STC by Victoria and Lynn

Crocheter in a pickle ...

2012-03-02T07:03:00.001-08:00

Well ... I've sort of landed myself with a proper pickle. A lady has asked me to mend a baby blanket she borrowed from a friend. She said it was crochet and sent it. It has arrived and ... it's knitted.

I am a very confident and (I hope) competent crocheter but my knitting is, at best, intermediate. I've been trying to mend the blanket and I can figure out most of the stitches, I believe, but not all of them and not how they fit together. It doesn't seem to be a terrifically hard pattern and I'm hoping someone with more experience than me will be able to sort it out quite easily ... :-s

Soooooo, I'm looking for a brilliant knitter who can look at the photos below and extract a pattern repeat for me. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to do the rest. (There's a bit of the edging that's damaged too now I look at it ... Bugger! No picture of that, yet.)

Anyway, if you can help you are the most wonderful person the world had ever known, flowers will open where you tread, birds will sing your name, the very sun will shine from you ... and I'll be grateful.

Versatile Blogger ... Sharing the love

2012-02-08T12:56:00.000-08:00

I was awarded this honour by two fellow bloggers today! Many thanks to Ali http://macscrochet.blogspot.com/2012/02/another-award.html and Laydilyke http://crochetapy.blogspot.com/2012/02/versatile-blogger-award.html .

I haven't got my list of 15 finalised yet ... too many to choose from but I will pass on my awards asap. Here's how it works.

The rules:

1. Add the award to your blog.

2. Thank the blogger who gave it to you.

3. Mention 7 random things about yourself.

4. List the rules.

5. Award to 15 bloggers.

6. Inform each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.

My 7 random things:

I could live on bread, potatoes and cheese
I am currently dieting (probably a result of number 1)
Crochet saved me ...
I wanted my children early in life but they came to me when I was nearly 40
I'm a little obsessed with penguins
People tell me I'm very patient but I feel anything but!
I have wayward eyebrows ... I hate them

Public Liability Insurance

2012-01-30T08:48:00.000-08:00

I have been having a nightmare trying to find reasonably priced PLI to allow me to sell at fairs and shows. I've have been transferred and passed on and fobbed off! Companies who wanted to sell me anything but PLI, companies who would only insure for set addresses (Can you limit your selling to just one event in one place, Miss Stott?), A company who couldn't help but recommended my house insurance (!!!) and one who had exactly what I wanted ... for £276 a year.

Then came the crafting community. All it took was one sad voice and a question on Twitter and the amazing and supportive crafting world came to my rescue with a million-ish suggestions.

Paying it forward, I have gathered all this information into a list below in the hope that it will be useful for others too. Please feel free to copy/steal/link etc

I have no experience of any of these (yet) so I offer no comment but please feel free to recommend, or not, if you have used any of these policies.

cmtia.co.uk
a-n.co.uk £30 subscription includes £5mil PLI
National Market Traders' Federation Membership includes PLI
nfuonline.com
Grove and Dean
craftinsurance.co.uk
Ian Wallace
GM Imber & sons
SAA (society for all artists)
Graham Sykes

Hope this is of help to others.

Granny a day catch up!

2012-01-26T12:59:00.000-08:00

Here's my catch-up all the way to day #25 I'm still working with the same 3 yarns to make up my squares and I've decided on a repeat for my pattern. The individual squares that have the same colour on the final round are joined with that colour but I can't decide how to join where two different colours meet. Any suggestions gratefully received...

I think I'll make 3 or 4 more repeats of the pattern for a nice long scarf.

Here's the pic:

FYI: you can even see my little crocheted rose in the top right-hand corner. All ready for the front of a Valentine's Day card.

19th January 2012

2012-01-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

Here are grannies to add to my mini scarf project. I'm up to six (2 more for days 18 and 19) and I think they're going to go together pairing up the outer colour into a kind of stripe like this:

What a brilliant day so far! I started off annoyed because a student didn't show for their lesson and this is not the first time they have done this. I hope they have a good excuse! Buuuuuut then the lovely delivery man arrived with my new yarn storage system!!! Admittedly, it is flat pack from Argos so nothing fancy but it was only £19.99 in their sale reduced from more than £100 so I am very very happy with my bargain (in fact, I bought 2). I have now constructed one of these lovely six drawer cabinets and have one more to build and then I'm having a major move around. It is so exciting!!!!!!

17th Jan 2012

2012-01-17T06:05:00.000-08:00

Arrrrrrghh! Got behind on my Granny a Day squares again! I think this might happen a lot over the next few weeks ... I have so much to do. With that in mind, I'm keeping things simple for a while. I'm doing a mini project inside my big Granny a Day project and I'm going to make a little classic granny square scarf in nautical colours. That way I can do some smaller and simpler squares for a bit and, in the process, stay sane!

Here are the first four to catch myself up-to-date:

Grannies for days 14, 15, 16 and 17

Jan 13th 2012

2012-01-13T12:50:00.000-08:00

Granny a Day squares 12 and 13

I've made a pair of twins (non-identical) for days 12 and 13.
They are made with no foundation chain but a 4ch starter and then 11 trebles into the 4th ch from hook to form the inner circle. Round 2 is 2tr in each st with 1ch separated the clusters. Round 3 is 3tr;2ch;3tr for each corner and 2tr in each ch space of the row below separated by 1ch between each cluster (including the corner clusters). Round 4 is exactly the same as round 3. Please ignore the fact I haven't been bothered to sew my ends in yet! ;-)

January 12th

2012-01-12T02:42:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted my grannies for te last few days because I've been in my sick bed! I have kept up my crochet, though, and to prove it here are squares for days 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. I will complete today's square later.

Day 7

Small and simple. Made in aran chunky yarn that is a deeper, more gorgeous colour that the picture suggests. Very easy 4ch ring. Into the ring for round 1: four groups of 3tr separated by four sets of 3ch. Round 2 is just 1tr in each tr below and 2tr into two stitches roughly in the corner.

Day 8

Now, I know this one is a little bit wibbly round the edges!! It wasn't supposed to have a completely straight edge anyway (honest) but I put the rest of the wobble down to being at the worst of my illness (cough! cough!) This was made with a bit 16ch ring as foundation and round one was a series of 4ch loops evenly distributed around this ring. Round 3 was 2dc; 2ch in the side loops and 2dc; 3ch; 2dc; 2ch in each of the corner loops. Round 4: corners of 5tr each made into the 3ch loop and sides of htr in each of first 2 dc; 2htr in 2ch space; 2ch and skip next 2 dc; 2htr in 2ch space; htr in each of last two dc. Final round is 1dc in each st; 2dc in 2ch space and 2dc in each of 2 stitches nearest each corner.

