Christmas Fair Saturday 1 December

It seems to be the countdown to the big day starts earlier every year and as some one who has a November birthday, I've grown used to seeing decorations and lights up around the same time.  There is something lovely about seeing it all especially with all the dull wet days we've been having.  Also, having an enthusiastic 5 year old can't fail to raise a bit of festive cheer and excitement...

If you need inspiration for gorgeous gifts to treat your friends and family with, come along to Dunchurch Village Hall this Saturday, 1 December from 9.30am to 12.30pm for a Christmas Fair, organised by the Rugby & Coventry Greyhound Trust.

I will be having a stall offering an array of hand crafted items from hats, brooches, bookmarks, jewellery wraps and fab decorations with prices to fit all pockets.  Why not choose a unique gift to make a special present for your loved ones...

  Have a browse through the photo galleries on my Facebook page for some ideas.  If you can't see what you like or not the colour you want, I am happy to make items for order.  Can't make it on the 1st?  Not a problem...I am happy to take orders and payment via PayPal and mail items out. 




Come along and show your support  - I look forward to seeing you...

Wear it with pride...

November is here and now is the time to wear a remembrance poppy in recognition for all those involved in wars and conflicts, both past and present.

My coat, with poppy and regimental pin - how proud am I!!

With all the media coverage of Afghanistan and the presence of UK troops there, the public seem to have a really positive attitude and respect for the work and sacrifices made by the men and women involved.  I've not known such support in all the 13 years I have been married - Mr Fuzzyfingers has been in the British Army for nearly 20 years...

I wanted to make a crochet poppy brooch this year as sadly the little paper one took too much of a battering on my coat last year.  I searched Ravelry (a fantastic knitting and crochet website for those of you who have not yet stumbled across it) for the various designs available and chose to make this one, designed by Bilgewater, who has kindly allowed me to reproduce it.

The shape is perfect and a true poppy bloom and the leaf (although not poppy like) compliments it perfectly.  Yarn type, gauge and hook size are all really irrelevant as you can use whatever you like.  I had the perfect poppy red in a chunky yarn so I used a 5mm hook to get a really dense fabric.  For one option, I used a black button for the centre and the other had a black crochet circle which I then covered liberally with black sequins. 

You can fasten to your clothing with a safety pin or a brooch pin if you have them.  I first sewed a sieve to the back of the flower and then bent the little lugs over the round brooch back ( with a tiny blob of superglue for added security).

And voila...one gorgeous poppy that is sure to get noticed for all the right reasons, donation made to the worthy cause and many compliments.  (Many thanks, Naomi!)

Don't forget...

Every morning this week,  I have had to double check the time on the clock as it seems so dark.  It can only mean winter is fast approaching and its time to alter our clocks on Saturday night.  The clocks are however going the right way to my mind - a whole extra hour in bed!!  I have yet to get my 5 year old to take this piece of advice...

If you need something to do with that whole extra hour on Sunday, you could always pop slong to the Benn Hall in Rugby for the Craft and Gift Fair between 10am and 4 pm.  Come and have a browse and say hello and also get some inspiration for gifts, for Christmas or treat yourself...there is something for everyone including a craft are for children and a cafe area.

Look forward to seeing you and enjoy your extra hour whatever you choose to do...

Textured Handhuggers

Following on in a series of FREE ( yes, free!) crochet patterns that I have designed, comes the pattern for a set of gorgeous stylish fingerless wrist/hand warmers. 

Using a super easy construction method, and a simple but effective stitch pattern, these textured hand huggers are super warm, practical and versatile.  They hook up really quickly and don’t require too much concentration – instant gratification and able to watch tv too!  Perfect for beginners and experts alike, you’ll be hooking a pair up to match different outfits as well as friends and family.  Using double knitting yarn and a 5mm hook, the pattern has the added benefit in Baby, Child and Adult sizes.

If you love what you see but are not a little craft-y person, then please get in touch through facebook or email fuzzyfingers@btinternet.com as I will gladly hook up a pair for sale...

