Gingerbreadman Ornament | Tutorial {Crochet}

I love this fat-free little gingerbread man. I was inspired by shocked by the price of this John Lewis version. And I knew I would have to make one, and hopefully make it less costly for me. I did but it would be even more cost effective if I was to make a few others with the same skein.  

To make one I used:

• some John Lewis Merino blend double knit yarn (shade 213 - I went round the yarn section to match colours)
• a 4 mm crochet hook
• bit of contrasting yarn
• a needle to weave the yarn ends
• some fiber fill

I used this gingerbread man pattern for the two sides of the ornament. I used the same JL yarn to single crochet both pieces together around the outside. I first left a wide opening to be able to stuff the legs, head and one arm. 

I made the opening smaller to stuff the arm, then I fasten off the brown thread. 

He looks a bit fat, bless him.

For the eyes, I crocheted two black dots with the smallest hook I have (2 mm) and some black lace yarn, making as many double crochet as I could in the round. The white and red threads were stitched around the crochet stitches. And I made two blue 'buttons' with a star pattern. 

I also made a crochet chain for hanging the gingerbread man.

They are easy to make and really cute. You can have one, or make as many as possible. Just in case you wonder about the cost. One ball of JL yarn is in fact £3.00, and you can make 3 or 4 gingerbread men... 

Brasilia Dress | A Finish {Dressmaking}

Look at that! I finished a second dress! It is all about making dresses at MiH! This was an experiment on so many levels. First of all the fabric, Rachel (who wrote this amazing pattern) used cotton satin and I wanted a similar fabric and found some at my local John Lewis (in Welwyn Garden City) - except that there was only one pattern. And it was not exactly my typical style, but I thought change would be good. And I was right, that pattern and that fabric totally work together!

Secondly, the pattern I tested did not have many instructions - one size and a list of steps... I have not many dresses and this has scared me for a while. Could I do the grading and make a dress that actually fits me? Actually the grading was minimum in my case as the only thing to change was the waist. 

I made my version a bit longer. Actually I was not sure how long I wanted it so left myself plenty of fabric to decided when I could actually wear it - just to keep my body a bit in proportion. 

I must admit my finishing is not the best but I just wanted to finish it and wear it! I am assuming the finalised version will be much more comprehensive than I have - and that means even quicker to finish (it must have taken me 4 or 5 hours to sew without the grading and cutting of the fabric). I may actually make a few versions of this - one for work (probably a bit less loud) and maybe one with short sleeves and shorter..

It may look a simple shift dress, but actually the clever use of seams and add-on sides really make it flattering for every body type. 

I will be wearing it (probably) at Mr MiH's Christmas do - so I am guaranteed not to find the same dress on anyone else!

On a side note the finalised pattern will be available around Christmas time - I will let you know! 

PS: Many thanks for all the wishes about my going back to work. It is amazing how quickly you get into being there, and Baby MiH is absolutely loving nursery - I could not be happier for him!