Socks Glorious Socks x

Good evening my loves, hope your all well. Another week has passed, where is the time going?

Another extremely busy week here at Baggaley Cottage. I am so full of sock love I can't get them done quick enough!

Before I move on to the socks I'd just like to share with you my final pair of bootees....

I just love the Union Jack buttons, Don't you?

Now on to the socks, yipee for Margaret and her fantastic sock pattern.

The yarn I chose for my socks was.....

This gloriously scrumptious Happy by Wendy which is a sock yarn.. I threw away the ball band by mistake!!!! So I can't tell you the yardage, but it does go an extremely long way. In fact I've made socks out of it for me and I've just about finished some for Daisy.

Well here we go, prepare to be amazed (tee, hee)....



This my loves, is the toe. It's made up of  half trebles, trebles and the lovely shell pattern in trebles. For my size foot I used a 3.5 hook and then for the ankle a size 4.

And this is the heel, made up with trebles. And taa, daa the finished item......

I feel really proud of myself, would you like to see them on?......

Ok, Ok, the colours don't quite match up and one is slightly bigger than the other but for a first attempt, not bad eh. Lets see another pic....

Ahh, very comfortable and cosy on these windy nights.

And before we move on, a close up of the shell pattern....

I havn't taken a pic of Daisy's socks yet, I'll show you next time.

Any excuse to pop into the yarn shop!! I really NEEDED more sock yarn and this is what I chose...

Zig Zag by King Cole. It's a 4ply and says on the ball band suitable for socks, so I'm willing to give it a bash. A friend used it for her socks in crochet class and it  looked fab.

More on socks next week.

Whilst buying the sock yarn I also bought some lovely yarn for snowflakes. I'm selling my wares at an in house craft party on Thursday and thought snowflake bunting would go down a treat. I chose.....

A mother of pearl yarn (sorry can't find this ball band either!). It has a gorgeous sparkle to it ideal for snowflakes...



And some bright white King Cole chunky yarn to make bigger snowflakes...

I'm having trouble  loading pics tonight (perhaps it's because I'm adding so many!!). Here are the larger snowflakes....

I love them. I use both mother and pearl and chunky for these and a size 6 hook. They also look fab using 2 strands of chunky and 1 of mother of pearl and a size 15 hook!! honest, give it a go. I made them last year and they were very popular. I've also added some to Christmas tree bunting....

I hung mine above my fire place last year. Here's the Christmas trees on there own...

Well Christmas is only around the corner!!!

That's my news for this week, who knows what next week will bring. ooh, I've just remembered, half term yippeeeee :)

Well I'd better go and get Daisy's socks finished a few rows to go.

Night, night for now and happy crocheting x x

These boots are made for walking x

Good evening my lovelies.

To be perfectly honest with you I haven't been up to an awful lot this week, Very unlike me! By that I mean I haven't been up to a variety of projects. But I've been extremely busy with the wonderful bootees and Mary Janes......

Eight pairs to be exact. The Mary Janes are a breeze, the bootees take a bit longer. I seem to have made a lot for girls, but not many for boys.

So that's what I'm working on at the mo'. Three more pairs in boyish colours then I'm done...for now.
My favourite so far have to be the Daisy Mary Janes......

I love the green, they may not sell well at this time of the year tho'. They're more for Spring time don't you think?
Here at Baggaley Cottage my bootees have been scrutinised by the family and in their poll for their favourite the green and cream Mary Janes came out on top...

They are cute and different as are the pale blue and cream, I love the buttons they really finish them off nicely...

In my last blog I mentioned that I'd stocked up on the gorgeous creative cotton and promised a pic of the scrummy colourful loveliness.....

Oh how lovely, there looks an awful lot there!!!!!
And here it is squashed and squeezed in my box....

And then it's tucked into my Stig corner out of the way x

oooh, exciting news. Thursday is crochet club, this week we are learning how to crochet socks. I can't wait it's something I've wanted to try for a while now. I'll let you know how it goes next week, if it does go well that's a few Christmas prezzies sorted!!!! Sorry guys x x

Off I go for a nice cuppa coffee before I start another pair of bootees.

Night night for now and happy crocheting x x

Helloooo x x

Hello my lovelies,

I've just sat down to write my blog, the rain is thrashing against the window and there's a chill in the air. It feels so Wintry tonight.

This week I'm only two days late with my blog, I hope I'm forgiven?

Firstly I wanted to show you two more completed cowls.......

They are both crocheted with Riot chunky, I love the grey and have put one by for myself x

Secondly the Granny squares  are coming on nicely. It's not so fun sewing in the ends mind you........

For these I'm using all my odds and ends of creative cotton. Oh, that reminds me I stocked up on more cotton but forgot to take a pic, it all looks so scrummy ;)  I'll take a pic in a mo and show you next time x


The scarf I'm making with the Japanese pattern is growing slowly but surely.....

It really is slow going!!

Oh dear, writing this blog has made me realise just how many projects I have on the go. I've just glanced over to my little corner of stash!!!?!! Deary me, the Stig pile is on the rise. I'd better have a tidy before it's spotted by the boss, tee hee!

