Frank and Josie's House

For past years I've tried making everyone happy and last year I made pyjamas, Christmas stockings, a big blanket, an advent calendar- the list goes on. This year I thought I'd focus on a couple of items and chose to focus on the kids. Mermaid tails My daughter had requested mermaid tails for some of her dolls and was very specific as to what she wanted: a blue crocheted tail for Rapunzel, a green sewn tail for Arial and a gold sewn tail for Snow White. "Well at least she knows her own mind", I thought. For the sewn tails I went simple and cut out the mermaid tail shapes, sewed them wrong sides together, created a small folded over waistband and placed a piece of small elastic to secure it. They were a little tight but worked although I did swear at Snow White for having fat hips (something greatly unjustified). But I had success. Then on to the crocheted tail. For this I had decided to create a scale effect by using a shell shape. I started from the stomach and worked...

Last year I created an advent calendar for my children. It was made up using small amounts of Christmas fabric with simple patch pockets on a larger background. This was my way of giving the kids whatever treats I wanted to over advent. I was brought up in a household that wasn't allowed chocolate advent calendars so we always had ones with pictures. This has been passed on to my kids by my parents and they love it. It keeps Christmas about the magic rather than over-eating and consumerism. In this vein I wanted to make the calender as colourful and Christmas-like as possible. [caption id="attachment_125" align="aligncenter" width="343" class=" "] The first advent calender[/caption] I was new to sewing so kept the first one simple using only patch pockets rather than anything more complex, making sure there was an extra special, larger pocket for Christmas eve. My brother-in-law saw it and asked for one for his daughter and my sister followe...

I'm going to get straight to the point -  I love this book. It was given to me for Christmas 2013 by the same sister who gave me the crochet bug, I think because she saw how I was struggling with making my own patterns and thought I needed a little guidance. How right she was! Sue Whiting has set out the book beautifully. The diagrams are clear and the photographs of finished projects help immensely. This book taught me how to read patterns and symbols, use the right yarn for the right project and have faith in my ability. Whiting starts of by explaining the very basics of the crochet craft: hook size, the different yarns available, basic techniques and stitches. From page 15 she inspires the reader to make a cardigan using simple stitches which I initially thought was mad, but having read further I understand why as she has simply given you what you need from the off. The diagrams are used to great effect, taking you step-by-step through everything from double crochet to bobbles a...

How exciting to be here. To think just over eighteen months ago I first picked up a crochet hook and wow! did that learning curve go through the roof. It's all my sister's fault I'm here. She said she thought I'd  like crochet and little did she know the monster she would create. I am now obsessed with crochet. As I examine everything crochet I have found my appreciation has changed from "Oh that's pretty!" to "How did they make that?" It's everywhere from Bond girl hats to baby blankets. I've learnt a lot in eighteen months. I've advanced from knowing three stitches to suddenly understanding the criptic language of codes and symbols. (What the hell does dc2tog mean?!) But it's not all crochet. My mum introduced me to sewing shortly before crochet took over my world (yes, my learning curve in 2013 went through the roof). Suddenly I find myself in a crafters world and I like it here, I think I'll stay. I'm pleased with my c...