Mini Crochet Advent Caravans!

 I just wanted to remind you of this project I made for Christmas last year. This is one of my favourite patterns ever and I am so looking forward to filling them up with goodies for our tree again. You can find the pattern here.

Lots of love,
Kate. xxx

How to Crochet a Mini Christmas Wreath

With Christmas creeping up (at least in the world of handmade as there is only so much 'making' time until December), I thought it would be fun to add a festive project to the Lakeside Cabin from "Let's Go Camping! Crochet Your Own Adventure". A wreath for the door. Of course, once I made that, the caravan (also in the book) looked bereft. Now, I can't stop making mini decorations....

p.s. please ignore the paint on my fingers in the photos.

Materials:

gold or silver 4ply yarn

embroidery thread (or 4ply yarn) in red and green (or white)

needle

Abbreviations (US terminology)

ch = chain

st/s = stitch/stiches

ss = slip stitch

sc = single crochet

sk = skip

N.B. All rounds are worked in continuous spirals

 Round 1. Using 2.5mm crochet hook and gold yarn, ch10. Ss back into the first ch to form a loop.

Round 2. Working over the 10ch loop rather than into it, crochet 12sc evenly distributed around the loop. Ss back into the first sc. (12)

Round 3. *1sc, 2sc into the next st. Repeat from * until end of round. (18)

Round 4. *2sc, 2sc into the next st. Repeat from * until end of round. (24)

Round 4. *3sc, sk one st. Repeat from * until end of round. (18)

This will cause the wreath to start curving back around like a donut.

Round 5. *2sc, sk one st. Repeat from * until end of round. (12)

 Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew the first and last round together through the central hole.

For the French Knots 

Secure the thread to the wreath then wrap the needle anywhere between 1 - 4 times. 

 Place the tip of the needle back through the wreath and draw through the wraps.

 After a few french knots have been embroidered, thread the needle with green yarn and scatter some straight stitches to create leaves. Continue on with french knots until you think "Wahoo".

At this stage, my wreath is so new I have it stuck to the caravan with a needle. However, because it's going onto the door temporarily, I will fastsen it on with small pieces of double sided sticky tape - then it will be easy to remove after Christmas.

The  Lakeside Cabin wreath was made with a gold base and white embroidery thread for the french knots. 

If you are feeling particularly festive, you could attach a brooch back and wear it on your shirt!

Let me know in the comment section below if you have any questions.

Lots of love,

Kate. xxx

How to Hang Pompoms Macrame Style - a tutorial.

BREAKING NEWS - Before we go any further, it's time to get the last orders of 2014 in  for 'Stanley and the Hot Air Balloon' as I am going to be shutting the shop for the holidays this Friday. Postage is still free but having run out of Christmas magnets, I will pop in extra postcards depicting Stanley's first Christmas. Thank you!

How to Hang a Pompom Macrame Style!

In New Zealand we have Christmas in Summer. I love it, I really do. However, it makes decorating the Christmas tree with winter ornaments a bit strange. And yet in the southern hemisphere, it's something we do although as you may have noticed from my last post, my tree is beginning to look more summery with every passing year. So for a twist, I came up with this tutorial, combining a pompom snowball with neon cord.

Materials

Wool/ yarn

Cord/ string

To begin, find some wool and follow my tutorial to make a quick 5 minute pompom - I used white yarn but any colour (or colours) would work well. 

Cut 4 lengths of cord of at least 120cm long.

Double the cord so the ends are all together and make a knot about 10 cm down from the doubled over end. This will form a loop to hang the pompom with.

 I put the loop around the top of a chair and then secure the top with a piece of masking tape. There should be 8 lengths of cord to work with.

Begin to divide the 8 lengths of cord into pairs. Take the first pair and tie an overhand knot (a single knot). Measure the next pair against the first knot worked and mark the spot with your thumb. Tie an overhand knot at the marked place. Continue to do the same with the last two pairs.

Move down to the next section to be worked which should be approx. 2-3cms below the first set of knots.

 Gather one cord from one pair and match it up with a length of cord from the next pair. Tie together with an overhand knot.

 Tie the unused cord from the last pair with a length of cord from the next pair. Continue to tie the cords, one from each pair until for more knots have been formed.

 Like this! See how it forms a circle.

 Working another 2-3cms down from the 2nd set of knots made, repeat the process again, working in a circle taking one cord from two neighbouring pairs and tying them together.

 Pop your pompom in to see where you need to tie off.

Mark with your thumb...

And then tie all 8 lengths together.

 I would love to make a million of these but I don't think I am going to have time. Imagine having them attached to the back of everyone's chairs for Christmas lunch and or having them festooned around the trees outside.

For the time being I have them stuck on the roof with washi tape so it looks as if it's snowing. Kind of anyway.... 

 Maybe I should get the boys making them too....

Lots and lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx.

How to Crochet an Advent Christmas Caravan!

 Welcome to the caravan park where things aren't quite as they seem......

