May 2025 Stitching

 Crochet & Stitching Round-up 

Wow! I've been a Busy Bee this Month. Got lots of Stitching done. And Finished a few projects. 

Cruise Teddy Bear 

On our Wedding Anniversary Cruise we got really spoilt. And on the day itself they decorated our Cabin. I was very taken with the Little Teddy Bear they had made with a Face Towel. So Cruise Teddy came home with me. He was held together with Elastic Bands. I carefully stitched him before cutting off the elastic bands, added Stitching to the little red heart and the eyes to hold them in place. Gave him a little black nose/mouth.

Ta Da! All done.

Sammy's Crochet Hugs Collection is complete for now......

Sammy loves playing There were 7 in the bed and the little one said.... with his Crochet Hugs.

They have also been on adventures in the Garden.  Exploring the Flowers & Shrubs. Also climbing the line post and even riding a tiny car! See bottom right pic. You'll need to look close - the red car is tiny! 

Anyway that's one project finished this month.

Blackbird Stitchery

Yay! After three years I've finished my Bothy Threads Flights of Fancy Blackbird 

I'm really pleased with the finished result.

Even if the journey wasn't always that enjoyable.

I'm thinking now what to do with it? 

It's aprox 7" or 18cm Square 

Any Ideas?

Colly Birds

Now that I've finished my Bothy Threads Flights of Fancy Blackbird I can start the mmm.crafts Colly Birds

Mouse of the Month

Been working on my Gillymakes May Mouse of the Month. A touch of Applique this month.

Felt Colly Birds

I've finished my first Colly Bird. He's rather splendid. And has been enjoying exploring my Garden Flowers.

Wow! I've Impressed Myself this Month!

I've been on such a Happy Creative Roll.  I'm really enjoying myself. Not everything went to plan. But I quite enjoy making do/changing plans/find alternative ways to do things. 

Cruise Teddy Stitched

This was a really quick Stitch up! And now he's ready to enjoy his 'Teddy Bear' Life. He'd had enough of being a Facecloth/Flannel.

Sammy's Family Crocheted

It's been so much fun to slightly personalise each member for the family. Glasses for Nana, long hair for Mummy, almost no hair for Bampa, clothes colours to match.

Birds of Fancy Completed

The one I struggled to keep going with. But I was determined to finish him. So I simplified some of the Stitching and left out the tiniest eye wateringly small beads.

And now he's complete I have to say I'm rather taken with him. (Never again though.) So enjoy this one off project from me.

Felt Colly Bird Flown

Now this was more my cup of tea. I really enjoyed creating my Colly Bird. Have another three cut out.......

May Mouse of the Month  

Oh how this one fought me! It's such a little project. But it ended up on the naughty step for a few days..... but we're friends again now.

Winter Village 

Nobody's perfect....

Not much to report on my Winter Village this month. I had already finished the top half and put the bottom half ready to stitch. But all of the excitement of the above projects got in the way.

Maybe next month....... Winter Village Progress

June Stitching 

Now onto June's Wish/Hope/Dream List

I'll continue working on my Winter Village Quilt of course.

I'm so excited. I've bought all the yarn ready for the King Cole Festival Blanket 

It starts on the 20th of June. I'm particularly taken with the Colours and the Musical 🎼 notes.

My Millenium Quilt is now 25 years old. And in need of some repairs. I did repairs to it a few years ago. But it's in need of a few more now.

I made this Quilt in 1999. And I wrote This Post about it in 2013

Five Little Ducks went Swimming One Day

A Crochet Project for my W.I.'s entry in the Glamorgan W.I.'s Show on 5th July

Crochet Storage for Camping 

I'm planning to made a few quick Crochet haning Storage envelopes this month. Something bright and happy me thinks.

That's enough to be going on with.....

Hope your enjoying sharing my Stitching Adventures. I'll make a start on June's Stitching Blog Post now in a minute!

And if you missed My April Stitching Round-up

Joyofquilting 

April 25 Stitching

 Stitching 

My April Stitching 

As we head happily through April. Lovely Spring Days with Sunshine & Flowers. Let's take a look back at my April Stitching Journey.

Crochet Bunting

We celebrated our Golden Wedding this month.

