Dragonflies! READ ON FOR A DISCOUNT CODE!

Dragonflies are my THING!

The very first pattern I wrote happened to be dragonflies. It was of course a simple dragonfly, made from the basic stitch combo but it was still dragonflies. My dragonflies have progressed over the years and now have my own unique stitch combo to create them. Sometimes they have long tails and other times short!

I get asked when I will run out of ideas for blankets etc, that feature my dragonflies. Trust me, it is not gonna happen. I finish one and then draw up another that just has to wait till I get time to make it.

I have one dragonfly design in the hands of my capable pattern testers right now. I have all 11 of them secured in a secret location (my basement) for the duration of the 10 week test period. So far testing is moving along in a smooth manner. In truth I am just not paying attention to the odd bit of complaining. Note to self: Put more insulation in the flooring to stop the noise coming from the basement!

The design my testers are all pouring over, may not be released until January of 2023, as it may become a CAL!

But don’t despair as I have a dragonfly design all ready to start. I just need the yarn to arrive. It is on a slow boat from overseas. Once it arrives I will begin on that and hopefully will have that out later this year.

And although the idea of it tends to cause immense pain to ME, I decided to do a little discount on my dragonfly patterns published on Ravelry!

So for the next few days you can get 14% DISCOUNT (I like the number 14) on any dragonfly design of mine on ravelry. E books excluded. Use the code ‘RAINING’ at checkout.

WHAT ELSE AM I WORKING ON!

Look I used bobbins! And it is pretty neat. Well for me it is!

I have a few things on the hook at present. One is a little blanket that features flowers (another thing I love). I am also working on a bed scarf which will probably end up being a wrap as well due to the versatile nature of it. You can see a few of the colours in this, in the top picture!

DO YOU THINK DESIGNERS ARE ORGANISED?

If you do, then this is so very far from true with myself. But what about all those lovely staged photographs that are used for promotion or in the pattern? (Insert huge laughter here).

I usually work in managed CHAOS! One of the things I have on the hook at present requires colour change. And yes I do know the neat and manageable way to work in colour change without ending up in a huge mess.

Let the chaos reign!

DO I USE THIS METHOD?

Nope! But what would be the fun in being organised! I can be found, usually surrounded by a tangled mess of yarn and muttering to myself that I should have used bobbins! I can use bobbins and have done so, but mainly so I can photograph my superior excellence in having done so!

The times that I don’t use bobbins, I promise myself next time I will. But I don’t, ever (unless I need to photograph it)!

I like to live dangerously!

There is something to be said from working this way, as the sense of achievement that is felt when you finally do complete the project is huge. Wow, I survived that!

Enjoy the little discount on offer for the next few days. I don’t often offer my dragonflies on discount! I must have gotten too much sun today or something!

Links:

Leadlight Blanket, pictured below, (click here).

Stylecraft Batik yarn. This happens to be on sale at present, (click here).

Auburncraft Crochet Design Ravelry discount code ‘raining’, (click here). This code is applicable for all designs with dragonflies excluding ebooks.

Premium pattern section of my webpage: (click here)

How clever am I! Ssshhh noone needs to know I had a mess making it!

Crochet Go Bag!

Yes, this is a thing!

If you are serious about crochet then like any good boy/girl/person guide/scout knows, BE PREPARED!

Let’s face it! Any serious crochet connoisseur knows that there is nothing worse than finding yourself somewhere with time to kill and hands just itching for some crochet, but you didn’t bring it with you. Of course when this happens I know I kind of just feel like plonking myself down wherever I may be and having a good sulk/cry/tantrum! Whoever decided that adults should not have tantrums really needs a talking to!

And unless you happen to be a type of Macgyver who can fashion a crochet hook from a low hanging tree branch and perhaps crochet a strategically placed clematis vine, then you will spend those hours wistfully wondering how much crochet you could have achieved.

This is where the Crochet Go Bag becomes an essential item. Always at the ready and packed with a WIP or 2 just in case.

Whenever I know I have to go pretty much anywhere, the first thought that comes to mind is, what crochet WIP shall I take?

Having a spare skein of yarn, or 2, or maybe 3 or 4 stashed away in your car, handbag, suitcase, backpack, etc, with a spare hook is just forward thinking. And a darn good excuse to buy more yarn and hooks.

I think if anything happens to me, the family shall have hours of fun finding all the well placed emergency skein and hooks, that I have planted everywhere. Maybe I should be kind and leave them a treasure map marking where the booty can be found. X marks the spot! Here and here, and here and there and over there. I can just hear my children all exclaiming ‘Mum was rather odd at the end. We found yarn and hooks hidden everywhere!’

They would probably all be wondering if I actually packed a Go Bag to take with me! Mmmm now that is a thought! Perhaps I should arrange this!

Crochet Go Bag Contents.

1, 2, 3, 4 or maybe 5 skeins of yarn. ✔

Mini scissors. ✔

At least one hook or two (go on throw in a third one). ✔

Measuring tape. ✔

Stitch Markers. ✔

Tapestry needle. ✔

W.I.P. ✔

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Be organised! You will thank me when you can just reach for your emergency crochet go bag when the need arises!


