A Bit of Luck for Sure!

Are you a glass half empty or half full type of person? I am a bit on the half empty side at times, but today I choose to see the glass as half full!

Photo credit and made by Purled Decay

To cut or not to cut!

On my hook right now, yep, this very minute, is a blanket design. I am closing in on the final stages of it and looking forward to getting it out to test.

At this point I have used almost 4 full 200g balls of Bendigo Woollen Mills Dk cotton. These balls have about 485 metres of yarn in each ball. That means I have worked my way through almost 1940 metres of yarn. I have around 150 metres left on the fourth ball and I have won the lottery! Yes, lucky me! Winner, Winner!

When these balls are manufactured, those making them are going to have to make a join somewhere. They kind of just have too! Finding one of these joins is like finding a needle in a haystack! Or maybe (for those Harry Potter fans) a Golden Snitch!

I had worked my way through around 1800 metres and didn't find a join. This was when my luck cut in. How did this luck manifest you may ask? I found a join in the fourth ball.

Imagine my delight! I could have found my way right through the entire project without finding an elusive join! Of course the obvious reaction to this (if we are being realistic) rather offensive join, would be to get annoyed. Curse my luck, thinking 'Why me', Why did I have to get a join?'

I decided that instead of viewing this as bad luck, I would choose to believe that I am extremely lucky. 'Oh, what luck, a join!'

Just think if you found yourself at the wool mill and were told to go find a ball of yarn with a join somewhere inside, the chances of finding one would be pretty slim. But I found one and I didn't even have to leave home!

Out of all those balls of yarn in production I managed to get the one with the little prize hidden inside!

Out came the scissors and a cutting I went. You just can't trust that those pesky little knotted joins will hold, so a re-join is a must. My mind then shifts to the thought that I now have 2 extra ends to sew in. How fantastic!

You just have to love those little joins! I am so glad I had the honour of finding one! I feel so special!

A Bit about this yarn!

Bendigo Woollen Mill yarn is super soft and incredible to work with. This is an Australian owned and made yarn!

Frustrations of a Hooker!

What is frustration to a Hooker?

Some actually find being referred to as a hooker a major frustration! Not me that is just fine! Call me a hooker all you want!

Others cannot stand that mess of yarn barf and will actually throw it away or pay someone to untangle it.

Yarn Barf!

My frustration for the day is reaching for a design I have partly done and then looking for the 4mm hook needed to do some on it. Mr. 4mm is in my favourite colour purple and you would think I would know his where-a-bouts given that. But, no, he has left the building. Maybe he got a better offer. Better work conditions. Someone with nicely manicured hands to hold him. Someone who will pack him away nicely into a beautiful hook case with tender loving care, instead of leaving him laying around till he is needed. He didn't leave a note to say he was leaving! Nothing!

Then to add to the frustration, all the silly red 3.5mm hooks and 3mm hooks that I do use quite often and have slowly lost, turned up in my search.

Red hooks everywhere!

So I am now in a sea of red hooks and not a purple one in sight.

Footnote: Major alert! Call off the search!!!

I found him... He was hiding in amoungst a bag of purple and pink squares I have been designing. Now we are going to have to have a talk about hiding. He could have let me know with a yell or a 'Hey I am here'. Typical male. he knows how much I want him and he is playing hard to get. Well he won't be happy once I give him a few hours of hard labour hooking away!!!

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Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

What is an Afghan?

I was asked the other day, what is an Afghan?

Now, this question was asked in a facebook group dedicated to crochet, and I know what popped straight into my head, me being a self confessed Hooker.  But the word covers so much more and it very much depends upon who you ask, as to the answer you will get......

Afghan Dog!

If you ask a dog lover you will be told that an Afghan is a very tall, hairy dog with a pointed nose.  Yep, that is true!

A

AFGHANISTAN!

If you ask a person who paid attention at school, or maybe lives there,  they will tell you:  An Afghan is a person native to Afghanistan.   Again right!

If you bother to look the word up in the online Dictionary it states:

: a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan

A blanket or shawl of colored yarn knitted or crocheted in strips or squares. 

A  Turkoman carpet of large size and long pile woven in geometric designs.

Afghan Hound: A tall hunting dog of a breed with long silky hair.

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Afghan Blanket!

A Crochet Afghan

But getting back to what us Hookers know as the only RELEVANT meaning of the word, that being crochet blankets: Afghans come in a huge array of styles, shapes etc.

This gives me a very amusing visual of a person of Afghanistan origin, sitting on an Afghan carpet, with their Afghan dog, crocheting an Afghan. Who knows they could even be in Afghanistan doing this.

