Friday, 30 March 2012

Bunny Giveaway





Congratulations to Tracey who has won the Bunny Garland, let me know your address when you have a minute or two. 


 I will also be sending another garland to one of you as a surprise gift.


Devx

Friday, 23 March 2012

Bunny Tutorial and Giveaway


So ladies with Easter just around the corner, I had a mind to make a pretty spring bunny garland to hang in the kitchen on the mantle shelf.  Way back I made some of these tiny little bunnies as card toppers and brooches but decided that I needed something bigger for a garland.  I had a play and this is what I came up with.  Nothing too taxing and they can be made in a matter of minutes..honest they work up really quickly.  So would you like to have a go yourself...if so, then here we go....




 I would just like to say before we get started that I have never written up a tutorial before and it is quite strange to write down something that you do almost without thinking.  I used a 4.5 crochet hook and DK wool, mostly Stylecraft.  They use very little wool so are ideal for all your little scrap balls.


I start by making a slip ring/ magic ring, there are examples of how to do this in most crochet books and I expect there is a Youtube video out there as well.  Into the circle chain 3, this counts as your first treble.   





Make another 11 trebles and then close with a slip stitch in the third chain of the first treble.  You now have 12 trebles altogether.




Then pull the circle tight to close the hole in the centre.


Make 3 chains, this counts as your first treble, and then make another treble into the stitch directly below.  


You now have 2 trebles in one stitch


Repeat all the way round the circle and then join with a slip stitch in third chain of first treble. as on previous round.

Make 3 chains, this counts as your first treble, then make another treble into the stitch directly below


Make 2 trebles in each of the next 2 stitches.  You now have 3 clumps of 2 trebles.




Now turn the work to the back and make a chain of 12 stitches.  


 


Insert the hook into the middle of the next treble...wind wool around the hook and pull through with a slip stitch.




Make a further chain of 12 stitches and repeat again between the next set of trebles, pull through with a slip stitch.



You now have 2 ears.  Cut wool leaving a bit of a tail.  Secure and then using a darning needle weave in the end pulling the head together ever so slightly to make it appear more rounded.  Also secure middle to keep hole tight closed.





Turn work back to the front.  You now have the body of one cute little bunny.



As for the bobtail, (isn't that a brilliant word)!!  Using a 3.5 crochet hook this time with an alternative colour wool, make another slip ring/ magic ring.



Do 12 single crochets into the circle.




Join together with a slip stitch into the first stitch.



Draw the circle together as before and secure.  You can then glue or sew into position.  I embellished my little bobs with a pearl bead and another pink one for it's eye.  You can also use buttons or whatever you have to hand.


I then used the 4.5 crochet hook to make a chain to the required length and then threaded the bunnies on through their ears.  Space evenly and stand back and admire.


I hope all of this makes sense, if not drop me a line and I will try and help.




I am offering a garland as a GIVEAWAY if any one would like one.  All you have to do is leave me a comment.  Simples..... I will choose a winner on Thurs 29 in time for posting on Friday morning.  Good luck.

DEV x

Monday, 12 March 2012

Calmer

We have had wonderful sunshine for the last couple of days and it has been warm enough at times to sit outside and feel the sun on my face, admire the blue skies and watch the daffodils dancing in the breeze.  I have hung out washing and brought it in dry instead of the house smelling like a laundry.  There is something so lovely about clothes dried outside in the sunshine.


I have been crocheting and knitting away....simple things that don't tax my brain...easy to complete and soothing to create.  Things that have given me a real boost and make me smile every time I look at them.  Little gems of happy colour and design.


This teapot will be a leaving present for a very dear friend who is moving away.  I couldn't seem to a get a decent picture because of the strong light but you get the idea.





 A couple of these will be a birthday present for another friend...I think so anyway...but not sure that I can bear to part with them.....I love them so much.....oh bother!



And these little pots make me smile over and over.....just double crochet stitches round and round and round...so soothing to make and so gorgeous when finished.



Things are a little calmer here now I have got used to the idea that my job has disappeared.  There are very limited possibilities within the company...another application is pending...fingers crossed...in fact, what the heck, cross everything!!


Dev x