Day 9

This one is from Jan Eaton's book "200 Crochet Blocks". It is the Tricolour Square on page 51 for those of you who already own the book or might be thinking of buying a copy (it's brilliant by the way!)

Day 10

Another from Jan Eaton's book. This time Waterlily on page 41. Pretty isn't it?

Day 11

This is made with Artesano Superwash Merino and is my experiment to see what would happen to the traditional granny if I replaced trebles with doubles. I've made started with a 4ch ring. The clusters are all 2dc separated by 1ch along the sides. The corners are always 2dc; 2ch; 2dc. I've added an extra round of brown to give a thicker border. I quite like the result.

Right, I'm off for a Lemsip and some catching up on work...

Jan 6th 2012

2012-01-06T08:11:00.000-08:00

Granny a Day DAY 6 - Soooooo busy today I've gone for the quick and traditional. I might be doing a few of these in the weeks to come. Having said that, there is actually nothing like a traditional granny. I think it's my favourite so far.

In other news, putting together a diary of 2012 fairs and events for selling and for fun/spending. Any suggestions?

Jan 5th 2012

2012-01-05T07:39:00.000-08:00

Granny a Day number 5!! This is from 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton so I won't give her pattern away. If you're interested, it is number 94 in the book - called Gothic Square (although mine has come out quite massive because I've chosen thicker yarn and a 4.5mm hook).

Same yarns as yesterday and one deliberate mistake!! Can you spot the stitch I've missed? Shouldn't have asked that, should I? I bet there are loads!!!

Jan 4th

2012-01-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

Here's my grannies. One for yesterday and one for today.

First is a traditional square (3 rounds) with 12 satelllite mini squares around the edge. The mini square are just the first round of the larger square x12. I used the same yarns as days 1 and 2.

I've changed colourse for the second (I get bored easily!). There are 4 colours this time. 3 acrylic dk and one, slightly thicker, old, old wool in dark green I found at the back of my shelves.

The square starts with a large loop made with 6ch foundation. The stitches are simply half-trebles rather than trebles so that I could fit in more rounds and are positioned between the stitches below rather than into them to give the spikey effect.

Round 1 is (2htr then 2ch) x 4

After that I have put one stitch between each pair of stitches along the straights and varied the corners to compensate for the different gauges of the yarn and keep the square flat. They are either 2htr, 2ch, 2htr or 1htr, 2ch, 1htr. The final round just has 3htr in each corner.

Sorry the pic is a bit blurred ... low light, shakey hand, poor camera ...

January 2nd

2012-01-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

Just a quickie to post my Granny a Day square. I call this one Battenburg for obvious reasons! It is made of two of the same yarns from yesterday (the quality of my camera doesn't pick them out). There is a cerise acrylic and a varigated wool/acrylic blend in cerise, brown and green. The big square is made up of 4 small squares. Each of which is a 2 round solid granny square.

Foundation: 4ch ring
Round 1: (3 treble + 2ch) x4
Round 2: 1 treble in each treble below and 2tr + 2ch +2tr in each corner

I could have joined them as I went but I like the look of the whip stitch and they're only little so I went with that. I'm not a big sewer but I don't mind a little bit now and then !!!...!!!

January 1st TWO THOUSAND AND TWELVE!

2012-01-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

My First Thought This Year:

I remember being at school and thinking about being 30. It would be in the year 2000 and it felt like it was too far in the future to ever happen! I was 12 then. It is now 12 years since I was 30!! Not relevant to my crochet or crafting ... but a thought that keeps buzzing around my head. It makes me feel that I have to make a lot of this year. I will be 42 (as every sci-fi geek knows, the number that is the answer to life, the Universe and everything), my DF Stu will be 40 and my Grandfather will be 90. Both my parents are retiring from work and both my children will be in full-time education before the year ends. It is going to be a year of excitement and change. I can't wait...

Ok - Crochet! I keep saying it, but I do intend to blog more regularly. Partly to help this but, mostly, for the challenge I have signed up for the 'Granny a Day' CAL (link to the right ->). If I do nothing else, I'm going to post a picture of each granny square as it comes off the hook. I have decided to go random. As many different squares as possible using up as much odd stash yarn as possible. I can't decide whether to connect as I go or wait until the end until I can play around with the placement of each. Hmmmmm ...

Here is today's (apologies for the picture, my camera is ... well, I'd like a new one!):

It is a 4 round granny with a ch4 foundation ring. I have used 3 yarns: 2 acrylic and one (I think) is a wool/acrylic blend. It is a bit wobbly around the edges because the yarns are of different gauges and the first two rounds are round rather than square - I will block it ... probably.

Round 1 is made up of 12 double trebles separated from each other by 1ch.
Round 2 is 1 bobble (made of 5 trebles) in each space and 1ch between each bobble
Round 3 is 1 cluster (3 trebles for each) in each space separated by 1ch except in every 3rd space where there are 2 clusters separated by 2ch to form the corners
Round 4 uses round 2 yarn again and is simply 1 double in each stitch and 2doubles-1ch-2doubles in each corner.

Wahay, 2012 is underway. The crochet fun has started. If I've won the lottery this could be the perfect beginning!

Crochet Concupiscence

2011-10-19T03:06:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to mention Crochet Concupiscence for a while now and this morning Kathryn Vercillo, who writes this blog, sent out messages about her current projects and it sparked me into action!

Whispertwister's fingerless glove

Let me get this off my chest first: I LOVE THIS BLOG! I started by following as @crochetblogger on Twitter and just popping over when there was an intriguing tweet. There were so many intriguing tweets! Kathryn's ability to find interesting crochet news seems never ending. Just on the home page she is sharing the love with a promo for another Etsy seller, discussing crochet into old age and exploring a particular favourite of mine, recycled and upcycled yarns.

WARNING! It is very easy to get lost and spend hours reading through the blog (I'd like it reproduced as a huge, glossy coffee table book - that way I could put in a book mark!). And, yes, this post is taking a very long time to write because I haven't been able to resist reading several articles ... watching yarn being made with one eye as I type!

Kathryn has 3 projects she is very keen to promote at the moment. I'll let her tell you about them:

"1. Swaddle! A Crochet Art Project. Swaddle is a crochet art project exploring the ways in which women nurture the men in their lives. It looks at silent forms of nurturing but specifically delves into the way that women communicate. Swaddle looks at the positive ways that female approaches to communication improve relationships but also looks at the darker side of how differing communication styles can suffocate relationships. It does so using crochet, which has stereotypically been considered a female craft. It will include 12 – 24 works of crochet art incorporating a range of crochet types including hyperbolic crochet, mosaic crochet and granny squares and using yarn from indie dyers, sellers and small yarn stores. I am trying to crowdsource funding for the project and all people who contribute will be represented in the project."

