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.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Comments

[SewLindaAnn]

I'm so excited to make birds, you really need to make an owl for us!! I've been inspired to bring out the brights and I'm making a large granny square afghan. I cannot remember where I got the instructions from. I plan on trying your bag, wrist warmers and a ripple as well. Thanks for the fun!!

[Michele]

I had to stop by my daily happy place. I love the birdie idea. I'm thinking a cardinal bird for my Christmas tree, or even a dove. Waiting patiently for the circle scarf pattern - my yummy yarn is waiting too. :0)

[Sarah]

Yes I was thinking robins when I saw your
little bird. You have such good ideas and your instructions are so clear and with the photos I can check that I'm on the right track.
Weather foggy and grey in the west midlands too.
Keep up the good work.
Sarah

[Tara]

Sounds like a fabulous day. I also managed to come home with a new crochet book somehow:
http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Square-Crochet-Motifs-unexpected/dp/1603420398

[Marian M-S]

I love the idea of little crochet robins! I miss the snuggly winter robins from growing up in a wintery place. Not many of them here in sunny California! We do have some cute hummingbirds, but it's just not the same :-). Speaking of brown though, I have been making your Orange Raisin Cookies (with Cranberries) and they are sooo good, they do not last long around here! Today I decided to turn them into Double Chocolate Orange cookies (semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of raisins, and added 1 tsp of unsweetened cocoa, the rest was all the same). Yummy result :-). You recipe is by faaaaar the best basic cookie recipe I have tried! Love, love, love it almost as much as your blog :-). It's the first recipe I've ever dared experiment with, you know, substituting and things. I think you have as much to do with that as the recipe, thank you!
Sorry about the long comment, just one more thing, your blankets are looking gorgeous! Can't wait for the Ta-Da!

[Anna, Sydney]

If I had my own blog (one day) I'm sure I could fill pages and pages of my WiPs that I love starting but have a way of giving way for a new project... Lovely to read about yours, knowing we'll see the end results before long. You're such a good project-finisher person!

And I actually loved the "dusky" photo of the greengrocers. The light makes it look really cozy and inviting inside.

Love your blog as always, Lucy. Thank you.

[Karen]

Glad you are enjoying your hols together. Your WiP is gorgeous (glad I'm not the only one to take ages to work out what that meant!!)
Have fun the rest of your week
Hugs Karen x

[Katie]

Hi Lucy,
I often read your blog and find it really inspirational. I love your growing collection of colourful blankets!

I am TOTALLY hooked on crochet, so much so that I have made my right hand poorly so I am having a week off to try to rest it. Meanwhile, my mind is in overdrive dreaming of what I can crochet when my hand is back in action.... On the plus side, the level of domestic service at my house is much improved!

I made a super mini hexagon blanket (your pattern thank you!) for my baby this summer which was perfect for putting over him in his car seat or pram. It's also great for making him still look smart even when I haven't managed to change him out of his babygro! I would highly recommend making a couple of tiny blankets for when your little one is very little.

Loving your birds now, looking forward to seeing the robin complete.

Best wishes
Katie

[Charlene]

loving your blankie for bump24 - the lil birdies are cute too :)

[leilani]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who took forever to figure out what WIP meant. Another one that had me puzzled was TNT -- used in sewing blogs when referring to patterns. TNT: Tried and True. I now feel very "with it" when I use those terms.

Here in California we are finally over a hot & rather humid late summer and now basking in the most delightful sunny crisp fall weather. It makes one feel most energetic. I'm really looking forward to some rainy grey days so I too can light the fireplace and cozy up with Maxine (minxish little black feline) and do handwork.

I do enjoy your blog-- very inspiring!

[Nina - Tabiboo]

Just think of brown as being all chocolaty, velvety and oh so delicious...

...and it's amazing how many different shades of brown you can find.

Have a lovely evening Lucy,

take care,

Nina x

[Mrs Twins]

Isn't it just love when you get excited over something new! I'm feeling like that all the time.
Lovely to see your birdies!
Mrs Twins (Sue).

