Crochet Butterfy Shrugs

Well it has definitely been a while!
But I've got some goodies to show off because that's why we are all here, isn't it?!

With three beautiful neices I decided to make them a matching shrug for Christmas, to keep the cost of buying presents down at this time of the year.

Little Addy in her purple bamboo cotton shrug, with room to grow! Yarn was Moda Vera.

Scarlett in her bright red pure cotton shrug. She even chose the colour herself! Yarn was Paintbox Yarns.

And Isabella in her daffodil yellow, cotton shrug, colour also self chosen. Yarn also Pain Box Yarns.

Pattern can be found HERE on Etsy.

Love Emily

Yarn Haul

My LCS (local craft store) Spotlight has a pretty disappointing 

range of yarn on offer and nothing really suitable for the knit beanies

I've been making, other than Lionbrand Heartland (which is imported anyway).

So, I've taken to buying yarn from www.loveknitting.com.

The postage is extremely reasonable and the variety on offer is awesome!

In this yarn haul (my second from love knitting)

there is:

King Cole Big Value Super Chunky

King Cole Big Value Chunky

James C Brett Chunky with Merino

The Fauxlyn Slouch Progress

All I've got to show lately is progress shots

because I don't want to give anything away

before I launch my new and improved Made It Store.

So, here's another progress shot of a beanie I've made.

Pattern is the Fauxlyn Slouth by Heidi May

I didn't like this pattern at the stage that the above photo was taken

but by the time I finished it and put it on, I have fallen in love with it.

This one has been made in a merino acrylic chunky blend and

sit's wonderfully and slouchy on your head.

I can see this beanie being quite popular for adults and kids

and am thinking of some faux fur pom poms.

A Knit 'Stripe' Cowl

I'm practicing my knitting

and have wanted to knit a cowl

for a very long time.

I love the look of knit rib

so when I found this pattern

I knew I had to use the

Moda Very Monkey yarn I bought

to make one for myself.

I learnt a lot while making this cowl, like

continental knitting is a lot faster when you get the hang of it

and out of fear for binding off too tightly, I bound off too loosely

(as you can see at the base of the cowl, ooopsy).

When I wear it (photo on the way?!)

the loose bind off actually looks really good as 

it flares around my collar bones.

Pattern Details:

Pattern found here -> Knit and Bake

My Ravelry Project Page - Add Me!

Chunky Pink, Purple and White Kids Beanie

I've made another chunky winter beanie.

This one is a shell stitch in 

white, pink and purple

and fits roughly 18 months - 3/4 years.

It can be found on sale HERE

Once again I've used MyBoshie yarn

and a 6mm hook to create this beanie.

Making Pom Poms *sigh*

I love pom poms! 

They make everything cuter and are so versatile!

But,

I hate making pom poms.

Well the part I actually hate is the fact that no matter

what way I make them, there are still

strands that can be pulled out!

I feel like I will forever be trying to find a way

to make a yarn pom pom where the strands can't

be easily pulled out, but I'm losing hope.

I did try a new method of making a pom pom

which you can find here

to sit atop this chunky beanie (coming soon!)

Yarn Excitement!

Here in Australia, we are not extremely spoilt for choice when buying yarn.

I haven't ventured into too many speciality yarn shops

because those yarns can be pricey and a little bit fancy.

I have always envied Lion Brand's yarn, but the conversion rate

and postage to Australia have always stopped me from buying any.

Until today, when I walked into my chain craft store (Spotlight)

and found Lion Brand Heartland in medium weight and Thick and Quick!

I basically had a heart attack but limited myself to two balls for now, one in Thick and Quick and the other in medium weight to get a feel for how it works up.

Isn't it gorgeous! I got the 'black canyon' colour, which is black with grey twisted through.

I have a chunky beanie with a pom pom is calling it's name.

And another fantastic find was this 10 pack of

Moda Vera Mini's in Cotton Brights!

I can't get over how cute they are and couldn't say no!

They measure 3inches tall, are 10 grams and roughy 26 metres long.

A Tiny Crab

This is Tipper the Tiny Crab

Pattern is from Fresh Stitches

He works up very fast, and is quite easy to make.

If your familiar with my blog,

you will notice I LOVE Fresh Stitches designs.

Archer - The Mystery CAL

I participated in a Mystery Crochet-a-long (CAL)

Hosted by Stacey over at Fresh Stitches.

None of us had any idea what we were crocheting

until the last clue was released.

So this is Archer, the Dog.

A Jet-setter Sweater

Another Christmas Present.

This jumper was 6 months in the making.

Simply because I lose interest easily and got sidetracked 

with other, quicker projects.

This is for my younger sister, Danielle.

That's me trying to be a model.

And a bonus picture of kitty Olivia, who had

to get in on the 'photo-shoot'

Pattern is from 'Crochet Today' May/June issue.

A Bat for Christmas

Another Crochet Christmas Present.

This is Igor the Tiny Bat.

The pattern is by Stacey Trock at Fresh Stitches.

She makes the cutest Amigurumi patterns, I am such a fan of hers.

Aubergine Cowl

Here is my aubergine cowl.

23 rows of back loop only single crochet's.

It's too warm to wear it now, but it will so cosy next winter.

Here is my Ravelry Project Page.

and the pattern page is Cuddle Cowl by Rachel Oglesby.

Chunky Wool

More new chunky wool.

Clockwise from top left:

Moda Vera Chantilly in Apricot

Moda Vera Shiver in Orange

Moda Vera Triglia in Blue &

Moda Vera Cardellino in Cream-Brown

Aubergine Stitches

Here is a gorgeous close up of my aubergine yarn stitches.

You may notice that these are BLO or back loops only.

I love the look of BLO stitches.

This book came in the post a couple of days after buying the aubergine wool 

and I found the perfect project for it inside.

I purchased my copy of "Crochet Boutique" from the Book Depository

Aubergine

I recently bought some gorgeous wool.

This is Lincraft Premium Luxe Yarn in Aubergine.

I'm really starting to like chunkier yarns these days. 

They work up quite fast, and this one is super soft too.

It's gorgeous. I'm just looking for the right project to use it for.

I also bought a tunision crochet hook, otherwise known as an afghan crochet hook.

I'm busy trying to learn the tunisian crochet stitches so I can start some projects with it.