Crochet Viking Hat and Beard

I made this a year ago but haven't got round to putting it on here. I think this is one of the best/most enjoyable projects I have made to date. I made it for a friend's Halloween party last year. I think it took me 3 days to make but I loved making the beard, it was so much fun! The only thing is the beard needs a lot of yarn to a get it long, thick and luxurious. (I just had to have a ginger beard as orange is my favourite colour!)

Please excuse the photo it was taken before I had attached the beard to the hat. Which I also love because it was attached with buttons so the beard is removable! However after a few drinks I totally forgot and was very warm for most of the night with a massive yarn beard on...

I used a few different patterns to make the hat and beard. For the hat I found a generic hat pattern, there are many hat patterns out there. I found a separate pattern for the horns (horn patterns are again easy to find). To make the 'bolts' I made circles, stuffed them and stitched them on to the hat. For the hat detail I made two long chains and stitched them onto the hat at the ends. Click here for the amazing beard pattern. 

I cannot recommend this enough it takes a while to make but in my opinion it is totally worth it. 

DIY Paper-Cut Flower Card

I posted Paper-cut bird card a few days ago and wanted to try a slightly more complicated design so I decided on a flower. It's still pretty simple but I'm very slowly increasing the difficulty. I love the shadow that these type of cards make.

I didn't have anyone in mind for this card so I picked orange as it's my favourite colour.

I can't make my mind up if I like this card more than the Bird card or not, but it now has someone to go to already as a thank you.