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Hello & welcome to rensfibreart….

Hello & welcome to Renate Kirkpatrick’s Freeform Crochet~Knit~Fibre Designs.
Explore the many pages of useful & inspiring information to help with your crochet journey: Freeform Crochet,  Crochet Tips & Tricks,  My Published Books, & more.
Please take a moment to check out my Shop where you’ll find my freeform & other crochet pieces: Hats & Headwear, Scarves & Shawls, Handbags, Tea Cosies, Patterns & E-books, & other great stuff.
The Gallery pages are for your enjoyment; you’ll find works that have sold, been donated or given away & happily residing somewhere in the world where I hope they continue to give pleasure & joy.
There’s still much to learn about rebuilding pages & configuring the new shop. Your support so far is greatly appreciated. Thank you…
 

 

Amigurumi Crochet Projects to help fill the lock-down hours…

We are living in harrowing times & I hope everyone is staying happy & safe, despite the distress & tragic outcomes many are going through right now.

Filling the lock-down hours can be difficult but it can also be a time to finish UFO’s, try new things & start new projects. That’s why I’ve created these Aussie patterns. Although I don’t have a great deal of experience with Amigurumi, I do make these little Aussie animals & birds to sell at my local market & people love them. I’m also constantly asked for the patterns… Well, the patterns were on slips of paper with scrawls & scribbles that only I can decipher. So the task was to sit down & write them down so others can understand them. It’s taken a while but I think each of these 6 patterns will be a fun project for those who enjoy the Amigurumi technique.

Amigurumi is worked in continuous rounds therefore it’s important to use stitch markers, either commercial ones, if you have them, or do as I do & use a long scrap of yarn that you bring up as you work.

I don’t consider Gauge important, working with a smaller or larger hook will produce a smaller or larger toy. I give hook sizes for both crochet cotton & 8 ply yarn. Choose what works best for you.

Because these are small projects, they use small amounts of yarn. Great for stash-busting & no need for racing off to the craft shop, use what you have. These are quick little projects using simple stitches so, hopefully, even beginners can have a go.

I’ve used embroidery thread for eyes & facial features, but use plastic eyes with safety backs if you prefer. However be aware that these toys are then not suitable for young kiddies.

The 6 patterns are available in my shop. My hope is they bring some welcomed relief & creative joy in these testing times… happy crocheting & stay safe everyone

 

Home Sweet Home.

Well, I have to say, it’s good to be home; it was the wettest trip since Noah set sailed. It rained, it poured, it drizzled from the moment we left for our little holiday to the time we arrive at our destination. Not enough to have drought, then fires & then, to top it off, flooding rains. Of course the rain was very welcomed everywhere & I, for one, am not complaining. We really do live in the most extraordinary country.

Despite the dismal weather, my step mum’s 90th birthday celebrations went off with a bang & we had a fabulous time catching up with family & friends. Not much chance for sight-seeing but had some lovely lunches & dinners with friends as we made our way home.

And so, it’s back to the grind… My shop is open again & I’m hoping to list some new items soon.

The next crochet class is this Thurs 20th Feb.

And I’ll be at our local Landsborough Market this Saturday 22nd Feb & every 2nd & 4th Saturday from then on…

As I’ve already said, it’s good to be home… Black Cat gave us ‘the look’ as we came in the door but is purring with pleasure now;  the chooks are happily clucking & laying lovely eggs… all is well

On Holiday…

~ ON VACATION ~ Sorry folks, I’ll to be away until 19th February 2020 & all crochet  items have been deactivated from  my shop till then…

only  PDF PATTERNS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AS INSTANT DOWNLOADS  as usual

If you’d like to be notified when I return, please feel free to leave your details in contact & I’ll get back to you as soon as I can – Thanks everyone ~ Renate

5 Stash Busting Crochet Purse Patterns

… due to some health issues of late, large projects have been put on the back-burner for the time being. However, one can’t be completely idle.  I’ve been working on a few small, quick crochet projects like the Booties Pattern  posted a short while ago.  Patterns that are fun to make & will delight your friends & fundraising groups.

Today I have a collection of 5 stash busting crochet purse patterns for you just in time for the holiday season. The Patterns are worked in multiples of 2 chs, therefore, can be made larger, smaller, even tiny, to suit any purpose.

All you need to make these vibrant, useful little purses is: your yarn of choice & appropriate hook, Buttons/beads, large eye darning needle & scissors.

Each of the 5 patterns includes: both UK & US terminology, written & chart formats with stitch drawings & instruction for lesser known stitches, photos & assembly instruction.

Have a rummage through your yarn stash & buttons/beads box, you’ll be surprised what you’ll find. Experiment with different yarns & colour combinations. And don’t forget embellishments; sew on some beads, a crochet flower, straps & handles. Make this project your own.

Enjoy these 5 versatile patterns & have hours of creative fun…