Cast Your Vote

Thank you to everyone who has shown support and voted for my blog in these awards. When I last looked I was in 2nd position but would really love to win.

The voting finishes at the end of the month so if you haven’t voted yet please can I ask you to now Vote Here :-)

You also get the opportunity to win some Dorset Cereal Goodies too. Since my blog was added to the awards over 60,000 have you have visited my site in October – so every single vote counts.

Thank You.

Baby Developmental Ball

This is a relatively easy ball to make for any new baby. It is hyperbolic but don’t be intimidate by the word. I think this ball is developmental because of the shape, texture, formation and of course, the black and white colour.

Why Black and White? High Contrast Colors are STILL the best. Newborns can see from birth, just not as clearly as an older child or adult. Until your child is about six months of age, he will respond best to bold, contrasting colors and graphics. That’s why it’s important to provide your baby with toys that feature the visual extremes of black, white and red. These high-contrast colors will captivate and hold baby’s attention, encouraging visual development as well as physical activity – like wiggling, kicking, and arm waving.Genius Babies
Materials:
50g white double knitting or worsted yarn
Black dk to do the final round, 5mm hook.
Pattern:
Chain 3 and join with sl st.
Work 5 sc into the ring and join with sl st,
Rnd 1-7 from here onwards work continuously in dbsc round and around. Do not join the rounds with sl st. You may wish to use a stitch marker to count the rounds.
Rnd 8 – single dc into each st
Rnd 9 – work 1 sc, 1 dbsc all around.
Rnd 10 – join the black and work one continuous round in single sc.


If you appreciate my pattern and idea then please consider voting for my little blog The Sunroom
If you are looking for other free crochet patterns then please go to Crochet Pattern Central

Feather & Fan Cowl Knitting Pattern

This cowl is made using the basic feather and fan pattern. Here I worked four rows alternating two different colours.
Materials:
50g of print DK or worsted, 50g plain DK or worsted. Pair of 6.5mm needles, tapestry/darning needle to finish.
Pattern:
c/o 92 stitches
Row 1 - Knit
Row 2 – purl
Row 3 – k1, *k2tog 3 times, yo k1 6 times*, ** rep to last stitch and K1
Row 4 – Knit
These four rows are repeated until the desired length is achieved. Here I completed 28 rows.
Measurements:
6” x 21”
Abbreviations:
c/o – cast on
k - knit
p – purl
K2tog – knit 2 together
yo – yarn over
If you like this pattern I would really appreciate your vote in the Dorset Cereals Little Blog award. Vote for my blog here :-)
If you like this pattern and would like to view other free patterns please visit Knitting Pattern Central

Grumpy Old Women

Chin Up Britain, The Grumpies Fight Back - Yes they're back and they're grumpier than ever!

A brand spanking new show from three of Britain's Top Grumps, including; Jenny "the spleen burster" Eclair- the original grump and star of many grumpy shows including the West End run and the tour of Australia. Wendi "mad dog" Peters - the all singing, all dancing ex Corrie grrrrrrrrump; and finally the Queen of Soap, Stage and taking things back to Marks and Spencers, Ms Susie "the huffer" Blake, (looks like a normal middle aged woman - but scarier). Ninety minutes of advanced Grumping - plus vital tips on getting through these gloomy days the Grumpy way!

Including....Beauty on a budget (using items you might find under the sink), how to be dance appropriate and the joy of fresh air.

Special Offer - for this tour only, the indispensable Grumpy Rumpy Pumpy guide to safe sex (The Grumpy Karma Sutra).

If you haven’t got your tickets yet then you can get them here Grumpy Old Women, although quite a few places are sold out already.