[Siobhan]

Just like 'country mouse' I've been thinking about robins - I've even been searching on-line for one but not found anything I like. Can't wait to see yours take shape - the colours look just right. I think I know-ish how you might use those two circles, but I bet there will be some surprises. Know it will cute and that we will all want one though!

Have you noticed your wrist-warmers cropping up everywhere? Hen from hen house homemade has done some lovely ones and Posy (gets cosy) has some fine ones underway. Not a single pair is exactly alike but all are unmistakably inspired by yours! And soon birdies and robins will be flying in formation attempting to take over the universe. Finally; I really do love seeing all the myriad patterns and colours of your finished crochet. Amazing to think of all those hours and hours of work.... but so very worth it!

[Alison Hutchison]

Those robins are going to be AMAZING!!! xx

[marigold jam]

I should think your main WIP is Bump24 just now! Love your other WIPs though too!

Jane x

[Tania]

Hi Lucy, Love your WIP's !!! I know you will have your hands full soon with Bumper24, but have you thought about publishing your designs, what fun it would be to design crochet projects & see them in print ( & make a little money too lol !!!) I know it would be a best seller !!!!!!!
Love Tania xx

[Sarah]

Gosh isn't it funny to imagine that bump will actually be a snuggly child one day? It's a lovely thought. I'm so enjoying my snuggly nearly three year old. They really are the best years.

Now I'm also excited about your little robin. I can't wait to see it finished. I'll have to find someone to make one for me as I just know it's going to be a winner!

[louise]

Oh you do make me smile Lucy
thank you

I'm off to do some hooking, my first big project and i can't wait to show you.
xxx

[Kim]

I love your colors! They are so fun and inviting.
Take care,
Kim

[The Garden Bell - Kate]

My, my goodness. Where to begin... I adore your Bump24 blanket so very much. Nice to hear you are making it bigger for further useage, as if you needed to be concerned. I will be surprise if the bigger siblings won't be sneaking in to steal this away to snuggle on the own.

Still try to guess B or G? Your colors really are not giving it away at all? he-he...maybe you don't know....

I'll let you know it took me a while to get the only WIP thing to. But, soon it will become 2nd nature... like your yipeeeeees and EXCITED and xoxoxoxoxs and!!!!!!!!!!!... It will just roll right off your fingers.

This Robin is "Too Die For" or TDF. Meaning Heavenly term of endurement..I can't wait to see him are stitched up with that big red tummie. Tooooooo cute. Already seen some of us making our attempts even without the tutorial up yet. We are all just moving right along with our Luce Inspired goodies.

Lastly, about this town with the heavenly yarn shop. Your picture looks right out of The Hobbit- cute... I am expecting to see Bilbo Baggins or Frodo walk right up to get his flowers.

Yesterday, was The BB Bag and today is the new yarn arrival last night... Tomorrow.. THE Hornet's Nest. Stop by my garden to say Hi. I've missed see you.

Another brillant post today.

Back to my new ripple with a brand new stitch, I'm trying out. After four standards, I'm giving a new one a try.... icks...

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

[Hen]

ELEVEN MINUTES - oh my!!! Looking great, Luce. Aren't these men of ours demanding, fires and hot meals, I mean, really!
Hen x

[Emily Valli]

Dear sweet Lucy...greetings from a cloudy, cool, very yin day in northeast PA, USA...I just love the fact that you are making robins. They have left us for the winter and here you are, making your own little flock! Love...Emily V.

[sara lambert]

Lucy, I would love to crochet one of those twirly scarves (I'm sure you know what I mean!) have you seen a good pattern for one anywhere? Many thanks
sara x

[Jill Downing]

A Robin sounds brill, my son is named Robin so very apt. Just like to say I love getting home every evening after work and reading your blog after my dinner. So many things to make so little time......

[Heather]

Hi Lucy!

I LOVE your baby blanket, it's looking fantastic. It's getting me all excited about starting New Projects when I've moved - can't start anything now or even continue projects because we are in a mad rush packing.

Crochet robin christmas decorations are a genius plan by the way, I was thinking of having a go at little crochet christmas trees to hang on an actual christmas tree, or perhaps turn into a festive swag for the mantlepiece. What do you think?

Lots of love, Heather xxxxxxx