Short and sweet

There's nothing better than the instant gratification of making something for babies - a couple of evenings and this is the result.  

The perfect gift to give to family or friends who are expecting to be blessed with a tiny little person.  May I just point out the gorgeous buttons (although they are hard to see - tiny raised green rabbits on white shank base) were picked out by my daughter.  I'm glad to see she is blessed with a good eye for colour and detail...

The pattern I used was this lovely King Cole one.  Its such a relief that crochet patterns have progressed a bit now and are much more modern and simplistic - sometimes they are still too boxy but then that just gives me an excuse to get my thinking head on and try to customise the pattern.  Talking of which, there are a few modifications I would do when I make this jacket again.  For instance, I think I would work the collar straight onto the body rather than making it separately and constructing.  I always feel the elimination of seams makes for a cleaner finish and particularly on such a small item, would reduce any bulkiness.  With this in mind, I think I would work the sleeves straight on to the armholes and reverse the shaping or miss out the shaping entirely.  


I'm sure there must be plenty of you out there who can't resist tweaking and amending patterns.  If so, let me know of any success stories - I'd love to get some comments from you out there...

Summer top

What with all this beautiful spring weather we have had (this really better not be the extent of our summer!), I have been inspired to make this super easy Colette Sorbetto top, available as a free download.  I have been following one blog in particular for some time now, and following this post on her version, I decided to add some extra length to the top as I seem to have a longer body and add extra length to any cardi, top....

As the top only uses less than a metre of fabric, you really can't go wrong and would be a good pattern for first timers.  There really is nothing more satisfying than practising as you go and being able to come out with an item as a reward.  There is also no limit to the details or personal touches you can add to this top and I love some other examples of this top on this blog.  


My wonderful mum recently bought me a remnant of some great Paul Smith striped shirting on her recent visit to the NEC Birmingham.  Just my luck this clashed with the weekend of the craft fair I did plus the hottest days of 2012....


I had to face using bias tape (aargh! first attempt a few months ago was disastrous!) to edge the neck and the sleeves of this tape.  Instead of using the method of using this best only attempted bu expert sewers, I went back to basics and used the slightly lengthier method that produces the best results.   More haste less speed as they say....

I have had this gorgeous, very old length of dainty crochet flower trim sat waiting for the perfect project and the dusky pink stripe and beige fabric needed just a bit of a feminine slant.

I pinned the string of flowers inside the bias tape on the front of the top only before sewing.  The addition of three buttons that were just too perfect to be true on the vertical pleat section gave the top some gorgeous details that helped lift the fabric.  You can't see from the photo but the buttons are cream with a sweet dusky pink daisy.

And voila!  A unique vintage style top that is just so comfy and wearable.   I will definitely be making more using this pattern although there are a few minor modifications I would make.  And I also think sleeves would also be lovely and as I love a challenge, I think I will draft my own to add.   The possibilities are endless.....watch this space.....

Bags of fun...

Now I love Cath Kidston bags and fabric designs but I just couldn't justify the hefty price tag for my favourite Print day bag.  I was also amazed that on closer inspection, there were no handy pockets inside - one zipped internal pocket but no mobile phone pocket!  I mean, please!...who wants to be scrabbling around inside a cavernous bag with tons of mummy clutter and totally random things inside, just to have the phone stop ringing the moment your fingers close on the little bugger!


So when I saw this imitation style floral oilcloth bag at a recent craft fair, I couldn't part with my cash fast enough, especially when I found a zipped pocket and not one but two suitable pockets for phone, pens, nail file, etc....


However, after using it a couple of times, I soon discovered that the nasty nylon lining was not user friendly and the mobile pocket was a bit skimpy now all these large touch screen phones are in vogue.   So, cue me and a pair of scissors for a bit of minor surgery...

As I already had a bundle of Cath Kidston fabric, I measured up the bag and cut the fabric for two sides, a gusset and not one , not two but three pockets!!!  And I even made the phone pocket to the exact optimum size..

