Monday 1 December 2014

Some Crochet Gifts and Knitted Hats and a quick trip to England!

Welcome back, my dear Friends,

December Greetings to you all! Hasn't time gone quickly!!! Thanks for your kind responses to my last post!

Finally time for a quick update!



We went for a quick trip this weekend to England, leaving in the very early hours of Saturday, arriving there mid morning and arriving back here in Belgium last night! A very short trip indeed!


Knitted Hats

First of all, I want to share my latest little knits with you:

Here are 2 more knitted hats I made during the last 2 weeks, using 2 different stitch patterns. I knit all my hats in the round, casting on with 4mm needles for the rib and then 5.5mm needles for the body of the hat. For these two hats I used shaping to create a rounder shape, the previous 2 hats were knit in a cylindrical shape and then sewn together.

(I already gave the Grey-Green Hat to my best friend as an early Christmas gift when I visited her on Sunday morning. She put it on and loved it straight away!)

2 Cloche Style knitted hats
All 4 knitted hats that I made in the last month (Rico Tasai yarn)

Making Crochet Mini Baskets

Before leaving for England, I wanted to make some little crochet baskets for gifts. Here you can see what was going on Friday, 28.11.14:

Crochet Squares for making a Mini Basket
The finished Crochet Mini Basket (but without lining)!
Work in progress!

I found the pattern for these pretty baskets here: weblink - please check it out!

I had actually saved the link for a while, and it seemed a great opportunity to make some for Christmas! But of course, they would make great gifts all year round. They are pretty easy to make, and you could adapt the pattern in different ways.

For example, I made some versions where the side panels are different from each other, using 2 contrasting colours. Likewise, you could make them larger or smaller!


Apart from crochet, you will need some very basic sewing skills, and a sewing machine would come in very handy, especially if you want to make a whole batch of these! The lining was added to the basket and then handsewn inside. (Of course it would be possible to make the Mini Basket without lining!)

Inner Cotton lining made especially for the Crochet Baskets
29.11.14 Breakfast at Costa's in England! ;)
01.12.14  Here are 3 of the completed Mini Baskets together with the new Phone Cosy
  


A festive little Star Garland

On Saturday we went to visit one of my daughters. I made her a Star Garland in her favourite colours to match her colour scheme! She was very happy with it.

Purple White Star Garland I made for my Daughter
Stars in the Window


My Ombre Crochet Phone Cosy

I got a new mobile phone whilst in England (I had the previous one for a few years). So on the car journey back to Belgium I set about making a custom Phone Cosy for it, to protect the phone. I had never made one before, and I didn't have a pattern either, but this was a great occasion to use my own designing skills!

I decided I wanted a sort of colourful Ombre effect and I used some of the Scheepjeswol Stone Washed yarn that I had taken along to make the Crochet Baskets and also the Star Garland.

I crocheted this in the round in one go, then adding the envelope flap which I sewed to the sides. It fits quite snug without being too tight and is easy to slide in/out of the cosy, even using one hand only. The flap prevents the phone from falling out accidentally. I find it both functional and pretty!


Front
Back



My new Crochet Ombre Phone Cosy - easy to retrieve the Phone


My Harlequin Blanket

A quick glimpse on the current progress - the blanket is getting bigger and quite heavy by now:

29.11.14 Harlequin Blanket - latest progress!

And here is something that made me smile (I mentioned it in my last post) - this time I managed to grab the camera and take a quick photo of Jasper settling himself onto my Harlequin Blanket when I started to work on it! This seems to be his way of saying, thanks for making me such a squishy blanket!!! ;)

Jasper stakes his claim on the blanket!!!

About using Tags

For my latest followers here is a little tip: I add tags to each post. This means you will be able to search for a specific tag (there is a search box on the right hand side, together with a 'cloud' of tags (each tag name is 'clickable' and will come up with posts that mention that specific tag name). So for example, you can find more about the Star Garland in a previous post which includes a link to the pattern. Give it a try!

...and a question to you fellow bloggers:

I do want to learn more things all the time, so I'm currently wondering how I can add a widget that lets me add a 'Pin button' to each photo of mine here on my blog (so anybody could add it to their PINTEREST boards) and also a sort of general 'add this to Pinterest' button (i.e. a blog post). I am completely self taught when it comes to blogging and I am still learning as I go along! This is one feature that I would like to be able to use, but so far I have not quite figured it out how to do this!

