Knitted fluffy pink pig tea cosy

Well, I am slowly making my way down the list of tea cosies I'd like to get made! Here's the latest addition to the Fluffy Duck family, a cute pink pig. The main body of the tea cosy is knitted using my usual basic pattern. To this I have added an oversized snout, large floppy ears and a curly tail. These have been crocheted. The snout is lightly stuffed with polyester stuffing to created a 3D effect. The googly eyes add another fun dimension. I've used a soft fluffy yarn that naturally shades from pale pink through to dark pink. It really is very soft to the touch!
Pink pig, together with other cute animal tea cosies is available in my Etsy shop now.

 

Handknitted traditional style tea cosy - neutral colours

Well, after the terrible weather since the beginning of the year I took advantage of some sunshine yesterday and took photographs of all the new tea cosies I have been busy making. Here's the latest one:


 I've been meaning to make a cosy in this style for quite some time - but as with most things, too many ideas and not enough time!

Although knitted in double knitting yarn, carrying the yarn at the back of the work and pulling it tight creates the fluted effect which will certainly keep your teapot hot.

The pale neutral pastel shades make it ideal for most kitchens as it will 'blend into the background' - unlike many of my other tea cosies!

This and other tea cosies are available in my Etsy shop now.

Red tea cosy with pearlised beads

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121907058/wool-red-tea-cosy-with-cream-beads

I've spent the past few months sorting out all my yarn and trying to get to grips with what I have. It's always tempting to buy more yarn, but my current yarn moutain is getting insurmountable!!

Anyway, here's a new tea cosy made with a lovely warm, soft cuddly yarn (wool / acrylic mix) in a delicious berry shade. I've experimented with the pattern quite a bit to try and get 'the ribs' to line up at the top - all very easy until I got to the decreasing part!



https://www.etsy.com/listing/121907058/wool-red-tea-cosy-with-cream-beads

The beads add a 'touch of glamour' - I crocheted these into the first row (after foundation) and then added some at the top too.

Check out my Etsy shop for this and more tea cosies.

Luxury mohair and wool crochet blanket

Well, I fancied a change from tea cosies so decided to make a blanket (or afghan if you prefer!).

 Made from a simple square motif, I have joined 88 squares together to make this lovely lap sized blanket.

I was inspired by an article I read about using a self patterning yarn / colour changing yarn to create a blanket - the idea being that the yarn naturally produces differently coloured squares. I'm pleased to say it worked! Putting the squares together took a bit of time - as the colours had produced randomly, there wasn't a fixed amount of any one colour. Nonetheless, it is very effective.

I joined the squares together with a double crochet stitch to create a ridge - I think this frames the squares nicely.

The blanket is finished with a couple of rows of treble.

I am really pleased with the result and am now in the process of making a second. Available in my Etsy shop!

Knitted bee / beehive tea cosy

Well, my blog has been a bit neglected of late (a major understatement!). Although there haven't been many posts on here, I have been busy adding stock regularly to my Etsy shop.  I've been re-making old favourites like the sheep tea cosy, frog tea cosy and owl tea cosy but also been experimenting with blankets too!

Bee tea cosy

I've been adding to my yarn stash too and recently bought some mohair/wool/acrylic mix yarn by Stylecraft. It's a self patterning yarn which I plan to make blankets from. The yarn is lovely and warm and soft - I can't wait to use it!
Anyway, here is a picture of the bee tea cosy I've recently added to my shop. It's a fun cosy made using 2 strands of double knitting yarn - perfect for keeping your tea hot for longer! The bees are made from a lovely bright gold yarn striped with black - they really stand out on the brown beehive!

I'll be updating my blog more regularly going forward - please visit my Etsy shop to see all items I've currently got in stock. However, don't forget I welcome custom orders so if you see something you'd like me to make, please contact me!

White fluffy crochet Westie Dog tea cosy

This little fella is an order for a lovely lady in America. She contacted me after finding a Westie dog tea cosy that I had made last year (which was another custom order surprisingly!). Anyway, after supplying me with the measurements of her teapot, I used a single strand of fluffy white yarn to make the body of the tea cosy. It is worked in a simple double crochet stitch, along the length of the cosy. It may be a simple stitch but the wool makes things a lot more complicated! Instead of working the head 'in the round', I crocheted it in rows from top to bottom, working the ears in too and saving on sewing up! As this was a custom order I suggested that I could add a felt name tag to the pooch to make it an even more special present. I embroidered 'Mac' onto a felt oval shape using a running stitch and then attached the back using a blanket stitch. Overall, I am very pleased with the result! If you would like me to make a cosy like this for you, please contact me - turnaround time at the moment is about one week. Click here for my Etsy shop.

