Monday, September 1, 2014

Woodland Animals Series - Owl - 5 sizes included - New Pattern Released

Whoot whoot! A new pattern is online!

Meet Owl from my Woodland Animals Series.




I'm a Craftsy Designer 
 buy now on Ravelry!

This pattern is in English and is worked in US crochet terms.

Pattern includes 5 sizes - 0-3months, 6-12months, 12-24months, child and adult.

Supplies

Yarn
Cream - I used Royal - Acrylic super saver yarn from the Netherlands. Weight - DK, but Aran can be used as well
120 meters

Variegated Yarn - I used Fenna - Acrylic super saver yarn from the Netherlands. Weight - Aran
1 Skein of 100gr = 240 meters

Furry Yarn in White - Just a couple of meters to edge

Gauge:
Cream
HDC 10cm x 10cm = 15st x 12 rows

Variegated
HDC 10cm x 10cm = 14st x 12.5 rows

Yarn needle to weave in ends
Stitch markers - 2
Hook size - 4mm

Stitches used:
CH - Chain
SLST - Slipstitch
SC - Single Crochet
HDC - Half Double Crochet
DC - Double Crochet
HDCDec - HDC Decrease
Picot -(CH2, SC) on top of last DC
Crocst - Modified Crocodile Stitch

Own design

Please NOTE: All character hats are FUN and FAN and are not official products.

© Copyright Patricia Stuart 2014 ©.
You are free to create from the pattern and sell the creations.
Please do not copy, rewrite, resell or distribute as your own, this is prohibited.
Please give credit to my page for the pattern and if you sell finished items online,
please provide a link to my page for the pattern.
Thank you for your understanding.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Crochet Mood Blanket 2014 - September Square by Pukado

Crochet Mood Blanket 2014 - September Square by Pukado


Oh gosh.. totally lost track of date and found out yesterday, only 2 more days until September! So I got  my mood blanket project bag out and started thinking. I made a few squares, but wasn’t happy with all of them. So I left it until the morning and tried again and it worked.


A lovely new September square!


IMG_20140830_111003.jpg


You can download the file from Ravelry here: download now


Ok so here we go!


R1, MC, SLST in MC, CH2, 11DC in MC, SLST to first DC - 12DC

2014-08-30 11.27.19.jpg


R2, CH3, DC in same st, 2DC in next st, drop loop, insert hook in last CH of CH3, pick up dropped loop, pull through (first PopCorn St made), CH5, *2DC in next 2 st, drop loop, insert hook in last CH of CH3, pick up dropped loop, pull through, CH5* repeat around, SLST to first PopCorn st - 6 PopCorn st


September.jpg



2014-08-30 11.48.27.jpgR3, CH2 (or if you work with color changes, SLST on top of PopCorn st), 2HalfDCs in same st (first Cluster made), YO 2 times, insert hook around post of R1, YO and pull through, YO and pull through 2 loops, YO and pull through 2 loops, insert hook in loop halfway TR made (see picture) ----->
Add 2 halfDCs, YO and pull through all loops on hook, CH3, 3HalfDCs in same space as previous HalfDCs, 3HalfDCs on top of next PopCorn st, YO and pull through all loops on hook, CH3,
*3HalfDCs in same st as previous HalfDCs, YO 2 times, insert hook around post of R1, YO and pull through, YO and pull through 2 loops, YO and pull through 2 loops, insert hook in loop halfway TR, add 2 halfDCs, YO and pull through all loops on hook, CH3, 3HalfDCs in same space as previous HalfDCs, 3HalfDCs on top of next PopCorn st, YO and pull through all loops on hook, CH3* repeat around, SLST to first cluster.


September1.jpg


2014-08-30 11.56.21.jpg


R4, *3SC, CH2* in each CH3Space (if your square turns out a bit smaller, you can change the SC to HDC to make it a bit bigger)


2014-08-30 12.01.38.jpg


R5, SLST (in) to next CH2Space, 3DC in CH2Space, 6DC in next CH2Space, *(6DC, CH2, 6DC) in next CH2Space, 6DC in next 2 CH2Spaces* repeat around, last series you will add 3DC to first CH2Space to complete the series. Do not fasten off, you will continue R6 in same color.


