We've had resident germs here all week, with Little B being the worst hit. The other two Little Peeps have not been unwell as such, but have obviously been in need of some slow, restorative stay-home time after a busy half term at school. We ended up cancelling our plans to go away for a few days and instead have embraced the comforts of home. I think all five of us have benefited from this quiet time, it has suited us all for various reasons. For the Little Peeps, it has given them time to play, to hang out with friends, to lounge around watching films, to just relax and recharge their batteries. For J and I, it has given each of us time to indulge in our hobbies.
As a result of this stay-home-time, I've been enjoying a lovely, happy creative week, with lots and lots of unadulterated hooky going on. This morning I was down at the café for my usual Friday knit n natter morning, I confess it was the first time I had left the house in half a week. It was such a pleasant morning! The sun beamed in, the latté was fabulous as ever, ditto the freshly baked, still warm chocolate twist. I worked on my chunky rainbow stripes whilst chatting with friends and felt wrapped in a warm cloud of happiness.
I received buttons through the post yesterday, gosh, what pleasure I had opening that boring looking brown envelope. I can highly recommend ordering buttons if you fancy delivering yourself a bit of colourful feel-good. I just adore these colours, they remind me of my favourite Rice melamine cups.
They will be perfect for my current project which is destined to become a cushion by the way. I wanted to make something easy to test out this new stitch, and a cushion seemed like a good idea. Currently half way through, and I think I've finally cracked the pattern (the start and end of each row was causing me some problems as it was pulling to the left and getting all skewed, but all sorted now). I'll be writing it up for you soon, it's a very, very simple pattern, kind of a bit like a spike stitch, but with a few differences. The results are visually very lovely, and create a beautiful, textured dense fabric, perfect for cushions and bags.
My second order of chunky yarn arrived this morning (I've a third and final one on the way), and it is rather divine. It's a lot more expensive than the (100% acrylic) Stylecraft as this is a pure merino wool and only 50g balls, but oh it is lovely. The third chunky yarn I'm going to try is a mix of the two, an acrylic/wool blend. I can't wait for it to arrive, isn't mail order just amazing these days? I do try and use my local yarn shops where possible, but after trying both the ones in my town neither had what I was after.
I'm searching for the *perfect* chunky yarn for bag and cushion making...I have a number of designs percolating away nicely in my Creative Mind just waiting to be unleashed. I'm in a very happy creative place right now, it's buzzing around here!
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Had a very similar half term here...fighting off the "think I'm coming down with a cold sore throat" all week. Have had some lovely afternoons hooking on the sofa in front of the winter Olympics. The only spoiler is a touch of crochet wrist...wondering if there are any top tips for avoiding achey elbows, wrists and pointy fingers?
Hope the colourful cosiness has recharged your batteries
Posted by: Helen | February 22, 2014 at 09:04 AM
I sorted my wool stash out this week, it's so exciting thinking of new projects. I've made bunting for my granddaughters bedroom and lots of snowflakes.
I'm not sure what next week will bring!
Posted by: Christine Gregory | February 22, 2014 at 09:01 AM
It's a very pretty stitch, and I love the chunkiness! Ohh for some reason I thought it was a cowl, can't wait to see the cushion :-) xxxx
Posted by: Nanita | February 22, 2014 at 08:59 AM
We've had germs too - I think it's that tired-out-before-half-term thing that comes and gets them all. It's such a shame as they spend their holidays sniffling. I've managed to avoid them so far - they'll probably come and get me when the girls are back at school! Hope your family's all well now xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | February 22, 2014 at 07:48 AM
a really feel good post, even if you are not so good! Hope you all fell better soon. I know what this pattern reminds me of. Bargello work!
Posted by: Catherine Pritchard | February 22, 2014 at 07:16 AM
Beautiful buttons !
Very beautiful stitch.
Posted by: Inge | February 22, 2014 at 05:53 AM
Lucy,
Thank you so much for sharing your lovely patterns with us.
I am so looking forward to instructions for this new stitch...it's beautiful....and may be just what I'm looking for. I want to do some pillow covers for the pillows on the sofa...they are so tired looking.
This might just fit the bill. I've learned so much from your tutorials - and just love the colors you put together...
almost feel like we're friends, though we're oceans apart!
Thank you again...Keep on Hooking!
Posted by: LitlBits | February 22, 2014 at 05:15 AM
I just wanted to pop by and apologize for the noisy angels singing - I just ate my first piece of the no-knead bread you posted, and the heavens have opened up and the choirs of angels are quite loud!! Oh, WOW!!!! I really can't believe how good this stuff is! Hubby is on his way home from the store, and I can hardly contain myself until he can try a piece, too! Thank you soooo much for posting this recipe!
