10 December 2012

Catch up...

Gosh, I can't believe that I haven't posted in more than a month! To make up for it I will post some pictures of my crafty projects from the past couple of weeks! Here they are:

 
How could I resist sharing this little cutie? It's tiny!

 
Introducing Bertie the VW bus! I made it from my own design for my friend Tracy as part of a swap package!

 
My entry for the November 'Designer's Challenge' challenge on Ravelry. I didn't win but I'm glad I entered because I'd been wanting to design a cowl for a long time!
 
 
 
 
 
 


Couldn't resist showing you this! Take a pair of dressing-up glasses and salt & pepper grinders to attempt to make a face!

I hope this brightened your day a little,
Carys ♥

27 October 2012

Teeny-Tiny Elephant...

Hello everyone, it's really starting to feel like autumn now, so I guess it's time to give you another free pattern! Today, it's my Teeny-Tiny Elephant. You need to stuff it as you go ♥

 



Materials:
Yarn of choice (I used DK)
 
Dpn needles and crochet hook to match (I used 2.25mm needles and 2.5mm hook). The hook is necessary to crochet the ears.

 

Note:

Kfbf - knit into front of next st, then knit into back of the st, then into front again. Makes 3 sts from 1

Make bobble (leg) - Kfbf, turn work, purl 3 sts, turn work, knit 3 sts, turn work, purl 3 sts, turn work, k3tog

 

Directions:

Body (knitted) –

CO 2 sts and work 6 rows of i-cord.

Spit the sts onto 2 dpns.

1. Kfb around (4)

Split sts onto 3 dpns.

2. [K1, kfb] around (6)

Reposition sts so there are 2 sts on each dpn.

3-4. K around (6)

5. Kfb around (12)

6. K around (12)

7. [K1, kfb] around (18)

8-10. K around (18)

11. K11, make bobble (leg), k3, make bobble (leg), k2 (18)

12-14. K around (18)

15. Repeat round 11

16-17. K around (18)

18. K2tog around (9)

Cut yarn and draw through all 9 sts. Pull tight and weave in ends.

 

Ears (crocheted). Make 2 -

Magic ring, ch 1.

1. 5dc in ring (5)

2. [Inc, dc] x2, inc (8)

FO and sew to body. Weave in ends.

(Note: if you can’t crochet, knit 2 semi-circles. If you do this I’d be grateful to update this post with the patterns you used for your elephant’s ears!)
 
 

 


You are free to sell any elephants you make and you can link to this pattern on your blog or website, but please don’t sell this pattern or claim it as your own, link it to my blog instead. Thank you.


12 October 2012

Long time, no see...

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted! Gosh, school's been to busy to even think about crafting for a long time and that surprises me!

Anyway, the newest 'Designer's Challenge' is to make a cowl using cables, but it has to be inspired by autumn leaves. I have started mine (3/4 of the way there!) but it's top-secret at the minute - only a couple of people have seen it (that's you, Jodie and Katie!)

Well here is the link to the challenge thread on Ravelry, and here is the link to the discussion thread. To inspire anyone who wants to take part, I took a photo of the tree in my garden, which had some lovely colours on it!

 
 
That's all for now, so if you're looking for another crafty blog to read, why not try my aunt's?
 
Carys ♥


16 September 2012

Patterns In Nature...

Hello all! Today, I am sharing pictures of patterns in nature for those of you who need inspiration for anything in life (mainly crafting, though)! Here they are:












 

Pictures from:
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
I hope you find this helpful and I'll see you soon!

Carys ♥

14 September 2012

Birthdays...

Hello all, this is my first post since I turned 14 yesterday! I had a great birthday and I can't wait to share some of my presents with you!

My friend Ioana (hello and thank you so much!) bought me a birthday angel and 4 beautiful books. They are: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bront­­e, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Ritual by Mo Hayder, and another Mo Hayder book, The Treatment. They look so good and I can't wait to read them!

I got lots of gift vouchers from various friends and relatives (I want to mention Katie, Ria and Jasmine now - thank you all so much!). I also got a beautiful bracelet and this amazing book from my auntie Aimie (here is her blog - she has some amazing stuff on there)! Thank you so much for the presents Aimie!


