Chat

Hello my Lovelies, thanks for dropping by. Shall we have a little catch up, a little chat about the goings on around here of late?

Let's start with the weather.....we've had some very welcome sunlight streaming in to number 24 the past few days. It made me really rather ludicrously happy to see my beloved BB so beautifully lit up yesterday morning. I am hoping with all my heart that May is going to perk up a bit and behave in a fitting Spring-like manner (unlike April). Yes, I think you could say my Hopes are High.

I try not to allow myself to be so affected by the weather, but I really do seem to be that way. Writing my blog and living in this house has made me so much more aware of the weather than I ever have been before, the seasons too. I am fascinated by it all, by the way the light changes depending on what is happening in the sky and the time of year.

Yesterday was a holiday day, and it was pretty relaxed here with a mixture of full on family time and some much appreciated quiet time too. J took the Little Peeps out early to go crag climbing, so I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast by myself. Ok, well not entirely, as I had Little B at home. He was certainly making his presence felt, determined to be in on my cosy moment. Sweet boy, I love him dearly, but on occasion I do find his persistent attention seeking rather testing. He also has a wickedly fast and startling grab and I tell you that croissant was whipped off my plate in an instant. I hardly saw it happen, it was all a speedy blur of little hand and flaky pastry.

In amongst the busy-ness of family yesterday, I did surprisingly manage to find a bit of time to sit quietly at my desk and do some serious crochet. I say "serious" because it was crochet of the most concentrated kind, the sort that involves trying to follow new patterns. I'm looking for a pattern to use for an idea I have, a new blankety idea. I'm wanting to make one-colour squares to assemble into a patchwork type blanket design, but I wanted something a bit different to ordinary granny squares or target squares. Something pretty but not too complex. Something light but not to lacey.

I did try working a bit on my own design, but I confess it was a complete failure. I am way too embarrassed to show you how badly my blocks turned out, trust me, they are appalling. And besides, once I started searching on Ravelry for afghan blocks, I realised there was already so much out there that the right thing will most certainly present itself. No need to bust the ol' brain making up my own.

I've not photographed the half dozen or so blocks that I've already tried out and abandoned (too complicated, too holey, too boring, too impossible to complete cos of silly gobbledeegook abbreviated pattern writing)...but this one above, well this one I was rather pleased with. I found it amidst a whole treasure trove of block patterns on a new-to-me website called Yarncrazy.com . The patterns are written by a talented lady called Chris Simon, and I really love her style. This is the central part of a larger block called Double-Framed Lace, you can download it for free here. I also love many of her other designs, in particular Butterfly Garden and Cygnus. Lovely, lovely. I'm going to try making them up to see which I prefer........can't quite believe I'm already planning my next blanket when my ripple is still a WiP, but hey, it's all good.

Today I also started another little hooky something, I think all that one-colour sampling yesterday (in soft grey no less) had me running for my colourful stash to whip up some groovy stripes.

I've had this polystyrene wreath sitting in my cupboard since last year, I originally bought it to deck with Jolly Holly at Christmas but ran out of time in the end. So now I've decided to have a go at making it a stripy jacket and smothering it in roses so that it can become a May Rose wreath. I did some googling this morning to see what other crochet wreaths are out there in the world, there are some beauties! Go have a look here and here, aren't they lovely?

Hey....did you by any chance spot my new fabric Project Bag?? Complete with beautifully inserted zip??

Here it is look, I made it one evening last week after Little B had gone to bed (loving these long, light evenings). It measures roughly 12" x 9", nice and big to hold a few balls of yarn and a project-in-progress.

I'm sooooooooooo hugely pleased with it, partly cos it's so useful and good to use (a hooky project is always packed and ready to Grab-and-Go), but mainly cos I managed to make it so successfully without hitch and without bad language. I tell you, me and zips, we are Best Buddies these days.

See what I mean?? See how artfully I inserted that zip? 

And check out the inside....it's fully lined, and even has a contrasting Inner Pocket. I followed a really great step-by-step tutorial that was recommended to me by one of my lovely readers (THANK YOU lovely reader, I'm so sorry I cannot find your comment/email, but please shout out to me so I can thank you properly). The tute can be found here, I think I will definitely be making more of these. I'd love to try making a patchwork one, kind of like my Homespun cushions but in zipper bag form.

