Butterflies, dragonflies and moths

I recently ordered some Monaco threads on line from Jackie in the Philippines. These are the most beautiful threads with fabulous colours.
I have had a lot of enjoyment creating some spring designs. I know butterflies are a bit cliche, but they are so pretty.
These are crochet using a 1.75 hook and size 10 thread.

This is based on the Cairns Birdwing which is the largest butterfly in Australia. In the rainforest they are a bright green and black with a red thorax. I based mine on the shape rather than the colour.

I also designed a simple dragonfly based on the glider dragonfies we get in the garden.
Then I did a moth. Moths are quite interesting as they have thicker bodies and stumpier wings. I used the yellow tiger moth as a model. I do like the way they turned out as they are a bit different from the usual winged insect.
I reworked the Ulysses a little bit to make the body a bit slighter. These ones have the characteristic swallow tail tips on the bottom wings. There is an earlier version of this pattern earlier on in this blog.
My plan wasn't to write another set of patterns for a while as it takes me soooo long to write and proof and translate. I was so enthused by the yarn that I have listed these patterns on etsy. Here is the link:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=44224

The good old gecko sure looks good in this thread. The colours give them that chameleon effect.
I gave the one on the left to a elderly uncle today. He was quite taken. He said that the geckos used to keep him awake at night. I never realised that geckos made a noise. I thought this was only frogs. They apparently they can make quite a racket.
Here is a sample of all the different colours in some of my bookmark designs. You can see turtles, crocodiles, geckos and butterflies. The colours are so pretty I just cant stop making these.
I certainly have a few to pop into cards for birthdays etc over the next while!
Thanks for looking. I am so glad it is spring. Seems strange to think that some of you are now entering your winter.

Hooroo!!

I got the threads here:

http://crochetthreadsandmore.blogspot.com/2006/01/monaco-cotton-threads-and-shipping.html

Crochet Chook Tea Cosy

Cluck Cluck Cluck!!

I posted instructions for the scallop tea cosy in May . I have been overwhelmed by the interest in this one. A keen crocheter and Chicken fanatic has added a few little bits and voila Madame Chook appears. This is so clever and looks very cute. Jamie has sent me her additions to the basic pattern, as well as the photo so you can all go forth and crochet Chicken Cosies.

From this:


I felt this was just the thing to post on my blog as it sits comfortable with the other crazy and fun ideas. Thanks Jamie for sending me your ideas!


To this:

Here is what she did:

"I just chained 7 and slip stitched to first chain and then chained 7 again and slip stitched to the first chain so that I had something resembling a figure 8. Then I put 12 DC in each loop, ended off and lightly stitched it together and shaped it into something resembling dangly chicken bits. Sewed it onto the cozy, added some eyes and a beak that I cut from fleece and it was done! "

I have been working on a Christmas variation which I will post in the future.

Isn't Jamies' chicken cosy fantastic?

Christmas Turkey and Peppermint sweets.

Gobble gobble.... here is the turkey that belongs to the set I posted a few days ago. A bit silly really! The only time we ever have turkey here is at Christmas. I cooked it a few years back and the boys really liked it so it is now become the norm. Besides now I have 3 teenage boy appetites to fill the humble chooky dinner doesn't go far.



And here are the peppermint swirls. I just love Christmas mints in red and green. Such an effective pattern. I am planning on giving one of these to each of my work colleagues this Christmas.

The pattern is in my head, but I am happy I have mastered it to get a perfect circle. I think they pretty effective.


I also came up with a basic star potholder. The flip side is green.

Now all I have to do is start multiplying this little group to be ready by Christmas. I have had a few distractions late. A new job, Spring cleaning and trying to finish off a few rugs before the Summer hits.

Thanks for looking!

Crazy Christmas Crochet

This is a Christmas Series I have been working on for a while now. I had the idea if I started now in September, I would have a nice little collection by Christmas. The plan is to have a heap of little presents for the Secret Santas and gift gifting.

My usual style is to race arround at the last minute. This year I plan to be organised.

So based on my Crazy Casserole Topper Collection, I present the Crazy Christmas Crochet Collection.

I started with Santa. I mean what is Christmas table without Santa ?

I gave him a nice fluffy beard, and stuck to the traditional red and white theme.

It did occur to me to try some different colours but I thought I would stay with tradition. I guess he might still look like Santa in blue or purple as I notice from time to time in the shops they change his colour scheme.
Now of course Santa needs an Elf or two, so I designed the Elf in green. He has the pixie ears, and I added bells to his top. The photo doesn't do him justice as he looks quite cute sitting on top of the casserole pot.

Next came an Angel. My son says she looks like a Crazy angel... and I said yep that was the goal! I mean why should an Angel look like Miss Prissy all the time! This one has partied hard and has a bit of Christmas jolly in her.

This is Santas Reindeer. Imagine this on your Venison Stew! We dont get much venison here. I did enjoy a nice piece a few years back when I was in New Zealand.

If you look at the group photo there is also a turkey. I will post him up later as blogger doesnt seem to want to let him join the others in this post.

I also have a few other Christmas pretties in the series.
I am in the process of writing up the patterns. This does take me a bit of time. The writing, the testing, the checking and finally the translation of terminology from Australian to American.

Thanks for looking.

Please respect my copyright. These images and ideas came from my grey matter and I post them for you to enjoy.