Crochet Brooches, Badges and Sugar Skullduggery

When I meet the public when I have the opportunity to bring Crochet Bright and Beautiful to a market stall ( usually Brixton Station Road) I like to listen to suggestions. The public know what they want. I want to make things that the public like. It’s  a simple exchange.

The last time I held my stall I had a few bits and pieces of jewelry as well as my crochet. Some of the pieces featured crochet elements as well, like this rainbow necklace.

Although it was much admired, the lady was really looking for crochet brooches.

So with this in mind, I went home with the bee in my bonnet to make a few crochet brooches.

I first made rainbows.

They’re all different.

Then I made beautiful blowsy cotton roses with beading:

Then I made more folksy cabbage roses with a tiny ladybird detail.

I remembered the dinky 50′s style cherry brooch I had made with a vintage lady in mind:

So pretty: cherries and cherry blossom made with pure cotton and felted leaves

Keeping the vintage feel in mind, I made this pansy brooch

Pretty purple pansy

with lurex purple , beading embroidery and felt leaves. The little ladybird is a cute detail.

Then last but not least, I made some seriously funky sugar skulls, inspired by the wonderful Mexican Day of the Dead.

The skull collection so far.

I’ve really enjoyed making these fellows. Each one seems to have it’s own personality. The possibilities are endless with these crochet brooches. I’ve used various yarns, some with added lurex thread for added pizzazz. Sequins and beads add yet more sparkle to these audacious statement pieces. I shall be making more in still more colours. Every one guaranteed unique. ( I hate making the same thing twice!)

They measure 9cm /3.5 inches long and fasten with a pin at the back.
They cost just £6.50 each which I think is a bargain for such an original handmade piece of jewelry.

If you’d like one, ( or any of the other brooches above) please head over to my facebook page CROCHETBRIGHTANDBEAUTIFUL 

Like the page and just add a comment under the relevant picture and I shall get one to you . Payment via paypal. Don’t worry if you don’t have an account, I can send you an invoice which you can settle with any payment card.

If you don’t have Facebook, here they are in my Folksy Shop.

CROCHET BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL ON FOLKSY

So which is your favourite?

The white one on the bottom left is sold.

Hot off the hook!

The back of the brooches, felt backed, secure pinned.

Jolly skulls

If  you like what I do, please tell your friends and share my Facebook page with them. Thanks so much !

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Baby Blue Sky Beanie

The Cutest Beanie for the Cutest Babies

So cute

This little beanie really sums up the spirit of Crochet Bright and Beautiful. It’s turqoise blue with grass around the rim and a ladybird nestling in the blades, with a dinky little embroidered  bumblebee buzzing around the sky. Of course there is a beautiful bright rainbow in the sky.

Pure gorgeousness, but then again I am biased. I did make it.

It’s hand crocheted in double strand double knit acrylic which makes it nice and chunky, soft and ( I think most importantly) easy to wash. When it gets grubby, just bung it into the washing machine on a 40 degree wash. Dry flat on a towel and you’re ready to wear again.

Oh I forgot to mention, the top of the hat features a bright yellow sunshine! Great to bring the sunshine back in the middle of our cold grey winters.

Hat from above

This super cute beanie would fit baby boys or girls up to the age of around 6 months ( depending on head size, we’re all different!) Maximum circumference 16″/40 cm.

Springtime on the head

I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow sing a rainbow too.

Soon to be listed in my crochet shop. Feel free to browse and share the site with your friends.

 

Crochet Bright and Beautiful

 

 

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For When it’s a bit Nippy outdoors

Baby it’s cold outside

Brrr, it’s freezing out there. Seriously folks you need to wrap up to walk out in the UK at the minute. Yes I know, it’s winter and we really should expect it and if we were Scandinavians or Canadians we would be sunbathing right now! A nice hat is essential in this chilly snap. Tis reet nippy out there…

My facebook wall is being plastered with fantastic crochet links by my lovely friends. Seems like I’m the go-to person if there’s a funny or interesting crochet item and I’m loving it. The latest is this one: Fabulous breastfeeding hat that was posted by my darling Swedish friend, thank you Lena! It certainly provoked comment especially by one  lady who really was blown away by it. So I offered to make one for her.

And here it is.

It's lovely isn't it?

What’s the matter? Is it a little plain for  you? It’s terribly sophisticated and classy and would go with anything, being  a nice neutral shade of cream.

Or maybe not. Let me swivel it for you…

Ehem.. what's that on the top?

You can’t quite see? Okay, let me angle the camera up for you.

Hold on…

and the penny drops.

Yes dear friends, this is a booby breast beanie. I do hope my lovely friend likes it, it really tickles my funny bone.

It's so nippy out here.

Meet the Booby hat ( for brave strong women)

I’m getting something knitted in return. I’m really excited , I like a surprise.

Oh if anyone shares my friends sense of humour and style , let me know in the comments and I may just make a few to sell in my folksy shop(link below)

Crochetbrightandbeautiful

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Labour of Love

Image via Wikipedia

I’ve just recently completed my biggest crochet project yet. I say biggest, which refers to it’s size ( approx 5ft diameter) but not for the amount of time it took me. This is what I love about crochet. It took three days from start to finish. This suits my impulsive, impatient nature right down to the ground. Ah bliss!

It is a rag rug for my youngest daughter’s kitchen floor. It was made from old t-shirts cut up into yarn and crocheted together using cluster stitches and single crochet and the biggest, fattest crochet hook I could find. When I ran out of t-shirts I ran off to my local fabric stockist in Electric Avenue in Brixton and bought a few metres of cheap cotton knit. I’d say it didn’t cost me more than £30 in total for the fabric plus t-shirts which I think is an absolute bargain.

So pretty and so soft.

I’m really pleased with the way it came out, recycling is so satisfying! What is also so wonderful about it is that my darling granddaughter Erykah-Rose has just started walking and she loves to play in the kitchen while mummy cooks, so this rug gives her a perfect soft, warm place to play while she is nearby mummy. It also gives her a nice soft landing for her bottom when she loses her balance. Walking is a tricky business when you’ve just turned one.

Thank you grandma!

 

My daughter reports that the rug also looks gorgeous too. I shall have to pop over to investigate myself soon.

So easy to do

Have a go yourself!

If you’re wondering how to make yarn from a t-shirt , here’s a brilliant tutorial that shows you how. How to turn a t-shirt into crochet yarn.

For those of you who are inspired to do a bit of crocheting yourself, here is a great list of free crochet rug patterns. If I can do it, anyone can!

 

 

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