Warm Fuzzies KAL

Hello there lovelies!

Today I want to let you know about something really exciting…I’m co-hosting my first knit-along/make-along!

Myself and the lovely Jenn Sheelen of jennsheelen.com are hosting the Warm Fuzzies KAL, which is a make-along where you can knit/crochet/weave/spin something that gives you warm fuzzies…in other words something that makes you happy.

KAL Details:

•  The KAL runs from July 15th – 30th September 2017.
• Double/multi dipping allowed, projects must be started July 15th or later to qualify for prizes.
• You must be a subscriber of the JennSheelen Podcast, and also be a member of both the JennSheelen and CosyCuteKnits groups on Ravelry.
• The chatter thread is in the CosyCuteKnits group, & the finished objects thread is in Jenn’s. We will be drawing prizes from BOTH threads so make sure you join in on the chatter & post your finished objects! 

You can gain extra entries for prizes if you:

1. Use one of my patterns (Naomi Buchanan Designs)
2. Use one of my project bags (CosyCuteKnits Etsy)
3. Use one of Jenn’s patterns (Jenn Sheelen Designs)
4. Use Jenn’s hand-dyed yarn (jennsheelen.com)

That’s 4 extra entries up for grabs!

To celebrate the beginning of our KAL, Jenn & I have also got a 15% discount code for Jenn’s Ravelry store, and her website jennsheelen.com, & also my Ravelry store and the CosyCuteKnits etsy shop.  Discount code is valid until July 31st 2017, so make sure you check it out! 

I hope you will come and join in with us!

Happy crafting,

Naomi x

Happy Scrappy Gorgeousness!

Hey lovelies,
This week I decided to share the two scrappy crochet projects that I am seriously loving right now.

Last year I decided to make my own interpretation of the cosy memories blanket, which as I’m sure you all know is a knitted mitred square blanket. I didn’t want to knit a blanket, but loved the idea of a “cosy memories” blanket, and thus my cosy reflection blanket was born!

This blanket is made using crochet hexagons, and I’m following the instructions for the Weekender Blanket by Sandra Paul of cherryheart.co.uk.

I am also being very thoughtful with regards to the order and way I am making this blanket, and I am keeping a reflection diary detailing each hexagon, the yarn used, and who the yarn was from if I was a mini I was sent. My aim is to make this blanket 25 hexies by 25, which will be the perfect throw size for my bed.

As if one scrappy project was not enough, I also fell down the crochet rabbithole that is the granny stripe blanket. This is a craze that has took the fiber IG world by storm, and I was totally sucked in! Like many I’m following the granny stripe blanket pattern by Lucy of Attic24. Unlike my cosy reflection blanket there is no rhyme nor reason to the order of the yarns in this one, and I love it’s scrappy gorgeousness!! I basically just make a huge magic cake from my scraps & odds and ends and work them into this blanket. Isn’t it just beautiful?!

Scrappy projects are taking Ravelry & Instagram by storm, and for good reason! They are the perfect way to use up leftovers, mini skeins & little odds and ends.  I have seen scrappy blankets, shawls, and even socks!

Are you making any scrappy projects at the moment? I would love to hear about them if you are!

Till next time,
Naomi x

Where did February go?!

Hey there lovelies!
Once again I apologise for my brief hiatus this month.  I swear it feels like I have blinked and all of a sudden it’s the end of February! Where did this month go?!  Since my last post a lot has happened, so make sure you have a nice hot cuppa beside you as this is going to be a long one!

Firstly I have started a new venture since I last spoke to you… I opened my Etsy shop CosyCuteKnits! Not going to lie I was more than a little apprehensive about opening the shop, but my lovely and very talented friend Tracey (@ewemomma on Instagram, Etsy and Ravelry) convinced me to give it a go. Thanks hun!

In my Etsy I am selling handmade project bags & needle cosies, and I was thrilled to get my first two orders for my bags, both from the US! Both bags were well received which definitely made my day!
My sewing machine is certainly getting a lot of use recently, and I find it hard to believe that this time last year I didn’t even know how to use one! I’m so glad I decided to learn though, as it is another skill to add to my crafty repertoire.

