Hello and welcome to Patchwork House . . . . .
my little corner of the world in England, where you will find me addicted to colour and playing with yarn!


29 May 2016

Washing line photography


Happy weekend,
 happy Bank Holiday to those of you in UK
 and happy half term to all teachers!

I do hope you are enjoying sunshine
 and feel able to get out in your gardens.
I have been playing again today,
 playing at photographing blankets on the washing line and oh what fun!
 Simple pleasures are what fill me with delight!


Now it looks quite simple doesn't it?
 But you wouldn't believe how many shots I took to get these!
 Which bit of the line shall I use?
Which direction is the sun coming from?
What does the background look like?
 Is it the back view or the front view of the blanket?
Then waiting for the breeze to blow
 to catch some wonderful movement in the blanket!

Stylecraft Special DK

Of course its far easier
 to take a picture when the blanket is flat on the bed, 
but look how the sun makes the colours come alive!

This beautiful pastel granny blanket made in vintage style,
 is made by my Mum and you will find it for sale here in my
 It is 100x120cm for £85 plus postage


Another recent make
 was this gorgeous plum starburst flower blanket.
There were sadly no blue skies that day, but the daylight
 is fantastic for showing off the wonderful colours.

Stylecraft Special DK

The use of a dark background was a lovely choice by my customer
 and it really made the flowers pop!
 Isn't it great how the back looks as good as the front!
I've been asked if I'd just washed the blanket and was it there to dry.
 Well the answer is yes and no!

I always machine wash my completed blankets
 following the instructions on the ball band.
 I use my usual detergent and fabric softener and then tumble dry on low.
 Magic happens in the washing and drying process
 and your finished blanket will be oh so soft.
So the washing line is just for display!


This was made in the gorgeous soft
using wisteria clematis boysenberry fondant pale rose candyfloss and cream
 with plum for the background.
The pattern is by Jane Brocket
 from the book
 The Gentle art of knitting
 and was also featured in issue 2 of Mollie Makes magazine.


Every blanket needs a border just as a picture needs a frame


I used the book by Edie Eckman called Around the corner


so whatever you are hookin
 enjoy your extra day off this weekend
 and hopefully some outdoor hooky too!

If youre planning a new project or just enjoying topping up your stash pop over to Deramores and you will find a fabulous 25% off all weekend!

Sale !!!

Please note: This sale is now live! Offer ends midnight BST 30th May 2016. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, promotions or discount items. Terms and conditions apply.

25% off all yarn! (Please note this promotion is valid for the northern hemisphere only and the southern hemisphere will receive 15% off all yarn) our sale will be running throughout the weekend to give you all plenty of time to get your hands on some brilliant deals. Click here to shop now: http://www.deramores.com/knitting-yarn.




This weekend I am having a treat of a little selfish hooky
 making myself a summer bag
 in colours inspired by Cath Kidston.
 I am using the lovely thick cotton DK
making it up as I go!
Next week I will buy some pretty coordinating floral fabric
 and make a lining 
and I promise to come back and show you the finished result!


Have lots of hooky fun my friends
Heather
X X X







21 May 2016

Colour makes my world go round

Mandala making is such a pleasure.
 "What are they"
 I hear you ask!


 Well a mandala is a circular geometric pattern,
 a beautiful colourful piece of crochet.


 They are perfect for using up scraps of different coloured yarns,
 for practising different stitches and just for the joy of making.
 My home is full of them
 and when we moved house recently
 I had such fun unpacking them and 
finding new homes for these treasures!


 "What do you use them for"
 I am often asked!
 They make wonderful table centres,
 are perfect as a mat under a jug of flowers or ornament.


 I often use them just on their own
 for the sheer indulgence
 of having some colourful crochet on view to enjoy!


In the past I've made small plain coloured coasters,


 medium and large mats
 for vases and extra large as a table centre.


The week I've been exploring on Pinterest
 and spent many happy hours browsing and collecting patterns.


