Light as a feather & moss green...

 I love a bit of a challenge. This certainly covered all areas -stretching my technical skills, working with a yarn I'd never normally choose, and designing a pattern.

My lovely friend Timea wanted a swoopy, swooshy summer wrap, something in a strong colour, but light enough to wear in summer. It couldn't be itchy-scratchy either (you know the way natural fibres can often be?).

After some Pinterest collaboration (you can have look at my Summer Wrap board here)and some yarn searching we settled on 'Cumulus' by fyberspates in bottle green (903). This yarn is light as air, and looks like moss.







For someone who usually crochets the brightest most chunky yarn I can get my hands on (and at a push some really dry fibrous cotton) this was really tricky for my fingers to get used to. Eventually I learned that it is much stronger than it looks, and after a practice swatch (something I rarely have the patience to do!) my tension wobbles were sorted.




















This piece has travelled some miles too -first stashed in my bag on a trip to Dorset, then up to the Highlands. Sort of seemed right to work on something like this in a big natural space.

Anyway, it went to it's new home this morning and Timea really liked it. Phew xx

Five Currant Buns in a Baker's Shop... (the pattern)

'Five currant buns in a baker's shop, round and fat with a cherry on the top.
Along came Hattie with a penny one day, bought a currant bun and took it away...'

Whilst working out how to crochet a waterproof canoe, I've worked on these for the music group Hattie and I go to on a Thursday morning. They have a great collection of toys to help with the actions to the songs, but were missing 5 Currant Buns...Until now...

You will need (for one bun!):
Size 4.00mm hook;
Small amounts of  pale taupe, white, red and dark brown dk yarn (acrylic is good for this);
Small amount toy stuffing;
Tapestry needle for the ends;
A glass to draw around approx 5.5cm diameter & pencil;
Cardboard (cereal packet works)

To Make:

Draw around the base of the glass on the card and cut out.

In light brown:
- Ch2, work 5dc into first ch. Jn with slst, ch2;
-2dc in each dc (5 times). Jn with slst, ch2:
- [1dc, 2dc in same stitch] around. Jn with slst, ch2;
- [2dc, 2dc in same stitch] around twice. Jn with slst, ch2;
- [3dc, 2dc in same stitch] around twice. Jn with slst, ch2;
- 5 rows of dc, jning with a slst at the end of each row and ch2;
- In final row of 5, join in the white yarn and Ch2;
- Pop card circle in the base.

In white:
- Work one row dc in each dc, but to make a drippy icing effect vary where you work the stitch -either into the chain, the chain space or the chain space of the row below;
- [2dc, dc2tog] around, three times. At the end of each row, slst close and ch2;
-Add the stuffing;
- [1dc, dc2tog] around twice, sneaking in a tad more stuffing if it needs it;
- Cut thread and sew through the last few stitches to close.

In red:
-Ch3, then work 5tr into the first ch;
- Cut thread and work through the base of the worked trebles and pull close. Tuck in other ends and work a couple of stitches to make a cherry shape. Secure tightly to the top of your bun.

In dark brown:
With the needle, sew in back stitch evenly spaced currant shapes around the light brown bun.

To finish:
Smush into shape. Attend singing group with toddlers. Deploy vocals and crochet buns.

Fabulous Feedback!

Thank you to those who have e-mailed feedback on our blind instruction sheet -it's always so quiet in blog-land and when people take the time to talk it makes it all the more worthwhile! The comments are super helpful and rest assured, tweaks are being made. Lovely x