Attic24

Comfort Food

Helloooooo!!!!

I bought some amazing greetings cards recently and thought you would love to see them....

 

.....Fabulous or what????

This is the work of Kate Jenkins, who works under the business name of "Cardigan".

You can see a whole gallery of her quirky, innovative crochet work on her website here, and also more here.

I love her work very much, but oooooooooooeeeee at how much one would have to pay to own a bit of Kate's crocheted Comfort Food???!!

Tis eye wateringly expensive.

Think I'll stick with the printed paper version.

I'm writing a super-whizzy post today folks as I'm still busy doing bathroomy things and getting oh-so-excited about it!!!

Been busying myself with sky blue painted things, stripy fabric things (with matching pompoms) and crocheted bunting things :: such fun!!

Lovin' it today, love-love-lovin' it. Ooooo I am just all smoochy and In LOVE with my bathroom, it's so very nearly FINISHED (in Capital Letters no less), can't wait to show you......

Life is sometimes just one huge buzz of mega-creative excitement, don't you find??!!

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Weekend Colour

 

 

 

 

My weekend was full of C's :: comfort, cosiness, crafting, crochet, cuddles, cake, coffee, colour.

Enjoyed it enormously, this homey time with my little family.

Enjoyed the comfort of being within our four walls while the weather did unspeakably miserable things outside.

I need to tell you that  in amongst all these lovely C's, I also had a little ponder about Attic24 over the weekend.

I had a good long think about the time and space that blogging takes up in my day (which can be quite considerable at times).

I balanced it out against the pressing demands of Other Things also needing my time and space right now.

And I came to the the conclusion that as much as I have to attend to Other Things in my life at this time, I quite simply also have to continue to find a little time in each day to be here at Attic24.

I have to continue to record the things that make me tick, to document my thoughts, observations, ideas, pleasures, creativity.

Because it makes me feel so good to be here.

And it makes me feel so miserable thinking about not being here.

And I'm all for the Feel-Good.

However, for the time being I'm going to have to reduce the time I spend blogging.

So I shall try to be here most days, but making shorter postings. 

Its a compromise you see, and one that I feel will do us all fine for the time being.

I know you'll understand, cos you're so good like that.

Right now then, I'm going to finish up with the words and say Toodle-ooo.

I'm off to wield a paintbrush and get busy with those Other Things.

See you Tomorrow for some outdoorsy pictures from my weekend.

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Birdie Decoration Tutorial

A quick little post today to let you know that my tutorial for making these Birdie Decorations is finally finished. Woohoo!!!!

I decided to write it in two parts ::

Part 1 :: the Flat Circle. This is how you make the main body of the Birdie.

Part 2 :: the Birdie Decoration. This is how you make all the other bits needed for this cute little crochet bird.

I felt that the Flat Circle pattern needed to be listed as a page on it's own as it's a very useful pattern to know (can also be used to make a round cushion, or the bottom of a bag). I've had lots of emails lately asking for help in trouble shooting the bottoms-of-bags which are not working out as they should, and I'm hoping that these detailed instructions and many, many pictures should help you to make a flat circle easily, or trouble shoot bag bottoms that have gone baggy or curly!!

 

I'm hoping you have lots of fun creating your own flock of Birdies.

Don't forget you can share pictures of your creations with us all in the Attic24 Inspired Flickr group. Some very cute little Birdies have already flown in, so do go take a peek.

Have fun!!

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Crochet WiP's

When I began reading blogs I remember coming across that little phrase "WiP" all the time and liking the sound of it but not knowing what on earth it meant. Had no idea. I'm not going to let on how long it actually took me to work it out either, but lets just say it was a loooong time. But I do happen to think that chatting about one's WiP's is pretty funny and it's a phrase I like to use, so todays little offering from the Attic is all about my current Crochet WiP's.

I'm having a total Pleasure-fest with my crochet at the moment, it's suiting my nesty, homey instincts and the dull, murky weather down to the ground. As you know, my main WiP is a baby granny-square blanket for Bump24, using Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino yarn. Its turning out to be a hugely enjoyable project :: the yarn is scrumptious to work with, the colours are a little lighter and softer than my usual palette (which I'm enjoying a great deal), and it's fast. Oh yeah..I am LOvInG the speed at which I can hook these squares, it really does give me buzz to see it coming together so quickly. I can make one of these 5-round granny's in Eleven Minutes Flat. And that includes changing colours and darning in ends. Eleven Minutes!!! I tell you, my hands are a positive blur when I'm working and I'm surprised my hook isn't smokin' at the end of an hour or two.

