There I was, basket in hand, late for Knit and Natter, about to rush out the front door when I caught sight of the hallway and my bags and scarves hanging on the hooks.
Nothing extraordinary about hallway hooks, bags or scarves, but this morning the sight of them absolutely thrilled me to bits. Don't you just love it when that happens? When you unexpectedly catch a glimpse of something about the house that you see every day, but occasionally it's very ordinariness just has the power to stop you in your tracks? Loved that moment, it was wonderful.
Yeah, I was late for Knit and Natter, you want to know why? Because I was reading my emails, that's why, the comments that came flooding in on yesterday's post. Oh you lot! Yes YOU, you also absolutely thrilled me to bits this morning too, in fact I seem to be riding one great big Thrill-ride today don't I? Cor, aren't I the lucky one? Thrills and Spills woo-hoo!!
I have to say, I was/am so very delighted with your response to my textile pictures. Seeing them out there in Blogland caused me such a lot of swirling emotions yesterday, it was mostly good, but the butterflies-in-stomach stayed with me all day. But today I am just so happy. *Thank you* for your enthusiasm and encouragement, you have given me the confidence to think about working again. I will keep you posted.
The sun is out here and I've just photographed some of my floral pictures, and my eyes were nearly popping out :: my goodness, the colours are knockout! I'll upload them later and show you them tomorrow, but be warned, you may need to wear shades.
Knit and Natter, as ever, was a delight this morning, yet another Thrill on today's ride. The cafe is on the first floor and the sun was beaming in through the windows this morning. The pumpkins positively glowed on the windowsill, and the lovely spotty vases on the tables were filled with purply pink sedum flowers, the whole room looked wonderful. My cappuccino was delicious and I Granny-squared today, which was also delicious.
I just LOVE granny-squaring, so so much! They are a pleasure to make, and very easy for beginners to learn. You just need to know how to make a chain and do a double crochet stitch.
I'm using 100% Merino wool, it's Arran weight and lovely to work with. My hook is a 4mm size (although I think this weight of yarn is supposed to be worked with a 5mm, but I like my finished crochet to end up a bit tighter).
And if you'd like to find a good, basic pattern to work from, then this is the one I use.
A
good tip I learnt very early on when learning to crochet is how to
weave in ends as you work, rather than leaving them all to darn in at the
end. It saves a world of pain in the finishing-off stages, believe me.
So when I join in a new colour, I knot the two yarns tightly together first, leaving tails about 2 inches long.
Then when you begin a new round, if you hold these tail ends along the top loops of the previous round as you start, you can crochet them in as you go..
...does that make sense? Its' so hard to explain it, but I hope you get the drift from the phtographs...
When you look at the reverse of the square, you can see how the tail ends are "trapped" under the dc clusters...I use this method for all my crochet work and it generally works out well.
Ahhh it's good to share!
There's some great Granny-squarey inspiration to be found on Flickr, I was browsing the Granny-along pool this morning and loved this and this.
You gotta love 'em.
Go Grannies, go grannies! woo-hoo!!
Edited to add :: Lacehearts is doing a fabulous beginners crochet tutorial on her blog, so if you would like to become a Hooker, go forthwith here and give it a go.
I can't wait to see the floral fabric paintings, and I sat up to 1am this morning reading a pattern over and over trying to make a slightly complicated granny square, it involved picot stitches and trebles and doubles, I will have to blog how I got on... love the knit and natter idea in a coffee shop, Joanne books a hall but it lacks the cosy atmosphere...and cost money to hire!
Cheers Alex
Posted by: Pink feather paradise | October 16, 2008 at 05:24 PM
Lovely to catch a piece of everyday and see it in a new light.It's good for the soul.Your hallway is so cheerful. I often find I have moments of noticing things after a break away.
The granny squares are fab, you've got those Great colours again :)
Posted by: Cele | October 16, 2008 at 05:16 PM
I am so pleased that I am not the only one who can knit but not crochet. I am in my sixties now and I have tried on and off all my life. I have had books, a dvd, some expert teachers but no, I still can't get the hang of it. And it's granny squares I especially want to make! Yours are absolutely lovely - perhaps I'll have another go.
Posted by: chris | October 16, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Wow! Great tip, thanks.
Also, as I am a pro at chaining and double crocheting, I will attempt to do granny squares--I didn't know it was a DC stitch, I have been so scared, silly me--thanks for the link.
One more thing. I love the curly cue scarf at the top, did you crochet that?
Posted by: Danette | October 16, 2008 at 04:35 PM
ooo lovely squares :-) i get square envy a lot - mainly because I havent taught myself to crochet yet! i know it may be reasonably easy to pick up but it looks so complicated ..........
sigh... will just look at others work instead !
Lesley x
Posted by: Lesley | October 16, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Thanks for the tip, Lucy, and the links.
By the way, your textile work is amazing. I'm looking at the pictures again and again, and each time I discover new things, tiny details, so lovely!
Posted by: Mariana | October 16, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Thanks for the tips on tying in the loose ends Lucy. I really must take up crochet again but need to find a good wool supplier!
Posted by: simone | October 16, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Hi Lucy, lovely post again today. Really, really, really want to learn to crochet so will definately take a peep at the links today. Love the hallway - still can't get the rose tesco bag here! Please take a peep at my blog - its about a lost dog - its really touched me. Kathy
Posted by: kathy | October 16, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Have to say that your blog always induces envy in me - today it is those Tesco bags. I've got one and do you think I can get any more? Rare as hens' teeth because they "always go as soon as they come in". Pah!
I knit but want to crochet. Have tried but just couldn't get it. Got the book Simply Crochet (I think it's called, can't locate it on bookshelves just now).
Also envious of your knit and natter group. Sigh.
Posted by: Mrs Be | October 16, 2008 at 03:16 PM