Cornish Blue and White Granny Square tea cosy

A few weeks ago, I posted pictures of a Granny Square tea cosy in a black and multi coloured yarn combination. Well, after selling that cosy I have repeated the pattern but in a different colourway. I am really pleased with the colour combination - the cosy looks very 'fresh' and being made from yarn, it is fully washable too! As crochet tends to 'come up' a little thicker than knitted pieces, I used a single strand of DK yarn instead of my usual chunky. Despite the difference in yarn weight, the cosy is still very thick and will definitely keep your tea hot!
Over the next few days I am planning to crack on with some fabric tea cosies - but as these require a little more concentration on my part, they may take a little longer! The blue and white tea cosy, is available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade Amigurumi Hello Kitty dolls

After a rather unsuccessful craft fair in Barton yesterday, I have spent the day taking photographs of some toys I made that unfortunately didn't sell. Here are the Hello Kitty dolls:

My daughter loves anything related to Hello Kitty, hence my inspiration for making these items. They are all varying sizes but made to the same basic pattern. The dolls are crocheted 'in the round' so there are no join marks. To give a smooth flat finish, I used Patons Smoothie yarn - although it is 100% acrylic, it has the look and feel of cotton. They would make a great present! Available in my Etsy shop now! 

Handmade teddy bear tea cosy

 A new design for the Fluffy Duck! Inspired by the toy teddy bear I created a month or so ago, I created a teddy bears picnic tea cosy!
The body of the tea cosy is made using fleece type yarn - it is ever so light but very warm and soft to the touch. My aim was for it to look like grass. I knitted a small teddy bear and embroidered its features using black yarn, and finished it with a red gingham bow. Teddy bear sits on a yellow and white granny square 'table cloth'.
Available for sale in my Etsy shop now!

Craft fair at Curborough Craft Centre Lichfield

Box of toys and blankets

Just thought I'd pop some photos of my stall at the craft fair yesterday. It was held at Curborough Craft Centre and was organised by Creative Streak . Luckily it was held indoors - a blessing given the cold, wet blustery day! There was lots of space to display my tea cosies and toys. Although footfall was not brilliant, I sold a couple of items including a tea cosy and a couple of rattles. 

In a change to previous fairs, I printed labels with a short description and price of the item and attached these to the item with gingham ribbon. I also spent many hours cutting out teapots from cardboard to use as props for my tea cosies. In previous fairs, people have asked what the tea cosies were, so this time there was definitely no doubt!

Slides and tea cosies

Mug cosies, crochet cushion and more tea cosies!

A full picture of my stall

Centre of my stall - lots of tea cosies!

 I also gift wrapped a pair of booties with a small toy in cellophane to make an ideal gift for a new baby. These were very well received. I also made some slides which at £3/pair were very popular - these are not for sale in my Etsy shop but if you would like to buy a pair, please contact me.

Lilac chenille teddy bear

Another gorgeous little fellow to add to my collection of teddy bears! Made to the same pattern as the golden teddy bear, this little chappie looks different due to using the chenille yarn. The effect is really lovely - the chenille is very soft to the touch and I have lightly stuffed the teddy to make it huggable and perfect for anyone! Available in my Etsy shop now.

Mug cosies... or mug hugs!

 Following a request, I have put together a couple of mug cosies. To be honest, I haven't used one before but they seem to be very popular. With 3 children, I am forever letting my tea go cold so maybe I should try one! Here are pictures of the 2 that I have made. It's a very simple design - double crochets for the main body of the cosies, then a couple of rows decreasing at one end end to make a tab for the loop closure. The fluffy one is particularly fun! Available in my Etsy shop.

Handmade crochet gold teddy bear

A seriously cute little chappie! I am really pleased with this teddy - when I saw the gold biscuity coloured yarn I thought it would make a perfect teddy bear. It's a traditional colour and being an acrylic / wool mix, it is lovely and soft. I enjoy making toys - all the counting in rounds is a bit tricky sometimes but I always have a pen and paper to hand to mark off the rounds as I go. Teddys features are all made from felt or embroidery, sewn securely in place so are safe for children of all ages. For me, the stuffing of toys is always the most difficult - when is 'enough'? I wanted a soft 'huggable finish so didn't stuff too firmly. Available in my Etsy shop now!