"2. The Health Benefits of Crochet (a book). I am writing a book about the mental and physical health benefits of crochet. Crochet is such a healing, soothing craft and can provide significant mental health benefits for people dealing with depression, anxiety and stress-related illness. It can be used as a form of both long-term and short-term pain management and also as a form of occupational therapy for people with various hand ailments. What I’m spreading the word about is that I’m still interviewing people for this book and I’d love to hear from anyone who feels that crochet has helped their health and who would like to complete an email interview for the book."

"3. Hooked Together! (a blog project). Hooked Together is my huge crochet blog project designed to explore the connections within the crochet community. I have a list of 270 crochet / fiber / yarn blogs that I read. I am going through the blogroll for each of those blogs and exploring what they read, sharing their links to crochet, craft and other blogs on my blog every Friday so that my readers can find other blogs that they’ll enjoy. In the end, I’m going to put all of this together into a big display so that we can all see how the crochet community is connected within itself and to the larger craft community."

Such fascinating and important projects. Those of you who know me will also know that my degree is in Linguistics and so the communication/crochet combo in the Swaddle project is right up my alley! You will also be aware that crochet has helped get me through some very difficult times and a crazy leap from the security, but destructive stress, of a nicely paid teaching job to the insecure world of self-employment in crochet hooking and crochet design. I owe a lot to crochet and I think this book is an amazing idea.

If you love crochet or anything yarn or fibre related... go and visit Crochet Concupiscence.

What an advocat for the world of crochet!

Breast Feeding Booby Hat!

2011-10-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

Saw this in a collection of images. Interesting and clever use of yarn. Wasn't sure what I thought at first but I've grown to love it.

Find it here: SarasStitches

AmBIGurumi

2011-09-28T05:28:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited. I just needed to share my latest project striaight away. I did this simply to see what would happen!!

I've been working with Tarn a lot recently and I'm a little bit in love with it. These pictures are my "What if I used super-bulky tarn to make amigurumi ..."

Well, this is what happens and I really love it. Just got to find something to do with them now!

The bunny is what happens if you follow an amigurumi pattern stitch for stitch. This beautiful pattern is from "Amigurumi (Cozy)" by Lan-Ahn Bui and Josephine Wan.

Leo is my own take on using the yarn in this way.

To give you an idea of size, they are sittting in one of our garden chairs - human size.
Tell me what you think.

Trio of hats update

2011-09-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

Wanted to share the pictures of the hats on their intended heads. Don't they look great!!! I'm so pleased ... although the orange one is perhaps just a bit too big and the button box is on the wrong way round.

Flower Pot

Button Box

Princess

Trio of Hats

2011-09-12T13:50:00.000-07:00

I really have a hat fetish at the moment. I can't stop. I've just finished a commission of 3 princess hats for 3 little sisters. They're sooooo cute. I'll post pics of the girls in the hats asap but for now ... here are the finished objects. Comment and let me know what you think.

Ginger Cobbler Flower Pot
Pattern already done and available at:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/81618123/ginger-cobbler-flower-pot-hat-uk-pattern

Button Box Beanie

Pink Sparkles Slouchy

Micro- Crochet

2011-09-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

Mini, micro, tiny ...

I'm loving tiny crochet at the moment. My love affair started with something I saw on Etsy (but more of that later) and I've been browsing to find more examples. If you make teensy teeny weeny things PLEEEEASE post some pics or links. I am in awe of the tiny, accurate stitches and the skill and patience that must go into these creations. I am also itching to have a go and have put micro-crochet on my to-do list ... any tips gratefully received. Watch this space for my first attempts in the weeks to come.

In the mean-time, here are some examples worth a look:

1    Really cute Winnie the Pooh but my favourites are the tiny yellow ducky and the gingerbread man. Featured on Dolls House Minatures Sites. http://www.etsy.com/listing/75247218/muffas-micro-miniature-piglet-pooh

2   More dolls house stuff - this time there are patterns!http://www.buttercupminiatures.co.uk/free-crochet-patterns.asp

3   This is where I started with micro-crochet (NB link on Blog does not go to Etsy). I absolutely adore the work here. It is AMAZING. The best thing I've ever seen is the minature whale - it actually has a water spout! - but there are so many brilliant pieces it is so difficult to pick out the best selection. I highly, highly recommend browsing their Etsy shop.
http://su-ami.blogspot.com/p/macro.html
http://www.etsy.com/listing/68540570/micro-honey-bee-crochet-miniatures?ref=cat1_list_38

4. This crocheter specialises in in small mice http://www.crochetedgifts.com/mice.htm

5. A flicker stream of tiny dolls - I recommend page five for the Wizard of Oz - Oh yes!http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbaminis/page2/

This all led me into the parallel world of knitting. Are there mini-knits to match the mini-crochets??? Why yes, of course there are! In fact, much much more than there is for crochet. Behold!

6. http://www.bugknits.com/gallery/garments3.htm
There are even patterns here .. I think I might have to knit a fisherman's cardigan.
7. This was a real find. A whole index of mini-knit sites:
http://www.miniknittingstuff.com/links.htm

8.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muce8MVqTaU
and the youtube video of the knitting of Coraline's jumper. Wow!

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

That yarn the Coraline knitter is using isn't even fine for most thread-work crocheters - in fact some would count it as quite a thick yarn. So is there more micro-knit because it is less fiddly than micro-crochet?
Having said that, the equipment for tiny crochet is much more readily available - I have some tiny antique hooks in my own collection - some so small that it is hard to tell there is a hook there. Why don't more crocheters use their thread hooks to make teeny, tiny things? I do some thread work but have never used the tiniest hooks - they will now have a job of work because I intend to have a go!! Join me and post your creations.

Monday 22nd August

2011-08-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

I'm terrible at this blog-thing, aren't I? I keep forgetting to write and when I sit down I can't remember what I was going to say!!! Well, the new school year approaches and I am making my New Year's Resolution to blog more. (Hopefully it will last a bit longer than January's resolutions!)

I wanted to give a big congratulatory shout out to Joanna - my iGCSE student who took both English First Language and English Literature this summer. She came out with 100% in both examinations and is now making her way to England to start her A level courses at a school here. Wahay!!! I am sooooooo thrilled for her. This leaves me with a space in my tuition timetable ... if you know anyone who would like on-line English tuition, just let me know.

As far as the crochet goes... well, it is so busy and so exciting! As usual, I have more ideas than time and have been a good girl by locking my laptop away in the evenings so that I can devote the time to crochet and painting. I'm still way behind on my pattern writing, though!

