phew . . .

I thought I wouldn't finish these throws in time.

Nearly finished my shopping and wrapping - now for some serious baking!

More festive fun over on my blog

phew . . .

I thought I wouldn't finish these throws in time.

Nearly finished my shopping and wrapping - now for some serious baking!

More festive fun over on my blog

Crochet mug cozies!

Bonjour! Kate here (aka Mommy en France from Two little cabbages & cie), using the guest login into share these cozies with you.

I think I have become addicted to making them. Besides these two, I have a few others in the works. They are so easy to create, even for someone like me, who has only very basic knitting and crochet skills. You can definitely whip one up while watching an hour or two of television, or listening to your favorite podcasts.

The cozy on the right is made from this fabulous funky wool yarn called Terre Neuve (in multicolour) from the French knitting chain Phildar. I used this pattern, free on Ravelry and the author's website. The cozy on the left uses up some wool I've had for years, from the last time I attempted knitting (2004?). If I recall, I bought it at the local supermarket! I used the pattern from the latest issue of Mollie Makes. I have to say, I was a little disappointed because I didn't find the article clear enough about how many chains to use (mug sizes do vary after all) and whether the starting chain was to run vertically or horizontally. But this could just be me and my cluelessness. At any rate, I managed to make it work.

Both are for my cousin and his fiancée and I'll be adding a tin of my favorite tisane as well.

Happy holiday crafting!

Crochet mug cozies!

Bonjour! Kate here (aka Mommy en France from Two little cabbages & cie), using the guest login into share these cozies with you.

I think I have become addicted to making them. Besides these two, I have a few others in the works. They are so easy to create, even for someone like me, who has only very basic knitting and crochet skills. You can definitely whip one up while watching an hour or two of television, or listening to your favorite podcasts.

The cozy on the right is made from this fabulous funky wool yarn called Terre Neuve (in multicolour) from the French knitting chain Phildar. I used this pattern, free on Ravelry and the author's website. The cozy on the left uses up some wool I've had for years, from the last time I attempted knitting (2004?). If I recall, I bought it at the local supermarket! I used the pattern from the latest issue of Mollie Makes. I have to say, I was a little disappointed because I didn't find the article clear enough about how many chains to use (mug sizes do vary after all) and whether the starting chain was to run vertically or horizontally. But this could just be me and my cluelessness. At any rate, I managed to make it work.

Both are for my cousin and his fiancée and I'll be adding a tin of my favorite tisane as well.

Happy holiday crafting!

Crochet apple cosies

Bonjour!

This is Kate (aka Mommy en France), using the guest login to post.

My poor sewing machine is not feeling well, so she's having a rest and probably going into a shop for a tune up next week. In the meantime, I've been working on crafty Christmas projects that don't involve sewing.

Among other things, I'm trying knitting and crocheting again. I learned how to do both years ago, but never really got into them. And my skills never evolved beyond hats and scarves (for knitting) and not much of anything for crocheting. I think part of the "problem" is that my mother, aunt and mother-in-law are such talented knitters that I just sat back and let them do all the knitting for everyone. What they can do in a week would take me ages to accomplish.

Anyway, I decided to sign up for Ravelry and hunt down some simple projects to help ease me back into this. And wow, is Ravelry great. What an amazing resource! At any rate, I've already whipped up a snood for myself, using this great free pattern. I'm going to make another for a friend. And I made some apple cosies, using the pattern from the first issue of Molly Makes. If you didn't buy it (I didn't), you can either buy a digital issue through your e-reader or you can find the Apple Crochet Jackets pattern for free here (thank you, The Guardian).

The one on the left is for my dad, who always brings his lunch into work. The one on the right, well... I'm tempted to keep it! And these work up so, so quickly - even for a novice like me - that I may make a few more. The best part about these cosies and also the snood is that they don't require lots of yardage, so I'm able to use up all the odd bits and bobs of it that I have held onto over the years. Finally, what better way to show off a few favorite buttons?

Happy crafting and happy Thanksgiving to all you other Americans out there. I guess it's really the start of the holiday season now...

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

Hi, I'm Carly, I blog (somewhat sporadically) here.

Wow, Christmas has snuck up a bit this year, or is it just me? Looking back at my blog it seems I was feeling a lot more festive this time last year!

I have some crafty Christmas plans up my sleeve though, time willing:

Snoods! I have knocked up a pink flowery snood for some lucky person who shall remain nameless, here is me modelling it for now (doesn't it look pretty with my dress? I like looking like an explosion in a paint factory):

The pattern is available on my blog if you fancy making one yourself. I may whip up a few more of these, they're quick to make and make great gifts - who doesn't want to stay cosy?

I have also got a few cross stitch ideas in the pipeline - I want to make little necklaces and/or Christmas decorations. Here is a slightly larger one I made last year (bit frayed having been in and out of the frame rather a lot of times!), it's for the wall rather than round your neck but it gives you the idea:

And I'm also planning to give knitted headband/earwarmers, which look like this (I can't seem to rotate the photo for some reason):

They are made using a free Ravelry pattern. I love the colour of this wool, I bought it in John Lewis last year and never managed to use it as I only had one ball, but it was the perfect amount for this headband. Not good if you react badly to wool though - itchy ears are not a good look!

Aside from these projects I don't have any other firm plans, but I'm loving seeing everyone elses ideas here. Blogland seems so inspired in the months coming up to Christmas, I love it.

Speaking of crafty stuff, I take it we've all seen Pip's list of 307 handmade christmas gift tutorials? Inspirational!

Happy crafting ladies

Cx

Drowning in crochet . . .

I have two heaps of granny squares to make up in to bed throws - one for my mother who loves anything pink,

and the other for my younger daughter to match her pink and purple bedding.

Now there's just the boring bit of stitching them all together!