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

Easter

Here at the Fariyglade, Easter is underway despite the dire weather we have been having. Torrential rain and cold winds have been the norm for the past few days, but then what did we expect on a Bank Holiday weekend!

Today is still very cold and blustery, but there is blue sky and sunshine. We have a wonderful show of daffodillys swaying and bouncing about in the breeze. Last week, they sat there miserable, heads bowed, buds tightly closed. Today they are out in all their glory.

There has been some Easter craftiness spurred on by the Boos, a bag of polystyrene shapes and some pretty cotton fabric. The Littlest Fairy and I spent a pleasant couple of hours snippety snipping and glueing and generally making lots of mess. We watered down some pva glue and coated both the shape and the material. The glue dries clear a makes it hard and durable. what do you think?

Not only has there been Easter crafts, but doggy stuff too. Remember my trip to the charity shop and the newly washed, snuggly fleece, well it's time to meet Tilly...

Douglas is smitten by her and is resisting attempts to rehome him with the little boy he was made for.

There is another item in the making, but I am going to keep it under wraps for a little while yet. I have only just cast on a few stitches and knitted a couple of rows, but the Snowflake wool is gorgeous and soft.

I am hoping for better weather tomorrow, fingers crossed. As I type this now the rain is pouring down yet again. Where is it all coming from I wonder? In the meantime, I wish you all a lovely Easter day enjoy yourselves, relax and stuff yourself with as many easter eggs as you can!

H A P P Y E A S T E R T O Y O U A L L

Bye Dev xx

Signs of Spring

The Signs of Spring
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Daffodils dancing in the sun

Washing billowing on the line

Mist, ephemeral rising from the fields

Green blush of new crops

Dawn chorus at 5 am

Heady scent of hyacinths

Yellow buds of forsythia

Sunlight revealing cobwebs on ceilings

Easter eggs and flower posies

New life, lambs gambolling

Gnats dancing in the sunlight

Birds squabbling over the best twigs

Open windows letting in the smell of cut grass

Willow catkins

Anticipation

A sense of purpose

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Easter is fast approaching the Fairyglade and twigs have been gathered, rabbits and chicks dusted off, delicate glass baubles unwrapped and yummy Easter eggs hidden away from view to avoid having to buy them all over again. How many eggs have you had to replace so far? Go on be honest....

I am almost as fond of my Easter decorations as I am of my Christmas ones, and slowly I have added to the collection. A chance visit to a charity shop last week resulted in these pretties...so sweet.

And what is that peeping through from behind I hear you ask? Yes it is a CK mug. Now you might think that this is nothing to get excited about, but, for me, finding CK anywhere in my area is as exciting as it gets! This was purchased in Waitrose of all places, why did no one tell me!!! They have the strawberry version and the blue and the red dotty versions too.

What do you think of the above pictures, I think they are great fun. Check out this site and see what you can create. The black and white drawings are particularly good.

Dev X

WIP and Nancy

I would like to introduce you to......Nancy. She came wrapped in pretty pink tissue paper, inside a pretty pink envelope.

She is dainty and delicate and ever so sweet.


Who could not love a face like hers?


Has anyone else bought one of these lovelies, if not why not? They are available on and off from here.

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Now then as regards WIP's...there has been a flurry of activity in the Fairyglade over the past few days. With Easter fast approaching and several people to treat to goodies, I have made a concerted effort to get into gear and make a start on some gifts.

What do you think of these pretties? Aren't they cute..?

Now rabbits are a big favourite in this house and these tiny little creatures are almost certain not to get past the front door if the littlest fairy has anything to do with it. So between you and me, there are a couple of others in the making, in secret.

It was the strangest thing actually. I had first seen them on here, and there was much oohing and aahing and holding of breath at the promise of a forthcoming tutorial..with me so far? Well, whilst waiting, I had occassion to pick up my hook to make another granny square. I made the central wheel as I call it and then went in to make my first corner. The first 3 double crochets were made and then....looking closely...holding my breath, what should I see but the beginnings of a small purple bunny head and body...uncanny! I waited until the tutorial was posted, and hey presto, similar instructions...same result. These little ones are still waiting a nose, I have run out of brown beads, but aren't they just the cutest, cutest, cute things!

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With bags being my "one weakness", I decided to have ago at making one in this really pretty cotton which was originally a child's summer dress. The polka dot lining was another dress. I picked them both up at the local jumble sale for the princely sum of 40p.

I still have a way to go yet, but I think it will be just right as a small sewing bag for scissors, needles and pins etc.

And lastly, I couldn't go without showing you my Granny quilt. This too, still has a way to go, but it is coming along nicely, and it is one of those things that is so easy to come back too as and when. I am loving the colours.

Dev X

The Letter D

Hi there saw this on Sian's blog and thought it was a bit of fun to do whilst sipping your morning coffee.

Rules: Use the first letter of your name to answer each question. They have to be real places, names etc. Try to use different answers if you have the same initial as someone who has already done this. You cannot use you own name for the boy/girl question.

1. What is your name? Devina

2. A four letter word? Dewy

3. A boy's name? David

4. A girl's name? Dawn

5. An occupation? Dentist

6. A colour? Dusky pink

7. Something you wear? Dress

8. A beverage? Drambuie

9. A food? Doughnuts

10. Something found in the bathroom? Damp towels

11. A place? Dover

12. Something you shout? "Dinner's ready"

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Easter is on it's way, twigs are being gathered, chicks are appearing, rabbits are multiplying and eggy decorations are being dusted off. But more about that another day soon.

Dev X