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!! 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

Etsy shop now open…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

For those of you who have asked…It’s now open. I have started with a little stock, but will be adding some more cute baby stuff very soon.

I would love your feedback, please pop over and tell me what you think…the link is just here or you can click the Etsy tab at the top of this site.

Off to do some more hooking now!

Have a great week.

 

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Something new…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin7 Comments

 


Hi lovelies…I have some really exciting news; which may explain my absence here at the nest over the last couple of months. 

 It is quite late here now and I have been trying to write this post since Friday, so I will keep this post short. 

I have come to the point in my crochet journey, where I can no longer just crochet for crochet sake…I have more blankets than I can shake a stick at and I think my long suffering family and dear friends are done with my handmade makes! 

So, after 12 months of deliberation and self doubt I have found my big girl pants and will be opening a little Etsy shop, very soon!!!

I have been busy making behind the scenes

newborn hats Cute little baby hats

baby burp clothsBaby burp cloths

baby blanketand of course, baby blankets

crochet cupcakes
Cupcake Trio

and cakes too! 

You can spot the theme…beautiful handmade baby essentials and toddler toys. 

I will of course still blog…and don’t worry it won’t all be Etsy related, I promise. 

You may see some housekeeping changes over the coming weeks, as I embark on freshening up the look of this site…I do hope you will bear with me and I hope you will continue to journey with me,

because I really enjoy having you along for the ride!

Valentine hearts…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

Valentines Day is just around the corner, so I’m just popping in and out very quickly to share three of my favourite quick and easy ♥ patterns. 

Firstly there is my free pattern for my yarny little heart

crochet heart free pattern
a yarny little heart

Secondly, there is this lovely heart stuffie…I love this pattern by MojiMoji Designs

crochet heartsOr do you fancy a C2C heart inspired square then look no further than this great pattern by MA Santos

C2C crochet baby blanket, crochet heart squares in paintbox cotton yarn

So, there you have my favourite three heart patterns…what’s not to love.

♥♥♥♥♥

crochet blanket

My Make Do Blanket…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin10 Comments

I have been reviewing my yarn stash…I have lots of little balls and some big balls of mainly acrylic yarn…mostly Stylecraft special dk and some balls of ‘I just don’t know what’. They are leftovers from projects long gone by like my Happy Ripple

crocet ripple blanket
from 2014

and my Very V Blanket

crochet v stitch blanket, rainbow blanket
Very V blanket from 2016

and the Cosy Cottage Blankets I hooked way back in 2014

the ‘his’ colour way
Cosycattage blanket, ayarnyrobin, crochet blankets
Cosy Cottage Blanket by Attic 24

Of course, I did well last year de-stashing a lot of what I had with the lovely coastal crochet CAL

I was going to gather the rest up and take it to the charity shop…as I have felt for quite a long while that the numerous odd balls of this colour and that colour have been blocking my creative mojo.  But, as I gathered what was quite a tangled mess a pang of guilt coursed through me…it seemed so wasteful. 

I peered into the bag of what I had managed to detangle, not even sure if I liked the colours anymore, but I couldn’t shake that wasteful feeling.  I also felt tired, but I needed to hook; and so before long a simple granny stripe (there are several versions of the pattern out there) began to fall from my hook.  Even more surprisingly, the random colours were so very satisfying to my soul…as was the feeling that this odd surplus of yarn was not only becoming useful, but it was becoming something rather splendid indeed!

crochet blanketI am calling it my ‘Make Do’ blanket.  I’m not sure what size it will be when it is finished…I’m not even sure how many chains I began with, I’m just making do! 

What’s on your hook?

 

 

crochet cupcakes

Cupcake Trio Crochet pattern

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

I am so ridiculously excited to tell you about my brand new crochet pattern for these deliciously scrumptious cupcakes...

crochet cupcakes
Crochet Cupcake Trio

I wanted to crochet some cupcakes a while ago, but I couldn’t find a pattern that was just what I was looking for, so I set about hooking my own and writing my own pattern. 

crochet cupcakes
Crochet Cupcake Trio

I have had so much fun playing around and getting the pattern just how I wanted it. 

I wanted my cupcakes to be plump and have an amazing icing swirl and I wanted them to be embellished with cute and delicious toppings.

crochet cupcakes
Crochet Cupcake Trio

These cupcakes would look just divine as a table display for a special occasion and would also make a very special play set for a children’s kitchen.  The pattern is for all 3 cupcakes:

Mint oreo swirl 

crochet cupcake
Crochet Cupcake Trio

Strawberry swirl

crochet cupcake
Crochet Cupcake Trio

Cookie swirl

crochet cupcake
Crochet Cupcake Trio

The finished cupcake is approx. 9cms tall and is made in dk cotton. 

You may also be interested to know that this pattern has been fully pattern tested by a great team of crocheters.  Click below for the pattern…  

Crochet Cupcake Trio

crochet cupcakes
Crochet Cupcake Trio

I have had so much fun making these…I hope you do also.

XXXXX

 

crochet

Sometimes just being underneath crochet is enough!….

