Wednesday 22 November 2017

Autumn Shop Update

There are four new shawls available from Mrs Flowerpot's Etsy Store







Monday 22 May 2017

Summer Shop Update

Hi everyone!

I've just updated my store on Etsy four fabulous new shawls, including two very special shawls in my own handspun merino yarn.

Neon Rainbow in handspun merino


Rainbow splash in handspun merino


Peony in shades of pink and purple


Cherry red in shades of red, purple with hints of green and peach


During the month of June I shall be taking part in the Cloth Nappy Addicts "Buy British Month".  Check the Facebook group for more details of offers and discount coupons.

Monday 6 March 2017

Spring Shop Update!

Spring is in the air and I've just added three new shawls to my Etsy store Mrs Flowerpot's.

This cream shawl is a new design.  I've crocheted it in an alpaca and silk blend yarn and words cannot describe just how soft it is.  It's like wearing a cloud!


Next up I have this fresh pistachio green shawl, crocheted in a super soft pure merino yarn.  Can be warm as a scarf on a chilly spring morning or as a wrap on a cool summer evening.


And finally something a little bit different.  Dragon wing is an asymmetric scarf with a textured pattern in variegated shades of green, grey and blue.


Visit my Etsy shop Mrs Flowerpot's for further details.

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Super Chunky Cable Scarf

Hi!

I've been having a lot of fun recently knitting super chunky scarves.  I wanted to do a simple cable pattern but couldn't find one I liked so I wrote up my own.

It's very quick and easy to knit.  The pattern repeat is 6 rows long and you can make the scarf however long you want to.

Instructions are below or you can download a printable PDF version HERE.

Super Chunky Cable Scarf


You will need:

4 x 100g balls of super bulky yarn for a 165cm/65" long scarf


10mm knitting needles

A thick cable needle (or a wooden pencil sharp on both ends)

Abbreviations:

K              knit
P              purl
C6F         place 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front of work, knit next 3 stitches then knit 3 stitches from cable needle.

To make the scarf:
Cast on 18 stitches.
Row 1: K6, P6, K6. Row 2: Knit to end. Row 3: K6, P6, K6. Row 4: Knit to end. Row 5: K6, P6, K6. Row 6: K6, C6F, K6.


These 6 rows form the pattern.  Repeat these 6 rows until the scarf is the desired length.  End after row 3.  Cast off.  Weave in ends.

© Clair Louise Coult.  You may use this pattern to produce items for sale. 

Wednesday 19 October 2016

Charity auction for Canine Partners

As some of you may know I have a genetic condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which causes hypermobile joints, pain, fatigue and a whole heap of other symptoms.  I have become quite disabled by this condition to the point where I need assistance to do many tasks that most people take for granted.

Last year I came across a charity called Canine Partners.  They provide disabled people with trained assistance dogs.  The dogs are absolutely amazing!  They can fetch the post, open doors, even empty the washing machine.  I spoke to my family about it and we agreed that I should apply for a dog.  I went through the assessment process and I have been placed on the waiting list.

It costs £20,000 to train and support a Canine Partner through their working life and I wanted to give something back.  I wasn't sure how I could fund raise, I'm too sick to run a marathon or jump out of a plane so I looked at what I can do best.  Crochet!


I made this blanket in purple (to match the Canine Partners logo) and cream, I chose a chunky acrylic yarn which is very soft, warm and easy to care for.  It measure 48" square and it would be great for snuggling up in your favourite arm chair on a cold winters evening.  


I've listed the blanket on eBay with 100% of the proceeds going to Canine Partners.  If you want to buy a great blanket and support and even greater cause then please bid.  The auction ends at 6pm on Monday 24th October.




If you'd like to make a donation or learn more about Canine Partners then please visit their website:

Thank you!

Thursday 29 September 2016

#CrochetGO Giveaway!

Hi!

For the past few months I've been making little crochet Pokemon figures to give away as part of the #CrochetGo movement.  It's been so much fun!  I've been hiding them around my home town centre and in video game stores for Pokemon Go players to find.  And when people find them they post on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #CrochetGo to let me know they've been found.

People from all over the world have been taking part.  Check out #CrochetGo on Twitter and Instagram to see the characters people have created and the happy faces of the Pokemon fans who found them.

Now I'm giving my blog readers a chance at winning this little group of Pokemon in Mrs Flowerpot's #CrochetGo Givea


There is Charmander, Squirtle, Psyduck, Horsea, Pikachu, Staryu and a Pokeball up for grabs.

The competition is now closed.  Thank you for entering.
The winner will be announced shortly.


Closing date is 15th October 2016 midnight GMT.
A winner will be drawn at random from all entries received before the closing date.
The winner will be contacted by email.
I promise not to spam you or sell your details.
Mrs Flowerpot's decision is final.

Good luck everyone!

Oh yeah, before anyone asks I'm really sorry but I do not sell Pokemon figures.  Pokemon characters are protected by copyright and I would be in breach of that copyright law if I made them to sell without having permission or a licence from the copyright holder.

I do however sell some pretty awesome crochet lace shawls on my Etsy store so if you're looking for something special then please visit Mrs Flowerpot's Emporium





Thursday 8 September 2016

Meet Horsea - the little water Pokemon

Meet Horsea!  Isn't he cute?

I've been busy making lots of Pokemon for #CrochetGo using Nichole's Nerdy Knots patterns and I thought I'd have a go at writing my own.  I love water Pokemon so I chose Horsea because he didn't look too complicated.

