Heidi Hedgehog

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Meet Heidi Hedgehog. A very stylish and friendly hedgehog, and unbelievably cute.

Several months ago I had been given some James C Brett Vixen yarn - I had no idea when I would ever use it. Then it came to me, this is destined to become a hedgehog or two.

Apparently the yarn is discontinued but it is an eyelash yarn - whatever that means. Originally I had planned on a small, fit-in-the-palm-of-your-hand, made-in-no-time hedgehog. However, the yarn was rather overwhelming for the little chap, so she got bigger. She's now about 5 1/2 inches in length - life size!

I was so pleased with the end result that I have copied the pattern here, so anyone can make a cute friend for themselves.

The pattern now has also been translated into Danish by Charlotte.  You can find her translation on her blog, here.

HEDGEHOG PATTERN

Yarn – Double knitting oddments in beige and black. Eyelash (or novelty fur) yarn – I used James C Brett Vixen (about ¾ of a 60 metre ball used).
Hook – 3 mm and 4 mm.
Notions – toy stuffing.

PATTERN (English terms used)

English dc = US sc

Finished size – approximately 14 cm (5½ inches) in length.

Body
With beige and 3 mm hook make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc (remember this is the equivalent of US sc) into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch,, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 2 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (9 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

4th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 2 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

5th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc] 6 times, 1 dc into next 3 dc. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

6th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 6 times, 1 dc into next 3 dc. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc).

7th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

8th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 3 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (30 dc).

9th- 14th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

Break off beige DK yarn and join in eyelash yarn. Change to 4 mm hook.

15th round: turn (the rest of the body is worked inside-out so that the hedgehog ‘spines’ stick out), 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

16th – 20th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

21st round: 1 ch, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)
22nd – 24th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

25th round: 1 ch, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc).

26th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

27th round: 1 ch, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 1 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

Insert stuffing at this point.

28th round: 1 ch, [2 dctog,] around, until opening is closed. Fasten off.

Using black DK, embroider face.

A nice and easy pattern, and who can resist?

Taking Stock

Now that Veronica is finished and the pattern published I need to sit back and take stock. It's lovely when your pattern is appreciated - I have had many really complimentary comments on Ravelry already. It certainly makes me eager to work on new designs. I own some old needlewoman magazines that belonged to my Gran, dating back to the forties and fifties. These are full of inspirational ideas - so I need to get knitting up some swatches.

In the meantime, my hands will not stay idle. I am about 60% of the way through Ravenscar and should get this finished by early next week at the latest. I think this will prove to be a very wearable, throw-on-anytime cardi.

I am also knitting a balaclava for Chris for his birthday. He won't wear it but his mum is always saying about how he wore a balaclava when he was little - we all had a laugh at the thought of him. So we decided it would be fun to give him a surprise for his birthday. The pattern is a very basic 2x2 rib so it's a bit boring. Should have it finished by the end of the week.

I haven't knitted any more of Glint since I cast on a few weeks ago. I'm probably going to frog what I've done so far and reknit the wool as the gorgeous double breasted jacket from Debbie Bliss's latest magazine.

I may start this later in the week depending on how Ravenscar is going. It's nice to get things finished but even better to start new projects. I always like the option of several projects at once so I can knit or crochet depending on how I'm feeling.

My newest project is definitely a pick-me-up and put-me-down project. It's Rona from the latest Rowan magazine. A colourful crocheted jacket made from square motifs.

I've made 8 squares so far but should get quite a few more done tonight.

This means that if I get Ravenscar and the balaclava finished in the next week or so, I'll only have two projects on the go. So I've been looking at Kim Hargreaves's patterns and I think I'll have a go at Paisley - a chunky jacket - lots of texture and nice and snug for the winter.

I usually prefer to knit in DK or 4ply so this will be something different. Maybe I'll pop into the wool shop on Saturday when I'm in Liverpool.

And of course there are always amigurumi animals to be crocheted - I saw some cute hedgehogs the other day on Ravelry - I'm sure I could fit some of them in around the housework!

Veronica Pattern

PDF version
Veronica is a vintage-style tee incorporating beads, basic fairisle and texture. It is knitted in 4ply and is very versatile and feminine.


To fit sizes small (medium, large)
Knitted sizes
Bust 88(96, 110)cm / 35(38, 43)inches
Length to shoulder 52(53, 56)cm / 20(21, 22)inches
Sleeve seam 11cm / 4 inches

Materials
6(7, 8) balls of Rowan pure wool 4 ply (ms)
1 ball of Rowan pure wool 4 ply in contrasting colour (cs)
I used clay and raspberry (160m / 174yds per ball)
400(500, 600) beads
3mm (US 2½) straight needles

Tension
29 sts and 38 rows to 10cm (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch using 3mm needles.

