Month: November 2013

Countdown to Christmas …Yarn Christmas Wreath, Part 1

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Christmas…..here it comes. It’s everywhere, the shops, the telly, the internet – there’s no getting away from it. The West End, here in London, is lit up and sssppparkling, and soon we’ll be seeing the first wave of decorations and chrismas trees appearing in the streets of our towns.
Now I do like to see a nice wreath. They’re popular in my local area of little Victorian townhouses. There are all kinds – small and discreet, real foliage, tinsel, and some seriously ostentatious wreaths in my ‘hood. I love it. My old urban pad in the sky was way too modern, but now in my new ‘old’ house I make sure I have a wreath on my little front door.
Of course…. I had to have a yarn one, didn’t I. Nothing quite so simple for yours truly – something a lttle bit different. Looks like your average wreath…but when you look closer….
Fancy a making yarn wreath? It’s really not as complicated as it looks. 
Here are  my instructions for Step 1 – How to make the base
Here’s Step 1 of how to make my Yarn Wreath
For Step 2 – embellishments, keep watching.

Remembering…. Crochet Poppy

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In Flanders Fields
 John McCrae, May 1915 
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
It’s that time of year when we especially remember those people who did, and still do, make the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the lifestyle and freedom we have today.
We buy the paper Poppies and they’re great for a couple of days, but then they fall off, or get squashed and are forgotten about.
I was told some pretty disturbing tales of fighting in a war, first-hand, from my grandfather when I was young. I’m very thankful he did – they’ve stayed with me, and they give me the reality check I need when i complain about the injustice of  everyday trivialities, like my toaster not working.
Why not get yourself a bigger, blousier, in-your-face version by making this distinctive Crochet Poppy corsage. It’s pretty easy for anyone who has a basic knowledge of crochet. The pattern I’ve devised provides written instructions, also step-by-step, photo instructions and stitch charts for the more visually inclined. It’s not free, but that is so that I can donate the proceeds to the British Legion Poppy Appeal.
Doing it this way not only makes more of a statement, but saves wasting paper and manufacturing on a new Poppy, and uses up yarn that may otherwise be thrown away. You can wear it year after year , although PLEASE, when you do, make sure you give your usual donation.

The Poppy can also be used as an embellishment, or in other decorative ways.

You can get my Poppy crochet pattern HERE