Well that's all for now, folks, I'll be back soon with some photos (hopefully)!

Carys ♥

3 September 2012

Looking back...

Hello again! It's the last day of my six-week summer holiday so I thought I might as well look back at my lovely time off school. During this holiday, I have had many great times with my friends and family. Let me tell you about some of them...

I've seen my friends...



Ria
 
I've been to my cousin and uncle's joint birthday party...
 
Faye is 5 now!
I've talked to my friend who I haven't seen or spoken to for 8 years!!! Her name is Nikita!
 
 


And I've had my hair cut...(Sorry - no picture of that!)


I've also made some progress on some of my crafty projects! I now have 44 squares on my blanket and have completed my baby seal.

His name is Finn!

That's all for now, folks. I'm going to start my first day of year 9 at school tomorrow in a new school uniform - I hope your day will be as exciting as mine!

Carys ♥

28 August 2012

Re-using and Recycling...

Hello again! Today I want to show you the yarn I bought for a granny square blanket I am currently making. Here is a picture of the blanket so far!


 
 
It is growing very quickly and I love it to bits! I am using up odds and ends of yarn I have found around the house and some which I have been given. The yarns I bought can be seen in my stash on Ravelry, but here is a sneak peek!
 
 
 
 
I hope you like it, so stay tuned for the latest news on my crafting goodness!
 
 
Carys ♥


22 August 2012

Elephant Phone Cozy...

I'm back with a new pattern! I hope you like elephants, because today I am bringing you an elephant phone cozy!







Directions in black are worked in black yarn, and directions in red are worked in white yarn. You can find it here on Ravelry.

I used DK weight yarn and a 4mm (G) hook. I hope you enjoy!

Ch 12


1. Dc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 9chs. 3dc in last ch. Working across other side of ch, dc in each ch across until last ch, 2dc into last ch (24 black sts)
2. Starting to carry the white yarn, dc around (24 black sts)
3-7. Dc around (24 black sts)
8. Dc around (24 white sts)
9. DC around (24 black sts)
10. 2dc, 2dc, 3dc, 2dc, 2dc, dc, 12dc (19 black sts, 5 white sts)
11. Repeat row 10
12. 2dc, 7dc, 2dc, dc, 12dc (16 black sts, 8 white sts)
13. Dc, dc, 10dc, 12dc (13 black sts, 11 white sts)
14. Dc, 9dc, dc, dc, 12dc (14 black sts, 10 white sts)
15. 9dc, 2dc, 13dc (22 black sts, 2 white sts)
16. Dc around (24 black sts)
17. Dc around (24 white sts)
18-19. Dc around (24 black sts)


Sl st in next 3 sts to make the top edge more level. FO and weave in ends.


 












You are free to sell any phone cozies you make and you can link to this pattern on your blog or website, but please don’t sell this pattern or claim it as your own, link it to my blog instead. Thank you.

13 August 2012

Teeny-Tiny Fish...

I said I'd be back soon! Anyway, we are all gathered here today to witness the release of my first pattern: Teeny-Tiny Fish! You can find it here on Ravelry.


 
 
I used DK yarn and a 2.5mm hook, but you can use any as long as the stuffing doesn't show through. You also stuff this as you go!
 
Make a magic ring, ch 1.

1. 6dc in ring (6)
2. Inc around (12)
3. [Dc, dec] around (8)
4. Dc around (8)
5. Dec around (4)
6. Dc around (4)
7. In this round, you will be crocheting the opening shut. Flatten the opening so sts 1 and 2 are on one side, and sts 3 and 4 are on the other. Dc through sts 1 and 4, then dc through sts 2 and 3. Turn work (2)
8. Ch 3 (counts as a tr), dc in first st. Dc in next st, tr in same st (4)

FO and weave in ends.






You are free to sell any fish you make and you can link to this pattern on your blog or website, but please don’t sell this pattern or claim it as your own, link it to my blog instead. Thank you.

 

12 August 2012

Spring cleaning...

Hello everyone! I've been having a spring clean recently, and the first thing to tidy was my desk. Previously, it had been a dumping ground for things that needed to be put away; now it is my slice of heaven!