Abbreviations
k = knit
p = purl
sts = stitches
tog = together
tbl = through back of loops
psso = pass the slipped stitch over
yon =yarn over needle
ms = main shade
cs = contrast shade
pb = place bead
RS = right side

Bells pattern
Row 1. P3 (K5, P3) to end
Row 2. K3 (P5, K3) to end
Row 3. as row 1
Row 4. as row 2
Row 5. P3 (K2tog tbl, K1, K2tog) to end
Row 6. K3 (P3, K3) to end
Row 7. P3 (K3, P3) to end
Row 8. as row 6
Row 9. P3 (sl1, K2tog, psso, P3) to end
Row 10. purl
Row 11. purl

Eyelet section
Row 1. purl
Row 2. knit
Row 3. purl
Row 4. eyelet row. (K2, K2tog, yon) to last 3 sts, K3
Row 5. purl
Row 6. knit
Row 7. purl
Row 8. purl

Fairisle section
Row 1. purl
Row 2. knit
Row 3. purl
Row 4. fairisle row. K3 in ms (K1 in cs, K3 in ms) to end
Row 5. purl
Row 6. knit
Row 7. purl
Row 8. purl

Beaded section
Row 1. purl
Row 2. knit
Row 3. purl
Row 4. beaded row. K3 (pb, K3) to end
Row 5. purl
Row 6. knit
Row 7. purl
Row 8. purl
BACK
Using 3mm needles and cs, cast on 243(264, 307) sts. Break off cs and join in ms. Complete 11 rows of bells pattern. 123(135, 155) sts.

Work 8 rows of eyelet section,
8 rows of fairisle section,
8 rows of beaded section
8 rows of fairisle section.

These 32 rows form pattern. The eyelets, fairisle dots and beads should all line up vertically.
Keeping pattern correct make the following decreases.
Decrease at each end of 2nd (6th, 10th) row and 3 following 4th rows. 115(127, 147) sts.

Work 9 rows without shaping.

Increase at each end of next row and 5 following 10th  rows. 127(139, 159) sts.

Continue straight until the following have been completed from the bells pattern:
1st size – 4 complete pattern repeats,
2nd size – 4 complete pattern repeats + eyelet section,
3rd size – 4 complete pattern repeats + eyelet and first fairisle section.

Work 1 row.

Shape armholes
Cast off 5(6, 7) sts at the beginning of next 2 rows. 117(127, 145)sts **
Dec 1 st at each end of next 7(9, 11) rows
Dec 1 st at each end of following 5(5, 6) alternate rows. 93(99,111)sts
Continue straight until armhole measures 18(19, 20)cm

Shape shoulders and back neck
Cast off 6(7, 9) sts pattern until there are 16(18, 20) sts on right-hand needle, turn.
Working on these sts only, dec 1 st at neck edge of next three rows and at the same time cast off 6(7, 9) sts at beg of 2nd row.
Cast off remaining 7(8, 8) sts.
Leaving centre 49(49, 53) sts on a stitch holder, rejoin yarn to remaining 22(25, 29) stitches.
Complete to match first side, reversing shaping.

FRONT

Work as given for back to **
Dec 1 st at each end of next 7(8, 8) rows. 103(111, 129) sts
Work 1(0, 0) row ending with RS facing for next row.

Shape neck
Work 2 tog, patt 39(43, 50) sts and turn leaving remaining sts on a holder.
Keeping pattern correct, dec 1 st at neck edge of next 8 rows, then on foll 6 alt rows, then on 3 foll 4th rows and at the same time dec 1 st at armhole edge of 2nd (2nd, next) row and following 0(0, 1) row, then on foll 3(4, 6) alt rows. 19(22, 26) sts
Continue straight until front matches back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending with RS facing for next row.

Shape shoulders
Cast off 6(7, 9) sts at beg of next and foll alt row.
Work 1 row.
Cast off rem 7(8, 8) sts.
With RS facing, leaving centre 21(21, 25) sts on a stitch holder, rejoin yarn to remaining 41(45, 52)sts, pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Complete to match first side, reversing shaping.

SLEEVES

Cast on 75(79, 83) sts with cs.
Change to ms and work in k2 p2 rib for 6 rows.
Purl 1 row.
Starting with 1st (9th, 17th) row of 32 pattern repeat and keeping pattern correct, increase 1 st at each end of 2nd and every following alt row until there are 105(109, 113) sts. Work 3 rows, ending with RS facing for next row.