What Do You Want ? Brainstorming -Giveaway

Have you ever the old saying that a ‘watched kettle never boils’ ? Well that was how I’ve felt this week. I’m as sick as all of you with the ‘postal strikes’ and waiting for mail that never arrives.
I’d given up thinking about new yarns and then as if by magic the postman arrived with a box full of goodies for me. This beautiful yarn has come from Yarn Market. Despite the recent postal strikes in the UK this arrived swiftly and in perfect condition. This wool is Caledon Hills and is so snugly, soft and beautiful. I now have quite a dilemma – what will I do with it?
Caledon Hills comes in 72 different shades and two different weights chunky and worsted or double knitting for us in the UK.
Here are my colours :-)

Lavender

Meadow

Goldenrod

Golden Finch

Sweet Pea
So what will I create with it ? I have two embryonic ideas but am enjoying just looking at it and touching it at the moment. The texture is so heavenly. I love the ideas stage.
I want to create a couple of new patterns for all of you. So here is my proposal. Leave me a comment with your idea for a new knitting or crochet pattern and the most original idea/suggestion will win 100g of this lovely yarn. Please note that this is open to anyone worldwide not just the UK. I will create the design and publish it freely for you all to use. I will run this until the 31st October, 2009 and will notify the winner on that date.
Oh and just in case I haven’t nagged you all enough already, about this, please can you vote for my little blog in the Dorset Cereal awards. The Sunroom ‘Vote Here’ and Thank You

How to Crochet an Egg Cosy

Hello Everyone,
I have decided to create a ‘how to’ tutorial to crochet an egg cosy. Thank you to all the people who have voted for me in the Dorset Cereal Little Blog Awards. With just over a week to go I would very much appreciate it if you shy readers, who haven’t voted yet, place your vote here :-)

Materials: Any small amount of double knitting yarn. Here I used red cotton. A 4.5mm crochet hook and a darning needle.
Let us begin.

Ch 3 and join with a slip stitch

Rnd 1:  ch 1, sc four times into the ring. Join with sl st. From this point forward just work in the round continually without any sl st.

Here I have placed stitch marker to know when each round begins. You can get my crochet stitch markers here or you can just use a safety pin.
Rnd 2: now sc twice into each st (10)

Rnd 3: * sc 1 st, dbsc next st,* ** rep to end (15)  

Rnd 4: * sc 1 st, dbsc next st,* ** rep to end (21)
Rnd 5-13: Work single sc into each st. I finished after row 13 but you may wish to continue if you have particularly large eggs. Break off yarn and sew all ends in.

Wednesday Night Project 211009

Well I’m sure that some of you will find inspiration at some of the sites I found this week.
Look at this baby – is it not just superb? Love it, love it, love it.
Telegraph Yarnbombing Article

Last week I posted a picture of this project but didn’t know much about it. A bit of digging around and I found out.
International Fibre Collaborative
The first project of the International Fiber Collaborative was to provide an opportunity for people who enjoyed working with fiber arts, whether professional artists, hobbyists or students, to come together from all over the world to express their concern about the worlds extreme dependency on oil. The project was called the World Reclamation Art Project (W.R.A.P.), otherwise known as the Gas Station Project. Participants crocheted, knitted, stitched, patched, or collaged 3 foot square fiber panels that expressed each participants concern about the topic. Simply by designing and creating these panels and participating in this project, they were expressing their concern about this important subject to all nations. All of the panels were then sewn together to completely cover an abandoned gas station in central New York State.


Just Be Happy blog is a bright, happy and visually pleasing site Just Be Happy
I’m feeling a bit yarn sulky, yarn deprived or something this week. The change of the seasons and the imminent clock changes make everything dark and dull so I needed some bright colours to brighten things up. I found a great fibre competition in the states that would have been perfect but I can’t realistically get all those types of fibres in the UK so will have to skip that. But if your interested you can find it here Third Biennial Fibre Challenge

As we are now, well and truly, into sock season I thought I would point you in this direction.

I came across this site when researching tapestry crochet. I like the blog and the creations are wonderful. Crochet Codex
For lots of Curly Whirlie inspiration try here Curly Whirlies

We are also now, in the UK anyway, firmly in tea cosy season and I found this beauty the other day.

