Bearghan Two

Bear Afghan or Bearghan

This time, the bearghan is for my gorgeous grandson, Kobe.  I think I might try one with smaller squares next time :)

Pattern as before available at http://yarncrazy.blogspot.com/2009/05/bearghan_08.html

Note: the pattern uses American crochet terms so you will need to translate it into English crochet if that is what you are used to

The bearghan makes an awesome baby shower gift.  The squares are quick and easy to work and can be done in any colour making the bearghan perfect for a boy or a girl.

 

Dungarees and Trousers for a Cloth Bum

One of the biggest problems I have found with being a cloth nappy user is clothes. Admittedly my boy is a chunky monkey but I don’t think this would be an issue if it wasn’t for his humungous cotton cloth bum. Most of what you buy today is designed for the slim cut of a disposable nappy (unless you want to buy from a specialised shop and I don’t have the cash for that).

Anyhow, problem solved with this pattern (New Look 6768 Babies Jumper and Romper) and some camouflage fabric.

A bit of modification to the pattern and I came up with trousers – I had to add straps after trying them on though….guess Atreyu’s bum isn’t as big as first thought .

Apologies for the lighting – economy bulbs don’t make for good photographs

Hand Socks

Having failed to get Atreyu to keep the mittens on, I resorted to what can only be described as hand socks – basically a mitten (with no thumb) and an extra length cuff which goes inside his coat/jacket.

Crochet Hand Socks

I made the pattern up as I went along but here are the basic notes I took (using dk wool and a size 4.00 hook) – I’ll iron out any wrinkles on the next pair :)

Cuff  Ch 30, join with ss Foundation row: ch3 (counts as first treble), work 1 tr into each ch to end (30 tr), join with ss Rib row: 1 tr (worked around back of stem), 1 tr (worked around front of stem), repeat to end, join with ss Repeat step 3 until cuff is long enough to go from the child’s wrist to elbow Mitten Evenly work 30 dc into the last row of rib Inc row: (1dc into each of the next 2dc, 2dc into next dc) – repeat to end (38dc) – join with ss 1dc into each dc to end – join with ss – repeat in dc for about 18 rows (or until length of hand) Dec row: (1dc into each of the next 2dc, work next two dc together to decrease) – repeat to end Repeat last row Slip stitch the opening closed and finish off  

Thomasina Cummings

February 2, 2012

I’m back to crocheting this week….a change is as good as a rest :D

I started out with these lovely mittens from crochetme.com.

Crochet Mittens

They are really easy to make up (and even come in adult sizes)…..it’s just a shame I couldn’t get my son to keep them on for more than five minutes.

Crochet Bearghan

The pattern for this lovely Crochet Bearghan can be found here – http://yarncrazy.blogspot.com/2009/05/bearghan_08.html

Note: the pattern uses American crochet terms so you will need to translate it into English crochet if that is what you are used to!

The lady I made it for sent me a list of colours that she wanted it to contain.  I love how it turned out.

It’s such a customisable design – there are endless options for making it match any nursery or colour scheme.

I can see me making this again over and over.

 

All-in-one Cloth Nappy

I have to admit in advance that this is not one of my most successful Cloth Nappy makes.

That said, I fully intend to try again when I have more time and the right materials (the rubbery vinyl I had was not a good substitute for PUL).

The nappy has a fleece outer, a terry inner, a waterproof layer sandwiched in between and a pocket for stuffing. I broke several machine needles because it was too thick to work with and the fastener tabs are uneven – Hmmm, back to the drawing board – I’ll stick to terries and wraps for now!

Crocheted Wool Soakers

The front and back of these wool soakers were crocheted in one piece (a simple rectangle).

Using UK dc (US sc), the rectangle was worked in rows (into the back of each stitch to give the ribbed effect). I didn’t have a pattern, I just made it to fit the width and rise of my son – width being half his waist measurement and the length being the rise.

To measure the rise, take a cloth tape.  Measure from belly button, through legs to just above baby’s bottom.  Easy peasy!

The sides were sewn up, leaving an opening for the legs.

To finish it off, a rib was added to the waist and legs using alternating front and back post trebles.

wool soaker   wool soaker

Lanolin on and success!

These are probably the quickest, easiest soakers I’ve ever made.  They fit lovely, wash and dry with surprising ease and do exactly what they should – soak!

Hip Mama Diaper Bag

I just love it when I find a pattern that does exactly what it says on the tin…so to speak. This diaper bag from A Mingled Yarn does just that.

The pattern was easy to cut and the tutorial couldn’t have been easier to follow.

I am really happy with the results and I’m already on the look out for fabric to make another one.

There are so many useful pockets and slots in this bag.  I love the elasticated inner pocket to stop everything smooshing together.  I even made a matching key fob and tie so my keys don’t get left behind in the baby-packing chaos that accompanies my outdoor trips ;)

PS – being in the UK it feels really strange to call this a diaper bag not a nappy bag or changing bag.  But, since that’s what the site calls it, I’ll get over it lol.

Thomasina Cummings

February 2, 2012

Half n Half needed a banner.  I hadn’t done anything like this before but I’m pleased with the results.  I managed to go from a paper template to this appliqued banner.

Half and Half    DSCF2854

Reminder to self – Ironing should be done on an ironing board not a carpet…melted white fluff on a black carpet is not a good look ;)

The Sewing Room

As I was transferring all the things I wanted to keep from my old site, I came across the following post:

I always found that one of the worst things about sewing was having to get my machine in and out of the cupboard to get started on a project. It’s so much nicer if you can just get on with it. So, I turfed the dining table out and got my hubby to redesign my old G-Plan unit. I now have a dedicated craft room….complete with tat that doesn’t belong anywhere else in the house :S well, it’s a start!

Oh, how things change!  Since then, hubby has started a degree in music tech and taken over the sewing room as a studio.  Once more I am relegated to the dining room/homework room/computer room and general tat storage area.  I wonder if that’s the reason I crochet these days while the sewing list grows and grows?