Shape top
Cast off 5(6, 7) sts at beg of next 2 rows. 95(97, 99) sts
Dec 1 st at each end of next 9 rows, then on every alt row until 63 sts remain, then on 9 following rows, ending with RS facing for next row. 45 sts
Cast off 5 sts at beg of next 4 rows.
Cast off rem 25 sts.

MAKING UP

Join right shoulder seam.

Neckband
With RS facing and ms, pick up and knit 49(53, 55) sts down left side of neck, knit across 21(21, 25) sts on holder at front, pick up and knit 49(53, 55) sts up right side of neck, 3 sts from back neck, knit across 49(49, 53) sts on holder at back, pick up and knit 3 sts from back neck. 174(182, 194) sts
Work in k2 p2 rib for 6 rows.
Change to cs, cast off in rib.

Join remaining shoulder seam. Set sleeve into armhole. Join side and sleeve seams.

Veronica finished

A day to celebrate I have finished Veronica.

This is the vintage-style tee I have designed from scratch. I'm so pleased with the finished article. It is an excellent fit and so feminine. The design incorporates beads, very basic fairisle and texture - all of my favourites things - but it is still a very simple pattern to do.

The details make it special.

The tee can be worn casually or dressed up for a special occasion. It can even be layered, so that us colder mortals can still wear it in the winter.

I'm just putting the finishing touches to the pattern and hope to publish it in the next few days.

I've definitely got the bug now - I can't wait to start on my next design - I've got so many ideas.

Warm Hands

Finished my fingerless gloves last night while watching the first night of the darts Grand Prix and the final of the World Cricket Championship (Chris likes flicking from channel to channel - which means we usually miss a wicket in the cricket!).

The gloves are lovely and warm and will be ideal for me when the weather gets colder as I always have cold hands. The pattern is Endpaper Mitts by Eunny Jang. I used Rowan cashsoft 4ply which really is soft and cosy. I started off making the medium size but changed to the larger size as I found I was knitting very tightly - I think I tense up when knitting with DP needles! The end result is a nice snug fit and I'm very pleased with them. They were surprisingly quick to knit.

Earring holder

Now that I have quite a collection of crocheted earrings, I need somewhere to keep them. Yesterday I filled this pretty picture frame to put on my bedroom wall.

I used a pink checked fabric for the background and them crocheted a trellis to go over the top. This allows you to hook your earrings on.

I used Rowan shimmer in silver for the trellis and a 2.5mm hook.

It was very quick to make and looks very impressive on the wall.

Beginnings

I love beginnings. It's so much fun to start something new - so despite the fact I have several projects already in progress, I have started another one.

It's a knitted shrug by Kim Hargreaves, the pattern is called Glint from the Nectar collection (Grace and Eve are already making it). I'm using Debbie Bliss Donegal aran tweed and I love the colour of this wool - It's very bright and youthful!

It's a very easy, relatively quick project - so why not?

A busy day

I've been a very busy girl today. Not only have I de-cluttered the store-room, taken two huge bags of crap to the charity shop and called at the library but I have also finished my scarf and made a bag (and it's still only mid-afternoon).

The scarf was quick to make. I am so glad I changed to crochet for this yarn. I don't think I'll ever love kidsilk haze but I finished the scarf without too much swearing- so that's an improvement. I still have 1 skein of the yarn left but I'm not rushing to make anything with that yet.

I also made this bag.

It's made from an old jumper that was on the small side.

I felted the jumper last week and today I made it up into this useful bag. I should be able to fit a knitting project or two in it.

I was just about to publish this post when I got a phone call to say my mother-in-law has had a fall and cut her leg and an ambulance had been called. So I rushed off to see her and make sure everything was OK. We've got to go to the hospital later to pick her up - so the day just got busier!

Victor Franko and the butterfly

Grace has gone off for her first day at University today. We made the most of her free time the other day by lazing around watching a film. We watched the Dirty Dozen, which we love- and we now (nearly) know all their names.

Whilst watching I made this lovely butterfly- I stuck a pin on the back and it's quite cute as a badge.

The pattern is Lisa's crocheted butterfly. I got a bit confused at first because I didn't realise the butterfly was folded in half at the end, so I kept thinking I had too many stitches. The pattern was spot on - it was me that was wrong. If you follow the pattern it is really easy. I'm going to make more - they would look lovely stuck around the house.

When Eve came home from school she was rather annoyed that we had watched a film without her - so we ended up watching the Dirty Dozen all over again in the evening with her. No matter how many times I watch this film I still shout out and hope that a particular character can manage to avoid getting killed this time.