I am looking forward to the next few months. I am going to be at Ally Pally with the Hoopla team again. I love days at these big events. Loads of chat, loads of fun and absolutely LOADS of yarn. I'm just about to set up a gallery here of Hoopla/Tarn ideas. I don't make any money from the company - just work as a crochet consultant so I'm not trying to sell you anything, honest! I have a Hoopla design coming up in Inside Crochet so keep an eye out. Until then, here are two mats my mum made recently! I just love the colours. She's amazing.

As for me, I've been working on a scumble project (more on that when I've finished) and just going hat crazy. I'm going back through stash yarn and finding fun colours and textures to see how they work into hat designs. I'll put a few pix below. The best is the purple fluffy one in a crazy yarn. I have no idea what it is because its bands were missing but its such fun.

Strange that these are all acrylics - I usually use them for more artistic projects and keep the more expensive natural fibres for snuggly stuff. There is nothing like the feel of a natural fibre or the texture of a hand-spun yarn (oooh I meant to point you towards an Etsy spinner: RebekkaLeigh -look her up, you won't be disappointed. Her yarn is unusual and beautiful.) I've been using some lovely merino for hoods and scarves.

Anyway, a quick up-date and a long waffle!

Free Hoopla Pattern - Little Basket!

2011-05-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

Little Basket - A very easy pattern

An 8mm hook is recommended – move up to a larger size if your work is too solid or stiff

You will need 1 bobbin of Hoopla yarn in a colour of your choice. It is recommended that you choose the cotton/lycra mix rather than the less stretchy cotton yarn.

In order to complete this project you will need to know how to create the following stitches. Instructions are included at the end of this pattern:

Chain stitch (ch)

Double crochet (dc)

Slip stitch (sl st)

Magic Circle or Magic Loop (MC)

This pattern is written with UK stitch notation.

The Base

1. Start with EITHER 4 ch joined with a sl st to form a ring OR a MC

2. Round 1: If working into a 4 ch ring : ch 1, make 7 dc into your ring

If working into a MC: make 8 dc into the circle and pull your circle tight

3. join with sl st to first ch

For the rest of the base you be working in a spiral so you will not need to join at the end of each round.

It might help you to mark the first stitch of this round with a stitch marker or a piece of contrasting yarn. As you reach the marker move it up to the first stitch of the next round so that you will always know where you are.

Work into the back loop of the stitch from this point onwards.

4. Round 2: ch 1, 1dc in same st,

5. 2dc in each st round,

6. Round 3: 1dc in 1^st ch stitch of last round,

7. 2dc in next st,

8. Repeat step 6 and 7 round

9. Round 4: 1dc in 1^st stitch of last round, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts,

10. 2dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts,

11. Repeat step 10 round

12. Round 5: Repeat round 4 (steps 9,10 and 11) until you have 2 sts remaining

13. 1dc in each of 2 remaining sts

14. To finish the spiral: miss 1 st and dc in the next st, sl st into next st

15. You should have 41 st around

The Sides

16. Round 6: ch 1, 1dc in the back loop of each st round

17. join to first ch with sl st

Stop working in the back loop and work in the whole stitch from this point onwards

18. Round 7: ch2

19. Miss 1 st, dc in next st, ch 1

20. Repeat step 19 round and join with sl st into ch 2 space

21. Round 8: ch2

22. dc in 1ch loop, ch 1

23. Repeat step 23 round and join with sl st into ch 2 space

24. Round 9 onwards: repeat round 8 three more times

25. You should still have 42 sts around

The Handle

1. Ch 20

2. Miss 20 st around top edge of basked and join with a sl st

3. 1dc into next st on edge of basket

4. 24 dc around the handle chain and join to the opposite edge of the basket with a sl st

5. Sl st in the st where your handle started and dc in the next st

6. 20 dc around the handle chain. Make these sts on the opposite side and make one in between each of your first row of 20dc so that they overlap

7. Join with a sl st to the edge of the basket

8. Finish off by cutting yarn and sewing in the tail end securely. Don’t forget to sew in the beginning tail end very firmly too.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS - HAVE FUN

Long time no blog!

2011-05-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy... There's been absolutely no time for anything but work.

I'm so glad to say that the enormous thread work commission I've been working on since October is finally finished and posted.

I've made twenty 28" doilies for wedding breakfast table centres. There were five each of four designs which I completed with help from my mum's amazing hooking skills.

I've included some pix so you can see the (nearly) finished objects - these were taken before blocking so you'll have to use your imagaination a bit.

I am sooooo proud of them. They look beautiful and I hope they will help to make Danielle's wedding a very special day.

I've been having fun with Hoopla again. The more I play with it the more I find I love it. This time I have been selling the pattern for a cute little basket meant for Easter eggs and goodies for Mothers' Day. I'm going to make it a free pattern now and I'll post it in my next blog for anyone else giving Hoopla a try. They take so little yarn; they're so great for using up the ends of bobbins you have laying around. These baskets and a spell of hot weather were the inpiration for my mini-hanging baskets. I've filled some with plants and hung them on a trellis in front of my house. We live on a park and I love to sit and watch the faces and pointing as people go past. They are so bright and eyecatching - I love these too... I'm hoping for tumbling strawberries and tomatoes, although I haven't got a very green thumb so we'll see.

Well, I'm off to my pen this time. More pattern writing. HOW EXCITING! :-)

Hoopla Yarn Patterns

2011-03-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who has come looking for Hoopla patterns. Hope you like the free ones I've posted so far. FYI there are more on my website: www.stringtheorycrochet.co.uk (some free; some for sale) and there are more to come in the near future. Anything you'd like to make? Then just let me know. If I get enough interest, I'll happily make up patterns.

I'm off to the show at Olympia with Charlotte and Erkan tomorrow, so I'll post some piccies asap of the high jinx!

Have fun with your Hoopla!!

Free Hoopla Pattern #2

2011-02-21T12:39:00.001-08:00

Five Minute Flowers

A 10mm hook is recommended – move up to a larger size if your work is too solid or stiff
You will need much less than 1 bobbin of Hoopla yarn in a colour of your choice.

