A Precious year | Le Challenge {Crochet}

I am so excited! He is ONE!! Can you believe it? I can't... But yes Baby MiH is ONE today.. 

Le Challenge's theme for this month is 'precious'. And It was always going to be something for Baby MiH or in relation to his birthday - after all he is the first thing I thought about for precious . I had many ideas, both quick and time-consuming, but it was not really what I had in mind for today... And then came the idea of the bauble - one bauble every year for his birthday...  I do like Xmas traditions, and I thought that could be ours from now on. And yes it was a very quick project... 

 Pattern: Free on this blog (already made some here)

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed Chunky in Mahogany (unfortunately discontinued)
 - I used nearly one ball of it. 

Hook size: 5mm 

Modification:  Added a couple of rows in the middle to make the bauble bigger

Bauble filling: Soft toy filling found here

Cross-stitching:  Anchor Artiste Metallic ball - 
4 strands of thread held together

It is an easy '1' cross-stitching pattern to follow. The hardest is actually to try to find the cross-stitching 'grid' as the bauble is shaped using increases and decreases. 

On another note I 'baked' some Christmas ornaments (around the bauble and on the presents) - but more on this later on the blog. As for us, there is cake to eat, cuddles to give and precious time to spend. 

For all the other precious entry, go over to le challenge. Do join the fun for a chance to win a $25 at the Fat Quarter Shop (open until December 16 at 11am UK time). 

one of our first pics together

Thrilling Mittens + a Giveaway | Le Challenge {Knitting}

I know I say this every time it comes round, but every time it is a last minute finish, and I am surprised I have an entry for le challenge. To be honest for a while I thought I would only make one mitten - at the end of the day Michael Jackson (Thriller - easy link right) only had one glove - but I always thought that was a bit weird, and not really useful if you intend to wear them. 

Unfortunately this is not a crystal-encrusted glove and it is unlikely to fetch $200,000. I did try to replicate the sparkling effect though thanks to the Anchor Metallic thread. The mittens are a bit fancier with a lace pattern - adding a thrilling element, don't you think? 

Pattern: Cafe au Lait mittens (free pattern on Ravelry)

Yarn: 3-ply white yarn that I had in my stash without labelling but probably Sidar (half a ball) and 1 and a bit Anchor Artiste Metallic ball (shade 301)

Needle Size: DPNs 4 mm

Modifications: Made less repeats of the pattern but added some ribbing rounds at the top - similar changes for the thumbs. Ribbing is ktbl1, p1. 

Difficulty Rating: It is an easy pattern although you need to pay attention. It is a quick knit (I finished a mitten in one afternoon). 

Result: I love the lace pattern, I will be using it again - I am not sure where but the result is amazing. My biggest issue is the size. I have small hands, and I know that (I usually take child size glove) and I should have adapted the pattern accordingly. After a lot of Umming and Arring I followed the pattern, and I should not have. So the downside is that I have to make a new pair for my freakishly small hands, on the upside you get a chance to own this pair!

You have 3 chances to enter the giveaway:

1. This giveaway is open to my followers only - old and new. 
Let me know how you follow my blog in the comment box.

2.  Like the MiH Facebook page - and leave me a second comment. 
3.Follow me on twitter, tweet about the giveaway, 

and/or follow me on Instagram (natmadeinhome) – 

and come back to leave me a third comment

The giveaway ends Monday 21 at 10am (UK time). Please, please, please leave me a way to contact you if you are a no-reply blogger. I will send internationally. Good luck!

You have until Wednesday 16, 11 am to enter a thriller-inspired project (big or small) for a chance to win a $25 fabric voucher, so get involved!