Blogiversary!!!

Yay!!! I'm sooo glad you could all make it!!!

So, I guess your all wandering what the big cake/party/celebration is all about? Some of you have guessed correct and some of you were WAY of the mark :-)

Today is the 1st Birthday of our blog!!! So come grab a drink! A glass of Champagne maybe?

 Or perhaps you'd prefer a cup of tea? And let's all celebrate together!!!

I know it probably seems a little "over the top" to be celebrating the blogs Birthday. I just couldn't let it pass without acknowledging the FAB first year Dennis and I have had working on it!

I prepared enough nibbles to munch whilst we chit chat over all things crafty!

 Jammy Dodger, anyone?

Enough party food for all!!!

When I started the blog this time last year, I really had no idea where I was heading. I didn't plan on this purely being a craft blog. In the beginning I tried to keep it much more general....it turns out you can't keep me away from the crochet and crafts!!!

It was really fun to have Dennis join the blog in December. Not only has it been a great hobby that we can enjoy together, It's also been lots of fun working creatively with each other.
Using each others ideas and finding a balance between what I like and what he likes. It's been interesting to say the least. Sometimes we had arguments ( I can get stressy at times), but most of the time we worked just fine and would encourage each others ideas.

So who's for Birthday cake?

I've been working on this cake for the last week or so. I tried to keep it within the style of the blog......I think I succeeded! :-)

Each of the layers has a different theme. A theme based on some of the projects we have made throughout the past year.   

We've had a lot of projects on the go, here are some of my favourite projects and post from our first year. (you can click on the pictures to go to the original posts)

Blankets Galore!!!

Peg Perfection

Crochet O'Clock

Felt Hearts

Jammy Dodger Tutorial

So there you have it! Our first year of blogging, project making and creative craftyness! It's been a great first year! Thanks for all of the support and inspiration. For reading, commenting and giving us lots of LOVE!!!
So glad you could come along and celebrate with us today!!!

Matt and Dennis xxx

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Jammy Dodger Pattern

A couple of weeks ago I made a little crocheted Jammy Dodger biscuit, in which I fell in love. I posted a picture of it on my blog and also on Ravelry and received many requests for a pattern.

I have taken that challenge and spent the last couple of days trying to write a pattern that is easily understandable. So here it is my first pattern, mistakes and all!!! (hopefully not many, but do let me know if you spot something weird or have any suggestions!)

I was a little unsure as what to recommend in terms of yarn and hook size. I had quite thick yarn so used a 4.5 sized hook. I have also made these with "Creative cotton" and used a hook size 3.5 and also 4. Sorry for not being specific in regards to yarn and hook size.

The main thing is give it a whirl and have fun!!!   Matt xx

MATERIALS:

Crochet hook,

Pastry coloured yarn

Strawberry Jam Coloured yarn

Scissors

Stitch marker

Darning Needle


TERMS:

ch - Chain
sl st - Slip stitch
hdc - Half Double Crochet
sc - Single crochet

JAM FILLING.

With the strawberry jam coloured yarn.

Start by making an adjustable ring. This can be a little tricky to start off with, so I'll try explaining this step by step:

Wrap the yarn once around your index and forefinger

Pass the yarn at the back of your fingers through the circle you have just created. You can now place your hook through this loop.

I like to make a sl st by passing the hook through the centre of the circle. I find this secures the adjustable ring a little.

Rnd 1: hdc 11 times on your adjustable ring. (yarn over hook, pass through centre of ring, pull yarn through ring, and pull yarn through the three loops on your hook. Repeat 10 more times).
Join with a sl st to first hdc stitch this forms a circle. (11 stitches).
Pull the small length of your yarn to close the adjustable circle nice and tight.

Rnd 2: ch 2 (counts as one hdc), hdc into same stitch. *hdc hdc in next stitch* repeat **9 times. join with sl st to the 2nd chain of your initial ch 2. (22 stitches)

Fasten off and sew in ends.

JAMMY DODGER BASE.

With the pastry coloured yarn.
Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 of "Jam filling"

For this next round we are not only going to continue making the "Jammy Dodger" Base but we are also going to join the "jam filling" as we make this round.

Rnd 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc)

Place the "Jam filling" finished piece of crochet on top of your "Jammy Dodger Base."
For the rest of this round every new stitch you make you should pass your hook through both the stitch on the "Jam Filling" and the stitch on the "Jammy Dodger Base".

hdc in same stitch as your ch 2 making sure to pass the hook also through the "Jam Filling".
hdc in next stitch.
*hdc hdc in next stitch,  hdc in next stitch* repeat ** 9 times.
sl st in the 2nd chain of your initial ch 2. (33 stitches)

 




I use my stitch marker in this round as with sc I sometimes find it hard to see where the start is.
Rnd 4: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc) sc in same stitch. sc in next stitch, sc in next stitch.
*sc sc in next stitch, sc in next stitch, sc in next stitch* Repeat ** 9 times. (44 Stitches)

Rnd 5: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc) mark with stitch marker.
Sc all of the way round only going through the front part of the stitches only, as shown below.

Join with sl st, fasten off and sew in ends.

JAMMY DODGER TOP

With the Pastry coloured yarn.
Make an adjustable ring leaving a nice long end to your yarn, we will use this to shape the heart at the end.

Rnd 1: Into the adjustable ring hdc 22 tiimes, join with a sl st to form a circle. Pull the yarn to make the adjustable ring smaller but not too tight. The whole should measure approximately 1.5 cm in diameter. (22 stitches)

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc), hdc in same stitch as your ch 2, hdc in next stitch.
*hdc hdc in next stitch,  hdc in next stitch* repeat ** 9 times.
sl st in the 2nd chain of your initial ch 2. (33 stitches)

Rnd 3: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc) sc in same stitch. sc in next stitch, sc in next stitch.
*sc sc in next stitch, sc in next stitch, sc in next stitch* Repeat ** 9 times. (44 Stitches)

We are now going to join the 'Jammy Dodger Top" onto our previously made "base with jam filling" 
Rnd 4: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc). sc into remaining 43 stitches, making sure to also pass your hook through the stitch of the "Base with Jam Filling". sc until both parts are joined as one. Join with a sl st on to the initial ch 1. Fasten off (44 stitches)















ALMOST THERE!!!!

Just to finish it off!

With your darning needle thread the long bit off yarn that is left over from the adjustable ring of the "jammy Dodger Top".
Place a stitch through the very centre of the "jam"

Repeat this several times untill you have fashioned the circle in to a heart shape you are happy with.

I like to also place a stitch at the bottom of the heart to make the shape a little sharper.
Sew in any remaining ends.

All Finished!! I hope you have enjoyed making these little treats as much as I did!!! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

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You can read an updated and revised version on our new blog.

Click here to read this post in full at it's new home!