If you are going to be really fussy about what a Crochet Afghan is, then it specifically refers to a blanket made from Tunisian Crochet. Of course those who are not proficient in Tunisian Crochet will claim the word Afghan as being relevant for any crochet blanket. Right or wrong is anyones guess!!

It may well be that we all just prefer the word 'Afghan'. If someone claims 'Oh, what a beautiful blanket you are making', we can respond, 'Oh no, It is actually an Afghan!'. Certainly sounds just a little more special.

Afghans can be made in one solid piece (which is usually the case in Tunisian Crochet), motifs joined together, crochet squares and strips. How versatile is that! And the word 'Afghan' does sound so much more interesting than just a boring old blanket.

Must get back to making my latest Afghan Crochet!!! I need it to take on my trip to Afghanistan! May take my dog who would like to be an Afghan hound but isn't (Cocker Spaniel).

My prize winning AFGHAN BLANKET

What is Crochet1? →

I guess the answer to that is in the eye of the beholder!The Dictionary says this: 

Crochet is a handicraft in which yarn is made up into a textured fabric by means of a hooked needle. "a crochet hook".

Some who don't like or get Crochet may answer like this:

"Crochet is a complete waste of time and money".

But to those of us who know the true secret of Crochet and the wonder of creating it is much more.

You see, you get (or are maybe given) this magic wand (crochet hook).  You wave this wand and incredible things appear.  Well, that is what is meant to happen.  Sometimes there is a lot of frustration along the way.  A lot of Frogging and the occasional swear word all added into the mix.

We crochet because we enjoy creating something of beauty.  We crochet to help avoid stress.  To keep our minds active.  To create that item for our loved ones, that is unique and special.

And to those who don't get the need to Crochet I say "Full Speed Ahead and damn the torpedoes.  Hooks (or wands), Charge!!!"

poodles 1

Help! I'm addicted to W.I.P.S and Yarn!

If you were to fill a room with serious Knitters and Crocheters and ask those who do not have a HUGE stash to step forward, what do you think the outcome would be?

Sure there may be one, or two who step forward as their stash is small and controlled. But maybe they have only just stepped into the dark side of Crocheting/Knitting and are yet to succumb to the lure of those soft, squishy skeins of beauty!!!

The rest of the room would be either trying to avert their gaze, as they know they have more yarn than they can ever possibly use in one lifetime Or they would be standing tall and defiant as it's their yarn, and the world can go suck a big one if they think they are going to change their ways!

I have too much yarn. I do know this. But then how much is too much? Like really!! I have sorted through my skeins of beauty and considered downsizing. I even got rid of a few balls of really cheap acrylic that I was never going to use. It went to someone who does crochet for charity.

But as for the rest, I need them!! What happens if an idea jumps into my head, and I have to wait weeks for an order to arrive? That would just never do!

W.I.P.S, I have them everywhere. I really don't make things from other peoples patterns now. I have way too many ideas careering around in my head to even think about doing other peoples patterns.

If I am being honest I would have over 20 W.I.P.S at least. I do a bit, move on to another one and repeat. Sooner or later I finish most of them, but not always. There is that Ruana that I started well over a year ago, and I am just not feeling it any more.

I am very proud of myself at the moment though! I had an idea leap into my head yesterday and I was itching to place an order for some really lovely yarn I saw. It looks so NICE! It wanted me to buy it!!! I was so close to pressing that order BUTTON. It was begging me to press it!

Go on, you know you want to.

I looked at my stash and pondered it for a bit. Then I remember all that Stylecraft Batik Dk (here), that I had left over from my own Leadlight Afghan (here) and also from many years back where I made Sue Pinners beautiful Carousel Blanket. I had some lovely purples (my favourite) left from that one. This would work! It would look wonderful with what I had in mind. I dragged my hand away from that nasy order button. It was of course still begging me to press it. The order button did not get pressed, and I am using up my stash. Someone please give me a medal or two!!

Leadlight Afghan Made from Stylecraft Batik Dk.

What a superior feeling! I dug through my stash and found all those bits and pieces of Stylecraft Batik (which turned out to be quite a bit). I am just loving the colours and this is going to be really lovely. The stitches will be easy and very beginner friendly. It is the colours that will make this special. Excitement Plus!!!

Sneaky Peek of 'Just a Little Bit Batik Shawl'.

So stay tuned for my 'Just a Little Bit Batik Shawl'. Pattern coming soon!!! (That is if I don't decided to start another W.I.P. or even finish something I started ages ago, I really should do that). I can also feel a vest or jacket in this same style is going to be in order.