I recently joined Pinterest just so I can save some visual ideas. I just thought it would be nice for my followers to add any of my images to their collection, if they wanted to.

I am using Blogger. If you have successfully managed to do this to your own blog, then please would you contact me by email (and do not fill up the comment box with complicated instructions below), that way I would be able to email you back if I got a further question, if that is ok with you?
Please kindly contact me here: scutagal (at) yahoo <dot> co <dot> uk


Well, I do hope you enjoyed reading this latest post! Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to add your comments below, I love hearing from you all. Let me know what you liked best!

Happy December!!!!

55 comments:

  1. I managed to put that Pinterest-Thingy in, thus I can help you with it. You shall get an email from me soonish :)

    Your trip to England was very short indeed! Hope you had a wonderful time anway!

    These little crochet baskets are very cute! The lining is a good idea. I will tell Michelle about it - perhaps she will add lining to her Saggy Doggy Baggies too. :)

    Take care
    Anne
    http://crochetbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.de

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    1. Hi Anne! Thank you so much for helping me out with the Pinterest button, I have managed to add it now, so people can start pinning! :)
      Yes, it was another flying visit, and (sadly) the last one for this year. However, my son just arrived from England last night and is staying with us for a whole week, yay! :)
      Yes, the lining does help - it stops small things poking through the holes in the granny squares! Have a good day! ;) xx

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    2. I hope you can share with us how you do it because I am completely self taught as well. I have a Pinterest page but I don't use it as much as I probably should.

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  2. Hope you had a wonderful time in England even though it was such a short visit. Your makes are a real delight, The baskets are wonderful and would make great grifts any time of the year.

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    1. Thanks, Lorraine! :) I was thinking of you and your daughter's wedding... I trust it all went well. I will pop over to your blog and read about it in a moment! :) The weather was a bit grey on the saturday when we drove up, but that's December!
      I bet you got all your Christmas presents and decorations done already? (I confess, I still got my cards to do!!!) xx

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  3. Beautiful creations!!!
    Happy week.:*

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    1. ...thanks, and the same to you, Ljubinka! :) xx

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  4. Hi Ingrid, goodness you really did just pop to the UK, quite a drive for you, glad your daughter was pleased with her wonderful star garland.
    I love your gift baskets, what a great design and not too challenging on the sewing front.
    Your blanket really is growing, looking good Ingrid-especially with a big fluffy cat embellishment ha ha.
    Have a good week, if you sort that pin thingy out and it is relatively easy, you could give me a clue too-I am useless at anything but the basics (you may have noticed!)
    Helen

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    1. Thanks Helen! Yes, a lot of our visits are pretty short like this, but then I love it that we get to see the children and a tiny bit of English life!!! Hahaha, the big fluffy cat is making the blanket even harder to lift up!!! ;)
      (Ok, since you asked: Anne gave me this link - http://www.bloggersentral.com/2012/11/pinterest-pin-it-button-on-image-hover.html - which has a code you paste into one of the boxes. Hope it helps!) xx

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    2. Ah! Thank you! Apologies for my previous impulsive question - I should have been patient and read right through first.

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  5. Your little baskets are too cute...and even lined! Love them. Your phone cozy and blanket are wonderful too. You are always so busy with multiple projects. Wish I vould take a "quick trip" to England!! Even a long one would be okay! I'd love to visit there some day. Have a good week.

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    1. Hi Pammy Sue! Thank you! :) I get multiple distraction disorder when it comes to focusing on only ONE project, I just can't seem to manage, heheh! I'm sure you would love England! One thing for sure, they are a nation of animal lovers! :) And the wool shops, and the tea shops and pubs....the sights and the countryside...(I get homesick for England if I'm away for too long!) xx

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  6. Ingrid, its me, Pammy Sue. I don't know why it's not linking to the "real" me! I'm on my phone so who knows why. Www.scottys-place.blogspot.com

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    1. Hahah, we all have an identity crisis from time to time!!!! ;)))
      I know only ONE Pammy Sue and that is you!!! <3 Have a good week!!! xx

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  7. I hope you had a great visit to England! I love your little baskets, how cute are they!!! xx

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    1. Thank you, Amy! Why not try making one yourself, they are pretty easy, just like making granny squares for a blanket, and the good thing is, you only need to make 5 squares! :) Have a good week! xx

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  8. All of your work is so pretty. Those baskets are so clever. I know there is a page on Pinterest where you can create all the widgets and get the code to add to your blog. I seem to remember it was fairly difficult to find, but I think I searched "widgets" or something similar and it took me to the correct page. I have a button for pins on my blog, but I chose the one that will open a new window with all your photos on it so people can pin them. But there is definitely one that will put a button on each photo and I think maybe a "hovering" button for the photos too.

