These brightly coloured beaded crochet decorations first appeared in Inside Crochet magazine, issue #130. They use small amounts of Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo + Cotton yarn, but you could use any left overs of DK weight yarn. The 16 page pattern includes step-by-step instructions (with images) for adding beads to your crochet. There are 4 decorations included in the pattern, ​each shown in two alternative colourways. ​I love putting the decorations on the tree or around the house at Christmas time. I have a really eclectic assortment of hanging baubles, adornments and trimmings that I use to make our home feel festive. Our decorations have been collected over the years - some belonged to Andy's Grandparents and we have baubles we found whilst on trips away and some were made by our children when they were small. My favourite is probably the paper angel with a head made from a ping pong ball, with a wonky smile drawn in felt tip pen and a dress made from a paper dolly that Charlie made when he was at primary school. I think he cringes a little when I pop it on the tree! I love the way unpacking the decorations year after year and arranging them around the house brings back lots of lovely memories and good feelings. Handmade decorations make extra special gifts as they convey that sentiment too and are a great way of using up odds and ends of yarn from your stash. I have used 4 shades of yarn for a more contemporary, simple look, but I think these would also look great made with all sorts of yarn types and colours with added buttons, beads and ribbon to add in a big splash of fun! I am a bit of a magpie. I am a sucker for a bit of bling and get easily side-tracked by sequins, sparkles and shiny things. These days I find it a little easier to resist the temptation of glistening, shimmery items as I wander around the shops, but I am still madly in love with the technique of adding beads to my crochet. I loved creating these twinkly decorations, which would look great hung from the tree or worn as a stunning corsage.

Venture into the world of two-colour brioche with this stripey ribbed hat. An increase and decrease skew the ribbing towards the left resulting in an asymmetrical edge. Wear the hat slouchy or fold the brim up for ultra warmth. Grab your DK weight scrap yarns to play with improvisational stripes and top it off with a colourful pompom! Finished Measurements: 20in / 51cm circumference. Shown on a 22.5in / 57cm head circumference. Yarn: DK weight Yardage: 250yds / 229m Needles: 40in US 7 / 4.5mm circular, Magic loop method is used for knitting in the round.