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Top 5 things to crochet when it's hot and number 1 is ironic!

CAL Granny Style

Published on January 27, 2018January 28, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin19 Comments

February is just in view, in fact it’s approaching so quickly it may possibly arrive before I finish this post…you see every time I have sat down to type, something has needed my urgent attention. It seems this has been the reoccurring theme here at the nest this January, so much so that not a lot of hooking has taken place!!

crochet bag — My crochet has followed me around in this bag…but has not come out to play since Scotland 😦

But… I have plans a foot for February…which start with being immobile thanks to some planned foot surgery early next week. On the bright side this will require a period of recuperation mainly with my foot up and sat right next to a basket of yarn… hooking perfection!

First on my hooking list is a delirious granny CAL (crochet a long) which begins on the 01st Feb and which is being hosted by the lovely Rosina over at Zeens and Rogers…do hop over and check out one of her podcasts they always make me smile and always inspire me and of course feel free to join the CAL too.

Top 5 things to crochet when it's hot and number 1 is ironic! — Robins nest square

Thinking about what to hook for the CAL has got me looking at all things granny and I realised that the simple treble stitch nestled next to two other simple treble stitches…classic granny stitch…is actually one of my go to stitches…

It is also #yarnlovechallenge time again. Check out last years prompts here and if you want to join the fun check out the #yarnlovechallenge on Instagram or check back here on Thursday.

So I am going to try and post short daily posts throughout February inspired by the daily prompts and crochet out rather than being too spaced out on pain killers…I hope!

Have a great weekend.

xxxxx

a wee sottish adventure

A Wee Scottish Adventure…

Published on January 19, 2018January 18, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin25 Comments

Last weekend Mr R and I took the train and embarked upon a wee Scottish adventure.

It was business for Mr R but I tagged along with my hook and yarn. The temptation of a long train journey without the little Robins was just too much, even if it did mean an early start!

It provided a whole few hours of just sitting watching the world go by with just Mr R for company and the opportunity for guilt free hooking…what was not to love!

I got some more rows done on my Charming Harbour Blanket…I am still hooking away at this. It is rather slow going, not because of the pattern, more the sheer size of the thing and the fact that I am only working on it every now and then. But, I am enjoying the hook and I do not have any deadline pressures with this one.

Crochet blanket — Charming Harbour blanket PHD

The journey to Glasgow and then onto Ayrshire was hassle free and I can highly recommend hooking on a train…there is something about the rhythm of the hooking combined with the uniform clickety clack of the train which hushes one into a calm serenity.

Mr R got the business thing done quickly and we wound our way down to the north Lake District and found a charming little place to stay in Cockermouth before heading back home to the little Robins because by then we were really beginning to miss them!

xxxxx

crochet tea cosy free pattern and tutorial

The Grandma Florence Tea Cosy

Published on January 16, 2018January 16, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

In my haste to release the fourth gorgeous tea cosy of the Grandma Collection…The Grandma Florence tea cosy; I realised that I hadn’t posted the formal introduction. So here it is…

Dedicated to my lovely Momma…Florence.

My Mom: the woman who raised me and who has quietly influenced me throughout my life.

I followed in her duty shoes and trained as a nurse, inspired by memories of her putting on her nurses hat and cape…of course that style of uniform has long since gone…but I wanted to help people just like her.

My Mom has been such a creative influence in my life too, for as long as I can remember she has made stuff. Clothes, flower arrangements, knitting, patchwork quilts…no wonder I have the desire to create and craft.

My Momma has also taught me how to be a Momma to my boys…and if I do half as good as her then I’ll do alright by them! But most of all she is always there and she is kind and that is just what I want to be.

So this is the Grandma Florence tea cosy, a pretty cosy woven with bright ribbons to represent the encouragement, love and inspiration that my Momma has woven throughout my life… Thanks Mom!

xxxxx

So that is the Grandma Florence tea cosy in all of her glory, here is the pattern linky thing which is free and has a photo tutorial also.

xxxxx

personalised organic cotton labels

I’ve finally found labels for my crochet…

Published on January 12, 2018January 11, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin18 Comments

I’ve finally found labels for my crochet makes!

The great folk over at Calico Labels

sent me some to try out and I was super thrilled to say the least. And there is more…Their cracking little Etsy shop is full of organic cotton no fray labels in some seriously cute designs and fonts. Seriously cute, so be warned if you go check them out!