I may even gift this shawl to a very special relative of mine who loves to follow my crochet with EXTREME interest. I am sure they will love it!!!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a yarn link on my page and purchase yarn, I get a small commission. This does not affect you in any way but helps me to keep my blog going.

When you forget to pack your crochet and life happens!

Most people have probably seen the ads for the American Express card in which the motto is, 'Don't leave home without it'.

Yes, a few of you are nodding as you know the ads I mean!

Well for us die-hard crochet maniacs, while a credit card is a very important thing to have on hand, say for if you need to duck into a yarn store or two. Michaels could be having a flash sale and then that card will be your best friend............but I think for most of us, the top of the list of what to take on leaving home, would be an emergency crochet WIP.

You know how it is! You are going about your day and the unexpected happens and you get stuck somewhere. I had one of those days this morning.

I was leaving the gym after a rather strenuous pump class and got to my car, my car must have been in a rather selfish mood as it had a flat tyre. Surely it knew I was actually a bit tired and would rather not have this delay. I did plead with it to not have a flat tyre, but it was refusing to listen. As I stated, SELFISH!

I looked at the tyre and thought about it for a bit. My dad ensured that I knew how to change a tyre and I am pretty darn good at it. Mind you I have told my long-suffering husband that we really need a better jack than what is in the car. It takes longer to get the car up on the jack, than it does to change the tyre. So with this in mind I considered just how much air was left in this tyre, how tired I was, and I made the sensible decision to drive the 200 metres to the tyre shop down the road.

Now they were great and got stuck into changing that tyre right away. But as I sat there, waiting I was also kicking myself. This was prime crochet time. Sitting there, hands idle, nothing to do. I had left all approximately 30 WIPS at home.

I thought about the Girl Guides we have in Australia (for anyone in the USA this is sort of like a Scout) and their Motto "Be Prepared". Well I was not! I guess I can excuse my lack of preparedness due to the fact that I was never a Girl Guide, although I was a Brownie, which is sort of an understudy to Girl Guides. Once initiated into this group you get put into a sub group, some of which were Pixies, Elfs, Leprechauns and I forget what else. As an added incentive to becoming a Brownie you get to wear a hideous poo brown pinafore. I wanted to be a Pixie, but of all the sections to be put in, I got Leprechaun. No wonder I hate green!

Well being a Brownie was obviously a waste of time. Don't think I paid a lot of attention to the Brownie code at all as none of it helped me today. I was not prepared!!

So lesson learnt. I won't make that mistake again! What a boring 15 MINUTES that was! Imagine how many rows I could have done in that time!

Time to pack the car with an emergency WIP!

SO, DON'T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR CROCHET WHEN YOU LEAVE HOME!!!

Crochet! Go big, or go home!

Sounds great in theory! And I always have grand ideas that seem to take forever from idea to completion.

Last huge idea I had took over two years to complete, and I think I am sizing myself up for a similar experience.

I bought yarn for a large size Afghan approximately a year ago. For this one I am using Stylecraft Aran with wool. (available here). These are fabulous for a larger project as they come in these huge 400g balls.

Then I spent many hours designing a graph for it. In my head the Afghan has two picture panels. These panels have cats on them.

Sounds easy doesn't it? I got as far as putting the cats on the crochet panel via cross stitch and found I was a stitch out somewhere.

Cross-stitch on crochet is not hard. At least it isn't till you make a boo, boo and have to frog back several hours work. These cats were staring at me with their yellow eyes in a mocking manner. Something wasn't right! The cats refused to tell me what the issue was, selfish things!!!

So this has been one of those projects that gets taken out of the naughty corner for a bit, stared at, glared at, and I even begged it to show me what I was doing wrong.

For ages this horrid thing refused to answer and lay despondent in the naughty corner, cats, half done and sulking.

I worked my way through several million WIPS that had been piling up and decided it was time to take another look. It was as if a light bulb went off and all of a sudden it was clear. Why didn't I see that ages ago? After all it is pretty darn obvious!!!

I am now happily working on my Cat Afghan again and while this is going to take a bit of time to complete, it is going to be A-MAZ-ING!!!

Cross-stitch cats.

Crochet Bags, bags and more bags!

Lately, I have been making bags!

I made the 'Billy Thunder' Tote and was pleased with that (and I got to play with beads, which is always a good thing.)!

Billy Thunder Tote

Next was my Re-mojonation purse/bag and I was super happy with that one.

Re-mojonation bag

Then I moved on to 'Field of Flowers' (which is a mess of flowers on a bag and a fantastic stash buster). I do love flowers! I also got to play with polymer clay with this one. Clay is fun to play with, as long as you remember to keep the oven to a slow temperature. Not a lot of fun if you forget. Toxic fumes are not fun!