Links:

Vagabond Bag Link

Stylecraft Special Dk yarn

Clover Armour Hooks

Tapestry needles

Stitch Markers

Measuring Tape

Scissors

Crochet tote





Let's Talk Shawls!

Gold dress made using Madam Tricote thread

With my designs I have a tendency to stick to things like blankets and shawls.

I do love it when I find time to dabble in unique wearables but……………….. I don’t often bother to create patterns for this. It comes down to a hatred of having to size things. Designing is a ton of work at the best of times and sizing is a real bore. So what does one do to still be creative and create the odd wearable? Shawls!

I get to let my imagination run wild and I don’t really have to bother with sizing. It’s a win, win situation! Pictured you will see a dress I made for a wedding a couple of years ago. I used Madam Tricote metallic thread doubled and was very happy with the results.

I have also added a picture of my Technicolor Yarn freeform vest. Made from many different colours of pure wool. And yes I do wear this! I wore it to the Cinema just the other night to see the new Thor movie. The movie was not all that great but at least I looked good!

But back to shawls. I do have some shawls that fit the usual standard triangle or rectangle shapes but the ones that are a little more on the weird side are my favourites.

My latest design ‘Grannys Gone Bohemian Shawl’ uses a simple square joined with the join as you go method! The unique and weird factor creeps in as these squares only touch in the corners , thus using the negative space to create something just a bit different!. The main colour I have used is a softer cream/beige with slight colour flecks through it. I then used a splash or purple in various amounts on selected squares to form a feature pattern across the shawl.

The base of the shawl has a split fringe in the main colour, with basic purple fringe on the sides.

I worked with yarn from Glenheaven Knits.

Jenece from Glenheavan Knits is an Australian Indie dyer whose yarns are something special.

The main body of the shawl is made from a gorgeous BFL Cashmere Silk. The accent colour is a deep purple sock yarn.

Technicolour Yawn Vest

I wanted the purple to pop and draw the eye to the pattern created with the subtle splash of colour.

I do have to say that I was very happy with the end result! The yarn was lovely to work with and I am sure this shawl is going to become one of my favourites.

Links to the shawl and yarn can be found on my main webpage. Look under premium patterns, then shawl.

What is a Yarn Fast?

Otherwise known as Yarn Fasting!

This is the practise of refraining from and resisting any urges to purchase yarn. Whether this be via online purchase, visiting LYS or even buying from destash sites.

I have been on a succesful, self imposed, yarn fast for all of 2022. I have way too much yarn and some of it needs to go. I have tried to design items that will use up some of this copious amounts of yarn, and while I have placed a tiny (and I do mean tiny) dent in it, no one else would probably think so.

Yesterday was a very odd day! Where I live had torrential rain. Yep it was bucketing down and as the old saying goes, IT WAS RAINING CATS AND DOGS!

I had the need to venture forth into the world and check on an elderly relative. I combined this with a stop at the gym for a workout. Heading out I was wondering if this trip was a great idea. I had to drive my little car through a few patches of water that was halfway up my car tyres. The optimist in me just kept saying that it would all be OKAY!

After doing the things that needed to be done and braving the CATS AND DOGS flying everywhere, I headed for home.

Now sometimes the call for yarn can be strong!

And in fairness to myself I did have to drive home via a different route than I usually take due to the flooded roads. This would take me RIGHT PAST the LYS. I live very rural and this store just seems to magically be there. It isn’t in a row of shops (as you would imagine most yarn stores to be), but on a property fronting a road I had to drive right past. I am sure that often when I pass, I can see a halo of light shining above the place beckoning me in.

Of course today was a little different due to all the Cats and Dogs flying everywhere, but as I neared the spot where the LYS appears sort of like Brigadoon, I looked through the madly rushing windscreen wipers as they made a vain attempt to keep the windscreen clear enough to see, I felt the urge to shop! Have you ever tried to resist the yarn buying urge when it just calls to you? Impossible, RIGHT!

I do need some Scheepjes Whirl to finish a partially designed blanket, I thought to myself. I am only going to have to come back another time if I don’t get it now. Sooooooooooo there is a little bit of rain, i think to myself as another log goes drifting by the car.

I knew the LYS should be open on this day as they usually are. But apparently making a promise to ones self is taken seriously by the powers that watch over these things!

The entrance gate to the LYS was shut and I could just make out the horrid RED sign (I don’t much like red. It’s not as bad as green but still not a favourite) on the gate CLOSED! Sure it was a day of flood warnings and I did have to drive through water that was now up to the top of my car tyres, but really. I wanted yarn! I did consider just ramming the gate and demanding they provide me with yarn, but then they may never let me back. I discarded this idea almost immediately.

Sulking due to being thwarted in my effort to break my yarn fast, I headed on home.

I did eventually manage to get there and I won’t be going anywhere till the flooding subsides. I sure won’t be buying any yarn from the LYS until it does!. In all honesty Scheepjes should just give me some for all the designs I do with their yarn!!!! Just saying!

Back to my Yarn Fast. Did I tell you I HAVE NOT bought yarn all year!