Posted by: Michelle | February 22, 2014 at 03:22 AM
Get Well Soon, People...
:)
Posted by: Roxie | February 22, 2014 at 01:11 AM
I love that stitch! And the buttons too!
Posted by: Sandra Licher | February 22, 2014 at 01:04 AM
Such a lovely, cozy site. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Ingrid Taylor | February 22, 2014 at 12:36 AM
Always a pleasure to read your blog. At the moment I'crocheting a blanket for the bed of our grandchild and a dolls blanket for the doll he's playing with.
After that a blanket for the sofa, but that needs the right colours , maybe I can use your new pattern , which I love.
Thanks for sharing your passion.
Posted by: Astrid Jansen | February 21, 2014 at 11:46 PM
Oh it all looks yummy! Sending L.B. get well wishes.xx So much is percolating in my head, it's a wonder it doesn't run out of my ears.lol
Happy weekend! :)
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | February 21, 2014 at 11:09 PM
I love the new stitch and the buttons are perfect. The Debbie Bliss yarn is very tempting but I've read bad things about merino production. Do you know if Debbie Bliss is cruelty-free? Thank you for sharing your work; it's lovely as always!
Posted by: Aisha | February 21, 2014 at 11:07 PM
Chilling out is just what half terms should be - hope they're all feeling better for the weekend. I'm battling with a lace weight yarn atm and those sides - they're so difficult. I haven't actually touched it for over a week. Maybe I'll unpick and start something else - it's been unravelled 3 times already! Your chunky yarn is lovely and such beautiful colours - there's nothing like 100% wool - love it!
Posted by: Adaliza | February 21, 2014 at 10:59 PM
I second Rowena's Texere recommendation, it is absolutely amazing and has three floors full of all different types of yarn, I think they're only open one weekend a month or something like that at the moment though
Anyway
I really like the colours you've chosen, especially the top row of blues together, so dreamy
http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/
Posted by: Helen | February 21, 2014 at 10:38 PM
Can you find Knitpicks yarn in the UK? Their acrylic (in DK, worsted, or bulky) is my favorite acrylic by far!
Posted by: Lyn | February 21, 2014 at 10:29 PM
hooky looking lovely and glad you have had a chilled week. I ordered yarn today ... wahey roll on Monday and hopefully it will arrive and hopefully the pattern will soon be written up too. Happy days ... lots of love Joy xx
Posted by: Joy | February 21, 2014 at 10:14 PM
I think you are based 'oop North' too... Have you visited Texere Yarns in Bradford? They stock this wool and many others including their own brand which is great value. Their sales are great too... I got some fantastic bamboo wools for a baby blanket at half price (end of range). They also do mail order but I love going for a wander in the old mill - such an Aladdin's cave!
Very strange opening hours though!
PS. I don't work for them ;)
Posted by: Rowena Oakden | February 21, 2014 at 10:14 PM
Nothing like a bit of button therapy looks like you've had a good week. I do love a good post day, the internet is such a crafty life send.
Clare xx
Posted by: Clare | February 21, 2014 at 10:07 PM
When is the bag pattern coming???? I need a new purse lol. I would love it if you did a pattern for a cross body type bag!
Posted by: Ashley | February 21, 2014 at 09:55 PM
lovely as always.....the color is fabulous!! I must say you have motivated me to use more colorful yarn! Got a poncho project brewing in my mind thanks to you!!!
Posted by: Mary Nolan | February 21, 2014 at 09:33 PM
Hi Lucy. I'm quite new to your site but have a big thank you to say. Haven't crotcheted for 42 years since as a child of 10 an elderly lady taught me to make old fashioned and intricate doilies!!! Somehow the years have rolled past. Husband, career and 2 boys (now young men). A lot of home furnishings and cross stitch but no crotchet. This Christmas, very wet and windy down here in Surrey made me decide to relearn crotchet and I found your blog on line. Thank you thank you thank you. Two days of reading, practising and unpicking and I'm back on track. Now completely obsessional I love your designs, your use of colour and your wonderful ability to celebrate the wonder of everyday life. Sorry - a long winded post but I wanted you to feel appreciated. All best wishes. Marion
Posted by: Marion Peters | February 21, 2014 at 09:32 PM
Curious what's your hubby's hobby?
Posted by: Alison Kalotka | February 21, 2014 at 09:26 PM
Ahhh I love your life! :) And the buttons are indeed scrummy -makes me wish I could order some of the Rice melamine cups.
I know we ask so much of you, but at some point would you be so kind as to show us how you create a cushion? I have tried to make them in the past and the results were just pitiful! My main interest is how you connect the front and back. Thank you dear lady!
Posted by: Andrina T | February 21, 2014 at 09:24 PM