In order to complete this project you will need to know how to create the following stitches:

Chain stitch (ch)
Double crochet (dc)
Treble crochet (tr)
Double treble crochet (dtr)
Slip stitch (sl st)
Magic Circle (MC)

FLOWER 1 – CURVED PETALS
Foundation:

ch5
Join with ss to form ring

Round 1:

ch1
10dc into ring
Join with ss

Round 2:

all in same st - ch3, tr, dtr, tr, ch3
dc in next dc
all in same st - 1dc, ch2, tr, dtr, tr, ch2, 1dc
dc in next dc
Repeat steps 3 and 4 three more times
Join with ss and finish off

FLOWER 2 – FLAT PETALS
Foundation:

ch5
Join with ss to form ring

Round 1:

ch1
10dc into ring
Join with ss

Round 2:

all in same st - ch3, 3tr, ch3
dc in next dc
all in same st - 1 dc, ch2, 3tr, ch2, 1dc
dc in next dc
Repeat steps 3 and 4 three more times
Join with ss and finish off

FLOWER 3 – POINTED PETALS
Foundation:

ch5
Join with ss to form ring

Round 1:

ch1
10 dc into ring
Join with ss

Round 2:

all in same st - ch4, dtr, ttr
ch6
dc in each of next 2dc
all in same st - ch3, dtr, ttr
ch6
dc in each of next 2dc
Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 three more times
Join with ss and finish off

Free Hoopla Yarn Patterns

2011-02-20T13:14:00.001-08:00

I am having such a good response to these beginners and super-easy style patterns for Hoopla that my email is smoking. To make things easier I'm going to get them all on line. Enjoy!
Bag for Life - A very easy bag pattern
A 10mm hook is recommended – move up to a larger size if your work is too solid or stiff
You will need 1 bobbin of Hoopla yarn in a colour of your choice.

In order to complete this project you will need to know how to create the following stitches:

Chain stitch (ch)
Double crochet (dc)
Treble crochet (tr)
Slip stitch (sl st)
Magic Circle (MC)

The Base

Start with EITHER 4 ch joined with a sl st to form a ring OR a MC
Round 1: ch 1, make 7 dc into your ring or circle,
join with sl st to first ch
Round 2: ch 1, 1dc in same st,
2dc in each st round,
join with sl st to first ch
Round 3: ch 1,
2dc in next st, 1dc in following st
Repeat step 8 round and join with sl st to first ch
Round 4: ch1, 1 dc in same st,
1 dc in each of next 2 st, 2dc in next st
Repeat step 11 round
Join with sl st in first ch
Round 5: ch 1, 1 dc each in next 2 st
2dc in next, 1 dc in each of next 3 st
Repeat step 15 round and join with sl st to first ch
Round 6: ch 1, 1 dc in same st
1 dc each in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st
Repeat step 18 round and join with sl st to first ch
You should have 48 st around

The Sides

Round 7: ch 7, miss next st,
dc in next st, Ch 6, miss next st,
Repeat step 22 round and join to first ch with sl st
You should have 24 loops
Round 8: sl st into each of the next 3 sts so that you are roughly in the middle of the next loop
ch 7, miss next st,
dc in next st, Ch 6, miss next st,
Repeat step 27 round and join to first ch with sl st
Rounds 9 – 13: Repeat Round 8 (steps 25 -28) 5 more times
Round 14: sl st into each of the next 3 sts so that you are roughly in the middle of the next loop
ch 11, miss next st,
dc in next st, Ch 10, miss next st,
Repeat step 32 round and join to first ch with sl st
Round 15 : Repeat Round 14 (steps ? -?) once

The Handles

Round 16: sl st into each of the next 3 sts so that you are roughly in the middle of the next loop
ch 4, miss next st,
dc in next st, ch 3, miss next st,
Repeat last step round and join to first ch with sl st
Round 17: ch1,
1 double in each st round, join with sl st in first ch
Round 18: ch 1,
13 dc
Ch 20, miss next 20 sts
28 dc
Ch 20, miss next 20 sts,
14 dc, join with sl st into first ch
Round 19: ch 1,
95 tr round, join with sl st in first ch
Round 20: ch1,
95 db round, join with sl st in first ch.
Finish off by cutting yarn and sewing in the tail end securely. Don't for get to sew in the beginning tail end very firmly too.

Thursday 3rd February 2011

2011-02-03T14:49:00.000-08:00

Today I have been so fed up with moaners and whingers. So I'm going to celebrate the best of the good stuff and ignore the whiners!!

Below are pictures of my boys - what isn't to love about my two cutie blondies? (Yes, I know. I'm a little biased). And beyond that are close ups of my two favourite projects ever. A blue scumble bag - all beady and gorgeous - and a tunisian crochet cushion cover in green yarn and ribbon.

My funny -boy Benji

Work and home. That covers both. And yes, to all you negative ninnies, I love both!! They make me very happy.

My serious -boy Danny

Want to join me in my celebration? Let me know what brings you joy and pride. I'd be honoured to be part of the best of your good stuff.

Danny and Ben just letting you know: not much matters if you've got a big pile of leaves!

Tunisian Cushion Cover - Soft and Tranquil

BUTTON-TASTIC !

I love to have a scumble...

Free-form bag. I am very proud of this piece.

I feel better now :)

Tuesday January 25 2011

2011-01-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

Finally, a chance to get a bit of what I've been up to down on paper. Think I'm going to keep this to Hoopla Yarn but before I do: Doilies - 9/20 complete; 11 to go... phew! Going to be gorgeous though. I'm quite proud. Site - still a bit of a shambles. Stu is helping me out but it's so far down the priorities list... well. If you are magnificent, go have a look at www.stringtheorycrochet.co.uk and send me your criticisms/anything you notice that is below par. I would be very grateful.

So ... Hoopla. I've been playing around with this for a while now and I absolutely love it. Spent the end of last week on the Hoopla Yarn stand with Charlotte and Erkan. They are a really lovely couple who want to build a family business importing the yarn and they're working really hard to get the message out there - obviously, they want to make money, but they are truely passionate about the product. I was just a crochet consultant. I took along a few of the things I'd made to show and had a really good time talking crochet with enthusiasts, experts and beginners. It was great fun and it looks like we might do the same at Olympia - watch this space.

So, what do I like? Top 3 ... Number 1: THE COLOURS! I LOVE THE COLOURS. Being on the stall felt like being in a sweet shop. I've made a lot of bits and bobs for my boys and they fit perfectly into their room. Which brings me to the second thing I like. It is perfect for children. Bright and soft, yet tough and easy to clean (starting to sound like an advert?). And finally, it is exciting for a crocheter because it can be crocheted tightly and it will hold it's shape so it is almost like sculpting or potting. It is really strong and sturdy.

Right, balance. It does have some downfalls. It is quite heavy, so postage is expensive and it doesn't make good clothing (unless made into a very wide mesh). Another thing, because it is upcycled from clothing manufacture, the colours are whatever come out of the factory so there is no guarantee of ever getting the same colour again or choosing a colour in advance of looking at the yarn (if that makes sense... you couldn't for eg say " I want to make a set of brown and cream placemats" because there might not be any brown or cream available. You would have to search out the available colours and choose from the current selection).

