Jan May

The weather has most definitely got chillier in the last few weeks.  Our Indian Summer has finally come to an end.  I found this lovely variegated yarn at the Stitch and Knit show at Alexandra Palace last month. It's 100% wool, and was a great bargain - only £3.50 per 100g ball.  This scarf used two balls. I didn't have a pattern, just knew I wanted an infinity scarf, in a pattern that would work up quickly.  I guessed I had cast on enough stitches.   Likewise, I hoped a 6mm hook would be suitable.  Luckily it's turned out fine.  Just right to wrap around twice, and deep enough to wear as a hood without leaving the back of my head freezing. The yarn I used was a chunky weight.  If you would like to make one for yourself, it was super quick to do.  Finished it in 3 evenings, with no concentration necessary..... easy to do whilst watching the television.   If anyone would like to crochet one themselves, it's very s...

by Jo Hill textiles My goodness!  I can't believe how long it is since I wrote a blog post.  Where did the year go? Hopefully, I am back!  I've had months of trying to sort out my arthritis, and get pain management in place that works.  Plus my sewing room has had a big sort out.  So.... I haven't made anything for a long, long time.  I have however, been Pinning tremendously - and have tons of ideas brewing. What will 2014 bring I wonder?  What will the next craze be?  Owls are so passé..... I'm thinking the next big thing will be hares.  Probably due to the John Lewis advert, but I'm noticing a marked increase in the number of Hare items Pinned.  So, as a way of getting back into the blogosphere - let's have a little look at some of my favourites. I love this first picture by Jo Hill.  I think it is charming.  Do pop along and look at her website, as there are a whole host of wonderful makes - all for sale. ...

Spring may not have sprung in quite the way we would expect - but I do seem to have shrugged myself out of my sewing hibernation.  Goodness me - since coming back from holiday I have been in a stupor.  Haven't been able to apply myself at all.  However, my neighbour telling me her foster-child has a birthday soon has got my creative cap on.  With a blue and red bedroom to match in with, I've rummaged through my fabric stash and run up this little pillow. With the exception of the 14" Ikea pillow inside, the outer is up-cycled.  The red fabrics were cut from pretty dresses I have found at car boot sales for next to nothing (I set my buying limit at £2 - but will only spend this if the dress contains a lot of fabric - more usually 50p or £1), and the denim and check background were once my husband's shirts. You can find such great detailing on girl's dresses.  I loved the beautiful embroidered hem to this dress.  It's been perfect to make the b...

I've got there in the end!  One puffy pillow already for the bed.   The puffs were easy to do - and a good trial run for my next project of a bed runner to match.  I actually think the pillow would look better if it was all puffs, but hey - ho - you make and learn. Here's what I did...... Fabrics collected together.  The finished pillow is 14 inches square.  Allowing 1/4 inch seams - I cut the centre embroidery at 7.5 inches. Then 12 different squares of 5 inches each (top) 12 squares of 4 inches (back) cut from old white shirt.    There's no need to tack.  Though pins are a must. Begin by folding each top square in half (wrong sides together) and run over with an iron at the edges.     Match up the corners with a backing square.    Pinch fold in centre, and fold down flat against the backing square.  Pin in place, and continue around, bending each fold the same way.     All squares pinned, placed, and ready to se...

Sometimes I amaze myself!   For my sheer inability to finish things.  I started these gloves two years ago. Dragged them out last year - got sidetracked - threw them back in WIP vat. Yesterday's blog featuring crochet glove patterns got me thinking about them.   Dragged them out again. Finished in 5 minutes!   Good grief - I am a numpty.   Originally the sleeves after picking up the pieces after a fight between a washing machine and a cashmere jumper.  Guess who won? The resultant densely felted loveliness was not about to be wasted.  The body of the sweater became a peg bag - which is now much used and in need of replacement.  A shame as I love it - and must remember another time to line with stiff fabric to retain the shape.  And the sleeves were destined to become fingerless mitts.  So simple to do - I simply cut off just below the shoulder seam, and the resulting diagonal made a lovely shaped cuff when turn...

Today's Christmas decoration is a little snowman.  I've had the "Crafting Christmas Gifts" book by Tilda for a long time, and have never made anything from it.  It's very simple to do, and I'm now tempted to do the larger ones as shown on the cover of the book. Mine's just a little baby.  I made mine in white felt, and it works. As it is tiny, the thick felt was a bit tricky to turn.  Still quick to do, though in retrospect it would have been easier to use an ordinary cotton or linen.  No idea what I shall do with this one.  If I add a hanger for the tree it will look like he's been lynched.  Perhaps do another two and stick them in those tiny ceramic pots to go on a shelf? I can't share the pattern for this little make, as it's not my own.  Even if you're not a Tilda fan (like what I am), if you love all things Christmas, you will adore this book.  It's quite an old book now, but if you haven't come across it, all the mak...

Oh my goodness - it's been so long since I blogged! A combination of things...... moving house, hubby working away and so living in limbo between two parts of the country..... and suffering badly with arthritis (to the point where I've had to give in and buy a walking stick).  I just haven't had the oomph to do any sewing.  I have dragged out some crochet I last touched about 5 years ago - a blanket I will probably be the rest of my life making- or a proper granny at the very least by the time it's finished. Yesterday, I finally did a bit of sewing.  Very simple, very quick, and a bit quirky.  I've made a scarf that I can definitely describe as boho.... here modelled by Skinny Bitch. Grabbing three different fabrics, I simply cut long narrow triangles of different sizes and whizzed them together.  No hems, no pinning (no idea what I was doing really until it was finished) - but the end result is my sort of weirdness and I'm rather pleased wi...

This is fabulous - found on Pinterest, but sadly it doesn't link back After doodling with thread last night, I'm thinking embroidery today.  I love embroidery, though I don't have much patience.  I really must start on a project.  Here's a few that have caught my eye....   These little brooches are darling.  Come across these from the LiliPopo blog.  Must explore what over little lovelies are there. Fabulous detail on the corner of this blanket, and relatively simple and quick to do.  Love it.  By Green Kitchen on Flickr. What a charming hoop picture.  Very modern.  From the Feeling Stitchy blog. Loving this little house by House Wren Studio   The roof is such a great way of showcasing different embroidery stitches. This beautiful butterfly.  Isn't it stunning?  It's from the  Crazy Quilting International blog, and I absolutely adore it.   I'll end today's post with on...

For any crafters who have a few minutes to spare - why not make a star for Estella? This is my little effort above.  The heart looks really wonky in the photo, but it doesn't look too bad in real life.  The stars can be as simple or as complicated as you like, and are for a great cause. Pop over to Estella's Wall for full details.   You have until the end of July to create your star, which will be displayed in memory of Estella at  Bluebell Hospice   Stars can be made in any craft form.  The only requisite is that they measure between 5 and 15 cm, and be able to attach to a wall.  They must also be child friendly.   Not sure where to send my finished star to yet, but I've left a message on the Estella Wall blog, and hopefully will receive a message back. Happy crafting!