Had two weeks away. One week cruise mainly Greek Islands followed by a weeks stay in Cyprus. 

I took some Stitching with me. I made the Crochet Bunting above to Celebrate our Anniversary 

Hand Stitching 

I also took a Hand Stitching Project. Called Mouse of the Month by Gillymakes

Finished off February.

Crochet Hugs 

I started making these to use up leftover yarn from my previous projects. They work up quite quickly and add that little extra special touch when Gifted with a Matching Blanket!

Learn more about My Crochet Hugs here

Winter Village (Blue Houses)

Getting back into the Stitching on this Project. I've almost completed the top half. It's been a lovely mix of Hand & Machine Stitching. There is also some Appliqué to be added. It's all coming along nicely.

Find out more about my Winter Village Quilt

Update. I've finished March & April's Mouse of the Month.

Looking forward to May's Stitching Adventures.

My May Plans

Obviously I  plan on making the May Mouse of the Month.

I'm going to start work on Stitching the bottom half of my Winter Village.

Oh, finish off Sammy's Crochet Hugs Family.

I also have a Blackbird Stitch Kit I started a couple of years ago. That needs an airing.

And I'm really tempted to make this Bird from the Twelve Days of Christmas. But I'm not allowing myself to order it until I've got a few of the above done.

Twelve Days of Christmas Colly Birds

More on the Colly Birds

Crochet Hugs

 Crochet Hugs

The idea for Crochet Hugs came about as an add on to the Crochet Blankets I like to make for New Babies.

After finishing a Crochet Blanket a couple of years ago I decided to make a little something extra out of the leftover yarn from that Project.

More about the Baby Blanket

A few years ago. I made a Teddy out of my Grandson's outgrown Jacket.

A Girl Teddy was next. To go with a Blanket I had made from outgrown baby clothes.

I can't remember why I made the first Crochet Teddy. But he also belongs to my Grandson.

Oh! I just remembered. The first Crochet Hug I made was a Little Friend for Tonka. Tonka is the Bear above made from William's Tonka Coat. Do you remember Tonka Toys?

My Favourite Patchwork and Crochet Shape is a Square. So it seemed a simple step for me to make a Square or Square ish teddy. But to me they are not quite Teddies. So I started calling them Crochet Things.

 That didn't sound very appealing. They are made for Hugging. So slowly I started calling them Crochet Hugs.

They are very simple to make.

The one above is made using all the colours in in a Baby Blanket I made.

The one below is just a tad subtler. 

I like to sew the filling into a fabric 'pillow' that I insert into the body and head when I have almost finished Stitching the front & back together. 

The arms and legs are left unstuffed.

That way there's no possibility of the stuffing being pulled out.

Crochet Hug Family 

I have recently been making a Crochet Hug Family for my Grandson Sammy.

And I'm currently working on Nana & Bampa.

Meet Nana & Bampa 

Fresh off my Hook. Nana & Bampa in the Garden. 

I have to admit those glasses make Nana look a bit Harry Potter ish.

Daisy Dog

Daisy is out in the Garden head up sniffing the air.

Say Cheese

So there you have it. My Crochet Hugs so far...

I'm sure they will be added to. They are so quick and east to make. Just rows of single Crochet (double Crochet in the US).

Take a peek at my April Stitching Adventures

Crochet Baby Gift

 Baby Crochet Blanket 

I like to make my Baby Gifts in Beautiful Bright Colours. It makes me feel so Happy. 

Your Choices

The fun for me starts way before I pick up my Hook.

There are decisions to be made.

The Pattern

First Choice: Which Pattern?

My Go To Pattern Inspiration Places

Facebook 

I follow quite a few Crochet pages on Facebook which means I regularly see different Crochet Projects in my Facebook Feed.

Pinterest 

Pinterest is great if you have an idea to explore. A Search for Crochet Baby Blankets will bring up lots of ideas.

Also it can help with colour choices. Put in a search for Blue Crochet Baby Blankets and you'll see lots of different blue options to inspire you.

Instagram 

I'm a bit umm.... about Instagram. There is some beautiful work on there. But for some reason I don't find a works very well for me. I've never quite understood how it works/the point of it.

I'd love to know your thoughts on Instagram though.

Basic Granny Square 

For this Project I just Crochet a Large Basic Granny Square with a Repeat of Nine Colours.