And lastly, Ive been making gorgeous bootees......

I just never tire of making these, the buttons finish them off nicely.....

I've added a different coloured sole to a few pairs as a trial, and I really like  them.....

I also tried it with the Mary Jane's. A few more pairs and I'll be taking them to their destination :)

Well, It's been lovely chatting to you. Hopefully I'll be back to routine next week and I'll be back to blogging on Tuesdays, who knows!!!!

Night night for now and happy crocheting x x

Hello my loves x

Hello my loves, I know, I know I'm late!!

Do you know I worked an extra day this week, it well and truly threw me out of routine. And, to top it off I start working full time next week, who  knows where I'll be then!

I must crack on, so much to share ;)
If you remember last blog (almost two weeks ago), I was in abit of a tis without a project. I will never complain again, a few days after my moan I had orders coming out of my ears for cowls, scarves and bootees. Orders are now nearly complete and of course in between I managed to sneak in a few other projects, firstly........

A friend of mine decided to give this a go, so I thought I would too. No I haven't suddenly learnt how to read Japanese, the diagrams are so easy to follow. Here's a sneak preview.....

It's slow going but I like it, I decided to use 4 ply....

I'm lovin' the colour, more of the scarf soon x

Not last week, but the week before it was crochet club, I just love it. A lovely lady called Margaret teaches us all sorts of techniques and stitches. This time we learnt filet crochet. Here's a sample...

You will have seen filet crochet before. It's great for creating crochet pictures or patterns, you very often see baby blankets in filet.

And then joy of joys Margaret invited a few people to her home last Sunday to learn double filet crochet, with her and her friend Mary who is a double filet expert. It was a lovely day spent with lovely people crocheting all day, yes all day. Here's my double filet.....

This is the front......

And this is the back.
It's very tricky as you use two different coloured yarns and crochet the back and front at the same time. Great for double sided blankets.
I'm glad I learnt how to do it, but not sure I'd try it again in a hurry. It takes time and lots of yarn and masses of concentration.

I've also been very busy with a new stitch I've fallen in love with, it's popcorn stitch. I love it, love it love it and have created two new things, a stool cover...

Let's have a closer look......

How absolutely gorgeous is that. It does use a ridiculous amount of yarn though, but it's worth it.
I also made a popcorn stitch cushion......

I'm lovin' this too, the oatmeal and raspberry colours work really well together.
I made them for a craft fair I did yesterday (Saturday), I didn't sell them, but sold lots of other stuff. This was my stall....

I love craft fairs. I love meeting new people, sharing ideas and getting feedback from the stuff I've made, good and bad!

Well I think that's all my news, sorry it took me so long to blog!!!

I'm not sure you've noticed but I've added a comments box at the bottom of my blog I'd love to hear from you.

 I also need a bit of advice if anyone can help, how do I add the Folksy link to my blog? I am just not technical, please help...

I'm off to crochet more bootees.

Night night for now and happy crocheting x x x

Baggaley Cottage Crochet x x

Hi Guys, I hope you've all had a good week so far, I have x

Saturday started out quite nice. I managed to plant 70 Tulip bulbs in between the sunshine and heavy down pours.

And while I was at it I weeded and tidied, picked up fallen apples and harvested pears.
There should be enough bulbs now, I look forward to seeing them bursting with colour in the Spring.

Well, I've managed to complete a couple of projects this week, firstly the lovely Elise shawl...

I am loving that pattern, still not sure about the colour. Would you like to see it on?....... Taaa, daaa

Not bad hey?
I also managed to finish the  cotton blooming flower cushion.....

I much prefer this one to the last, the colours look fab together and as the cotton is an Aran weight yarn the petals are much fuller.

And then I began to search the web for a new project, I searched Ravelry, Lion Brand, Blogs, Blogs of Blogs, Blogs of blogs of blogs!!!!!!!!!
Then the panic set in, how will I manage without a project! I just CAN NOT cope with out a hook in hand. And so for the time being I decided  to use up bits 'n' bobs of cotton to make colourful granny squares.....

I like them, I've not decided what to do with them yet. They might be a blanket, they might be a cushion, who knows!!

I went to bed trying to think of  a project, what could I do? Then it hit me, well it is blanket weather isn't it?
So on the way to K 'n' N , I popped in to see Anita and bought.....

Some lovely cheap 'n' cheerful yarn, £10 for 10 balls, lets see another pic.....

You know me, just couldn't wait to get started.....

And so another ripple blanket has been started, I aim to finish this within a fortnight. It will not end up on the Stig pile x

Before I go, I must tell you something really exciting. On Sunday night I finally set up my Folksy shop. I've been meaning to do it for a while. If you don't already know about Folksy it's a web site set up in the U.K purely for the selling, buying and making of crafts. It's great for quirky one off gifts and original items.Well, I put 22 of my items in my little shop, keep your fingers crossed for me. It's a little nerve racking if I'm honest I hope people like my stuff :) 
If you'd like a peak, log on to Folksy and to find me, type in the search bar in one word..
baggaleycottagecrochet       Happy browsing x

Night night for now and happy crocheting x x x

Busy Bee x x

Hello my loves and good evening.
What an absolutely wonderful day I've had today. I finally made it to Knit 'n' Natter after missing two weeks due to the school hols and grandparents away on holidays.. The group has now moved to the pub next door to the marvelous yarn shop, due to the ever increasing members!!! It was an absolute squash and a squeeze in the yarn shop, so it was for the best. We all still nip in to see Anita before K 'n' N to get our supplies. It was a good day to go back as the ladies decided to stay for a pub lunch, it was yummy. And lovely to catch up with all my pals.

