Bloomin' CAL: Hey baby!

A new year, a new baby blanket to give to a friend!

I blocked the blanket last night, and I’m glad I did – the mum, whose daughter is in Little Flower’s pre-school class, is having the baby today! The little girl’s grandma brought her to pre-school today, which made all of us parents smile and introduce ourselves and start guessing gender, size and names...

Blocking the little blanket

This will be her third child, and she has lots of friends and family in the area. I know she probably has oodles of baby blankets and paraphernalia, so I decided to create a *useful* item. This is a small blanket, intended for car seats and prams, a lap blanket for a buggy – any place you don’t want to have to fold and tuck a big blanket. Then, when baby is older, it will be a manageable size for a snuggly blankie.

I love the crochet stitch; being January, I wanted a compact fabric, warmer than more traditional lacy baby blankets. This is Sirdar Snuggly yarn, so soft to touch but very easy to care for.

To add a wee bit of colour, I worked pale green into the border (I had a bit left over from this baby blanket I made last summer). After edging with one round of dc in white, I added a round of dc (US: sc) in green.

I wanted an actual stripe of green, not a row of little stitches, so I went round the back loops only of the green, with a htr (US: hdc) in white.

A pretty edge is a must for a baby blanket, but big ruffles wouldn't suit this small piece. So I went for a little picot-type border with dc, ch1, dc in every other stitch. Easy peasy!

Now that this blanket is finished, it’s time to face the music with the hexies I have neglected for so long...

Poor little dears, look at them. All rumpled, yarn ends dangling, a little gang of crochet urchins. Time to clean up these sweet blooms and get back on track with this project!

I have a very long list of crochet WIPs that I must tend to, but I don’t want to keep these hexies in the back of the cupboard any longer. So I will do what women do best: multitask. A few hexie flowers, a few rows on that purple scarf. A few hexie flowers, the wolf that has been waiting so long to join Little Red Riding Hood. A few hexie flowers, the crochet doily lace that I bought fine thread for in November. I could go on, and on, and on. Life is one big WIP!

What are you hooking this week? As usual, link up below!

Happy crafting!

Chrissie x

Bloomin’ CAL: Strawberry season

We’ve had a very cold, blustery day here in the south of England, with a biting wind and icy frost. Certainly no weather for strawberries...or is it?

Off my hook this week is a new winter hat for Little Flower. I made her a little strawberry hat last year, and when she realized she had outgrown it, she asked if I could crochet another one.

Of course I couldn’t track down the original pattern, which I had sorta mashed together from various sources last year, so I decided to improvise again. A baby earflap hat pattern was increased until it fit Little Flower’s head, the strawberry stem was spotted on Pinterest, but I didn’t like the leaves that accompanied it, so I made my own. Pale yellow yarn stitched on for the seeds. (I will happily cobble together all the elements into one coherent pattern upon request – just send me an email!)

She is very pleased and wears it with pizzazz – and gets many a smile from passers-by on the street!

In other crochet news, I finished the first ball of yarn for the Manly Scarf:

I am loving the shades of this yarn! But I must tuck it away so it is not discovered...

And like so many of us, there are a few other makes in the works that must stay secret until Christmas...so I will entertain you with a funny item I found in the latest Graham & Greene catalogue:

My, my, what gorgeous pom poms used decoratively on the wall! Remind you of something? 

Oh, I am just so on trend...but wait, let’s look a wee bit closer...

Good grief! Do you see the price tag on those posh balls of tissue paper? Three for £19.95?!?  I have £40 worth of pom poms on my wall from the Rainbow Birthday Party! And heck, mine are multi-coloured, which Graham & Greene would no doubt value at £29.95 for three!

Don’t you just love love love being a *maker*? I am sure most of you have experienced a similar crafty smugness, yes? Tell me about it and revel in it here!

And don’t forget to link up your hooky projects below!

Chrissie x

Crochet-A-Long: A Little Christmas Tree Pattern

Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to this week’s CAL post! I am so thankful for the blogger community, always so inspirational and supportive...and this week I’ve created a little Christmas tree pattern to share with you:

This year I’m attaching crocheted ornaments to my Christmas gifts. I have yarn for snowflakes, holly leaves, mistletoe...but I couldn’t find a small tree pattern that I liked. So I came up with this very quick, and very easy, pattern.

The tree on the right was my first attempt, but it is a bit too teeny...

I love the simplicity of adorning the trees with just one tiny jingle bell or a few snowflake buttons, but they could be decorated in so many ways...why don’t you make one and share your ideas?

I used scraps of DK yarn and a 3.75mm hook for a close weave, but vary this with what you have in your stash. The triangle is a simple “double crochet two together” at the start of each row. It whips up in minutes!

With the green yarn (or use white, red, any colour, really):

Ch 16

Dc in second chain from hook, 1 dc in each st across (15 sts)

Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, 1 dc in each st across (14 sts)

Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, 1 dc in each st across (13 sts)

Continue in this way until you have only two stitches left, dc2tog, fasten off.

You now will have a sweet little triangle. 

This one was made with scraps of cotton washcloth yarn

For the trunk, with the brown yarn:

Ch 9

Dc in second chain from hook, 1 dc in each st across (8 sts)

Ch 1, turn, dc in each st across (8 sts)

Continue for three or four rows, until the trunk is the size you like. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Now simply centre the trunk with the triangle base, and using the long tail of brown yarn, sew the trunk to the back of the first dc row of the triangle, making sure the yarn doesn’t show through at the front. Weave in all the ends when finished.

And that is it! I envisage a garland of trees, trees fastened onto teachers’ gifts, napkin rings, personalized by children...

What’s on your hook this week? Please link up below!