Just look at what they sent me…

squeeee…sorry, but they make me very excited.

I have attached the first one to the 100 patch granny that always greets me on my blogging chair. It took me a little while to decide on which birdie house to choose, but in the end I went with the pink one.I am so thrilled…thank you Calico Labels

xxxxx

Crchet tea cosy free pattern and tutorial

Grandma Florence Tea Cosy…Free Pattern and Tutorial.

Published on January 9, 2018May 1, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin12 Comments

This is the fourth tea cosy in the Grandma collection, and is sure to charm. The crochet mesh design means this pattern makes for a very quick hook up. Ideal for beginners using just a half treble crochet stitch, this cosy is abidingly delightful and will trim any tea pot with joy.

Dedicated to the inspiration that is ‘Nanna Florence’ otherwise known as my Mom!

The pattern makes a tea cosy that fits a standard 6 cup teapot.

I used less than 50g of Stylecraft special dk yarn in cream. Please note that I have used a different colour yarn in the beginning of the photo tutorial below.

You will also need a darning needle, a selection of 5mm wide ribbon, a 50cm length of fluff, a button, a pair of scissors and x4 stitch markers (or small safety pins or scraps of different colour yarn). The use of a hot glue gun is optional, ribbons can either be glued into position or stitched.

Stitches used in this pattern refer to English terminology, however a conversion to US terminology is provided in brackets.

Ch – chain stitch

slst – slip stitch

dc – double crochet (single crochet)

htr– half treble crochet (half double crochet)

You will also need:

a 4mm crochet hook

Ok, here we go…

Using the cream yarn Ch 4

Join with a slst to form a ring.

Row 1: Ch1 (does not count as a st), 6hdc into ring,

finish with a slst in 1st hdc. (6hdc).

Row 2: Ch1, (does not count as a st) 2hdc in same space, 2hdc in each st around, finish with a slst in 1st hdc. (12hdc).

Row 3: Ch1 (does not count as a st), 2hdc in same space, 1hdc in next st, 2hdc in next st, 1hdc in next st . Repeat * – * to end, finish with a slst in 1st hdc. (18hdc).

Rows 4: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2hdc in same space, 1hdc in next 2 sts, 2hdc in next st, 1hdc in next 2 sts. Repeat - to end, finish with a slst in 1st hdc. (24hdc).

Row 5: Ch1 (does not count as st), 2hdc in same space, 1hdc in next 3 sts, 2hdc in next st, 1hdc in next 3 sts. Repeat - to end, finish with a slst in 1st hdc. (30hdc).

Row 6: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2hdc in same space, 1hdc in next 4 sts, 2hdcin next st, 1hdc in next 4 sts. Repeat - to end, finish with a slst in 1st hdc. (36hdc).

Row 7: ch1 ( does not count as a st), 1hdc in same space and in each st around, finish with a slst in 1st hdc. (36hdc).

Row 8: ch1 (does not count as a st), 2hdc in same space andin each st around, finish with a slst in 1st hdc. (72hdc).

Row 9 and 10: Repeat row 7, finish with a slst in 1st hdc. (72hdc).

You should have something that is starting to look a bit like a flying saucer! This is a good point to check your measurements with your intended teapot. Place your hooked disc on top of your teapot. You want the edges of the circle to be approx. 1cm from the handle of the teapot.

To mark out handle and spout holes, simply take x4 st markers (or cut short pieces of yarn in a different colour as I did) and place/ tie first marker in the st behind where you joined last row.

Counting backwards (or to the right)miss x3 sts and place/tie second marker in next st. This marks out your handle.

From this second marker count backwards (or to the right) 30sts and place 3rd marker in the next st (31st st). Return to the first marker and count forwards 30 sts (or to the left) and place 4th marker in the next st.

You have now marked out the handle and spout positions for your cosy. Marker #1 and #2 indicate the handle space and markers #3 and #4 indicate the spout space.

The next stage of the cosy is to construct the sides. So, for the purposes of the pattern these will be referred to as side A (between marker #1 and #4) and side B between marker #2 and #3).

Side A row 1: In Cream yarn Ch 4 (counts as 1htr and 2ch), miss 2sts htr in next st, ch2, miss 2sts

repeat * -* until you reach marker/ tie #4.

NB/ last htr is completed in st marked by marker / tie #4

(x11htr, x10 ch2spaces)

Side A row 2: ch4 (counts as htr and 2 ch) turn work.