In under an hour, I had made the new lining, which was essentially two large rectangles as the sides, pockets placed to suit on each side and with one long strip sewn to 3 sides of each of these.  I pressed the top edge to the wrong side around the top and then hand sewed the new lining to the remaining scant edge of the old lining.  I was glad that I had left this as it was the simplest and neatest way in which to attach the new lining without having to go to the lengths of removing and replacing the zip.  I can imagine that oil cloth is a bit of a pain to work with and didn't want to give myself too much work.

As you can see, I now have a totally unique look a like bag that has the added plus of some genuine Cath Kidston fabric in it to boot.  Happy days!!

I can't think of a better way to while away a couple of hours on a sunny spring day while looking after a poorly 4 year old.  We were sharing the table with my (tiny) half with its sewing machine and Faye's (huge!) half covered in playdoh, cutters, rolling pin, etc.   


Now let's just hope that I don't find a chunk of playdoh and a cutter in my new bag.....

Counting down the days...

4 days and counting until I do my first craft fair this Sunday.....a few restless and busy nights ahead I'm sure but fingers crossed to it being a success.  


I am fairly well prepared although there is bound to be something I have overlooked but isn't that what life's all about?....one big learning curve after another.


Now the weather is finally starting to stay a bit more spring like, I can't wait to get stuck into some sewing as I have a growing project list.  There just never seems to be enough hours in the day....


If you decide to pop along on Sunday, be sure to come and say hello...

Don't forget good old mum....

When you start to see gorgeous sights and colours like this, its a great reminder that spring is on its way, the clocks will change and it will get lighter in the evenings.  


March 18th is also  Mothers Day so don't forget to treat that special lady in your life - you know, the one that's always there for you and knows just what to say.  If you need any ideas, please feel free to look at FuzzyFingers on Facebook for a selection of beautiful gifts and message me and I'll be delighted to help.  I am also happy to take commissions if you can't see the right colour, design or quite what you're looking for....

Also, for all those whose wonderful mums are no longer with us, may they always be close in your thoughts and hearts and what wonderful role models they are to aspire to....

The stripy hat

Whilst busy making many hats of various colours and designs, my four year old asked for a stripy hat, a very stripy hat....


Never one to shy away from a challenge, I raided the wool stash for suitable colours and from the pile emerged this little number...

I decided to help blend the colours a little by occasionally working a spike stitch in to the row below.  Also, the shape came by a rather happy accident in that I (deliberately) made a slight mistake when working in rounds and spike stitch and created a much more slouchy looking hat.  

The addition of a few buttons personalises this quirky little number - all buttons chosen carefully by one very happy looking little customer!


Happy hooking!

Tools of my trade

Here are the tools of my trade and without them I would be lost - all creativity stopped, a bit like Samson without his hair.  Would I go as far to say as I would grab them if I were fleeing my burning home?  No but they would be one of the first things I would have to go and replace.


My most favourite is the odd looking wooden egg shaped one.  After searching endlessly for ergonomic crochet hooks a few years ago on the internet, this one came to light.  After much deliberating I ordered it all the way from Canada and almost didn't because of the cost.  I do have to thank my husband here for the kick up the backside to order it so that I could carry on being creative.  It arrived super quick and is marvellous - you do have to get used to it though due to its shape and may not suit everyone depending on the way you hold your hook.  I love the way the wood is so tactile and once you've been crocheting for a while, the wood takes on the heat from your hand and you can crochet for hours.  Trust me, I've done it.


As like most people, I have more than one project on the go and needed different sizes, I also spotted on Google instructions on how to make your own ergonomic hook.  Simply using regular crochet hooks, I wrapped some masking tape around the handle to pad it out a bit (more on smaller hooks and less on the fatter ones) and then slid/pushed/jammed a couple of rubber pen grips on that I bought through good old Ebay.  Voila!   Good to go and surprisingly comfy...

I have also bought a 7mm Addi Swing Turbo hook which is fairly new on the market.  It looks very strange and looks almost like a toothbrush handle.  It is fairly good although it is almost too curved - maybe done for eye appeal rather than actual comfort?  I think I may end up customising this myself and padding it out in a few places..


Anyway, must pick up said hook now and get to it as have many items still to make in time for fast approaching craft fair....more on that soon.