How To Catch A Dragonfly Blanket

Catching a dragonfly requires a nimble body, stealth like movements, patience, and a gentle hand.  A net also helps!  According to Western Folklore catching a dragonfly meant you would marry within the year! P.S. Just remember to release the Dragonfly unharmed!

My 110th design! The pattern and further details can be found in my premium patterns section under blankets.

Of all the designs I have done (and there is now quite a few) I would have to say this one is in my top ten for sure. I would even go so far as to say it is very high up in my top ten.

It flows really nicely and the gentle texture created with the front post stitches (to me) has a gorgeous look to it.

I was also rather glad I had saved the Hobbii Sultan Deluxe in Koi for this project as I loved the outcome of colour and I enjoy working in the Sultan Deluxe. You can see my review about this yarn in my YARN STALKER section on my webpage.

I am not going to add here all the details about material. They can be found on the webpage under premium patterns and blankets.

I was lucky enough to round up, coerce, force, 10 super hero pattern testers to run this pattern through the test process and make sure all the errors within were found.

I am always amazed at their tenacity to sign on and test. They don’t seem to mind being locked in my basement for weeks on end with porridge for dinner and one hours sleep time per day.

I asked a few of them to write a bit about their thoughts on this design. Yes, it is true I refused to allow them leave of absence from the basement until they stated a few glowing words, but I am sure they did really mean what they wrote. I THINK!

I have added their words below:

MJ Rose

If you couldn’t already tell this is a Sue Stapleton blanket. I believe that I usually complete the majority of her dragonfly collection. I just really like them!!! This one was claimed before I even got started by a coworker who is doing a baby neutral room.

This one is probably one of her easiest since the pattern is repetitious and you can’t miss what should happen next. BUT DON’T GET OVER CONFIDENT I totally have mistakes in that blanket (shh don’t tell Sue) that I didn’t catch until three rows up so please make sure you are counting your stitches x.x. Sue’s patterns are always easy to read and have graphics and photos to help you along. I get really spoiled with her patterns compared to others because of all the detail and time that she puts in them.

So yeah, love it! Definitely give it a try!!

Mj Rose.

Catherine Henderson

Sue Stapleton of Auburncraft Crochet Design, has created another stunning filet and texture blanket called "How To Catch A Dragonfly”. This amazing blanket design uses basic stitches with post stitches for texture. I was so excited and grateful for being part of her test team! I worked on my version for 3 weeks. This amazing blanket works up so fast, and changes with every new row. The pattern works great for either a left or right handed crocheter. With comprehensive easy to understand instructions and photos for reference. I had so much fun making it, that I found myself rushing through my housework, and any daily appointments so I could sit down to work on the blanket. I used Malli Knitting Yarn 8ply, in Mint Green, with a 4mm hook. I enjoyed the pattern so much that I started a second using a light multi coloured yarn.

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Colleen Harris .

Sallyanne Fisher

How to Catch a Dragonfly is the latest pattern in Sue Stapleton’s signature dragonfly designs. As usual, she insisted on maximum labor for minimum wages (basement accommodations and one bowl of gruel daily)!

Nevertheless, this design was an enjoyable and relaxing way to crochet a delightful hexagon shaped blanket. The dragonflies are everywhere, flying in ever increasing groups, but are trapped in their hexagonal web. The look is elegant and refined and is a joy to make, even if she did force me to test it!

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Oops!

Not sure how Sallyannes quotes found their way onto the page! DISCLAIMER!!! NO TESTERS WERE HARMED IN THE CREATING OF THIS DESIGN! Well not a lot anyway!!! Really who doesn’t love gruel!

If you are a fan of dragonflies and enjoy my design, do please show me your makes from the pattern. You can find Auburncraft crochet design on instagram, ravelry, etsy, lovecrafts and bendigo woollen mills.

Sallyanne Fisher.

I Like To Write

If you follow my works on facebook, instagram etc. You may have noticed that I often add a poem or a little bit of writing here and there. Or maybe you have purchased one of my patterns and found a poem hiding amidst the instructions.

I like to write!

Now, I didn’t say I was great at it, and I know my grammar and punctuation is much like an out of control train headed straight for the station, but I do my best.

I find writing an extension of creativity and feel it adds just a little bit more of a personal touch to my designs. I write about things that I love and feel strongly about. I thought I would share just a few of my scribbles here.

Note: If there is pattern attached to any of these writings you will find it by clicking the poem.

In my latest design ‘The Tangled Garden Shawl’ I have written about what I think a garden should be.

Those who know me well, will know I love the colour purple.

Naturally I had to write about it!

Become a Dragonfly Cindee Rose Blanket was dedicated to a dear friend that left the building quite suddenly. I wrote ‘Good Bye Cindee Rose’ for this.

Many of my designs feature my own signature Dragonflies. At certain times of year I have Dragonflies in abundance where I live. I love to watch them flit about, seemingly on a mission of their very own.

One of these little scribbles is ‘I Wish I Were a Dragonfly’. And following that I wrote ‘If I Were a Dragonfly’

I dedicated ‘Pink’ to an Irish friend who really does not think very much of the colour!