Thank you so much to Black Sheep Wools for sponsoring this project with yarn and offering a discount on the yarns used to all Greedy for Colour readers (the code will be at the end). I've loved developing this pattern but it has involved a lot of work and time so I thank you for your patience! Still, there's plenty of weeks until Christmas so get your hooks out.

Who needs a new advent calendar when these Airstream caravans can hang from your Christmas tree? This is such an appropriate Christmas decoration in the southern hemisphere as our summer break happens during the festive season. The roads are choked with people tootling off to their holiday destinations towing campers, camper vans and caravans.

These caravans can also be filled to the brim with goodies. Up for it? Let's go.

Materials

1 x DMC Natura Just Cotton Bleu Layette 05

1 x DMC Natura Just Cotton Noir 11

1 x Twilley's Goldfingering Silver 5
2.5mm hook
1 small back bead
stuffing
1 button

1 x ice-cream container lid or similar flat plastic

Abbreviations
For this tutorial, all terms are U.K.
ch = chain
ss = slip stitch
dc = double crochet (single crochet in U.S. terms)
st/sts = stitch/stitches
yarn a = Bleu Layette
yarn b = Silver

yarn c = Noir

For the body

Make 2. 

Refer to the photos above.

This section is worked from side to side.

Row 1. Using yarn a, ch 2 then work 3dc into the 2nd ch from the hook (top left photo). Ch1, turn. (3)

Row 2. 2dc into each of the next 3sts. Ch1, turn. (6)

Row 3. *1dc into the first st then 2dc into the next st*. Repeat ** twice. Ch1, turn. (9)

Row 4. *1dc into each of the next 2sts then 2dc into the following st*. Repeat** twice. Ch1, turn. (12)

Row 5. *1dc into each of the next 3sts then 2dc into the following st*. Repeat** twice. Ch1, turn. (15)

Row 6. *1dc into each of the next 4sts then 2dc into the following st*. Repeat** twice. Ch1 but don’t turn. (18)

Row 7. Work 12dc across the semi-circle’s flat base. Ch1, turn (right photo). (12)

Rows 8-9. 1dc into every st until the end of the row. Ch1, turn. (12)

Row 10. 1dc into the first st, skip the next stitch. 1dc into each of the following 8sts then skip the next st. 1dc into the last st. Ch1, turn. (10)

Rows 11-12. 1dc into every st until the end of the row. Ch1, turn. (10)

Row 13. 1dc into the first st, skip the next stitch. 1dc into each of the following 6sts then skip the next st. 1dc into the last st. Ch1, but do not turn. (8)

Row 14. Work 30dc around the sides and arch (top photo). Do not include the flat base. Ch1, turn (middle left photo).

Rows 15-30 (16 rows). 1dc into every st until the end of the row. Ch1, turn.

Cut off yarn. 

Row 31. Count 7sts along the previous row worked. Reattach yarn and pull through the 7th st. Ch1, 1dc back into the same st (middle right photo). Work 1dc into each of the next 4sts then skip the following st. 1dc into each of the next 5 sts, then skip the 6th st. 1dc into each of the next 4sts then skip the following st. 1dc into the next st. Ch1, turn. (15)

Row 32. *1dc into each of the next 4sts then skip the following st*. Repeat** once more then 1dc into each of the following 3 sts. Skip the next st then 1dc into the following st. Ch1, turn. (12)

Row 33. *1dc into each of the next 3sts then skip the following st*. Repeat** once more then 1dc into each of the following 2 sts. Skip the next st then 1dc into the following st. Ch1, turn. (9)

Row 34. *1dc into each of the next 2sts then skip the following st*. Repeat** once more then 1dc into the next st. Skip the following st then 1dc into the following st. Ch1, turn. (6)

Row 35. *Skip the first st, then 1dc into the following st*. Repeat** twice. Ch1, turn. (3)

Row 36. Ss into the last st. 

Cut yarn. 

Row 37. Return to the first st of the last row and reattach yarn. Ch1 and work 1dc back into the same st (bottom right photo). Work 11dc across the base of the semi-circle. Ch1, turn. (12)

Rows 38-39. 1dc into every st until the end of the row. Ch1, turn. (12)

Row 40. Work 1dc into the first st, skip the next stitch. 1dc into each of the following 8sts then skip the next st. 1dc into the last st. Ch1, turn. (10)

Rows 41-42. 1dc into every st until the end of the row. Ch1, turn. (10)

Row 43. Work 1dc into the first st, skip the next stitch. 1dc into each of the following 6sts then skip the next st. 1dc into the last st.  (8)

 Cut yarn leaving a long tail to stitch down the 2 sides.

