Loving…crochet baskets

I spotted these amazing neon crochet baskets a few weeks ago, and I new I just had to make my own.

I decided to make a smaller and simpler version, using normal string and some colourful wool.  I battled to find a simple crochet basket pattern to suit my limited stitch vocabulary, but I eventually managed to put together a pattern based on a few others.  I think they turned out quite nicely.

What you’ll need:

• string/twine (from any craft shop or hardware store)
• crochet hook (I used a 5mm)
• wool in contrasting colour (I used double knit, you just need to make sure that your wool and string have more or less the same thickness)
• scissors
• basic crochet skills (chain, slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet)

Pattern:

ch – chain
sl st- slip stitch
sc- single crochet
dc- double crochet

1. ch 5, join with sl st to form ring.
2. ch 3, 11 dc into ring, join with sl st into 3rd ch of first stitch (12 dc in total)
3. ch 3, 2 dc into each stitch, join with sl st into 3rd ch of first stitch (24 dc in total)
4. ch3, *2 dc into first stitch, 1 dc into next stitch*, repeat around, join with sl st into 3rd ch of first stitch (36 dc in total)
5. ch3, *2 dc into first stitch, 1 dc into next stitch, 1 dc into next stitch*, repeat around, join with sl st into 3rd ch of first stitch (48 dc in total).  If you want a basket with a larger diameter, you can continue in this fashion until desired (ie increase the number of single dc stitches with each round)
6. sc into back loop of each stitch of the previous round.  This will form the bottom edge of the basket.
7. Complete the side of the basket with either one sc or one dc into each stitch of the previous row, until sides have the desired height.  Swop to coloured wool to create stripes, or a top edge.
8. Finish off with a row of sc.

I hope that all makes sense!  These little baskets are perfect to store little things around the home, but you can make them as big as you like.

Loving…Happypotamus update

So, I promised you a Happypotamus update, and here it is:

 

It doesn’t look like too much at the moment, but trust me, it’s the start of a Happypotamus bum.

I chose my current favourite acrylic wool, Elle Pure Gold in 4 ply for my hippo.  I didn’t find any nice bright colours that I liked, so I opted to go the pastel route.

 

The flower motifs are pretty quick and easy (especially if you’ve done granny squares or something similar before).  I’m not brave enough to try the join-as-you-go method, so I’m sewing them together as I finish each flower.

 

For more information about the Happypotamus, and a link to the pattern, see my original post here.

Loving…Happypotamus

A few weeks ago my mom sent me the link to this beautiful website, called Heidi Bears.  And that’s how I fell in love with a hippo.

You’ll know from my previous post that I’ve recently started crocheting, and my first project is an heirloom blanket.  While the blanket is going really well (I’ll post an update soon), it’s definitely a long term project, so I’m dying to do something that will be satisfyingly quick-ish.  So I’m going to crochet a Happypotamus (there’s a sentence I never thought I’d write).

Isn’t she a beaut?  I don’t really have any particular reason for wanting to crochet a Happypotamus, and at the moment she isn’t intended for anyone in particular.  If you want to crochet your own, firstly, please let me know, and then head over to Ravelry to purchase the pattern.  What got me really excited was the amazing photos of the 310 (and counting) Happypotami (?) who have been made by other people.   Here are some of my favourites:

My apologies for not crediting all the pictures, but they can all be found on the pattern project page.

Finally, my hippo is going to need a name.  Any suggestions?  Henrietta?  Hailey?  Honey?