch, a ready made piece of wool as you would get in a skein and wool straight from the sheep!  

It was amazing to see how differently things reacted to the dye, the knitting took to the dye beautifully, whilst the unprocessed wool was much more difficult to get to the colour you wanted.

Here's the finished products.  What will I do with them?  I"m not sure, but I absolutely loved the experience of getting to try something that I would never normally consider, and it's certainly made me appreciate the expertise of the exhibitors showing their own hanks at Yarndale.

Some worked well, some not so much...

Once we'd finished the workshop, we quickly got back down to business, shopping!  There were so many beautiful, brightly coloured stalls, I loved just wondering around, giving soft merino wools a squidge and stroking the fluffy alpaca furs as you moved between stalls.  There were so many pretty items to take home.

Alpacas and angora rabbits were hanging out at Yarndale too and they were incredibly cute!

The Knit 'n' Knatter lounge was right in the centre of the Exhibition Hall and home to Lucy of Attic 24.  She had set up an incredible crocheted lounge where she would meet and greet the Yarndalers and it was quite something.

Now, I have known Anna for quite some time and there is one thing she rarely does, and that's have photos taken.  But I have never seen her this excited before.  Like many others, she was dying to meet Lucy and so we duly waited in line for our turn.  I'm not sure that I think it's a good idea to meet your heroes, just in case they're not all you thought they might be, but actually, Lucy was delightful.  It must be so difficult to make light-hearted conversation with so many people for hours on end, but she certainly made it look easy, and made you feel like she was genuinely excited you were there to meet her too.  She even agreed to a  picture with Anna, such a rare event that I must show you.

The only thing that made Anna even more excited was to see that on the table behind Lucy, right in the centre, was the goat bunting that she had made and sent in.  After spending hours telling Anna that there was so much bunting that we'd never find hers, there it was!

The day was fantastic.  I enjoyed the happy, slightly younger atmosphere and crowd at Yarndale compared to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Kensington Palace that I visited last year.  It was nice to see so many local, independent exhibitors here rather than the large commercial companies, (the number of things I now follow on Instagram and Twitter must have trebled!) although I felt that by having so many smaller exhibitors, there was less variety than I had hoped for.  That being said, I still managed to return with an overflowing shopping bag!

                                   

Overall, it was a great experience, and I'm glad we made the long old trek to Yorkshire to be a part of it.  The Yarndale organisers should be so proud of what they accomplished; I can't imagine the effort and hard work it must have taken to pull it off, but pull it off they did.  Here's to Yarndale 2014!

PS.  Keep an eye out tomorrow for my Yarndale-inspired first ever pattern - Sheldon the Sheep!