Now the weather's colder...

I lost some of my crafting 'mo-jo' over the summer - 

It seemed far too hot to work on large woolly projects,

 then I lost interest in a smaller-scale crochet bag.

The darker evenings and horrible weather have had one bonus -

I've picked up my hooks again!

 

Since the beginning of the month I've made these children's blankets.

(My Mum knows some-one who hands them out as part of a Charity project)

 

 

I make them with a large hook and chunky wool - so they grow quickly and are soft and snuggly..

 

I also made my first ever 'wave' pattern scarf.

I gave it too my younger niece as a birthday present because the colour was perfect for her and I know that she loves long 'Doctor Who' style scarves.

 

 

I've also finished my latest granny square throw. 

I've just got to get through the process of finishing off all those ends...

 

I've learnt a lot about picking up stitches, keeping my work neat and changing direction in this throw.

It's not perfect - but I'm pleased with the overall effect.

 

I'm wondering whether I've got the confidence to try making a jumper next.  I used to design my own knitting patterns so I've got some idea of where to start in terms of shape and tension. The wave pattern scarf has also convinced me that I can work neatly in lines as well as squares, which is probably key to making something to wear.  I love making the big, chunky charity blankets while we are travelling to work, but it would be nice to have a evening project for myself too.

 

In the meanwhile, I still don't feel like finishing the crochet bag.  Isn't it funny how some projects seem doomed to lurk for months at the bottom of the craft bag....!

 

Jx

 

PS - Yes - I really do play the harp!  It's been part of my life for so long that I rather take it for granted - but it is a rather nice thing to have in the corner of the lounge!!!  Thank you for all your lovely comments on the last post.

Work in... very slow... progress!

I started this granny square project at the end of February.  The idea was to produce a piece of crochet that made me feel 'spring-like' - hence all the greens, yellows and browns.  Normally I do heaps of crochet during our shared commute round the M42.  Unfortunately the Easter holidays and lots of days when I've had to drive myself because Mark has been away, have really slowed down the final stages.  Nevertheless, it's starting to look like a proper throw....

 

Here's Tom inspecting the details...

 

 

"I like this corner Mum... can I play with those threads..."

Once Tom got bored and moved on, I took another photo.  Basically I've tried to make a floral pattern in each of the 36 squares.  I then popped a double crochet border (in yellow or orange) on each one and stitched it together with a raised single crochet seam.  I've now started a granny stripe border.  I'm working one side at a time and rotating the work every six rows or so.  This has created a nice detail at the corners.

 

My plan is to use it as a throw over one of our garden chairs - during that long hot summer we're going to have (Ha ha!!!!).  Alternatively I can always huddle up under it if we have the usual chilly summer!

 

I've found the granny stripe border seriously addictive and already have plans for another garden throw where the stripe are more of a feature.  The problem is that I also have 'unfinished business' with a lot of blue wool and a 'wave stripe' blanket...

 

Hmmm.  So much crochet and so little time.  Maybe 'Mr Ofsted' and 'Mr Btec Verifier' are just going to have to wait for their paperwork!!!

 

Jx

Inspired by Bagpuss..

 

Inspired by bagpuss's pink and white stripes, my latest Motorway blanket is a blend of

 bright pink, a sparkly pink and white yarn and lots of plain white for the background.

The light was going when I took this photo - but I hope that you get the general idea..!

 

The target audience is a young girl!

Hopefully it will soon be brightening up the life of a young person somewhere..

 

I'm still crocheting away in the passenger seat, but I've abandoned these blankets while I work on a Christmas gift or two.  Firstly I want to create something for my friend who taught me how to crochet back in February.  She loves handmade gifts so would appreciate the fact that I'd made something for her.  Then, if I've got time, I'd also like to make something for my Mother in Law. 

 

Unfortunately December seems to have caught me by surprise!

We've been ridiculously busy with work AND socialising loads.

On top of all that we seem to be commuting seperately quite a lot too,

which means a lot less crafting time.

 

I hope that you all have a good week.

Jx

Just Pottering

Today I've had a lovely day of quiet pottering.  I started by catching up with everyone's blogs over a mug of coffee first thing.  Do check out pearl@serenitycove's most recent post.  It transported me into a full-on Christmas mood!

 

Here's this week's 'Motorway Blanket'.  I decided to have a bit of a change and make a blanket for a baby this time.  The yarn has a a faint colour change in it (pink, purple and cream).  I added some soft white DK yarn and used both together to make the heavier edging.  I got it all from the Hobby Craft shop near school.  I just went in to pass a little bit of time and discovered that they have got a 'three for two' offer on all their yarns at the moment.  For once I didn't feel as if I was being slightly ripped off!  I asked how long the offer was going to be on for and got the typical large chain reply - "We're not sure..."

 

 

Those of you with sharp eyes will have spotted the new suite.  Thomas adores it and has chosen the chair in the corner as his own.  Fortunately the blue and beige colour combination seems to hide cat fur quite nicely!  Unfortunately the colours don't exactly go with the pale green theme of the rest of the lounge.  I'm going to have to get myself organised and sort it all out at some stage.... Probably Christmas or the January Sales.

 

 

Hope that you are all having a good weekend!

A couple more blankets and a new suite

Thank you to everyone who left comments on my last post.  You could probably tell that I was emotionally floundering yesterday afternoon.  Reading all your thoughts and supportive words helped me to get my head straight.  I really appreciated the fact that you took the time to write.

Anyway, here are a few more cheerful things from the world of 'Stand and Stare'... 

The 'Motorway Crochet Project' is working brilliantly.  Here's blanket number 2, largely crocheted in the two weeks before halfterm and finished off during that awful 5 hour journey back from the Lake District.  Its another 5X6 blanket, made with some chunky wool and a lot of blended DK yarns on a 10mm hook. 

 

This is blanket number 3 - which only took a week to make because it's one large square.  I found some lovely vari-colour baby yarn in a budget shop in Pershore.  I blended it with some blue, green and white DK wools.  It's really soft and snuggly.

 

Here's our lounge at the moment.  We are waiting for a new suite, which should be delivered tomorrow.  The two armchairs have been dragged in from the conservatory as a temporary measure.  The old suite (which we got from the Co-op back in 1996!) is going to a friend's son.  He and his family are going through some terribly difficult times at the moment and this is something of a 'cheer them up' measure.

 

We're not really "splashing the cash" though... The new suite was a bargain, clearance, factory direct purchase - costing less than 40% of what we paid for our old suite back in the 90s.  One of those lucky buys that generally happen to other people!!!

 

Thomas - who loves a day sleeping on the suite if he can get away with it - was horrified when it all disappeared yesterday afternoon.  He made me laugh though. It didn't take him long to work out that it was in the garage.  You could almost see him thinking "Ha - sussed you!  Now put it back...!"