2014-08-30 12.10.15.jpg


R6, *CH3, SC on top of the next shell, CH3, SC on top of the next shell, CH3, SLST in corner CH2Space, CH3, SLST in same corner space, CH3, SC on top of the next shell, CH3, SC on top of next shell* repeat around


2014-08-30 12.16.18.jpg


R7, SLST into next CH3Space, CH2, 3HDC in same CH3Space, *4HDC in each of next CH3Spaces until you reach a corner, 2HDC, CH2, 2HDC in corner space* repeat all around, SLST to first HDC.


Fasten off with invisible join, weave in all ends.


2014-08-30 12.25.27.jpg






Copyright Patricia Stuart 2014 ©.
You are free to create from the pattern and sell the creations.
Please do not copy, rewrite, resell or distribute as your own, this is prohibited.
Please give credit to my page for the pattern and if you sell finished items online,
please provide a link to my page for the pattern.
Thank you for your understanding.






Please visit my blog: Pukado - Blog
Please visit any of my shops at Etsy, Ravelry or Craftsy
FaceBook me! @Pukado
Follow me on Pinterest





Sunday, August 24, 2014

On a different note: Diet and recipes!

I'm on a diet... Yes, I really need to! I tried all of the diets and pills, packs and wraps, teas and detoxes over the years!

Before I met my hubby and got married and had children, I had found the way! I was good with food, 3 times a week in the gym and even though it was an every day battle, I was proud of myself for keeping it up and I felt fabulous!!!

Then I met my hubby, moved countries, started a new life and my strict regime of going to the gym was gone. First of all, when we started out in Ireland, the gym was just way to expensive to join. And the food and drink! OMG!!!

And then I had children.. 2 in 2 years, One in 2008 and 15 months later the second one in 2009. And on top of that, I had loads of medical problems, from gallbladder disease to carpal tunnel (plus tennis arms, trigger fingers, etc). So again no gym and food was comforting me.

I loved baking! I baked everything for every one. The girls in the crèche were really happy with me, because at least once a month I would bake them something and drop it off with the kids. A nice cheesecake or lovely banana bread.

But now I'm 38 and it's getting in the way. I need more energy to keep up with my children.

Also, me and the girls are planning a wild weekend away for our 40th birthday in 2 years! So I need to look fabulous for that!!! I don't need to be a size zero and it doesn't have to be done in 6 weeks.

I did the 6 weeks crash dieting and all it did was let me feel good for a week and before you knew it, it was back on... with a vengeance!!! The well known JO JO effect. I have been up and down and up and down so many times, I lost count.

So I'm trying something new now...

I don't need to lose 5 kilos in a week. I don't need to lose 20 kilos in 6 weeks. What I want is to lose a kilo a week. What I want is, to go nice and slow. Change my eating habits, change my lifestyle.

So I started 3 weeks ago. I decided to eat what I want to eat. If I make it nice and yummy, it will be easier! Right? But just smaller portions.
I haven't had a meal on a normal dinner plate in 3 weeks. I use a small plate.
I cut out potatoes, pasta and bread (well almost all bread, I love bread!) and mostly eat cooked white rice.
I eat loads of fruit and veggies. I have never ate so many avocados in my life hahaha, but I love avocados!
I can't seem to give up on meat and fish. I love my meat and fish. So instead of punishing myself by denying myself meat or fish, I made it my main part of dinner. Meat with veggies and rice.

Shrimp Quacamole with waldkorn crackers and green tea
I start in the morning with a shake. Just a normal standard diet shake, you can get at any store. It doesn't have to have special things. It just needs to fill me up in the morning. I mix it with skinny milk and drink it in one go.
At lunch, I eat 2 crackers with meat (grilled chicken, roast beef, salami, ham. I'm trying to avoid fatty meats) and loads of fruit or veggies.
And for dinner I eat meat, veggies and rice or grilled chicken with an avocado or shrimp guacamole or a salad stuffed with nice healthy things.

And I drink one glass of water every hour! I set the timer on my phone for an hour and every time it goes, I drink! Except after 8 at night, otherwise I will be up all night peeing and not sleeping!
I don't drink anything else, no fizzy drinks. Just a cup of tea.

With all this, I don't have the urge to snack. Yes, sometimes I miss chocolate... a lot!

With this I lost 4 kilos now and it's going down every time I get on the scale! Nice and slow and with yummy food and loads of water.