There are different versions of a Basic Granny Square. And for years I used the one where there is one chain between each set of three trebles (dc in US). But I've found that my work looks better if I don't chain one between each set of three trebles.

So My Granny Square pattern is:

Three Trebles (dc US) repeated with corners being 

Three Trebles (dc US) Two Chains Then Three Trebles (dc US).

I only use Chains in the Corners 

For example. If you look at the Yellow Round in the pic below. There are Six sets of Three Trebles (dc US) along each of the sides. With Three Trebles (dc US) Two Chains and a second set of Three Trebles (dc US) in each Corner.

But please use whichever Granny Square pattern that works best for you.

A Selection of My Crochet Blankets 

From Simple Stripes to Circles,  Squares, Hexagons,  with a few Fancy Stitches thrown in.

But I'm Always Drawn Back to Squares 

 Of all the different Blankets I have made. There are a small number of favourites for me. Ones I not only enjoyed making but have added to my Menu of Blanket Patterns.

Back to Square One

But at the end of the day, truth be told, I'm a Square Girl. 

I'm the same with Patchwork. I've said for years. You can't beat a Square!

So My Favourite Crochet Projects are usually Squares in one form or another.

That's Just Me

Maybe your a Circle Girl, or love different patterns. A Stripes lover, or Hexagons the options are endless. But think about it. What's your Go To Style?

Choosing Your Colour Palette 

I've often bought a Kit. That saves that part of the process. It is quite relaxing. You know the colour results your going to get.

I follow

Attic24

And often use

Wool Warehouse Yarn Packs

Sometimes I'm inspired by a colourway I've seen and try to replicate it. As with The Grandmother's Hug I recently Crochet for my Granddaughter.

See more about My Grandmother's Hug

Other times I start with a blank canvas. Maybe an idea in my head. And go from there.

And that's all part of the joy of Crochet for me.

This picture doesn't do the lovely Bright Colours justice. I'll try to do better next time.

P.S. Can you spot the little matching Teddy?

I'll be posting more about him very soon.

Little Teddy Hugs more info here

Take a look at my April Stitching Adventures Here

Grandmother's Hug Crochet

Grandmother's Crochet Hug

My older Granddaughter recently moved into a new flat. And I wanted to Crochet her something for her new pad. I found this pattern on the Drops Free Pattern Website. Grandmother's Hug

Here is my Version and this picture shows the colours really well.

I really enjoyed making this for My Granddaughter. 

And the picture below shows you it evolving from a Circle to A Granny Square.

Just Six Granny Squares 

It was made up of six large Granny Squares and nine rounds of border. 

It was a joy to make. I used Scheepjes Chunky Monkey Aran from The Wool Warehouse

It's so Soft & Cwtchy

And works up satisfyingly quickly.

If you like the colourway I've used.

However 

I had to improvise on the last two rounds of the border as I didn't have enough Yarn. I'm looking to make this Project again for my 2nd Granddaughter and I'll be ordering another ball of the White 1001 and another Ball of the Baby Pink 1240 So I can finish hers off as per the original Pattern.

The Way We Work

I like to make all of each round before I move to the next round. So I'll Crochet 6 of Round one, then six of round two etc. That way my brain doesn't have to keep chopping and changing each round. I can calmly Crochet Six (or whatever number I'm making) of each Round before starting the next. Of course for the purpose of taking pics for my Blog I had to show each round. 

I wonder how you like to Crochet multiple pieces? There's no right and wrong way mind you. Whatever you find works for you.

I recently gifted a very colourful Granny Square Baby Blanket. 

About My Granny Square Blanket

And

Have you seen My Emotional Support Chicken!

She's well worth taking a peek at.

Love of Hand Stitching

Stitched Printed Panel 

Simple Echo Stitching on a Beautiful Printed Panel.

For The Love of Hand Stitching

There is something therapeutic about Hand Stitching. Don't get me wrong. I Love Machine Stitching with a Passion. But every now and then I feel the need to partake of some Hand Stitching. BUT I can't Hand Stitch for long.

Weaknesses 

Eyes and Joints 

My eyes don't now, and never have actually done well with close work. Cross Stitch literally makes me Cross eyed! I just can't keep the Stitches still and get quickly confused. Similar although not quite so bad with Embroidery. My eyes tire quite quickly.

