Crocheted Miniature Tablecloth

I have recently completed this lovely little tablecloth while taking part in a CAL with the Buttercup Miniatures group on Ravelry. A CAL is a group joining event where each person makes the project - called a Crochet-A-Long and Frances very kindly gave all who participated the pattern. The idea is that in return, you actually do finish the project. I have at times tried to participate in a Knit-A-Long, but my miniature knitting skills are not great. (In fact they are not great in full size either!)

This was a super pattern to make. I used 100 size crochet thread and a 0.6mm hook and you can read my project page to see what extra changes I had to make to enlarge the tablecloth to fit my table. The cloth measures about 170 mm wide with the extra rows. It worked really well.

I loved the design of the cloth because it is full of crochet and not massive gaps - it is always hard to scale crochet in miniature. It can also sometimes look really stiff, but this cloth drapes beautifully - that is because I used a slightly bigger hook than I normally would for such fine thread.

I washed it and then steam blocked with starch and then before it was completely dry, shaped it over my table (which I had covered with cling film). It took another day to dry completely.

This is not the first pattern I have made from Buttercup Miniatures and you can read more about what I thought of the pattern here. Frances Powell designs a large number of knitting and crochet patterns in both miniature and full size and is also a regular contributor to The Dolls' House magazine. This month they have published one of her knitting patterns for a Chunky Aran Throw.

 Now that I have made the tablecloth, I have to decide what sort of food to display should it be - "A Christmas Feast"? Or what about a "Tea-Party". The tablecloth is very feminine and that will determine what it displays. I think I will also need to make an undercloth - red for Christmas obviously, but a tea party will need more thinking. I am also thinking of painting the table as it seems so dark.

 Has anyone got a better idea?

Miniature Crochet Pumpkin Garland to Make for Halloween

Since I am having a mad week of Pumpkin Madness - I thought I would share a new little crochet pattern I devised to add more decoration to the dolls' house. The Miniature Halloween Pumpkin Garland is simply fun to make and is quite easy.

It is made with shaped pumpkins that are attached to a chain garland with the join-as-you-go method. Size 80 crochet thread is used with a 0.60mm hook.

The pattern can be downloaded from Ravelry for free here.

Just a bit more fun to add to Halloween.

Steampunk - Part 5

For a while now I have been writing an article for Dolls House and Miniature Scene magazine - and part 5 of the series was published last week in the September issue of the magazine.

The scene is a vignette of a dressing room in the Steampunk style. Steampunk is a fantasy style with lots of cogs, chains, clocks and keys. It is also a rich, opulent style and is loosely derived from Victorian stories  like 20000 leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. Dr Who also has an influence.

There is an air of decadence about it and it is also fairly provocative.

The whole series has been fun to do and the October issue contains the last 2  pieces of furniture to complete the setting. It has been fun to do and I have managed to make a lot of different items from found objects - your imagination is key in creating miniatures. Here are some photos of various items I have made in some of the past issues.

This is a crate cabinet - made to look like an industrial style cabinet made from wine crates and filled with various dressing accessories.  '

A tiny pair of brass and leather goggles with cogs on the side

A commercially purcahsed guitar with various cogs and sequins glued on it to give it a really great Steampunk look.

This machine is purely from my imagination and is meant to be an "Aura Fascinator" - to clear the air of negative energy.  A bit of nonsense - I know - but fun anyway.

A skull on leather books. 

I loved making the Top Hats and this is a plastic one covered with lace with tulle and other bits added.

Hogarth the Hedgehog

I designed and made this little hedgehog for Dolls House and Miniature Scene last January. He seems to have disappeared from their site, so I have put the pattern onto my Ravelry store where you can download him for free. 

He is only 3/4" and is very pretty.