I couldn't resist playing with colour and my favourite stripes ( plus it also helps to diminish the stash mountain!)...  I am tempted to tinker with the pattern and gauge, and use 4 ply yarn to really have some fun and try and create some Missoni-style stripes...These also look fab in a solid colour or self-patterning yarn.

Make 2.                                                

Ch 17 (29, 41)                                  

Row 1: dc in 3^rd chain form hook, tr in same st, *skip next ch, (dc, tr) in next ch*, rep to end, turn

Row 2: ch 1, miss first st, *(dc, tr) in next st, miss next st*, rep to end, turn

Repeat row 2 until piece measures approx. 2 (3, 3.5) inches,  or [5, 7.5, 9cm], ending with a WS row.

Thumbhole row (RS): ch 1, miss first st, (dc, tr ) in next st 2 (3, 4) times, ch 4 (6, 8 ), miss next 2 (3, 4 ) pattern repeats, continue in pattern to end, turn.

Next row (WS): ch 21, *miss first st, (dc, tr) in next st * rep to chains for thumbhole, [miss first ch, (dc, tr) in next ch] rep 2 (3, 4) times, continue in pattern to end, turn.

Continue repeating row 2 to match first half up to thumbhole row, ending with a WS row.  DO NOT FASTEN OFF. Turn.

 

Seaming/Joining row: ch 1, bring foundation row of mitt up behind and slip stitch both edges together, working through both thicknesses.  Take care to match the stitches as you work along to create a super neat finish (pin in place if you prefer).

Fasten off, weave in ends.  Voila! Cosy and stylish warm hands are now yours…

Written pattern copyright Aimie Bennett 2012. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please feel free to link to this page to share this pattern with others.

Please can I ask that if you use this pattern to make items for sale, then credit the original pattern design to FuzzyFingers.  Many thanks and happy hooking!!

 

 

Cosy Handwarmers...

Now autumn and the cooler weather has definitely arrived and is making itself felt, I have found out my warm and cosy outer clothing.  I love autumn, the rapidly changing colours of leaves, the last flourish of flowers and the nights drawing in - I don't however like feeling cold, particularly my hands and feet.  When I'm outside, I always have on a pair of comfy and practical wrist or hand warmers. 

These fingerless gauntlets are great as they are super cosy and warm yet amazingly practical as your fingers are not covered so are free to hold the steering wheel, school bags, dog leads, use your mobile, etc.  With a slit for your thumb, they fit securely and snugly to keep you toasty.  As someone who has dexterity and grip issues, I've found that simply keepng your wrists and the blood flow through this area warm, I don't suffer with the numbing sensation that being cold brings.  In theory this reduces the amount of times I drop things, knock things over and breakages but remains to be proven in practise.  Even my 5 year old calls me butter fingers at least once a day...

Continuing on from the from the two free hat patterns, I am spreading a little more crochet love and  have designed two super simple wrist warmer patterns - perfect for beginners and experts alike.  There is plenty of scope for customising your handhuggers so let your imagination and creativity loose.  I always tend to make my handhuggers a little longer through the wrist section so as to cover a bit more wrist and this is so easy to do. 

A simple pattern that gives instant gratification as they are a quick project with a simple pattern .  Raid your yarn stash as they only use a small quantity of double knitting yarn.  Lightweight and fairly stretchy they just feel so toasty - you can whip up a couple of sets.  In fact I always have a pair in the 'glove' compartment (haha!) for those days when I forget to pick up a set or the weather changes while you're out...

Baby version

In a multi size pattern, they're perfect for adults and even more practical for babies and children.  I never was very good at steering tiny fingers into gloves so find that these are perfect.  The little thumbhole means they stay on nice and securely and for those independent little ones, they can put them on themselves.

Enjoy the pattern and feedback gratefully received...

Handhugger pattern...

Using double knitting yarn and a 5mm hook – gauge is really not that important.