In addition to this I have another exciting crafty thing to tell you about – my new pattern design! My latest design is for a beautiful triangular shawl with a delicate butterfly lace detail, which is aptly named the Follow The Butterflies Shawl.  This name is also a clever (if I do say so myself) nod to one of my favourite book series’, Harry Potter.  It’s from one of my favourite Ron Weasley quotes that always makes me chuckle: “Why spiders? Why couldn’t it be follow the butterflies?” J.K.Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

This new design was tested for me by the lovely Tracy from NorahGeorgeYarns on Etsy & Instagram, and she recently showed her finished gorgeous shawl on her latest podcast episode – Crafts From the Third Floor on YouTube – so make sure you head over and check it out.  Thanks again for agreeing to test knit this pattern Tracy, I really appreciate it!

The Follow the Butterflies Shawl pattern will be released on the 1st of March in both my Ravelry store & Etsy (if I can figure out how to add it on etsy lol), so remember to check it out and feel free to follow me on Instagram (click the link in the sidebar) for more details.

In other news I have also recently started a super interesting new course, which is an Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at a local college. I started this course through my work, and honestly I am so interested in learning more! I am actually applying to study for the Msc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy beginning in September at Queens University, Belfast.  It’s not something I ever thought of before I started the Introduction to CBT, but I’m so glad I did!

As always I have been crafting away, knitting, crocheting & sewing.  Knitting wise I am still working on a Campfire Shawl by Megan Fernandez for a friend, I have 2 pairs of socks on the needles (one pair nearly complete), 1 jumper, and of course I have many projects I am just itching to cast on.  I’m trying (ha) to show some restraint and finish some of my current WIPs before I cast anything else on.  We shall see how long that lasts!

With regards to crochet I have 3 blankets on the hook (yup you read that right, 3) and a Virus shawl that I really should start working on and get finished as I’m over halfway done.  The blankets I am working on are: my Cosy Reflection Blanket (Weekender Blanket by Sandra Paul on Ravelry, and the CherryHeart blog) which is a scrappy hexagon blanket I am working up with my sock yarn scraps/minis, my Cosy Stripe Blanket (pattern by Attic24) which I am crocheting with mostly Stylecraft Special DK,
and my Granny Stripe Blanket (pattern also by Attic24) which I am using the rest of my sock yarn minis for.

This weekend I spent all of Saturday prepping and cutting fabric for more bags for the shop, and I hope to get them sewn up in the next week or so.  Unfortunately I can’t say when my next shop update will be, as it all depends on my health, my schedule and all the other things that crop up each week.

My yarn diet is still going well, and I am super proud of myself lol.  I’m working my way slowly through my stash, however I did buy some commercial sock yarn from WoolWarehouse, which doesn’t count in my yarn diet as I needed more yarn for socks for the Box O Sox KAL 2017 that I talked about in a previous post.  I love finding loopholes don’t you? 😀

So that’s it for today folks, I warned you it was going to be a long one! I do intend on posting more frequently, but please bear with me as it all depends on how knackered I am by the end of the day/week lol.

Till next time,
Naomi x

KAL Chat!

Hey there lovelies!

I apologise that I didn’t get this post done sooner.  I just haven’t had the energy to sit and write this week until now.

As promised in my last post I will be talking to you about the fun KALs (knit-a-longs) I am going to *try* and participate in this year, and they are as follows:

The Crazy Sock Lady Podcast
KAL Name: Selfish KAL
Hashtag: #selfishkal
Runs from: 1st January – 31st March 2017
Rules: – Must be something that you are making for yourself.

KAL Name: Sock Crazy KAL 2017
Hashtag: #sockcrazykal2017
Runs from: 1st January – 31st December 2017
Rules: – NO WIPS.  Socks must be cast on 1st January or later.
           – As many socks as you can knit.
           – One post per finished pair.  Number the posts as you go, for example “Sock 1”, etc.

The Yarn and I, Capi Podcast
KAL Name: 1, 2, 3 For Me KAL/CAL
Hashtag: #123formekalcal
Runs from: 1st January – 31st December 2017
Rules: – Anything you make for YOU, that makes you feel joy, counts.