When I designed ‘A Contemplation of Cats Blanket’, I used a BWM cotton yarn in a lovely peach/orange colour and this prompted a poem about the colour ORANGE!

Last year I designed ‘I wish I were a Butterfly Blanket’ and wrote a poem with the same title.

I am always spending way too much time trying to discover where I have put my crochet hook. I am sure that they are hiding from me. I decided to write about this issue.

Who doesn’t find it hard to put the crochet down and go to bed!

This prompted this poem.

And my final one for this post is dedicated to one of my fabulous pattern testers/editors who has the patience of an angel. She puts up with my crazy errors and wades her way through my inability to count at times. Nikki also likes to make a point of creating her tests in the colour GREEN, mainly due to the fact that she knows I really hate green. So I wrote this for NIkki.

I will continue to add my musings to my patterns and platforms and hope that they are received well!

Six Wishes for a Dragonfly by Nikki Barker

Diary of a YARN HOARDER


I began this year with a vow to myself that I would downsize my yarn stash. This is never easy and so I thought I would share my bravery via my diary exerpts from earlier this year.

28th January 2022

Dear Diary,

Today was a difficult day! I made the decision to downsize my yarn stash. I knew this day had to come sooner or later. And I knew today had to be the day!

I honestly don’t know how it happened. First it was just one ball and then 2. Before I knew it there were hundreds of the things. Yarn had slowly crept into the house and grew much like feeding a gremlin after midnight.

I can honestly say that I have enough yarn to make a chain length that would span the Pacific Ocean. And while that would look really great the yarn invasion must end!

Now Diary, as you know I do use quite a lot of yarn in my designer endeavours, but there is a small amount of yarn that should have left home many moons ago.

Of course there will be tears but I can do this!

I do have a few things I do need to do first (such as browsing yarn stores online) and then the destash will begin. I think! Maybe! Or Maybe tomorrow!

29th January 2022

Dear Diary,

No time today! Destashing will have to wait!

30th January 2022

Dear Diary,

I tried to make a start on cleaning out the yarn stash but I got distracted and spent the day just squishing and admiring it all.

31st January 2022

Dear Diary,

What yarn stash?

1st February 2022

Dear Diary,

Busy, busy! I didn’t get to the yarn destashing yesterday! But have made a start today. Separating the yarns into piles in order of, I MUST KEEP, want to KEEP, need to KEEP and the very small pile that I can maybe stand to rehome.

I do think someone is trying to sabotage my efforts as several of the balls placed in the rehome pile have found their way into the keep pile. But then maybe that was just me!

Diary, I think I need help!

2nd February 2022

Dear Diary,

Yarn everywhere! I need a medal for bravery! I gave 6 skeins of yarn (of dubious quality) away. I was responsible and carried out in-depth interviews with those wanting to give the yarn a new home. I am confident they will be well cared for. I said goodbye to them, gave them one last squish and watched them depart. Yes, tears were shed but they are going to a better place.

Tomorrow I will continue sorting the massive piles of ‘MUST KEEP’ yarn and storing it neatly away! Maybe a few more will need to be rehomed! Or not!

3 February 2022

Dear Diary,

Didn’t get any yarn sorted today. Life just got too busy. I must try to get to it soon as there have been family complaints re: having to leapt over mounds of yarn to traverse the house. I even received several threats of violence directed at the yarn.

Tomorrow for sure!

4th February 2022

Dear Diary,’

Wow, sorting yarn is great! I found a skein of Malibrigo Lace that had been missing for ever! Of course I had to jump online and order 4 more in the same colour to make a shawl. One is just never enough and it would be irresponsible not to make use of this beauty!

While I was online I also spotted some lovely Debbie Bliss alpaca in a gorgeous shade of purple and added 6 of those. And what luck, they had a sale on Scheepjes Whirl, so 3 of those crept into the checkout basket. Oops!

But Diary, you would be so proud of me. I managed to get much of the yarn stash stored away and now only need around 5 large plastic containers to store the rest. Tomorrow I will head to the shops to get the containers.

5th February 2022

Dear Diary,

Shopping day was fun! I ended up purchasing 6 plastic containers as I figure it is better to be prepared. I had to pass the LYS on the way to get them and I am not quite sure what happened but the car just stopped. Now some say that is what happens when you hit the brakes, but I can neither confirm or deny this!

And what luck! They had Premier cotton on sale.. I managed to get 10 skeins at half price! Woo hoo!

6th February 2022

Dear Diary,

Today I finished cleaning out the yarn stash and packing all the lovely squishies away. I did need the 6th plastic container as the Malibrigo/Debbie Bliss/Whirl also arrived this morning. I may need to grab just one more container next time I shop as they are all very full.

The feeling of achievement from downsizing my yarn is AMAZING and I am feeling really superior!

I shall have to clean out my yarn stash more often!



Dragonfly Labyrinth Blanket

Enter the Labyrinth…. If you dare!

Lured into the Labyrinth by the scent of flowers, the Dragonflies find themselves lost. Their sense of direction gone! Maybe you can help them find their way!

i designed this beauty last year and it has spent the past 6 months under exclusive contract, but now the 6 months has ended and so I am showing this one off yet again and doing a little re-launch!