Having said all that, if I could afford it, I would give every crocheter at least one bobbin of the yarn. Everyone should get the chance to play with it. I would love to see what other people make of it. If you have a go send me some pix. Don't know where to start? I've put a couple of free patterns on my site (for crocheting beginners really but .. hey) and I'll have some Hoopla Yarn for sale too, soon, hopefully. Otherwise, I urge you to check out the selection at www.hooplayarn.com or visit the amazing Roz Gunwhy at http://chakahoopla.com/ who has also been having a play.

I want to encourage you to have a go so ... what about a competition?

I'll offer 4 bobbins of your choice from my site as a prize (that's 2kg/400m of yarn) for the best Hoopla design. I don't mind if you send me a picture of something you've made, a sketch or pattern of a design, or even a FO in the post. It doesn't matter if it is made from Hoopla or from home-made upcycled fabric yarn. Your entry can be knit, crochet, woven, knotted ..... anything goes.

I'll decide on a shortlist based on innovation and design and then ask for a vote for the winner.

Deadline: 1st April 2011

LET'S SEE WHAT YOU'VE GOT!

HOLDING PATTERN HOLDING PATTERN HOLDING PATTERN

2011-01-21T15:33:00.000-08:00

I am sooooooo busy, I haven't blogged at all this month so far. At a show tomorrow so I'll want to show off my pix if anyone's interested - I'll also try to fill in the gaps.

January 1st 2011

2011-01-01T15:46:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I've been so busy I haven't blogged for ages. I've got about a million WIPs, 2 urgent commissions to finish this week, 3 new tutees and a new job! This week we started with Christmas, has my Ben's 3rd Birthday on 29th and survived New Year. Today I've got the inevitable headache :-( Better to be busy than idle, though.

Best day of 2010 has to be my 40th birthday. Stu took me to feed the penguins and, because it was so cold and so few people were at Bird World, I was allowed right into the enclosure and onto the island in the middle of their pond. I have loved penguins all my life!! Who can't sympathise with creatures that are so confident and expert in one area of their life (water) yet bizarre, comical and clumsy in another (land). That is exactly how I feel.
These pictures also served to remind me to get my roots done!! An amazing experince and I highly recommend it if your local wild life park offer the opportunity.

2010 was a particularly difficult year for many reasons so here's to a much improved 2011. I'm looking forward to it - BRING IT ON!!

Friday December 3rd 2010

2010-12-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

Quite proud of myself. I've finished two bags using Hoopla Yarn and I think they're gorgeous! I'm writing up the patterns but both are exceptionally easy and quick to make, yet the result is professional and stylish.

I only have snapshots taken on the edge of my armchair at home rather than careful photos (will get some done asap to show the bags off to all their glory) but was so excited I wanted to share them straight away.

Criticisms gratefully accepted as usual... what do you think?

The chubby, sticky, little hand belongs to Ben -my two year old- not me! Honest!

Wednesday November 24th 2010

2010-11-24T13:23:00.000-08:00

Well, I have very few days left in my 30s! The big 40 on Saturday - ho hum! Very down. Boooooooooooooo.

Cheering myself up with A LOT of creativity. The granny blanket is coming on nicely and I now have 78 out of 96 motifs - phew! Ground to a halt as I am waiting for more yarn to arrive, though, so I'm having to take a break from it for a bit. The only issue being that when I'm sent the yarn to finish this blanket I'll also receive the yarn to start the next one ..... Blimey! I'll be seeing granny squares in my sleep. The more observant of you will notice in my pictures that I have haven't be sewing my tail-ends in as I go. I was just so focused on crochet...crochet...crochet and I'm regretting it already; it's going to be a huge job. Bugger, bugger, bugger.

Yarn arrived for thigh-highs and matching thong. Nice sultry colours as the client ordered. Going to indulge myself with a bit of a crochet/knit hybrid and it's tonight's job to get the design sketched out. Quite looking forward to it but quite anxious at the same time. It's very daunting to make something as complex as socks for someone who is thousands of miles away. Good job there's a tight dead-line so I haven't got time to fret about it - I've just got to get on and see what happens. However, if you are an expert sock maker, I really would be grateful for any hints or tips you have.

Final piece of news for today is that the new lot of Hoopla Yarn arrived. I've got some really exciting ideas for it so watch this space. Also got something else in mind that is going to be fantastic fun but my lips are sealed for now. Got to sort a few things out first.

Ok woman! Stop typing and start designing. These socks are not going to make themselves.

Wednesday 17th November 2010

2010-11-17T16:14:00.000-08:00

I think I may have taken on too much work!! Enjoying the pressure though and it's a hell of a lot better than not having enough to do...

Having a real problem finding yarn for a stocking project and running close to the wind as far as timing is concerned. I think I've looked at every sock, fingering and 4ply on the net. My LYS is tiny and so no joy there. Can anyone baby sit so that I can head a bit further afield? Ben is going through his terrible twos (and indulging himself in the process) so it's quite a job but I'd throw in a cheese sandwich and a cup of tea!! Gotta be worth it to someone.

Spending most time working on a set of pictoral instructions for a cart wheel granny square blanket. Thought you might like to have a look at how it's going - criticisms gratefully received.

The Yarn Colour Selection

Wednesday November 10 2010

2010-11-10T04:34:00.000-08:00

Woven like a giant friendship bracelet

Five-minute Flowers

I have been working very hard. Sooooooooooo many projects. AND when I woke up this morning and tried to drag a bush through my hair I discovered someone had been busy felting it as I slept!

Brim Hat/Sun Visor
This fabric is just so summery

I'm becoming more and more excited by this Hoopla Yarn. I've been playing around as you can see from the pics. (oh, by the way - excuse my crappy photography and the horrific state of my studio floor!)

The first of a set of protective mats for the dining table

It's so easy to work with and grows really fast. I love my new crochet hook pot - I didn't need to stiffen it in any way, it just stands like that. Isn't it amazing?

Bag for life. Shopper or Beach bag

Very Happy Hooks

I can't stop thinking and I've got a sketch book full of brilliant ideas. It's really brought out the inventor in me. Watch this space ...

Knotted Scarf

Is it ok to eat pink snow?

1 Bobbin Barrel Bag

Anybody else got any new and marvellous yarns they're working with? I'm in the mood to innovate.