For the Door
The door is worked from side to side until the final round.
Row 1. Using yarn a, ch 2 then work 3dc into the 2nd ch from the hook. Ch1, turn. (3)
Row 2. Work 2dc into each of the next 3sts. Ch1, but do not turn. (6)
Row 3. Work 4dc across the semi-circle’s flat base (top right photo). Ch1, turn. (4)
Rows 4-6 (3rows). 1dc into every st until the end of the row. Ch 1, turn. (4)
Row 7. 1dc into every st until the end of the row. Bind off. (4)
Round 1. Using yarn b and starting at the bottom right hand corner of the flat base, ch1 then 1dc back into the same st (top right photo). Work 1dc into each of the next 2sts then 1dc into the corner st. Ch1 then work 1dc back into the same st. Work 4dc up the side until the arch is reached. *1dc into the next st, then 2dc into the following st*. Repeat** twice. Work 4dc down the side then 1dc into the corner. Ch1, then ss back into the first dc of the round.
Bind off.
Stitch a small black bead on for a door handle (bottom left photo).

For the Window

Using yarn b, ch2 then work 3dc into the 2nd ch form the hook. Continuing to work into the 2nd ch, ch1, then 3dc, ch1 then 3dc, ch1 then another 3dc (top left photo). Ch1 then ss back into the first dc made (bottom left photo). Cut yarn. Pull on the tail leftover from the primary ch to tighten the central hole (top right photo). Tie the 2 tails together then snip one very short, leaving the other to stitch the window to the caravan.

For the Wheels

Make 3. 

The wheels are made in continuous, spiraling rounds.

Round 1. Using yarn b, ch2 then work 4dc into the 2nd ch from the hook. Ss back into the first dc. (4) Cut yarn

Round 2. Change to yarn c. Ch1 then 1dc into the same st. 2dc into the next 4sts then ss back into the first dc. (9)

Bind off.

To Assemble

Stuff one of the bodies to give the caravan a temporary shape. Pin on the window, door and wheels then un-stuff and stitch on. 

For the Numbers

Cut a 60cm length of yarn c and then gently separate out 3 strands to crochet with. Leaving a 22cm tail, ch15 then bind off. Pin to the caravan in the number's shape and stitch on. n.b. Some numbers such as '1' may need less then 15ch.

To Assemble

Carefully insert the inner body into the outer body so that they line up and then pin. This stage requires a bit of jiggling and stretching (think of a pair jeans one size too small), stay strong - they will come together. Stitch around the base of the two bodies.

For the Base
The base is worked in continuous, spiraling rounds.
Round 1. Using yarn a, ch 2 then work 6dc into the 2nd ch from the hook. Ss back into the first dc. (6)
Round 2. 2dc into every st until the end of the round. (12)
Round 3. *1dc into the first st, then 2dc into the next st*. Repeat ** until the end of the round. (18)
Rounds 4-18 (15 rounds). 1dc into every st until the end of the round. (18)

Pressing the base flat, trace around the shape made onto a piece of paper. 2 more rounds will be crocheted on the base so flip it around on your template to mirror the shape on the other end. Cut out the paper template shaving off an approximate 2-3mm so that it will fit inside the base. Place paper on plastic and cut out the plastic base Insert the plastic base into the crochet base then complete the following two rounds.

Round 19. *1dc into each of the next 2sts then skip the following st*. Repeat ** until the end of the round. (12)
Round 20. *1dc into the first st then skip the next st*. Repeat ** until the end of the round. (6). 
Bind off.

To Assemble

Stuff the body then insert the base making sure it rests just below the lip of the body (top photo). Pin into place then sew one side of the base and the body together (bottom photo). 

For the Button Loop

Using yarn a, ch14. Bind off leaving a decent tail at either end and stitch it to the open edge of the body. With a pin, mark out the best spot for a button (left photo) and then stitch the button on. 

For the Draw Bar

Using yarn a, ch10. Bind off leaving a decent tail at either end and stitch it to the front of the caravan (bottom right photo).

Thread a 15cm loop of yarn c through both layers of the roof. 

Fill with stuffing, spray liberally and leave in a warm place to dry overnight. 

Fill with the most wonderful goodies and dot them about the tree to be found each day throughout Advent.

 The boys are quite keen on this project..... hmmmmm.

Or you could make an apartment building of caravans. Imagine the tiny ladders reaching up to the top story. Even more fun than a caravan park!

I hope you are braver than me and begin with a caravan marked '1'. I'm making mine backwards this year so I know that there will be something on Christmas morning!

Black Sheep Wools have been amazing as they gave me carte blanche to choose my materials. I have an absolute passion for DMC Natura Just Cotton and Twilley's Goldfingering, so it was an absolute joy to discover that they stocked them. The cotton gives a natural stiffness to the project and comes in the most wonderful colours and the Twilley's Goldfingering has long been a favourite since I first used it for making the Christmas bauble pattern. 

Here are some other colours I used in this project: 

Twilley's Goldfingering Antique Gold 4

DM Naura Just Cotton in the following colours -

Geranium 52

Aguamarina 25

Golden Lemon 43

Thank you so much Black Sheep Wools, it has been so much fun to work with you and an especially big thank you to Lesley whose idea it was to embroider numbers onto the caravans' side.

And now for the code!!! Type GREEDY14 at Black Sheep Wool's check out and it will give you a 10% discount on all shades of DMC Natura Just Cotton and Twilley's Goldfingering from today until the 24th November. 

Have fun, love Kate xxooxx.