Author: Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin

Mostly enjoying this busy, beautiful life with lots of yarn and a hook! I'm hooked on God, my 3 boys, Mr R and if your reading this then you'll know I'm hooked on crochet too!! By day I am a full time nurse working in the community in children's health, but by night I am a maker of cute baby things. Pop over to my Etsy shop by clicking the tab at the top of this page or message me if you would like me to make you a custom order. I also love to blog and Instagram my creative journey and design my own crochet patterns; you can find me by clicking the links below. So thanks for stopping by...feel free to have a good old poke around...and I hope you enjoy your time spent with me because you are very welcome here xx

The smartest little red coat

Published on January 16, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

I just wanted to share with you this very sweet and quick make, that I hooked up a couple of weeks ago now, for little Jess. I did want to make it in navy with rainbow stripes to match Mr R’s hat…but Mr R was not the least bit impressed by this at all!!

The pattern details can be found at the end of this post. It’s a lovely little free pattern, which gives directions to make a bespoke dog sweater based on measurements for your dog…so you can make any size you need to!

Jess, was rather proud with the finished item and was happy to pose. I love the ribbed collar and waist band and because it is bespoke just for Jess, I was able to make the leg holes just for her, so it fits comfortably and allows for natural movement.

I finished the sweater off with one of my cork labels.

I think I will still make one with navy with rainbow stripes to match Mr R…

What do you think?

Pattern: Crochet dog sweater pattern by Maria’sbluecrayon

Yarn: Stylecraft Special Aran in Lipstick

xxxxx

6 months…

Published on January 10, 2021January 10, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

Yes, that’s how long it has been since I last dropped by…and my, how the landscape of the world has changed; internationally, nationally and personally!

I write because it makes me feel like someone is listening. – Or I am finally listening to myself!

I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to carry on writing here; I felt like I had lost my way a little and didn’t know how too move this space forward. Opening my little Etsy shop has been so much fun, but it also kind of took all my spare time. I have also changed jobs…well same job, different Trust and different Team…that has been life changing for me! I am now part of a team that nurtures and cares instead of tears apart and destroys; so I feel like I have gained a lot of head space back. Anyway, I’m sure we are all going through our own trials right now, so I’m not going to dump mine here for you to absorb. I just wanted to let you know, I’m planning to be around these parts a bit more often…but for now, I will just leave you with some pictures of some recent hooking exploits.

stay safe!

xxxxx

Lockdown baby…

Published on May 17, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

If you have read my previous posts you will know we are awaiting the birth of a precious niece any day soon. Little did we plan the birth of someone so longed for and precious in the middle of a global pandemic and a national lockdown!

However, the rainbows that adorn the windows of homes all across the country and that have become the symbol of communities united and a sign of thanks and of hope over the last 8 weeks or so, have inspired me to hook something for babies born in lockdown.

You probably could have guessed it would be a bonnet…they have become my favourite things to make!

What do you think?

These are available to buy in my shop…just click the picture and you will be magically transported there. Or if you fancy hooking your own, you can purchase the pattern from my shop too…the pattern is for the basic bonnet so you would just have to change your yarn to the rainbow colours in the last 6 rows (the last row been the main colour of the bonnet). The ears are optional! Of course if your not sure just pop me a message.

I have had a lot of love for these and have just sold one to a lovely Mama who is expecting a rainbow baby (a baby born after pregnancy or child loss) and one to a Mama to be who wants to use it as part of her pregnancy announcement.

I really do feel so privileged to make bonnets and hats and to help create special memories for parents and carers.

xxxxx

Crochet Rainbow Pattern…

Published on May 14, 2020May 14, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

Hi, I just wanted to drop by to share with you this fabulous and free crochet sampler rainbow pattern by the amazing Sharon from The Stitch Foundary

It’s a quick make and looks fabulous hung up in the window to show support to all of our key workers at this unbelievable time and to add some cheer and unite in community spirit.

