My Interview

I'm so excited, I have been interviewed for the spotlight on Etsy shop series on the jennyandteddy.com blog. To read the full interview click on the link http://www.jennyandteddy.com/2013/06/etsy-shop-spotlight-sewmycupoftea/

Russian Doll Key Chain

I love the current trend for Russian Dolls, they are so cute and colourful. I wanted to design a key chain that was easy to make but full of detail. The pattern includes the templates for all the felt pieces. I used running stitch around the heart and the cheeks are simply made by rubbing a red coloured over the felt.

To purchase the pattern please visit my Etsy shop by clicking on the shop tab at the top of the page.

Queen's Guard Key Chain

Here is my latest crochet pattern, Queen's Guard all ready for duty! He will do an excellent job of looking after your keys for you.

After my visit to Windsor Castle where I saw the Queen's Guard I couldn't wait to crochet my own mini version. I used Gold embroidery thread to make the chin strap and buckle so they shine like the real thing. The belt and buttons are made from White yarn.

To buy the PDF pattern to make your own Queen's Guard visit my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewMyCupofTea

Top tips for sewing the face on your amigurumi

The face is one of the most important parts of your amigurumi as the expression on them is what makes us all fall in love with our creations. Something as simple as moving the eyes can change an expression from happy to sad. It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to sewing the face. These are my top tips that I have learnt through trial and error to help you get that professional finish to you amigurumi.

To help you decide where you want to place your eyes, mouth and nose use pins to mark out the placement. A slight movement of the pins can completely change the expression. Try moving the eyes closer together or placing the smile closer to the eyes to see what looks you can create.

When securing a length of thread/yarn knot the end and when you pull it through your amigurumi the knot will catch on the stuffing helping to anchor it.

When sewing on beads for the eyes make sure you pass the thread through the bead several times to make sure it is really secure. If the amigurumi is for a young child do not use beads as these can be pulled off and instead over sew the eyes.

When you have finished sewing take the needle to the side of the body/head.

Sew back and forth between 2 stitches so that the thread/yarn catches on the stuffing inside. If you pull it gently after each stitch you shouldn't be able to see the thread. Don't pull too tightly as this will make the body/head look out of shape.

Pull the thread gently when you cut it off and the end will ping back inside the body/head and you won't be able to see any ends.

To over sew a nose or eye bring the needle through the same spot repeatedly.

To create a mouth bring your needle up to where you want the mouth to start and cross over to the other corner of the mouth. Bring the needle up in the middle of the 2 corners a bit lower down. Make a small stitch over the length of thread to hold it in a 'U' shape.

Squeak from Nesta the Mouse!

Nesta the Mouse (named after my Mum) is my latest crocheted key chain. She is so cute and easy to make, suiting someone with an intermediate skill level. 
Nesta the Mouse loves Cheese and is often seen whizzing around looking for some. She takes it back to her nest to keep it safe until mealtime. The finished Mouse key chain is 3 1/2" high including the key ring and 1 1/2" wide. 

The pattern uses US terminology. I have used light worsted yarn to crochet Nesta and a 3.5mm (E-4) hook.
The pattern uses:-
Magic ring
Single Crochet
Slip Stitch
Crocheting in the round
Chains

In addition to normal crochet supplies you will need a split ring, embroidery thread and beads. This is the perfect pattern for using up your stash as Nesta the Mouse uses less than 25g of each color. Due to small parts the finished key chain is not suitable for young children.

Click on the Buy It Now button to buy the pattern from my Raverly store (you don't need to be a member) 



Hope you enjoy making Nesta :)

Henry the Hedgehog key chain crochet pattern

Henry the Hedgehog loves gardening and is currently growing Tomatoes and Lettuces to make yummy salads. Henry the Hedgehog is my latest amigurumi key chain and he is so cute!

Henry uses less than 25g of each color of yarn so he is perfect for using up your stash. The prickles are created by crocheted on to the surface of the body. This pattern would suit someone with an intermediate skill level.

To buy the pattern click on the button to purchase the PDF from my Raverly store for £1.50. You do not need to be a member of Raverly to purchase the pattern.

Instant PDF downloads from my Etsy shop

Great news! All my crochet pattern PDF's are now available for instant download after you purchase them from my Etsy shop. No more waiting for me to email the pattern out so you can get started on your crochet project straight away. Just click on my shop tab at the top of the page to see all my patterns.

Using yarn scraps

If you are anything like me you have lots of yarn scraps left when you have finished crocheting. I don't like throwing them in the bin as I try to recycle as much as I can. I have been saving up all my yarn ends in a bag and I have found they make good stuffing for amigurumi. As amigurumi is crocheted tightly the yarn scraps don't show through. Green and money saving the perfect combination!

Crocheting with video tape

I have lots of videos in my cupboards that I don't want anymore but I don't like throwing them away to fill up the land fill. I was thinking that I could recycle the tape inside and crochet with it. The added bonus is free crochet yarn!
I recommend rewinding the tape before taking out of the video case so you have all the tape on one spool making it easier to work with.

