You see it all the time within the craft community; people proclaiming the benefits of making something with their own hands for their mental-health and general wellbeing, and I’m wholeheartedly one of those people. It’s not the reason I started with crochet, but it’s definitely one of the reasons I continue with it now.

I’d be wanting to try out a checkerboard crochet pattern for a while. I’d been seeing it everywhere and, although I’m not usually one to jump straight on a trend, this one was irresistible.

You know, I made this design in white a very long time ago but didn’t want to release it until I’d made another in black. This is the main reason it’s been sat on the back-burner for so many months - I had a case of ‘second sock syndrome’ but with a wall hanging instead.

This project came to me in the spring this year. When I stumbled across the stitch pattern, I just knew I had to make something with it. To me, the pattern looks like eyes - and if you know me well, you know that I just love eyes as a design feature!

This project was inspired simultaneously by a stitch pattern I found on Pinterest, as well as some gorgeous yarn that I have had waiting in my stash for years. Both calling out to me to be made into something pretty and practical. Thus this water-bottle carrier was brought into existence.

In one of those serendipitous moments, an idea came to me to use the stones from a broken bracelet and turn them into stitch markers. From there a collection grew and I now offer 8 different precious stones, each with their own beauty and meaning. Here is a break down of what makes them so special…

If you’re looking for a fast and simple project to satisfy your creativity for an evening, then I’ve got a pattern for you… these cute boho wall-hangings can be made within an hour and have just the right level of challenge and ease to keep you interested.

Many moons ago I made some crochet eyes with the intention of adding them to a wall-hanging, but as it goes with a lot of design ideas it didn’t really work out. I was left with these kind of cool looking crochet eyes though…

It feels so good to be back enjoying creating again in this way, and as a celebration of sorts I’ve decided to write up the pattern for the crocheted house I used to make.

This year I’ve been looking for some cool and sustainable ways to decorate our house for the festivities… I’ve also made this crocheted spider garland.