Goodbye 2014

As the year 2014 is drawing to a close I have decided that instead of getting 'rid o auld years dirt' and running around like a headless chicken, I'm taking a much more gentle approach (or lazy depending how you look at it) and I am having a wee bit time to myself to reflect back on the year - it has been a belter and probably one of the most transformative yet! But before I get all gushy here is a snapshot of some of the wonderful things I had such joy in creating; 

Love! And lots of it! 

Hearts - teeny wee and lots of them!

Monsters - the cutest & friendliest!

And the wonderful elephants

Rainbows - lots of them and I discovered that I couldn't be sad and work with these colours at the same time - they lifted me EACH AND EVERY TIME!

Pretty hanging things - sweet and delicate

Playtime - just about anytime really

And... ahem... more playtime...

So here's the reflective and gushy bit but oh so real bit straight from the heart! It has been such a fun year filled with crochet that was so unexpected and just like really???!!! I'm still pinching myself when I think how much has changed not even this last year but maybe only 7 or 8 months! I cannot believe the wonderful people I have met, the stories we all have and the community that spreads far greater than just outside our own front doors. There is so much GOOD and LOVE out there! I have so many new friendships and yes they are friendships even across the miles without having ever met face to face - believe me! And the support I have felt from those already friends that have accepted and encouraged me to be me, I can't really truly put in to words how much gratitude and love I have for you. You've all had a part in the creating of the above. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The year is almost gone and I don't know what 2015 will bring but I know I'm heading in to it with a heart opened wider than it has been for some time and my wish is that you all are too. See you next year xxx

Much love

Charlene x

The Christmas Stocking

So one of my most favourite things about Christmas is setting the table. I love to play about with ideas in my head for the weeks leading up to Christmas although mostly it's just a re-juggle of things that I have used in the past with a few slight changes and twists. It's so satisfying to put the effort, energy and love into creating a welcoming table that is a feast for the eyes. 

This year I have chosen some cotton yarn to co-ordinate with what I already have and made some name place mini Christmas stockings (mouthful I know but what else could I call them really?) 

I plan to stuff each persons stocking with a mint and a teeny little written note with 3 things that is special about them - not done that part yet but I know it's going to be just as much fun! The stockings can then be taken home and hung on the tree to be used year after year. 

As well as being useful for the table they can just be made to hang on a twiggy tree, Christmas tree or garland like the rainbow one below

If you'd like to make your own mini stockings here is how I made mine;

I used Rico essentials cotton DK in Hay and Natural with 3.5mm hook for the one shown in sample below. 

Other than where stated, crochet in a continuos spiral (amigurumi). Terms used are UK terms 

Begin with a magic ring or 'sloppy slip knot'

Chain 2

Round 1: in 2nd chain from hook double crochet (dc) x 5

Round 2: dc twice in each stitch (10)

Round 3: dc twice in each stitch (20) 

Should look like photo below

Round 4-10: dc in each stitch (7 rounds)

We are now going to work back and forth to create the heal part of stocking 

Round 11: dc in next 10 stitches, turn

Round 12-15: chain 1 (does not count as stitch, dc into stitch at bottom of chain, dc in next 9 stitches (4 rows)

It should now look like this;

Fasten off and flatten work placing two edges together of the rows just worked like photo below and use yarn tail to sew outer edge of heal together

Round 16: Now we return to working in continuos rounds. Rejoin yarn at edge of one side of heal and evenly work 5 dc along. Continue to work dc into next 10 stitches from round 10 and then 5 dc evenly into other side of heal. You should now have a round of 20 dc's 

Round 17-29: dc in each stitch (13 rounds)

Round 30: chain 15, slip stitch into dc at bottom of chain and fasten off to create hanging loop. 

Now to make the top part of the stocking join contrasting yarn in stitch next to hanging loop

Round 31: chain 3 (counts as first treble), treble (tr) in next stitch and each stitch around, slip stitch into 3rd chain at beginning of round

Round 32-33:  chain 3, tr in each stitch around, slip stitch in 3rd chain from beginning 3 chain, fasten off and weave in end

Fold down the top of the stocking and decorate with whatever you like, buttons, bows, embroidery. 

Woohoo! A mini Christmas stocking is born!!! 

For the name tag I cut out a small gift tag shape from some thin brown card and added the name and some twine. 

 

And there you have it!! A place name mini Christmas stocking ta-Dah 

I hope you like them and give them a try and if you do I'd absolutely love to hear about it. 

Merry Christmas 

Love from

Charlene xx