I had no idea such a thing as Banoffee Pie existed before coming to London. A digestive biscuit crust is topped with a toffee custard, which is then topped with fresh bananas and a thick layer of whipped cream. A drizzle of melted chocolate or chocolate shavings on top completes the decadent dessert. Why did I not know that this dream of bananas and toffee existed before??
When I get home, I think that I’ll try this or this recipe. Yum!
At the last minute, I had the chance to come to London to be with my dear friend and my god-daughter for a few weeks. Can’t wait to explore my favorites – Liberty, Cath Kidston and the darling Loop Knit Lounge! Will definitely share what I discover!
I can’t get these wooden Lego blocks out of my mind!
Available only in Japan (those lucky Japanese!) and reasonably priced at about $32 for a set, I can’t imagine a reason why anyone wouldn’t pick up a set or two – for themselves. Not even for the kids!
Originally seen on Handmade Charlotte.
I’m working with the Young Women in our neighborhood now. We wanted to recognize the girls on the Sunday before their birthdays. I couldn’t really find something that I liked online, so I came up with this.
The badge measures 7″ x 9″ and hangs around the neck like a lanyard (didn’t want a pin or crown or cape to interfere with Sunday best outfits). It’s made from muslin, fabric and felt with a grosgrain ribbon. I actually made two, and might need to make more, just in case we have more than one birthday in a week.
Crocheted flower and leaf pattern here.
I’m getting ready for new crochet classes at Harmony and was thinking of teaching the beginner students in my Intro to Crochet class how to make this lovely lavender heart sachet inspired by the very talented Lucy at Attic 24. What do you think?
I was able to knit a blessing vest for my grandnephew (boy do I sound old having a grandnephew!) in between all of the other things I was making during the holidays. I took this free pattern and adapted it to have cables coming up the front. It was a pretty fast knit and I think he looks pretty darn handsome in it!
Check out my Ravelry project page for the pattern specifics…
Last year I made a little doll for my godchild who lives in London. She named the doll Emily. It was such a fun thing to make!
For Christmas this year I made a couple more outfits for the Emily and mailed them to her before Christmas. I had to make another doll, whom I’ve named Freya, to get the dimensions right for the clothes. Every second I worked on the outfits was complete joy.
There were lots of adjustments as I worked the fabric to make the clothes fit. This next year I’ll actually make re-usable patterns so that making clothes is not such a bespoke endeavor.
I think that the embroidered cross-stitch heart on the inside pocket of the coat is my favorite detail. It was also super fun to adjust my Knit Pixie Cable Hat pattern to a doll size and make matching mittens.
Little Emily will now be ready for her New Year’s Eve celebrations!
The Mr. is not always so excited about the craft projects that I spend an inordinate amount of time on. This fall I kept asking him if he wanted me to knit him anything and it took him about a month to warm up to the idea of a scarf. I bought some gorgeous soft baby alpaca at Harmony during their Black Friday sale in a very manly orange. Check out my ravelry project page for all the specifics.
As soon as the yarn was purchased, the Mr. asked me, “So, um, what number on your list of projects is my scarf?” I was too embarrassed to fess up to the number, so it got bumped to the {nearly} top and it’s happily keeping his neck warm on the daily commute.
The Scandinavian blood in me responds quite strongly to the colors and pattern of the Danish Heart. The simplicity and ingenuity of the pattern is stunning. Two ovals of contrasting colors, folded in half with strategic slits, when woven together produce a charming checkerboard heart that becomes a little basket. Brilliant! Thank you Hans Christian Andersen!
Recently, I saw in a magazine the pattern for a knit version of the Danish Heart and my own heart did several palpitations. A Danish Heart in YARN?? So absolutely fabulous!! However, the pattern required sewing knit pieces together BEFORE you even got to the weaving of the heart. Sorry, but excessive piecing and joining makes me eventually hate the project that I set out so excitedly to make.
Knowing that I could crochet a flat oval quite easily, I figured out how to incorporate the necessary slits into the pattern so that when the oval is completed WITH ONE PIECE OF YARN the piece is ready to weave. Yay! So easy!
Suggested Yarn and Crochet Hook Size
Fingering Weight + size C/2 – 2.75mm hook
DK Weight + size F/5 – 3.75mm hook
Worsted Weight + size H/6 – 5.00mm hook
Gauge is not important for this project – just make sure that your crochet is nice and tight. Adjust crochet hook size smaller if necessary.
US Crochet Terms
beg: beginning
ch(s): chain(s)
sc: single crochet
st: stitch
sl st: slip stitch
Make 2 Ovals – one in red, one in cream
Ch 30.
Round 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in the next 27 ch. 3 sc in the last ch. Crocheting along the opposite side of the foundation ch, sc in the next 28 ch. 3 sc in the skipped ch from the beg. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 2: Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in the next 27 sc. 2 sc in the next 3 sc. Sc in the next 28 sc. 2 sc in the last 3 sc. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in same st. Ch 26. Taking care to not twist your chain, skip 26 sc and sc in next sc. (2 sc in next sc. Sc in next sc.) 3 times. Sc in next sc. Ch 26. Taking care to not twist your chain, skip 26 sc and sc in next sc. (2 sc in next sc. Sc in next sc.) 3 times. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 4: Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in the next 26 ch. Sc in the next sc. (Sc in the next 2 sc. 2 sc in the next sc.) 3 times. Sc in the next st. Sc in the next 26 ch. Sc in the next sc. (Sc in the next 2 sc. 2 sc in the next sc.) 3 times. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 5: Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in the next 27 sc. (2 sc in next sc. Sc in the next 3 sc.) 3 times. Sc in the next 28 sc. (2 sc in next sc. Sc in the next 3 sc.) 3 times. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 6: Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in the next 27 sc. (Sc in the next 2 sc. 2 sc in the next sc. Sc in the next 2 sc.) 3 times. Sc in the next 28 sc. (Sc in the next 2 sc. 2 sc in the next sc. Sc in the next 2 sc.) 3 times. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 7: Ch 1. Sc in the same st. Sc in the next 27 sc. (Sc in the next 5 sc. 2 sc in the next sc.) 3 times. Sc in the next 28 sc. (Sc in the next 5 sc. 2 sc in the next sc.) 3 times. Sl st in beg sc.
Leaving an 18” tail, break yarn and knot.
Make 1 Strap in Red
Leaving an 18″ tail, ch 31.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each ch to end. (30 st)
Row 2 – 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each sc across to end. (30 st)
Leaving an 18″ tail, cut yarn and knot.
Assembly
Making sure that the ending tails of yarn on the red and cream ovals are turned towards the outside, fold in half with right sides facing. Position ovals and weave them together using the following illustration as a guide. Use the tails of yarn to sew the heart together in the places indicated. Using the long tails on the strap, sew the strap on the inside of the heart to form a handle in the places indicated. Weave in ends.
Crochet up a bunch to decorate a Christmas tree or to give away as Valentine’s gifts. Or make a few for special people that need to know you love them. Enjoy!
Easy to print pattern here.
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| La Maisonnette |
Stephanie of Stephmodo is offering one lucky winner a chance to stay for a week at her family’s gorgeous little cottage La Maisonnette in France!! Can you believe it? So exciting!
Go here to learn about how Stephanie and her husband renovated their cottage and go here to learn about the giveaway.