Come and play

I love making toys. It doesn't matter which craft i use, making toys is a lot of fun because you can really let you imagination loose.Okay, i admit it can get fiddly and slightly confusing when you are surrounded by bear limbs or knee deep in polyester stuffing but nothing quite matches the satisfaction i feel when I see my kids playing with my homemade toys. I also favour more unusual projects such as a knitted rubber chicken or a socktopus (which is a knitted octopus with socks on its tentacles) and find it quite easy to adapt already existing patterns to my sometimes rather eccentric style. And here are my favourite free toy patterns out there. 





1. Teddy Bear
You want to make toys? You gotta make a teddy bear. Can't get past the classic although blimey, there are a lot of dodgy looking teddy bears out there.... I wanted a vintage style, knitted ted you can cuddle and squeeze til the cows come home. And here it is (Tiara optional). You have to register with Craftsy to get this pattern which is very easy to do and you won't get lots of junk mail either. 


http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/Toy/FREE-DIAMOND-JUBILEE-BEAR/17335












2. Sock monkey
Another classic. This is a very good pattern with lots and lots of pics and detailed instructions. Have a banana! 


http://www.craftpassion.com/2012/04/how-to-sew-sock-monkey.html/2










3. Soft blocks
Perfect for your precious little one. They could eat it, throw it, stack it, sit on it, hit you on the head with it, the possibilities are endless. 
And why stick to numbers? what about shapes, animals, or simply different colour sides? 


http://www.sewing.org/files/project/123-softblocks-Cranston.pdf






4. Flying Pig
A pig with wings? Yes, please! I am gonna have to try this one myself... 


http://www.allcrafts.net/fjs.htm?url=www.spudandchloe.com/blog/2011/04/oink-free-pattern/












5. Splat chicken
Is it a ball or is it a chicken? I really don't know! Straight forward sewing pattern for a very daft looking chicken. Tip: you can make it look even more confused by sewing the eyes closer together. 


http://www.craftbits.com/project/plushie-splat-chicken

6. Wooden stacking blocks
Okay, I am a complete novice when it comes to woodwork but I reckon I could do this with a jig saw, sanding paper, a drill, some paint and a great deal of patience (not to forget my first aid kit). Very good website with other project ideas too, not just toys. 



http://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-projects/shape-sorter-toy-plan.html












7. Cloth Doll
I am not really one for dolls. When I was little i got given a number of dolls and over time pulled their limbs out, painted their faces and cut their hair. The only doll i really took care of was one I made myself (I started to sew at the tender age of 9). So, here is a pattern for a cloth doll. Great project to do with kids. Tip: Attention to detail is everything when making a doll. 


http://oneredrobin.com/2007/03/28/how-to-make-a-simple-versatile-soft-doll/

8. Gold Fish
2 Gold fish in a tank, one says "How do you drive this thing?" (joke is courtesy of my 6 year old step son). Isn't it cute? Come fishy, fishy... blub blub blub... 


http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/Toy/Goldfish/10005










9. Knitted biscuits and cakes
Of course! Makes a nice change from plastic play food. From the queen of knitted toys, Jean Greenhowe, comes this free (yay) pattern for knitted cakes. I have purchased quite a few Greenhowe books in my lifetime because her patterns are very easy to follow.Trademark: Everything is knitted, even the plate. 


http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/Images/Tea_Party_Treats2.pdf






and last but certainly not least...

10.  Crochet ball
A vintage pattern for a crocheted ball. A classic which every child will thank you for. 


http://vintagetoychest.blogspot.co.uk/p/crochet-toy-patterns.html

New Arrivals

With the arrival of a number of babies in my circle of friends imminent I turn my attention to baby crafts... I did find an enormous number of free projects and patterns out there so I decided to split it in stages, beginning with birth and newborn. 

In my search for patterns I concentrated on practicality and style more than cuteness. I remembered what items were essential to me when I had a newborn at home and tried to find the best patterns for all the everyday things you need. Enjoy!






1. Crocheted Hot air balloons

When you lie on your back all day then you need some entertainment when you look up. And these hot air balloons just give you what you are looking for - gentle movement and lots of colour. If I have another baby, I will make some of these. 


http://aboutgoodness.com/crochet-2/hot-air-balloons-crochet-amigurumi-toys-diy-free-pattern/








2. Baby quilt "Eat, play, sleep, repeat"
This is a gorgeous blanket for your little bundle of joy. The pattern is quite comprehensive although I have  one thing to add to it. Where is the wadding? surely you want a soft blanket (you could also insert fleece)


http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/02/baby-life-quilt.html








3. Vinyl Changing mat
I love this changing mat! Simplified and stylish it does everything you need it to do. Its waterproof, you can use it for storage and roll it up in a neat little bundle. Genius! (i just wish they wouldn't call it diaper changer - crinch)


http://www.allcrafts.net/fjs.htm?url=www.lilblueboo.com/2011/07/vinyl-tablecloth-roll-up-diaper-changer-a-tutorial-and-download.html




