New Hat Pattern AND Kit!

I have just added one of my original hat sewing patterns to my Etsy, DaWanda, and Felt stores. This pattern, for a 100% reversible Mod Cap, is available on it's own or as part of a Kit. The kit includes all the fabric and interfacing you need, along with instructions and the full sized pattern.
You can use the pattern over and over again to make many wonderful hats using all your favourite fabrics. You don't need much fabric to complete the hat so it's a great way to use up all those little scraps of that special fabric you have been saving.
Making small projects like this is also a great excuse to go for a treasure hunt in your local second hand store to find some vintage fabric, or you could rescue the fabric from an old shirt or a suit for a winter hat. Add a few buttons, or a badge. The possibilites are endless :-)
With the kits you have several fabric combinations to choose from. Below are just a few examples:

Cherry Cola

Black Strawberries

Chocolate Leaves

Black & White Cat

New Baby Shoe Patterns

After many requests from fellow craftsters I have been busy writing patterns for the baby shoes I sell in my JoliBebe stores which can be found HERE and HERE
So far there are two different designs available: The Slipper style and the Maryjane Style.



The patterns are in an email format so you can have them straight away, which means you can get started on them immediately (this is good if you're stuck for a last minute gift :-)
Each pattern includes full size pattern pieces for multiple sizes from 3-18 months, easy to follow instructions as well as step-by-step photos to make it even easier :-)

I highly recommend using a non-slip sole when you make your baby shoes, especially for babies over the age of about 9 months, for safety.
I will soon be listing the special non-slip fabric that I use for my baby shoes in my JoliBebe store under "Supplies" in small quantities, as this can be hard to find.


What you will need to make your little Maryjanes:
Small amount of fabric for exterior, and for lining
Matching thread
Scissors
Sewing machine
2 small buttons (or press studs or velcro if you prefer)
Sewing needle

What you will need to make your Slipper shoes:
Small amount of fabric for exterior and lining
5mm Elastic (approx 30cm length)
Matching thread
Scissors
Sewing machine
Sewing needleYou can find these patterns in my JoliBebe store on Etsy HERE and my JoliBebe store on DaWanda HERE.

4 Ply Sideways Gloves Knitting Pattern

Hello everyone :-)
After such a good response to the 8-ply Sideways Gloves I decided to post the pattern for the 4 ply (fingering weight, sock yarn, baby wool) version here for free for everyone else to use. The gloves pictured are made in Noro Self Striping Sock Yarn.
So here it is:

4 Ply Sideways Gloves

Sizes: S (M, L)

Materials:
1 pair 3.25mm (U.S. size 3, U.K. size 10)
Approx. 50 grams 4-ply, fingering weight or sock yarn. (Note this project looks really great when made in variegated or self-striping yarns)
Yarn needle to sew pieces together.
Scissors.

Tension:
25 stitches over 10cm (4") in garter stitch. If you have more stitches, use a larger size needle. If you have less stitches, use a smaller size needle.
It is a good idea to check your tension again with each different type of yarn that you choose to make a pair of gloves from.

Abbreviations:
Cc/0 (Cable Cast On): Insert your right hand needle between first and second stitches on your left hand needle and knit 1, placing the new stitch on the left hand needle. Continue working between the last 2 stitches on the left hand needle until you have the desired amount of stitches.
Inc (Increase): Knit into the front and back of the stitch, making an extra stitch.
Ssk: Slip first stitch on left hand needle onto right hand needle purl wise, k1, pass the first stitch back over. Therefore decreasing a stitch.
K2tog: Knit 2 together.
R (Reinforce): Bring yarn to the front as if to purl the next stitch. Slip the next stitch purl wise to right hand needle, take yarn to the back of work. Return the slipped stitch back to the left hand needle without working it, bring yarn to the front again.

You will begin at the little finger edge and work across to the thumb.

Make 2 the same:
Cast on 48 (50, 52) sts (using Cable Cast on method).
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Inc in first st, knit to end.
Row 3: Knit to last 2 sts, inc in next st, k1.
Row 4: Knit to last 16 (17, 17) sts, R, turn.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 7: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 8: Ssk, knit to end.
Row 9: Knit.
Row 10: Cast off 12 (13, 15) sts, R, turn, k1. Cc/o 19 (20, 22) sts. Knit across all sts.
Row 11-19: As for Rows 1-9.
Row 20: Cast off 16 (17, 19) sts, R, turn, k1. Cc/o 19 (20, 22) sts. Knit across all sts.
Rows 21-29: As for Rows 1-9.
Row 30: Cast off 20 (21, 23) R, turn. Cc/o 15 (16, 18) sts. Knit across all sts.
Rows 31-39: As for Rows 1-9.
Row 40: Cast off 25 (26,27) sts, R, turn, k1. Cc/o 12 (13, 14) sts. Knit cast on sts, k2 R, turn.
Row 41: Knit.
Row 42: Inc in first st, k16 (17, 18) , R, turn.
Row 43: Knit to last 2 sts, inc in next st, k1.
Row 44: K21 (22, 23), R, turn.
Row 45: Knit.
Row 46: K23 (24, 25), R, turn.
Row 47: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 48: Ssk, k23 (24, 25), R, turn.
Row 49: Knit.
Row 50: Cast off all sts.

Finishing: Place 2 pieces together, matching the thumb and fingers up, and using a flat seam, sew your 2 pieces together to make one glove. Repeat with remaining 2 pieces to make 2nd glove.
Don't rush sewing up your glove pieces. Steady, even stitches will really enhance the look and comfort of your finished gloves.

