3 sleeps to go!

Oddly enough, I count down to everything in sleeps - birthdays, holidays and of course, Christmas.

So, the big question is, are you ready?

I'd love to say I've hit all the gifts sorted, wrapped and under the tree but that would be a big fat fib. 

I bought the final 'buying' gift today (it had been a task allocated to Mr Bunny but he didn't do it) and luckily one of the gifts I ordered arrived in the post today (phew) but there's 1 gift I've not finished.

Cue frantic knitting over the next 2 days! Eeeeek! It's not as bad as the year I decided to crochet everyone's presents but there is a chance that my cousin will only be recieving 1 sock if I can't finish the second one in 2 days. It's not too bad, I suppose, as 1 of his legs is currently in plaster so he can only wear one but I'd rather give him a completed, knitted pair of socks.

Why oh why do I do this  too myself every year?! 

Yarnbombing

I just love yarnbombing! It is a great way to bring joy, colour and of course yarn to the wider World and, quite frankly, is cool.

As I've been browsing Pinterest (I spend way too much time on there) I've found lots of images of yarnbombing and have narrowed them down to my 5 favourites.

One of the most infamous Guerilla Knitting groups is Knit the City. Their yarn bombed phone box is awesome.

During the 2012 Olympic Games, a mystery knitter produced this fantastic yarnbombing in Saltburn-by-the-Sea. 

These pretty flowers attached to fencing really brighten up the area.

What can I say about these yarn bombed steps in Finland? The cathedral steps where covered in 7800 crocheted blankets which where then donated to shelters. 

And finally, I couldn't resist this Tardis post! 

WHY YARNBOMBING?

There is a reason I've become slightly obsessed with yarnbombing. I've been asked to organise some for the upcoming Christmas Artisan Market taking place in Wigan in December. Of course, I jumped at the chance when asked and have already started to get community groups involved as I'd like it to be a real 'people's art' installation. Being a practical crafter, I couldn't just yarnbomb then take it down so I've been in touch with local homeless charity, The Brick, and all large pieces will be washed and turned into blankets and scarves while garlands and decorations will be used to decorate the room where the Christmas meal is served. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP?

I'm looking for lots of help to not only make the yarnbombing eye catching and a real spectacle but also to ensure that there are plenty if pieces to donate to The Brick at the end of it all.  

I need:

Garlands off pom poms, stars and other Christmas themed items approximately 1m long

Large rectangles measuring approximately 1m x 50cm and 1m x 30cm

Any other festive items to attach to the top of bollards and hang from trees.

Donations can be sent to myself - email me at thegingerbreadbunny@hotmail.co.uk for my postal address.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Wow! I can't believe it's only 3 sleeps until Christmas - as the countdown in Sainsburys told me this morning.
For once, I'm not going to be spending the next few days running around like a headless chicken buying last minute presents and shopping for food.
This year Christmas Day is a little bit different for me as Mr Bunny is working. I have a day of relaxation planned. A nice relaxing bath with a penguin bubble bar slice from Lush followed by watching films, on the.couch in my new owl pyjamas, with mulled wine, chocolates and a new.crochet project for me.  You don't.know just how much I'm looking forward to this!
It may not be a traditional Christmas but, as they say, a change is as good as a rest and this year I feel more festive than ever!
How are your Christmas preparations going?

Handmade Christmas

Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since I last blogged. In fact, I can't believe how quickly this year has gone and Christmas seems to have sprung itself upon us.
We have finally got the decorations up and, this year, there are far more handmade ones than ever before. We have opted for a branch tree this year - Mr Bunny has worked very hard painting it and fixing it into a lovely silver plant pot so that it doesn't fall over. All of the decorations are either handmade or very special - there are some crocheted stars I made last year, 2 beautiful needle felted bunnies (My bunnies) that were made for me last year and even a weeping angel decoration I made for Mr Bunny. It is all very simple but very beautiful!
This afternoon, I finished a mistletoe wreath decoration which is now hanging in the doorway. The tutorial came from a great book I borrowed from the library (sorry I can't remember the name!).
As ever, I've got my rag wreath up and my hand made festive bunting making my home look pretty.
Have a great Christmas!
Sarah x

How to Crochet a Christmas Wreath

I've been super busy recently completing orders and getting stock ready for a few Christmas craft fairs I'm doing in Tarleton and at the beautiful Houghton Towers near Blackburn.