I took the above photo this morning to show you where I'm up to with it :: 72 squares so far, and I'm going to be adding three more long rows (36 squares), then a wideish border to finish. I decided that even though in the immediate future this is going to be a cot blanket, I want it to be big enough to go the distance, big enough for it to accommodate a snuggling toddler/child in future years.

 

I ran out of a couple of the DB colours last night, so earlier today the Little People and I went off on a jaunt to a nearby town which has a most excellent yarn shop. Oh we did have a fun jaunt! As well as yarn shopping (and the purchase of a lovely new crochet book too), we ate warm sausage rolls from the baker for our lunch, then went to a cafe for carrot cake+cappuccino / juice+muffins. I really enjoyed having my Little People for company I have to say.

The above photo has nothing whatsoever to do with anything yarny or crochety, but it was a little greengrocers shop we happened to walk past en route to the yarn shop and it captivated me totally. Isn't it wonderful?? I'm sorry for the quality of the pic, only the light levels here continue to be very low indeed. We've been shrouded in thick, grey, damp fog all day, and even though I took this photograph in the middle of the day, it looks like dusk.

As well as my granny blanket, I've also been continuing to work a little on my Birdies. It was such FUN sharing that with you last week, and I'd like to say a huge ((THanK YoU)) to all of you who left me a comment on that post, it made me really happy to read your wonderful responses.

I know many of you would like the pattern to enable you to hatch a little hooky flock for yourselves, and I'm hoping to work on that tomorrow for you.

Your suggestions about what to do with a little flock of hooky birdies were fabulous, and I've been getting sooo excited about making Birdie Mobiles, Biride Bunting and Birdie Christmas Tree Decorations......gosh, I mean it's making me REALLY EXCITED!!!!!!!! Yes, big CAPITAL LETTERS sort of EXCITED, with many exclamation marks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I started to think about Christmas decorations, I immediately thought of making robins. As I didn't have any brown robin-coloured yarn in the Attic, I had to go and buy some today, and I ended up getting some organic natural cotton yarn which I hope is going to work out. I confess it feels very very odd for me to be handling Brown Yarn, but I'm coping.

My robin is still very much a fledgling WiP as you can see....a test-run-robin. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Right....need to stop yapping about my WiP's and go light the fire and get industrious in the kitchen before husband returns home and demands to know what's going on. I'm pretty sure that a blog post and a half-made crochet robin will not cut the mustard in place of a roaring fire and a hot meal on the table.

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ps I know several of you are still waiting for the Circles Scarf pattern, and I promise I'll try fit that in very soon.

pps in case you really need to know but don't like to ask, WiP = Work In Progress :o)

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Playing Hooky

Been Playing Hooky this afternoon.

You know, just messin' around with yarn and hook, trying to ease out yet another idea from the Tangle that sits within my Creative Mind.

Tis mighty crowded within my Creative Mind.

So much going on up there!

So many ideas!

So many projects desperate to see the light of day!

Today I just HAD to make this, just had to.

Had to see if the idea in my mind could come out into the world and work out.

I had a little go at it yesterday, but as yesterday was a rather fluffy-muddled day, it all went a bit pear shaped.

But today :: less fluff and less muddle and hoooo-haaaaa, we made progress!!!!

It's been a great feeling!

So in case you are wondering just what that strange flat round thing is trying to become, let me show you how it looks when it's folded in half.............

Does it look kind of Bird-ish to you??

Sort of??

Yes I think it does look like a cute little hooky Birdy!

Just need to stuff it a little and stitch it up...add a little hanging device....

 

....and ta-dah!!!!

One decorative hanging Birdy.

I confess :: I am rather happy with it.

However, this is just a practice run really (yes, there will be more Birdies hatching out in the Attic very soon)

I might add a few beads to the hanging chain, and possibly do a little embellishing on the wings....but overall, I think the concept works.

I'm also thinking :: stuff a little dried lavender inside and these Birdies will make very acceptable Christmas presents.

You have no idea how unusual it is for me to be considering Christmas presents in October.

It has never happened before.

Not ever.

Quite exciting really!

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ps appologies for the poor quality of the photos today, the weather/light levels here in my patch are very dismal indeed. In normal circumstances I would have waited till another day to share this with you, a bright day for taking bright photos. But damn-it I could NOT wait a moment longer!!!!

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Wrist Warmers

I'm not what you would call a Clothes Person, and very very rarely consider buying new clothes. Most of what I plod about in these days is second hand/thrifted/old. I get soo narked at how much Nice Clothes cost and generally feel that my modest disposable income can be put to better use. And I am just not particularly bothered by what I look like I guess, never have been.