Inside Number 23 Podcast
KAL Name: Harry Potter KAL 2017
Hashtag: #23HPKAL2017
Runs from: 1st January – 31st December 2017
Rules: – NO WIPS. Must be cast on 1st January or later.
           – Must be Harry Potter related.

The Knitting Broomstick Podcast 
KAL Name: 13 Months of Magic KAL
Hashtag: #13momKAL
Runs from: 1st January 2017 – 31st January 2018
Rules: – NO WIPS.
           – Must craft 13 complete objects.
           – One post per 13 items.
           – Projects must have something to do with magic, witches, etc.

Yarngasm Podcast
KAL Name: Box O Sox 2017 KAL
Hashtag: #BoxOsoxKAL2017
Runs from: 1st January – 31st December 2017
Rules: – Knit at least 12 pairs of socks for yourself, and put them in a nice box.

Tea & Possibilities Podcast
KAL Name: Best Year Ever KAL
Hashtag: #BestYearEverKAL
Runs from: 1st January – 31st December 2017
Rules: – Knit or crochet 4 items that bring you joy.

The great thing about these KALs is I can submit one item for multiple KALSs, or “poly-dip” as I’ve heard many call it! I’m really excited about creating some lovely things for myself this year, and I’m also excited to use some of the gorgeous yarns I have in my stash! This year there is going to be the first ever yarn festival here in Northern Ireland, and I’m so so looking forward to it! It’s being held on the 5th of August in Whitehead, and you can find out more about Yarnfolk festival here: http://www.yarnfolkwoolfest.com/

I’ll be going along, so I’ll be trying to make some room in my stash for all the gorgeous yarns I will no doubt be tempted to buy! I’d better start saving! 😂

So tell me, are you going to be participating in any KALs this year? I’d also love to hear about any yarny events you are looking forward to attending!

Till next time,
Naomi x

Crafty Goodies

Hey lovelies!

The past week has definitely been a crafts-oriented one for me! As I mentioned in a previous post, I signed up for a class to learn how to sew.  I went to my first class two weeks ago and I absolutely loved it! The teachers of the class are lovely women, and the lady who was teaching me was so patient too.  She went through everything step by step, and I made myself a bag.  My first ever sewing project! And it’s lined too!

Ta da!

I’m currently using it as a project bag, and in my 2nd class I made the little zipped pouch in the same fabric.

I loved my first lesson so much that I actually went and bought myself a sewing machine and some fabric too.  I can’t wait until I have learnt more! The sewing machine I bought is the Brother LS14, which is the same as the one I use in class.  I have bought a few fat quarters of fabric both from eBay and also a local craft shop.

At the weekend I also bought this sewing machine bag in Dunelm Mill.  It’s so cute!

I love this bag, and it is a great way to store my machine instead of the box.  And I also got the matching sewing basket, which is adorable!

This week I also made my mum a bag at home (first project without any help). She loves it so I’m really pleased!

As if that wasn’t enough, this weekend I also tackled my first ever garment sewing project! I decided I wanted to make the Hollyburn Skirt by Sewaholic, and I also decided to make it in a gorgeous purple fabric for Fibromyalgia Awareness day. And guess what? I ACTUALLY DID IT!! 

TA DA!!!!!!

I am so proud of myself and pleased with how to turned out! With the help from my friends mum and her best friend I cut the fabric yesterday, and last night I started sewing it together. Today I got the rest of the sewing done apart from the hem which I plan on doing tomorrow. I’m so pleased! I even managed to add an invisible zip!! Whoop!! I am also really happy with the way I made the pockets with the butterfly print fabric. I think it looks lovely!

While I am really interested in the possible projects I can plan to sew, I still love to crochet.  I have 3 current WIPS (works in progress) on the go at the minute.

My Attic24 inspired ripple blanket:

A c2c baby blanket:

and crochet coasters using Bella Coco’s pattern:

The last 2 WIPS are actually for a craft sale the charity I work for is holding this week.  For this sale I have also made:

I still have stuff to make, so I’d better get cracking over the next couple of days!

Till next time,
Naomi x