Stop Motion Video – Two Little Sheep Go On A Big Adventure

Me and my lovely wife have been working on a big project – our first stop motion video! It took a lot of planning and a bit of learning, and a re-shoot because it wasn’t quite right, but we finally have this amazing video to show you!

Can’t wait any longer to see it? Okay here it is!

So cute right? If you want to meet the stars of the show go here to check them out ^_^

My shop has been having a major overhaul recently as I was getting ready to enter the UK Etsy Awards! Exciting but scary stuff.
I will be posting new items here when I get chance, but if you can’t wait make sure you like my Facebook Page as I’ll be posting them there first!

Lovely to see you today!
Sam xx

Hat Commission – Poppy The Dog

At the end of last year I had 2 hat commissions, one for a dog and one for a penguin! I’ll leave the penguin reveal for another day, today I am going to show you Poppy the dog!
The lady who commissioned it wanted a hat that looked like her dog Poppy, who is a beautiful beagle. Here are the pictures!

She has big floppy ears and a squishy 3d nose

With a lovely snug lining to keep you warm in the winter months

And giant fluffy pom-poms! (Honestly, they’re massive!)

This was a really fun commission! It is completely my own design, and it was really fun creating it around someone’s pet :)

What do you think?

Sam xx

Free Pattern – Bunny Egg

Hey everyone! Sorry It’s been soooo long since my last post! Our internet was broken from December to February (yep, right through Christmas…), and since then I’ve been trying to catch up! However I’m back with a bang with a free Easter crochet pattern!

Ready to get started?

Tools 
3.5mm Hook
Darning Needle
Toy Stuffing
9mm Safety Eyes
Safety Nose (Optional)

Work in a spiral, using a stitch marker to mark the beginning of rounds

UK terminology – converted in the key below

Key  
DK – Double Knit/Single Crochet
Dec – Decrease (I use the decrease two together method)
* – Repeat

Body/Egg shape
Round 1: 6dc in magic ring
Round 2: 2dc in each stitch around (12)
Round 3: *2dc in next stitch, 1 in next* around (18)
Round 4: *2dc in next stitch, 2 in next* around (24)
Round 5-11: dc around
Round 12: *dec, dc in next 4* around (20)
Place safety eyes between rows 9 and 10, with 5 visible stitches between. On the row below place a safety nose (or sew one), making sure it is centered between the eyes. Begin stuffing and forming the shape, then stuff after each row continuing to shape as you go along.
Round 13: *dec, dc in next 3* around (16)
Round 14: *dec, dc in next 2* around (12)
Round 15: *dec, dc in next 1* around (8)
Round 16: decrease twice, dc in next 2 stitches (6)
Fasten off, weaving the tail through the stitches and pulling tight. Knot the end and feed through the body to secure.

Ears
Make 2
Round 1: 5dc in magic ring
Round 2: 2dc in each stitch around (10)
Round 3: *2dc in next stitch, 1 in next* around (15)
Round 4: dc around
Round 5: *dec, dc in next 3* around (12)
Round 6: dc around
Round 7: *dec in next, dc in next 3* around (8)
Round 8-12: dc around
Round 13: *dec in next, dc in next 3* around (8)
Fasten off without closing the hole, leaving a long tail for sewing. Flatten the ear, cupping it inwards slightly.

Sew the ears onto the body and you’re done!

Hope you like it! Let me know if you have any questions or need any help
Sam xx

***New Pattern Alert!***

Woohoo! I am finally releasing my first amigurumi pattern! I have designed many patterns, but this is the first one I’ve released so I’m very excited!

You can find this pattern HERE on Ravelry!

This is an interactive baby toy that rattles and crinkles! It’s a full step-by-step photo and written pattern, including how to make all the components to make it rattle and crinkle.

The pattern uses basic crochet stitches worked in a continuous spiral. The components to make it rattle and crinkle are quite simple and you can use things from around the house.

Tension isn’t hugely important, but make sure there is no holes between stitches so you can’t see the stuffing, especially as this is a baby toy.

It only uses a small amount of yarn so would be great to use up odd ends!

Finished size – around 7cm/3 inches, not including the hair

Hope you love it as much as I do! ^_^

Sam xx

Sunday Loves – Hello Kitty Ballerina!

