Hamish MacGnomish

Well, meet Hamish MacGnomish and friends.

These 3 chaps are hanging out at Babes in the Wool along with quite a few other similar looking friends.  I created them in a variety of chunky yarns (James C Brett, King Cole) and added a little tinsel and fluffy yarn too.

Hamish stands at around 18" tall and is weighted so he could be used as a doorstop.  He would also be happy sitting underneath a Christmas tree or standing on a hearth.  He really is quite charming and fairly easy to do.  The trickiest part is his beard which is worked in crochet fur stitch, which will need a little patience and some practise to complete.  A bell for the top of his hat completes his look.

The crochet pattern is available from Babes in the Wool, 113 Newland Avenue, Hull.

Happy Hookin'

Fairy Toadstool

Whilst thinking of some ideas for a woodland theme, I thought I would crochet a toadstool.

So after a few experiments, I came up with this one.  A red cap with cream spots and a cream stalk and gills.  It is quite large at about 20 cm tall and 20 cm at its widest part.

After I stuffed it, I thought it was the ideal size for adding a fairy door to.  So out came the polymer clay and I made a door, some leaves and a few roses.  Now that they are all glued in place, I think it looks really effective.

For the next few weeks, this toadstool is sitting in the window at Babes in the Wool along with other woodland themed items.  There are a couple of owls, quite a few mushrooms, toadstools and leaves and even a snail and a slug.  Hedgehogs will be the next creatures to be added in the next few days.

Call by, have a look in the window and come into the shop for a chat.

Happy hooking xx

The Owl and the Pussycats

In preparation for more blog posts, I thought I would show some of my old makes.

Both the owl and the jointed cat on the right, are looking a bit startled at the grinning evil-looking Cheshire cat.  The blue cat evolved as I felted his eyes and hair into place and he demanded the scary grin. Isn't it strange how some projects turn out?

All three animals were made using multi-strands of yarn.  For the Cheshire cat and owl, I used 2 strands of James C Brett Marble Chunky and for the jointed cat I used 3 strands of dk yarn.  It's a great way to both make a larger version of a pattern as-well-as a great way to use up oddments of yarn in your stash.

The Owl and the Pussycats

I have lots to share with you over the coming weeks, I hope you will visit again soon.

Happy hooking xx

What a Hoot!

Crocheted Owl Hat

This hat is HOTH (hot off the hook).

This is such a warm hat for the cold days we have been having.  The textured pattern of the owls is made by working cable-style stitches and I think it looks extremely effective. The owls have eyes made from buttons.  The yarn is an acrylic/wool mix so you get the benefits of the hat being soft, warm and durable.

I have some more of this lovely Aran yarn and think that this hat would look just gorgeous in grey, caramel and other natural colours.

Right, I'm off to carry on hooking.

Socks - snazzy and comfy

I started these socks quite a while ago and finally finished them on New Year's Eve.  I tried them on to photograph them but then kept them on for the rest of the day.  They are so comfy to wear and fit so well under my boots.

The yarn is Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn and is a wool/nylon mix.  There are beautiful colour changes within each ball.  I have quite a number of balls of this yarn, in different colours.  I really am spoilt for choice for my next pair of Noro socks.

This pair was worked on 3mm dpn have a picot top, lace ribbed leg and instep, v heel and origami toe.  The toe seam is stitched using the Kitchener technique so there is no seam.

I already have two more pairs of socks on the go, so before I start another pair, I need to finish these first.  My challenge to me is to finished both pairs in two weeks and then I will be well on the way to finished another pair before the month is out!  Well, here's hoping!

Happy knitting, x

Jazzy Crochet Hooks

Here are just a few hand-crafted hooks from a batch I made last month. They are on sale at Babes in the Wool in Hull.

Crochet hooks designed by Kate

I have been customizing crochet hooks for a couple of years now and find that they are easier to use than the bare hooks.  They are also a little kinder to the hands and fingers as they are warmer to the touch and there is more to grab.  It is great to have a couple of these colourful jazzy hooks in your collection.

To get yours, pop along to the shop.

Hooky hugs, xxx

Oops, it's been a while .....

More than half way through the year and I have only made two blog posts - oh dear.

I have been keeping very busy with crochet, polymer clay, jewellery making and life in general.

There are so many photos to share, so I will start with my latest necklace made from polymer clay.  I am really quite pleased with the way it turned out and am already on with a couple more similar designs.

Watch this space for the next posting - I promise it will be along soon!

Beady hugs, xxx