Another Friday March 13, 2015

Yes, it’s Friday again, and as I have missed a few I thought it was time to catch up.

Lots of projects on the go and all going well. Sophie’s Universe is now over one metre wide and still growing. I really look forward to each clue being released so that I can see what will happen next!

Sophie’s Universe part 8

 

This week I also cast on a new shawl – Hitchhiker by Martina Behm – using Opal sock yarn on a 3mm circular needle. I’m 15 teeth in and I can tell I’ll definitely be knitting this one again.

Hitchhiker

 

I also had a quick make yesterday – coasters to pop into our Mother’s Day cards – hope they like them.

Flower coasters

 

And now the weekend is almost upon us – happy Friday xx

And it’s Friday February 13, 2015

Finally we’re at the end of what seems to have been a really long week. But things have been done, projects carry on, books are being read, and now we have reached the weekend and it’s time to relax!

I am really pleased with my continuing crochet project, Sophie’s Universe. This week took a lot more concentration, and a lot of counting, then some frogging, and then more counting! But it is glorious, so definitely worth the struggle!

I’ve also been busy this week with an idea I had for baby booties. Scribbling, swatching, hooking, then more scribbling until I think I’m happy! Now to see if I can make another to match…

Oh, and I’ve also cast on a new pair of socks – I couldn’t resist, but more of those as they grow…

Have a great Friday xx

 

Oh yes, it’s Friday! January 30, 2015

Well, it’s been a fairly quiet week, mainly due to wintry illness and lethargy! The television has been watched, most notably ‘Wolf Hall’ – gosh, that is good – books have been read, and yarny crafts have been in hand whenever possible.

My version of the Sophie’s Universe CAL is looking lovely. I had a few colour qualms earlier in the week but once I fastened off at the end of part 3 and took a photo I felt a lot better about my choices so far. I am using the Stylecraft colours suggested but I placed them in order myself, based on the other yarn colours. I think it’s coming together ok…

Another WIP is now complete too!! I saw a hat I liked in Simply Crochet magazine which used the crocodile stitch but unfortunately it was a toddler-sized pattern. So, after a bit of faffing about, I came up with this…

Please excuse the poor photo – there was no one around to take one of me so this not-so-good selfie will have to suffice! It’s lovely and warm though, and made in Stylecraft Extra Special dk with a 4 mm hook, my usual weapons of choice!

I finally finished reading ‘Love, Nina’ this week too, It’s been my book at bedtime in January, nothing too heavy, you can dip into it, read a couple of pages, leave it until the next night, ideal for me. If i read nothing else all day at least I know I have read a page or two at bedtime! So tonight I will begin something new, not sure what yet.

And it’s Friday! Hoping to get out for a stroll this weekend, breathe some fresh air, maybe find some snowdrops, oh and cast on for the Sous Sous KAL too, but more about that next week!

Happy Friday xx

The Friday Update January 23, 2015

So, this week has been all about CALs, and KALs, and MKALs. For those who may not know these are events where groups of crafters all knit or crochet along together – see, Crochet A Long, and so on, so clever and cute, I love it 🙂 And the MKAL is a Mystery Knit A Long – even more fun to be had there, as you don’t know where the pattern will take you…! So the first one I started is the Sophie’s Universe CAL. Parts 1 and 2 were released on Sunday and in the evening I gathered my yarns and hook together, settled down with ‘Call the Midwife’ and a glass of rosé, and began hooking. The instructions are really clear, with a great round by round photo tutorial, and I’m really pleased with how mine came together.

I’m using Stylecraft Special DK with a 4mm hook. Looking forward to the next clue 🙂 Then on Monday a new MKAL began in a group on Ravelry with a pattern from Ysolda Teague. The final piece will be a shawl and mine is in 4ply Stylecraft Life on a 4mm circular needle.