Crochet Christmas Tree tea cosy

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that I often have a number of projects 'almost finished' but awaiting sewing up. I don't have that many at present, but am determined to get everything sewn up that is knitted / crocheted before embarking on a new project (famous last words!).
I recently came across a pretty cushion cover in a ripple stitch design and wanted to give it a go. After a bit of trial and error with the stitches, this is the end result! By working into the back stitches only, I created a ridge effect. Once sewn up, I crocheted along random ridges with a fluffy white yarn to give the effect of snow. The large star on the top is a bit of fun, but all in all I am very pleased with my latest tea cosy. Available in my Etsy shop. 

Handmade Booties

Surprisingly, with 3 Fluffy Ducklings these are my first attempt at making booties. I'm not quite sure why I haven't ventured there in the past but for some reason booties have escaped me!
These are quite a traditional design made by crocheting the sole in rounds before building up the rest of the bootie. So far I have made 3 pairs - in white, blue and pink.






Very traditional colours but I thought I would start simply before tweaking the design and colours. With Autumn and Winter not far around the corner in the UK, I am looking to develop some more designs that are like boots. Not quite sure yet, but I'm itching to crack on with something new!
If you'd like me to make a pair, please contact me - all items are available in my Etsy shop

Handknitted Bee tea cosy

Here is my latest new tea cosy... in the shape of a bee hive covered in bees!

This one has really tested my patience. As always, I knitted the body in double thickness DK yarn to ensure warmth - I worked in a pattern of 4 rows stocking stitch and then 4 rows garter stitch to create the effect of a beehive. 

The bees are worked into the body of the tea cosy in the same way that you make a bobble. I then added gold wings using a daisy chain embroidery stitch. 

In retrospect, I have probably added too many bees - if I make it again I will do a few less and cluster them around a flower. Nonetheless I am very pleased with how it has turned out. It would make a perfect present for someone who loves bees! I have added a crochet hanging loop so it can be hung up if need be.

As with all my tea cosies, it is now available in my Etsy shop. 

Back to school - a crochet apple cosy and card

As a mum to 3 little ones I have already started thinking about 'back to school' in September - although for some in Scotland this will be happening any time now. The first day at school is a big moment for any child (and their parents) - and wanting to send good luck wishes to one of my close friends, I came up with this!

 The stunning card has been handmade by Anne Marie from the fabulous FizzyGinger - check out her website for some unique handmade card, keepsake boxes and canvas art. If you need a card for any occasion, just contact FizzyGinger. The cards are made from high quality materials and personalised to your request. You can also find crochet toys handmade by myself there!
To go with the card, I made an apple cosy. It is a simple design made using red yarn and double crocheted in the round. I added a dark green crochet leaf and a very cute wooden bee button to close the cosy. It will minimise any bumps and bruises to your apple. As with all my items, I can personalise with a name. I was so pleased with the cosy that I have made some for my Etsy shop - take a look now!

Knitted sheep tea cosy

A re-make of an old favourite! It's been a while, but I have finally got round to making another sheep tea cosy.
With trying out 'new' projects, I let the sheep tea cosy fall into the background `- but not any more! The loop stitch takes a bit of mastering (it is a real fiddle until you get the hang of it) but it creates a lovely 'woolly' effect and thick tea cosy.
The face is made in plain stocking stitch and sewn firmly to the body of the tea cosy.
The gaps at the side of the tea cosy allow plenty of room for the handle and spout, making it ideal for any medium to large teapot.
Available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade Irish rose crochet cushion cover

Time for a change from the tea cosies! I've been wanting to try something different for quite some time, but with the 3 Fluffy Ducklings keeping me busy, there's not been much time. Anyway, I've knuckled down and here is the first of what I hope to be several new cushion designs:

To ensure a pretty and delicate finish, I used 4ply yarn. It was quite a change to the fluffy and chunky yarns I have been using lately! I used a cotton and acrylic mix yarn to give a matt, non shiny finish. The irish roses were a bit tricky to start with (manoeuvring the hook around the posts of the double crochet) but I soon got the hang of it. The cushion cover is made using 4 squares which are then crocheted together - I think it looks very effective. I see this cushion in any room of your home - bedroom, living room or even summer house! Find it in my Etsy shop now. 

Pair of handmade Father Christmas hat egg cosies

To go with my Father Christmas tea cosy, I've been wanting to make some little egg cosies in the festive theme... and here they are!
It took quite a bit of trial and error (and not to say patience!) to get the conical shape of the hat, but I got there in the end.
The red part of the hats are made from red acrylic yarn in a double crochet stitch. The 'fur' effect is courtesy of fluffy white yarn.
Of course, these need not be in red and white. I enjoy making these so will be making more in different colour combinations. All are available in my Etsy shop now!