It has a shelf above which is more or less filled with books, and the main desk is clear from rubbish and just holds a few vital things (magazine folders, stationary and knitting and crochet patterns)!


As you can see, it is fairly small, but I love it!!!


This is my crafting section, along with my hen and my precious little bear, who is still awaiting a set of cute button eyes!

I use a pretty, empty jar to display my hooks in, and another to store my paperclips. The kokeshi doll is in fact a lip balm and the lilac teddy was a present from my aunt.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this sneak-peak at my slice of heaven! I'll be back soon with (hopefully) a crochet pattern!!!

Carys ♥

4 August 2012

Inspiration...

Hello again, friends! I'm back with some amazing photos that will surely blow your crafty mind!




I love these pictures so much! They are from this website and they are truly breathtaking!

That's all for today, so goodbye!!!

Carys ♥


2 August 2012

My friend Sunny...

Hello again! How are you today? The weather has been really odd here again today. Tipping it down with rain one minute, then blisteringly hot the next. So I couldn't really do anything outside...

Anyway, this afternoon I had my friend Sunny round and we did lots of crochet! She hasn't been crocheting for very long, and she showed me some of the projects she's made.





Sunny made these lovely granny squares using this pattern, before edging it with this pattern. They are both from Lucy over at Attic 24 and that blog is Sunny's bible! Being new, she loves Lucy's step-by-step style and that she uses English terminology!!!

I'm also in love with my game 'The Sims 3' at the moment, which is the reason why I haven't been posting much lately! But if you get the chance to play on it, you need to have a go. It's amazing!

That's all for now, but I'll see you soon!

Carys ♥

1 August 2012

Rain, rain, go away...

Hello again! Sorry for the lack of posts recently, but there just simply hasn't been anything good to post about. The weather here in England has been cold and rainy ever since the weekend, so I've been stuck inside with nothing but my crochet and my knitting! Not that I'm complaining...

So - what's new? Well, I've finished a baby blanket and also my head-kerchief! Last Wednesday I went to town with my mum and (unfortunately) my two younger brothers and I bought six balls of the yarn I was talking about last week. I started the pattern I'm testing straight away and it works up so fast!

But bad news!!! I made the smallest size, thinking it would fit me as there aren't any measurements on the pattern yet and it turned out too small. So I ripped it down and started again on the second size. Luckily the pattern works up super quick and I'm already a third of the way through!

Have a great day, guys, and I'll be back with some more photos soon!


Carys ♥

P.S. I'm not going to tell you what this pattern I'm testing is until I finsh it! Prepare to wait!

24 July 2012

Progress and yarn review...

Hello everyone, how has your day been? Today has been a very good day for me! I finished my baby blanket (photos are on the way) and I started a head kerchief, which I love!

I'm halfway through my head kerchief!
And although it has been even hotter than yesterday at nearly 30○C, today has been so much more eventful! Other than my crochet projects, my aunt sent me a pattern for me to test, and I learnt that tomorrow I am going to go wool shopping! I need 5 balls of this lovely yarn and it's my favourite yarn ever!

It's so smooth and it's a pleasure to work with, although it does split quite a bit when you're working with it. It doesn't matter though, because the colours are so amazing and I particularly love this colour scheme.

That's all for today, so have a nice time and I'll write again soon!

Carys ♥

23 July 2012

Summer Lovin'...

Hello! I'm Carys, a 13 year old crafter from the Midlands, UK. I love crocheting, knitting, sewing, writing, and basically doing all things creative. Welcome to my blog!

Let me tell you a bit about myself. I have lots of pets: 2 dogs (Mick and Lucy), 3 chickens (Bridget, Grace and Clara), and a rabbit (Milli). My favourite sport is dancing - I do street dance and ballet. My favourite crafts are knitting and crochet and you can see me here on Ravelry.

Today is amazingly hot - 23○C! The sun is out, the clouds are nonexistent and the grass is greeeeen! I'm just loving being able to sit on the swing and not get rained on; and that I can walk barefoot on the grass and not get wet feet!


Even my dogs were too hot!

Mick is the black dog and Lucy is the brindle one

That's all for now, so have fun and I'll write again soon!

Carys ♥