Thursday November 4th 2010

2010-11-04T02:03:00.000-07:00

**RANT ALERT**RANT ALERT**RANT ALERT**RANT ALERT**RANT ALERT**

What is wrong with the world??? I've been desperate to sell things to people. I really want to make a career out of this and I'm working my bottom off! I finally get a decent order and it's from someone who doesn't understand hand-made goods. I think we've all lived in a speedy factory produced world for too long. C'mon fellow crafters/artists, you must be with me. IT TAKES TIME TO PRODUCE SOMETHING. I've just has someone ask for 300 crocheted wall hangings. 300!!!! That would take about 30 years to make. They've seen my site and ordered 300 of a OOAK item. I'm dumbfounded (and a bit disappointed - if I could stop time, I could make my fortune). Oh well... I'd best compose an email explaining politely why it will be impossible to supply him. AAAAAAARRRRGGGHH. Life is just a little unfair :-(

Thursday October 28th 2010

2010-10-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

It's nearly Halloween!!! Time has flown by this year.

Hoopla Yarn and a couple of my 5 minute Flowers

I'm still having fun playing around with the Hoopla yarn. It's sort of like crocheting with quite a few threads at once. I really love the shapes it makes because it's more solid than more fibrous yans. I've been making bags and mats and flowers. I highly recommend it. It's only £4.95 for 500gms! 500gms is enough to make a reasonable size mat, a small handbag or loads of flowers! I'm going to look into getting some wholesale to sell on my site, I think. It's going to be popular with crafters, I'm sure.

http://www.hooplayarn.com/

Peek-a-boo Dark Blue Beanie

Lavendar beanie/cloche thingy

Today is not a good day, however! I am job hunting and I hate it. Everything I want to do is too badly paid to pay the bills and anything I am qualified for and pays enough just seems like slavery. I'm feeling a little bit desperate - so if anyone knows of anybody looking for a middle-aged English teacher who would prefer to have a short break from teaching. Hard working, creative, grammatically correct! Gis' a job!

Girly Camouflage!

Soft but masculine beanie

On the brighter side the brief and the yarn arrived from

the-little-experience.com, so I'm putting together my instructions and photos for the granny square blanket. They're in a hurry so I'm using that as an excuse to have a break from job hunting. I'm coming to the conclusion that I'm not really a photographer. I can never get the lighting right for important pics that need to impress. I'm ok with snapshots but StringTheoryCrochet.co.uk and my Etsy shop are both riddled with ordinary photography. Need some lessons. I'll put that on the todo list ... ... ...

MY FAV! Sparkly, stripy, bobbly!!!

From the back

Whipped up a few winter warmers recently, too. Took preliminary pics of them too. Loads of lovely hats. Here's a selection for your criticism. Hats have always been far and away my best seller.

Time for a cuppa!

Tuesday October 26th 2010

2010-10-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

Wowowowowo! How busy at the moment? My most recent project is with some new yarn. Yesterday, I met a wonderful couple and their beautiful daughter, Maya. Charlotte and Erkan are starting a family business importing an up-cycled yarn made from cloth selvedges. It's brilliant!! And after a nice cream-topped hot chocolate and a very interesting chat, I flew home with my sticky paws full of bobbins ready to have a play!!!

I am so pleased with it. It crochets really easily and work grows quickly. The yarn has a really firm, structural texture and is going to be fantastic for things like bags, pots, mats and things. (It's also really cheap - Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!) All that and up-cycled too, so I feel like I'm doing my bit...

I'll get some pictures up asap - just whipped up a bag in no time today - but in the mean time, I highly recommend you pop to their site and have a look for yourself.

http://www.hooplayarn.com/

Sunday October 17 2010

2010-10-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

I found some hilariously funny vintage crochet patterns this week. I've put some onto the website so that you can share, or maybe even buy them! I've got more to go on tonight ... if I get the time. Here is an image of my favourite (to be fair, most of the others could be lovely if they weren't photographed in a tasteless 70s scene!)

Look Stylish in this Yellow Trouser and Tunic Set!

I can hardly resist making one. I think I need to do so as a joke present for a mate. I'll parcel it up for Christmas and act all serious about how long it took to make and how I made it just for her. Don't know if I'll get away with insisting she wear it out. Hmmmm? Could be a good Christmas.

The other thing I found this week in amongst all the pictures was some crochet furniture. I love this modern take on crochet and I thought it was completely innovative and orignal and yet I also find some in the 1970s back catalogue!! Is there nothing new?

Today

1970s

Admittedly the contemporary version is a bit more stylish but that might be just a matter of changing tastes.

Wednesday October 13th 2010

2010-10-13T02:43:00.000-07:00

Headache ... :-(

Everything is pink and sparkly tonight. Lovely bit of thread found in the bottom of my stash. I have no idea what it is or where it came from, only that it glitters and gleams and is glorious girly pink. Usually I'm not into girly colours but this has taken my fancy *Shuffles in her seat in an embarrassed attempt to look more grown up and womanly* Ahem! Moving on.

Looks like I might have to go back to teaching part time. I'm really depressed about it but we need the money desperately and finding a part-time teaching job seems like it's going to be impossible before we run out of money completely. Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Teaching full time is exhausting and I'll hardly be able to crochet at all so here's to a timely lottery win. Keep your fingers crossed everyone.

Saturday October 9th 2010

2010-10-09T15:45:00.000-07:00

Feeling quite positive today. Had a nice long lie-in courtesy of my lovely Stu who fed the kids and played quiet games. Bit strange because I woke up stiff and tired! And I'd been having nightmares about escaped lions, bouncing bison and Keanu Reeves (don't ask).

However, after that bizarre start to the day managed to apply for several jobs - one of which involves crochet which makes me very very very very happy indeed. Keeping my fingers crossed. My baby's jacket is sewn together and I've addes 3 gorgeous flowers in blue and started a matching bobble hat. I've also made a big pile of Christmas decorations and added my blog/Etsy/site to various lists in the hope of encouraging more visitors. Can I recommend the widget maker at craftcult (cast eyes right to see my widget in operation). It is completely free and you can add it to almost any site you own or your friends/family/network own. Cool eh?

So... feeling good and watching QI. Do I feel up to cleaning out my Email inbox? Might as well give it a go.

Friday 8th October 2010

2010-10-08T04:55:00.000-07:00

Wanted to go to the knitting and stitching show a in London today and I can't even tell you why I'm not there - regretting it now. Sign me up for the knittinng and craft show in March. Why isn't there any mention of crochet? I love knitted items but I REALLY love crochet. It is easier to pick up than knitting, your work grows faster and it is equally versitile and able to produce fashionable and beautiful things. I'm going to make it my mission to raise it's profile. WORLD DOMINATION FOR CROCHET!!!!

Made a cute baby jacket in creamy yarn last night but I hate sewing the seams so it's still sitting in pieces beside me as I blog. Altogether: "Pull yourself together woman, it's only a bit of sewing!" Alright, alright, I'll do it this afternoon. Don't nag.

