I didn’t mention yesterday the other finished objects from the past few weeks. I have been sorting out my crochet pattern for bird roosts, and during the testing phase I made lots of the things. The final pattern will include versions in wool to felt and in various sorts of twine… every version I had to make at least once, and so there’s rather a collection…
I’m planning to publish the pattern in the autumn, before running a workshop on making them at Denmark Farm, here in Ceredigion on 27 November. I’m also running a beginners crochet course at the same venue on 30 October.
The Snail of Happiness 
Danielle Lowy
/ August 13, 2016They look great Jan. I especially like the top left one which looks like it felted really well. Just need some feathered friends…
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The Snail of Happiness
/ August 13, 2016Yes that felted one worked really well. Strangely the one next to it is made in exactly the same yarn, just a different dye, and really does not want to felt much at all… I’m actually considering puting it in a saucepan and boiling it to see if I can persuade it to felt a bit more!! Pattern is nearly done, but other things keep getting in the way of finalising it!!
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katechiconi
/ August 13, 2016It’ll need friction as well as hot water: boiling and then a good bashing with a rolling pin and then shocking with cold water. I like your ‘disappearing’ green ones best 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ August 13, 2016Oh I’ve already done friction and heat and cold… felting mat, three times through the washing machine, rubbing, rolling… anyone would think it was superwash wool! The boiling is really a last resort 😉
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katechiconi
/ August 13, 2016I reckon the dye might have something to do with it, then. If you’ve already done all that, and it’s the same yarn as the other one, that’s all that’s left – perhaps it had to be heat-fixed and the wool is already as shocked as it’s going to get… Worth a try boiling, though…
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The Snail of Happiness
/ August 13, 2016I think you are probably right. It has felted some and the yarn is supposed to felt – I could send it back to the manufacturer, but it’s nice to work with and it doesn’t really matter if the bird houses aren’t felted… it’s just not ideal to illustrate the pattern!
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Danielle
/ August 13, 2016If you’re boiling it on the hob make sure you tell your husband what it is. Mine thought some paper pulp and artichoke leaves I was boiling for handmade paper was his dinner. That’ll teach him with his veggie ways 😉
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The Snail of Happiness
/ August 13, 2016Teehee… we had some paper pulp in the freezer for a while that had to be clearly labelled as such!
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insearchofitall
/ August 13, 2016Those are ADORABLE!!! Would a bird actually go live in it?
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The Snail of Happiness
/ August 13, 2016The design is based on a woven version sold by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds – apparently they are great shelters for small birds in the winter. I have added a plastic roof on some of mine so that they stay dry.
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katythenightowl
/ August 13, 2016I love the idea of the nests, especially as shelter for the winter, so look forward to the release of your pattern 🙂
Have you made them from Acrylic, too? 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ August 13, 2016I used jute twine, wool twine and wool… I have avoided manmade fibres because I suspect they are not good for if the birds ingest them, but I reckon they could be made successfully with cotton – either yarn or twine. I’ll give you a copy of the pattern once I’ve stopped fiddling about with it and you can have a go if you like.
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katythenightowl
/ August 13, 2016That would be amazing, thanks 🙂
Fortunately, I’ve got a lot of cotton – and I recently bought some Mohair to give it a go, too, so this would be a good project to try it with 🙂
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Ann
/ August 13, 2016They look fab, it took me a while to spot the green ones. What do the birds make of them?
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The Snail of Happiness
/ August 13, 2016every time I make one of them someone buys it, so I’ve never had chance to test them out!!
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Born To Organize
/ August 14, 2016That’s a good problem to have!
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thecontentedcrafter
/ August 13, 2016I love the added plastic roof – that makes complete sense! Mine has still not been hung outside – finding the right place has been a challenge in my tiny patch. I am considering moving it into the art room for other purposes ……… 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ August 13, 2016Perhaps you could find a little knitted occupant
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Born To Organize
/ August 14, 2016Oh, I like that idea.
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Born To Organize
/ August 14, 2016Charming and cozy. I need one in my size. 😉
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arlingwoman
/ August 14, 2016I love their little rain hats!
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connied74
/ October 20, 2016These are so cute, I would love to make these, since I live in the country. 😍 They are so pretty.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ October 20, 2016Thank you… I must finalise the pattern!
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connied74
/ October 20, 2016Ok, I really think there so cute. Can’t wait😍 thank you
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Kim Black
/ December 16, 2016Did you ever get the pattern finished? I would love to make these.for the little birds in my yard this winter!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 16, 2016The pattern is written and I have taken the final photographs this week… I just need to finalise the layout and then it will be available. Gosh, I’ve really been remiss getting this done!
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