handmade gifts – cakecardcloth

Over a year ago now, a friend announced that she was expecting a new nephew in April and she wanted to make a gift for him. Foolishly I offered to show her how to make a giant granny square blanket. I mean, everyone can crocket a granny square, right? Well, teaching her was an epic fail as she could only manage to create a chain stitch! Feeling responsible (she had already bought the yarn – from a charity shop, but still) I offered to make the blanket for her.

My friend made the first four chain which formed the centre ring, so she had some creative input into the blanket. I started off well however it quickly transpired that my blanket wasn’t going as planned. It had definitely developed a twist (argh!).

Giant crochet granny square fail

A quick look on Google and I found a couple of solutions. That is the lovely thing about the internet. It is so much easier to find someone who has come across the same problem, and more importantly, found a solution that they are happy to share with the world.

Turns out, the simple solution is to turn your work on each row. Basically this means that you crochet clockwise on one row and then anti-clockwise on the next row. Kerry Jayne Designs has a really clear tutorial on her blog that explains how to do this. Thank you, Kerry Jayne. You are a life saver!

Turning the blanket on each row does change the look of the stitches – but in a good way as there is now no wrong side since both sides look the same.

Giant crochet granny square blanket detail

The blanket was finished in time for the baby’s arrival.

Giant granny square crochet baby blanket

It finished at just over a metre square which is the perfect size for a baby or toddler. The colours are lovely too and make a pleasingly understated palette that is not too babyish.

Giant crochet granny square blanket

Did the new mum like the blanket? I’m happy to say that she loved it which is the best accolade.

There was quite a bit of the brown and cream yarn left over after making this blanket. I’ll share what I made with it in a later post.

Like what you see? Remember you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see more of my lovely makes.

I’m been wracking my brains thinking of Christmas gifts that might appeal to that hard-to-buy-for person, or the person who has everything, for the fussy person and the ones who just don’t know what they want (let’s face it, we all have at least one of these types on our lists). The last thing you want to get them is something that they will stuff in a drawer, or worse, re-gift to you next year. So my suggestion is this – cupcake toppers that you add to your own cakes!

Wait, hear me out. Who could refuse some delicious cakes – perhaps they’re shop bought or you’ve made them yourself with some help from the kids – topped with luscious buttercream and some WOW cupcake toppers. Your cupcakes will be beautiful to look at, yummy to eat AND no need to find space for extra stuff. Plus they will be handmade which will make them just that little bit more special.

Here are some lovely designs for you to consider. Teachers, dads and granddads would love cupcakes decorated with these cheery Santa and reindeer toppers.

Cupcake toppers – Santa, presents and Rudolf

Friends who like all the trimmings would delight in these cute pudding and robin toppers (just so you know, the pudding and robin are made from chocolate flavoured fondant for extra tastiness).

Cupcake toppers – Christmas pudding, trees and robin

Or what about these adorable snowman and polar bear toppers? They would certainly put a smile on someone’s face.

Cupcake toppers – snowman, snowflakes and polar bear

The ones I like best however are these ones, which will look like a little painting when presented in a cupcake box. First up, a scottie dog playing in the snow with a snowman. How cute is that?

Cupcake toppers – snowman and scottie dog

Scottie dog again, this time posting a letter to Santa. I hope Santa gets it in time.

Cupcake toppers – letter box and scottie dog

And my favourite – bright lights welcoming you home on a dark, snowy evening.

Cupcake toppers – silent night

All these designs will be available at my table top stall at the Frost Fair in Thame (it’s on 1 December between 8pm and 10pm at the John Hampden School if you are in the area). And if you’d like something custom-made to reflect the interests of a special someone, then do contact me. I look forward to seeing you at the Frost Fair!

Like what you see? Remember you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see more of my lovely makes.

cakecardcloth

Tag: handmade gifts

Giant Granny Square Crocheted Baby Blanket

A great gift for that hard-to-buy-for person