If you want me, I'm in the garden....

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It *is* pretty though...

 There are not so many signs of Spring popping up round here just yet, in fact it's all still looking decidedly MidWintery!
Not an altogether popular opinion I know, but I actually like the snow and don't think we get enough of it ;) 

We are lucky enough to have views like this from our back door though...

...and this on our doorstep... 

 ...which probably does make it a little easier to appreciate :)

If you're looking for a bit more colour and Spring-i-ness though...

..maybe some cheery flower bunting could brighten your day? :)

crochet flower bunting...

...finished and photographed...

...and in the shop

What do you think?

...I love it...

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in the hanging garden...

remember these...

...well here they are all joined up and complete with jingly bells...

...jingly bells might be my new favourite thing...

...actually this bunting might be my new favourite thing....

...more photos of that tomorrow when I've taken some daylight ones ;-)

...and today's earworm, for those that have got it now from the title, is 

>>here<< 

1982!!really?? 

;-)

Five petalled flower pattern

 I wanted to make some flowers to decorate my hanging rail with when I do markets. In my head I know exactly what I want them to look like, but I couldn't find a pattern anywhere that I liked, so I had a go at making one up.

They're not exactly what I want, but they're pretty close. There probably are lots of patterns for similar flowers out there already, but I thought it would be good practice to have a go at writing a pattern out, so please do have a go and give me your feedback on how clear (or not!) my instructions are :-)

(and please excuse the not very well focussed photos!)

UK terms and I used a 4.5mm hook with dk yarn which makes a flower approx. 7cm diameter.

Please use the pattern for your own use only and not for items you intend to sell. Thankyou 

:-)

Round 1 : Yarn1 - chain three (a) and then work nine htr's into the third loop from the hook (loop next to knot)(b)(c) to end up with a circle of ten stitches (d) break off yarn 1.

Round 2: Yarn two - attach yarn two (e) and ch 2 into 1st stitch, htr into same stitch, ch1; *2 htr, 1ch into next stitch* (f); repeat ** in next eight stitches and sl st into top chain of first ch 2 to complete the round (g). break off yarn 2 (h)

Round 3: Yarn 3 - attach yarn three (i) and ch2 in first ch 1 space of previous round (j); slst into next ch 1 space; ch 2 and slst into each ch 1 space (k) ending with a sl st in the space you began from (l) 

(don't break off yarn 3 as you will be using for the next round too)

Round 4: petals (Yarn 3) - each petal is worked in two halves over two of the ch 2 spaces from the previous round - into first ch 2 space (m) work 1 dc, 1 htr, 1 tr and 1 dtr (n), then working into the next ch 2 space work 1 dtr, 1 tr, 1 htr and 1 dc (o), this gives you one full petal; repeat for the remaining four petals (p)

I think the flower looks quite sweet as it is at this stage, but I wanted mine outlined in a contrasting colour. You could leave it here though, or continue Round 5 with the same colour as the rest of the petal if you didn't want the outline edge.

Round 5: Yarn 1 - attach Yarn 1 and begin with a long sl st (ie. insert hook into one of the ch 1 spaces of round 2 (q); pull yarn through (r); and secure with a slip stitch (s); 1 dc into each of next seven stitches (t)

Work one long dc into the 1ch sp of Round 2 (u)(v); and work 1 dc into next seven stitches again. Repeat for each petal (w). make more (x) ;-)