Lock For Lovespoon UK

Lock For Lovespoon (as seen on right hand spoon)

Lovespoon with Lock

This lock is designed to go with the Lovespoon Pattern which you can find here. The lock symbolises security and looking after each other.

YOU WILL NEED around 20 m DK yarn, an appropriate sized hook, a stitch marker and a needle for weaving in ends. You will also need some offcuts of yarn to stuff the lock.

GAUGE is variable depending on yarn chosen – you should select a similar yarn to that used for the spoon. If you aim for 4sts and 4 rows of UK dc to 2.5 cm (1”) you should achieve a lock of approximately 5 cm (2″) length and 2.5 cm (1″) width.

ABBREVIATIONS

This pattern is written in UK terms. The US version is available here.

ch – chain
dc – double crochet
st(s) – stitch(es)
rnd – round
ss – slip stitch

Lock Base

Commence, at base, with a foundation of 6ch.

Rnd 1: 3dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1dc in each of next 3ch, 3dc in final ch, rotate, 1dc in each of the 3 un-worked loops of foundation ch, ss to first dc to join – 12sts.

Rnd 2:       1ch, 1dc in back loop of each st around, do not join – 12sts.
Rnd 3:       1dc in each st around – 12sts.
Rnd 4:       1dc in each st around – 12sts.

Work 1dc in next st, ss in next st and fasten off. Stuff gently with a little matching yarn and close the opening (retaining the shape). Neaten ends.

Proceed to Lock Hanger.

Lock Hanger

Commence with a foundation of 11ch.

Row 1: (Starting in 2nd ch from hook) ss in each ch to end, turn – 10sts.
Row 2: 1ch (pulled tightly), ss in back loop of each st to end, turn – 10sts.
Row 3: 1ch (pulled tightly), ss in front loop of each st to end, turn – 10sts.

Fasten off leaving a 30 cm (12”) tail. Bring last row and foundation ch together. Close by stitching though both back loops and corresponding foundation ch from one end to the other.

Stitch one end to the top of the lock at one outer edge. Weave the tail through the top of the Lock Base to the other end. Pass the handle around the lower right tail of the handle, just above the spoon bowl and stitch firmly to the other outer edge.

If desired you may embroider a keyhole in black yarn.

Lock Close Up

Lock For Lovespoon US

Lock For Lovespoon (as seen on right hand spoon)

Lovespoon with Lock

This lock is designed to go with the Lovespoon Pattern which you can find here. The lock symbolizes security and looking after each other.

YOU WILL NEED around 20 m DK yarn, an appropriate sized hook, a stitch marker and a needle for weaving in ends. You will also need some offcuts of yarn to stuff the lock.

ABBREVIATIONS

This pattern is written in US terms. The UK version is available here.

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
st(s) – stitch(es)
rnd – round
sl st – slip stitch

Lock Base

Commence, at base, with a foundation of 6ch.

Rnd 1: 3sc into 2nd ch from hook, 1sc in each of next 3ch, 3sc in final ch, rotate, 1sc in each of the 3 un-worked loops of foundation ch, sl st to first sc to join – 12sts.

Rnd 2:       1ch, 1sc in back loop of each st around, do not join – 12sts.
Rnd 3:       1sc in each st around – 12sts.
Rnd 4:       1sc in each st around – 12sts.

Work 1sc in next st, sl st in next st and fasten off. Stuff gently with a little matching yarn and close the opening (retaining the shape). Neaten ends.

Proceed to Lock Hanger.

Lock Hanger

Commence with a foundation of 11ch.

Row 1: (Starting in 2nd ch from hook) sl st in each ch to end, turn – 10sts.
Row 2: 1ch (pulled tightly), sl st in back loop of each st to end, turn – 10sts.
Row 3: 1ch (pulled tightly), sl st in front loop of each st to end, turn – 10sts.

Fasten off leaving a 30 cm (12”) tail. Bring last row and foundation ch together. Close by stitching though both back loops and corresponding foundation ch from one end to the other.

If desired you may embroider a keyhole in black yarn.

Lock Close Up

Love and Friendship

I have two new patterns to share with you today – both with a theme of love and friendship ♥

The first is a Welsh Lovespoon (or love spoon).

Welsh Lovespoon

The Welsh Lovespoon is traditionally a wooden spoon, decoratively carved, as a gift of romantic intent. Today, they are given for wedding and anniversary presents, to celebrate the arrival of a new baby or simply as a symbol of friendship and caring.

The earliest know Welsh Lovespoon dates back to 1667 and can be found at St Fagan’s National History Museum, near Cardiff (just down the road from where I live).

The style I have chosen to recreate, according to tradition, symbolises two people coming together forever, in everlasting love and friendship – this is shown by the twisted stem and Celtic knot-work.