But the kids miss my baking. Mammie, please make some cupcakes/cookies/whatever! Especially on the weekends. Trying to explain that I'm on a diet is not working... and for that matter, I don't want to burden my kids with the fact that I'm not happy with my body. I want them to be happy in their body and not worry about these things.

So I'm trying to find recipes I can make, that are low in fat and sugar! And yes, there are many recipes. But you need special this and special that. I don't want to go through all that trouble!

My girl asked for banana bread today. And normally I make it with 190 gr butter and 170 gr of sugar. That's too much! So no... the look on her face was heartbreaking hahaha! So I made it happen! I made her a banana bread without butter and sugar!



And she ate 2 pieces and loved it! And I had a nice piece as well!! Woohooooo

Here is the recipe:

Pre heat oven at 140C

I use my kitchen machine with blades and not mixer.

5 ripe bananas (350-400 grams)
3 large eggs
180 gr cottage cheese (quark)
180 gr self raising flour
15 gr of Honey
2 little bags of vanilla sugar or teaspoon of vanilla extract

Mix all of this for a couple of minutes in the machine

Cut up 2 bananas in 1 cm chunks
Handful of Chocolate chips (I use 70% chocolate)

With spoon mix bananas and chocolate chips through mixture

With a brush and a tiny bit of butter, grease your pan. Pour in some fine  breadcrumbs and shake it until you have covered the whole inside of the pan.

Pour in mixture and put in the oven for 45 minutes! Leave to cool for a bit and eat!




ENJOY!!!!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Granny Wristies by Pukado - Free Pattern!

Granny Wristies                         by Pukado




2014-08-21 11.28.09.jpg


You can download it on Ravelry as well!!  download now

Supplies:


For the photo’s in the pattern I used Stylecraft Chunky Silver and hook size 4mm. As I want to be tight and warm. I am a loose crocheter. They are a bit bigger then the multi color ones.


The multi color ones are made with hook size 4mm and Fenna Yarn (available in the Netherlands at Wibra). This yarn has a similar weight to Stylecraft DK Special.


Both wristies are made with the same pattern and same amount of stitches.


R1, CH30, SLST to first Chain, CH2, HDC in the next 29chains, SLST to first HDC - 30st


2014-08-20 11.27.47.jpg


R2, CH2, HDC in next 29st, SLST to first HDC - 30st


R3, *CH3, skip 2 st, SC in next st* repeat around, SLST to first last SLST of R2, SLST in next CH3Space - 10 CH3Spaces


2014-08-20 11.35.34.jpg


R4, CH2,2DC in same CH3space, 3DC in next 3 CH3Spaces, CH3, SC in next CH3Space, CH4, SC in next CH3Space, CH3, 3DC in next 4CH3Spaces, SLST to first DC, SLST into next Space (in between 3DC’s)


R5, CH2,2DC in same Space, 3DC in next 2 Spaces, 3DC in next CH3Space, CH3, SC in next CH4Space, CH3, 3DC in next CH3Space, 3DC in next 4 Spaces, SLST to first DC, SLST into next Space


R6, CH2,2DC in same Space, 3DC in next 2 Spaces, CH3, SC in next CH3Space, CH4, SC in next CH3Space, CH3, 3DC in next 5 Spaces, SLST to first DC,
Left hand: 2 SLST into next Space
Right hand: 5 SLST into the second Space


2014-08-20 11.46.08.jpg


Lefthand




R7, CH2,2DC in same Space, 3DC in next Space, 3DC in next CH3Space, CH3, SC in next CH4Space, CH3, 3DC in next CH3Space, 3DC in next 2 Spaces, CH6, skip next Space, 3DC in next 3 Spaces, SLST to first DC, SLST into next Space


2014-08-20 13.22.59.jpg


R8, CH2,2DC in same Space, 3DC in next Space, CH3, SC in next CH3Space, CH4, SC in next CH3Space, CH3, 3DC in next Space, 9DC in CH6Space, 3DC in next 3 Spaces, SLST to first DC, SLST into next Space


R9, CH2,2DC in same Space, 3DC in next CH3Space, CH3, SC in next CH4Space, CH3, 3DC in next CH3Space, 3DC in next Space, skip 3st, 2DC in between 3rd and 4th st, skip 3st, 2DC in between 6th and 7th st, 3DC in next 4 Spaces, SLST to first st, SLST into next Space