Field of Flowers is at present in the hands of my long-suffering testers and will hopefully be listed early next month. I am forcing them to work day and night to get it done, so it should be good!

Field of Flowers Tote

I showed Field of Flowers to one of my non-crocheting friends (Yes, I do have one!). This friend is mad, crazy, obsessed with the colour 'RED'. Red is not a colour that I am totally drawn to. I prefer purples and oranges. Anything on the spectrum of those colours and I'm drawn like a moth to a flame.

If I was asked to get rid of a couple of colours in the world, never to be seen again. I would probably get rid of GREEN first, as I hate green. I told my red obsessed friend the other day that green should only ever be seen on a plant or grass. She did agree!

There I would be acting as colour designer to the world and banishing Red and Green. I can imagine them both sulking and refusing to leave! Begging me to let them stay. But I would be firm in my decision as they headed for the exit door offering excuses as to why they should stay! Although I guess Red Roses would be missed! Maybe I could be generous and make a dispensation for Valentines day!

I could make a proclamation: Here yee, here yee. I hereby declare that there may be Red (and I guess Green too) on Valentines Day! But only on Valentines Day!

The world could do without green for sure. Imagine a world full of Purple and orange trees and plants! Throw in a bit of pink and this is a world I could dance in! That would rock!

We could do without red! Couldn't we? My red obsessed friend would vehemently disagree with me and I do have to admit it would seem rather odd not seeing this person dressed in red and driving her red car.

And I guess it could be an issue, due to the fact that I am a redhead.

Yes, yes, this sounds like a contradiction as I love my hair colour, but red hair is totally different to the actual primary colour red, so don't start there! I guess if I ended up with purple hair it would not be the end of the world. Look at how many nannas rock the purple dyed look!

My father would have hated a world without red in it. Red was his favourite colour and he loved his red truck. But this is my imaginary world and RED has to go!!!

I wonder where my dislike of Green and Red comes from. Red is just such an, in your face colour and doesn't go with that many other colours all that well. And always having people suggest I should wear green, probably didn't help the colour green. 'It will go with your hair' they say. Yeah sure, if you want me to look like a potplant! Yes, I love flowers, but I don't want to look like a potplant! Every time I put on something green I just hated it.

But bags, back to the subject of bags! After showing off my Field of Flowers Tote, I decided (after talking to the red obsessed friend) that I did need to produce one with red flowers in purse size. I added a red lining inside so the red peeps through from the back, adding an extra touch to the design. This little beauty is in the capable hands of my testers!

Poppy Meadow Bag

I have two other bags in the works. One is part done, and the other is just stewing around as an idea in my head (and no, in my head it is not red or green in colour, but a lovely shade of lilacs and blues).

I have a ton of ideas for different crochet bags! And I have the stash to do them all (insert evil laugh here)!!! I will take over the world one crochet bag at a time!

Keep an eye out for my latest two coming soon to a ravelry/etsy/love crochet pattern store near you (well at least a computer click away).

Why didn't I use my yarn winder!

I am working on something for myself at the moment. I wasn't going to write the pattern up, but I just could not help myself.

At this stage I am nineteen pages into the pattern and almost finished the design. I am pretty chuffed with how it is turning out, and I have found these super cute buttons to add to it. I can't wait to finish it.

You may be thinking, what is this design? Well at this stage you will just have to wait and see as I am only showing a portion of it. It should be ready to test in the next few weeks.

But back to the issue at hand! You know how it is with a project, when you can see the finish line up ahead and are in a mad rush to finish it. You attempt to work faster, but every little thing seems to stop you.

I am using Ice Magic Light yarn in this design and from past experience I know very well that half way into a ball of yarn, it becomes a tangled mess of yarn barf.

Yarn Barf. If you see an end in there message me!

Sitting over in the corner of the room is my yarn winder. It is glaring at me and chanting 'I told you so. Serves you right'. It probably has a point, although I do wish it would be quiet! I did know it would happen, but I just wanted to keep going. The finish line is just there!

The thing that is really, really annoying, is the ten minutes I have just spent attempting to find the end of the yarn. I know, and you know, that there are two ends in there. But where are they? Have I somehow ended up with an endless part ball of yarn, with no start and finish? Is the yarn taunting me and trying to mess with my mind by hiding its ends?

So here I am with my tangled mess. I could still be here in a months time attempting to find the ends. I will probably be found sitting on the floor, completely tangled in my yarn and muttering 'there are no ends' over and over.