Miss 2 sts, htr in next st, ch2, miss 2 sts

repeat * – * to end of row, placing last htr in top of ch2.

(x11htr, x10 ch2 spaces).

Side A row 3: We are going to increase the mesh at each end of the row.

Ch 4 ( counts as htr and 2ch, turn work, htr into same st ( increase made), ch2, miss 2sts, htr in next st, ch2, miss 2 sts

repeat from * – * til end of row placing htr in ch2 of previous row, ch2, htr in same space (increase made).

(x13htr, x12 ch2 spaces).

Side A row 4: ch 4 (counts as htr and 2ch), turn work, miss 2 sts, htr in next st, ch2, miss 2sts

repeat * – * til end of row. (x13htr, x12 ch2 spaces).

Side A row 5 – 15: repeat side A row 4. Fasten off. Side A completed.

Side B: Join cream yarn in st to the left of st marker #2

repeat Side A instructions between markers 2 and 3. Fasten off and sew in all loose ends.

Remove stitch markers.

Place on your teapot to check the fit.

Now for the fun part! Weave the ribbons in and out of the mesh.

ayarnyrobin free crochet tea cosy pattern — weave the ribbons in and out of the mesh…

alternate each row ie, start weaving from under the post on one row and over the post on the next row. NB/ on row 3 you will not need to alternate in order to keep the pattern of covered and exposed posts.

crochet tea cosy pattern available at ayarnyrobin — This gives me another idea!!!

Repeat weaving ribbons for both Side A and Side B. Once completed you need to secure the ribbons. I used a hot glue gun to do this but you could just as easily machine sew.

Turn work so that the wrong side is facing upwards and begin by securing the ribbons that end by going behind the post. In the picture below this would be the green ribbon, followed by the blue then the red ribbon. Secure both sides being careful not to pull the ends of the ribbon to tight, you need to allow a little give in the ribbon.

Continue to secure the ribbons in this way. You should now only have ribbons that go over the post left to secure. To do this split the side of the post stitch with your nail and thread through the ribbon. In the photo below the top picture shows the blue ribbon already threaded and the bottom picture shows the red ribbon yet to be threaded with the place for it to be threaded through indicated by the safety pin.

NB/ this can be a bit tricky and may require a wee bit of patience!

Once threaded, secure as before.

Edging: join cream yarn to the bottom corner (any side).

Ch2 (does not count as a st), htr into same space (to the right side of ribbon), ch1.

NB/The next st is to be placed in between ribbon).

ch1,htr in between ribbon

repeat - until last ribbon at the top. Don’t worry too much about the ribbon seeming loose at the sides, just keep placing those htr’s between the ribbons! The last htr being placed to the left side of the last ribbon.

Dc in the sts across the lid of the cosy.

Now place htr to right of top ribbon on opposite side,ch1, htr in between ribbon.

Repeat * – * to end. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Repeat the whole of the edging process on the other side of the cosy, but do not fasten off as this is where the tab is created..

Tab: To complete the tab ch2 (does not count as st) turn work,

Tab Row 1: htr in ch sp, htr in next st repeat * – * x3 more times (8htr in total)

Tab Row 2: ch2 (does not count as a st) turn work, htr in each st along (8htr)

Tab Row 3: repeat Tab Row 2.

Tab Row 4: Turn work, slst in next 2 sts, ch8, miss 4 sts, slst in next 2sts, fasten off and weave in ends.

Attach button centrally on opposite side to tab.

Now to sew handle opening. To do this sew the two edges on opposite side of cosy to tab and button. Sew from bottom up to the 4th or 5th ribbon or until the bottom of your handle.

Finally to neaten the edges around the spout, join cream yarn to st just above the tab.

Ch2, htr in each st around until st just above button, fasten off and weave in ends.

Repeat the process to neaten the edges around the handle, this time joining the cream yarn to any st in the opening for the handle, ch2, htr in each st around, joining with a slst in top of ch2 to finish. Fasten off.

Finally to add the pompom.

Now you could just make a pompom, but I just tied the first part of a bow over and over until I had a fluffy ball.

I threaded some yarn through it and secured it to the top of the tea cosy where it looked rather quite proud.