To see more of Sukigirl74 photo go here Sukigirl74 Flickr and visit her blog here SukiGirl74 Blog

Cast on for comfort: Why we're all becoming fans of knitting
Read more: Daily Mail 20-10-2009

Seafarers Charity Crochet Pattern

Here is a quick and easy pattern that can be used to crochet a hat in a very short time.
This hat is worked with chunky yarn.
Once again part of the Loving Hands winter challenge is to knit or crochet hats for seafarers.
Materials: Approx. 45g either DK double up for thickness or chunky yarn. 8mm crochet hook.
Pattern:
ch3, join together with sl st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: ch 2, dc x 9 into the ring, join with sl st
Rnd 2: ch 2, dc into first st, dc twice into each of the remaining st ch, join with sl st
Rnd 3: ch 2, * 1 dc, 2 dc into next st*, Repeat to end, join with sl st
Rnd 4:  ch 2, * 1 dc, 2 dc into next st*, Repeat to end, join with sl st
Rnd 5: ch 2, 1 dc into each st, join with sl st.
Repeat Rnd 5 until desired length is reached. You can add additional rows if you want the hat to have a turn up. Here I did Rnd 4 five times.

This hat is worked in 2 strands of DK worked together for thickness.

This hat is worked in 1 strand dk and with a lot more rows.

UK Hand Knitting Council

UK Hand Knitting
I’m delighted to let you all know that my recent ‘Crocheted Sunroom Spiral Scarf’ has now been added to the councils website.
The UK Hand Knitting Association, (formerly The British Hand Knitting Confederation) was formed in 1991 when the Hand Knitting Association (HKA) merged with the British Hand Knitting Association (BHKA). The BHKC's main aim was to raise the profile of hand knitting. It did this through 'Learn to Knit' classes held throughout the UK, 'Relax and Knit' stands at all the main Knitting and Sewing shows and by the introduction of National Competitions showcased at the Knitting and Sewing shows.
This free pattern was also featured as pattern of the day yesterday, 16-10-2009, at The Daily Crocheter.

Loving Hands Cellular Baby Blanket –Charity Crochet Pattern

Here is a quick and easy crochet pattern for a cellular baby blanket.
 
Measurements: 18” x 18”
Materials: 5.5mm hook, Double Knitting Yarn, 75g
Tension/Gauge: 6 sts (ch) 1 “ x 2 rows (dc) 1.5”
Cellular construction for greater insulation and breathability. This basic pattern could be scaled up to use as a pram blanket, cot blanket or a lap rug.
Pattern
Ch 81,
dc into 3rd chain from hook, *ch 1, dc 1*, ** rep to end, turn.
Repeat these rows until required length is achieved. Here I worked 31 rows.
Sew all ends in.
The blanket doesn’t require an edging but here I used a simple scallop edging.
5 dc into one of the cellular holes, sc into the top of the next dc, repeat all the way around.

The Sunroom © 2009 - designed and produced for Loving Hands Charity Knitters Group
You may freely use this pattern and distribute amongst other charity knitters. To reproduce in anyway please credit both the author & Loving Hands
http://www.goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/
http://www.lovinghands.org.uk/

Crochet Remembrance Poppy

 
A small amount of red wool is required, here I used a double knitting cotton mix and a 4.5mm crochet hook. I also used a small fabric covered black button.
Pattern
Ch 3, join with sl st to form circle.
Ch 3, work 9 dc into the centre of the circle and join with sl st.
Work the three petals separately.
Petal 1.
Ch 3, work 1st dc into same st, work 2 dc into each of the next 3 sts.
ch 1 work 2 sc into each st, tie off.
Petal 2.
work 2 dc into last dc of previous petal, work 2 dc into each of the next 3 sts.
ch 1 work 2 sc into each st, tie off.
Work petal 3 as 2.
Sew all ends in and attach button in the centre.


If you decide to make your own crochet Poppy please consider giving a donation to the poppy appeal.  You can do this in most shops etc where there is a collection tin. Alternatively you can visit the poppy appeal website and donate online.
Donate to the Poppy Appeal
There is also an opportunity to dedicate a poppy online, you choose your message and this will be written onto a special Flanders poppy and be planted at the Menin Gate on your behalf. This needs to be done by the 4th November, 2009
Dedicate A Poppy