UK crochet terms used

Make 2

Ch 20 (30, 40)

Row 1: dc in 2nd chain from hook, *ch 1, sk next st, dc in next ch*, rep to end, turn

Row 2:  ch 1, dc in same st, * dc in ch-1 sp, sk next st, ch 1*, rep to last ch-1 sp, dc in sp, dc in last st, turn

Row 3: ch1, dc in same st, *ch 1, sk next st, dc in next st*, rep to end, turn

Continue and repeat rows 2 and 3 until work measures 5.5, 7, 9 cm, ending with a WS row.

Thumbhole row (RS): ch 1, dc in same st, pattern next 8 (9, 11 ) sts, ch 4 (5, 7), continue in pattern to end, turn.

 

 

 

 

 

Next row (WS): ch 1, dc in same st, patt to thumbhole and resume pattern across thumbhole chains and on to end, turn

 

Continue and repeat rows 2 and 3 as before until work measures the same as first half (up to thumbhole), ending with a WS row. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.

Seaming/Joining row:  Turn, ch 1, bring foundation row of mitt up behind and slip stitch both edges together working through both thicknesses.  Take care to match stitches and chain-1 spaces as you work along for a super neat finish.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Written pattern copyright Aimie Bennett 2012. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please feel free to link to this page to share this pattern with others.

Please can I ask that if you use this pattern to make hats for sale, then credit the original pattern design to FuzzyFingers.  Many thanks and happy hooking!!

Like what you see but not crafty?  I will gladly hook up a set for you.  Get in touch via Facebook or email fuzzyfingers@btinternet.com.

Watch this space for another free pattern coming soon...

Date for the diary...

I've just about manmaged to prise the crochet hook from my claw-like hand for this post about a date for your diary...

I shall be having a stall at the Craft and Gift Fair on Sunday 28 October.  There is a wonderful mix of stands and sellers in a lovely venue - not to mention a lovely cafe area offering homemade cakes and refreshments and a craft are for children. 

Newsboy hat

Whether its a warm hat or handwarmers for you...











Jewellery wrap

Coasters - set of 4

an individual unique gift for loved ones...



Beaded bookmarks

Baby and toddler hats

or something a bit Christmassy...

Christmas decorations

...then please come along and have a browse.  For a truly unique hand crafted gift that really shows you care - I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

If you can't see quite what you're looking or love something but want a particular colour that, please let me know as I will gladly make it for you.  Commissions also undertaken.  Please feel free to browse the photo galleries on my facebook page. 

Hope to see you soon...

Unexpected treasure...

Now I love a bargain - doesn't everyone?!  Well I found a super bargain last week when doing the weekly shop at my local supermarket.  Although I had noticed that they were stocking a small selection of Red Heart yarn (usually hard to find in the UK and I am very envious of all you crafty people Stateside!), I hadn't indulged mainly as I have been watching the pennies...

Imagine my delight and disbelief when I saw that the oh so gorgeous (my favourite) green, just perfect for remaking and re-testing my own original design Seashell Cardigan with, was on sale at £1.19 (formerly £4.99!!)  I scooped up the remaining six balls and added them to my trolley of fruit, veg, milk, bread, cat food, etc....It seemed wrong to be able to buy wool there but I wasn't complaining!!

Also, I returned to Ikea to purchase some much-needed stash storage in the form of Hol (I just love the names and whole concept), and felt I had to buy this beautiful striped fabric...

I could really see this as a skirt - the fabric is a lovely weight and has a real boutique-y feel as the stripes are slightly raised.  I love stripes - versatile, a little bit quirky and most definitely unique.  I could imagine the skirt to be a little 60s inspired, A- line with a deep inverted centre pleat.  And then I remembered buying a dress pattern on Ebay a couple of months ago (for the drastic sume of £1.99!)

It's an original Sunday People pattern number 436  - a  60s mod style dress with the option of full or 3/4 length sleeves(my favourite).  As I bought the last on the bolt, roughly a metre and a half, I will have to make the top half of the dress and the sleeves in a plain black or charcoal cotton.  What do you think?

This is definitely top of the must make pile now the cooler weather is imminent but I must hem a dress and finish my Colette Hazel dress first.  I really am trying to stick to my new habit of finishing something before cutting out the next.  No time like the present and I'll strike while the iron is hot...