Maybe I should just hire a Detective to find these camouflaged ends and save myself the torment . And can someone please tell the yarn winder in the corner to Shut Up!

Freeform Crochet! Where is that Pattern?

Freeform Crochet is about letting go and throwing all those rules and patterns out the window!If you are like me,  you only ever read instructions on anything (and I mean anything), if there is no other choice.In Freeform, there are no rules, no instructions. If I want to put that stitch there I just will.  So what, if I have 20 stitches this side and 22 on the other side. Who cares!  I did count them, but I know I didn't need to!I find sites that offer tutorials etc, on how to make a particular item using freeform amusing.  So you are offering me a guide, or maybe you can use the term 'pattern' on how to make a freeform piece?  And mine will come out the same as yours?  Sort of ruins the whole idea of it!Sure, look up suggested ideas, such as spirals or shells done using bullion stitch, surface slip stitch. Read up on Scrumbling (which in normal speak, just means making some odd motifs and joining them together). And get the lowdown on various  techniques used.  But once you are done researching, grab your hook and some yarn and get stuck into something.  Let your imagination go wild.Freeform offers you the chance to make something unique to you.  Each year a trend starts and pictures start popping up of the same crochet piece made over and over and over.   I know as a designer I would love to be the one who designed something that just everybody has to make.  BUT! After a while of seeing the same thing over and over I do get a little bored.  What is the answer?  Yep, FREEFORM!!!The picture for this post, is a coat I started over a year ago.  One day I may even finish it.  It's just a whole pile of flowers and a few spirals, stuck together in a random sort of way. The gaps are filled in with random stitches.  I love it!  It is going to be a rather thick coat when done and will sit just below the knees.I got sidetracked along the way and so it has been shoved in the WIP box.  I promise I will finish it, one day!Like most people who crochet or craft with yarn, I have a truck load of part balls of the stuff.  Freeform is the answer to this.Some Pluses for Freeform:Uses up a heap of leftover yarn.If you made a mistake, it never happened.You don't have to count your stitches, as it really doesn't matter.If you are a beginner at crochet. You can just call your work Freeform and dare anyone to say it isn't right.You end up with a piece of work that is totally original to you.If you run out of a colour of yarn, it doesn't matter.You don't have to check gauge.

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 Time to start saving those leftovers and putting them to use. There is no right or wrong way to do Freeform! Just give it a go!    

Nice Words For Sale! Going Cheap!

Maybe it is just me. Who knows! But being a Crochet Designer I wonder what a nice word or comment costs?Does it cost an arm and a leg?  Will people be punished and have their crochet hooks confiscated for a week, if they leave a nice comment and do they get bonus points if they find (or think,) they find an error and leave a comment about it (without bothering to send a message to see if they are right?) And are Ravelry and Etsy in on this.It does get a little disheartening to spend huge amounts of time creating, testing and publishing crochet patterns, for sale or for free and have quite a few downloaded only have the odd person comment that sees a full stop in the wrong place.So if you get a pattern for free, or if you buy one,  post a nice comment and make the designer feel they are doing a good job.  I promise it will not cost anything, and it will put a smile on their face.

Don't You Hate it When Snakes Stop You Crocheting!

What a day! Got home from the gym and intended to do the last two rounds of the third and final colour change on my Leadlight Blanket.  I have been working on this solid for ages trying to get this section done.  96 Bobbins on the go at once.  I could see the finish line ahead with such a small amount left to do and intended to spend the afternoon working on it.The world had other ideas!Got in the door and number 2 child spots a snake in the house.   Call the snake catcher, and he comes and cannot find it. $125 call out fee. About an hour later I spot the snake and so the snake catcher comes again. He still cannot find the snake.Number 2 child goes to the loo and as he is stepping through the doorway spots Mr Snake curled up at the back of the loo. So he slams the door shut. On the phone to the snake guy again who says he is 15 minutes away. I stand on the stairs to keep an eye on the loo door in case the snake tries to escape. About 10 minutes in Mr Snake popped his head and about a foot of his body out from under the door. So I start jumping on the stairs, as they hate the noise. He darts back inside the loo. Snake man phones to say he had to swing past another place to grab a brown snake that was in someones yard. So I spent the next 20 minutes tap dancing on the stairs till the snake guy arrived. He brought the brown snake with him for a sort of play date with my snake.  No not really that stayed in a bag, in the back of his car. Thankfully he was able to catch our snake. Another $125 and no crochet done today! I did get some dancing in, but was pretty put out with Mr Snake for spoiling my crochet time!!!!!

Clover Crochet Hooks and A Bit of Whirl!

