Crochet Weekend!

Hello to you. Well, what a weekend full of crochet I've had! Firstly, I have finished my crochet cushion - yippee!

 William wasn't at home on Friday night, so I had some time to focus on getting the cushion cover completed. I am so chuffed with the result! I'm really pleased with the peach edging I added as I was tempted to stick with the white I'd used around the individual granny squares. I used 7 vintage buttons to close the cover (although I think one new one snuck in there) and I think the mis-matched colours and shapes really suit it. I'm writing up the pattern and shall let you know when it's ready.

I told myself that I had to get the cushion finished before I could start on my next project... a giant crochet blanket! I've been a fan of Lucy over at Attic 24 for a long time, and always admired the blankets she creates. I have set myself a new year's resolution to actually make one this year, and so, last weekend I ordered 19 balls of Stylecraft Special DK wool - each one in a different colour!

 

Look at the pyramid of wool! That makes me happy :)

 

Here is the start of my blanket. Lucy has written out the pattern she used over on her blog (see it here) and with the window of opportunity now that my cushion is finished, I started on the blanket. 240 chains to start off with, that was one I definitely turned the TV off so I could concentrate - I wasn't going to re-do that!

Even though it messes up the colours I want to show to you, I couldn't resist a little Instagram snap!

And this rather lovely relaxed weekend was spent sipping this! Delish!

Carol xx

Love love love!

I just had to post this!

How utterly amazing?! Carol xx

Week In Pictures - 13th Jan 2013

1. Dancing Solar Flower (finally saw some sunshine!) 2. IKEA bird tray, makes me smile! 3. Hangover cure ;)
4. Starting my granny square cushion 5. My FINACEE William, overlooking the Thames 6. I love succulents
7. Retro carpet 8. Orla umbrella! 9. New wool shades

Are you in Instagram? I am! Find me - @orangebirdstudio 

Carol xx

Watch this space...

A sneaky peek at what my day will be all about tomorrow! I can't wait!

This makes me happy :)

Carol xx

A big hello!

Hello hello to you and you and you! Welcome to the new look, new style, new Orange Bird Studio. I plan to create knitting and crochet patterns for you to purchase (or if I'm feeling generous, then I may even give them away for free!)

Previously, this little venture was all about selling my knitted accessories and hand-drawn greetings cards, and blogging about all things related, but unfortunately I just don't have the same amount of time as I did a few years ago.  However, I have recently picked up my needles again, and I really want to start blogging once more - not only about knitting, but also general life and things that make me smile.

So here we go!

Crochet cushion cover - complete with vintage buttons

Here is a crochet cushion I made for my friend Becci's birthday. I really enjoyed creating this - it gave me a chance to use up the leftover balls of lovely merino wool that weren't big enough to really make anything as such, but I just couldn't bear to throw them out. And I'm so glad I didn't! The 'vintage-y' photo I took of this doesn't show the colours that well, but I used a kingfisher blue, pale grey, cream, dusky lilac and a deep purple. I finished it by adding 10 mismatched vintage buttons from my Grandma's collection!

10p flowers!

Here are some lovely flowers I bought from the supermarket on New Years Day - for 10p! And they are still going strong 9 days later! Maybe it's the GORGEOUS Orla Kiely vase I put them in (it's really a utensils holder, but I couldn't resist using it for these flowers!)

Baby's blanket - work in progress

Here is the beginning of my latest pattern for the brand new Orange Bird Studio venture. It's a baby's pram blanket with a garter stitch border knitted with a chunky weight wool. The pattern I have created is relatively simple, and if you know the basics of knitting and purling, you can make this! I'm halfway there with it, and shall let you know when it is ready to purchase online!

That's it for now, see you soon!

Carol xx