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

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simple hexagon pattern

Hey well, you know how I like my hexagons :)

 I'm working on another blanket at the moment, a slow-growing, scrap-using kind of thing which I suspect will probably grow slightly more quickly come the Winter when I'm feeling cold and less distracted by outdoorsy type stuff, but I promised Jane the recipe so here it is* ;o)

I've used a 4.5mm hook and DK yarn. This produces hexagons approx. 7.5cm across at the widest point (but play around with different hooks/yarns for different size hexagons)

The pattern is in UK terms and uses chain (ch), treble (tr) and half treble (htr) stitches.

chain 4 and join with a slip stitch in the first chain to form a ring

chain three (to act as first treble of first round)

work 11 tr into the ring and join with a slip stitch into the third chain of ch3

 you should have ended up with 12 stitches.

 Round 2 : this round will give you your hexagon shape and is worked in half trebles.

Chain 2 and work one htr into the same stitch. ch1. Work 2htr into the next tr of previous round. ch2. Work 2htr into the next tr of previous round. ch1.

 continue working 2htr into each tr of previous round separating clusters (of 2htr) with ch2 and ch1 alternately (ch1 on straight edges, ch2 for corners) ending on a ch2

Join with slip stitch into second chain of initial ch2

 ch3 (acts as treble) work 2tr into next ch space of previous round. work 2tr into next 2ch space (corner from previous round) chain 2 and work another 2tr into SAME 2chspace.

repeat around working 2tr in each straight edge chain space from previous round and [2tr,2ch,2tr] in each corner space.

on the last corner you will already have your initial 3ch acting as the final treble, so just [2tr,2ch,1tr] in that corner and join with a slip stitch into third chain of initial ch3.

 !!!TA DA!!!

 make lots

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*I've written this up a bit quickly and haven't had anyone test my instructions yet, so if anything seems wrong with it or is unclear, please let me know and I will fix it or try and clarify it for you

and the winner is......

 a drumroll please for Madalene Mudpie who was voted in to take the plunge

 ...and for our independent adjudicator, Jefrey Jefrey...

 Madalene preparing for the dive...

...blindfolded to prevent any peeking...

...and in she goes...

...she's got one!...

and the winner is....

!!!!KATHRYN DAVIDSON!!!!

Congratulations Kathryn :) Please get in touch with me with your contact details (either here or via my facebook page) and puppety preferences

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Moo's matryoshka :)

Some Russian dolls for a birthday present 

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The great BIG getting to 446 likers on facebook giveaway!!!

Yes, you read that right - 446 people officially like my facebook page and I reckon that a number like that warrants a giveaway ;-)

So, if you want to be in with a chance of winning a puppet of your own customerising, keep reading... and if you don't, then you should probably go and find something else to do now cos you'll probably find the rest of this post quite boring!

The catch! - none of this 'just like and share' malarkey I'm afraid, you're gonna have to work for your prize cos I'm tight like that, so what you have to do is, first, pop over to my shop and come back and tell me in the comments bit here what your favourite item is and why (you can even buy it if you want to, I'm okay with that too ;-)) 

And then secondly, because I'm a little bit running out of ideas for names and descriptions now and I'm a little bit lazy, you need to tell me what your puppet would be called and what their most favouritest thing EVER would be.

So there you go, not too difficult really is it. I will select a winner randomly by some random method or other next Saturday (11th May) 8pm

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Oh and one other thing, which should really go without saying but there's always one (at least), Anonymous comments will not be entered into random selctiony thingy because if I don't know who you are then it's kind of hard to find you to tell you've won!

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Oh and one other other thing if you want to share this around for me that would be very superdeeduper but it's not compulsory ;-)

I might be a little bit in love with...

....crocodile stitch...

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Boo! It's Sparkly!

A little bit later than planned as I had a bit of a rush on puppets last week, but as promised another talented artist to share with you - this week, the lovely Ali Crick of 

Boo it's Sparkly!

Ali does fab stuff with glass, mostly painting...

but also some beautiful mosaic glass lanterns and candle holders

 Stepping away from the more traditional *bride and groom* wedding type glassware, Boo it's Sparkly offers something a little bit different 

and a little bit special

mostly inspired by nature especially 'trees - each branch, twig, strip of bark having it's own unique pattern and impact on the world' 

Ali started glass painting about 5 years ago, but has always been 'a little bit crafty' :)

Boo it's Sparkly has grown out of that delicious craftiness and hopefully will continue to do so.

If you like what you've seen here, please go and check out the 

Boo it's Sparkly facebook page

and if you live in the Hereford area, watch out for Boo it's Sparkly! at a craft fayre near you.

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