Over the past few days I've been looking for a new project and decided upon a shawl. I found the pattern on Ravelry after much searching for something easy-ish. I nipped in to Anita's for some 4 ply, and decided upon this ......

I'm not sure I made the right decision on colour, only time will tell. The pattern was a bit tricky at first, but soon got the hang of it. It's called the Elise Shawl for those of you who want to give it a bash.x

I have also been busy making cup-cake keyrings...

They are rather cute, don't you think. The idea came from my pal Sally at evening K 'n' N. She been telling us about the cup-cake keyrings she had been making. And that was it, the seed had been sewn and I just had to have a go. This pattern also came from Ravelry.

My mother-in-law came over to see us at the weekend. She asked if I would make her a couple of scarves for her friends for Christmas. Of course I was happy to do so. (Any excuse to nip to the yarn shop!!). So off we went in search of yarn. We bought two balls of yarn, I couldn't remember how much we needed for the scarves I had in mind. I managed to get one scarf out of one ball of yarn, hoorah. And here it is, I made it in an evening ...

The colour is absolutely beautiful. We will take the spare ball of yarn back and exchange it ready for scarf number two.
Lastly this week I have made a cowl. I absolutely hate a cold neck in the Winter. The idea came from Jacey at Coffee and Crochets blog a while back. Jacey is also a pal at K 'n' N. I've been meaning to try the cowl for a while and admit it was trial and error getting the correct size. I think I had to undo it three times, I like a warm neck but don't like to be strangled!!.......

I used the fab Riot chunky, I love it, love it, love it. I took the finished item to K 'n' N today for show and tell as we all do with finished projects. I now need to make cowl number two as I have an order from my pal Jo.
Here's how the finished item looked .....

Side view... I'm loving the peony flower and so easy to do. A pretty little button just adds the finishing touch don't you think. And now for a front view........

I'm chuffed to bits with it.
Well I'm off to crochet a couple more rows of the shawl before an early night, work tomorrow.

Night night for now and Happy Crocheting x x x

Back to school x

Good evening my loves.                                                                                                                        Well, another week has past us by and what a busy week it has been, I could do with a holiday-tee hee!!!
First of all this evening I'd like to show you the shrug I made on the return from France, I forgot about it last week.

Unfortunately I had to take the pic myself and the only long mirror is in the bathroom. Oh dear, I'll wait for Gav to come home next time!! Anyway I'm pleased with it and have worn it a few times.

Here at Baggaley Cottage we are trying to keep up with the gardening before the cold weather hits. This weekend we trimmed the bushes and planted one hundred daffodil bulbs.

Now, I do hope they'll come up. I'm a bit concerned, the dastardley squirrel has been in the garden every morning climbing up and down each branch of the Hazel Nut trees!! I feel a bit guilty after eating the Hazel nuts we harvested. If he can't find the nuts he might go for the bulbs. Look out squirrel I'm watching and waiting!!

At the beginning of the week I had a call from my friend Anita who owns the local yarn shop, knitworking. She has crocheted an 'open' sign and has it hanging from her door. A lady had shown interest and wanted her mums name crocheted. Anita put her in touch with me. What a coincidence after just finishing Charlie's name. It was when Anita said 'You not going to believe what her name is', the panic set in, I was expecting a really long name, it was....

Would you believe it! The scary thing was the lady had the same surname as me too. The patterns for the letters came from the fabulous 'Inside Crochet' magazine.
As a finishing touch to all of the items I make I add a hand made with love heart as you can see on the 'r'..

In between crocheting the name I have been busy with the Japanese blanket..

Its coming on slowly but surely, I only have five and a half balls of yarn to use before it's completed!!

As you may be aware my most favourite yarn to use is creative cotton, I love it and it comes in the most amazing vibrant colours. However something I am not pleased about is they have discontinued my most favourite colour, watermelon pink. Along with three others, how could they. At least replace it with a candy pink could you? Deary me!

After finishing the name I felt I needed a new project so decided to make another Blooming Flower cushion in the lovely creative cotton.....

I'm loving it, the watermelon is the centre colour.

Another project that's been on the go for a while is the Daisy cushion cover..

It's almost complete, but very annoying as each petal has to be crocheted seperatley and then the ends sewn in. I thought by putting it on my blog it might encourage me to complete it!! Well, you never know!!

Well, It's back to school for my children tomorrow. I'm back on Thursday. So, I'm off to prepare sandwiches and polish shoes before continuing with my flower cushion.

Night night and happy crocheting x x

(Spell check isn't working tonight, forgive my spelling mistakes).