From a crochet point of view, the pattern is free, easy to follow and has several different stitches which give the rainbow some lovely textures. There is no gauge to worry about and you can make it from scraps…what’s not to love!

I did alter mine slightly…sorry Sharon!

I used 5 stitches to complete my popcorns in the orange row, instead of the recommended 3 stitches…just because it made my popcorns fatter and I like nice fat popcorns! Then on the last row of red I chained 5 and missed a stitch, instead of chain 3 between each stitch…just because it made the row less ruffled and more arched and I preferred the more simple finish.

Anyway, it’s a fabulous pattern and will make you smile if you hook it!

xxxxx

Oops April…

Published on May 10, 2020May 10, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

Apparently April 2020 has been and gone, it has seemingly slipped by silently…drowned out by the roar of Covid-19, and all without as much as a blog post from me. My sincerest apologies, the NHS has been a crazy place to be employed of late and I have found it difficult to transition from there and slip into the rather relaxed mode at home…it feels like I am straddling two time zones!

I have been productive however, and I have a few things to show you and some good patterns I have found to share with you. The first of which is from one of my all time favourite designers…Mon petit violon. I have a brand-new niece scheduled to arrive in this world at any moment and I fell in love with the ruffle romper by Mon Petit Violon. So just before we were locked down I ordered 2 balls of Rico cotton soft in saffron. As soon as they arrived through the letter box I got my hook out and, well pretty much got lost in the beautiful stitches and shape of this romper. I oohed and aahhed as I hooked (no, I really did…out loud!). The pattern is a wonderful hook, it is clearly written and comes in two size options 0 – 6 months and 6 -12 months. I am hooking the 0 – 6 months as baby is due any day now.

There are plenty of helpful pictures included in the pattern too and although the stitches used are simple, I would suggest you would need some previous knowledge and experience of crochet and reading patterns so as not to be overwhelmed. Oh and of course it is very important to test swatch your gauge to begin with!

So there I was oohing and aahhing and hooking away merrily and what I should have done was read the partof the pattern which suggested amounts of yarn, because just as I got to the ruffle part…I ran out of yarn!

I should have ordered 3 balls! No problem! I thought and hit the button to order more…but an ‘out of stock’ message appeared! No problem! I thought as I checked the box that said ‘send email when back in stock’.

Three weeks passed and no email…a frantic search online found my heart sinking as shop after shop did not have any balls of saffron left. In desperation last week I put an appeal out on Instagram to see if any lovely hooker, anywhere in the world had some in their stash to sell to me… and my wonderful #sidekicksistas came to the rescue. The beautiful Karen alerted me to 3 balls that were available at Laughing Hens! Now I had never come across this beautiful gem of shop before…but I hit the order button and am now just waiting for my yarn to arrive, so I can get that ruffle hooked hopefully before my niece arrives!

Talking of patterns I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for the support you have given to me with my recent pattern release.

You have really blessed me!

I promise I won’t leave it as long before I next drop by.

Stay safe.

xxxxx

Baby Bear Bonnet – New pattern release…

Published on March 28, 2020March 28, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

Oh my days…I hope everyone is well and staying safe…what strange and frightening times we are living in! I am still having to work, but the rest of the Robins are tucked up tight at home with Mr R for safe keeping.

Photo credit: with thanks to @homeandangelmum on instagram

In between my shifts for the last 4 weeks I have been trying to distract myself by pattern writing…and today I have been able to release my offering of this adorable baby bonnet. It has taken me 4 weeks to write, get pattern tested, product tested and edited, so it has kept me well distracted from the worry in this world.

(If you want to skip the rest of this post, you will find a 20% off coupon code at the bottom of this post!)

Photo credit: with thanks to @kyliesianmed on instagram

This beautiful baby bear bonnet is sure to make a perfect baby shower gift for a precious little one. Or indeed this cute little bonnet would make a sweet photo prop to take along to a newborn photoshoot. Of course, it would also be great for dress up and everyday wear too!

What do you think?

