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?
Just in time for Christmas…
Tag: gift
Grandma Dot Tea Cosy…Free Pattern.
This is the third tea cosy in the Grandma collection, designed with simplicity and sweetness. The top down design means this pattern makes for a quick hook up. Ideal for beginners and sure to guarantee a perfectly sweet cosy for your teapot. 
Dedicated to the inspiration that was ‘Nanna Dot’
The pattern makes a tea cosy that fits a standard 4 cup teapot.
I used less than 50g of Stylecraft special dk yarn in colourways cream and raspberry which I used as my base colours. Please note that I have used a different colour yarn in the photo tutorial below.
I also used scraps of stylecraft special dk yarn in: lipstick, saffron, meadow, fondant, gold, shrimp, lime, khaki and grape.
You will also need a darning needle, a selection of beads with a centre hole wide enough for the dk yarn to be threaded through, 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, flowers 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
hdc– half double crochet (half single crochet)
You will also need:
a 4mm crochet hook
Ok, here we go…
Using the raspberry 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 1(does not count as a st)* 1hdc in same st and in each st along to marker/tie 4, ch1, turn*
Side A row 2: repeat Side A row 1 returning to marker/tie 1.
Repeat (side A row 1 and side A row 2), to fit the height of your teapot. I completed 15 rows in total. Fasten off.
To complete side B, join cream yarn in stitch to the left of stitch marker number 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.
Next, using a darning needle sew sides A and B together from the bottom of the cosy to below the spout (approx. 2 rows) and on the handle side from the bottom of the cosy to below the handle.
Now for the creative part… making ‘dotty little crochet flowers’. I made x4 flowers in each of the following colours:
lipstick, fondant, grape, gold, raspberry, saffron and shrimp
To make a ‘dotty little flower’ ch4, slst to 1st chain to make a ring. Ch 2 (counts as a hdc) x9 hdc into ring, slst into top of starting ch and fasten off to finish.
To create flower centres you can cross stitch the centre, add beads and create a french knot centre.
I used a cheat method to create the french knot centre by pulling a piece of yarn from the back of the flower to the front and then tying a knot x10 in the yarn in exactly the same place to make a large knot.
To finish thread the other tail of the yarn from the front to the back, so both tails are now at the back of the flower, tie to secure and trim tails short.
Secure your dotty little flowers to both sides of the cosy. You can sew them into place or secure them with hot glue! Then using green yarns sew simple stems and leaves using a back stitch to finish. I used stylecraft special DK yarn in meadow, khaki and lime.
And there you have it…a sweet dotty flower tea cosy to keep your brew warm.
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 DOTTY FLOWER CREATIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW oron social media using the hashtags #ayarnyrobin or @yarnyrobin…I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM!
Grandma Dot Tea Cosy part of the Grandma Collection ©2017 designed by Nicola Florence @ayarnyrobin
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The Grandma Dot Tea Cosy
Introducing the ‘Grandma Dot’ tea cosy…the third in the Grandma Collection
Dedicated to my husband’s Nanna Dot who was a truly formidable woman.
Nanna Dot was a tiny woman in stature but a mighty woman non the less.
Strong, brave and wise with the most beautiful smile. No matter what was going on or how much hell was breaking loose round about; Nanna Dot would make a cuppa tea or something a wee bit stronger and in a way that I still do not really understand, she would put things into perspective with a gentle reassurance.
I wish I had known Nanna Dot for longer. I especially loved her love of family and Christmas. Family were so important to her. When my first son was born, we counted from Nanna Dot and Grandad Ernie that our son was number 50….a BIG family indeed!
So this cosy is covered in ‘dotty little flowers’
A meadow of ‘dotty little flowers’ to represent the growth and legacy of her family, which at last count is upwards of 60!
So that is the Grandma Dot tea cosy in all of its glory, here is the pattern linky thing which is free and has a photo tutorial also.
xxxxx
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Top 5 things to crochet when it’s hot
We are not used to a long spell of hot weather here in the UK, but this week has seen our temperatures soar way above 30 degrees.
And oh how lovely it has been, it has meant an exodus into the outdoors, picnics and walks and a lot of sunscreen!
But, I found myself unprepared in the crochet stakes…it was just too hot to be sitting under a half made blanket or to be half draped in a shawl; sweltering under a wool blend.
So, I have compiled my yarny list of the top 5 things to crochet when the temperature starts rising.
Top 5 things to crochet when it’s hot…#1
Ironically, top of the list is …..gloves!
It is not as mad as it sounds.
Small, picnic portable, quick to hook… and you will have a lovely pair of mitts ready for when the sun disappears and the colder weather brings a chill.
Top 5 things to crochet when it’s hot…#2
A cute little square like this one
Hook one, or two, or three or more..you can always join them in the autumn when the warm weather is a distant memory…and between you and me…what’s another PHD!
Top 5 things to crochet when it’s hot…#3
A splendid little tea cosy…the perfect finishing touch to a sunny afternoon tea…. al fresco of course.
Top 5 things to crochet when it’s hot…#4
How about a little inspiration from the outdoors… a yarny little leaf.
Embellish until your heart is content. I think these would look great in bright hot colours…don’t you?
Top 5 things to crochet when it’s hot…#5
How about spreading the love
Hook these lovely little flowers and add a key chain then give them away or leave them around your community and spread a little yarny H.U.G
#Bonus Summer Hook
Corfu barefoot sandals
Hook these cute barefoot sandals for the perfect summer look!
So, whether you are currently in the middle of a scorcher or if it has been a while since the sun shone down on you, I hope I have inspired you to grab your hook and get outside.