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer, for your tips! I added a P button, so please feel free to try it out! (and let me know if there is a problem!).
      Thanks for your kind comments. I really must catch up with my reading. I meant to comment on your blog the other night, but I was too tired from the journey back from England. Now I got my son staying here, so we will go out to Antwerp a lot!!! :)
      Have a good week! xx

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  9. bonjour !!! I'm still impressed by your work !!! you're a very active person !!!! everything is so well made ! and good luck with the coldness in Belgium !!! here it's so wet !! Have a creative week !

    http://woolandcats.blogspot.fr/

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  10. Wat een leuke mandjes van granny's! Je telefoonhoesje ziet er ook handig en leuk uit. En Jasper lijkt zo wel wat op onze Sushi, zo bovenop je deken (die trouwens prachtig wordt!). Groetjes

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    1. Hallo Lizette! Hehe, jaa, de kat zat op de mat!!! ;) Dankje!!! Veel haakplezier voor deze week! xx

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  11. Hope you had a nice time with your family.
    I had my mum staying here for a week and I will treasure it.
    One year since the last time we saw eachother.

    Love the baskets you have made.
    And the yarn....

    Long blogpost from you with lots of colorful crafts.

    Have a nice day

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    1. Hi Monica! Thanks very much! :)
      It must have been nice for your mum to stay over and spend some time with you!!! (And I really love the cardigan she made!!)

      I'm lucky to have my son staying with me this week, we only saw each other for a short time on saturday when we went to England. Time goes so quickly!!!
      I'm hoping that the 2 oldest daughters will visit over the Christmas/New Year period! :)
      Have a good week! xx

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  12. Such nice presents, love the granny square basket and the hats are also very cute. Thanks for sharing Ingrid!

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  13. Love those baskets, they make great presents. I have a Pinterest button on my blog, but my sister did it for me so I am of no help at al.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. Hi Meredith! Thanks - I got it sorted, Anne send me a great link and it works now! :)
      Hope you will get a bit of time for yourself before Xmas, it gets all a bit hectic, doesn't it!
      I'm enjoying having my son here, he is 21 like yours and has got a healthy appetite! ;) We have fun going round Antwerp, if only it wasn't getting freezing cold here!!! Brrr!!! ;) xx

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  14. Contents on this blog are excellent in addition to appreciative.

    Hair Accessories For Women & Millinery in NY

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  15. Love the baskets! They are an absolute hit these days - I see them everywhere and almost itching to make some myself :)

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    1. Go on, Maya, you know you want to.... ;) Glad you like them! xx

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  16. You are very productive. Love your knitted hats, for sure you are very busy too.
    I see that you like to switch between knitting and crocheting like me.
    Great job..
    Be creative!
    Miss

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    1. Thank you, Miss! :) Yes, whenever I'm knitting, I think I'd like to crochet and vice versa!!! xx

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  17. I love the sweet baskets, the hats and the pretty phone cosy! You are so creative and make such lovely things. The star garland is a lovely idea too! I hope you had a great time in England!
    Happy weekend!
    Helen xox

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    1. Thanks, Helen! Yes, it was a fun but very short visit! Enjoy your weekend! xx

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  18. Those knitted hats are gorgeous! the yarn is perfect! Looks like you have figured out how to add the pin it button to your pictures, but I wanted to show you the tutorial I used for adding my own "pin it " picture for the button as well! I wrote a post about it here http://www.rebeccabeedesigns.com/2014/10/best-links-for-diy-blog-design.html
    Good luck not falling down the pinterest rabbit hole! I know I can get lost there for a long time!
    Rebecca xox

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    1. Hi Rebecca, glad you like them! I reckon you could use a cosy hat to go with your fab knitted mittens you just made! ;)
      Thanks for your link, I will check it out. :) xx

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  19. Everything is so beautiful! My favorites are the little baskets (with their own lining!), they must be practical for many little things and seem quite easy to make - a fab combination :-)
    Amalia xo