It turns out that pattern writing isn't that easy but after a few false starts and revisions I got there in the end.  And here he is!

Anyway, if you'd like to make your own Horsea here's the pattern.  It's written in British crochet terms using DK yarn but you want to make it in worsted I'd recommend going up to a 4mm hook.

There's a PDF version of the pattern if you want to print it out.

Happy crocheting!


Horsea Pokemon

You will need:
oddments of DK yarn in the following colours:
            pale blue
            pale yellow/cream
            white
            red
            black
3.5mm crochet hook
tapestry needle
toy stuffing

Please note: this pattern uses British crochet terms.


Abbreviations:
ch        chain
dc        double chain
bldc     back loop double chain
slst       slip stitch
htr       half treble
inc       increase by working 2dc into the same
stitch
dec      decrease by working 2dc together over next two stitches
join      join to first dc of round with a slip stitch

Before you start:

Exact gauge is not important but you need to make a firm fabric with small holes so the toy stuffing doesn't show through.  Go down a hook size if you need to.

Gently stuff the head and body after the first decrease round and keep topping up the stuffing as you near the last row.  Don't over stuff, it just needs to be firm enough to hold its shape. 

To make the head:

Using black make a magic ring.
Round 1: 6dc in the ring, pull ring tight, join and change to pale blue yarn.
Round  2:  1ch, dc into each stitch, join. (6)
Round  3:  1ch, bldc into each stitch, join.  (6)
Round 4 - 7: 1ch, dc into each stitch, join.  (6)
Round 8: 1ch, inc into each stitch, join.  (12)
Round 9: 1ch, *(1dc, inc) repeat from * to end, join.  (18)
Round 10: 1ch, *(2dc, inc) repeat from * to end, join.  (24)
Round 11 - 13: 1ch, dc in each stitch, join.  (24)
Round 14: 1ch, *(2dc, dec) repeat from * to end, join.  (18)
Round 15: 1ch, *(1ch, dec) repeat from * to end, join.  (12)
Round 16: 1ch, dec to end, join.  Fasten off.  Use tail to draw through stitches and close up hole.

To make head spikes:

Using pale blue *make 6ch, htr in second chain from hook, 1 htr in each stitch to end.  Do not fasten off.  Repeat from * twice more.  You should have three spikes all joined together.  Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew onto the head.
Make a second set of spikes in the same way.

To make tail and body:

Using pale blue make a magic ring.
Round 1: 6dc into magic ring, join.  (6)
Round 2:  1ch, dc into each stitch to end, join.  (6)
Round 3: 1ch, *(1dc, inc), repeat from * to end, join.  (9)
Rounds 4 - 10: 1ch, dc into each stitch, join.  (9)
Round 11: 1ch, *(2dc, inc), repeat from * to end, join.  (12)
Round 12: (1ch, *(1dc, inc), repeat from * to end, join.  (18)
Round 13: 1ch, *(2dc, inc), repeat from * to end, join.  (24)
Round 14: 1ch, *(3dc, inc), repeat from * to end, join.  (30)
Round 15 - 16: 1ch, dc in each stitch, join.  (30)
Round 17: 1ch, *(3dc, dec), repeat from * to end, join.  (24)
Round 18: 1ch, dc in each stitch, join.  (24)
Round 19: 1ch, *(2dc, dec), repeat from * to end, join.  (18)
Round 20: 1ch, dc in each stitch, join.  (18)
Round 21: 1ch, *(1dc, dec), repeat from * to end, join.  (12)
Round 22: 1ch, dc in each stitch, join.  (12)
Round 23: 1ch, dec to end, join.  (6)
Fasten off leaving a long tail to stitch head onto body. 

To make the chest:
Using pale yellow or cream yarn make 4 ch, leaving a long tail for sewing chest onto the body.
Row 1: Dc into second ch from hook, dc to end, 1ch, turn.  (3)
Row 2: Inc, dc, inc, 1ch, turn.  (5)
Row 3: Inc, 3dc, inc, 1ch, turn.  (7)
Row 4: Inc, 5dc, ince, 1ch, turn.  (9)
Row 5 - 6: Dc to end, 1ch, turn.  (9)
Row 7: Dec, 5 dc, dec, 1 ch, turn.  (7)
Row 8: Dec, 3dc, dec, 1ch, turn.  (5)
Row 9: Dec, 1ch, dec, 1ch, turn.  (3)
Row 10: 3dctog.  Fasten off.

To make the fins:

Using pale yellow or cream yarn make 2 ch.
Row 1: Inc in second chain from hook, 1ch, turn.  (2)
Row 2: Inc in each dc, 1ch, turn.  (4)
Row 3: Inc, 2dc, inc, 1ch, turn.  (6)
Row 4 - 6: Dc in each stitch, 1ch, turn.  (6)
Row 7: Dec, 2ch, dec, 1ch, turn.  (4)
Row 8: Dc in each stitch, 1ch, turn.  (4)
Row 9: Dec, twice.  Fasten off. 
Make a second fin in the same way.

To make up:

Sew spikes onto the sides of the head.
Sew the head onto the body.
Sew the chest onto the body.
Sew the tail in a tight curl towards the body.
Sew the fins onto the back about 2.5cm/1" below the head.
Embroider the eyes using red, white and black.


Pattern written by Clair Louise Coult.
This pattern is for personal use only.  

You can download a PDF version of this pattern here:  Horsea Pokemon