February 4, 2022 No Comments

Yeah ok, so I know that seems a little weird and you are probably thinking that I am a little bonkers. But it is totally true. Ok, let me explain.

Many of you know that I love a good waiting room crochet. I can’t help it. I am in a waiting room, everyone else is on their phones surfing the net and what do I do, I crochet. (Well, knit now too, mainly socks! Love knitting socks!) But yeah, I am usually crocheting. For me it is a little moment in time, where I can’t do any washing or put the dinner on or any work – just crochet! So every opportunity I have, I take.

Now, my latest waiting room moment, was for a new set of tyres for my car. Not the kind of place that you would find many fellow crocheters, but alas, I was there and I had half an hour to spare. There was only me, my crochet hook, Abby’s gorgeous advent yarn and the guy behind the desk. So a few moments went by of crocheting heaven & all of a sudden the guy behind the desk asks if I am knitting. I reply that it is crocheting and that it is a little different to knitting. Well that was it, he was off, asking all sorts of questions about how I did it, did I sell my work, how long does it take. Crazy! He found PipsRainbow on his computer and was rather impressed. Couldn’t believe it really. I was so taken a back. I have had a few people talk to me about it before and how their grannie used to crochet or such like. But never someone who was so intrigued by PipsRainbow itself. He then started telling me about the NFTs and how they worked. Now I can safely say that I have never heard of this term before. So as always, wiki to the rescue:

Non-fungible token

A non-fungible token (NFT) is a non-interchangeable unit of data stored on a blockchain, a form of digital ledger, that can be sold and traded.^[1] Types of NFT data units may be associated with digital files such as photos, videos, and audio. Because each token is uniquely identifiable, NFTs differ from blockchain cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin.

Apparently this is something that I really should look into. I’m still rather confused by what it all means, but I can safely say that I am looking into it. Bless the guy, he wrote it all down for me and explained who to follow. So I am to report back, next time the truck needs new tyres as to how I am getting on. Haha, it’s like having homework.

Tell you what though, it really made me realise, how we can pass people in streets, sit next to them in waiting rooms and never speak or even make eye contact. Yet we get out a ball of wool and a crochet hook and we can have a half an hour conversation with a complete stranger, who proceeds to give you advice for your website and creations. Wow. It really took me by surprise. What a genuine human being he was. He made me feel like PipsRainbow really mattered. Interesting that a guy that I haven’t met before, can give me a bit of a much needed boost of confidence and belief in what I do. And at the end of the day, when we are striped back to our basics as humans, all we really need and want, is to just have a little chat with someone. It totally made my day! So moral of my little story is:

1 – Crochet can totally talk! See, it obviously sent intrigiuing signals to the guy at the garage.

2 – Totally put down your phone every once in a while and just have a chat with a complete stranger. You never know, you might make their day too!

And on that note, it’s time to walk my little pup.

Happy Hooking Chaps.

Have a great weekend.

🌈Xx

Bob the Bauble

December 16, 2021 No Comments

Well hello my lovely ones. How are we all? Is anyone else running around like headless chickens? Because I am! There’s some serious frazzledness going on here! I have only just managed to get this pattern out today! Ekk!! I have written lists after lists of all the jobs, but it’s still on slow progress! Heyho. Kids break up tomorrow & hoping to have it all done! Hmm. Not sure it will happen, but I can hope, can’t I?!?

Now. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little PipsRainbow Christmas pattern! So without further a do, may I introduce Bob the Bauble! He was named by his mother, as he tends to love bobbing around the Christmas tree! All his brothers & sisters tend to stay still & look all Christmassy, but not Bob! He just can’t stay still! He just bobs around all over the place! He struggles to keep still when the family are in the room, so when they are on their own, he just goes nuts! Bobbing around all over the place! Bless him! I wonder if one day he will be found out? Hmm, we shall see.