Fairisle-effect sweater finished

Wow! I love this sweater which I finished last night. The yarn is so soft and the colours so dainty and feminine.

The yarn is Sirdar crofter fair isle-effect DK. As with most Sirdar yarns, it goes a long way. I only used 5 balls.
I improvised the pattern. I wanted something plain knit to show off the beautiful colour changes so I started off knitting a round-necked sweater. When it came to knitting the front I decided to add interest by making the button opening (based on a number of Kim Hargreaves patterns).

Rather than ribbed cuffs and hem I changed to frilled ones. This adds to the femininity of the sweater. The neckband is garter stitch.

I still have 5 balls of the yarn left so I can look forward to knitting with the yarn again.

Butterflies in the garden

Gardening's a drag - but it's all worthwhile on a sunny day when the butterflies and bees pay a visit.

Fuzzy Little Friends

PDF version
A while ago Deb from Long Island asked if I would share my bees pattern. Of course, it’s a pleasure to share – so here it is together with a new bee to join the two already in residence.

Yarn – Double knitting oddments in yellow, black and white
Hook – 3 mm or 3.5 mm (whichever suits).
Notions – toy stuffing.

PATTERN (English terms used)
English dc = US sc

Finished size – approximately 7 cm in length

Body
With yellow make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc (remember this is the equivalent of US sc) into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

4th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

5th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

6th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc. Change to black.

7th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 3 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (30 dc)

8th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

9th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc. Change to yellow.

10th – 12th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc. Change to black.

13th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

14th round: 1 ch, 2 dctog, 1 dc into next 3 dc, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

15th round: 1 ch, 2 dctog, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc). Change to yellow. Insert stuffing at this point.

16th round: 1 ch, 2 dctog, 1 dc into next 1 dc, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 1 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

17th round: 1 ch, [2 dctog,] 6times. Sl st into 1st dc. (6 dc). Fasten off and close opening.


Wings (make 2)

With white make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next stitch, [2 tr into next stitch, 1 tr into next stitch] 4 times, 2 dc into next stitch, 1 dc into last stitch, sl st into first dc. (18 stitches) Fasten off.

Making up

Join wings together at dc side of circles and attach to top of body.

Embroider on some eyes with black wool and enjoy the little sweetie.

Harvest

Harvest by Lucy Goldsmith -just because I like it.

Bonny Blue earrings

PDF version
Here’s the latest addition to my ever-growing earring collection – Bonny Blue earrings. As always they are super-quick and easy to make.

Yarn – 2 colours of crochet cotton (white and blue) – only small amounts needed.
Hook – 1.5 mm.
Notions – earring hooks.

Pattern (English terms used)

Finished size – 2.5 cm in diameter

With white make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc. Break off white and join in blue.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 1 dc into same stitch as chain,6 ch, 1 dc into same stitch [1 dc, 6 ch, 1 dc] into next 11 stitches, sl st into 1st dc. (12 loops) Fasten off.

Attach earring hooks to the end of one of the petals.

All done, now your Bonny Blue earrings are ready to wear.

As usual the earrings are modelled by my lovely assistant, Grace.

New book and new tactics

Grace has a new book, Creepy Cute Crochet by Christen Haden.

The Grim Reeper is rather cute, as are the Knight and the Ninja. Grace has gone off to Liverpool to buy some black wool - a pink vampire just has no credibility!

Well Eve was right about the Kidsilk Haze scarf - You'll regret it she said - and she was right. I have made hardly any progress on the scarf and it isn't enjoyable knitting it, despite the nice and easy pattern - I just hate that yarn so much. So - last night I decided to change tactics - I frogged the knitted scarf and now I'm crocheting one instead. It is so much easier to crochet with this yarn than to knit. It's just as impossible to undo if you've made a mistake, so plenty of care needed but the pace of the project has notched up considerably. I'm doing a shell trellis pattern which goes really quickly and looks nice and airy. I had crocheted more in an hour than I had managed to knit in a week. The future of Kidsilk Haze is clearly with the crochet hook - I may even get to like it!!

But maybe I should wait until the scarf is finished before I get carried away!!

Ravenscar - a new project

As a treat I started a new project yesterday. The pattern is Ravenscar from Rowan magazine 45. I have been meaning to make this for sometime but as I wanted to use wool rather than cotton it seemed more of an Autumn knit rather than a Summer one. The original pattern calls for All Seasons cotton but I prefer to knit with wool. I have chosen Twilley's Freedom Spirit which is 100% wool and an absolutely gorgeous colour. The pattern is ever so simple, integrated button bands, only one button hole. However it isn't at all boring. The ribbed pattern makes it interesting enough to want to keep going but straightforward enough to read or watch television whilst knitting it - perfect. I made excellent progress yesterday whilst watching Formula 1 (another win for Barrichello) I'm up to the armholes of the back already.