And then there's me joints. My fingers aren't as nimble as they once were. And repetitive work can become quite painful.

Blackbird Syndrome 

Blackbird Syndrome: Also, I'm easily distracted by shiny new projects. And consequently have lots of different projects on the go.

My Solution 

But I do Enjoy a bit of Hand Stitching. So what's a Girl to do?

Play to Your Strengths 

So what Strengths do I have?

I have quite a good guesstimating eye.

I have an artillery full of different Stitching techniques I have studied over the years.

I'm happy to try out different ideas.

I have a large collection of sewing supplies to call on.

I have plenty of time to play.

Well, I have spent years learning the Patchwork/Quilting Rules

They say once you've learnt the rules, you can break the rules.

I also enjoy Hand Quilting. I've managed a fair bit of that over the years. Although even that is now proving to be more difficult working through three layers.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention 

I'm one of those who will often start will a pattern and then decide there's a much easier way to do that. And completely sew off script.

And one of the easier ways I found was to use a Running Stitch instead of a full Quilting Stitch for certain projects.

Faux Quilting 

For years now I have used what I like to call Faux Quilting on things like Wall Hangings, Cushions, Bags and even Quilts.

Basically it's 

A Running Stitch

Which looks from the top of your work the same as or similar to A Quilting Stitch.

So what's the difference?

A Running Stitch is usually worked through one or sometimes two layers of fabric.

A Quilting Stitch is usually worked through three layers, a top layer, wadding/batting and a backing fabric.

Although Running and Quilting Stitches are basically the same Stitch. A Running Stitch is both quicker and easier to make due to only needing to get the needle and thread through one or two layers. Whereas the Quilting Stitch needs to be worked through three layers which I find takes more effort, time and is hard on my fingers/hands.

Probably best if I show you what I mean

Check out my two videos showing the difference. 

First Hand Quilting Stitch 

Next Running Stitch v Quilting Stitch

And below a Running Stitch 

Read about My Hand Stitching

There are so many opportunities to use a Running Stitch 

Running Stitch used on Cushions and Bottom Right a Wall Hanging. 'Ti's a quick and fun way to add emphasis to your work.

Combining Machine Stitching with Hand Stitching 

For years now I have used a Running Stitch to add some umph to my work.

I use it often on Bags, Wall Hangings and a touch of Running Stitch can really make a project pop.

I even use it on Quilts. I find it best to start with or add some Machine Quilting to secure the three layers.

Check out My Machine Quilting below

An example of Hand and Machine Quilting on the same piece of work.

Check out my progress

On My Winter Quilt.

Another Alternative to Quilting is

Boro Stitching 

Take a Look at my Boro Stitching

Relaxing Hand Stitching

 Block Printing - Hand Stitching 

I don't do a lot of Hand Stitching but whenever I do I find it So Relaxing.

Late last year I did some Fabric Stamping on some plain canvas Bags and Zip Pouches I bought from Amazon

Block Printing 

The Fabric Stamping itself was very easy and fun to do.

I have quite a good selection of Wooden Stamps

Most from Colouricious

And I used some of the Stamped Bags as Gift Bags at Christmas.

The little zipper pouches have come in useful over the last few weeks as storage for my Little Janome Gem Sewing machine bits & bobs. I had got that machine out to take to my local school to help get Year 6 Pupils Stitching, and the little tin I kept the spear bobbins, feet etc was looking rather shoddy with rust marks in. So time for an upgrade me thinks.

Hand Stitching 

And another for my Hand Stitching bits & bobs.

And then I thought um, a touch of outline Hand Stitching would look good on them.

So I got out my trusty Pearle Cotton No. 8 and began Stitching.

Check out My Running Stitch Post

It didn't take long to do. Was very Relaxing and made the Pouches more personal to me. 

My Redwork Style Fabric Stamped Hand Stitching Bag.

Check out my One Hour Hand Stitched Hearts

What do you think?

More about Hand Running Stitch Here

Has this given you some Inspiration?

Catch up on My Blue Houses

Like to know more?

Here's an Applique Idea of mine for the Canvas Bags.

Yours In Stitches, Joy