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The Great War 1914-1918

The Wednesday Night Project

Welcome to my new regular Wednesday evening blog.
We’ve all heard of ‘something for the weekend’ and ‘The Friday Night Project’. Well this is The Sunrooms’ version, of that concept, especially compiled for obsessive crafters everywhere. The intention here is for you to get your inspiration ‘mid week’ so that you can plan your crafty weekend in advance.
The blogs and/or sites compiled here will be completely at at my own discretion and recommendation and will never be influenced by any incentive other than ‘I enjoyed that particular blog at that moment in time’. If you have arrived here then your interests will no doubt, I suspect, be similar to mine.
Feel free to recommend a blog or even your own blog and time permitting I will visit. I will try to let blog owners know in advance so that they can utilise any additional traffic. I hope that you all enjoy new inspiration and ideas every week and that you find new crafters and bloggers to follow.
URL suggestions to thesunroomuk@googlemail.com
Please feel free to copy and paste the Wednesday Night Project button into your blog. Click on the buttons at the foot of this page and follow the instructions on how to complete this.
Handmade By Mother

This site is so fascinating if you are into any type of knitting or crochet ‘Vintage’ style. I’m so pleased this lady is OCD about her blog and her interest in these patterns. Excellent.
After spending a few frustrating moments trying to teach a small person how to crochet this week, with bitten lip and very little patience. I realised it’s important to celebrate everyone’s attempts at craft.
The Friendship Scarf

Here’s another link to a site I came across and just found it interesting.
Urban Knit

Another interesting and inspiring site that caught my eye.

Crafts of Texture
Here I found some intriguing artwork too.

Trashy Princess
I really liked some of the images and textiles at this blog.
Take a look at Petal Textiles

This week Little Lou debates collecting over hoarding. I loved the Russian dolls.

Little Lou's Knits & Nags
I hope that you all find something interesting and of course inspiring here. I’m in a bit of a rush as ever to get this posted before midnight – i.e. Thursday.
So enjoy.

Crochet Inspiration

How inspirational is this ?

Things That Inspire Me

Loving Hands Body Warmer Charity Pattern

This body warmer is crocheted in one piece and then sewn together at the shoulders. Here I have used double crochet stitch but you could use either single crochet or treble crochet. The pattern works up quickly and I’m told the final garment is indeed very warm.
I have designed this body warmer to be bigger around the front as I’m told most men are bigger at the front. If you want the warmer to be equally sized I would reduce the left & right front by 1 or 2 rows. This warmer measure 44” chest.
Materials:
5.5mm, any DK yarn here I used Wendy Fusion in shades of Chilli Pepper, Turmeric and Mace.
Tension/Gauge:
5 sts & 2 rows measures 2” x 1.5”
Pattern:
Ch 45 (+2 for turning)
Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook and across all ch
Row 2: ch2, dc into 2nd st and all across to end.
Row 3: ch 2, dc into 2nd stand all sts to last st, work 2 dc into final st
Row 4: Ch 2, 2 dc into 1st st, dc all sts.
Row 5: As row 3
Row 6: As row 4
Continue working these 2 rows and increasing at neck edge until 11 rows are complete.
Row 12-14 Work straight dc
Row 15: work 35 dc and turn (armhole shaping)
Row 16 – 18 work straight dc
Row 19: work straight dc and ch 19ch at end of row
Row 20: turn and dc into 2nd chain from hook and dc across all sts.
Row 21 – 23 straight dc
Row 24: dec 1 st at neck edge, dc to end.
Row 25: dec 1 st at neck edge, dc to end.
Row 26: dec 1 st at neck edge, dc to end.
Row 27 & 28 straight dc
You are now half way through and the pattern is now just reversed.
Row 29 & 30 straight dc
Row 31: inc 1 st at neck edge, dc to end
Row 32: inc 1 st at neck edge, dc to end
Row 33: inc 1 st at neck edge, dc to end
Row 34-35: straight dc
Row 36: work 35dc and turn (armhole shaping)
Row 37 - 40 work straight dc
Row 41:  work straight dc and ch 19ch at end of row
Row 42-44: Work straight dc
Row 45: dc 1 st at neck edge, dc all across
Row 46: dc 1 st at neck edge, dc all across
Row 47: dc 1 st at neck edge, dc all across
Row 48: dc 1 st at neck edge, dc all across
Row 49: dc 1 st at neck edge, dc all across
Row 50: dc 1 st at neck edge, dc all across
Row 51: dc 1 st at neck edge, dc all across
Row 52: dc 1 st at neck edge, dc all across
Row 53: dc 1 st at neck edge, dc all across
Row 54: dc 1 st at neck edge, dc all across
Finishing: I went around the whole warmer using black yarn and SC but that isn’t required. Sew in all loose ends.
If you are looking for further free crochet or knitting patterns please be sure to go to Crochet Pattern Central and Knitting Pattern Central
The Sunroom © 2009 - designed and produced for Loving Hands Charity Knitters Group
You may freely use this pattern and distribute amongst other charity knitters. To reproduce in anyway please credit both the author & Loving Hands
http://www.goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/
http://www.lovinghands.org.uk/