Gloria, the fish sister

Meet Gloria. She's a fish sister to the fish brothers. The pattern is from Nicki Trench's brilliant book that Grace got for her birthday. She's a very feminine fish - I had originally decided that I was going to make a fish called Gregory, but the end result was far too girly for that name. I love the colours - they are my cheer-up colours - I can never be blue for long when I see something yellow and pink.

Feeling blue - what shall I do?

I'm just coming to the end of this year's Open University course - Exploring Science. There's only the end of course assignment to complete and then I can relax. It's been very demanding but the subject matter has been fascinating. I'm glad I've done the course but I'll be even gladder when I can put my workbooks away. It was all getting a bit much yesterday - everything seemed to be too much - I think it's the biology - I hate that subject - so I've given myself the day off from the assignment today to try to relax somewhat. I've made a list of all the fun little things I want to do when I don't have to study - it's keeping me going at the moment.

Needless to say, knitting and crocheting continue regardless. The sweater I'm making with the Sirdar crofter fairisle-effect wool is about halfway done. Here's a pic of the back.

I decided to make the front a bit more interesting by putting in a buttoned opening but it's quite difficult to match up the random stripes on each half of the front - hopefully it will turn out OK.

After knitting Tender - the kidsilk haze cardi - I had 2 balls of yarn leftover. Although I don't like (understatement) the yarn, it seems a shame not to use it up as it is gorgeous once it's knitted up. So I'm using part of the leftovers to make a scarf. The pattern is A Little Obsession by Leslie Bernard and it's in the Ravelry library. I can't knit fast with this yarn so it's taking a while to knit but the pattern is ever so simple.

Formula 1 on the television this weekend - from Monza. That should mean quite a bit of knitting gets done. To cheer myself up, I may start a new project with the yarn recently added to the stash - variety is the spice of life.

Frankie finished

Eve loves her new cardi. It looks so comfortable and warm. She may never take it off ever again!

The pattern is Frankie by Kim Hargreaves from her Breeze book. I used Robin DK wool because Eve was very particular about the colour and this was the shade she wanted. The pattern was very easy to knit and the wool knitted up beautifully.

I originally bought 6 100g balls of the wool but only used 3 1/2 balls so I should be able to squeeze at least one more project out of the yarn.

Pretty Poppy Earrings

PDF version
I recently bought a bag of crochet cottons in various colours including a rather vibrant red. As soon as I saw the colour I knew I was going to make some poppy earrings.

As with all my other earrings, they are so quick to make and use a very small amount of yarn. I used Coats crochet cotton #12 and a 1.5mm hook. Here’s how I made them:

Yarn – 2 colours of crochet cotton (black and red) – only small amounts needed.
Hook – 1.5 mm.
Notions – earring hooks.

Pattern (English terms used)

Finished size – 2 cm in diameter

2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc. Break off black and join in red.

2nd round: 1 ch, 1 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 ch, 1 dc into next dc] 5 times, 2 ch. Sl st into 1st dc. (6 spaces)

3rd round: 1 ch, [1 dc, 2 ch, 3 tr, 2 ch, 1 dc] into each 2 ch space, sl st into 1st dc. Fasten off.

Attach earring hooks to one of the petals through the top of the middle treble.

All done, now your pretty poppy earrings are ready to wear.

Back to normal?

Things finally seem to be settling down again after Grace's birthday. Chris has finally gone back to work, Eve is back at school on Thursday and Grace starts university in a few weeks time. It feels like forever since I've had the house to myself.

The book Eve gave Grace for her birthday is brilliant, Super-Cute crochet by Nicki Trench.

There are 35 different patterns for cute animals and all of them have a witty introduction, highlighting their characters. We are told that Alphonso the alpaca owns an Internet business selling Alpaca wool and flies kites in his spare time. While Alan the lion plays the saxophone in a ska band.

Grace and I have already made a chick each. I made Rita, the pink chick, rather wide-eyed and innocent. Grace made Lancelot, a chick who commands great respect!

I have my eye on one of the fish brothers next. Grace has almost completed the pickle the dog pattern. She just has to sew him together (I think she's hoping I'm going to volunteer for this!!). She's so pleased with her creations that she has joined Ravelry so that she can show off her goodies. Her Ravelry name is Smiles-A-Lot.

There have been Formula 1 races the last two weekends so Eve's boyfriend cardi is coming on a treat. I hope to have it finished by the end of this week. Then I can concentrate on knitting for me - how wonderfully self-indulgent.