Right, it's 9.19pm and I'm going to have a little go at hooking up a Cygnus square now. I fancy a little bit of creative brain-strain before bed. See you soon ♥

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 Edit to add :: if you fancy having a go at Chris Simon's patterns, please note they are written in US terms. So where it says dc, this will translate to a Treble Crochet for us UK hookers. A bit of extra brain-strain, but worth it.

 

 

Comments

[zara]

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[Aliiya]

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[Bhatti]

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[Zain Bhatti]

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[urdustatus]

The light on the blanket is marvelous.

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[Urdu Poetry]

This is the first time I have visited your site. It is a really wonderful site. I really like it and I've bookmarked it. Thank you so much for sharing

[ترک اعتیاد تریاک در خانه]

توسعه تجارت مواد اعتیاد آور که هرساله زندگی تعداد زیادی از مصرف کنندگان را به ورطه نابودی میکشاند، میتواند بزرگترین و ترسناک ترین تهدید برای تمام جوامع بشری باشد، تریاک قدیمی ترین و مشهورترین مخدری است که بسیار اعتیاد آور بوده و اکثریت از عوارض کشیدن تریاک با سیخ و یا تزریق آن بی اطلاع هستند

[Urdu Poetry]

Love your Projectbag.

[Henry]

Hi Lucy, I am new to crocheting and your blog was recommended to me by a friend- it's fab, you are an inspiration and I love all your projects. Those flowers are beautiful. Keep up the lovely work!! Urdughr

[Henry]

Hi Lucy, I am new to crocheting and your blog was recommended to me by my friend- it's fabolous, you are an inspiration and I love all your projects. Those flowers are beautiful. Keep up the lovely work!! Henry

[Kathleen]

The coucous you are looking for is called Isralie Coucous. I can usually find it in the local grocery store here in the USA. It is wonderful cooked with chicken stock, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, olives and feta cheese. Can be eaten hot or cold. Yum!

[rose]

BIG FAT COUSCOUS is Israli couscous get my at a Meditraian grocery. Close sub? Itialian "fish eyes".

[c- iliveinsails]

Ah that finished zipper is talent! Just came across your blog, and it's a lovely read. It's just about winter here, your photo's make me miss spring!

[mary. D.]

i really like those squares, you are trying out thanks for the link i have only been crocheting for a couple of months, and am really enjoying it. I’m going to make a blanket with an assortment of these squares. You made a really neat job of the zip in the bag, I’m going to have a go at that too I love your blog and look forward to seeing your next project thanks for the inspiration.

[Lisa S]

Thanks for the link to Yarn Crazy, that Double-Lace motif is gorgeous. I'm trying it in a buttery Devonshire Cream colour - delicious!
Lisa S at SunsetSeams.blogspot.com. (Australia)

[Sandra Licher]

I love the bag and wreathes....who knew! I'll be making all of it if I possibly can. they're all beautiful! Happy Mother's Day!

[Kune]

Why not use more than one type of square for your new blankety thingy? I have a whole sample blanket, still growing. Every pattern i love is represented in a square. It is a bit much, but a few different ones would make a nice next project!
I just love your idea for a wreath! so colorful and happy. You're blog always makes me so happy! Thank you.
Kune

[Linda]

Hi Lucy
I am a crocheter in the UK. Please may I discuss some crochet ideas I have with you? your email address would be appreciated?

I hope it would be an idea we could both benefit from :)
thank you for reading
Hugs Linda

[Kate - The Garden Bell]

I know I'm late for the A24 party once again. I've been a crazied here. I have lost my hook mojo with all that is going on. I know where I need to visit to get inspired. I can't wait to see what these white beauties will have us all doing next. I find that you still can make my day seem brighter. Spring is in the air here and I must get outside now. Have a great Mother's Day weekend with the little ones. You do celebrate this over there, don't you?

Toodles, Kate

[Angy Braine]

Hi lovely lady...

I've already commented but then I was reading a fellow Aussie lady's blog and I couldn't stop thinking of you and your passion for hooky - i thought you might like to check it out.. esp this post!

http://foxslane.blogspot.com.au/2009/07/i-heart-my-apple.html