Woolly Viking Hats

An evening of web browsing led to me stumbling across a pattern for a crochet woolly Viking helmet and of course I had to have a go (plus I had a willing wearer in Andy).

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63721773/lael-viking-hat-pdf-crochet-pattern

The pattern is easy to follow as long as you are familiar with the basic stitches and has an explanation of the more complex stitch needed. I bought some really nice wool which has been a pleasure to work with as well. The hat itself is only 22 rows so is pretty quick to make up and the clever use of stitches makes it look very effective.

I still have the horns to make but so far it is looking fab and Andy is getting very excited about getting to wear it. The price is fab and as it is emailed to you by PDF you don’t have to wait long from when you have ordered it before you can get started (always a good thing for us eager crafty beavers!)

I will post pictures when it is all finished but for all you chilly Vikings out there this is a must make!

Stray Sock Sewing

I bought this book two weeks ago when I wasn’t feeling very well and it kept me amused for two days off school and I am itching to have another go at making stuff when I get a spare moment. The idea of the book is that you can make awesome soft toys from the odd socks that end up lying around the house. It’s a bit of a con as blatantly everything in the book has been made using nice shiny new socks but the ideas are brilliant.

You can make everything from a sock piggy through to a strange looking zebra/horse. The instructions are really clear and easy to follow and you quickly pick up the basics allowing you to try your own ideas.

A technicolour zebra

Some people might find it slightly annoying that over half the book is made up of pictures of different sock toys that are then not explained in the actual doing part of the book. For me it made for a brilliant motivation and idea bank, making me want to get stuck in and have a go. It makes for a rather cute book as well as the pictures really are rather fun.

If you want to give sock toys a go I would definitely recommend this book as a starting point. I must have liked it as I have ordered the follow up, Stray Sock Sewing Too!

crafting ideas

I decided to make a new blog for my crafting ideas and actions. I will pop pictures and thoughts about the things I have been making here as well as reviews of books and patterns I might have been using. Hopefully you crafty people out there will enjoy my occasional crafting musings.