Now my little 4ply Bob is made from Abby’s over at Orchidean Luxury Yarn little baubles. They are so cute! I have some on my tree!

There is still time to purchase them! Think her last day to buy them is tomorrow! So quick, quick chaps! Here’s the link to her website!

https://luxuryyarns.co.uk/

So here we are! Bob the Baubles pattern. Now I have written it in two different yarn weights for ease! As this is a great stash buster, thought it was best to write it in 4ply & DK yarn.

Level – Beginner

Supplies –

You only need about 5g of yarn for both the 4ply & DK. So not very much at all. I have also used a little light brown yarn for the top of the bauble. You will also need toy stuffing, scissors, tapestry needle & a little black yarn for the face.

Stitches –

Slip stitch (ss) – This is where there is no height to the stitch. It’s usually used to join rounds. Insert the hook into the front of the stitch you are joining to. This is usually the first stitch you made in that round/row. Yarn over hook and pull through that first stitch then also through the loop on your hook.

Chain (ch) – To make a chain, place the yarn over the hook then pull it through the loop on your hook.

Double Crochet (dc) – To make a double crochet, insert hook through your stitch/space, yarn over hook and pull through the stitch. You should have 2 loops on your hook, now yarn over hook and pull through both loops on your hook.

Double Crochet Decrease – (2dctog) – This is where you crochet two stitches together to decrease the amount of stitches in the round. Insert the hook through the front of the first stitch only (the front V) and then insert hook through the front of the second stitch (the front V). Yarn over your hook and pull it back through both stitches. There will now be 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over your hook again and pull through both loops to complete your 2dctog.

4ply Bob the Bauble –

1 – Start by making a mr & ch1. Now work 6dc stitches into the ring. Pull the tail to close the ring. (6)

2 – *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

3 – *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (18)

4 – *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (24)

5 – *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (30)

6 – *4dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (36)

7 – *5dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (42)

8 – 12 (5 rounds) Work 1dc into each stitch. (42)

13 – *5dc stitches, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times. (36)

14 – *4dc stitches, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times. (30)

15 – *3dc stitches, then 2dctog* Work ** 6 times. (24)

16 – *2dc stitches, then 2dctog* Work ** 6 times. (18)

17 – *1dc stitches, then 2dctog Work ** 6 times. (12) In the last stitch, change to your light brown yarn.

This is a good time to stuff your bauble

18 – 19 (2 rounds) Using your light brown yarn. Work 1dc in each stitch. (12)

20 – *2dctog* repeat ** 6 times. (6)

Now fasten off & sew up the stitches, leaving a tail. Then use the tail to make a little loop, toe a knot at the base, then using your needle, sew the yarn back through the bauble.

DK Bob the Bauble –

1 – Start by making a mr & ch1. Now work 6dc stitches into the ring. Pull the tail to close the ring. (6)

2 – *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

3 – *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (18)

4 – *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (24)

5 – *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (30)

6 – 8 (3 rounds) Work 1dc into each stitch. (30)

9 – *3dc stitches, then 2dctog* Work ** 6 times. (24)

10 – *2dc stitches, then 2dctog* Work ** 6 times. (18)

11 – *1dc stitches, then 2dctog Work ** 6 times. (12)

12 – *1dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 4 times. (8) Change into your light brown yarn on the last stitch.

This is a good time to stuff your head.

13 – Work 1dc in each stitch. (8)

14 – *2dctog* repeat ** 4 times. (4)

Now fasten off & sew up the stitches, leaving a tail. Then use the tail to make a little loop, toe a knot at the base, then using your needle, sew the yarn back through the bauble.

For the face, use your black yarn & needle. Check my tutorial page on how to work the face, is you are unsure.

And there you have it. What a little dude! Hope you have enjoyed the pattern. If you need any help, just shout.

Happy Christmas all!

Happy hooking.

🌈Xx

(Free pattern designed and brought to you by PipsRainbow. Thank you for not copying or recreating it. ☺️Xx)