Adoring Autumn

♥ Adoring Autumn ♥

Without a doubt, Autumn is my most favourite season of the year 

- I love them all, but I love Autumn just that little bit more !

From the colours outside, to the cosiness inside, to the kitchen treats that lie ahead,

 there's not one bit of it that I don't like.

I even like the rain.

One of the things I look forward to the most is the prospect of snuggling down

 and getting the house looking as Autumnal as possible.

From huge cuddly blankets on the sofa's, to Autumn wreaths and Garlands on doors 

and mantle pieces, there's not one bit of my house that doesn't get the Autumn treatment !

Over the years I have built up a bit of a collection of Autumn garlands - 

the one above was the first one I made and you can find all the details here .

This one still comes out each year, and this year it's hanging in my kitchen.

The second one I made was a pattern for lovecrochet.com and you can find

 the full pattern for it here. This one is quite a simple, rustic looking design.

The lovely thing about putting together a garland is that you can

 just add as little or as much as you want.

   

                              

With an Autumn Garland the choice is huge ,,, from oak leaves and acorns, 

to pumpkins and berries, to mice and hedgehogs ... 

you can totally let your imagination run wild.

If you fancy giving it a go here are a couple of quick and easy patterns

 for my pumpkins and mice.

To make a pumpkin:

Make a chain to the length that you want your pumpkin height to be.

Work rows of DC ( UK terms) in to the back loop only.

Chain 1 and turn at the end of each row.

Make a rectangle, the finished length will be the diameter of your pumpkin.

Fold in half, short edges together, join in DC.

Sew a gathering thread around the bottom, pull up, sew in place.

Turn the pumpkin the right way out, stuff, gather up and sew the top , leaving a small hole for the stalk.

Make a small green rectangle for the stalk. 

Roll up and sew in place, attach to the top of the pumpkin.

To make a mouse:

R 1: Make a Magic Ring and work 4 DC in to the ring.

R 2: *2 DC in next stitch, 1 DC in next stitch*.  Repeat from * to * 1 more time. 6 sts.

R 3: *2 DC in next stitch, 1 DC in each of the next 2 stitches *. Repeat from * to * 1 more time. 8 sts.

R 4: *2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in each of the next 3 sts*. Repeat from * to * 1 more time. 10 sts.

R 5: DC 10.

R 6: *2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in each of the next 4 sts* Repeat from * to * 1 more time. 12 sts.

R 7: You will be working the two ears in to this round. DC 6, working in to the front loop only of the next stitch, ss, Ch 2, 4 TR, Ch 2, ss. Work 2 DC. Work a second ear. DC 2 . 12 sts.

R 8: DC 12 , making sure that you pick up the back loop behind each ear. 12 sts.

R 9: *2 DC in the next stitch, DC in the next stitch*. Repeat from * to * 2 more times, DC 6. 15 sts.

R 10: * 2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in each of the next 4 stitches*. Repeat from * to * 2 more times. 18 sts.

R 11 to 15: DC 18.

R 16: * DC 2 together, 1 DC in each of the next 4 stitches*. Repeat from * to * 2 more times. 15 sts.

R 17: You will be working the tail in to the centre back of this round. * DC 2 together, 1 DC in each of the next 3 sts*. Repeat from * to * 2 more times, and when at the central back point of the mouse work the tail as follows: Chain 18 and starting in the second chain from the hook Sl St back to the start of the chain and Sl St in to the original stitch.

R 18: DC 2 together 6 times. Finish off , leaving a long tail of yarn.

Stuff the mouse and using the tail of yarn run a gathering thread around the bottom of the mouse and pull to close.

Using a small amount of black wool or embroidery thread sew on two eyes.Using white cotton , sew a few loops of cotton through the mouse’s nose, and then snip to make the whiskers.

♥

Happy Autumn !