Yesterday was my niece’s 3rd birthday. She loves Hello Kitty and all things pink so I just had to make her a Hello Kitty in a pink ballerina dress!

Isn’t she cute?! She’s made from the book ‘Hello Kitty Crochet’ using these (dk) yarns:
White and black (black was used for eyes and whiskers) – King Cole Smooth
Pink – King Cole Bamboo Cotton
And the tutu fabric was bought from ebay. I chose a glittery one to add extra prettiness!
To make the tutu I cut 2 big circles out of the fabric (over big so they could bunch up) and two smaller circles inside. I threaded white thread through and put Kitty in the middle. Pulled it tight and tied a knot, then used one end to sew it on securely. I then trimmed it because it was a bit too big and then I was done!

I made the original Kitty a few months back that I don’t think I’ve shown you yet, I’ll show you sometime next week!

Sam xx

New Item Listed – Baby/Child Bamboo Cotton Crocheted Summer Hat!

I have listed a new item – woohoo!

It is made with a gorgeous bamboo cotton yarn that has some amazing benefits! Bamboo is eco-friendly as it requires no chemicals and very little water to grow, and it is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. It also absorbs more carbon dioxide from the air than other plants and releases more oxygen. Bamboo cotton keeps you cool as well as absorbing moisture away from your body. It is also great for allergy-prone and sensitive skin, and is anti-fungal and antibacterial! It is breathable and doesn’t retain odors, meaning less washing! With 100% natural fibers it is a great choice for your little one.

It has a really cute triangle design and comes with one big flower and one small one in any colour! There are 11 flower colour combinations to choose from:
Pinks and purples –

Greens, white and yellow –

Blues –

You can message me if there isn’t a colour listed and I will try to find a matching yarn for you! Or, if you want a different accessory altogether, say a dinosaur or heart, just message me!

Here’s a close up of the scalloped edge

For the custom fit: Measure all around your child’s head in a full circle across the forehead. If this is for a gift or you can’t measure for any reason, add the age into the message when buying instead and I will base it on averages. However this is not a guaranteed size and I would recommend measuring for a good fit.

You can buy it from my Etsy shop for £8.50, and I ship worldwide

Thank you for visiting today, I hope you like my newest item!
Sam xx

Trip To Manchester!

Sorry I’ve been quiet, I’ve been staying in Manchester for a week! We only live about 45 minutes away but love spending time there, so when we booked our tickets for Olly Murs (yay!) and then 5ive, we decided to stay there for a whole week! We had a great view over Piccadilly gardens from our hotel, and picked the perfect week as the sun was out the whole time!

We spent the week relaxing, shopping, sunbathing and going to the two concerts! First was 5ive (who we got to meet!) on Tuesday, then Olly on Friday ^_^ Overall an awesome week!

Sam xx

Happy Easter! (And A Crocheted Easter Surprise Egg!)

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you’re all having a lovely and relaxing Sunday ^_^ I’ve been for a little walk with my partner and I’m now relaxing, watching movies and eating chocolate!

Here’s a little Easter make – a crocheted surprise egg:

The cute egg! 

Look what’s inside!

They’re so tiny

Love this log!

Any the bunnies love it too!

^_^

The flower is my own pattern (I will post it soon!) and I adapted the leaf

The egg open, and the cute toggle

I got the pattern from here, cute isn’t it, and free!

How is your Easter Sunday going?
Sam xx

W.I.P (Work In Progress) Wednesday

Here’s what I’m currently working on!

Hopefully it will be finished soon so I can show you! ^_^

What’s your current work in progress?
Sam xx

Valentine’s Offer! (And A Big Announcement!)

Struggling to find the perfect gift for your loved one? Or perhaps you just want a nice treat? Well you can get 20% off any item in my shop until midnight on Valentine’s Day! (GMT)
Just enter the code VLOVE15 (No minimum spend – woohoo!)

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheGiraffesHat

Plus I have a BIG announcement – I now accept custom orders! As an added bonus you’ll get 20% off them too if you order before midnight on Valentine’s Day (GMT)! I am up for a challenge so whatever you have in mind message me :)

Thanks for visiting,
Sam xx