I put a lot of thought into the design of this one.

I would classify it as an intermediate level blanket.

It has dragonflies (of course) as a feature and for the border I placed my dragonflies into boot camp. They underwent a grueling course learning to fly in the opposite direcction. It took a bit of hard work, but they finally mastered this. The result is some extra special dragonflies heading into the labyrinth. They just cannot resist the scent of flowers and feel they must investigate.

Of course life was never meant to be easy and their path has many obstacles. Once inside it is almost impossible to leave! Filet chevron shapes block their way to freedom!

For this blanket I worked in fingering weight yarn. Any of the many different brands of this will give a great result. Several people have made this in a slightly heavier weight yarn and also with great results. Just keep in mind that this will result in a larger outcome.

Each round in this blanket is different and you won’t find a simple repeat anywhere.

So take a look at Dragonfly Labyrinth and hopefully you will feel the need to ENTER THE LABYRINTH!

Click here to be taken to my webpage to purchase the pattern (HERE).

Click here to be taken to Ravelry (HERE)

Webpage subscribers can use the re-launch discount code on raverly.

Or Etsy (HERE)

Guest Blogger Claudia Bierau of CB Creations!

Claudia of CB Creations and I crossed paths a few years back over a ‘Borrowed’ pattern of hers. I was concerned about the situation that had arisen where someone had taken a bit of licence with one of her patterns and we had a mutual connection to the source.

So we bonded over a Amigurumi Viking and have stayed friends ever since.

Claudia hails from the Netherlands and thankfully is fluent in English, as I have no understanding of Dutch at all.

Claudia has written of the adventures of Pedr The Viking (with a bit of artistic licence added in) and how he formed our friendship. Take a look at her webpage and her beautiful work. Claudia produces some of the best Amigurami I have ever seen.

Click any picture to be taken to PEDR THE VIKING and CB CREATIONS!

 

Viking Pedr connects crochet pattern designers worldwide

 

This is the romanticized story of Pedr the Viking. All the names are real, the story is based on true facts, but of course there are some fictional elements in it!

 

The origin of Pedr, a tough Viking

It's been almost 3 years since I designed Pedr the Viking.

I had wanted to make a Viking for a while, but that idea remained only an idea in my head. And suddenly there was the series Vikings!! But I also watched the Vikings in the movie How to train your dragon.

I wanted to make a tough looking Viking with a wild beard. So I mainly looked at Hiccup's father, in combination with Ragnar Lothbrok. And here's my Viking pattern.

Pedr is armed with a knife, an axe and a shield. He has a fur coat and a helmet with horns. Yes I know, real Vikings didn't have horns on their helmets, but because Pedr is my creation and he's just as stubborn as I am, he has horns on his helmet!

He may look ferocious, but in real life he is very nice!

 But why the name Pedr?

I like to explore my family tree. During that research I came to a distant ancestor on my father's side.  Pedr Hansson, born approximately in 1748 and from Graa-Dyb in Denmark. In 1781 Pedr Hansson married Magdalena Wilkens in Amsterdam. So I have a little Viking blood in me... Yes!! I knew it!

 Pedr the Viking in Denmark

Pedr the Viking was welcomed everywhere. He was very popular, not only in the Netherlands but also far beyond! Via a detour via France, he also ended up in Denmark. What more could I wish for?! Pedr Hansen was back home, where the story once began.

 When he arrived in Denmark, he had a great time, in the beginning! He was well taken care of, asked if his axe needed extra sharpening, if he wanted a larger fur coat. But after a while they were not so nice anymore. Something bad happened to Pedr in Denmark. He was kidnapped, kidnapped and held captive for the purpose of cloning him. Yes really, they wanted to make another Viking out of him!

 Help from Australia

He tried to convince them neatly, to explain that that was not supposed to happen. That he is unique and wanted to stay that way! If you want to create another Viking, you have to come up with a completely different Viking. Then we can still be brothers, but not twins!!  After reasoning didn't work, help came from an unexpected source! A nice lady from Australia heard his cry for help and decided to put on her world famous boots. These are very special magic red boots, which this lady puts on every now and then to save people from difficult situations. And yes, it helped! After a large kick to the kidnapper's buttocks, Pedr was able to escape and sail back to the Netherlands.

 

Auburncraft Crochet Design

Back in the Netherlands he couldn't get this lady out of his head. Who was this Australian lady? After some detective work in certain purple groups on Facebook, he found the lady. It was Sue from Auburncraft Crochet Design! Oh and what did he see? She also had red hair just like him! Terrific!!

 He sent her a beautiful bunch of purple flowers, because purple is her favourite colour, and heard from her that she had created a whole new group on Facebook to combat this kind of abuse in the creative world. A group for designers of crocheted creations. To support each other with all the problems that can occur in this world of crochet, such as kidnapping of creations! Sue runs this group together with another red-haired lady: Fiona. Fiona lives in Ireland! The name of the group is: Crochet Designers Support Group.

 Of course, a special Facebook group of these 2 ladies could not be missed: Two Redheads Crochet! 