Tuesday October 5th 2010

2010-10-06T01:13:00.000-07:00

I am sooooooooooooooo tired. I've had a really busy few days and lots of early mornings. But .... Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! finished the prototype doiley ready for posting. It's the third attempt before I was happy with the outcome but I'm very pleased now. I'm not too happy about shipping it, though. It is big (2 feet in diameter) and I want to send it flat. I've been out scouting card today but couldn't find any big enough and stiff enough (oooerr!). I've had to attach it to a a piece of card, roll it and put inside a tube. Not entirely satisfactory but it will do. Not looking forward to sending 20 of them when the project's finished.

Also borrowed a decent digital camera and took some pictures - so I've put a lot more stuff onto the website and onto Etsy. I've got a load more to do tomorrow inbetween planning my lessons and teaching. Phew! Life is very full.

Saturday October 2nd 2010

2010-10-02T01:56:00.000-07:00

READY, STEADY GO!!! Busy, busy, busy weekend. Both my mun and Stu's mum have birthdays and so we have lots of visiting and celebrating to do. Everything else on hold until Sunday evening.

My doiley is back to the round it was before the major unpicking so I'm starting to feel a bit better about that. Had several hours of 'oh b*gger! I give up' but back on track with a bit of ruffling up - I'm going to attempt tightening with a tight round of doubles (watch this space to see if THAT works).

Last night, as a relief from the tiny doiley hook, I started the first of the winter hats. Lovely mauves and lilacs. I can't decide whether to leave it plain or put something pretty on it. I'm going to have a surf later and see what people like at the moment.

Ok - gotta wrap prezzies and get the kids in the car. Let the partying commence ...

Thursday September 30th 2010

2010-09-30T16:21:00.000-07:00

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!! Feeling 'just a little' pissed off with myself. Made a huge gaff in my doily and had to unpick half of it - so that's going to be another day before I finish. I have been crocheting madly and fingers ache. Bloody booooooooo to being stupid. It is now well passed midnight for the ... well every night this week. Sleepy byes for me.

Wednesday September 29th 2010

2010-09-29T05:05:00.000-07:00

YAAAAAWWWWWNNNN! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Yawn! Feeling very tired today - keep falling asleep in my chair so I'm dosing myself with strong tea. I'm sure I read once that chocolate has a lot of caffeine in it which is a good reason to get a pile in this afternoon.

I have so much to do - gotta get through the whole of Ethan Frome by tomorrow to help a girl with her essay. I'm so close to the end of the third try of my doiley and it's biloody typical that I now prefer my second draft!!! So I want to be able to block it out and compare the two. There is a mountain of stuff to photograph and catalogue for the website and my house needs decorating (although that might have to wait FOR A FEW YEARS!)

It's my mum's birthday on Saturday and I want to make her some yarn ball pots. I have the clay and I thought it would be lovely if my two boys painted one each for Grandma. It's becoming touch and go whether they dry in time, though. Better do that first.

Right so priority list:

Stop faffing around with this blog and do some work
Eat chocolate
Make 2 yarn pots
Eat chocolate and drink strong tea
Finish reading Ethan Frome and put together an essay plan
Eat chocolate, drink strong tea and eat more chocolate
Finish and block doiley
Pretend there is nothing else to do until tomorrow
Celebrate with a slice of chocolate cake and a lovely cup of tea

Saturday September 25th 2010

2010-09-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

Phew! First of the twenty 24" doilies finished. Gonna start again, though because the thread is too fine and the look is too lacey (doesn't pay to be a perfectionist). Was going to take time out from doilies but the new size 10 thread arrived and now I feel obliged to get going again. I am going to indulge myself with a couple of hours on my pet projects too, though.

The Beginning of my Extreme Afghan

I have a scumble winter hat in whites and creams on the go, a blue, circular free-form baby blanket, a hanging basket, an amigurumi cat and an enormous afghan with an extreme hook. Soooooooo, plenty to choose from.

Been playing around with the website. Still haven't managed to get the checkout sorted so that customers don't have to register in order to buy something - it drives me crazy so it must madden other people too! Will try again tomorrow after seeking expert guidance because I managed to crash the whole site for two hours yesterday after fiddling around in code I didn't really understand.

Set up a sale, though, and that should encourage a few more sales.

Next job is to design a competition. I've got to come up with a good prize but I have a theme (not telling yet, before you ask!). Can't wait. It's really quite exciting!

Thursday September 23rd 2010 (just)

2010-09-23T16:00:00.001-07:00

Meh!

Wednesday September 22nd 2010

2010-09-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

FINALLY, got pictures of Loooopy Blooo onto site and Etsy. Lovely scarf, terrible pictures. I really need a new camera, this one changes the colours and over exposes the image. The scarf is actually a much more muted, dusty navy colour. Maybe if someone buys the scarf I'll make a point of using the money for a spangly new one!!!!

Tutoring is picking up nicely. Don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, really. On the one hand, it means there's some money coming in; on the other, it means less time to concentrate on the crafty business.

I'm looking to get myself into some craft fairs but don't know if I've got enough stuff to sell yet. Might need mum to come along with her creations too. She has tons of amazing stuff. Would I be jealous if hers sold and mine didn't? OH, YES!

Prototype doiley nearly done. Decided the thread is too fine for the design. It's a really lacey one and the fine contton leaves it with no substance. So.... I've order a size 10 thread. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Don't tell Stu, not supposed to be spending any money.

Tuesday September 21st 2010

2010-09-21T12:47:00.000-07:00

Busy, busy, busy! One son off school with a bad tummy, other son to Grandma's for the day, me working online and then doily, doiley, doilly (or however you spell it - does anyone know?). Making good progress but it's quite difficult to size up a design to 24" whilst maintaining the style and avoiding too much repetition.

I am trying to avoid watching the football with my Stu now, so perfect time to blog.

Monday September 20th 2010

2010-09-20T04:40:00.000-07:00

Mondays and Thursdays are very frustrating! I can't crochet until this evening because I have to work. I suppose I have to keep real money coming in somehow or I'll be crocheting in the street and sending my children up chimneys (Hmmmm? Not such a bad idea.. chimneys ...) It's just that I'd rather be creating - what an inconvenience the need for money is!!

Sunday September 19th 2010

2010-09-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

It begins...
This is my first proper blog and I'm actually a bit nervous about having enough to say. Well, we'll see...

a doily at the scene today

Making doilies for a wedding at the moment. Gotta get 20 2ft lacey doilies crocheted by Christmas - I'll be seeing them in my sleep. Really quite enjoying it, though. Strangely satisfying things to make because it's difficult to create one that doesn't end up beautiful. I've never much been a fan of frilly, old fashioned crochet but I am being converted, I think. I've even been perusing the vintage crochet sites.

Another doily, yesterday

Right back to work ...