4. Hooded Bath towel with matching wash mit
A simple pattern which delivers what you want it to - a hooded bath towel and a wash mitten. I like the fabric mixed with velour. 




http://sewtospeak.blogspot.com.es/2010/05/hooded-baby-towel-and-wash-mitt.html











5. Make a Nursing shirt out of a T-Shirt
This will save lots of money on nursing tops from shops. The Nurisng version of recycling your clothes. Brilliant! Easy pattern with good pics to follow. 


http://www.homesweethomebodies.net/2010/07/shirt-to-nursing-shirt-refashion.html#axzz1ykuIjv8R












6. Hip Changing bag
Well, i can't really do a baby selection without a changing bag, can I? I like this bag as its practical and still makes you look fashionable carrying vast amounts of baby stuff around. Lots of pockets! 


http://amingledyarn.wordpress.com/gallery/tutorial-hip-mama-diaper-bag/






7. Pom Pom booties
When you are heavily pregnant and you can't move around without feeling like a whale, what better to do than to sit back and knit a little for that little bundle of joy of yours. And aren't this booties adorable with those pom poms? 


http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=5196&cps=21191










8. Knitted baby blanket
Now, in my opinion the wool you use is much more important than the pattern you use because its all about the tactile quality of supersoft yarn that makes a baby blanket so lovely. You don't want anything rough on a newborns skin, do you. It was really hard to choose a pattern for a blanket sipmly because there are gazillions of them! I chose a simple pattern which looks a lot more difficult and quite contemporary. 


http://www.abc-knitting-patterns.com/1114.html














9. Baby sleep sack

I couldn't resist! Gorgeous! Nothing more to say..


http://comfortwool.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/owlie-sleep-sack.html












And here we go - my selection of free craft patterns for Newborns. Enjoy! 

How to sex up your garden

After blissfully spending the jubilee weekend not crafting, I am now concentrating on summer. Having actually managed to sex up my garden with bluebell blue fence panels (get me) and some colourful accessories and after informing my nearest and dearest that my birthday wish this year is a garden bench, I am now hunting for ideas to make my own stuff for outside. So, here are the highlights from my hunt for summer...





1. Candles in Seashells
Now theres a way to make use of the gazillions of seashells your children will bring you this summer - make a candle out of them. Don't they look fabulous?

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/easy-summer-crafts-0609#slide-20






2. Flower Pot Wind Chimes
okay, there are a lot of craft ideas out there with flower pots. Some are cute, most look slightly dodgy but this one actually looks quite stylish. The only thing I would change in the instructions is using glass stain paint to paint the dangly plastic things. Glass stain paints are rather expensive, I would probably use acrylic paint (which as also waterproof).

http://www.allcrafts.net/fjs.htm?url=www.ilovetocraft.com/claypot/wind-chimes.shtml

3. A rocky village
Do you remember painting stones in school? This ups the anti a bit and inspires to create a rocky village in your garden. I will have to make some of these and add maybe some painted stone ladybugs, bumblebees, mushrooms and snails...


http://www.allcrafts.net/fjs.htm?url=www.craftygardener.ca/garden22.html


4. Garden Stone Mosaic
Now there is something I haven't tried yet. Mosaics give that classy, ancient luxury note and these balls would look really good just in that corner behind the apple tree. The instructions look easy enough. I think as long as you remember to draw your desired pattern onto the entired ball before you start, you will be alright. And use lots of sealant if you plan on keeping these babies outside.

http://www.favecrafts.com/Decorating-Ideas/Garden-Stone-Mosaic/ct/1


5. Tealight Lantern
Great way to re- and upcycle your jam jars. Lovely idea and the instructions show good technique on how to wrap the wire round the jar but they don't mention that you also need to get a candle in the jar. Also, they don't give ideas on how to decorate your jars. So, get your creative hats on and make it your personalised lantern...


 http://www.favecrafts.com/Garden-and-Outdoor/Tea-Light-Lantern/ct/1




6. Seat cushions
Well, you can't do a pattern selection for your garden without a pattern for seat cushions, right? Especially in the UK where so called summer still features chilly nights. You need something to keep your backside warm... there are thousands of patterns for seat cushions. I liked this one because they look contemporary and using different fabric for each chair gives it that bohemian feel.

https://sew4home.com/projects/pillows-cushions/patio-party-sitting-pretty-chair-cushions


7. Picnic blanket with carrying case
Amy Butler design, comprehensive pattern with the carrying case included. Oh yeah!

http://www.examiner.com/article/free-sewing-pattern-picnic-blanket-by-amy-butler








8. Anarchists Night Light
It has lights.
Bright lights.
Brighter that bright.
In the night.
The lights.
Are bright.

And dangerous.
Because this might be a fire hazard.
We don’t know.

Another idea from my favourite craft site of all times - The Anticraft. The place where you can get knitting patterns for Condoms and tumors.

http://theanticraft.com/archive/lugh07/litebrite.htm

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And here we go. My selection of stuff to sex up your garden. Enjoy

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