Waterford Hat Crochet Pattern by Bella McBride

 It has been a long time coming but I've finally done it!  I've just released a new crochet pattern!  It's called The Waterford Hat and you can see it here.

 I've actually had it written and tested for almost a year now but kind of forgot about it.  The pictures of me in the blue hat (yep, that's me!) were taken last year right after I had pneumonia and I'm VERY pale.  Sadly the new pictures in the purple hat look just as pale!

 The Waterford Hat is a really easy crochet project and easy to wear.  Lots of fun trying to decide what colours to make it!

Don't forget to see it here and stay tuned for one more hat pattern coming soon!  It's a departure from the usual and is a pill box style with crocheted cables.  I may need a pattern tester for that one very soon though!  Anybody interested in testing the Cambridge Hat Pattern?

Still Working!

I set some goals for myself for the month of February and I'm really coming along on them nicely!  I'm so glad that I gave myself something to reach for.  It really helps and keeps me inspired!  In fact, I've already got my goals listed for March!

So far I've completed the first goal of finishing Bella Rosa Purse Pattern.  Next I'm continuing to work on 10 Easter Felts.  I have 6 done but kind of ran out of ideas so it may only end up being 6... still, 6 is better than none!

 

Here's a sneak peak of one of the Easter Felts.  It's a Snowman done in my favourite colours!  I hand dyed all the roving for these Eater Felts and I had a great time just letting my imagination run wild!

 

Another Easter Felt!  This one is completely whimsical, but you will have to wait until Friday to see what the rest of his body looks like!

 

An Easter Bunny... well, kind of.... again, you will have to wait until Friday!

The next part of my goals was to finish my very own website!  I'm so proud of this one and you all are the very first ones to see a sneak peak!  Not even my Mom has seen it yet (Hi Mom!)!  My DH showed my how to build it from the ground up and after a few tears and tantrums, it's coming along nicely!  Only a few more things to finish and it will be ready!

Is Today the Day?

Less than a year and a half after opening my Etsy shop my dreams are coming true!  As of this morning I have had 999 transactions on Bella McBride Designs.  I'm not going to lie, there have been some low points, but goodness, there have been some high points!  This little country mouse has met people from all over the world through the tappings of a keyboard.  Amazing!

I started out with this as my first pattern... Strawberry Fields Hat.  I think it's still one of my favourites and I will never, ever sell the actual prototype.  I love wearing it!

And this is my latest pattern... Winter's Eve Mittens.  I have to say, it's another instant favourite!  I've decided that whomever is my 1000th customer will receive both the Strawberry Fields Hat Pattern and the Winter's Eve Mitten Pattern for free!  Will it happen today?

UPDATE!!!  Yes, today was indeed the day... dreams really do come true!

Thank you everybody!

Front Page Bootwarmers!

As any seller on Etsy knows, it is very exciting to make the front page! I don't get on the front page very often, but this morning I had two convos from the wonderful NoodleNoggin and from a complete and wonderful stranger Fluffy Flowers telling me I was on the front page! This beautiful treasury was put together by the very talented soap maker ThistleDelight!

What a great thing to wake up to! Thank you everybody!

I'm a proud "parent" and I love all my patterns that I create, but I have to admit there are certain ones that I just LOVE! These new Winter Wedding Gauntlets are one of them!

They are made with Bernat Alpaca yarn and are just the softest, dainty things ever! I named them Winter Wedding because they just have such a romantic feeling to them. Plus the winter white yarn with the touch of "something blue" really lends them to the feeling of a wedding.

Of course they are not limited to only women getting married! They make the perfect accessory to any winter outfit!

Crochet Muse

Sometimes you find a yarn that just makes the creative juices flow. I can't stop thinking of ideas to use this yarn for! So far I've made a pair of wristwarmers that will be named Winter Wedding Wristwarmers, and...
A pair of Mittens, which will be called Winter's Eve Mittens. Both patterns are written and the Winter Wedding pattern will be up and ready sometime this week!
And the best part about this yarn.... I went to get another ball of it and found it on SALE!! My heart went all a flutter and I bought it in both white and blue and I am so in love with the two colours together! Sometimes it's just meant to be.

Lumber Jillian Series in Crochet Patterns

Finally, after months and months of creating, proofing and editing, I'm pleased to release my crochet patterns for the Lumber Jillian Series.
Lumber Jillian is based on those classic Lumber Jack socks. You know, those great grey, white and one tiny strip of red, socks? This little clutch reflects that homespun country chic look. Small enough to tuck under your arm for a night out, but just big enough for your wallet, keys and sunglasses when you meet friends for a day of shopping or sipping lattes.
I grew up in and around the woods and love the classic country chic look. This hat was designed around the concept of those lumber jack socks, but with an added elegant touch that I love so much!
Pair these wristwarmers with your favourite jean jacket and all you will need is the chainsaw... or a lumber man... your choice!And look! It's me wearing my Lumber Jillian Neckwarmer! This is a very rare occurrence for me to post a picture of myself. Look quick because I might come to my senses and delete this post tomorrow!

Random Thoughts, Random Pictures

It's been really busy here the past few days with contractors and insurance people coming and going... or should I really say that it's been really busy sitting by the phone hoping for a phone call to make an appointment for them to come! Meanwhile I've been taking some pictures and organizing for the up coming busy season. Hear that confidence in my voice... IT WILL BE BUSY... right?
I've added quite a few new listings for Pattern Sets, including the much asked for Neckwarmer Set. Basically the more patterns you buy, the more you save!