 There are many very talented and kind designers out there,
 all around the globe,
 who have written and published their patterns for free.
 You can visit my collection


Last week I began making medium sized mandalas
 and used the lovely pattern by  Crochet Millan called

They measure 18cm in diameter
 and are a perfect size for under a vase.


You can visit the blog and find her on
 and
 too.

This week I have been using
 It is a beautiful yarn with a soft sheen that does not split.
 It is available in 29 gorgeous colours, 
comes in great 100g balls and has fabulous stitch definition.
 and I used a 3mm hook to give a nice firm texture.

So when you compare yarn prices do notice this ball
is double the size of most cottons
 which are sold in 50g balls,
 which makes it excellent value for money!


 Photographing these beauties was such fun,
 they are now listed in my
 and are selling fast!


As you know it is my pleasure to share
 and I like nothing more than setting up a photo shoot
 here at Patchwork House to show you my crochet in action.


 It is with great joy
 that I read all your lovely comments and feedback
 and I thank you for your continued interest in my work.


 So following on from all the love that this 
extra large table mat has received
 I will be making some similar next week for my shop.
 This mandala is 40cm diameter
 and is most striking
 as a table centre either alone or under a dish or vase.


After hours of admin behind the scenes,
 doing all the necessary computer work
 that goes along with my work here at The Patchwork Heart,
 it's time or me to get back to my hook.


Just look at these gorgeous colours
 I'm having the pleasure of this week!

 My customer chose well
 and I'm enjoying this juicy fruit colour recipe so much!

Colour Recipe ~ Juicy Fruits
Colour Recipe ~ Stylecraft Special DK
 in mustard, spice, tomato, fuschia purple, fondant, pale rose,
 violet, bluebell, duck egg, sage and pistachio to be joined with denim

This is a Circle of Friends blanket using the pattern by
 and again I am enjoying working in a production line!

 If you missed my post a few weeks ago about
 how I plan colours you can read it
 HERE.
Have a lovely hooky weekend my dears

Heather
X X X

8 May 2016

The gentle art of crochet

The gentle art of crochet
provides


hours of creativity playing with colours

Bridal gift
mental stimulation as I learn new patterns

Gift for a baby girl
and
huge satisfaction
 as I see balls of yarn turning into useful items to sell

Heart is a variety of colours

but so much more than that

it gives me something to get up for each day

a sense of being at work when I can't

it has given me crochet colleagues and customers
 to chat to all around the globe

and is a wonderful distraction from pain and fatigue.

Even if I am sat in my pj's
 and haven't been out of the house for days
 crochet keeps me sane!
Thank you for the many lovely emails and comments
 I have received here in blog land and on

and

 I read them all
 and really appreciate the time you all take to write.
It's great to be back in this happy place!
 It has helped me along meeting many of you
 who also cope with chronic illness
 and helps me to cope as I start my new journey
 along this unknown path of Lupus.

Granny Sweet Heart by Nancy Drew

This week has been all about hearts here at Patchwork House
 restocking my little Etsy shop with gifts for you to buy!
 I enjoying making this quick little heart,
and have been working with a fabulous cotton that does not split!
 comes in 29 shades and I highly recommend it!
 The pattern for the Granny Sweet Heart is available free on

 Putting together colour recipes is my joy, 
conjuring up combinations that will appeal for different occasions

A gift for a bride
A gift for a baby girl
A gift for a baby boy
A new home gift
Whatever the occasion these hearts are just the job!


So it's back to my hook now
This weekend is looking purple!


I am working on a plum starburst flower blanket which is an order
(Pattern by Jane Brocket in the book The simple art of knitting)


and a lilac ripple pram blanket which is for sale
(Pattern neat ripple from Attic 24 blog)

Stylecraft Special DK

I also have picked a delicious colour selection
 ready to make myself a ripple
 to add to the blanket collection here at Patchwork House!

I sell ready made items in my Etsy shop
 and also take orders for customised blankets.
 If you would like to order please email me at
thepatchworkheartuk@gmail.com
 and I will send you a price list.

Have a wonderful day friends
Happy hookin
Heather
X X X
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