Also this week I’ve been crocheting little hats for premature babies, a charity close to my heart. And it feels good to give something back 🙂 And I’ve started to read ‘Mystery in White’ by J. Jefferson Farjeon, another book I received at Christmas. Happy Friday xx

That Friday feeling… January 16, 2015

Another Friday already – and am I glad! There is something about Friday that feels full of promise, anything could happen, the whole weekend ahead – in reality it will probably be just another weekend but for now the promise is there!

Since last Friday I have finished one WIP – the Sunlight shawl – and I’m really pleased with how it turned out. All ends are sewn in, it’s blocked and ready to go…

The Sunlight shawl

The cosy blanket is progressing well – I’m up to stripe 26 now and it’s lovely to sit with in the evening, over my lap, crocheting away 🙂

Still not finished the tie, but it’s getting there. And the hat needs one more round, so should be done today.

I also finished reading ‘The Strange Library’ by Haruki Murakami. It’s a charming little story, and reminds me of a book I could have read as a child, or read to my own children. Although it is darker, it just has that feel to it. I’d be interested to know what others think.

The Strange Library

And that is this week. I’ve been finding lots of new CALs/KALs that are about to begin. So if I can finish these current WIPs I can get some new projects on the go – what fun!

Happy Friday xx

Sunday’s Song January 11, 2015

And continuing with the theme of fresh starts and new beginnings…

I love this track!

Happy Sunday x

New Year’s Resolutions January 9, 2015

It seems everywhere I look today people are posting about their resolutions for the New Year – things to do, promises made, ideas they plan to bring into being, and so on. It made me think about my own approach to the New Year and those things that I might like to undertake, so here goes…

I’ve decided to keep a project diary, where I’ll keep track of all my knitting and crochet projects, plus any other craft-based ideas I might have along the way. I’ll include the details of the yarn I’m using, the hook or needle size, even the yarn shop/website the yarn came from, if necessary. Then I can track my progress, and see how I’m getting on.

And I thought it might be an idea to add the books I’m reading, just so I have a record of those too.

As well as any fabulous recipes I come across, and the results if I try them out!

And find time every Friday for a regular update here, to share what’s happened throughout the week.

So, this week’s projects are:

My Attic24 Cosy Stripe Blanket

My cosy stripe blanket

16 stripes in, more to follow this weekend 🙂

Next, a crocodile stitch hat from simply Crochet Magazine…

My crocodile stitch hat

The pattern is for a child’s size hat but it’s so cute I wanted one for myself, so I’m trying to make it larger – watch this space 😉

And last, but not least, a knitted tie for my hubby, which was meant to be for Christmas but somehow didn’t quite make it! almost done tho’

Moss stitch tie

My current books are:

Haruki Murakami – The Strange Library. A Christmas gift – loving it so far.

Nina Stibbe – Love, Nina. This is my book at bedtime – light, and easy to read, and fun. Not too troublesome before I nod off.

And today I read a recipe for Apple Cinnamon Loaf posted on Facebook. It looks yummy so I may just have to try it out this weekend – I’ll make sure to let you know.

And that’s all for now – happy Friday xx

Happy Hallowe’en November 1, 2014

Happy Hallowe’en x

Tapestry Crochet October 22, 2014

So, I have tried tapestry crochet before, without much success, but this time – hooray! – it worked!

I really needed a small pouch for notions, one that could be tucked into my bag, just big enough to hold a tape measure, a tin of stitch markers and a sewing-up needle, a small pair of needlework scissors, and maybe a spare crochet hook or two!

And here it is…

And if we look inside…

After completing the tapestry crochet body, I carried on just with the orange to create a flap by decreasing at each edge. Added a tassel and a loop to fasten and ta dah! There we have it – one tapestry crochet travelling notions pouch!

Happy Wednesday x

Rainy Days October 18, 2014

So, on a rainy afternoon there is nothing better than messing around with some yarn and a hook! On this occasion I decided to try tapestry crochet, again. I just need a small pouch, just big enough for a small pair of scissors, a tin that holds stitch markers, and maybe a spare crochet hook. So here goes…

Travelling notions

 

Hopefully there will be a follow up finished photo!

 

Happy Friday xx