Look them up!! (click here for Two Redheads)

 Pedr has recovered well from his adventure and is already looking for other adventures here at CB's Creations. Would you like to invite this great tough Viking to your home? Then it is best to crochet him yourself, so you can be sure that he is really yours!  

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Links to CB Creations

You can find more of Claudia’s incredible Amigurami on her webpage (click here).

Other links: (click here)

You can also find my guest blog post on Claudia’s webpage:

Oh, The Shame of it ALL!

I recently did a bragging post about the Yarnfast I was on (see previous blog post as to an explanation of what this is).
Yes, I was so proud that I had made my way through 2 full months of the year and in fact the whole of 2022 without buying yarn.

Well the fast has broken!

I feasted on yarn yesterday! Now I did not over indulge and really only bought what I NEEDED. But it still results in the same thing!

Yesterday I felt the call of the LYS. The store was loudly shouting in my ear ‘Come visit me!” The thing is, it wasn’t as though I went out of my way to go there. Due to recent flooding (see previous yarn fast post), I simply had to drive right by it, as my usual way home is still blocked.

And if we are going to get all technical about it all, the best way to lift ones spirits after a tough few days, is a visit to the LYS.

I hopped out of my car and was totally surprised at the extra spring in my step. My feet just danced across the road towards the LYS entrance.

I think I may have even been humming a cheery tune as I entered. I was very clinical in my approach to this just the same. I headed directly to the shelves I know housed the Scheepjes Whirl (again, (see other blog posts) why won’t Scheepjes just give me some yarn? I did ask them once with a lovely proposal and got a Dear John back . So I have no idea why I bother to use it so much).

I needed a Whirl in Shrinking Violet for a super fantastic blanket of which I have on the design board and partially completed. I didn’t let any of the other colours distract me and ignored their pleas begging for me to caress them. Then I headed to the Whirlettes. I needed 2 different shades of what colour? Purple of course! How silly that anyone may think it could be other than that!

I can tell you the colours I grabbed do looks so nice together !

Straight to the counter to pay and while the staff chatted with me for a bit, I did try to rush out the door as the temptation to shop was strong. It was all done in a kind of ‘Buy (no, not BYE), gotta run’ and all the while trying to not look as the shelves whilst muttering to myself ‘Don’t look!”

I have not used any of this purchase as yet but have spent some time admiring and squishing it. It is so pretty!

Now I must really try to start my YARNFAST all over again!

Batten Down The Hatches Blanket

This pattern is dedicated to Barry and Joy!

This post is simply to write about the dedication on this pattern.

Barry and Joy were my mother-in-law and father-in-law. Both were heavily involved in the local sailing/yacht club. Barry spent many years as Commodore and Joy ran the race day staff, acting as race secretary.

They passed this love of sailing onto their three son’s. I married the youngest!

Barry raced a Sabre (dingy) most weekends and my now husband raced in his 125 dingy that he had built himself. The Sabre was a one man boat and the 125 had a crew. The first Easter long weekend that I was dating my now husband, he found himself without a crew to race the Easter weekend races. I was recruited. I had never been even on a sailing boat before and had no idea what I was doing. The day had a very brisk 10 to 15 knot wind and I was shoved into a Trapeze harness and connected to a self tacking wire and we headed off to race. My husband told me how I was meant to exit the boat and hang on the wire. I did exactly as I was told and with the brisk wind I had to spring over the side and keep my feet on the gunwale and my body as horizontal as possible, to keep the dingy level. We did okay that race day and I think that was the day I first made really good friends with my future mother-in-law.


She told me I was a natural on the trapeze. I didn’t bother to tell her that I had absolutely no idea what I was doing so did exactly as her son told me to. We went on to race many, many weekends, with Barry many times running the race days (when not competing himself) and Joy keeping a watchful eye over us from either the race tower or one of the patrol boats. We did this until our family grew too large for us to be able to do so. My last race series I was 16 weeks pregnant with our second child and I know my mother-in-law was nervous the whole series watching us race in heavy winds with me out on the trap wire.

Barry and Joy loved sailing and it was part of their lives. So I thought it fitting to dedicate this blanket to them!

Looming Pattern Launches and New Designs

I am always busy! There is always something I can be doing if not in our main business, then in my own little crochet business.

The crochet hook has been working overtime over the past few months and I have lots of new things on the horizon.

At present I have 2 patterns in testing. One of these is due to be launched in 4 days time. I also have 1 new pattern design almost completed. So, lots to do!

However some days one just does not feel like playing crochet designer! Today feels more like a day to pretend I am queen of all that surrounds me. Perhaps the staff could do the work instead (if only there were any staff).

Crochet related things I have achieved today (it is only mid morning):

Answered crochet related questions✔

Wrote a blog post✔

Perused yarn sites✔

Spent time on social media re crochet✔

Conversed with other designers✔

Things I have NOT achieved YET today:

I have not checked in with my pattern testers

I have not done any on my new design

I have not finished my webpage for the new pattern launch

I have not checked the final copy of the pattern due to be launched

Excuses:

Apart from the items on the list that I have achieved, I have done a workout and drunk 2 very nice cups of tea . I run on TEA!

