Owls and Robins

I found this cute pattern for an owl on the internet. I had to translate it into UK notation and also I added picots to the ears to make them more pointy too.

I couldn't find a pattern for a robin I liked so I have had a go making up my own.

It is worked in a spiral changing the colours as you go (but not cutting the yarn each change just looping it to where it is needed and only cutting off at the end).

It starts with 6dc in a magic ring, then 2dc to a stitch as you go round but sometimes just the one dc depending how it is going!

The tail has 2htr, 2tr 2dtr with 4 dc worked down the post of the last dtr. The head is made of htr.

Not sure I have got it right yet.

More Makes.

From out first get together we got to see the granny squares coming along nicely.



Also a flurry of snowflakes.

I have since made 2 more birdies.

Last Official Crochet Lesson

Well the ladies have come along in leaps and bounds in the 6 weeks since we began this adventure.

They all know the basic stitches and can read the pattern notations and have tackled various items from the Attic24 website.

Here's the latest Birdie Decoration







Some Flowers and Daffodils too.

One lady is going to try the Cosy Neck Warmer, so watch this space...





We learnt Popcorn Stitch last week and now have 2 more popcorn flowers to show off.






Plus the first square of many for a gorgeous baby blanket, a lifelong ambition of one lady, nearly realised, how wonderful is that.











This week we tackled Crocodile Stitch, now that was fun.... Ladders and rungs and scales in all orientations, lots of trial and error but everyone got there in the end.

The ladies can now spot where they have gone wrong and how they have gone wrong.

A world away from where they began as complete beginners 6 weeks ago.

Well done everyone.

A Different Leaf

I had a look on-line for leaf patterns and found a new way of doing one.

You do double crochet in a "U" shape round the foundation chain and back again. Each round is a little shorter to create points.




I added a little stalk too by just doing some chain and coming back down it with more double crochet.

I made one for my practice poppy which was just asking to be completed.

Popcorn

This week we did Popcorn stitch which is where a bobble is created on the surface of your work.

We did rows to get used to the stitch.



Then we made popcorn daisy flowers, including clusters too!



The daisy pattern is the decoration on a baby blanket and one lady is going to have a go at the blanket.

I have done a few rows of the blanket square, but the pattern takes a bit of getting used to and I think rows 3 and 4 are one stitch off but I think I got it by row 5.

Another Flock!

Here are some more birdies made by one lady in our group.

My First Crocheted Garment

Years ago crochet to me was just fancy doilies.

Since starting the class I have got into making small stuffed toys.

So I thought I best attempt my first garment.

I am doing a Woman's Cardigan as found in the Rowan Crochet Workshop Book.



Here's the beginning. I'm doing it in Rowan "4ply Soft" wool and it is certainly living up to its name as it is lovely and soft.

This makes a big change for me as up to now I have mainly crocheted in cotton which gives a much firmer fabric feel.

Little Bear

Just found out that the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small animals is called Amigurumi.

I had to make this cute little fellow.
I used this pattern.













He is only hand size, however, I think he looks more like a mouse really. Maybe I'll crochet him a tail!

A small flock!

Here are the birdies I have made so far...

Pastel

Initial

 Pink & Aqua

Tropical

 Autumnal

Greens

Pink, Red & Purple

Blues

Poppies and Birdie

The ladies have been busy and have sent me these photos of what they have been up to since the last class.





We have quite a few poppies.














A triple layered flower from the Attic24 site.




And our first birdie!



Well done ladies they are all super.

More Flowers

I tried out a flower from the motifs book I have and this is the result.














I finally tried out my Mother's flower pattern and suspect it would be better with fluffier yarn instead of cotton.













Finally I have been overtaken by making poppies this week, well it is that time of year.

Come to think of it, last week's teeny tiny flower would suffice if made in black and red, something else to try now...

Teeny Tiny Flowers & Leaves

Today we had a go at the Teeny Tiny Flowers & Leaves from the Attic24 blog.











We got to choose from all the colours of the rainbow.

First Crochet Lesson

Four ladies came to the first crochet lesson.

I took a few photos of the table before we began but the time flew by so fast that I forgot to take any other photos.

I made up some bags for each to keep their yarn, hook and patterns in.

We learnt the basic chain stitch (ch) and then went on to double crochet (dc). I think everyone agrees that the first 2 rows are definitely the hardest but when you get further along it gets easier.

It would seem that I hold my hook and yarn in quite an unconventional way but if the end result is OK then it doesn't really matter and that we need to find a way that is comfortable for the individual.


I showed them some pieces I had made including the necklace which is made with wire, initially strung with all the beads and then crocheted up using chain stitch.

We also started on our snowflakes.

I'm looking forward to next week already.

What Shall I Crochet?

In the past, when I thought crochet, I thought lacy doilies, usually made in cream.

Here are some I made a while back. I have placed them on a pillowcase to give some idea of scale. They are all made with crochet cottons.


















































For beginners it is easier to start on a larger scale using bigger hooks (4mm) and DK yarn.

So I have been making up some of the patterns found on the Attic24 website. 

All of these patterns are in bright colours and have completely changed my idea of crochet. Hope you like my birdie.

So what sort of crochet do you like?