Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Downunder….

Hello everyone,… it’s hard to believe that yet another year is coming to an end; I do hope it’s been a happy, healthy & creative one for you all &, that 2018 will be even better. A huge thank you to all the crochet class ladies, your participation, (rain, hail or shine), has been wonderful & greatly appreciated &, hopefully, will continue with the same zeal, friendship & creativity in 2018. A generous welcome to all the new ladies. I hope your crochet interests have been re-ignited &, I trust, the door has been opened for the very new beginners to this fabulous, fun craft.

I’d also like to thank the many people who have contacted me throughout the year. I really value your lovely compliments & feedback &, the requests for advise with those tricky stitches that we come across from time to time, I hope I’ve been of help…

Another gracious, Thank You must go to all my Etsy, Ravelry & Zibbet customers, most of which are international &, being so far away, I really appreciate your trust & taking the time to leave great feedback.

~ So…, 2017… it took a while to get my mojo back on track after a difficult 2016, but time has a way of moving forward & taking us along with it…

~ I wasn’t able to enter Alice Springs Beanie Festival comp but did manage to send a bundle of beanies to Beanie Central with only one coming back…Yay!

~ Maleny Knitfest was a great success with Robyn Baily at my side working the trade stall while I workshopped. I was honoured to win both best Beanie & best Scarf awards. And, while I’m at it, I must give a ‘shout out to Karen Lynch’ who won 2nd prize in the beanie comp…Well done!

~ The Landsborough Inaugural Tea Cosy/Beanie Challenge’ was also a success with People’s Choice Awards. I was delighted to win both best Beanie & best Tea Cosy…

~ I also had the great honour of being included in ‘Artistry in Fiber Vol 2 – Sculpture’, A coffee table book featuring an array of world-wide fibre artists.

Here’s hoping 2018 brings many fabulous inspirations & new interesting crochet challenges. I’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas & all the very best for the New Year ahead… cheers, Renate

Tassels, Fringes & other Dangly Bits Ebook…

Tassel title pageOver the years of Freeforming, crocheting & felting, I’ve always been on the lookout for interesting additions to my work & Tassels, Fringes & Other Dangly Bits fall easily into that space where a little variety and/or originality is required to complete a project.

This collection brings together a broad selection of 24 Tassels, Fringes & Other Dangly Bits that I’ve used many times over in my work.

Tassels, fringes & other dangly bits will bring some razzle-dazzle to your projects, whether it’s a freeform crochet piece, a scarf, shawl or hat, or even add some pizzazz to your rugs (afghans), throw pillows, bedspreads, lampshades & other soft furnishings.

A few beads, here and there, gives a touch of glitz and glamour plus adds weight to the tassel/fringe so it hangs better.

* Enjoy yourself with these patterns, suggestions & ideas. Experiment with yarns, colours & textures. I’ve tried to cover a broad range of creative ideas in this collection & I hope you find it useful & inspirational

This Ebook (21 pages) brings together a collection of 24 tassels, fringes & other dangly bits & where appropriate patterns are written in both UK & US terminology, with diagrams, charts & photos &, covers the following:

Crochet Abbreviations (page 2)Rainbow Lariat 2

1) Standard Single Tassel (page 3)

2) Standard Double Tassel (page 3)

3) Twisted Cord Tassel (page 4)

4) Crochet Chain Fringe (page 4)

5) Standard Clump Tassel (page 5)

Cherry Red beanie scarf set

6) Ponytail Clump Tassel (page 5)

7) Hooded Tassel (page 6)

8) Clone Tassel (page 7)

9) Off-set Clover Tassel (page 8)

10) Crochet Chain Link Tassel (page 9)

11) Joined Crochet Link Tassel (page 9-10)

12) Barrel Knots (page 10)

Carnival 2

13) Adding Beads (page 11)

14) Adding Single Beads (page 12)

15) Beaded Fringe (page 12)

16) What to do with tassel tail ends (page 13)

17) Hanging Crochet Ball Tassel (page 14)

18)Crochet Circular Medallion Tassel (page 15)

19) Crochet Square Medallion Tassel (page 16-17)Rasta (2)

20) Crochet Diamond Medallion Tassel (page 16-17)

21) Crochet Triangular Medallion Tassel (page 17)

22) Crochet Cork Screw Tassel (page 18)

23) Wet & needle Felting ideas (page 19)

24) How to make Twisted Cords (page 20)

25) How to make Rasta (4)Pompoms (page 21)

You can purchase the ‘Tassels, Fringes & other Dangly Bits Ebook’ from Etsy & Ravelry

& soon on Zibbet & Craftsy

… enjoy!

Rainbow Crochet Granny Square Pattern…

rainbow-rugHere’s a new crochet pattern for you to try… a very easy scrap yarn crochet rug (afghan) pattern, ideal for the less experienced but also great fun for the more advanced.

The finished rug (afghan) as featured in the photo measures approx 117cm (46”) x 117cm (46”) & each individual square measures approx 18 cm (7”) x 18 cm (7”). This, of course, may vary depending on your choice of yarn & hook.

Requirements for rainbow rug (afghan) pattern as featured in photo: 200g of each: yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, green – 400g grey – Hook size: 4.50 (US: G)

Make as many squares as you need depending on your project – a little cot cover, a medium TV knee rug or a king size bedspread.

Although I’ve given yarn & hook requirements, this is your project – work with your own preferred yarn, colours & appropriate hook.

pink rainbow2pink rainbow1blue rainbow1blue rainbow22 tone rainbow12 toned rainbow2rainbow1rainbow2rainbow3rainbow4rainbow5rainbow6

 This pattern is available for sale on Etsy & Ravelry

Living in our new house & loving it…

kitchen beforekitchen duringkitchen-pantry-after Hello everyone, yes… I’m back… it’s been 3 months since the move & for the first 2 months I didn’t have regular internet access which was incredibly frustrating to say the least, but thank you to everyone who contacted me & my apologies if I missed replying to anyone. Also, a big thank you & welcome to all new followers, I hope I’ll be able to add some new & interesting crochet & creative stuff as I get more settled…

However, I haven’t been idle (& won’t be for some time yet)… renovating our new abode has been (& will be) a lot of hard work & many a meltdown (hopefully not too many) but, it’s been worth every minute of effort – we are really enjoying our new country-style life…

There’s still lots to do but, bit by bit, everything is coming together… my planned showroom & workshop/classroom is still very much a work in progress & I can’t say when I’ll be fully up & running again… but I will be opening my shops over the next couple  of days &, of course, the patterns are available as usual…

I’ve posted a selection of before & after photos on Flickr for those interested to see what I’ve been up to… I’m busting to be more creative active but if I’ve learnt anything at all over the past months it’s that… ‘patience is a virtue’ – a pain in the neck – but a must… everything has its own time…

I’m Moving House….

combieAs of 19th April 2013 I’ll be unavailable to answer any of your queries.

My DIGITAL PDF PATTERNS will remain available for auto purchase as usual on both Etsy & Ravelry & are downloadable once payment is complete…

However, for a short while, all physical Etsy & Zibbet shop items will be deactivated from 19th April until my return, which I hope won’t be too long… I’m so looking forward to this new beginning &, while I’m here, I’d like to say how much I’ve appreciated the support I’ve received so far… til then, thank you for your patience & understanding…

I’ll be back, Renate

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