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    1. Hi Amalia, yes, they are easy enough to make and great when you need a little gift! ;) xx

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  20. you are so productive and talented! The hats are amazing and I love the baskets, I've been meaning to make that pattern but a bit daunted by the lining and my appalling sewing skills! The stars and cosy are lovely too! Have a good week :) x

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    1. Hi Helen! Thanks! Give it a go and make a basket! You do not need to sew the lining, here are some ideas for alternatives: just put in some pretty fabric, or a fancy hankerchief/scarf and put in your little gift in the middle! (Or how about a small flannel and a piece of soap?) If you want to stick to crochet, you could also add 5 inside panels made of double crochet stitches which would make it more stable. Or add starch or glue to permanently make the basket more 'solid'. But most of all, have fun!! xx

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  21. Hallo Ingrid!
    Superbusy women! Ik hoop dat de week goed verlopen is en dat je van het bezoek van je zoon hebt kunnen genieten! See you soon!
    Xxx

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    1. Hallo Christine! Vorig week was druk, maar ook leuk. Nu is mijn zoon terug in Engeland en ik ben verkoud! :( Liefs! xx

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  22. Hi Ingrid,

    First of all, thank you for your comment on my blog. I Always enjoy reading them. What a lovely blog you have, I really like the crocheted baskets.

    And I'm so jealous that you went to England. I love England. 2 years ago I went for a schooltrip to London and since then I'm in love with England. It has been 2 years now and I still want to go back some time, but I haven't had the oppertunity to go there.

    Well, You have a new follower (ME) and I hope you will visit my blog some time in the future.

    Have a really nice Monday.

    Lovely greetings,
    Emily
    (casacreaemilia.blogspot.nl)

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    1. Dear Emily, Thank you so much for your very kind comments and welcome! I'm glad you like my blog and I hope you will enjoy reading it! I fell in love with England when I first visited at the age of 13 and that's when I decided that I wanted to live there - which I turned into reality when I was 21! I'm sure if you really want something that much, you will do what you can to make it happen, maybe go back soon for a little holiday!? (Good luck!) I'm sure I will always go back, because for one thing, three of my grown children live there, and second, I will always love England.... <3 Have a good week! xx

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  23. Hi Ingrid, it is quite a long time since I have been to blogland because of several illnesses but I am feeling better now. You have been so creative since I last had a look at your blog! The colourful South Bay Shawlette - I really love the pattern - the knitted hats, your blanket and the little baskets and on and on and on.... All so very beautiful. Congratulations! I will write a post about my makes soon, promised! Have a great week, Viola

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    1. Hello Viola! I'm really pleased to see that you have returned to blogland, I missed you!!! :)) Glad you are feeling better. Thanks also for your nice comments, I see you have been catching up reading about my latest makes. Enjoy your week! xx

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  24. Hello Ingrid , I loved the star garland and the Harlequin blanket looks gorgeous...Have a lovely day! Gaia.

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  25. I love all the things you've made but those little baskets are so gorgeous.

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  26. Hi Ingrid! So nice of you to stop by my blog :) Your creations with stonewashed are beautiful! Luckily you can get the yarn where you live. I'm making a vest (like a cardigan with no sleeves) with my squares :) Gonna be tricky though, since I need a couple of half-squares for the edges. I wonder how that will work out!
    Happy crafting :)
    Carmen

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    1. Hi Carmen! ...and lovely of you to visit me back! Ahh, a sleeveless vest, made from the Stone Washed yarn, that should be interesting! :) Yes, I guess you might have to experiment how to make the half squares. Wouldn't it be possible to connect the squares all round, (similar to crocheting in the round), so that you do not have side seams?
      I guess it is a bit of trial and error, to see how it will work out with the maths and measurements! Good luck!!! (And looking forward to seeing it when you have finished it!)
      I would really like to crochet a cardigan or jumper using the Stonewashed XL yarn soon, but first there are a number of things I need to get finished, including my huge Crochet blanket! ;)
      Thanks also for your kind comments! :) xx

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  27. Articles and content in this section of the website are really amazing.

    Denim skirts & Apostolic store

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  28. The stonewashed colours are very pretty. Well done with the phone cosy too. There is a balance between being able to reach your phone easily, but not so easily that it falls out! Well done for finding a happy medium which is beautiful as well.

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