Photo credit: with thanks to @mrslozmiller on instagram

Fancy hooking your own beautiful baby bear bonnet? This beautiful pattern is easy and quick to hook up and comes in sizes

Newborn
0 – 3 months
3-6 months
6 – 9 months
9 – 12 months
1 – 2 years
2 – 5 years

Materials you will need:
Aran / worsted weight yarn – pattern recommends Stylecraft special, but any aran/ worsted yarn may be used (5.0mm) crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Tape measure
stitch marker (optional)

The pattern is written using UK crochet terminology and has a handy conversion of stitches into US terminology provided in the pattern notes.

You are welcome to sell what you make using my patterns – I hope this bonnet sells well for you! Please do include a link or reference to my shop for the pattern. This pattern including photographs are copyright protected and you are not permitted to reproduce, redistribute, copy, share or re-sell.

Use code

STAYATHOME20

for 20% off pattern price valid until 04.04.2020.

Stay safe lovelies.

xxxxx

Pattern testers needed!…

Published on March 15, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin12 Comments

Hey Lovelies I’m in need of pattern testers again. Yes, I’ve been able to get back to some of what I love and I’ve been writing a pattern for a beautiful baby bear bonnet. It all came about when I just couldn’t find a pattern for a basic baby bonnet that worked…I tried several!!

So I thought I’d just write my own. I still have a couple of sizes to figure out, but for the most part it is written.

Here’s what I’m looking for.

Do I need to have test crochet before?

Nope… as long as you can crochet and read from a written pattern you are good to apply to be my tester. Infact, I am looking for people with varying abilities of crochet.

Is there a deadline?

Yes…if you are successful in applying for the role of tester I will require you to finish the test within a week of receiving the pattern.

Other than crochet the pattern on time what else do you need me to do?
Good question! I will need you to give me lots of feedback, to include the good, the bad and the ugly!
Spot typo’s and grammatical errors and make pattern corrections.
I need you to keep in touch even if this means you can’t meet the deadline…life happens, I understand that.
I also require a good quality photo of the finished item that I will be able to use on all social media, my blog and in my Etsy shop…I will of course tag you.

I will require you to be active on social media, ideally you need to be active on Instagram and or facebook….What does this mean? I would like you to share the pattern once published and it is available on general release, I would like you to post your picture with a link to the pattern. I will let you know when the pattern is live.

Do I get paid to test a pattern?

Nope…I wish I could say yes, but sadly the answer is no! You also need to be able to provide your own materials…in this case a small quantity of aran / worsted weight yarn. However, you will get the pattern fully edited for free and if your photo’s are of good quality I will use them here on my blog and in my social media / Etsy shop and I will always tag you so people can head your way!

So if you are interested and can turn this around for me within 7 days, and you are happy with the terms above, please leave me a comment below, with your facebook and Instagram handles and expressing your interest. I have about 4 spaces available and if you are successful I will be in touch within the next week.

xxxxx

Teething Bibs…

Published on February 5, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

This is my newest make and I just love it…

What do you think?…I just love making these beautiful baby bibs. I will pop the pattern details below in case you want to make your own…but they are available to buy just here.

These super absorbent 100% cotton bibs are not only stylish, they are brilliant at catching those dribbles! The textured bobbles are soothing and safe for sore gums to chew on, to provide some natural relief from teething pain.

I had so much fun hooking these bibs and the best bit was choosing a colour palette for them…but I am thrilled with the colours I have chosen…

I think these bibs are so pretty they would also make beautiful occasion bibs to compliment that special outfit for that special occasion. I also think they would make great baby shower gifts too!

I have decided to make these bibs available in packs of 2, so you can have fun mixing and matching your colour choices. They are also machine washable for ease of care.
Pretty, stylish, practical what’s not to love and available now!

XXXXX

pattern: Bitty Boho Bib by Ashley @ A Crafty Concept

#Sidekicksistas…

Published on January 21, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

I wanted to stop by and show a beautiful shawl I made as a Secret Santa swap for one of my #sidekicksistas.

