I'm Back!

Greeting Friends,
Please let me start with an apology for my long absence from the world of blogging. I have truly neglected my responsibilities to this blog and I'm sorry. But I'm glad to say that I am back and plan to blog weekly from now on.

So in my absence from blogging I have been up to various crafty antics; I finally finished the long term projected I had been working on. A very cute preppy jacket from Debbie Stoller's, The Happy Hooker

Sorry for the poor image quality, getting a new phone next week which will mean better pictures :) Anyway, very pleased with the jacket, just need to block it and put the pocket lining in and it's wearable. I made it from a lovely teal merino yarn, so soft!

I also finished the marathon task of knitting 20 Hearts:

Again sorry, rubbish camera. I was given a giant sweater that was made for my partners granddad who sadly passed away, and asked what I could do with the yarn from it. Well after an intense sneezy session of frogging the sweater I found this lovely pattern on ravelry that you knit on 3 DPNs so you knit both sides at the same time (saves sewing lots of halves together) I made one heart for every woman in the family. I was so happy they loved them. I had loads of yarn left over so started knitting a bias blanket, but after a traumatic frogging incident this week I'm not ready to talk about that project yet, Sigh!

I also have been lucky enough to finally have a new sewing machine that I got in March so have been doing lots of odd sewing projects and loving it.

Works in Progress

I am the first to admit I have crafty ADHD so always have multiple projects on the go. I'm currently working on:

This knitted slouchy hat from ravelry I am knitting the hearts with noro silk to make a lovely colour change. It's slow progress as I'm not so great at knitting colour work.

The Bias Blanket, as I mentioned, I have fallen out with that project after the frogging incident.

I am also working on a hand sewn hexagon patchwork:

I found a giant box of unfinished patchwork in a vintage shop. Someone had already put loads of hexagons onto cardboard, ready to sew together but never finished it. So I am currently in the process sewing the centres into some of the unfinished flower shapes, then I will be sewing them all together, BY HAND! so glad I have gotten used to sewing with a thimble, my fingers couldn't take it any more! I'm very excited about this project as it is loads of retro fabrics and it's going to look amazing when it's all together.

I have just finished crocheting some bit's for the book and enjoying a renewed excitement for getting it done. Keeping the pictures under wraps at the moment ;)

Crafty Events

The lovely Ruth and Belinda from R&B interactive are working on a beautiful project which you are invited collaborate with.

 For The Record: conversations over knitting. Is a plan to created a wall of hand-knitting and knitter's thoughts; to record a 'made census’ of hand-knitters’ work, resulting in a knitted structure or record. The bias blocks and tags will be presented as a living document of the knitter's voice. The little blocks will go to create a HUGE structure; as a touring art-piece.When the piece becomes tired of being transported around it will be broken down and the knitted pieces will be sent into the community.

Crafty Web Stuff

I am currently loving Pinterest, its a great way to keep all of those awesome things you love on the web in one place. I use it for keeping notes of crafty tutorial, recipes and products that I like and the great thing is you can see the pins of your friends and other people that Pinterest suggests you might like. It's full of inspiration, I love looking through the front page at what everybody has been pinning, lots of beautiful images to get the creative juices flowing.

I found this circular rug weaving tutorial on Pinterest that I had a go at. My first attempt was an epic fail! When I cut the rug from the hoop I discovered I have woven it to tight and it snapped into a bowl shape instead of a nice flat rug. Ah well, we live and we learn.

Well I hope you have enjoyed catching up with me and I'm looking forward to future posts on a more regular basis.

Much love my craft sweethearts!

Owl coin purse patern

Huzzah!
I have finally found a free moment to write up this pattern. Its been a busy time recently. Just finished a bunch of commission work for the magazine. Now I have a lot of left over yarn and no space to stash it, so a stash busting blanket it on the knitting needles while another monster for the book is on the hook, I wish I could do both at the same time, that would be amazing. I've also been trying to organise the craft supplies and its making me think of my imaginary craft room, sigh, one day...
Any Way, the pattern:

You Will Need:

Two shades of DK or WW yarn of your choice and yellow for the eyes.

Two black buttons for eyes

A small triangle of yellow felt for the beak.

Darning needle

Sitich marker

3.5mm hook

Zip

Fabric to line

R1: 6sc in ring

R2: inc in every stitch around (12sc)

R3: sc in first, inc in next, rep around (18sc)

R4: sc in first 2, inc in next, rep around (24sc)

R5: sc in first 3, inc in next, rep around (30sc)

R6: sc in first 4, inc in next, rep around ( 36sc)

R7: sc in first 5, inc in next, rep around (42sc)

R8-14 sc around

R15: change colour, sc around

R16-22: sc around

R23: sc around in front loops only. this will create a line on the inside to make where the zip goes.

R24: sc around, FO

Eyes (make 2)

R1: 6sc in ring

R2: inc in every stitch around (12sc)

R3: sc in first, inc in next, rep around, ss FO leaving tail to sew (18sc)

Wings

R1: 6sc in ring

R2: inc in every stitch around (12sc)
R3-7 sc around FO leaving tail to sew

Assemble;
Sew wings on line where colour changes
Embroider V shapes on tummy
Add eye circles and place buttons in middle of each circle
Sew triangle of felt between the two eyes for the beak
Sew in zip
Turn purse inside out and sew in lining.

Enjoy :)

Contempory Craft Fair - Bovey Tracey

Yesterday I spent the day at the Contemporary Craft Fair at Bovey Tracey with the Knit Expo team. I had a great time and the best part was I got paid in amazing hand dyed yarn for being there. Our plan for the day was to cover this amazing climbing tree with knitted stars.