Et voila! A beautiful tea cosy to warm your brew!

xxxxx

I REALLY HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED MAKING THIS PATTERN AS MUCH AS I HAVE ENJOYED CREATING IT FOR YOU. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT SOMETHING OR NOTICE ANY ERRORS PLEASE SHOUT UP. EQUALLY PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR Grandma Florence Tea cosy CREATIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW or on social media using the hashtags #ayarnyrobin or @yarnyrobin…I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM!

Grandma Florence Tea Cosy is part of the Grandma Collection ©2018 designed by Nicola Florence @ayarnyrobin

New Crochet Tea Cosy Free Pattern Coming Soon…

Published on January 5, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

Just wanted to drop in and let you know that I am almost done on the newest tea cosy in the Grandma Collection; which means that I will release the pattern on Tuesday. I am so very excited about this one, it’s simply beautiful. Here’s a sneak peak…

This photo was taken a little while ago…I can’t wait to show you! Have a great weekend

xxxxx

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

End of year review…Bring on 2018

Published on December 30, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin16 Comments

2017 has certainly had it’s ups and it’s downs. I am pleased to report that it is ending on an up. I have really enjoyed perusing back through my posts and have picked out my favourite from each month in way of reviewing 2017 here at the nest. Before we begin I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of my seasoned readers, to those of you that have recently discovered this little corner of yarniness and to you if you have just stumbled across this post by accident.

Without all of you, I would just be here, hooking and writing and hooking some more; annoying my family by taking photo’s every 2 minutes and whilst that would be ok, it is so much more fun with you dropping by and saying hi every once in a while. You encourage me and inspire me to keep blogging about all things yarny and for that I am very grateful.

So grab a glass of prosecco or the bottle! or maybe a cuppa if you prefer and lets look back at 2017 here at the nest.

January 2017

shawl crochet ayarnyrobin — crochet in bed.

2017 began with shawls, having completed x2 virus shawls I had the bug for more. This‘ is the ‘pink shawl’ by Cecile Balladino, and it is still one of my favourites although I still can’t call it the ‘pink shawl!’

February 2017

I had so much fun doing the yarn love challenge during February. A post a day was a challenge, but I relished the daily prods to share.

I’d love to do this again in 2018.

Here is a little link to my favourite #yarnlovechallenge post and another favourite… well I couldn’t just pick one!

March 2017

Sunday Shawl by Alia Bland — Sunday Shawl hooking

Another month another shawl…This time the beautiful Sunday Shawl by Alia Bland. This project proved to be the perfect way to jump into spring, maybe it was those delicious pastels against the warmth of the grey.

April2017

Alpaca cake…

A milestone birthday, an alpaca birthday cake, and a graduation. I couldn’t have imagined a happier set of celebrations. I was so blissfully unaware of the catastrophe about to beset us.

May 2017

Interlocking stitch

At least I got some crochet in whilst juggling hospital trips and the absence of a critically ill Mr R…crochet is not only my joy it’s my default when things get tough…my sanity.

This Baby Wilmer blanket, filled me with hope, a new life just entering this world, whilst life at the nest felt as if it had paused in some horrific nightmare.

June 2017

yarnbomb, ayarnyrobin gate installation — yarnbomb

Mr R had prayerfully turned a corner and our healing had begun, it was time for some fun and this yarny gate installation celebrated that!

July 2017

free dog collar crochet pattern...simple free pattern which you can crochet in under an hour — Jess… with her new crochet collar.

Still healing, but healing well!

Small projects worked best and this ‘Oh so cute’ free dog collar pattern went down a treat with little Jess.

August 2017

C2C crochet baby blanket, crochet heart squares in paintbox cotton yarn — crochet and coffee

I fell so in love with these adorable C2C (corner to corner)hearts that I just couldn’t stop hooking them! I couldn’t!!

They fell off my hook so quickly that before I knew where I was I had enough for a blanket of hearts.

I have to confess that I still need to border this lovely…yes it is still a PHD (project half done). In my defense I just can’t decide what colour to border it in!

September 2017

crochet barefoot sandals - Corfu designed by ayarnyrobin.wordpress.com, summer feet — Corfu – Barefoot sandals

September felt much more ‘normal’ although I don’t know why…I spent a large majority of it bobbing around on a lazy river being drenched in golden sunshine on the amazing island of Corfu. I didn’t forget about you though…look I made these barefoot sandals by the pool… here’s the link to the free pattern just in case you fancy a pretty 20 minute hook up!

October 2017

Autumn woodland walks a plenty, a suprising wildlife sighting and family…I am so blessed.

