Pink Crochet Bear for Breast Cancer Patient

The weekend just gone was a wonderful one, I finally finished my crochet teddy bear. It certainly took longer than I had hoped but just looking at the end result, I'm very glad I didn't give up. There is a lot of heart and meaning with this teddy bear and it all started with a friend who received some terrible news.
The first thing you want to do when someone gets bad news is hug them, but what do you do when you can't be there all the time? That's when the idea of a teddy bear struck me. I'd not long learned how to crochet African Flowers and saw how people had made them into all kinds of things, blankets, jackets and various soft toys.

 I found out how to make a teddy bear and went from there, searching through my lovely stash of wool (doesn't everyone have their own stash?) and picked out some nice shades of pinks that would go well, and a white to outline them, then I was off and making African Flowers any chance I got, which, when you work full time is not much of a chance.
Pinks were chosen for two reasons, the first being my friend's favourite colour is pink, and second is what she is fighting, breast cancer.
So now even though I can't be there all the time to give her a hug, there is a teddy she can hug whenever she needs.

Soft and Cute

All of you would know that I've been working away making a crochet teddy bear for a sick friend, but I've also had this cute little project just sitting there, looking at me every day in my office. Yesterday I gave in, I started working on this cute little project and before I knew it, I was hooked!
In case some of you are wondering, the cute little project was a little felt soft toy, an elephant to be exact and she is the sweetest little thing I have created in a long time, even though my stitching is a little messy.
The little pack came with a printed template, simple instructions, a picture of the finished product plus all the materials needed.

Such a great way to break up all the crochet and brush up on my hand sewing skills. Might just have to have a look and see what else is available to make :-)
Happy creating :-)

Teddy Bear Gift

A midst all the latest hard work of updating and keeping the website running, I do find time to be a little crafty and creative myself. Lately it has involved crochet, which I find a little easier than knitting, mostly because I can put the work down somewhere and not have to worry about which stitch or row I was up to.

This is the lovely crochet bear I am currently working on, it has been growing far more slowly than I had hoped, it was intended as a birthday gift for a very good friend, but their birthday has passed now so I hope to get it finished asap as this friend has terminal cancer and I thought it would be a lovely teddy to snuggle with, cuddle or just hold on days when she is in hospital or at home.

I've just about got one arm finished, hoping to get the other arm and both legs done soon *fingers crossed* there has just been so much to do elsewhere that it has gobbled up my time. Now that things are running more smoothly again I will be back into it and hope to have this arm completed this weekend, and a limb completed each week after if I can :-)

Stay tuned for more updates :-)

Behind Squnches Craft Network

Hi, hello, hope you are well.

I thought to write up a little about my business Squnches Craft Network, there is a bit of a write up on the About page of our website, but I thought to make this one a little more personal.

I'm Sarah, the founder and director of Squnches Craft Network which was created after my organisation skills got the better of me one day, I discovered a need for an Australian craft directory that wouldn't charge through the roof for business listings. Many craft businesses are small and run from home by WAHM (Work at home Mums), charging through the roof would be pointless as the whole aim of the website is to help craft businesses, big and small, to get word out about their wonderful creations, and to make it easier to source supplies.

At the time I was between jobs, over qualified for some and lacking enough experience at others, that was when a friend suggested doing a small business course to help make this website dream a reality. I couldn't think of a reason why not, it would polish my skills and give me the assistance and confidence needed to run a business.

Now I'm not all about business, I have dabbled in quite a few crafts myself, bead work, candle making, knitting, crochet, drawing just to name a few. I find this really helpful when connecting with many businesses and sharing ideas because quite often I've been there myself or I'll have a go at creating something and share it. Angie sends in some wonderful creations when she gets a chance, sewing, crochet and knitting these days, and my helpful fiance has become more and more interested in shopping for craft supplies, not something I ever expected but having him there makes shopping much more fun.

The website itself is coming along well and I have big plans for it, we did hit quite a few hurdles early on in the development stage with costs and a lack of communication, so I took the big leap and went it alone and haven't looked back since.

I can safely say Squnches Craft Network is owned and run by a proud and creative Aussie, for Aussies. If you haven't already had a look, please head over to www.squnchescraftnetwork.com.au or you can follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/Squnches or Twitter, @Squnches_C_N

Cheers for taking the time to read my post.

Sarah Fowler
Founding Director of Squnches Craft Network

Crochet Granny Square Baby Jacket

Well Angie has been at it again, she has put a hold on her son's knitted jumper and taken up the trusty crochet hook. Angie is to be a Grandma once again and what little baby wardrobe is complete without a little something made by Grandma.

The wonderful pattern that Angie found by Patons listed a wonderful assortment of coloured wool, but they were more for a little girl and this baby is a little boy. I caught up with Angie a few weeks back and helped her find some colours more appropriate for a little boy.

It had been a little while since Angie had made this many granny squares but as you can see, she got straight back into the swing of things.

All laid out, not a bad choice of colours really. Now the fun part, stitching them all together.

The back of the jacket all finished.

Front of the jacket all finished, now to tidy all the loose ends. 

And there you have it, one adorably cute, granny square jacket for a little boy, complete with a bow to keep it together. All it needs now is the beautiful baby boy to try it on.

 If you liked this post, please let us know by liking, commenting or even sharing.

Simple Crochet Finger-less Gloves

We came across a wonderful and simple pattern for crochet fingerless gloves, with it being Winter and our hands being forever cold while working, we thought it a wonderful opportunity to try out this cute little pattern and see just how simple and effective they are.

Periwinkle Mitts are what they are titled, if you have confidence and already know the simple techniques of crochet then you are sure to be able to make your own gorgeous pair of Periwinkle Mitts.

Periwinkle Mitt in progress

There are only really 4 rows to this pattern which you then repeat 5,6 or even 7 times to get the size you need to keep your hands nice and toasty. The thumb hole is very easy to put together too. We would encourage all intermediates and even beginners to have a go at this wonderful pattern. 

The pattern says to use 2 balls of 50 gram 4 ply yarn, with our mitts we used 12 ply to give it extra warmth, plus we liked the colours. Of course if you are using thicker yarn, be sure to use a more appropriate crochet hook. 

Completed Periwinkle Mitt

We found this wonderful pattern in a magazine but have managed to locate for you, a website where you can order a kit online here at Love of Knitting

If you have enjoyed our post, please comment, like or share :-)

Basic Knit Scarves - Beginner

Knitting scarves can be one of the easiest project for the beginner knitter, once you have your tension right, you can create some lovely scarves. You don't have to stick to just one colour either, but if you don't like the idea of stopping and starting all the time with different colours, why not buy some multicoloured wool? There is a fantastic range and some create a stunning pattern.

The pictures I have included are of two basic garter stitch scarves which I have added a little creativity to by adding tassels on the ends. Both scarves were made using 4 mm needles, 40 stitches wide and took up just under 2 X 100 gram balls of wool each, we used what we saved to make the tassels.

Scarves by Squnches Craft Network

Making the tassels is easy enough, wind the yarn around your fingers, with them spread, about 2 times, cut the yarn then thread the yarn, still looped over, through the end of the scarf about 1 row deep. This is where a crochet hook comes in handy and saves a lot of time, put the crochet hook through the stitch, loop the yarn over it and pull it through. Then take the yarn off the hook and tie a simple but tight knot in it, cut the loops so each strand has an end.

Hope you enjoyed our little post, if you would like read more, head over to our blog page on our website www.squnchescraftnetwork.com.au