Red Crochet Blanket begun

 I startded making this but put it aside due to what happened to our cat Jessie ( see Post March 2025)

I had not the heart to carry on with it but will pick it up again and carry on with it. It will be balnket for Cats Protection. I make them a variety of blankets in different sizes. They use them for the cats and then let the person adopting a cat take it home with them so he/she has something familar with them.

As I had a lot of red yarn left over I decided to make a red blanket in two different shaed of red that I will make in bands of each colour.

The pattern uses Extended Double crochet and single crochet ( I use American Crochet terms). It is a simple pattern and makes a lovely squishy material.

You can find the pattern here:

Stripes baby blanket

Champgne Baby Blanket

 I made thsi blanket for a couple in the flat above ours. I made it in Champagne White as it is a softer colour.

They had their little boy on the 9th March 2025.

They loved it and asked how I had made it. They were both amazed that it was crocheted. I chose a pattern that has no holes so tiny fingers would get caught in it.

Items I have made this year so far.

 These were made for Red February for the British Heart Foiundation Challenge and will be sold at MK Friends.

    

I enjoyed making them and I hope someone will like them and buy them.

March 2025

March has not been a good month for us. Sadly we lost our beautiful cat Jessie to an agressive cancer. After the surgery she contracted an infection that was not healing so I made the decision to have her put to sleep on March 17th St Patricks Day.. The vet said it was the kindest thing to do as she would not recover as the infection was worsening.

 Jessie in happier days.
She is greatly missed and the place feels empty without her.
So many of my friends have helped us with messages and even a gift.

One friend sent me this. 

The glass ball has a lovely cat under the stars and moon. Jessie would come out into the garden when it was warm and sit with me in the dark.
Another friend wrote this.

The collage below was something I made for my husband to add to his lock screen on his laptop. I posted it on a site I use and my friend used it for the lovely poem she wrote.

We had her with us for 7 years, she was 4 years old when we adopted her. She was loved and treasured and she loved us in her own way. Sharing her affections with both of us.

Even the vet and nurse who cared for her fell in love with her. I was with her to the end, holding her, stroking and talking to her. 

A special little cat that will always be loved.

New Projects

 Cat Blankets are top of the list.

I prefer to crochet because it tends to be faster and there's only one stitch to secure, which is a bonus. It's much easier to manage when I have to pause my work frequently, as I only need to keep track of a single stitch. In contrast, when I have to quickly set down knitting needles, it's all too easy to drop a stitch or two.

The Big Knit

The Big Knit  The hats can be a simple or as complex as you want to make them. They are quick and fun to make.

Earlier this year they did state they wanted knitted Christmas ornaments so I will make some along with the hats.

MK Friends

I will make a few more toys and other items as the mood take me. I need more toy stuffing  and eyes for some of the toys.

I like to have a list of things that I can make so I don't get fed up doing the same things.

Cat Blanket

 I've decided to create a variety of blankets for Cats Protection, featuring different sizes and patterns. They prefer smaller blankets for baskets and larger ones for the cats to cuddle into, which they can take to their permanent homes. Utilizing leftover yarn to craft colorful blankets allows me to mix things up and create something attractive.

The yarn is variegated and DK (8ply) by holding 2 strands together it created a nice thick material that will be cosy and warm.

The pattern is simple and one that I have had for years. I have no idea where I found it.

It is named Mary's Blanket. The patterns were part of a list I discovered in the early 2000s. I've had the list printed for about 20 years and refer to it occasionally. I'm not sure if they're intended for pet blankets or baby blankets, as I've been unable to locate them again. Thus, I've been using them for pet blankets. They are all knitted, and I particularly liked this one because it was intriguing and matched the yarn well.

July makes

 Trauma Teddies

   

  

Jean Greenhow Rainbow Dolls

 

These are ready for MK Friends. 

With a lot happening things have been slow on the creativity front. All sorts of things have been put in  place to help my husband so I can care for  him easier.

This has meant a lot of changes but now they are all in place I can relax again.

                                                                                

 JUNE

Half way through the year already! Time is flying past.

I have been making Worry Worms and Octopuses for MK Friends. They seem to be popular so I set too and made these. They have been so popular people are asking if they any more of them.

Twenty-four Worry Worms all with their own tag with the poem which reads.
'I'm your little worry worm, keep me near and squeeze me tight. Tell me your worries and everything will be alright.'

Each Worry Worm is different as I add bows, hats, scarves or hair to create an individual look.

Ten Octopuses all different sizes and weirdly all made with aran weight yarn and the same size crochet hook. It just goes to show different brands of the same weight yarn are not all the same thickness.

Worry Worms and Blankets and More.

 Worry Worms are so easy to make and they sold well at the MK Friends Fayre.

Three baby blankets that were easy to make and used up some of my yarn.

Worry worms are lovely to make and I have been asked to make more as they are very popular. I added a label  as well. 

More toys and bookmarks. The bookmarks are super quick to make and I will make more as they too went quickly.
All were given to MK Friends and more will be made later on along with some new things I want to try.

Lots and Lots of Crochet

 I love making toys and various items that are fun and useful.

These were fun to make and easy to do.

Various dolls. The fairy was a mix of two patterns but it worked.

Cute and fun Chicks, Rabbits and a Bee Bear.  He has tiny wings on the back. 

Items I have made so far this year

 

I made these for Dementia UK.

This is a Fiddle Ball you pull the centre and  it  just keeps going round and round. As you pull the yarn through it changes colour. I made several of these as they are popular.

Four Teddies all different, and yes I forgot to take pics of them.

A baby blanket, these take ages to make but a nice project.

Everything was given to the Hospital so both charities benefitted as I raised money by donations to Dementia UK as part of a knitting and Crochet Challenge.

 Wow! were have the days gone to? It has been ages since I posted here. Life has been busy and a lot has happened.
My husband's health for one thing is obviously not improving. Heart Failure causes many issues including memory problems.
I muddle along and do what I can to help him. May is known as Walking May. MAY WALKING

I am doing my own challenge as I walk at home. Why at home? I need to be on hand to help my husband so I don't go out a lot. I have set a challenge for myself using Virtual Walks on You Tube.

I have also set up a Just Giving page so I can be accountable and donate to the British Heart Foundation.

Just Giving My BHF Walk I have added the link just for information.

2024 Plans

 2024 is just around the corner and I have various projects I want to make.

Month Colour Blanket. This will be a blanket using various colours for each month.

COLORS FOR THE MONTHS 

I will use a colour call Midnight for the borders to make the colours pop.

More toys for MK Friends. These go down well and are fun to make.

Blankets for patients and for rescue animals.
I odd balls of yarn that would make love granny square blankets for animals. The blankets for patients need to be lap blankets in various sizes so I will sort out yarn for them to make sure I have enough for colourful blankets.

Maybe a shawl or two along with scarves later in the year.

I also want to do a challenge for Dementia UK DEMENTIA UK CHARITY

I use Just Giving as the money goes direct to your chosen charity. JUST GIVING

I only do a one or two challenges and keep the amount I want to donate realistic. If I have supporters that is wonderful but I don't like to ask as I know it is hard for all of us to find donations.

Coasters

 I love making coasters they make lovely gifts and are so easy to make.

I use cotton yarn as it washes well and keeps its shape. Everything I make is simple to do, complicated is not my thing.

Toys I made

 These are some toys I made.

The bottom two are Worry Worms and  Fiddle Toy.

FIDDLE TOY

They are easy to make and use up oddments of yarn.