November 2017

The Grandma Dot Tea Cosy, crochet tea cosy, The Grandma Collection by ayarnyrobin — Grandma Dot Tea Cosy

Finally, the release of my newest tea cosy in the Grandma Collection…the Grandma Dot tea cosy. I don’t know why this took me so long to publish but it did. Anyway, thank you for your frankly very kind feedback about this free pattern…there will be another one coming very shortly in the new year.

December 2017

loom knitted hat, ayarnyrobin — loom knitted beanie…

I told you 2017 ended on an up…the hat fit!

Enough said.

Thank you 2017 for the joy, for the triumphs, for the challenge and even for the heartbreak…for all the folk that have stood alongside me whether that has been for a few minutes, a few days or for those lifers that are always cheering me on… you know who you are.

Finally, thank you once again to you, for riding this journey with me… I think you are amazing and want to wish you all a very blessed and extremely yarny 2018…

wherever it may take you.

xxxxx

loom knitted hat, ayarnyrobin

Just in time for Christmas…

Published on December 23, 2017December 23, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin14 Comments

I just wanted to bob in and out quickly to let you know I did it…I got the hat done and this time it fits!

What do you think?

loom knitted hat, ayarnyrobin — loom knitted beanie…

I am really pleased with it!

I used Stylecraft Special Chunky in Midnight and King Cole Tonal Chunky in Misty Teal this time and this seems to have made all the difference in terms of size and stretch. It still needs to stretch a bit…it is an only just fit, but I am hoping it will stretch a little more as it gets worn. The hats I have made previously have always stretched a bit when worn.

If you are interested in the pattern details the links to such can be found in this post. I modified the brim slightly by adding a row of double crochet to the bottom of the brim once I had taken it off the loom. I found the edge curled outwards otherwise and didn’t lie flat. I think this may have something to do with my cast on technique and being a novice loom knitter!

So there it is… just in time for Christmas!

I would recommend this pattern if you are still outstanding a hand made gift for Christmas…4 hours and I had this knocked out, so there is still time!

Talking of which if you do celebrate this festive season then I wish you a peaceful and very happy Christmas. If you are not celebrating then I wish you a happy and crafty weekend. I will try and pop by before the new year, I’m sure I will feel the need to escape the madness at some point.

xxxxx

Picture Perfect…

Published on December 11, 2017December 11, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 Comments

A picture perfect weekend…

Jess enjoyed chasing the sledge...

Jess enjoyed chasing the sledge…

winter berries

winter berries

picture perfect

picture perfect

a snowy tree

a snowy tree

sledging...then home for hot chocolate...

sledging…then home for hot chocolate…

Christmas tree

Christmas tree

A snowy Midlands...

A snowy Midlands…

Dudley Castle in the snow

Dudley Castle in the snow

With all this snow, I have started another hat…let’s see if I can make this one to fit Mr R’s head this time!!!

Yes, the countdown to Christmas has begun at the nest.

xxxxx

loom knitted beanie hat

Hats life!

Published on December 9, 2017December 9, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

Thank you so much for your hat suggestions, I have really enjoyed looking at them and reading your thoughts about them. In the end I went with a loom knitted hat, inspired in part by a post I read by Kagibari ami unravelled and a forgotten find in the back of a wardrobe.

Do you remember this?

No!

Well if I am honest, I had forgotten about it too and seemingly abandoned it in the back of a wardrobe.

This was my first dabble with loom knitting and on closer inspection, it was a bit holey and I could not remember what pattern I was using or where I had got up to. So after falling into the abyss of you tube and loosing myself for almost a whole day, I set my beating heart upon this pattern

bicolour brioche stitch hat by Tuteate.

I unravelled the yarn from my loom, and began again… only this time I was making a beanie hat for Mr. R.

Oh! how I loved knitting and purling, even if I did have to rip it back 3 times…yes 3 times!!!! to start over and make an emergency dash to the habadashery shop when I snapped my loom pick as my tension was too tight!

When I saw those knitted stripes in perfect formation I didn’t care that my fingers hurt a little or that I had ceased all work on my Charming Harbour Blanket for my new love.

I soldiered on until the end, enjoying every knit stitch and every purl stitch until I cast off and realised…

this beautiful beanie would not be gracing the fair head of Mr R at all because it was just too small…

but it did fit my little birthday Robin and doesn’t he look dandy in it?

and just in time for the snow!

xxxxx