The Crafty Cripple

Handyman's Hat - £1.50

This hat was designed as a Christmas gift for my father. He works with his hands, often in the cold outdoors and I wanted him to have a warm head while he worked. The hat has an interesting cable pattern that is shown to it's best advantage in a plain yarn. I used 2 skeins of Mirasol Akapana, an aran weight yarn, knit using 4.5mm circular needles, utilising the Magic Loop technique, but double pointed needles could be used.

The hat is designed to fit a large adult head, but adjustments to size could be made by changing the size of the needles or weight of the yarn.

Rachael - £1.50

This hat was designed for one of my best friends. Rachael is fun and loyal to a fault. She also loves to walk her beloved pooch Charlie. To keep her head warm in the winter weather I designed a hat especially for her. The hat is is knit in the round and uses provisional cast on, which is fully explained and folds, again which are explained in the pattern.

The hat is knit using BabyLongLegs British Merino Aran yarn, which can be purchased from her Folksy store. Although this yarn is highly recommended, any aran weight or worsted weight yarn could be used to good effect. You will only need 100g to finish your hat.

Fair Isle Messenger Bag (Chart Only) - Free

This is a fair isle chart that I designed in order to make a messenger bag, shown in the picture above. The chart is 20 stitches wide and 80 stitches high. Multiples of the chart can be used in order to make any item you wish. I would love to see photos of anything that is made using the chart, so please get in touch if you have pictures.

Romberry Scarf - £1.50

This scarf uses both knitting and basic crochet stitches, using 4mm knitting needles and 4mm hook, with double knit weight wool. I created the pattern to go with my Porom Hat, which was designed by Jared Flood, as I had struggled to find the correct accessory to match. The scarf uses a simple lace stitch, worked to make the scarf fully reversible. The crocheted edging creates a firm and flattering ruffle that frames the face.

The pattern has full written instructions, along with charts for the lace patterns, should you prefer.

Felted Coin or Notions Purse - Free

This small and useful purse can be used for many functions, especially if you are a crafter. It only uses one 50g skein of double knitting pure wool, a short length of waste acrylic yarn and a 12cm (or 5") zip, to make an attractive purse.

This pattern is available for free, and gives detailed instructions on how to felt and mould the purse and add the zip, so it provides enough information for any first time felters.

On Target Bag Pattern - £2.75

This pattern uses Magic Loop, and an i-cord cast off, both of which techniques are detailed fully. There are also full instructions on how to felt the bag, using a front-loading washing machine.

This felted bag is made in three sections, two circular pieces and the long strap, that also forms part of the bag. Though the pattern is written using DK weight yarn, it has been tested using worsted weight yarn and when the length of yarn specified is used and the gauge is followed, the pattern has worked well.

The finished size of the bag, is approximately 12" in diameter and 4" deep, which is large enough to carry most things, but it doesn't look or feel bulky.

Size 12mm circular needles are used, along with Sirdar Eco Wool DK in the following amounts:

Colour A - Earth (203) - 1 x 50g/100m/109 yds (rewound into 2 x 25g balls)
Colour B - Natural (201) - 4 x 50g/100m/109yds
Colour C - Ecru (200) - 2 x 50g/100m/109yds
Colour D - Flint (204) - 2 x 50g/100m/109yds

The centre of the circles on the bag are in Colour A and then work outwards towards Colour D, should you choose to replace the colours or yarn you wish to use.

Skinny Kitty Pattern - £1.50

This toy cat pattern is knit in the round, using magic loop on circular needles or double pointed needles to ensure there is very little sewing involved. The lack of seams, leaves the kitty smooth and huggable for both tiny and grown up hands. The pattern can be made using 4ply/fingering yarn, DK or aran/worsted weight yarn and usually less than a skein will be required. The size of the kitty will range from 7" to 12" depending on the yarn used.

2010 Calendar - Free

I have been playing around with colours and patterns and decided to make a calendar for 2010 for myself to use. I thought it may be nice if other people could have one too, because I don't like expensive or twee calendars, and figured others may feel the same way.

I used ColourLovers.com to create the patterns and colours used and because they use a Creative Commons License, I have been able to create this calendar and make it free for you. While I haven't listed individual credits for patterns or palettes used, (some are mine, some were created by others) they are all listed on my page of ColourLovers.com. I really recommend looking at the site and having a play with colour, it is so surprising how it can open your eyes to what colours work well together.

Business Card Box Tutorial & Pattern - Free

This quick and easy project uses felt and plastic canvas to make a folding box to display business cards at exhibitions and craft fairs. Using whip stitch and blanket stitch to make this box ensures that even those with the most basic of hand sewing skills can create something unique. To download the template and the instructions for making the box, click on the button below.