Cross Stitch and Craft Cafe 2026 - come on in and join us!!

Auti

Henry Hare is soooo cute! It is good to try something new :) The pattern for the blanket came from ‘Get Yer Hook On’ and there are several more I would like to do - it is addictive!

Soontobeoap

@auti you mosaic crochet has made it onto the mse main board. Congratulations.

The resin boys were on kit and then I added some small bits of drift wood , shells and seaweed from Cowes beach.

Sea_Shell

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049232#Comment_82049232

The issue of a recent crochet magazine has got two patterns like that in.

One is the mosaic you describe, and the other is worked with yarn carried along and changed over.

Haven't tried either yet...but I'm inspired to try.

Which is easier?

Sea_Shell

First attempt at the "carry along" pattern.

It looks about right, but you need to be an octopus to keep the right tension on both strands.

The chart below it, is for a mosaic. Will attempt that next (or a bit of it)

Coxy11

That looks good @Sea_Shell but sounds quite challenging!

@Auti you’ve made the forum highlights again! Xx

Coxy11

Almost half way through 2026 and time to revisit my list for this year to check my progress:

My list for 2026:

• Sewn laptop cover – have had to buy a new laptop for work and need to keep it damage free. I have enough fabric in my stash even if I patchwork some fat quarters. Just need to measure and sew it - Done
• Christmas Card Exchange 2026 – getting this one on the boil early so I don’t get caught out! - not yet started eeek!
• Knitted/crocheted post box topper for village post box – am in two minds whether to attempt this. Will give it some thought as some of the villagers are a bit cliquey and might moan. Have measurements and enough stash to complete it - 4 toppers completed so far.
• Sort through stash and be ruthless about what to keep/donate to charity. I did do a sort through before we moved a year ago, but I still have too much - have not done this but barely anything added.
• Take a class or visit a crafting event at least quarterly during 2026. I have already booked a trip to the Stitch Festival at the Business Design Centre, Islington for March. I also have a felting class booked for end of June so that represents Q1 and Q2 of 2026. Thinking I might go to Yarndale this year in September, but will need to check costings and logistics as it’s a fair old way for me to travel from Kent. Q4 will probably see me tackling a local wreath making class or similar - 3 of 4 booked as have arranged to go to Ally Pally in October. Just need a wreath making class or similar.
• Haberdashery Shop - will this be the year I finally face my demons and pick this up again? It’s currently languishing in a project bag with the magazine chart and threads. If you remember it’s a very busy design and I’ve gone wrong – am about ¼ of the way through. Should I just start again I wonder like I did with the Chicory Fairy (I actually re-bought the kit for that one and marked the chart as I went) - no change…

So overall it’s not looking too bad 😊

Auti

which crochet magazine? I prefer mosaic - much easier and to me makes for a ‘cleaner’ pattern in the work.

For your carry along I would not have taken it to the ends of each row (red yarn) but left it where I finished using it, or only carried as far as i needed for the next row. For a first attempt that is awesome :)

For mosaic crochet I much prefer written instructions to charts - my little brain doesn’t know what to look at when it’s a chart lol. Looking forward to seeing your mosaic - will you turn it into a pillow?

Sea_Shell

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82052340#Comment_82052340

It was last month's Simply Crochet (the one I got Kevin in)

I did wonder whether to drop the red on each row, so thanks for the tip.

I'll attempt a section of that mosaic, as a trial run, but won't do a whole panel, as I don't really like that particular one, asthetically.

I think, I'm more of a chart follower. Written instructions can get very wordy, and gobbledegooky, to me, anyway. Especially when I've learned US terms and they use UK 😲🤨

Auti

if you go on ‘Get yer hook on’ website she gives an good explanation of mosaic crochet and tutorial - and has a free pattern section of smaller items to do. Other websites are available.

Sea_Shell

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82052596#Comment_82052596

Wow, thank you.

I've downloaded the Sea Littles pattern, so once I've printed it out, I'll give it a go.

(I saw your seagull pattern there😉)