If you have any questions, queries, need assistance to complete your gloves or find an error, please don't hesitate to leave a comment and I'll gladly help where I can :-)

Copyright is held by the author (SharaLambethDesigns). Copyright remains that of the author at all times. The pattern is for personal use only. Reproduction of this pattern in anyway (electronic, email, photocopying, transcribing etc) is strictly prohibited, except with the explicit permission of the author. Please do not sell the pattern or the finished product that is made using this pattern without permission of the author, as this is a direct infringement of the copyright laws protecting this pattern.
If you do want to sell the gloves you make using this pattern at a market, craft fair or in your online store please do ask, as in most cases I will give permission :-)
And please feel free to make as many pairs of gloves as you can, to donate to your local charities.
Happy knitting!

Sideways Glove Pattern

For quite a long time now I have been wanting to make gloves with fingers but have really struggled to find an easy, quick pattern that is knit on 2 needles... So I wrote my own pattern :-)
These gloves are knit sideways, in garter stitch only, on 2 straight needles, so they are dead easy! They knit up pretty fast, I can make a pair in an evening of t.v. watching. They're a good small project to take with you when you're on the go as well. I have knit a few pairs while I have been on the train or bus, and the whole lot, needles, yarn etc fits easily into my bag. You can use up all your little bits of left over yarn as well, so it makes a great stash busting project :-)
I wrote the pattern using the "trial and error" method and have also made a pattern for a 4-ply version. I made the 4 ply version in the Noro Kureyon Sock yarn and they look fabulous! I just need to get around to photographing them so I can show you :-)
I've listed the pattern for the 8 ply (DK, Sport Weight) version in my DaWanda store HERE Etsy store HERE

Pixie Clog Prototype

I've been toying with the idea of a Pixie shoe with a pointed toe, for babies, for quite a while now... and today I had some success!
I'm pretty happy with this. I have managed to make the pattern so it's REALLY easy to change the size of the shoe, so I can make them for babies for various ages.
The shoe pictured above is the prototype and is made using some left over linen I had floating around. They're fully lined, with all interior seams hidden so they're comfortable for baby to wear.
I haven't quite decided if this is going to be the final design yet, as I may think about adding some sort of elasticised section to the back for a variable fit, etc. And I might make some of the larger sizes with a non-slip sole too.
I've been thinking about some of the ways I could decorate or embellish these little shoes and I have been thinking that screenprinting onto fabric prior to the contruction could be quite cute... Maybe stamping onto the fabric with some of my hand-carved eraser stamps (more about this later :-), maybe some cute embroidery... the sky's the limit I guess :-)
Anyway I hope you enjoy seeing my Work in Progress!

Cat in Sunshine

For those of you who know me well, you will know that I am a "dog person" however I think I am slowly turning into a "cat person" as well... (No, no, I don't mean I am half cat/half girl). You see, there is a stray cat that lives under the house. He's been living there for over 3 years, but it's only been in the past year or so that he has decided to let us pat him. And now he's in love with us (especially me... in fact I have a feeling he may propose any day now! ;-) We decided that we should give him a name, and we chose: Nima. It's an Indian name that means white hair (seemed like an obvious choice). This name has evolved into a few different variations, such as Nimmy, and NimNim... but I think my favourite is NimmyNoodle (I think he likes this one the best as well :-) And if he's being cheeky I call him MouseBreath.
He's not allowed inside (because of allergies, and me being scared that he'll eat one of the drums or tambourines), although he does occasionally invite himself in... like when we're bringing in the shopping from the car or loading drums and the door is left open. Sometimes if it's raining he scoots in behind me without me even noticing. I tell him he's a naughty cat, but secretly I think it's cute and funny.
He has a nice little "nest" that he has made himself under the house, and he talks to us through the floor. Sometimes it actually sounds like he's saying: "Helllllllllllooooooooooow". No, really, it does! And sometimes he talks to us through the bedroom window at 2 in the morning... I don't find this quite as cute.
He's a very affectionate little creature and as soon as there is even the hint of a human lap he's up onto it. Sometimes we sit out in the sun and he snuggles up in my lap and snoozes. Sometimes when I give him lots of cuddles and a good ear scratching he drools on me.... awwww.
Sometimes he gets into fights with other cats, and comes home with scratches on his face... and once I pulled someone else's claw out of his scalp! Eeeek! I totally freaked out and squealed a little bit when I realised what it was. But Nima was pretty happy about me removing it for him. And the funny thing is he only ever seems to get into fights on the weekend... just like people... weird.... do cats go to the pub?
Anyway... my new found love for cats inspired this weeks featured finds from Dawanda. It's all cat and it's all good :-) Click on the title of the item to go to the shop where I found it.

Cats Print from Terese

When a Cat Smiles T-shirt from Akumulnk

Purple Cat Brooch from Oletuscolores_shop

Walking Cat Pin from DeliciousMuovi

Red Bag with a Cat from Violettcat

Kitschy Kitten Skirt from Kinchi

It's Brown About Town!

One colour I have been wearing a lot of and making lots of things from lately is BROWN. I seem to be attracted to it where ever I go... when I go to the shops I automatically head to the brown clothing and shoes, when I'm in the fabric store I'm automatically drawn to the brown fabrics and buttons and ribbons, when I'm at the yarn store I'm automatically attracted to the brown yarns....
So it's only natural that while I have been logged in to DaWanda recently, I have been automatically drawn to all the beautiful brown products there as well.
Here are a few of my favourite brown finds on DaWanda. Click on the title of the product to go and see the item in it's store:

Tubeway Armies - Chocolate Brown from GayeAbandon

Brown Pouch with Red Screenprint from AnnaLaura

Sweet baby & Momma Brown Bolete Mushrooms from SparrowsNest

Felted Scarf- Jewel Brown from Karlita

Wise Owl Original Gocco Print from BridBird

Kawaii Brown Bear Necklace from ScarletBeautiful