Crochet Sweater for Rescue Chickens (Jumper if you are English !)

Yesterday I collected 6 wee little ladies who had been rescued from slaughter at 15 months old.  All battery farm caged (and free range & organic) hens, are killed at that age as their egg production starts to drop.

Many thanks to LittleHill Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Co Kildare, who over the last 2 weekends saved almost 8,000 little hens from death.  These poor wee things have had a life of hell.  NO real sunlight ever, no darkness ever, perpetual light, stuffed in tiny cages with many others, no solid floor, never seen the sky or grass and so on. So sad and so cruel, all for a profit.

Ok, enough campaigning against battery farming !  When these little hens arrive, they have to varying degrees, very few feathers.  So they are going to feel the cold as they have been used to a constant temperature.  Little cold ladies need cute little jumpers to wear don't they ?

I didn't have time to design my own pattern, as they needed the jumpers right now.  Hence I looked on Etsy and found this very simple and very fast chicken jumper crochet pattern for a reasonable price, in a shop called CreativeCrochetbyBAS. (Links below to shop and pattern)

Chicken Sweater crochet pattern from CreativeCrochetbyBAS on Etsy (link below) 

Once I have finished my sweaters and get them on the hens, I'll take a photo of my own and add it to this post.

Links:
Crochet Chicken Sweater Pattern on Etsy (CreativeCrochetbyBAS)
LittleHill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary - Facebook page
LittleHill Animal Rescue & Sanctuary - Website
The Hogsprickle Wildlife Rescue - Facebook page
The Hogsprickle Wildlife Rescue - Website
CreativeCrochetbyBAS shop on Etsy

Simple Crochet Pattern for Washcloth

Simple Crochet Washcloth Pattern

If you are new to crochet and want to start using crochet patterns making something simple, but useful, then this pattern is perfect for you.

It's a practical washcloth, or facecloth, or it can even be used as a dishcloth, and it is easy to make.

I wrote this basic crochet pattern in especially simple language, to help the beginner crochet addict to learn the special terms used in crochet patterns.  It uses 'Chain', 'Half Double Crochet' and 'Single Crochet' stitches (all USA terms).  In UK terms it's 'Chain', 'Half Treble Crochet' and 'Double Crochet' stitches.  See how confusing they are ?!!

This pattern is written using USA crochet terms, but is also available in UK terms.  Be aware that they are different, and yet unfortunately very similar, so make sure you learn the terms for the area you live in.  You can always learn the alternate terms at a later date, when you are more confident and proficient.

I am always happy to help anyone who is using my patterns, so feel free to contact me for help.

The pattern is for sale on Etsy

Buy here on Etsy

Learn to Crochet Video for USA / Australian Complete Beginners

Many people ask me how to start off in crochet as a total beginner, right from the very start.  It is something that is very hard to explain in pictures alone, and so I found this video which is extremely clear and sensible.  It is for USA/Australian stitch terms/names only, however.  The video is courtesy of 'Nastazia' on YouTube.

Important for UK/European Readers
If you are in the UK or Europe, you will find the stitch names and terms in this video very confusing, and so I suggest that you do not try to learn with this video.  If you do, the patterns you can buy in the UK and European shops will not fit with what you have learned, but you will be able to follow USA/Australian patterns.
As a beginner, it would be much better to learn the UK crochet terms first (if you live in the UK/Europe) and progress to learning to read US/Aus patterns once you have mastered the UK ones.

(I will post a video for UK crochet stitches (same stitches, different names) soon.)

Video for an absolute beginner in USA Crochet terms CLICK HERE (courtesy of 'Nastazia')

How to make a Crochet Washcloth - Granny Square Design Pattern

I am really pleased with my latest crochet pattern design.  It's a Granny Square Washcloth and the pattern is published under the name Amanda Jane Designs - that's me !

Washcloths made using this pattern and a cotton/bamboo mix yarn

It's based on the traditional granny square pattern, making the perfect shabby chic bathroom accessory, and of course it's really cute.

                                       

The pattern is easy enough to follow, and has plenty of photos to help explain the various stages and stitches.

One great thing about it is that you can use whatever cotton (or bamboo cotton mix) yarn you have, as you can adjust the hook size to suit your yarn.  However, the pattern is written using a UK 4mm (US = 6) hook and double knitting (US = light worsted or sport) yarn.  The washcloths in the photos also use that combination.

The pattern is available for instant pdf download on both Etsy and Ravelry for around €1.75 or $2, depending on the exchange rate at the time.  You can choose between the US crochet terms version, or the UK terms version.  Or you can have both for the one price.

Link to Amanda Jane's Etsy store: Amanda Jane Designs

Link to Amanda Jane's Ravelry store: Amanda Jane Designs

I also really have to thank all the lovely ladies who tested this pattern for me, both from the UK and from the USA.  Their feedback is always invaluable, as you don't always see the obvious when writing something yourself.  So thank you Holly, Tiffany, Ariella and Carrie, you know who you are !

I will be adding some photos of washcloths made by other people using this pattern, as they are sent to me.  I'd love to see and include your photo too !

                                   

Crochet Sundress for my 2 New Babies

Recently both my daughters produced beautiful baby granddaughters, Jessica and Evie.  I am so blessed.

I have made loads of bits for them, ready to be posted off to the UK, but I just had to share these 2 sun-dresses I finished a few days ago.

I enjoyed making them so much, that I am now making lots for my Etsy shop.

I have fallen in love with making sun dresses - watch this space for a couple of new patterns as I develop and complete them.

Sun-dresses for Jessica and Evie - also available on Etsy

Rose Pink & Apple Green - Crochet Baby Dress Pattern

I found this ultra cute baby's summer dress crochet pattern when I was scanning through my Pinterest Baby Clothes board - I have way too many Pins on Pinterest !

It is on a blog called 'Modéles pour Bébé au Crochet', however there are a couple of words printed over the image which appear to be in Russian.

There are no written crochet instructions as such on the blog, but the international diagrams are clear and sufficient to make the dress.  I assume they have been copied over from a different site...

The blog/website is in French, but is very easy to follow.  There are some really pretty other crochet baby patterns on it if you have a search around.

Click here to take you to the crochet pattern diagrams  -----> Crochet Baby Dress Pattern

For my Pinterest crochet baby clothes board CLICK HERE - loads of inspiration !

Patchwork Crocheted Granny Square Vest / Waistcoat

Beautiful Patchwork Granny Square Vest/Waistcoat

These stunning granny square vests can be found on a website from China, as far as I can tell. But if you read the words on the recycled wooden peg rail, then they appear to be French made/designed... maybe.

They are, unfortunately, sold as is, and not as a crochet pattern !

However, it should be very easy to take apart the principles of the design and add your own colour scheme, then et voila !  You have your own beautiful patchwork style vest /waistcoat.

I'm so inspired by these, I think I will have a go at something similar in the new year - for babies !