Winkii hats

Recently two new cousins arrived in the world, so I crocheted them a pair of winkii hats to keep their little heads warm.  I can't wait to meet them.

New in the shop: Crocheted Collar

Visit the shop to take a peek at this sweet addition.

DIY: crocheted beanie hat

I mentioned in this post that I was going to share the pattern for this easy crocheted hat, so here goes...

You will need

5mm crochet hook

Approx. 80g King Cole Moorland Aran

A tapestry needle to thread in the ends

Pattern

You begin the hat with a series of chain stitches.  I found it useful to measure a row of chains from the centre of the top of your head (where the top of the hat would be) to where you want it to end.  For the first hat I did about 40 chain stitches, and for the second hat *pictured below* I did about 50 chain stitches.

Leaving a long tail, ch between 40-50 stitches (depending on your preference).

Row 1: Once you have your row of chain stitches, Hdc in the back loop of the second ch from the hook.

Row 2-46: Continue to Hdc across the row in the back loop only.  Once you reach the end, *ch 1, turn the work and continue with Hdc in the back loop until you reach the end of the next row - repeat from * 45 times.

To finish: Join the beginning and end rows by matching the last Hdc with the first ch st and linking with a series of slip stitches to form a tube, fasten off and weave in the end.  Then using the tapestry needle, thread the long tail through the top of the tube with a running stitch, gathering the fabric as you go.  Weave through the top of the hat a number of times to make sure it's fastened well and won't come loose.

This is the first crochet pattern I've shared, so please let me know if you spot any mistakes or recommend any improvements.  I hope you have fun making this hat.  Please leave a link below if you decide to give it a try!

Autumn Cowls

I've been busy with my crochet hooks recently and have whipped up a pair of Autumnal cowls for my shop.  I chose these colours because I think they represent the season perfectly - I've called them 'mushroom' and 'olive'.  I'm really quite tempted to keep them for myself because they're so warm and comfy!  But that wouldn't be good for business now would it?

Thanks for taking a peek, Lois x

Last week

Hello peeps.  Sorry I've been a little absent as of late - I don't really know what happened.  Life I guess!  I've been seeing friends and family, going to work, making things and taking pictures... the usual.  I promise I'll be better at sharing soon.  I have some actual time for myself this weekend (no planned trips or jobs to do), so I hope I'll get lots of blog stuff done and make it a little more interesting around here!

Thanks for sticking by :)

Ta-da!

You know this secret I've been whispering about?  Well this is it... I've opened up a new Etsy shop!  I've still got a few finishing touches to make (and more items to add), but I couldn't wait any longer to unvail it here on HitC.

Please let me know what you think.  I've been pretty nervous about this.  It was quite a big decision for me to shut down Cellar Door, but after a lot of thinking I decided it was for the best.

In other news, the lovely Jo from Harry and LeeLee asked me to answer some questions for her Blog Gems feature.  You can read the interview here.  Thanks again Jo for featuring me on your sweet blog.

Spider webs

I love it when I find new and interesting ways people have been using doilies.  As a crocheter doilies hold a special place in my heart, so seeing them utilised in ways you wouldn't expect is quite thrilling for me (am I strange - don't answer).  These images come from London based artist Shane Waltener's project called 'Auntie Peggy has departed'.  See more here.

Lately

Hello again and happy Saturday.  I hope you're having a good one.  So far my Saturday has been pretty good - me + my manfriend went to the pub for lunch and had the most amazing homemade pies!  Delicious (I'm still full now).  We're just about to stick on a film and have a lazy evening, which is exactly what I'm up for right about now.

Lately I've been trying to eat better because I found out I'm intolerant to a couple of food stuffs, so sugar and wheat products have dramatically reduced in my diet (although I baked my step-dad a very chocolately cake and had to try a bit - couldn't be helped).  So apart from my chocolate lapse, I've been cooking myself up some new recipes, including fried chili tofu and spinach noodle soup (yum).  I've also been busy crocheting with cotton this week, which has got to be one of my favourite materials for sure!  I made my friends' new baby a hat (hello Isaac), and a few other things that I'll be updating you with soon.

Until then... :)

Projects all over the place

I have been pretty good at completing craft projects recently.  They're literally scattered all around my flat.  Because of this other things have been suffering, such as my usual list of chores, and the place looks like a bit of a mess.  But it's my mess right?

I never feel like I have enough time (I'm sure I'm not the only one), but soon I will be re-listing my 'to-do' lists in order of priority and hopefully that should help me out a bit.  Speaking of help, I want to give special thanks to my patient and understanding manfriend who lets me make such mess without moaning at me (something I know wouldn't happen if it were the other way around).

How do you manage your time?  I'm always interested to hear new advice about this particular issue.

This week

So this week I started a few new projects.  I got a couple of new green friends for the terranium I plan on creating with the giant glass goldfish-bowl I picked up a couple of weeks ago.  I started a new granny-square project.  I discovered a new favourite treat - pea snacks!  And today, me and the mister are decorating the kitchen.  Phew!

Decorating was one of the things on my list, so I'm really glad to have started on that one.  Have you started any long awaited projects lately?

Giving: wrist warmers

I love making things for my friends.  When I'm making something for someone I know and care about, I'm thinking about them and I believe that makes the gift all the more special.  I made these wrist warmers a little while ago (only just got round to sharing - sorry) and sent them to two of my bestest friends who I don't get to see as often as I would like.  I think they got some use out of them before the weather turned a little too warm for this kind of thing.

Sheffield Vintage & Craft Fair

Earlier this month I went along to a vintage and craft fair I'd seen advertised in Sheffield.  I'd seen this particular venue advertise V+C fairs a few times, but due to various circumstances I could never make it.  This time though I had a weekend free so made sure I got myself down there, and am I glad I did!

I found so many amazing things, I just had to get my phone out and take many many pictures... Yeah, I forgot my camera again!

There was a good mix of vintage and handmade - I did really well not to come away with a million things I didn't really need.  I got talking to some stall holders too, and picked up a few business cards.  I'll blog separately about some of the awesome stalls I saw there, otherwise this post could end up waaaay too long.

All in all I came away feeling really inspired and motivated to get going with my own potential stall.  Since then I've been busy extending my inventory, thinking up packaging and display ideas, and making making making!
Who knows, maybe next I'm I go there will be with stall of my own.

- Lois x

Addicted to yarn

I absolutely love yarn shopping.  I go in to buy one thing and always end up coming out with bags full of yarn for nothing in particular.  Because of this I have soooo much yarn lying around the flat and I'm running out of places to stash it!  Time for a marathon crochet session me thinks!

Do you have any weaknesses for craft products?  Do share.

My first photoshoot

A little while ago me and my lovely boyfriend took a walk to the nearby Botanical Gardens to take some pictures of me sporting some of my handmade crocheted wears.  This was quite an achievement for me as I feel really silly posing in front of the camera - especially in public!  It wasn't just for shits and giggles either; these are the pictures that will accompany my Etsy listing (just as soon as I get round to posting them).


So keep your eyes peeled folks - I shall be getting them listed in my shop anytime soon.

Shop Update: crocheted cloud brooch

I love crocheting clouds.  I'm always trying to think up new ways of using my clouds for accessories or decoration, and here is just one of the things I have done with one of them recently.  At the moment there is only one available (my first ever created), but I shall definitely be making more of these babies in the future.


I hope you like.


- Lois x