Crochet Gingerbread House box

                                          YAY CHRISTMAS PROJECTS !!!!!!!
I was trying to come up with different items to make for the shop window to display this Christmas other than the usual Santa, Mrs Claus , snowman etc when i came across this gingerbread house. As you may know i;m not one to stick to a pattern so i tweaked it slightly and turned it into a gingerbread house box!   filled with sweets of course ! 
I have to make more of these during the year, it is a great basic house shape with loads of room for imagination. The only problem i had with it was it worked up so fast!,  i enjoyed making  it so much, it would be a great project to work on over a few days, but it was done in one.

Refer to the original free pattern for the basic house shape.
This is the original pattern  HERE 

The original is made in dk/8ply yarn on a 3.75/4.50 hook.
I used chunky yarn, to make it stiff, Hayfield Bonus Chunky on a 5MM hook for the house and icing and a 3.50mm hook and dk/8ply yarn for the decoration.

USA TERMS
dc - double crochet                    pva glue & water mixed (to coat the house if not stuffing it)
sc - single crochet                    hot glue gun to attach decorations
slst - slip stitch                          SWEETS !
ch - chain



I made the sides, roof, front, back and base first.

 Following the pattern instructions i then stitched all sides together (not roof yet) and gave it a coat of pva glue and water mixed for added stiffness, remember its a box so it won't be stuffed and needs to stand on its own.

While its drying i made the roof and attached the icing,
i stitched through the shell to keep them flat against the roof

sc across the top of the roof

I then attached one side of the roof  according to pattern instructions, leaving one side open for access

Before i added decorations i coated the complete house in the pva mix again and left it to dry over night..

The window is a long chained joined at the end then 2 smaller chains. I pinned it to the side first then stitched through the stitches to secure. 
The smartie sweets are  magic ring, ch1, 4sc in ring, join to ch1 , fasten off. these are glued on.

The lollipops - sc around a toothpick.
the pop top - worked in the round so place marker if needed in first stitch
- magic ring, ch1, 6sc in ring.
2sc in each stitch (12 stitches),
2sc in next, 1 sc in next (18 stitches),
work 3 rounds of 1sc in each stitch.
sc 2tog 6 times, stuff with filler,
sc2tog 3 times.
ch2, 1dc in same space,
2dc in each st, join to 1st dc, fasten off
put a dab of glue on top of the stick, insert in the pop. 
stitch around the bottom of the dc round to tighten the piece, fasten off. i glued the bottom of the stick into the roof.

The peppermint sweets (i made 60
dk yarn x 2 colours
red and white together
magic ring ch1, 6 sc in ring
2sc in each stitch (12stitchs) join to first, fasten off

Candy canes and door are on the pattern.
The wreath - 
magic ring, ch1, 10sc in ring join to ch1.
*ch2, slst in next st* repeat to end , join in ch2. fasten off.
The door knob is a couple of french knots.










It stands perfectly with or without sweets !

I CAN SEE MYSELF MAKING ANY MORE HOUSES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!

Crochet Wine Bottle Cosy

These bottle cosies are a very easy way to glam up a gift bottle. Use up some of your stash, i found any yarn with a sparkle or shimmer works best for that christmas look. A basic pattern for the cosy and a twirl for the string. This twirl is also great for toys if you need to crochet hair.
I used leftover sparkly yarn such as King Cole Glitz, Twilight and Peter Pan Lustre.


                                          Crochet Wine Bottle Cover

USA TERMS


    4mm/G hook
    dk/8ply yarn 

Make a magic ring

rnd1 - ch2, 12dc in ring, join to first dc.

nd2 - ch2, 2dc in same space as ch2,
           2dc in each st to end, join in first dc.

rnd3 - ch2, 2dc in same space as ch2, 1dc in next stitch.
           *2dc in next st, 1dc in next st* repeat *to* to end 
             join in top of first dc.r

rnd4 -* ch3, skip2, sc in next st* repeat to end. when last ch3 made            sc in first ch3 space of round.
      
  The rest of the cosy is worked in the round  continue with

  ch3, sc in next ch3 space, until approx 32 rounds worked

  half way up the neck of the  bottle.  I use the join in the starting rounds as a guide as to where to stop,

rnd5 - continuing in the round *ch6, sc in ch3 space* repeat for one round 
rnd6 - continuing in the round *ch10,sc in next ch6 space* repeat to end.
          ch5,sl st in centre of  ch10 space, slst down to next sc. fasten off.

                               ------------------------------------------------

                                              


                                               Twirl Tie

ch73,  3sc in 2nd ch from hook,  3sc in each ch to end, fasten off.

         The twirls wind around ice and tight, when i fastened off i stretched it out to give a loose springy effect.