What are your hot hooking tips?
xxxxx
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A belated gift and a belated thank you…
Things are still very tough here at the nest, but we are hanging in. Mr R is now out of hospital and we have nurses attending at home. We are healing slowly, but have a long road ahead of us.
I am finding I can crochet again for short periods of time, it is as much as my mind can focus on and I am enjoying the little bit of creativity my hook is giving me.
I have started a new project …yes, I know another one!
But, it is quirky and fun and I have enjoyed the creative process of designing it. I will share more as I progress.
I really wanted to drop in and give a BIG shout out and thank you to Ginny over at mytimestitching who sent me this gorgeous sock yarn, which I won in a competition she ran on her lovely blog.
I received this yarn a while back now along with a lovely shawl pattern. I am not sure what I will hook yet, but for now it is enough to keep squishing it!
I also received a belated birthday present a few weeks back too, this stunning yarn bowl, handmade by Sarah Whyte Ceramics
Ginny’s yarn fits in just perfectly.
xxxxx
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Baby Wilmer Blanket…
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Baby Shower Diaper Cake…
Take a look at this little creation I just made…
Sweet Dreams Diaper Cake
add your decorations.
aqua and grey elegance
I would have adored one of these when I was expecting! So, I got to work constructing my diaper cake as soon as I received my friends baby shower invitation.
There are lots of tutorials on the web about how to make your own diaper cake, but I did take photo’s of each step and have included them below.
I found the hardest part of creating a diaper cake was deciding on the colours and of course a theme!
I used an old cake board, a kitchen roll tube, card, scissors, sticky tape, hot glue gun, elastic bands, string, ribbons, a teddy, ‘sweet dreams’ bunting and some artificial daisies and about 64 size 2 diapers (nappies).
So this is how I made mine…
Step 1:
I used the kids loom bands to secure, but elastic bands would work too.
Step 2:
Using the scissors snip approx. 1cm around one end of the kitchen roll.
Step 3:
Step 4:
Begin placing rolled up diapers around the base of the tube, in x3 rounds. Secure each round with an elastic band or tie with string. If tying with string keep loose ends short and tuck any remaining ends in between the diapers as you go to keep your cake looking neat.
Step 5:
Step 6:
Now, at this point, the kitchen tube, disappeared as you can see in the photo above, as the height of the tube was equal to the height of the second tier.
You don’t really need to worry if your cake topper is rigid or small. But, as my topper was a cute little bear, that was quite floppy and soft, I added an extension to my tube in the form of a bit of plastic pipe, Mr R had spare.
If you need to extend your tube, card would suffice at this point, but as I did not have any I went with the plastic pipe.
To secure Mr Bear, I tied his leg with a bit of string and threaded the string through the pipe, securing the string at the bottom of the pipe with sticky tape. I then placed the pipe inside the kitchen tube, before proceeding with step 7.
You may find you can go straight to tier 3 and decorate with your topper once tier three is insitu, it will just depend upon what you have chosen for your decoration.
Step 7:
Step 8:
Just like so.
Step 9:
And there you have it.
I just love this sweet dreams theme in aqua and grey. The little yellow centres in the daisies and Mr. Bears matching bow tie add a little extra zing!
It looks so elegant and I have had so many gushing comments about it and requests to make more I may just have to!
If this inspires you to make a diaper cake I would love to see your pictures, your colours and your themes and just how your imagination runs away with this quick and simple project.
xxxxx
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Operation Yarny H.U.G begins…
A little later than I had anticipated, but operation Yarny H.U.G has begun.
H.U.G being a ‘Happy Unexpected Gift… a yarny one of course!
Whilst I was enjoying the short daily posts throughout February as part of #yarnlovechallenge I set to work with my hook and some scraps of yarn and made these beautiful may roses by Lucy @Attic24.
With the addition of a hanging loop and a clip, I soon had a little tree full…
I also have a small shoe box full of half completed ones too.
With the cute little cards attached I am ready to leave them all over, just waiting, ready to be found…A Happy Unexpected Gift; a great big yarny HUG.
Why not join me in spreading a bit of yarny love. To get involved just leave me a message.
Take it, embrace it, be a part of it!
xxxxx
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Chain Reaction Necklace Scarf…
Here is a quick pattern for a necklace scarf.
A simple but stunning item that you can make if you are new to crochet, or have an odd 50g ball of chunky yarn that your not sure what to do with, or if you need to hand make a present emergency style!
Yep, this beauty takes about an hour to make at most and the pattern (if you can call it that!) is just below.
You will need 50g of chunky yarn and a large hook. I used
and a 6mm hook.
So you have probably guessed it….begin making chains and don’t stop until you have about 50cms of yarn left.
Randomly tie the first part of a bow to form a loose knot in your chains at random sections down its length.
Now join with a slip stitch into the very first chain to make an enormous loop.
It may be a good idea to secure the stitch with a stitch marker or safety pin so that your chains do not unravel during the next part.
Now find something to put your enormous loop of chains around… I used the stair post at the bottom of the stairs.
Start to make the loop smaller by crossing over the chains and hooking back over the post…or whatever you are using. Repeat the process until you have a handful of loops; that when placed around your neck fall just at the top of your tummy.
Next, you need to secure your loops together. To do this
remove the stitch marker / safety pin and reinsert your hook.
Pull the loop onto your hook to make the yarn looser. Now complete a giant double crochet (single crochet – American terms)… to do this take your hook under the handful of looped chains, yarn round hook and pull through, yarn round hook and pull through 2 loops on hook. Repeat x 9 more times. Fasten off and weave in any loose ends.
Told you it hooked up quick!
xxxxx
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Throwback…
Day 23 of
#yarnlovechallenge
and it’s still not too late join in.
The theme for today is ‘throwback’.
Crochet blog 