I truly love my Clover Hooks.  They are easily my hook of choice.BUT... I do have one minor gripe about them.  Why don't they separate the colours just slightly better? I have lost count of the times I have had to frog a project, due to picking up the 3.5mm instead of the 3mm.They are both RED! Yes, different shades of Red, but still Red. It is so annoying!I am sure that they could mix it up a little. Put some Polka Dots on one. Or some Stripes.The cynic in me thinks they do it on purpose.  It's someones idea of a cruel joke. Whoever thought the colour choices up are probably a frustrated Hooker, cackling in glee that they made me frog another project.What I am currently working on, happens to be made from Scheepjes Whirl, in Lavenderlicious. Have you ever tried frogging that? To add to the disaster of it all, I always intend to rewind as I frog but often it doesn't happen. Tangled Whirl is a nightmare!As I was untangling my Whirl,  I had the thought, ' If I throw a Whirl, does it become a whirling, Whirl?'Just maybe Scheepjes and Clover got together and decided to make the hook sizes most used for this yarn the same colour.  It is their evil plan for world frogging domination! How sinister is that!But hey! My latest Design is going to be FAB-U-LOUS in my Lavenderlicious.  Two Squares done and a heap of them to go!Disclaimer;  This post may contain Affiliate links.

The Mystery of Surface Slip Stitch!

I can do anything with a Big Ball of String, or yarn, as the case may be!We all have our favourite or 'go-to' things.   I know I do.   I have several design techniques that I tend to default to, when working up a new design.I like to work borders for Blankets, one side at a time.  I also like throwing in a bit of Surface Slip Stitch, in many of my designs.Surface Slip Stitch can turn a simple single/double Crochet into a work of art!  A masterpiece of epic proportions!That plain cushion cover can become interesting or fluffy (depending upon yarn choice).It's also a great way to use up left over balls of yarn in your stash.   It is so easy to do too!The main photo shows my Shaggadelic Vest.  This turned out fluffy and warm, using Drops Melody  for the Surface Slip Stitch.Also, my  Wish Upon A Star Cushion.   This uses Paint Box Simply Chunky   I just love the look.Lastly my Dragonflies in Spring Blanket, made from dk Cotton yarn.  The Surface Slip Stitch on this just makes the pattern pop.Three different items and three different looks. How to Complete a Surface Slip Stitch

• If beginning your Surface Slip Stitch at an edge, Slip Stitch to attach your yarn.  If your Surface Slip Stitch begins in the middle of your work or elsewhere, I just start right from step 2 and leave a long tail to sew in later
• Insert hook through face of work
• Pull up a loop from the back of work, through to front of work and through loop on hook.
• Insert hook into next st. Repeat.

 

The Yarn Stash, Swallowed My Sunshine!

I have been in the process of a new design (aren't I always).    It started out simple enough as, a child hat pattern.  Then of course it grew.  Before I knew it I had done calculations for 5 sizes.I got the child size made and was working on an Adult version, when I ran out (or thought I had) of Stylecraft Special DK  in Sunshine.Getting towards that last little bit of yarn, I crossed my fingers, crochet twice as fast, made my work a little tighter, but all in vain.  I needed another ball!I looked through the Stash.  Nope! None to be seen!I glared at the hat.  I glared at the yarn stash, but it made no difference.  So, with huge haste and a pout on my face (which really is quite silly, as the pout won't help and  it still takes about 10 days to get a delivery no matter how fast I order) I ordered another ball.A couple of days passed and then I remembered.  That cushion I started and grouped the yarn for!  I am sure it had a ball of Sunshine in it!After a small search I had Sunshine in my hand ( and the room did seem to brighten a bit on my finding it).So I have a yarn order on the way I don't really need (and yes, of course I added more yarn to the order than, that one ball) and I have a hat to finish.Note to self:  I must downsize my stash, so it is manageable and I must organise my stash, so yarn cannot get eaten up by it.Wonder if anyone else's stash, eats their yarn? 

Introducing Mallory & A 'How To' Cover A Head in Fabric.

Find a person, with a head and wrap it in material.  There, done!No, not really, just kidding!INTRODUCING MALLORY!Mallory has recently signed on, to do some modelling for  Auburncraft Designs.I carried out some extensive interviews, as I am rather particular, as to who works for me. Mallory was the  successful applicant.  Now I know that we are not meant to discriminate and I did try hard not to.  But just quietly some of the other applicants were not all that attractive (ebay has a massive amount of different heads, with different shapes).  So I took my time and waited patiently till Mallory applied for the position.I am finding working with her a dream.  She is rather a bit on the quiet side, but she does exactly as I ask first time and is willing to work extended hours for nothing more than a warm, crochet hat, as payment.Nothing is too much trouble.  Turn that way!  Hold still!  Stay that way for an hour or so! And I hope you don't mind if I cover your head with Glue?Where else could I get such dedication!Now, if only she could do some of those pesky Math Calculations (that have been plaguing me lately) for my crochet.  I did ask her if she would, but she refused to answer!So if you are looking for a model for your Hats, Scarves etc.  And you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for one.  The 'how to' is below!