The new design that I have almost completed is a bit of a mind bender. I ❤ it, and can’t wait to finish it , but with 5 rounds to go, one round has approximately 400 chain loops to complete and I am getting all chained out. It is slow to write up! I am however looking forward to torturing my long suffering pattern testers with this one. MAhahahaha!

The design I am almost ready to launch has taken approx 4 months from idea conception, to completed item and now the test process. Therefore I believe it should just launch itself as I have already put in hundreds of hours on it. The webpage is also time consuming and rather boring to do. Just think of all that time that I could spend crocheting instead . Sounds fair, doesn’t it?

As for the 3rd point, all I can say is DITTO!

Yes, it will all get done! The new pattern WILL get launched. The new design Will get completed but at present I have a nice cup of tea calling my name and I may just ignore the blanket with all those chain loops, that seems to be glaring at me in defiance, daring me to finish it. They won’t beat me!

Keep your eyes 👀 wide open in the next few days (assuming I get around to finishing the webpage etc) as the new pattern (in my humble, YES humble opinion) is rather wonderful!

And to those who are wise enough to have subscribed to my webpage, there will be a discount (oh the pain of it all) on launch day. That is of course assuming I can force myself to do a (splutter, cough) DISCOUNT code! Discounts are painful!

I am hoping all will really enjoy the new design! Let me know your thoughts once it is live!

Those Little Moments!

Today I had a moment!

A split second where I had to decide whether to act my age and behave, or let the 10 year old me have free rein.

What was this moment in time? I just know you are dying to know!

I arrived at my local gym and on entering the building and viewing the stairwell, the first thing that caught my eyes was a sign. This sign and several others stated in bold letters ‘WET PAINT’.

The very first thought that popped into my head was, How wet is it! Maybe it isn’t wet at all! Maybe it’s dry and they have just left the signs there to taunt me! I could find out by touching it! Really I should just touch it!

I rounded the corner on the stairs and there was a young person with paint roller in hand working away trying very hard to ignore those arriving to the gym, stomping up and down the stairs!

At this point I am still thinking that I could just stick my finger (or hand) on the wall and see just how wet this paint is. I managed to muster all my strength and resisted this urge. Instead I casually commented to this person with the paint roller,

‘You know those signs are kind of like a dare, or challenge, just begging me to find out how wet the paint really is!’

The look on this persons face was priceless. The response ‘I certainly hope not!’

I reached the top of the stairs without managing to run my hand over the wall and after my workout I bumped into this same person. They were now painting a wall in the lower part of the building. I smiled as I exited. I was left wondering if they then made a mad dash to the stairwell to check if there were any finger marks in the paint!

So my day was quite fullfilled. I had a laugh and I think I did make the young painter smile (once they realised I was joking).

It did however get me thinking though.

This is all a bit like when you go to a yarn store. With covid times such as they are, we probably should not be touching, squishing, patting or doing anything with the yarn on the shelves. But it is there right in front of us, basically daring us to squeeze it. Yes of course this is quite a bit different than sticking your hand in freshly done paint, but still the urge to squeeze yarn is strong in this one!!!

Or maybe I am just now tipping over the edge of sanity! Perhaps I was the only person who thought about sticking their hand in wet paint!

Use the force Sue, you must resist!

Dating profile of a crazy crochet designer

Way more than you really want to know!!

Ssssssssssssh, don’t tell my husband!

So there I was, sitting with my crochet (purple yarn of course) and an advertisement for dating flashes across the TV screen. It gets me thinking about just what I would say, if I had to do a dating profile.

I am rather unsure if I would want to date me, but ah well, here goes nothing!

Details:

Older than I was yesterday, but younger than I will be by tomorrow. What does that mean you may ask? I am old and I am not saying how old!

Redhead (although I cheat a bit these days.. Okay, okay I cheat a lot and its DYED! I am getting older).

I like long walks with my dog in the rainforest especially when it is raining.

I like older cars BUT only if they are manual drive.

I do have a newer car at the moment, named Scarlet (yep I name my cars) and I cannot stand the way she beeps at me. You are too close to the car in front, you haven’t shut the boot (trunk) properly. YOU TOOK YOUR SEAT BELT OFF!

Stupid car! I am in my driveway and if I want to take my selt belt off, I darn well, will. I don’t yell at it, so why does it yell at me?

I have an older 4wd (Sam) which I prefer much better, even though it has seen better days. I used to drive around in my very old xr6 (Sally) till she finally died. She never yelled at me once! Sure she used to cough and splutter at times, but she never yelled!

I have my motorbike licence although it has been a few years since I have used it. I am at home on horseback and love most animals! I don’t love snakes!

A sticker that I have on my car

A sticker that I have on my car

I used to race 125 yachts when younger and played the part of crew. Yep the one out hanging on the end of a trapeze wire! So a couch potato type person is not for me!

I prefer people who are capable of thinking on their feet. Think MacGyver and you are on the right track and if you happen to look like a very young Richard Dean Anderson, then I can work with that! But if you cannot change your own car tyre, then move along!!!!

The ability to change a car tyre. There will be a test on this one and if I can do it faster, you can forget it!

The ability to change a car tyre. There will be a test on this one and if I can do it faster, you can forget it!

