Beaker Button Blog

 I've been writing my fifth Dorset button book, Dorset Button Inspirations, and I thought it might be useful to share my process for writing a new book. First I get a brainwave idea. The one for this book was 'I wonder how many things I can come up with to use Dorset buttons for. 101 uses for Dorset buttons!' By the morning I had 104 and the beginnings of a new book.  There is usually a gap of 2 years between books because that's how long a new book takes from conception to printing. The first stage is mainly played out in my head, with samples being made where I'm exploring a new technique or something I'm not sure of. I do most of my best thinking when I'm walking. It gives me time to play with ideas and new projects without having to make something over and over again. A project will normally spend at least a week being constantly made in my head, working over possible problems. I also write a lot of lists on my phone. Project ideas, to do lists, contents...

As some of you may know, I have a BAHA (bone anchored hearing aid). This is a fabulous piece of kit. I have a metal screw in the mastoid bone in my head (which incidently has to be tightened each year so I do occasionally have a screw loose),and my heading aid clips onto this screw. I hear through the bone rather than through my broken ear. This does, however, make it a little difficult wearing hats, as the hearing aid sits proud of my head and anything placed on top of it makes it whistle like a tea kettle on the boil! Lyra Hat is my solution so I'm sharing it here for other people like me. It would also be useful if you wear a ponytail. Lyra Hat www.beakerbutton.co.uk   ©Jen Best 2019   Skills required. This hat is worked in the round from the top down.  Working in the round. M1r increases, knit front and back increases. Ability to recognise and work knit and purl stitches as they appear in the work without the need for a written pattern. Casting on and off within ...

Patterns are for personal use only. We are happy for you to sell things you make from them but please credit Beaker Button. I like making cloths. They're quick, easy and have a practical purpose. They're also a great way of testing new stitches as it doesn't matter if they go wrong. They can still be used as a dish cloth or a face cloth. I've added a few patterns for you to play with below.  Dish and Face Cloths and Wipes Ammonite Crochet Face Wipe Ammonite Face Wipe Tension: each face wipe is 6cm across at widest point, 3.5mm hook (or nearest size to get the correct tension), 10m Anchor Creativa Fino Cotton 4ply , yarn needle for sewing ends.  The pattern is worked in a spiral. Please check your tension. If it’s not the same as the tension in the pattern your sizing may be different. Crochet Abbreviations. UK terms used throughout. ch - chain st(s) - stitch(es) dc - double crochet ss - slip stitch htr – half treble tr – treble dhtr – do...