A Mollie Makes Challenge

Way back in Febrary 2012, my very good friend Abigail gave me an annual subscription to Mollie Makes for my birthday. It wasn't a magazine I'd bought before, although I'd heard of it, but Abigail knew it would be my sort of thing, and she was right. I was instantly very taken with it and decided it would be fun to make one thing from each issue, which was more of a pleasure than a challenge, if I'm honest. My absolute favourite item is the crocheted cushion, pictured above. My interest in crochet had been simmering in the background for some time but this project cemented my desire to learn and prompted me to book myself on a learn to crochet course. I still love the pattern, colours and feel of the yarn as much today as I did when I made it, and it moves from living room to bedroom depending on the seasons and makes me happy every time I look at it.

I thought it would be fun (and yes, a little indulgent) to look back at all the things I've made. So, here are the fruits of my labours. From issues 11, 12, 13 and 14 we have two fabric mice, a pretty but not very useful apron, that crocheted cushion and a box of felt macarons.

From issues 15, 16, 17 and 18 we have one pair of sparkly pumps (which I actually wear a surprising amount!), some friendship bracelets, a bunting-decorated bag and a string of pompom bunting (pomting?) for Angus's bedroom.

Then, in issues 19, 20, 21 and 22, I made a pile of decorative fabric leaves, two crocheted coasters, a cotton granny square throw and an autumnal themed embroidery.

And finally, from issues 23, 24, 25 and 29 (my subscription ended somewhere here and I started buying random issues), I made a felt fox and racoon, a pretty floral crocheted garland, the knitted washcloth and two felt ice lollies.

Some things, like the patchwork apron and the crochet coasters, I did to see if I could, to improve my skills a little. Other things, like the felt macarons and fabric leaves, were crafting eye candy - projects that appealed to me for the way they look as much as for their use. Some took twenty minutes (the pompom bunting) while others, like the crocheted throw, took months and months. There were things for the children, for me, and for gifts. Absolutely everything has been worn, washed, played with, used and and loved, with the exception of one thing - the apron - because what is the use of an apron which doesn't stop the front of your clothes being splashed when you're cooking? - but I still like it all the same.

I've enjoyed doing this enormously (except for the mice, they were too fiddly). It made me try things I otherwise wouldn't have and at times pushed me out of my comfort zone. I've just looked back through all my old issues for ideas for Christmas presents and there is certainly a lot of inspiration in those pages. I don't buy it every month now - probably every third of fourth issue - as our tight budget has meant I've had to drastically cut down on treats like magazines, but I am still very tempted every time I see a new issue of Mollie Makes on the magazine stand.