If you don’t know I am wonderfully blessed to be a part of a fabulous group of crafties that meets once a month. I met them online way back when I had my foot operation and I started the #seasidestashbustingblanket in 2018, and they kindly invited me along. They really are just the most supportive and creative women and we all share the same crafty kindred spirit. Even though I don’t make the monthly meets and only get to about three a year, I just love these women so much. The highlight is always our Christmas dinner in December where we all chip in and cook something for the table…here we are look…

This year for the secret Santa swap, I decided I was going to make a shawl and after a long trawl through ravelry, I set my heart on the Dragon Belly Shawl by Johanna Lindahl of Mijo Crochet. It is a free pattern and has a simple 2 row repeat, which means it is the perfect pattern to hook up whilst indulging in a box set. Perfect relaxing crochet. The pattern is well written and I will definitely be making this again.

I decided to treat my recipient to a Scheepjes whirl to hook this shawl in…well to treat myself really as I had never hooked with this yarn before and I had wanted to for ages. I chose the Blueberry Bambam which was my second choice. I had originally chosen the Jaffa Pop colourway…but it was out of stock everywhere, and I mean everywhere and was not due to be re-stocked until after Christmas. So Blueberry Bambam it was.

The yarn was a beauty to hook with. It is a beautifully soft cotton blend 4ply yarn which has a long gentle gradient. I used the whole 200g (1000m) and it made a great sized shawl. The whirl was worth every penny, as it produced a really lovely quality fabric which drapes amazingly. I love the raised rows of this shawl and it is aptly named the Dragon Belly for this reason. So, if your looking for a fabulous make which won’t tax your brain; but will certainly scratch that creative itch and give you a real sense of hooky satisfaction…this is the pattern to go for.

xxxxx

2020…What to do?…

Published on January 7, 2020January 7, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin10 Comments

Happy New Year…Happy New Decade!

I have been wanting to sit and write for quite a while, but I didn’t want to sit and write just for the sake of it, so I have been waiting to see how my heart settles…and it is beginning to, I think!

Oh I have missed you all…how are you?…do let me know! I have got so much to share with you. Firstly, I have been hooking and sewing and I will of course share the patterns and my makes with you, but I am taking a different direction; it has just taken me a little while to figure how that change fits with this blog. To be honest I am still not sure how it will all pan out but it’s time to see.

For those of you who stop by regularly, you will know that I have been quiet both here and on my social media sites, you will also know that I ventured to set up a little Etsy shop with baby makes and this is what has taken my attention recently. I was so busy with orders leading up to Christmas it was pretty much all I could focus on. I was busy hooking lots of these Santa Hats

I had orders for lots of these elf hats too…

If you pop over to my other Instagram site @baby_yarnyrobin you will see some very cute babies looking festive in their hats which I find just utterly thrilling.

I also made bear hats

and Daddy and me sets

So, you see I was very busy. The orders blessed my crochet socks off and also took me completely by surprise and it has all been a very steep learning curve which I have absolutely relished and found altogether overwhelming all at the same time. Of course my order books are much quieter now; as to be expected, and I am mindful I have a full time job and this little venture is just a hobby and that is all I need and want it to be right now.

So, I am still going to share my crochet makes right here, continue with pattern reviews and share some little stories of life here at the nest…just like before. I also want to get back to some pattern writing at some point. I have decided not to go down the route of CE Testing, I just can not bring myself to set fire to my makes! I will have to settle for making any amigurumi toys as gifts only.

A lot of the makes I share will be baby and toddler related (not least as I am going to be an Auntie this Summer, thanks to my little SiL!) and we will just see how that goes for a while. It won’t all be shop related, it will just be smattered here and there…because I love this little space of mine and I love you stopping by to spend some time here.

Well, I am really glad I got back on the blogging horse…it was every bit a pleasure as I remember it. Looking forward to 2020 with you.

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