Loving Hands Crochet Baby Shoes Charity Pattern

This is a relatively quick and easy pattern to crochet baby shoes. All you need is a hook 4.5mm and a small quantity of DK wool. I know these look odd but they are crocheted with camouflage wool :-)
Sole
Ch 10
Rnd 1: 2 dc into 3rd ch from the hook, dc into the next 6 ch, 4 dc into final ch. Working on the other side of the ch dc into each chain until last ch, 2 dc into final stitch, join with sl st.
Rnd 2: ch 3, dc into same st, dc twice into next 2 sts, dc in each of the next 6sts, dc twice into next 5 sts, dc into each of the next 6 sts, dc twice in next stitch and then dc 3 times in final st and join with sl st.
Rnd 3: ch 1 sc into same st, sc twice into next 3 sts, sc into next 9 sts, sc twice in next 6 sts, sc into each of the next 9 sts, sc twice into next 6 st, join with sl st.
Side/Top of Shoe
Work into back loop throughout.
Rnd: 4: ch 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc1, sk 1, sc into next 9 sts, sc 1, sk 1 8 times, sc into next 9 sts, sc 1, sk 1 to end join with sl st.
Rnd 5: ch 1, sc 1, sk 1 twice, sc next 7 sts, sc 1, sk 1 5 times, sc next 7 sts, sc1, sk 1 to end join with sl st.
Strap
Join yarn where you feel appropriate and chain 8 and join at the opposite side. Work back across the ch in sc. Fasten off and sew all ends in.
Abbreviations:
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
sk – skip 1 stitch
sl st – slip stitch
st/s – stitch/stitches

The Sunroom © 2009 - designed and produced for Loving Hands Charity Knitters Group
You may freely use this pattern and distribute amongst other charity knitters. To reproduce in anyway please credit both the author & Loving Hands
http://www.goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/
http://www.lovinghands.org.uk/

Loving Hands Preemie Ripple Blanket Charity Pattern

Materials: 5.00mm crochet hook, 60g of double knitting yarn in 1 or more colours
Measurements: 18” x 14” approx.
Chain 54 + (2 for turning)
Row 1 - 1 dc into 3rd chain from hook
1 dc into each of next 4 chs
dc2tog
dc2tog
1 dc into each of next 4 chs
*2dc into next ch
2 dc into next ch
1dc into each of next 4 chs
dc2tog
dc2tog
1 dc into each of next 4 chs*
Repeat between ** ending last rep with 2 dc into last ch, turn.
Row 2 - ch3, 1 dc into same stitch,
1dc into each of next 4 chs
dc2tog
dc2tog
1 dc into each of next 4 chs
*2dc into next ch
2 dc into next ch
1dc into each of next 4 chs
dc2tog
dc2tog
1 dc into each of next 4 chs*
Repeat between ** ending last rep with 2 dc into the top chain of the chain-3 from previous row.
Repeat these 2 rows until 22 rows completed. Sew all ends neatly in.

If you are looking for further free crochet or knitting patterns please be sure to go to Crochet Pattern Central and Knitting Pattern Central

The Sunroom © 2009 - designed and produced for Loving Hands Charity Knitters Group
You may freely use this pattern and distribute amongst other charity knitters. To reproduce in anyway please credit both the author & Loving Hands
http://www.goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/
http://www.lovinghands.org.uk/