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin18 Comments

I have not been overly productive on the crochet front since the New Year began, largely down to  a chest infection and it’s lingering gift of tiredness. So I have settled for being under my crochet instead…

crochetI have started my new book which I got at Christmas…it has been on my wish list for a while now and I am really enjoying turning the pages and soaking up the next page of words…I haven’t read a book for a long time.

crochetI have put the border on my second ‘Yala’ blanket…I know I have not shown you the first yet, but I am thinking of ordering some cork disc labels to add to them and they are in need of blocking also, so you will have to wait to see them. 

Whilst adding the border this morning I relished the feeling that time had slowed down and I drank in the atmosphere here at the nest…home, sweet home.  I enjoyed the sound of my youngest two robins chitter chattering to each other and tried to absorb all of them, even their bickering.  They are growing so quickly, and I know that in a blink of an eye I will be sat here hooking, wandering what they are doing and when they might visit.

sunsetI spent the afternoon baking for the week ahead and we managed to catch the sunset whilst walking the dogs.  It was windy and the trees swooshed noisly above our heads. I was grateful to be outside, kicking up the leaf litter and breathing in the cold air; I was even more grateful to come home into the warm, pull on my pj’s and heap my bowl full of slow cooker chilli.

My plans for the week are particularly hectic…today may well have been the calm before the storm; so I plan on spending little snippets of time through out the week doing more of the above, wherever I can…because sometimes just being underneath your crochet is enough. 

I hope you have a good week whatever your plans.

xxxxx

crochet hearts

Little Hearts…Lots of Joy!

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin9 Comments

These are some of my first makes of 2019…

crochet hearts

Colourful 3d crochet hearts. The pattern is called ‘Hearts and Bees’ by MojiMojiDesigns.

I spent a lazy New Years afternoon looking at lots of different heart patterns over on pinterest, but this pattern was written well and was my favourite by far. 

crochet hearts

I really like the neat little invisible decrease stitch which is recommended in the pattern too.  I had read ‘invisible decrease’ in a few patterns, and had no idea how to make my decrease invisible, but this pattern clearly explains how to execute said stitch…and it is super nifty and is indeed invisible. 

crochet Hearts

These hearts are made from Stylecraft Special Chunky and measure approx. 10cms x 9cms.    

I ended up hooking several and found it a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon thawing out after an extremely cold and particular lengthy walk with the dogs. 

crochet hearts

I think these hearts would be adorable as little newborn photo props or for gender reveals or perhaps even for Valentine’s which is just around the corner! 

What do you think?

xxxxx

learning to knit

Thank you 2018…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin13 Comments

As 2018 draws to a close and 2019 peeps over the horizon, it is that time of year when bloggers from all around the world post their obligatory review of the year. 

Yes, this is that type of post…however, I have kept it simple and I have decided to choose just one photo from each month…yarn related of course. 

Suffice just to say, 2018 has had it’s ups and downs, as I am sure it has for you; but crochet has, as always been my constant therapy!  2018 was all about busting my stash, finishing Projects Half Done (PHD’s) and learning to knit…I have also released the following FREE patterns this year which I hope you have enjoyed.

Sunshine Jelly Baby Blanket

Grandma Florence Tea Cosy

Grandma Kathy Tea Cosy

Being part of an amazing crafty community means so much to me and I just want to say a MASSIVE thank you to you, whether you are a first time reader or if you are a regular  here at the nest.  Your support and encouragement is treasured. 

Here  are my favourite 12 yarny photo’s of 2018…

January 2018

crochet tea cosy free pattern and tutorialThe Grandma Florence Tea Cosy…bright, quirky and a whole lot of fun to make.

February 2018

broken foot and crochet
guilt free resting!

February, revolved around guilt free crochet as I ended up on crutches and had to take a month out of work. Luckily, for me I found the beautiful Seaside Stashbusting Blanket CAL hosted by the very talented Coastal Crochet It was the perfect project to bust some of my stash…every cloud eh!

March 2018

crochet blanket
crochet and coffee

This is my favourite photo from March.  My Seaside Stash Busting Blanket was starting to look more blanket like and by now I was enjoying the random colour selection from my stash.

April 2018

crochet baby blanketOn a personal level April was profoundly traumatic and sad here  at the nest, but on a yarny level I released the pattern for this beauty.  I just love this blanket so, so much and it proved to be a welcome shower of cheer which burst forth amongst the grief.  This also fulfilled the remit of completing a PHD!

The free pattern is available just here. 

May 2018

learning to knit
learning to knit

2018 saw the beginning of my learning to knit adventure…this is as far as I got.  I started really well and perhaps got a little ambitious…which became my downfall.  Here are my posts to prove it here,  just here and here

I haven’t returned to this project yet as I can’t work out where I am in the pattern!  I do really want to finish this off…a New Year Challenge perhaps? 

June 2018

crochet blanket cal

  We had an unusually hot summer here in the UK, so hooking al fresco was great now that my Seaside Stash Busting Blanket had grown in size.  We had a beautiful sunny weekend glamping and those soft pink and grey shells will forever remind me of that recharging break away with Mr R and the Robins.  You can read about those glamping adventures just here.