Other symbols that were carved into the wood include the lock for security and binding, the horseshoe for luck, the cross for faith and small cages filled with wooden balls to represent a number of children. You can read more about these beautiful symbols of love and friendship here.

The second is a Friendship Necklace

Friendship Necklace

I’m sure many of you will remember making knotted bracelets and necklaces from embroidery floss. It was this type of necklace that I originally wanted to create – something that could be tied on and worn as a constant reminder of friendship.

I started out with embroidery cotton and one simple size in mind. But, the pattern proved to be so much fun to make, I added a full range of suggested sizes.

The friendship necklace is a perfect ‘small’ gift for a friend. It is quick and easy to make and you’ll never run out of colour choices with the wide range of embroidery thread available.

This one also has some hidden meaning – the single leaf at each end symbolises happiness – when tied, they are together, though apart!

I do hope you like them both <3

As a thank you to EVERYONE who has supported me, both my love and friendship patterns are listed at an introductory price of £1 (until midnight tomorrow) ♥ Also, for a limited time, you can also try to win a copy over on Facebook – Good luck x

Blog

What is a blog?

According to this, blog

it’s a personal website or webpage on which an individual records opinions, links to other sites, etc on a regular basis.

By that definition, this isn’t actually a blog ;) Despite my best intentions, my posts are far from regular – they come in fits and starts and usually more frequent around special occasions or during term time, when my mini helpers are out of the way.

So, if it isn’t a blog, what is it? I would say it’s a collection of posts about things I like, things I’ve done and things I want to do – it’s a mish-mash of ideas, works in progress, small successes and (hopefully) smaller disasters.

But, most of all it’s my online home. The hub of Thomasina Cummings Designs. It’s where I come to share my news and to have a permanent record of events (well, as permanent as the hosting company see fit).

So, welcome to my home <3 I hope you’ll come back often, stop for a chat and click a few buttons to show your appreciation :)

Who knows, with your tender love and care, maybe one day it’ll become a real blog ;)

Play Dough

School holidays are upon us so I’m desperately looking for ideas to keep the little ones amused :) Well, I’m not going to get much crocheting done otherwise, am I ;)

First on the list is play dough. There are a ton of recipes out there – some you cook, some you don’t, some with cream of tartar, some without…you get the idea.

Here’s the one I made. Yes, my boys have hot pink, glittery play dough :P

Homemade Play Dough

YOU WILL NEED

2 cups of flour
2 cups of warm water
1 cup of salt
1/2 cup of corn flour
3 tablespoons of white wine vinegar (or 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar)
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 tablespoon of glitter
A few drops of food colouring
A few drops of almond essence (the vinegar can be a bit stinky when the dough is fresh but it puts my kids off eating it!!!)

Put all the ingredients into a saucepan and give them a good stir to make sure there are no lumps.

Place over a medium hob and keep stirring. After a short time, the mixture will thicken and the dough will start to form. Keep stirring until the mixture forms a solid ball that you can roll around the pan.

TAKE CARE removing it from the pan – it will be hot.

Have fun kneading the warm dough before giving it to the children. It truly is the best bit!

Congratulations

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Scarlet’s Corner Giveaway last week.
The winners have now been selected and congratulations go to:

Chellsea Leanne Hernandez
Mj Davis Humphrey
Rhonda Newman
Natasha Hudgins
Jacqueline Solgat Maxman
Bettina Petty
Sandi Turk
Kelsey Unrau
Robin Clinton
Martha Avans
Joy Ludtke
Sheila Martin
Katie S (100percent_sk8@……)
Heather Smallwood
Katy Bindels
Brandie Yost
Cindy Peters Jaedike
Diane Schweinhagen
Marcia Williams
Megan Nicole Whited
Kim Jones
Debbie McLeod
Patti Adler
Tina Wright
Janet Robertson
Lesley Johnston
Nausheen Abbas
Joyce Halstead
Vanessa Garza-Rodriguez
Valerie Blankenship
Alecia Flaherty
Jenny Fanning
Danielle Woods-Drown
Amanda Nicole Rose-Monroe
Danyel Pink
Addie-Sherell Haywood
Joy Ludtke
Angie Waterhouse
Emma Spalding
Bonnijean Marlowe Marley
Katie Leigh
Carmel Feaser
Diane Woodall
Andrea Logan
Sara Ford
Nicole Eckert

You can check which of the prizes have been allocated by checking the individual pictures in the album. You have 48 hours to contact the vendor who donated the prize so, if you see someone you know on the list, give them a nudge :)

New Releases

Good Morning Everyone :)

Today is the day a lot of people have been eagerly awaiting – the release of three brand new patterns – all based on the Crochet Stitch Challenge that you uploaded stitches ,and voted for, at the start of the month :)

I would like to send huge thanks to everyone who took part, and made the challenge possible. For anyone who uploaded a stitch for voting, your new patterns will be heading your way throughout the day :)

Now, Silverdragon Crafts and Critters was a cheeky monkey and released her pattern while I was sleeping so her amazing Stone Angel is already live – the Angel lovey and Doll patterns, as well as the pattern pack, are now available on Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy. You can find all the links you need, as well as a rather generous introductory 25% discount code, in this post on her Facebook page.