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HOW TO COVER YOUR OWN FOAM HEAD

• Get a Foam Head  (I bought my head on Ebay.  There were so many different shaped heads to choose from, but I liked this one.  They are only a few dollars).
• Modge Podge.  (This is a water based glue. I think the MATTE, would possibly give a better result, but I had some Gloss on hand so mine was done in that.  Most large craft places have it, or buy online)
• A paintbrush
• Scissors
• Some scrap material ( I had some batik material leftover from making the Hygge Shawl Cal last year)
• A bowl of water to dip your brush into

Step 1. Cut the material into approx 2 inch squares.Step 2. Using your paintbrush, cover an area on the head ready to attach the material.Step 3. Place a square of material onto the Head.Step 4. Dip your brush into the water and damp the material slightly.Step 5.  Add some more Modge Podge to cover the piece of material.Continue adding pieces of material till the head is covered.  Allow to dry.Give the Head a Name!

One W.I.P, Two W.I.P, Three W.I.P...Zombies!

I think that Crocheting is kind of addictive!You start one project and that is good.  Then you see another and just have to start that one.  Before you know it, you have a room, cupboard, shed, house full of W.I.P.SDesigning for me is pretty much the same!  If I stop to count how many W.I.P.S I have, it would take me all day to get a proper number.Two reasons for that.   First one is that math is not, my strongest point and second, I have way too many W.I.P.SDon't get me wrong.  Like many, who started school in the 60's, I can recite my times tables by rote and I can add and subtract basic percentages, in my head.Butttttttttt..... when you are talking about designing crochet, at times there is a ton of calculations.    If you happen to be designing something that has several sizes, then ooh, my goodness.Starting chains for each size and you have to take into account the first stitch makes two.Decreases and increases for each size.  Odd numbers and even number and numbers, numbers, numbers!  ARrGh!I get there in the end.  I often find myself going between the calculator, a sheet of paper and then I resort to drawing it out, to try and make certain I have it right.  My testers at times, find that I am not right and then I have to sit in the naughty corner, for a bit.Yesterday I was doing calculations for a new fun hat design.  My head was slowly turning to flummery.  I thought about sending out a life line, by phoning a friend.   I did message a designer friend and ask for her brain.  It's okay, I said I wanted it in a non Zombie like way.Yes,  back with the Zombies again!  I love shows like 'The Walking Dead'.  So Zombies are going to creep (or stagger) into the conversation sooner or later.At times when I am all tangled up in a Math haze, I ponder if the design is really worth it. I do have to say, I am pretty pleased with how this is turning out.   Hopefully it will be ready for the testers within the next week.I just have a few more CALCULATIONS to do!!!Stay Tuned for the Reveal SOOON!  Image at top of page is a sneak peek!This is made from Stylecraft Dk Yarn.  Available on Love Crochet

Make Lemonade and Clay Hook Handles!

How To Make Your Own Clay Handles, At The Bottom of Page.

When life gives you lemons make lemonade!  So the saying goes!Over the past 10 odd years, I have made that much lemonade that I could open a lemonade franchise, to rival any of the big companies!  This week alone would be a great script for a TV Soapie, with all that has been thrown my way (I wonder who would be cast to play me?). I got so sick of making lemonade, that I dug out my crochet hook and became a hooker instead.  Or rather, I now sip my lemonade, whilst tuning out to the world around, fully immersed in my crochet.And a

As far as this year is concerned, all I know is that I will be rather glad when October is gone and hopeful that November brings good luck with it.

From talking to people it would seem that many crochet to relieve the stress, from their day to day lives and all the things that keep piling up on us.

There's Martha, who has whipped up ten scarves, six pair of gloves and 40 hats in the last month.  She did not strangle one person during this month!  Thank goodness for the crochet! And Sally is doing well!  She has made 5 blankets in the past two weeks!  She may be buried neck deep in blankets but she hasn't driven off the edge of a cliff yet.  Well done!

Crochet is a type of therapy!  It may cost pretty much the same as if you had to pay someone to analyse you, but you do end up with a ton of wearables and gifts for those around you.