2014-08-20 13.33.32.jpg


R10, CH2,2DC in same Space, CH3, SC in next CH3Space, CH3, SC in next CH3Space, CH3, 3DC in next Space, 2DC in next 3 Spaces, 3DC in next 4 Spaces, SLST to first st, SLST into next CH3Space2014-08-20 13.44.35.jpg


R11, CH2,2DC in same CH3Space, CH2, SC in next CH3Space, CH2, 3DC in next CH3Space, 3DC in next 2 Spaces, skip next Space, 3DC in next 5 Spaces, SLST to first st, CH2


R12, DC in previous Space, CH2, SC in next CH2Space, CH3, SC in next CH2Space, CH2, 3DC in next 7 Spaces, DC in last Space (next to CH2, DC), SLST to first DC, SLST into next CH2Space


R13, CH2,2DC in same CH2Space, 3DC in next 2 CH2Spaces, 3DC in next 7 Space, SLST to first DC, SLST into next Space


R14, CH2,2DC in same CH2Space, 3DC in next 9 Spaces


Repeat R14 until you reach desired length or add a border of your choice


R15, CH3, *SC in next Space, CH3* repeat around


R16, *SC, 2HDC, SC* in each CH3Space


Fasten off with invisible join, weave in ends


Righthand




R7 CH2,2DC in same Space, 3DC in next CH3Space, CH3, SC in next CH4Space, CH3, 3DC in next CH3Space, 3DC in next 5 Spaces, CH6, SLST to first DC, SLST into next Space


R8, CH2,2DC in same Space, CH3, SC in next CH3Space, CH4, SC in next CH3Space, 3DC in next 5 Spaces, 9DC in next CH6Space, SLST to first DC, SLST into next CH3Space


R9, CH2,2DC in same CH3Space, CH3, SC in next CH4Space, CH3, 3DC in next CH3Space, 3DC in next 5 Spaces, skip 3st, 2DC in between 3rd and 4th st, skip 3 st, 2DC in between 6th and 7th st, 3DC in next Space, SLST to first DC, CH2


R10, DC in previous Space, CH3, SC in next CH3Space, CH3, SC in next CH3Space, CH3, 3DC in next 5 Spaces, 2DC in next 3 Spaces, DC in first Space (next to CH2, DC), SLST to first DC, SLST into next CH3Space


R11, CH2,2DC in same CH3Space, CH2, SC in next CH3Space, CH2, 3DC in next CH3Space, 3DC in next 5 Spaces, skip next Space, 3DC in next 2 Spaces, SLST to first DC, CH2


R12, DC in previous Space, CH2, SC in next CH2Space, CH2, SC in next CH2Space, CH2, 3DC in next 7 Spaces, DC in first Space (next to CH2, DC), SLST to first DC, SLST into next CH3Space


R13, CH2,2DC in same CH3Space, 3DC in next 2 CH2Spaces, 3DC in next 7 Spaces, SLST to first DC, SLST into next Space


R14, CH2,2DC in same Space, 3DC in next 9 Spaces, SLST to first DC, SLST into next Space


R15, CH3, *SC in next Space, CH3* repeat around


R16, *SC, 2HDC, SC* in each CH3Space


Fasten off with invisible join, weave in ends


Granny Wristies.jpg






Copyright Patricia Stuart 2014 ©.
You are free to create from the pattern and sell the creations.
Please do not copy, rewrite, resell or distribute as your own, this is prohibited.
Please give credit to my page for the pattern and if you sell finished items online,
please provide a link to my page for the pattern.
Thank you for your understanding.






Please visit my blog: Pukado - Blog
Please visit any of my shops at Etsy, Ravelry or Craftsy
FaceBook me! @Pukado
Follow me on Pinterest

Monday, July 28, 2014

Crochet Mood Blanket 2014 - August Square by Pukado

Pffff I was worried I didn’t have enough time to come up with a new square for August with our holiday and my boy’s 5th Birthday this week. But it just came to me yesterday and I’m loving it!

First off all, we had a wonderful holiday in beautiful Bavaria, Germany. 
My Grandfather of 91 years lives there with my Uncle and Aunt.