This is a sneak preview of my newest pattern line. It's called the Lumber Jillian Set, or Jillian for short, and it's based on the simple, classic Lumber Jack socks. You know, those great grey, white and one tiny strip of red socks? As you can see I had some little helpers while I was taking pictures. This ones Porkie.
This is a really nice set to wear out and about the woods or in the yard on a fall day. Very classic, casual but with that feminine touch that I love so much. The set also includes a hat and purse and will be available on Etsy some time this week.

I also decided to take a few new pictures of my Windemere Capelet/Neckwarmer. Again, my little helper, but this times it's Piggy.

I also couldn't ignore McBride House and took a few more pictures of my newest listed creation, Santa and Prancer. Now this one will be hard to let go... that's probably why it took me so long to list him!

Windemere Capelet Crochet Pattern.

I've had this one in the works for awhile, and now that Fall is in the air and it's time to not only start crocheting, but wearing warmer clothes, I'm ready to release by newest pattern, Windemere Capelet.
Made with Lions Brand Homespun Yarn that is easily available and comes in those oh-so-nice colours, you'll be making not only one for yourself but you'll be asked to make one for a gift for your friends. Remember, Christmas will be here before we know it!

Winding Roads Mitten Crochet Pattern

When you crochet in the round a spiral seam pattern will form. I'm not sure why or how it does this, especially when you are increasing or decreasing on each row, but it does.

So how can I overcome this spiral pattern? Well, don't fight it, join it! I actually embraced the spiral seam and created these new mittens with a winding road, or vine theme to them!
I think it is one of most favourite patterns that I have designed! Shhh... don't tell the other patterns, they might develop a complex!
I really like the versatility of these mittens since they can be worn in the fall or spring with a t-shirt and vest when temperatures are not quite cold enough for bulky winter coats, but can still be worn under a winter coat when the temperatures drop. There will be no cold draughts coming up my sleeves this winter!
Of course the mittens can be made without the winding vines, and a darker colour wouldn't even show the spiral seam, but I kind of like them just the way they are!

Winding Roads Mitten Pattern can be found HERE.

New Pictures and a Soon to be New Piggy

I took some new pictures of my Grace Arm Warmer Pattern the other day since I've never been very pleased with them.
It wasn't easy since I had to set up the tripod, set the timer and run back and sit in the rooking chair before it went off!
I also had to contend with two little kitties constantly getting under foot and threatening to topple over the tripod! I look very relaxed considering what I had to go through, don't I?
On other news, poor little Piggy had to make a trip to the vet yesterday after he took a slight turn for the worse. The poor little thing got rid of his upper respiratory problem, but now has pneumonia! The vet said it was rare for this to develop, but he should make a full recovery if he takes his antibiotics. She also said how adorable he is... no surprise there! This is him just waking up from a long nap after his big adventure.

I also discovered this great blog, called Shabby Blogs, that helped me give my blog a make over! I'm still working on it but it's coming along! Check it out, it's fantastic!!

Birthday Specials!!!

It's my birthday today and to celebrate I'm having a week long sale in both of my Etsy shops!

At McBride House I'm offering free shipping on any purchase over the price of $45.00. All you need to do is say Happy Birthday in the "Note to Seller" and I will either send you a revised invoice minus the shipping charges, or if you would prefer to pay immediately, I will send you the refund of shipping costs to your Paypal account.
I'm even offering free shipping on my new Santa that I just listed this morning!
Free shipping on this guy too!

At my pattern shop I'm offering my brand new pattern "Drink Carrier and Cozy Crochet Pattern" free if you purchase any pattern from my store during the week of August 18 through August 26! Just remember to say Happy Birthday in the "Note to Seller" and I will send you your free pattern along with your purchased pattern.
These carriers would make great gifts for some of those hard to buy for people on your Christmas list. Start thinking about Christmas soon, it will be here before you know it!
I designed the water bottle carrier to have a short handle, but of course a long strap to hang from your shoulder would be great too (instructions on a longer handle are included).
Instructions also included on how to make a smaller pop cozy. These are really quick to crochet and would be great to make a bunch in your favourite colours.

Now for my Birthday present! Remember I said my husband got me a rock?
Ta da! This is my rock! Notice the line three quarter of the way up?
The top comes off and...
It's hollow inside! Perfect for hiding things, or take the top off and use it for a vase! I just love it! Better than any "rock" that could be worn on my finger, don't you think?

New Neckwarmer Pattern - Belmont.

Just released today! My newest pattern Belmont Neckwarmer!

I named this Victorian looking neckwarmer, Belmont, before I realized that Belmont means "beautiful mountain". How perfect! The peaks of this neckwarmer do in fact remind me of a row of mountains.

The back view of Belmont with the mountains pointing both up and down. With the blue jean jacket peaking out from underneath, it reminds me of mountains being reflected in the water.

Tied with a simple black ribbon to give it a real classic appeal.

Now available at my shop: Bella McBride Designs!

New Pattern Project

I'm really excited about the new pattern I've been working on! It's for a new pair of mittens to add to my collection and I just love them so much I might just name them the Bella Mitten Pattern... or maybe the McBride Mitten Pattern!


It's a good guess that if they are named after me then they must be PINK! The first prototype is complete, the pattern is written and proofed, now all I need to do is remake a pair and get some stunning cover page shots... sigh... is that all!?


Not only are these mitts pink, but they have grey trimmings! Ahhh, my hearts all a flutter! My favourite colour combination, Pink and Grey!

Speaking of things that set my heart all a flutter: Remember the little "runt" kitten that we got? This is him sleeping out in the middle of the deck getting some sun. His name is Piggy because he has a bit of a cold and he just kind of goes around grunting all of the time. He is feeling much better and is starting to put on some weight, but not as much as his brother Porky... hence the name!