However, that's not to say I don't like to look at other pretty people wearing Nice Clothes, because I do really enjoy browsing Nice Clothing catalogues. In particular, I'm talking about the beautifully styled and photographed booklets provided by the likes of Boden, Toast and Joules. The latest Autumn/Winter clothing catalogues that've been plopping through my letter box this past month have provided me with a great deal of inspiration, and (I confess) something of The Wanties.

One of the things which immediately caught my eye and made me drool with desire are these Wrist Warmers.....these images are all from the Joules catalogue and OH I do love-love-love-LoVE these little knitted-stripy-wristy-mitteny garments!!!

Yes!!!

Me WANtiE!!!

Yes!!! 

Oh!!!!

Yes-YES!!!!

Me WANtiE some of those!!!!!

These Joules Wrist Warmers are charmingly called "Chocatoodles" and when I found that out it made me want them even more than before.

I think they are maaaarvelous.

But they cost £15.

And besides, I had this idea that I could perhaps have a weeny little go at making my own.

Crocheted of course.

So with my stash of beautifully soft Baby Cashmerino in-the-bag, last weekend I gave the idea a whirl.

And do you know what??

They turned out just great!

Yes!!! 

Oh!!!!

Me LIKE-iE!!!!!

They were very, very simple to make. I chose to crochet in htr (half treble) stitch, working two rows of each colour. SImple rectangles, thats all, folded in half and stitched down the length.

Easy-peasy.

The hole for the thumb is created when you stitch up the side seam, as all you do is leave  a gap. Couldn't be easier. I then chose to edge the thumb-hole with a row of single crochet.

Oh, and I added a very neat little scallopy border to the top and bottom edges too, just to give them a certain Finish.

 

I'm now about to begin production in smaller sizes to warm the wrists of the Little People who astonishingly adored these particular creations and are begging for me to make them some of their own (eh-hem, I do have to contemplate buying black yarn to make red-and-black striped ones for Little man, Dennis-The-Menace style. But I think I can cope with that just this once).

So I feel extra proud of these wrist warmers as they have the LP Seal Of Approval.

And thats worth a lot.

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Edited to add :: awwwww thanks SO MUCH for all your lovely comments :o)!!!!

A couple things if you are planning on giving this a go for yourself....

As a rough guide...I used a 3.5mm hook (the Baby Cashmerino is somewhere between DK weight and 4ply), and made a foundation chain of 35 stitches to start. Don't make your own starting chain too loose for your own arm/wrist (I thought mine was a bit on the tight side at first, but as I worked the rows, it loosened up nicely :: nothing worse than baggy-saggy mitts!!)

I've also written out my edging pattern for you...I've called it Bobble-shell edging, and you can find it in my sidebar listed as a page, or click here. Hope this is helpful.

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Fresh Yarn

I find lots of things immensely exciting.

Not just mildy exciting, but ImMENseLy exciting.

And more often than not, it's the Little pleasures in life that make me feel the most excited. Yes, lots and lots and lots of Little Things, on a daily basis, make me so-so-so ThRiLLeD that at times I do begin to wonder if i am at all normal. Surely it can't be right to feel so deeply and passionately excited about flowers, sky, a bit of cake, a cushion, buttons, a picture, yarn?  But that seems to be the way I am. I think I've always been this way, but I think it's also fair to say that through writing my blog, my awareness of these feelings has very much been enhanced.

Its also fair to say that through reading other people's blogs, I have thankfully realised I am not alone. I may not be entirely normal, but hip-hip-hoooray, there are other people who actually think and feel the same way I do. Quite a relief actually·

Today I'd like to share with you one of my never-ever-ever-ending passionately-immensely exciting experiences :: fresh yarn. Oh!! Oh oh oh!!!!!!!! Nothing quite compares to the thrill of amassing  a fresh yarn stash and then teetering with it on the edge of a brand new project. It's one of my greatest pleasures.

 

And this particular fresh yarn stash is giving me more pleasure than I care to admit.

As I mentioned to you the other day, this is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. It's a fabulous, luxurious yarn, finer than I'm used to working with (its 4ply as opposed to dk weight) and I'm working it on a 3.5mm hook. It is quite simply Divine.

Now most of this yarn-stash of mine has been sitting in the Attic for quite some time, since the Spring in fact. You may remember me writing about it way back in April (scroll down to the end of that post, it's a long one!). I was lucky enough to purchase a bag of it in a Sale, and as this is expensive yarn to buy at normal retail price, I do feel incredibly blessed to have accumulated this stash at Sale Price. However, the colours I bought in the sale just weren't quite right for me, and I couldn't think quite what I wanted to do with it at the time. So I waited. Kept it in it's brown paper bag and waited for the time to be right to embark on a project with it.

And that time is now.

