Hyacinth Cuff

Hi, my lovely readers,

I've got a mid-week day off!  What a treat...  After working a lot of overtime lately I've got some time back.  I feel quite odd, and a little bit naughty, as if I really should be somewhere else.   And JOY of JOYS, the sun is shining!!!  So a meander into town was in order, and I was delighted to find the hyacinths back in the supermarket.

I just adore hyacinths.  One of my earliest memories of primary school was of a large, fragrant bowl of hyacinths in the classroom; the smell takes me back there now...  I get them every year, but I've never obtained a pretty planter to put them in.  Wherever I've bought my hyacinths, they are always in the same shaped plantpot; wide enough to take 3 bulbs, but just a tad squat!  And I've never seen a planter to suit (not that I've done much looking!).

So with a gorgeous, bright, work-free day, perfect for taking photographs, in front of me I thought I'd prettify my latest pot and share my pattern with you guys.

I thought a plant cuff would be quite a good idea; made in cotton it can just sit around the outside of the pot, leaving the bottom bare for watering mishaps!  And being washable I can bring it out year after year.  AND being quite natural and plain it lends itself perfectly to being made-over every year with a different coloured ribbon, or applique, or buttons, or crocheted flowers.........  I could go on and on!  So, if you are interested, read on...............

Hyacinth Cuff

I NOW HAVE A NEW WEBSITE, AND THIS PATTERN CAN BE FOUND AT -

http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/hyacinth-cuff/

These would make a very special, but very inexpensive gift; I think I may just be making some more!

Happy crocheting everyone!

Karen
xx

Just because...

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the great response from my last post, and when I have a bit more time I will start to publish some of the patterns I featured.  It's a bit full on at work at the moment, but I really want to make the effort to post more regularly, and so I thought I would just pop by and share with you what has inspired me this weekend.

I bought the fabric charm pack above recently to try my hand at some quilting, and Saturday morning saw me laying all of the squares out and admiring the gorgeous colours.  I loooooooooooooove pink, red and aqua, and have been lusting after some of the wonderful fabrics available online at the moment for ages. (Living in the back of beyond as I do, I'm afraid I don't have the luxury of having lots of wonderful fabric, or yarn, shops around, so I have to buy online) I saw this charm pack on folksy and thought it perfect; back at home I'm slightly disappointed that the aqua is slightly more green than I would have liked, and so I've decided to put off my quilting for now until I have bought some more fabric (any excuse!!)  So, sewing out of the window, what's a girl to do but see if she has the right colours in yarn....  and what do you know.....

I just couldn't help myself.

Bright little girly grannies appeared as if by magic...

These are loosely based on the Summer Garden Granny Square from Attic 24, but as ever I had to do it my way and changed a couple of things...  If you would like to magic up some of your own here is the pattern...

I used a 4.5 mm hook, dk yarn, american crochet terms.  Standard abbreviations and at the start of every row the 1st dc is worked with a chain 3.

To start, ch 5 (counts as 1st dc & ch 1);  (dc 1, ch 1) 7 times into the 5th chain from hook. [So you have 8 dcs each separated by a ch 1].  Join to top of 3rd starting chain with a sl st.  Fasten off.

Now into each space work 3 dc, ch 1.  Join with a sl st and fasten off.

For the final round work * (dc 3, ch 2, dc 3) in space, ch 1, (3 hdc) in space, ch 1; repeat from * 3 times more.  Join with a sl st and fasten off.

I'm making them just because...  but if I make enough I may use them for a small/baby blanket to sell in my shop.

Enjoy.............  by the way, I love these cushions I picked up in dunelm mills...

I went in to buy just plain square cushion inserts, but these were on special offer and with 5 cushions for £10 they were cheaper than just buying cushion pads... result!

I hope you all have a wonderful week :-)

Happy crocheting

Karen
xx