Monthly Archives: October 2012

Planet Penny Cotton Inspirations:Week 2

Hello…  I’m back again, hoping to be inspiring!  If you spotted last week’s mid-week post you will know I have been keeping my eye out for pretty little things which can be made using the gorgeous Planet Penny Cotton rainbow and trying out the patterns so I can recommend them to you.

This week’s beautiful pattern come courtesy of Craft Passion, the African Flower…

Inspiration for Planet Penny Cotton Club yarn

…and you can find the pattern here

I have made a start on a patchwork style cushion using the Planet Penny Cotton…

Crochet African flower in Planet Penny Cotton Club yarn

Obviously very much a WIP at the moment, but I’m enjoying making it, and planning the colour combinations.  It requires a bit more concentration than the basic Granny Square but it uses basic single and double crochet stitches (and trebles too for UK readers).  It all fell apart slightly last night at our Knit and Stitch Group, (chatting with a glass of wine at one’s elbow does not aid concentration!)   It’s written using US terms so bear that in mind if you are used to UK patterns.

There is also a pattern for a beautiful bag if you are feeling really ambitious…

African Flower crochet purse - Planet Penny Cotton inspirations

I’ve added this to my ‘Wish List’ , I really do need that extra pair of hands!

With that in mind, I’d better get back to work.  I hope this has given you some ideas, I’ll be back soon….x

Seagulls…Robins…and a Small Sea Dog

Hello!  It’s that time of the week again….doesn’t it come round quickly?  If you spotted my mid week post about the Planet Penny Cotton crochet inspirations, you’ll know this post  represents a very quick gear change to get back to needlefelting again to build up my flock of Robins.

I think I’m going to have set days for each  to keep on top of things, oh to be disciplined and organised.  I’ve a feeling I may left it a little late in the day to change, but I do try!

And I have been sloping off when the sun shines to keep a small dog happy.  We went to our favourite Norfolk beach during the week…

Norfolk sky, sea and sand

So peaceful, and completely deserted,  Just me, Higgins and the seagulls.  Not even a seal this time.

Higgins had a great time…

miniature dachshund on Norfolk beach

miniature dachshund on beach

love the little pink tongue!

Did I mention he’s on a healthy eating and fitness regime?  The last weigh in at the vet’s pronounced him at the top end of his ideal weight window, so charging madly around the beach is just what the ‘doctor’ ordered.  (It’s not doing me any harm either!)

And later, back in the studio, the flock of Robins keeps growing…

Robins great and small…

needlefelt robins

three needlefelt robins

six needlefelt robins

needlefelt robins group

needlefelt robins on a log

I have a lovely selection of rings, wreaths and hearts for my robins to sit on so that’s tomorrows job!

I’m battling with the internet at the moment, it’s running like very cold treacle, so I shall quit while I’m ahead and leave you with a link to this week’s Handmade Monday over at Handmade Harbour.  Have a lovely week, I will be back soon….x

Planet Penny Cotton Colours

I’ve been feeling the need for a little colour fix just lately, of the rainbow cotton variety, to counter balance the Christmassy slant which my creativity has inevitable taken.

There’s no getting away from it, robins are basically shades of brown with red, and although it suits them very well, it doesn’t press all the buttons for me, colourwise.  So off to the Planet Penny Cotton Colours shelves…

and POW!

Planet Penny Cotton Club Yarns

… oooh, I feel better already!

What started as a very tentative foray into importing something from Europe which I couldn’t actually purchase in the UK is still going well, and I’ve had great feedback and repeat orders from people who have been so happy with not only the gorgeous colour range but the quality of the yarn.  (If you are a new blog visitor you can find out the beginnings of the Planet Penny Cotton Colours yarn here and here)

There are only two areas where I feel I’m letting the side down, and the first only is completely out of my hands.  It’s so expensive to ship outside the UK!  I’ve pared down the packing to the minimum, (and the girls at my local Post Office are impressed that the parcels come in just below the point where the cost goes up to the next band!) so I do apologise to anyone who feels the shipping costs are high, and I really appreciate the loyal customers who buy despite the Royal Mail’s costs.  In fact someone in Australia emailed to say she loved the yarn so much she would have paid double the postage rate!

And really the other area is out of my hands too, unless I can magic some extra hours in the day!  I’d like to produce more patterns, but is a very time consuming affair … Coming up with the idea, making the item, writing the pattern, typing the pattern, then following the pattern whilst making it again to check it works, etc. etc. you get the picture…

So my plan is to research other peoples patterns, to find pretty ideas which can be made up in the beautiful Cotton Colours and then giving you the links to the websites to try them for yourselves.  It also seemed like a cheerful thing to do as Winter approaches and nature makes things a bit dark and monotone.  You’ll find plenty of inspiration too, if you visit me on Pinterest!

And this is the first pattern I found…

crochet pincushions made in Planet Penny Cotton Club yarn

Aren’t they pretty? So easy, and compulsive to make.  At this rate every one will be getting one for Christmas, including the boys!

flower pincushions crochet in Planet Penny Cotton Club yarn

This has been about for a while and appears to have originated on a Danish blog, but I found a great crochet blog called Hooked on Needles where there is an English version of the pattern

Check out the shop for the yarn and the patterns, and also for the new limited edition, Christmas Crochet Collection

Planet Penny Cotton Club Christmas Crochet kit

Which includes the PPCC  ‘Snowdrop’ yarn, hook, buttons, ribbon and the pattern for the Christmas Crochet bunting featured in the Winter Simply Crochet magazine, and the heart and snowflake patterns to make tree ornaments or a garland.

And while I was looking for the links for this pattern I found another one…where are those extra hours in the day?  I’ll be back with more ideas very soon…

 

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