And if you are gonna stand back and watch me try to save the world, all on my own, then you’re not for me. You had better be right by my side, knee deep in Zombies, when the Zombie Apocalypse happens.

And if I yell ‘Grab all the essential supplies, as we are under attack’ you had better grab as much yarn as you can carry!

Things I am addicted to:

Yarn

Purple Yarn.

Working out

Cups of english breakfast tea. But let me clarify. It must be made with 2 teabags (NOT ONE). It must be strong, but with a good splash of milk. DON’T SKIMP ON THE MILK! (There will be a test on this one).

Yarn.

Did I mention Purple yarn.

Dance based workouts (which is different to just a workout).

Pump workouts.

Drawing up designs for crochet. (I have dozens all drawn up and cannot seem to stop. I need more hours in the day to make them).

Painting and 3d resin art.

Oh, and yarn, especially the purple variety.

What do I expect from a partner?

Don’t talk when I am crocheting.

Don’t talk when I am counting.

Ooh and ahh over my work.

Tell me often that I need more yarn.

And they MUST, I repeat MUST, know how to make a decent cup of tea! Note to the husband: You could up your game on this one!

Please also refer to the notes re: Zombie Apocalypse.

I can see all the prospective suitors just lining up as no doubt they will realise what a catch I am!!! But perhaps I will just stick with the husband, as after all he does totally fit my above criteria (apart from the making of a decent cup of tea. Mmmm, is that a reason for divorce I wonder?)

Oh and if you are wondering where the crochet is in this post then here is a sneak peek at my latest design. Not much of a look I know! But I have to say that I am totally loving this new design. Launch will be within the next 2 weeks!

Adopt a Dragonfly Discount Code

Oh the pain of it all!

Honestly what am I thinking at the moment? A discount of my precious dragonflies!

My hands are typing but my heart is saying ‘No, don’t do it’! It does hurt you know!

Well it doesn’t probably hurt anyone else, but for me there is definately heartache involved. As most are aware I don’t offer discounts often. Maybe I need a doctor! I must be ill to even consider it!

But anyway, dragonflies are my thing. I have a LOT of patterns featuring them and I have many more to come.

Yes, yes I am getting to the discount code, have patience!

This September there will be an exciting launch of a new blanket featuring them and to be honest I am a little chuffed with myself as I did manage to teach my dragonflies to do a new trick, but you will have to wait till September to see what that may be.

Shortly after that I have a couple of other dragonfly designs that I will publish. The drawing board has several more just waiting for their turn to come to life and soar into the crochet world, on gossamer wings.

BUT, I have decided to let my precious dragonfly patterns go out into the world with a discount code of 10% off on ravelry only. If the title of the pattern has the word ‘Dragonfly’ in it then it is on offer for 10% discount. This spans the whole of my designs from my basic dragonflies, (when I began designing) to my latest designs which feature my own exclusive dragonfly, unique to Auburncraft Crochet Designs. If you see the same stitch combo used by someone else you will know where it began.

So make haste to ravelry as this discount will only be available for 3 days. USE THE CODE ‘adoptadragonfly’. And take one of these home to be your own!

CLICK THE PHOTO TO THE RIGHT WITH MY DRAGONFLIES TO BE TAKEN TO RAVELRY!!!!!

And if you have not subscribed to my webpage then you are missing out on the best discount codes when I launch a pattern. Sign up so they come to your email.

adopt a dragonfly.jpg

The Australian Way!

lipstick.png

Upon checking the letterbox today I discover a box jammed into it by our postie. Firstly I wondered at why they jammed it into the letterbox when we have a parcel fridge around 1 foot away, but they did.

Then I start to ponder which of my online purchases are in this 7 inch by 7 inch box. With my excitement building I rushed into the house to prise open this wonderous parcel.

Is it yarn, or could it be yarn. Maybe it's yarn!

I am thinking a few balls of yarn could fit inside this box but then I should have factored the 'Australian way' into my calculations. And to be honest I did forget my enormous purchase of ONE lipstick in the colour Gangsta Wrap. But then in my defence who would really consider that someone would package ONE lipstick into a 7 inch x 7 inch box.

Like really! They could have at least stuffed some yarn around the sides of it to pack it out. You could fit at least 4 skeins of yarn in there too! Yeah, you would think so!

A Visit from the Hobbii Fairies!

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Fairies have been working overtime of late dropping goodies off.

I had a visit from the Hobbii fairy today. He said he was the postman, but I know that is just a clever disguise to cover his real occupation and to be honest I am sure I saw some gossamer wings peeking out from under his uniform. At least I think it was that, as if not the poor fellow has a very strange hair issue going on that I just don't want to know about!

But back to my Hobbiiness! I danced into the house and ripped open the parcel to lay my eyes (for the very first time as I have never had Hobbii before) upon a wonder of wonders.

These almost look too good to use!

Hobbii had also thrown in what I think may be a tiny light saber? I know I was discussing online recently that I may end up in a fight with Darth Vader. Who knows with the internet listening in on every word these days. Well whatever! I will now also be set to take on any storm troopers or Darth Vader if he appears! I have just gotta figure out how to work it!