One of my favourite items to crochet are crochet wreaths. They are easy to make, look amazing and, best of all, can be made in any colour scheme to match your decorations. They can even be made for year round display if you decorate them appropriatley.

As part of my beginners adult education class I teach, some of the ladies are making their own Christmas wreaths and so I've written, what I hope, is an easy to follow tutorial for crocheting a Christmas wreath!

How to: Crochet a Christmas Wreath

Materials
 

A half polystyrene wreath base

DK yarn in your choice of colours

Items to decorate your wreath with e.g. buttons, bells and ribbons

4mm crochet hook

Darning needle

 Covering the Wreath Base

 

1. Begin by making a chain of stitches, in your chosen colour, that fits around your wreath when wrapped front to back.  If you are a tight crocheter, add a couple of stitches.  You are aiming for a snug fit!

2. Chain 2 and work 1 dc stitch into each row.  Continue to work in dc stitch (turning chain 2).  You are aiming for a dense fabric.

3. Work in rows, until you have created a rectangle that fits round the whole wreath.  For a striped wreath, change colour by working the last pull through of the last stitch of the row in your new colour. 

4. Fasten off.  Lay the crocheted rectangle over the wreath. Using the loose ends, use whipstitch to secure it together, weaving ends in as you go.  This will be on the back so won’t be visible.

 Decorating the Wreath 

 

This is definitely my favourite bit of making a wreath.  I love to add crocheted stars and holly, pom poms, buttons and jingly Christmas bells (you can get these on eBay). I also like to crochet a chain, attaching buttons and bells as I go, to make a mini garland to wrap around the wreath.

1. Once you've chosen your items, lay them on, pinning in place, until you are happy with your arrangement and then stitch securely onto the crochet base of your wreath.

2. Finally, attach ribbon, or a hoop, to the back of your wreath.  Hang and enjoy!

                             

There's lots of  inspiration out there if you're looking for ideas on how to decorate your wreath. Look on Pinterest for decoration ideas and Ravelry for crocheted shapes, such as holly and stars, to add to it.

I hope you've enjoyed my tutorial and found it easy to follow.  Please share any comments and thoughts about my tutorial and photo's of your crocheted wreaths!

Christmas is Coming!

I know, I've said it! The dreaded 'C' word. Although it may be the last day of August, Christmas is not too far away - just 4 months in fact! People have already turned their minds to Christmas shopping and, as a crafty business, you always have to stay one step ahead.
I have spent most of this rather glorious summer crocheting woolly hats, scarves and mitts. At times it was rather warm work, but now I've uploaded my designs to my Folksy shop, ready to be purchased and made to order.
Below, you can see some of my designs. To see them all, hop on over to my Folksy shop.

Swap it!

For a while now, the wonderful Lousie from  the Caithness Craft Collective Podcast, has been organising swaps in her Ravelry group.  I have joined in with all of them and have received some awesome items and gifts and got to know some fabulous people a little better.

The most recent swap was a christmas decoration and handmade letter swap.  My lovely swap partner was Twinset Jan from Pennsylvania and it was so lovely to arrive home one night to an amazing parcel full of goodies.  She had needle felted me 2 little bunnies who look exactly like the gingerbread bunnies, Hansel and Gretel!  They now have pride of place on my tree and will most definitley be coming out every year. 

Hansel and Gretel Decorations

Also in the parcel was a lovely letter, some Herseys chocolate (as this is made in the State where she lives), a packet of mocha mix - which is delicious, and a skien of sock yarn which is the most beautiful blue and has cashmere in it making it smoochingly soft and snuggly.

Gorgeous yarn - what will it become?

I can report that she has received her package from me complete with a felt owl and a felt robbin decoration and other lovely goodies for her to enjoy.

Swapping is a great way to receive 'nice' mail and I love spending time choosing things to put in my parcel and making items for it to.

The next swap has already been announced - dishcloth and recipe swap with an 'unwanted' christmas gift that you can pass on to a loving home.  If you fancy getting involved, pop over to Ravelry and join the Caithness Craft Collective Group.