When we lived in Ireland, it was difficult to visit. So now that we're back in the Netherlands we decided to go visit my grandfather every summer and make it a holiday to enjoy and relax. The weather is wonderful. There is a swimming pool close by for the kids to play in. The food is amazing and cheap. And according to my husband, there is no better beer!

Every year we book the same lovely holiday apartment. The apartment is great, big and modern and the views are just magnificent! It is run by a lovely family and if you ever decide to visit the lovely lovely area of the OberPfalz I can highly recommend the Kopp Family and their lovely holiday homes in UntermurnThal.


No we have to wait a whole year before we can go again.... *sigh*

And yes my baby boy turns 5(!!!!) this week. How? It seems like yesterday that we were in a mad rush to find a babysitter for the princess when my labour started. We had arranged for Granny to come over from the Netherlands to babysit and help out in the first week. But the boy decided to surprise us by arriving a week earlier then planned!

So a busy week ahead of us with lots of BBQ parties and celebrations.

But now onto my August square!


Hope you like it as well!


You can download it here on Ravelry


As usual, I’m using Stylecraft Special DK and hook size 4.5mm


In the pattern pictures I will be using cotton in different colors and hook size 4mm. I will fasten off after each round with an invisible join. If you make it in one color, you don’t need to fasten off every round.


Again first few rounds with pictures, the outer rounds are still the same, with the same amount of stitches!


So here it goes!


R1, MC, SLST in MC, CH2, 11DC in MC, SLST to first DC - 12DC


2014-07-28 10.57.47.jpg


R2, *CH6, skip st, SLST in next ST* repeat around - 6 CH6Spaces


2014-07-28 11.03.17.jpg


R3, Fold the CH6 of R2 back and work in front of them. SLST to first skipped st or SLST with new color in first skipped st, *CH6, SLST in next skipped st* repeat around - 6 CH6Spaces


2014-07-28 11.38.07.jpg2014-07-28 11.42.40.jpg


R4, 2SLST along first CH6 to the top of the CH6Space, CH1, SC in first front R3 CH6Space, CH1, 2SC in top of next BACK R2 CH6Space, CH1, *2SC in next front R3 CH6Space, CH1, 2SC in top of next BACK R2 CH6Space, CH1* repeat around, SLST to first SC


2014-07-28 11.51.07.jpg


R5, *3HDC, CH1* in each CH1Space


2014-07-28 12.20.37.jpg


R6, SLST to first CH1Space, *(4HDC, CH2) in first CH1Space, (4HDC, CH1) in next 2 CH1Spaces* repeat around, SLST to first HDC


2014-07-28 12.27.14.jpg


R7, (R4 ended in the first  CH1Space on the side, so that’s where I pick up again), 3DC in CH1Space, 6DC in next CH1Space, *(6DC, CH2, 6DC) in next CH2Space, 6DC in next 2 CH1Spaces* repeat around, last series you will add 3DC to first CH1Space to complete the series. Do not fasten off, you will continue R8 in same color.


R8, *CH3, SC on top of the next shell, CH3, SC on top of the next shell, CH3, SLST in corner CH2Space, CH3, SLST in same corner space, CH3, SC on top of the next shell, CH3, SC on top of next shell* repeat around


R9, SLST into next CH3Space, CH2, 3HDC in same CH3Space, *4HDC in each of next CH3Spaces until you reach a corner, 2HDC, CH2, 2HDC in corner space* repeat all around, SLST to first HDC.


Fasten off with invisible join, weave in all ends.


2014-07-28 17.38.55.jpg






Copyright Patricia Stuart 2014 ©.
You are free to create from the pattern and sell the creations.
Please do not copy, rewrite, resell or distribute as your own, this is prohibited.
Please give credit to my page for the pattern and if you sell finished items online,
please provide a link to my page for the pattern.
Thank you for your understanding.






Please visit my blog: Pukado - Blog
Please visit any of my shops at Etsy, Ravelry or Craftsy
FaceBook me! @Pukado
Follow me on Pinterest


Monday, July 7, 2014

Lamda Top by Pukado released :)

Yay! Lamda Top is now available in my shops:


I'm a Craftsy Designer

Until the 31st of July 50% off on Ravelry!! 
Use couponcode PATTERNRELEASE at the check out!