On Wednesday I got all the yarn out and had a really good look at the colours. I decided I needed some deeper/stronger tones to balance out the pastels, so off I trotted forthwith to the shops to purchase such colours. I only needed three more to add to what I already had, making sixteen colours in total, and I'm really, really, really happy with them.

I'll give you the details now, just so you know.....the above picture, top row, left to right ::

17  discontinued, but can be replaced with colour 18 [pale green]

02 [leaf]

16 [sea green]

202 [pale blue]

204 [baby blue]

031 [turquoise]

032 [cornflower]

10 [soft purple]

Bottom row, left to right ::

700 [red]

023 [burnt orange]

602 [rich pink]

07 [wine]

14 [plum]

13 [grape]

06 [rose]

03 [mint green] not pictured, sorry!

And so my current WiP? Quite predictable I'm afraid, it's another blanket.

Yes, I'm blanket-making again, I just can't help myself. I really love-love-love making blankets and begin to feel bereft unless I've got one on the go. After much deliberation as to what variety of blanket to make this time, I decided to go back to basics, back to my first love and make a simple Granny Squares blanket. I flirted with the idea of trying a babette, but decided in the end that simple was best, and so basic grannies it is.

This is going to be another baby-sized blankie I think, a cot blanket for Bump24.

 

And I'm super-pleased about how this little blankie is coming together. I'm joining them as-I-go (ohh the joy of this method!!), making five-rounds with three colours for each square.

I was inspired by some very lovely afghans I came across in Blogland recently, or as Linda calls them "Lapacuddlyghans"...the simplicity of the design really appealed to me, and I love the way that the colours work together when they are used in double rows rather than single rows. I think the bigger the blanket grows, the more effective this pattern of colour is going to look.

I began hooking this blanket in the very early hours of yesterday morning, around 3.30am when I was having another one of my wide-awake spells. I tell you, my body clock is sooo skew-whiff at the moment!

And a few more added on this morning, to make nine so far...........

 

......what do you think? Do you like the way the colours work together??

I'm going to be writing out a tutorial soon for making basic granny squares (did i mention that already?), for those of you who are new to the joyous fun of crochet, this is an excellent way to start. 

Right...off to have a cuppa and sneak a little square or two in before the school run.

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you next week..

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Three Things

 

Three Things that are making me heart-skippy-happy today..........

Thing #1 :: on my table ::

 

:: a winter cherry plant, bought this morning from the supermarket ::

Thing #2 :: in my tummy ::

:: freshly baked carrot cake, with a hot cup of tea ::

Thing #3 :: in my bag ::

 

:: 16 scrumptious balls of yarn, with a new project about to start ::

Happy Wednesday to you all, hope you find some heart-skippy-happy things to enjoy today!

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Edited to add :: the carrot cake recipe can be found here, and the yarn is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, which you can find more of here....more details about the yarn/project planning to come!

Little Squares Cushion :: ta-dah!

I know technically speaking I've already made a Little-Squares-ta-dah post before, but hoping you won't mind seeing it again in cushiony form as opposed to flat form.

I'm really, really happy with it. Loving it even.

The thrifted wool jumper that I eventually managed to get hold of to the make the backing looks great. The colour is really scrummy, even better in real life than in these pictures.

Yes, I'm really in love with this cushion.

As promised, I've been very very busy writing up a cushion-making tutorial for you. It's been a real challenge actually. Much harder than I anticipated. I really hope I've done alright and that you'll be able to follow it without too much difficulty. I finished the tutorial at lunch time today and you can find it over to the left there at the bottom of my sidebar. Usual place, listed as a Page, or click here.

Hoping you can make use of it, and I look forward to hearing about your cushiony thrills and spills....don't forget you can now share photos with us all in the Attic24 Inspired group pool on Flickr too.

Right I'm off for a cuppa, have a lovely day xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Edited to add :: after being asked about the pattern for the basic two-round granny squares used in this cushion, I realise that this is something I've not yet done...tut tut!!! I'll see if I can do a basic granny squares tutorial soon for those of you who are new to crochet and looking for a good beginners project to learn with. After the Circles Scarf pattern though :o)

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Busy-busy Cushion Making

Hello......busy-busy today as I've decided it's the day for cushion making. We've got lovely bright light here today which is good for taking photographs, so I've been working :: cutting and stitching and assembling and photographing to make this whole cushion-making business an easy to understand tutorial for you.

 

Right-o, best get back to work........will let you know when the tutorial is finished and posted up in my sidebar. If I don't have time to finish it today, it'll certainly be tomorrow.

And then I'll get cracking with the Circle Scarf pattern.

No rest for the wicked.

Good job I'm having rather a lot of fun in the process.

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