Making A Wreath- Part 1

My Mum loves a wreath for the front door and she has this one, I made for her up, hanging during the Summer months.

She loves Hallowe'en so I thought I would make her an autumnal wreath which can also double up for Hallowe'en with a couple of easy to add/remove additions.

I used the same technique on both for the basic wreath.
For this you will need:
Thick florist wire (I used approx 50cm/20'')
Felt of various colours- I used shrunken jumpers for both
Scissors
Wire cutters (not in the photograph)

Cut out a large number of circles of about 6cm diameter from each colour felt, you'll need quite a lot- I used about 200 circles of quite thick felt. They really don't need to be perfect and a little irregularity actually adds to the appeal.
WARNING- cutting out thick felt can be difficult and a strain for your hand, I know this from experience and a week later my right thumb is still experiencing a tingling, numb sensation. I know it's really tempting to get it all done but please don't risk injury, take regular breaks if necessary.

Now shape a loop at one end of the wire, florist wire is quite malleable so is easy to shape, it also doesn't need to be super neat as it won't be seen.

Next thread the felt circles randomly onto the wire by poking the wire through the centre- you may have to cut a little nick in the felt if it's too thick to slide on.

Pack them all tightly, pushing them down as you go. Once all the circles have been thread on, wrap the straight end of the wire around the looped end and cut off the excess.

This provides a nice sturdy wreath to embellish....

There you have it, a basic wreath!

You can add all sorts of embellishments to suit you taste and the season. 

For the Summer one, I made a couple of crochet daisies with needle felted centres and felt leaves. I hung a mini birdhouse in the centre with a bee charm attached with glue (after removing the loop for hanging it).

As this is for the Autumn, I decided to go traditional and will give details together with the pictures of it all finished in the next post.

Hopefully my Mum will be as pleased with this one as she was with the Summer one?

Until next time, craft in earnest! Craftin' Ernest x

Love September!

Yay, it's September! I love September and Autumn in general really. It's when the crochet and knitting for Winter starts full swing. Don't get me wrong, I partake in both wonderful crafts all year round but come September the chunky yarns come out and I start on the really wooly wear- lovely, snugly, wooly wear.
I think the beautiful colours of nature are really inspiring too, as the weather cools and the trees and shrubs transform to rich hues of orange, reds, purples and browns- sumptuous, how can you not be inspired?
As the evenings grow darker is there anything better than cosying up with with a big ball of your favourite wool and making a pair of mittens, a cabled beanie or some leg warmers?
So far I've been concentrating on items to keep the cold off the neck- snoods, scarves, and neck warmers.
I bought some James C. Brett Marble Chunky in colour 36 a very autumnal blend of colours and using the "Tulip Stitch", crocheted a neck warmer completed with a lovely, big button. It's asymmetrical in style, inspired by the 1920s/30s and won't let any chill near the back of your neck, that's for sure!

At the same time I bought a scrummy ball of Marble DK colour 33, a vibrant mix of pinks, purples and oranges with a hint of turquoise, how could I resist?! I used the "Close Shell Stitch" and a couple of obligatory buttons to complete a different style of neck warmer/scarf.

Using a purple/grey, mixed fibre, Hobbyknit yarn I crocheted a snood using only good old trebles (UK). I worked in continuous rounds with a beautiful, handmade, wooden hook which is approx 11mm. This one is extremely cosy.

The colour looks different in the two pictures but it's the same yarn- honest!

Last but not least is a versatile, knitted number which can be worn three different ways- so practical. Its pure wool and bright orange with two pewter coloured, metal buttons. I used the "Little Crown Stitch" as I really adore the texture it gives. By fastening the buttons in different ways the look when worn round the neck completely changes and it can also be worn as a headband to keep the wind off your ears.

As the nights get chillier what better way to spend the evening curled up on the sofa, film on the TV and project in hand?
Ooh what to make next? Until next time craft in earnest, Craftin' Ernest x