Thursday 25 July 2013


R2D2 Inspired Hat £15

+ p&p in UK

Pattern FREE (Below)




MC – main colour – grey
BC – second colour – blue
I used a size 5.00 mm hook and 100%  acrylic double knit (worsted weight) yarn from a local budget supplier.
To make the hat:
Using MC and magic loop, sc 9 stitches into loop, pull tight and ss into first sc to close loop.
Round1: Chain 2 then 1sc in same stitch.  2 sc into each remaining stitch around and join to top of ch2.  (18 sts)
Round 2: Change to BC and ch2  sc in next st, *ch 1, sc in next st* repeat from * to *around then join to top of ch2.  (18 sts 18 ch1 spaces).
Round 3: Change to BC and chain 3.  1DC into next ch1 space, **1 DC in next DC, 1 DC in next Ch1 space* twice.  Change to BC and DC 1 in next ch1 space.  Change to MC and DC in next DC**repeat from ** to ** 5 more times.
Round 4-8:  Continue in pattern increasing by DC 2 in 3rd DC of each segment of blue.
Round 9: Change to MC and dc around increasing by DC 2 in line with previous increases.
Round 10-11: DC around
Round 12-15: Dc 26, change to BC, DC 11, Change to MC, DC to end of round.
Round  16: DC 5 in MC, *DC6 in BC, DC 1 in MC* repeat from * to * twice.  DC 12 in MC then repeat from * to * 3 times.  DC in MC to end.
Round 18-19: DC 5 in MC, *DC6 in BC, DC 1 in MC* repeat from * to * twice.  DC 3 in BC, DC 1 in MC, DC 5 in BC, DC 3 in MC, repeat from * to * 3 times.  DC in MC to end.
Round 20-21: In MC, SC around.
Round 22: In BC, DC around.
Round 23-24: In MC, SC around.
SS to finish round, break yarn and fasten off.
RED SPOT – Using red yarn, make a magic loop and SC 6.  Pull loop tight, finish off and fasten to front of hat (see photo for placement).
WHITE SPOT -  Using white yarn, make a magic loop and SC 6. Pull loop tight.  Row 1: SC 2 into each SC around. Row 2: SC into each SC around.  Finish off and fasten to front of hat (see photo for placement).
BLACK SPOT - Using black yarn, make a magic loop and SC 6. Pull loop tight.  Row 1: SC 2 into each SC around. Row 2: SC 1, SC 2 in next SC, around. Row 3: SC 2, SC 2 into next SC around.  Finish off and fasten to front of hat (see photo for placement).
Weave in all ends and trim.
Blocking etc – I don’t block my hats as it’s not an exact science, but feel free to go the extra mile! Please use my pattern for fun or business, but ensure that you include an acknowledgment that the pattern is mine, as well as a link to my ETSY page or Facebook Page www.facebook.com/MadenFayre or www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MadenFayre



Designed by Rachel Congreve, Made ‘n’ Fayre,

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Elephantastic...

All Done - and here's the result :)  Handsome little fella isn't he?!




Monday 13 May 2013

Getting the balance right - commissions and stalls...

It's not easy to focus on several things at once, and I'm starting to feel a little nervous about the upcoming stall at Queen's Road Fair on 16th June.  Will I have enough of the right stock?  Does anyone else share my anxieties?

The main tensions are - what will sell, if anything, and therefore what shall I focus on making?  What if I sell out of something, and no one wants the other items available...(or worse, what if I don't sell anything at all!!!)

I have commissions now to make too - which is great, but time consuming...should I have waited until after the stall to offer my services?   I think as an individual I can't do that, I need to take orders whenever they come along.  Speaking of commissions - almost finished making an elephant!!!

Anyone have any pearls of wisdom on the matter?  I'd appreciate some advice - I am the ultimate Nooby at this!!!

x
Almost done!!!

Friday 10 May 2013

Knitted Toilets!!!

A work colleague told me about a knitted  toilet in East London - I still haven't found it - but in my search I came across this site, which I love!  Liisa Hietanen (click her name to go to her website) is a cool knitting artist, who has knitted an entire 'toilet booth' including toilet and toilet roll, paper, sink, and even wall tiles...

My personal favourite from her site is this little beauty - crocheted bangers and mash - excellent!

Rachel.

Wednesday 8 May 2013

Made 'n' Fayre made it's first sale today - comissioned one elephant.  For the pattern go to:
http://www.womansday.com/home/craft-ideas/craft-project-knitted-toy-elephant-112798

Here's a photo too of my previous attempt made for my mother-in-law as a birthday gift a year or two ago!!!
That'll keep me out of mischief (if only for a little while)...

Tuesday 7 May 2013

Made 'n' Fayre is go!!!

I am keen to share some of my inspirations and point to those places I have stumbled across and found useful, helpful and diverting.  I couldn't count the hours I've spent looking at other people's creations, or indeed the money I've spent buying them.

It is a true joy to create things, and I don't think it a special gift to be able to.  Mostly when people claim they can't kint, or can't crochet, or that I am so fast or talented (which is honestly a huge overstatement of my abilities) I tell them that there is nothing special about me...you just have to start slow and perhaps untidily, and you build speed and neatness

So, if you're new to crafting I'd encourage you to just keep on with it.  Do what I've done and draw inspiration from those around you, and not only those in the crafting community.  When I knit my husband a Dalek, it was his love of sci-fi that inspired me!

If you're most comfortable following a pattern, then go ahead and do it - there's nothing wrong with that and you are still creating something all your own.  If you like to free hand then fill your boots.  No one need pin you down or clip your wings...the world is your oyster!

Let me share some of my favourite crafters and personal friends...

Stephanie Smithers first invited me to a knitting group, which led to me picking up my pins for the first time since I was a child...find her here on FB https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.smithers.7

Jennie Duce creates many a beautiful thing...find her blog here http://moretwist.blogspot.co.uk/

Caroline Corner is a super clever knitter with loads of original ideas and a shared love of knitted novelties and toys...find her here on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/people/luckykazz

Sarah Fox-Lilley taught me to crochet.  Most of my items for sale are crocheted, so I guess Made 'n' Fayre wouldn't exit without her...find her here on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SarahFoxLilley?fref=ts

Cally Scholes who is super lovely and makes loads of lovely gifts for little people amongst other awesome things...find her here on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/projects/CallyScholes

Do please share your crafty friends and inspirations...I'd love to know what floats your crafty boat!

Yours,
Rachel.