July 2018

crochet zebra

The stash busting continued throughout July and inspired me to hook this cheeky dude.  I had some black, white and grey Paintbox cottons just sitting in my stash and the most apparent thing to make was a zebra of course. 

Having never made amigurumi before I am now completely smitten with all things amigurumi, which came as a total surprise to me!  I made so many mistakes with this pattern, but learnt lots about the process of amigurumi along the way…if you want the full details of the mistakes I made take a look here.

August 2018

Vintage Market Tote

This was a joy to hook and also busted some more stash.  I made this Vintage Market Tote for my Mama…and she loved it

September 2018

mixed stitch blanket

The end was in sight for the now glorious Seaside Stash Busting Blanket…and just in time for the change of seasons as Autumn crept in.

October 2018

amigurumi unicorn

A real …tadaaa… moment.  This beautiful unicorn was made with a lot of love in my heart and no mistakes…well none that I know of!  A real gem of a pattern that was easy to follow and so well written.  It was an absolute joy to send her to her forever home and I am looking forward to hearing what she has been named.  The pattern details are just here.

November 2018

crochet baby blanket

My two favourite things to do when I’m on my own are to crochet and drink coffee and if I can do both whilst watching the world go by then that is near perfect for me. 

This  is another stash busting win for me also…a super soft and pretty baby blanket using up left over yarn from my Sunday Shawl.

December 2018

crochet bag

This is the sad state of my Charming Harbour Blanket…still in its bag  (hangs head in shame!). 

This photo is from January…a PHD fail.  I have added some more rows over the course of the year…honest I have.  I don’t know why I haven’t finished it.  The pattern is simple and it is very handsome… and it is not really that far from being finished; but the pretty things call me more loudly.  

All in all 2018 has been quite yarny, maybe not as yarny as some, but yarny nonetheless.  I have met some amazing crafty friends along the way, busted through a lot of my stash and finished a PHD or two. 

Now bring on 2019!

xxxxx

 

 

 

 

pattern testers wanted

Call out for Pattern Testers

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin4 Comments

pattern testers wantedAre you interested in being a pattern tester for me? 

If you are keep reading. 

I am looking for a few of you to test crochet one of my patterns.  If you are not sure what this entails, I have set out what I require below…of course you can always ask your own questions if you are still unsure.

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 the specified deadline.  See below for more details.

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…I will of course tag you. 

You need to be able to keep a secret.  If you are selected to pattern test for me, I require you to keep my pattern out of the public domain during testing and until the pattern goes live.  However,

I will require you to be active on social media once the pattern is live….What does this mean?  Once I have published the pattern 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!  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 and I will always tag you so people can head your way!

Can I make changes to the pattern?  mmm….I need you to follow the pattern as it is written.  With regards to yarn I will make recommendations, but this can be negotiated as different yarns will give me more thorough feedback.  It’s all down to communication. 

Do you supply materials? Nope, I only send you the pattern, you will need to supply your own materials

How will communication happen? via email. 

I think that about covers it…other than deadlines.

The pattern and deadline details are below. 

Crochet cupcakes

( cotton or a cotton mix yarn in several colours and toy stuffing will be required)

deadline for applying is December 31st 2018 deadline for completion is January 31st 2019

I do have some more patterns in the pipeline that will need to be road tested, so watch this space. 

If you are interested please complete the contact form at the bottom of this post.  In the comments section please state

1.your level of crochet experience ie/ beginner, intermediate, advanced

2.a link to your crochet social media / ravelry account if you have one

3.a little bit about yourself ie/ where you are from, how long you have been crocheting for.

 

Thank you in advance, I will look forward to hearing from you.

xxxxx

 

 

 

crochet baby blanket

Sheraby Baby Blanket…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin19 Comments

Oh my days! 

Life seems to be on fast forward at the moment…It is nearly December already…how can that be? 

I  have been hooking, but a lot of what I am doing is

Secret Santa type of top secret and the like.  I can show you this, however

crochet baby blanketA pretty linen stitch baby blanket, using up my leftovers from my Sunday Shawl…this yarn has to be my absolute favourite at the moment.  It is Scheepjes Merino dk and it is so, so soft…I mean really soft and plump and squishy.  I started this blanket on a whim and then couldn’t put it down, so it actually hooked up quite quickly.  I hooked it in the car,

crochet baby blanketIn the café whilst the boys were mountain biking,

crochet baby blanketbut, mostly I hooked it in Sherwood Forest, whilst away for a few precious days…hence the name ‘Sheraby’. 

in my happy place

You might be thinking what about all those pesky ends?  Well, I just crocheted over them as I went, so there were no pesky ends at all.

crochet baby blanketIt is only a small little blanket…car seat size, but I am so pleased with it.  This years hooking seems to be about busting my stash and I am really enjoying the challenge of that.  I really do like the ‘knitted’ look  that linen stitch produces to.  It’s a lovely closed fabric effect and is very simple to do.

crochet baby blanket

crochet baby blanketWhat do you think?

xxxxx