I love looking at how shapes fit together and had wanted to create a tessellating circle design for some time. Circular motifs can be tricky to fit together and it is common to find the circular shape becomes slightly distorted when motifs are pieced together, so rather than create motifs that are square or octagonal, I have designed cross-shaped infill pieces that protect the shape of the large circles. Finished blocked measurements: approx 117cm (46in) x 117cm (46in).

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.