Busy Bank Holiday!

I've managed to complete a few items on my to do list over the Easter weekend. First the Moogly cardigan! I hooked this up using Robin baby aran yarn. It's 100% acrylic so will wash well, essential with a small baby!

If I make this again I will probably use a double knitting weight yarn so the cardi is a bit softer and more pliable. This will look lovely with the pixie bonnet I finished a few days again. I'm a cruel mummy and made my baby boy model it. I think he looks very cute and I must look out a pixie bonnet pattern that's not quite so girly.

Shell stitch pixie bonnet by Cre8tion Crochet

I have also finished a pair of Mary Jane style baby shoes. This is actually the first time I have used a youtube video to follow a pattern. Initially I was a bit annoyed that I couldn't read the pattern anywhere as I like to skim read them so I know what to expect. Anyway, I just followed the video and I'm really pleased I did. I learnt that I have been joining my rows in the wrong place all this time, oops! If there's a ch2 at the start, I had been joining in the first stitch rather than the actual chain of the ch2. They looked okay before I feel better for knowing I'm now doing it right! It was good to follow the video, it was reassuring. 

I love this photo of the shoes. I've been reading about how to improve my photography skills when taking promotional photos and this is the first time I've felt the photo does the item justice.

Lastly, I started a "blessing day bonnet" the other day and got it finished last night. I really love this mercerised cotton yarn. It's the first time I've used it. It gives a lovely finish to an item and is nice and soft but non shedding. I'm struggling to get a good photo of this hat though. It needs to be on something head shaped to show off the shape and the design on the back. I think I'm going to have to try it on the baby! He is quite difficult to get a photo of these days though, he's just started crawling! Here's my effort at photographing it so far...

So, all in all, a productive weekend. What shall I make next?! 

Crocheted Cardigans

I currently have a couple of cardigans on the go, to see if I have the time to make them for my business.

The hat sales have dwindled as the weather has got warmer which I had anticipated, but I've been a bit stuck on what to make instead! I've enjoyed making a couple of things for my smallest two boys and my daughter has asked me to make her a slouchy hat so I'll be getting on with that soon. I asked for suggestions as to what people might buy, and the ideas included sun hats, blankets and cardis.

So, a few weeks ago I was asked to make some unisex cardigans and found this one on craftsy.

I love the look of it, it's a cardi when the weather is still cool but can be a light jacket on warmer days. I bought the pattern and started making it for my 6 month old. Actually, I think he was only 5 months when I started but it's taken me so long to get it done! It's still not finished but I only have 1 sleeve and the hood to go.

I consider myself a fairly speedy crocheter these days but this one is taking forever. I think it's because it's single crochet (fine) but ONLY in front loops. This means I have to constantly look at what I'm doing, I haven't really got into a rhythm with it and, although it has a look of double crochet, it's taking longer than double crochets take. Also because I know it won't be a quick make, I keep putting it to the bottom of my list. I need to finish it before the baby grows out of it though. It looks nice so I'm happy but I won't be taking orders for it.

Another cardi I have been trying out has been this one, from Moogly.



It has worked up quickly and looks beautiful. The foundation double crochet was a new stitch for me but the moogly tutorial was brilliant and taught me just what I needed to know. All the other stitches were basic and the body works up in one piece which is fab. I hate stitching! At the minute my creation doesn't have sleeves and although it's very cute, I think I'll need to add sleeves though as it's not exactly warm here! I'll definitely be making this cardigan again. A bonus is that the pattern is free so be sure to have a look at it.