So yep!  I crochet so I don't punch people!  And if you want me to punch you, just try and take my crochet away! Maybe the prisons should be implementing a compulsory crochet program!

Lemonade anyone!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just love my Clover Crochet Hooks! BUT, starting out on my crochet path, I ended up with a ton of cheap Aluminium Hooks.

I prefer a handle that is slightly wider, than what, these provide. With Polymer Clay and a few minutes of your time you can make those cheap hooks useful again. AND IT'S FUN!!

I have and always will be, one to improvise. I don't have a heap of clay sculpting tools. I use what I have. This includes Darning Needles to scratch in the size and another hook to make the little groove in the clay (you don't have to have a groove but I like one).

Material:

• Polymer clay in various colors. I used Fimo but there are many different brands available.

• Straight blade or sharp knife

• Heavy rolling pin (and quite a bit of muscle)

• Non stick Baking Paper

• Crochet hooks to cover

• Extra 1.5 to 2mm hook for making groove

• Solid surface or chopping board

• Darning Needle

• Sculpey Bake & Bond Glue

• Baking Tray

Directions:

1. Choose the colours you wish to work with and break or cut off approx half a block of each. (if using Fimo).

2. On your solid surface, spread a layer of baking paper.

3. Roll your blocks out, so as to make them more workable. Then mix the two together to combine the colours.

4. Roll the combined clay out flat and about 5mm thickness. With a knife cut a piece that will be wide enough to wrap around the hook and long enough to cover the hook, where you want the handle to be.

5. Add a small amount of Glue to the hook, where the clay will be.

6. Position the hook on the clay and gently wrap the clay around it.

7. With your fingers, work at the spot where the clay meets, till the join does not show any longer. Then gently roll the clay (with the hook inside) to make sure you have a smooth, uniform handle.

8. If necessary, trim the top edge and also cut the edge where the hook protrudes so it is even and at the right position for you.

9. Using your 1.5/2mm hook, gently press the side or handle of this into the spot you want a groove (I put two grooves in mine, see the picture in the heading). While holding your 1.5/2mm in position, roll your clay covered hook back and forth to get the groove around the hook.

10. At the top of the hook handle, use your darning needle to scratch the size into the hook (this is very necessary to know what size your hook is later).

11. Place the clay covered crochet hook onto a baking paper, covered oven tray. Cook in the oven at 275 degrees F for 15 minutes. Add extra time if your clay is thicker.

12. Take out of oven, allow to cool.

Once you have the hang of making your own, you can get adventurous.  Make shaped handles and add moulded little characters to the top!  The sky's the limit!    

Chaos or a Leadlight Blanket?

There is beauty in Chaos!  Or that is my theory and I am sticking to it!My Leadlight Blanket is progressing slowly.I wanted a Challenge!  Something a bit different!Working from only one ball of yarn at a time, is not living on the edge.  So what do I do?  I design a pattern that in this colour work section, uses 96 bobbins of yarn.How it all Began!I saw a Mandala type Stained Glass and thought, Mmmmmmmmmm, something like this would look great in crochet.  So my mind began constructing, breaking down and forming how I would go about this.You know how it is when you are actually trying to sleep.  Instead of going to sleep my mind is figuring out how I can turn this Stained Glass into a workable blanket.  I thought about how I was going to construct this for several weeks.  Then I chose my yarn.I am using Stylecraft Batik Dk and while I have never been a  person who likes green, (there is only a minimal amount of true green in, it) I am extremely happy with the outcome.Normally, I have a tendency to go for Oranges or Purples, as I just love those colours. So I jumped out of my comfort zone and went for Teals, blues and the odd bit of green (which I do have to admit I put in grudgingly).Yes,  Yes.   It sure looks like a huge mess!But there is order in my chaos.  I only have 13 Rounds remaining of this section and while each round now takes quite a while, I will get there.It is different and the Challenge I was looking for.I keep adding up in my head, how long this will take to complete.Assuming I don't get tangled in my own yarn and have to call for emergency services to rescue me.    IF I do half a round each day, I can have this section done in 26 days.  Who knows I may get more done in a day.  I like to do a certain amount of a more challenging project each day and then revert to something a little more mindless.Then I can look forward to sewing in 192 ends!But, it already looks FABULOUS!  And I really think that when done it will be Super, Duper FABULOUS!  Yes, I can see how it would be a bit hard, to tell from this picture.  You will just have to trust me on this.I hope to have this pattern out to testing by the end of 2018 and published early next year.With each round of the blanket growing, this pattern will use quite a few balls of yarn.  Stylecraft Batik is available here on Love Crochet