The tree looked amazing, and was so much fun to climb in. It was great teaching people how to knit. Ruth and Belina who invited me, had some really amazing yarn, baby alpaca, silk alpaca and organic Merino to name some of my favorites. As you can see all of the yarn was un-dyed and there was lots to fondle.

Their patterns are amazing also, really clearly laid out and most of them only need one skein of yarn like the Gilda Gloves that I'll be making :)

There was so much awesome stuff to see. It was truly overwhelming how much creativity was there. Though if I bought the two handbags I liked the bill would have come to just under £1000. So I didn't get to much stuff for myself. I did visit the lovely people at Bunyip, they sell amazing buttons and beads. I got some buttons for my Gilda Gloves and other such pretty things.

There are a few more photos on my twitter photo thing if you want to have a look at what else is there. I cant wait for the big knit show in November

It's good to be Back

Hello,

I have not long returned form a beautiful wedding in Sorrento, Italy and I thought I would share with you my yarn adventures. Before I left for Italy I had been scouring the Internet to find out if there was a wool shop in Sorrento but I couldn't find one anywhere. When I arrived I asked our tour guide but they weren't aware of any but thankfully a sharpe eyed member of the family spotted some balls of yarn in a shop window.

It belonged to this place:

And here is the address for you:
175 Corso Italia
Sorrento

Its on the main street running through Sorrento just down form the main square. They don't have a huge selection of yarn but they do have some unusual fancy yarns and some lovely merino yarn in baby colours. I picked up some merino for myself and made a lovely stole.

In other crochet news:
I have been exploring the world of Tunisian crochet and I feel it may make my kniting needles redundant. It's very addictive and faster that knitting. Though I can't seem to get the hang of doing it in the round just yet.

If you have been following me on Twitter (@MaggieVassie) you would have heard about the continuing saga of the boyfriend blanket. Well it is now complete and looking awesome. Shaun was very happy.

This was done by taking a small cross stitch pattern and making a granny square for every stitch of the pattern. I'm so pleased with the way it has turned out but it does now mean that the sofa is drowning in blankets.
Now that I have that project out of the way I am thinking of making the preppy jacket from the Happy Hooker for myself before the Christmas crafting begins.

TTFN

Keep Hooking

Maggie

THANK YOU!!!!

Well there are just no words to explain how pleased I am with the response to the survey. You are all so amazing for taking the time to fill it out. The answers you have given me will really help in making a pattern book that crocheters actually want and I love that a lot of you think the same as myself about book that are around at the moment.

I've been crocheting odd little things recently and will post the patterns in the future for you all. Here is an especially cute pattern for to say thank you again:

Itty Bitty Owl Pattern

You Will need:
Small amounts of DK or WW yarn
3.5mm hook
10mm eyes
Small triangle of yellow felt
Stitch marker
Fiber fill
Embroidery needle

Body
R1: 6sc in ring
R2: inc in every st around (12sc)
R3: sc in first, inc in next, rep around, (18sc)
R4: sc in first 2, inc in next, rep around (24sc)
R5-8 sc around
change colour
R9-14: sc around FO leaving tail to sew

Eye patch (make 2)
R1: 6sc in ring
R2: inc in every stitch around
ss in next, FO leaving tail to sew

Wings (make 2)
R1: 6sc in ring
R2: sc in first, inc in next, rep around (9sc)
R3-5: sc around, ss into next, FO leaving tail to sew

after adding all the face detail and embroidering the v marks of the tummy, stuff and sew the top closed, sew diagonally for 1cm down the corners to make the ears stand out.

Enjoy your itty bitty owl

Book Book Book

So I have started work on my Amigurumi book. I'm currently trying to write a proposal to see how publishers will like it. A part of the process is market research, seeing what kind of people would want to purchase a book written by me and this is where I need your help. I want to know all about you. Copy the questions, click on comments and past the questions in and fill in your answers. This is your chance to tell me exactly what you want. I will be eternally grateful for your help.

Survey:

How old are you?

Are you Male/Female?

Where in the world are you?

How long have you been crocheting?

Do you consider yourself beginner/ intermediate / skilled or highly skilled?

What do you like to see in an Amigurumi/Crochet book?

What is your favorite crochet book out at the moment?

Thank you so much for taking the time to fill this out :)

Maggie

Crochet Every Day!

Hello Everybody,

Wow, well it's been busy in the crochet ninja world. I've suddenly jumped to over 300 followers thanks to the lovely people at All Free Crochet who linked Elmo and Cookie Monster in the news letter that goes out to thousands of crocheters every month. Thank you and welcome to all the newbies!

The hooks haven't stopped recently, I discovered Must Have Cute, that is a part of lol cats and it is full of cute inspiration. I thought I had to make some amigurumi clouds and it took me a while to figure out how I could make a cloud 3D but gosh darn it I did it and aren't they just adorable:

I'm also working on a rainbow to go with it but that is still a work in progress.

Yesterday I was working on this cute owl coin purse. I seem to be making lots of purses at the moment. I love lining them with funky fabric, it give the project a nice professional looking finish. I think I'm going to make a little amigurumi buddy for this owl in blue and grey.

I can't say how pleased I am with the cover for Inside Crochet Issue 16:

He looks cute as a button. We have been joking about framing the magazine, its like being on the cover of the crochet version of rolling stones. This is something I never get tired of showing off, he he!

And finally, last year I was interviewed by a lovely girl who was recording a documentary about Knitting and Crochet for University. We were talking about Yarn Bombing and together we tagged a tree in the city centre in Plymouth.  A few days ago I went to see if it was still there, and what do you know...

Its a bit tatty and dirty now but still there and contributing to a more friendly kind of global warming :)