Butterfly Bright: Yarn

Sunday, 1 May 2016

Yarn Shop Day 2016

I wish it could be Yarn Shop Day every day!

the sun was shining and it seemed like everyone was in a good mood!

Carla from The Mousehole Woolery came along to talk to people about her needle-felting workshops and to show off some of her amazing sculptures, hardly a person passed through without being amazed with her work and stopping to ask questions.

It was great to see Maisey and Daisy Mole in the flesh as we are looking forward to running this as a workshop in June. You will get the chance to make Hares and Foxes again in August but book early as orders are already coming in after the interest raised at the weekend!

I particularly liked the toadstool detail in the plant pot!

Lots of customers entered our raffle and the winners will be drawn on Tuesday 3rd May, you have until midnight on Monday 2nd May to purchase tickets online - the prizes are pretty awesome!

I didn't manage to take many more photos of the day because I was so incredibly busy and also juggling my 6, 4 and 2 year old due to a last minute lack of childcare however I did catch this gem of a photo when my youngest climbed up to see Carla's work and gently kissed the mole on his nose!

See you soon

Ali

My favourite crochet blankets from day 8 of the #ldjcrochethookup

I am so enjoying the April #ldjcrochethookup being run by LazyDaisyJones and Crochet Now magazine!

Have you been keeping up?

Today - day 8 - was #Blankets and I just had to write this post to record my favourites in the hope that one day I will get the chance to make some vaguely similar! Running a shop is such a busy occupation that I have never made more than a baby blanket as I am always trying out new patterns in smaller forms to come up with ideas for workshops. So I have quite a few crochet cushions but as yet no blankets.

Anyway here are the ones that really caught my eye

Firstly this rainbow of heaven from Flo_and_dot - such fun! There isn't a specific pattern sadly but from the comments under this post it is a fairly straightforward make

next this harlequin style piece of crochet perfection from holly_pips who looks like a crocheting wonder-mum to me! Check out Holly's instragram feed it is a feast for the eyes...

I love a simple granny blanket and the colours on this one by rhubardandpie seem somehow random but perfectly harmonious.

Another traditional design and very similar to the first granny blanket I ever made all those years ago - thinking about it now I've no idea what happened to the ones I made as a child which is sad, but this one is just perfect in my mind, definitely top of the list for me - nice work made.by.victoria :)

I love this colour combination by Chrissie_crafts, anything pink and blue floats my boat!

and talking of boats - this post from tintocktap gets top marks from me for creativity!

I am drawing such inspiration from the #ldjcrochethookup and you should join in too, its a great way to meet other crochet lovers and swap some creative ideas!

Enjoy

Ali

The latest #ldjcrochethookup

Lazy Daisy Jones and Crochet Now Magazine are having another Instagram #LDJcrochethookup this April.

It's a great chance to meet with like minded crochet addicts and inspirational characters on Instagram!

Here is the breakdown of the first couple of weeks which will give you a chance to get your thinking caps on. There are prizes on Fridays too, just remember to use #cnfridaywin with your posts on Fridays throughout April.

I have just posted my day one: #hookstorage,

I was busy making the pink and white stripey crochet cover for the jar in the middle whilst watching the TV last night - if you like it you can get the free pattern here on my website butterflybright.com.

My friend Caroline at The Happy Thimble made the jar cover on the right.

here is Lazy Daisy Jones' post for day one:

Make sure you join in with the fun over on Instagram!

Follow Crochet Now Magazine

Follow Lazy Daisy Jones

Follow Butterfly Bright

Enjoy!

Ali

Crochet Mandalas

I love colour, and I love crochet, so when I see the two together I get a little bit excited!

Browsing through the Mollie Makes website I spotted these pretty mandalas, there is a free pattern available if you want to try your own:

Then the new "Crochet Now" Magazine facebook page tempted me with these designs by Crochet Millan.

I had just taken delivery of some fabulous new crochet cottons from RICO in some beautiful new spring shades

the colours looked so lovely together I didn't need to think long about using all of them in a mandala

I made quick progress in just one evening

just running out of time to do the last round...

Once complete I pinned it out on my ironing board to block the points

and here is the finished article!

I used one of the free patterns from Crochet Millan's website which was easy to follow if you but do remember that the pattern is written in American terms so you will need to adjust for British terms if you prefer those.

Which one would you try?

Enjoy!

Ali

Spring has sprung!

Whether the British weather likes it or not - Spring is finally here!

It feels like it has been a long time coming but at the weekend we cut the grass and started to venture out into the garden for the first time in ages

There is nothing nicer than delivery of fresh new stock on a Monday morning and I was particularly pleased to open this parcel of RICO crochet cottons in a variety of spring colours..

They look so inviting all lined up ready to be used!

I love to play around with new stock getting a few pictures on my phone to put onto Instagram and Facebook over the coming week and with the sun shining it is the perfect time to stock up my photo album.

The greens looks pretty with this Dashwood Studio Fabric from the Streetlife Collection

I have a wide variety of buttons and accessories to team up with any range of colours

The cool blues might be more appealing when we are finding the summer days too hot - but for now we will bask in the spring sunshine and enjoy the warmth finally breaking through

Remember to bring some of those pretty spring blooms indoors to enjoy

For now I will head over to my Crochet Pinterest Board for some inspiration on what to make with the new cottons!

I'd like to try a few of these crochet mandala's spotted on Crochet Now Magazines' Facebook page - they are designed by Crochet Millan and the free pattern is available here

Enjoy!

Ali x

Debbie Bliss Yarns!

We are very excited to announce that we will now be stocking Debbie Bliss yarns

We have been asked many times to get the Baby Cashmerino and we have decided the time is right to expand our range of high quality yarns by bringing in Debbie Bliss.

We are also getting a range of the stunning Rialto Lace

which looks beautiful knitted up!

Have a look at the beautiful Sea Glass Shawl LazyDaisyJones made with the same yarn from us! This shawl is designed by Cecile Balladino.

and in August we will get some Louisa Harding yarns Amitola and Grace

I used the Louisa Harding "Grace" yarn to make my crochet cowl with last summer! You can find the free pattern for this cowl on the website.

Lets get making!

Ali

Arigurumi with Lazy Daisy Jones

We fell in love with arigurumi immediately when LazyDaisyJones brought us this gorgeous and rather lovable slug!

He is made with our Rowan Yarns DK and was the by-product of a pair of beautifully crocheted socks!

It is amazing what you can do with leftovers!

We will arranging some summer workshops with Lazy Daisy Jones to teach arigurumi and look forward to seeing some creations as amazing as these dolls by LaDeDahKids stocked at Butterfly Bright by Gathered.