Take your tape and unscrew the back. My tape had 5 screws in total.

Take the back off and you will see 2 spools inside

Take these out

cut the tape and you have your yarn ready to crochet with.

I crocheted a square first to get used to crocheting with such a different material. I found a 7mm hook worked well and single crochet is best as the tape is not very easy to work with. I found I needed to pull the hook a bit sometimes to get it through the loops on my hook, but once I got in the flow I found my square crocheted up quite quickly. Video tape is surprisingly soft to work with and it is quite strong.

I have now started crocheting a tote bag. I am creating 2 rectangles in single crochet which I will then sew together and add handles to. I will keep you posted with my progress.

Easter egg from Simply Crochet magazine

I decided that this Easter is going to be the first time I have had an Easter tree. I am going to get a twig from the woods (if I can find one under all the snow!) and hang decorated eggs from it. My first egg is from Simply Crochet magazine issue 3. I used a smaller egg base than the pattern states so I used a 2.5mm crochet hook and embroidery thread. I had to add a couple of rows to the centre of the egg so the 2 halves met up. I think it looks really cute and I can't wait to make up my Easter display.

Free scarf pattern for Barney the Bear

I have been crocheting Barney the Bear for a commission and my customer wanted a scarf for Barney. I designed one and I thought I would share it with you all for free so you can make your Barney the Bear his very own scarf. To buy the pattern for Barney the Bear click on the buy now button to take you to my Raverly store. You do not need to be a member of Raverly to buy the pattern for £2.50.


Materials

• 100% Acrylic Light Worsted (Double Knit) yarn in 2 colors, one for the scarf and one for the fringing.
• 3.5mm (E-4) crochet hook
• Large eye tapestry needle
• Scissors

Abbreviations

ch: chain – insert hook into loop. Yarn around hook, pull yarn through loop.

hdc: half double crochet – wrap yarn around hook and insert hook into stitch. Yarn around hook and draw loop through the stitch. 3 loops on hook, yarn around hook and draw loop through all 3 loops.

st(s): stitch(es)

RS: right side

Scarf

Using scarf color ch64

row 1 (RS): 1hdc in 2nd ch from hook, 1hdc in each st till end, turn, ch1 (63sts)

row 2: In front loop only 1hdc in each st till end, turn, ch1 (63sts)

row 3: In front loop only 1hdc in each st till end (63sts)

Fasten off

Making up

Cut 8 x 5"  (13cm) lengths of yarn in the color you have chosen for the fringe.

Fold a length in half and thread through the eye of the tapestry needle.

Push the needle through the end of scarf

Pull the ends of the yarn through leaving the loop on the other side 

Take the needle off the yarn and pull the ends of the yarn through the loop and pull tight

Add 4 tassels to each end of the scarf. When you have finished trim the ends so they are all the same length.

The finished scarf

Make your own stitch markers

Stitch markers are used when marking the rows as you crochet your amigurumi. I like to make my own as I can choose my favourite colours and beads. They are really simple to make as long as you have basic jewellery making supplies.

To make a stitch marker you will need:-

• clasp (I used a 7mm bolt ring)
• selection of beads
• headpin
• flat nose pliers
• round nose pliers

Thread your beads onto the headpin leaving a length free at the end so you can attach the clasp. If the holes on your beads are too big place a seed bead onto the headpin first to stop it slipping off.

Place your clasp onto the top of the headpin and using your round nosed pliers curve the top of the headpin downwards to secure you clasp in place. You may find it easier to use the flat nose pliers to hold the headpin securely as you do this.

Your finished stitch marker ready for your next crochet project.

2sc in the next st

This is asking you to make 2 single crochets in the next stitch. By doing this you increase your number of stitches in the row/round by 1. This helps to create all the shapes that are used to make amigurumi.

To make 2sc in the next st make your single crochet as normal is the next st.

Insert your hook into the same stitch.

Make another single crochet.

You have now made 2sc in the next st.

sc2tog

sc2tog means single crochet 2 together. This is a decrease stitch that makes 2 single crochet stitches on the previous row/round into 1 single crochet on the row/round you are currently crocheting. If you had 10 stitches on the previous row/round you will have 9 at the end of the current row/round. Decrease stitches are used to create shaping so that all sorts of shapes can be crocheted. sc2tog is used a lot in amigurumi to make lots of different shapes.

To make a sc2tog insert your hook into the next stitch and wrap the yarn around the hook.

Pull the hook and the yarn through the loop. You will now have 2 loops on your hook.

Insert the hook in to the next stitch.

Wrap the yarn around the hook.

Pull the hook and the yarn through the loop. You will now have 3 loops on your hook.

Wrap the yarn around the hook.

Pull the yarn and the hook through all 3 loops on the hook. This makes the 2 stitches on the previous row into 1 stitch on the new row.

You have now completed a sc2tog.