My (Thomasina Cummings Designs) Summer Combo was also released a few minutes ago on Ravelry :) and Samantha’s generosity has rubbed off on me – for today and this weekend only, you can also save 25% on my pattern with the code Summer2014 :)

If you uploaded a stitch and you haven’t received your free copy from me yet, do let me know – I emailed them out just a little before I set up the pattern for sale on Ravelry so you’d be the first to get it ;)

And, last, but certainly not least, I spotted a few seconds ago that Crystalized Designs‘ new pattern Sweet Tee has also been released – woohoo. I’ve fallen in love with everything about this top – it just looks so comfortable to wear – perfect for every occasion :)

Well, it’s not even 8 o’clock here in the UK and I’ve released a new pattern, sent of a bunch of freebies and blogged about it all! I think this is possibly the most productive I’ve been, at this time of morning, in a long time ;)

Once again, a HUGE thanks to everyone who uploaded stitches for us to create with, all the testers involved in the individual tests and mostly to Crystal and Samantha for being so much fun to work with – you have both been amazing ♥

Dragons, Critters and Angels

It’s all myth and magic over here at Thomasina Cummings Designs today. Fortunately, the chance to win some free copies of the soon-to-be-released pattern, by Silverdragon Crafts and Critters, is anything but a fantasy ;)

When I asked for collaborators in the Crochet Stitch Giveaway Game just four weeks ago, I could never have anticipated the imaginative designs that would come out of such a simple stitch, in such a short amount of time.

Yesterday, I told you about Sweet Tee from Crystalized Designs and my own Summer Combo. Today, I bring you news of the third and final pattern of the game and, oh boy, will you be excited!

Samantha has designed the most exquisite stone angel lovey/security blanket and matching amigurumi angel doll. Get a load of those wings!!!

Her choice of colours is just perfect for the stone effect and the stitch is used so wonderfully to give texture exactly where it is needed – the hair is the ultimate crowning glory!

So, if you’ve been following progress this month, and wishing you’d uploaded a stitch so you could get a copy of all the wonderful patterns, fear not. Samantha is offering 5 lucky winners the chance to own this gorgeous pattern collection before the official release on the 25th July. Head on over to Silverdragon Crafts and Critters to enter now.

Summer Combo

Phew, what a crazy month this has been! Two giveaways, tests galore and, in my personal life, the school holidays kicking off with the local carnival :)

But, we’re not done yet…

It’s the final day of testing for my Summer Combo today. (In case you missed the post about it, this is the pattern I have designed for the Crochet Stitch Challenge Game that Crystalized Designs, Silverdragon Crafts & Critters and myself are playing).

Here’s the dress version (PS it can also be made into a top or a skirt – 3 patterns in one – hence the combo bit) ;)

All things going to plan, the release will take place on Friday 25th July.

Thirteen people uploaded stitches for voting and their copies will be heading out to them as soon as the patterns are released :)

Now, I’m not particularly superstitious but, thirteen? I’m not happy with thirteen free patterns. I think I need to give away a few more copies , don’t you?

If you’d like to be one of the extra recipients, head on over to my Facebook Page and pick yourself a BINGO card. Three lucky people will be adding themselves to the winners list :)

More Chances to Win

With the release of our Crochet Stitch Challenge Game patterns rapidly approaching, I’m super excited to be able to bring you news of more chances to win copies of each of the patterns the Samantha, Crystal and I designed using the winning stitch.

Crystalized Designs has absolutely wowed us all here with the Sweet Tee pattern she designed.

Sweet Tee

I have fallen in love with the shape and style. It’s the perfect combination of smart and casual that you could wear anywhere.

It’s awesome for over a vest top in summer as Crystal is wearing it but, I think it would look equally at home layered over a sweatshirt as the weather turns cooler, don’t you?!

It comes in sizes Adult XS through 3X and is due for release on 25th July 2014. I can’t wait to grab a copy.

If you didn’t get chance to win a copy by uploading a stitch, all is not lost – you can head on over to Crystal’s Facebook Page for another five chances to win :)

Stay tuned, or better still, subscribe top right ;), to make sure you don’t miss out on news of how to get extra copies of the other two patterns!!!

What is a blog?

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