Chrissie x

WIPs for every occasion...

...even if that occasion is coping with a poorly four-year-old home from pre-school!

I forgot how often young children come down with little viruses – Bunny is 10 and rarely home from school. She built up her immune system during her time at pre-school and early years of primary school.

But Little Flower, ah, she has a fresh, new immune system that isn’t as prepared for battle yet. So when a virus floats around the village, she’s bound to catch it, in varying degrees. Last night she succumbed to the croupy cough making the rounds, and we were both up most of the night. She’s fine in every other way, just can’t stop coughing, and we’re both exhausted now.

So it’s an imposed Nothing Day. No housework, no errands...I’ve requested a takeaway or ready meal for Darling Husband and me tonight, I know by 6 p.m. I’ll be a zombie! (Thank goodness for batch-cooked, veggie-loaded tomato sauce in the freezer, I can manage boiling pasta for the kids...)

However, I can only take so much Peppa Pig or Disney Channel as we snuggle on the sofa. My choices are limited to “easy” and “exceptionally mindless” WIPs and activities.

The brain cannot handle this today

It can handle this

I can’t face colour changes and fiddly rounds of this

But I can do a repetitive back and forth hooking of this

A crochet item for a man that I actually like! From the latest issue of Simply Crochet...

Fingers cannot stitch this today

You didn't think I'd just cross stitch another flower, did you? Just look at those golds and peacock shades!

But the repetitive stab stitch of this negative space project, yes

(There’s more news about that red heart, coming very, very soon...)

And, of course, lots and lots and lots of cuddles!

Do you have WIPs for every occasion? Tell me more...

Happy crafting!

Chrissie x

Bloomin’ CAL: The Hexie Factory

Following on the heels of my statement that I prefer to crochet one hexagon at a time, giving me the satisfaction of a pretty little blossom hexie each time I pick up the hook, I am retracting that proclamation. I figured this would happen; the honeymoon period with my Hexagon Throw is starting to wear off. Oh dear!

It’s not that I don’t love this blanket. I am besotted by the gentle pastel colours, the curving petals of each hexie, the tiny thrill every time I finish another flower and place it next to the group.

But like so many other aspects of life, more urgent matters have distracted me to the point that I am seriously neglecting my blanket. And I am ABSOLUTELY DETERMINED NOT TO LET THIS ONE SLIP TO THE BLACK HOLE THAT IS THE BACK OF MY CRAFT CUPBOARD FOR ALL ETERNITY!

So, based on the comments and advice from my “How do you hook?” post a few weeks back, I have started a Hexie Factory, where I will run an assembly line to boost my progress on this throw...

Already I have about 20 centers completed, and I haven’t even worked on them a complete hour! A few minutes here and there and I have a nice handful of hexie middles.

I know the next level will take longer, but I like trying out this method. It is providing some instant satisfaction so I don’t feel so overwhelmed by the scope of this project.

Yesterday afternoon I took along my crochet bag to Bunny’s harp lesson, and I whipped up at least 10 little centres while I sat outside the music room, listening to her play.

Now that was one lovely crochet session!

A few months ago, Bunny asked – completely out of the blue – if she could take harp lessons. “Yes, dear,” I replied, like most would, assuming this was a fleeting thought in her head. Then during the summer holidays she asked again, and then again, and I realized that she really was interested.

Because we’re a musical family, I vowed to myself that if my children wanted to try out an instrument I would do my best to make it happen. I know it’s not always practical or feasible, but I would try.

And indeed this was one of those moments of great serendipity, because the music school where I have studied singing on and off for 10 years just so happens to be run by a professional harpist. A harpist! So I rang her up and arranged a little trial lesson to see if Bunny would enjoy the harp.

She came out of the lesson grinning like it was Christmas morning. Yes indeed, I’ll make this work, whatever it takes!

So now there is a beautiful child’s harp, rented from the school, sitting pride of place in her bedroom. She practices while I’m making dinner, and it sounds like fairies are visiting our house. It is a beautiful sound, even if she’s just plucking various strings learning techniques. (And I know we are *very* lucky in that respect, not many instruments sound like fairy music when children are learning!)

And it does make quite a dreamy accompaniment to crochet...

What’s on your hook this week? Link up below!

Chrissie x

PS I was overwhelmed by the lovely comments about my first quilt, thank you all so much, it really boosts me to get this next one going! 

Bloomin’ CAL: How do you hook?

Hello hello hello to the newest members of the Bloomin’ Crochet-A-Long! Ladybird Diaries and I are so happy to have you with us, whether you are following along quietly or are posting and linking up with our endeavours.

This week I’m curious to know how you go about projects involving numerous hexies, flowers, granny squares, etc. Do you crochet one at a time, changing colours as necessary, or do you crochet a bunch of centres, then proceed to do a wave of second colours on each one, like a hooky assembly line?

I’ve been following a few bloggers who do different methods, and I’m curious why you choose to work the way you do!

So far, I’ve been content to work one hexie blossom at a time. I like watching the little sweeties build up the petals and the lovely cream edge. I like snipping the yarn of each finished one and laying it down flat and admiring it. A teeny project complete.

However, I have a sneaking suspicion that this is because it is still very early days with this blanket. I am in the honeymoon period, where I am still enchanted by the candy colours. I find every round a joy. Ask me how I’m feeling at hexie 47 of 114...

Which prompts me to ask if you ever change your method partway through a project? Or perhaps shove the lot in a basket and leave it for a bit? I find I’m constantly seduced by new patterns. Hence this CAL, to keep my focus! Are you a fickle hooker?

And speaking of fickle, the little snowflake in the latest Simply Crochet magazine caught my eye...

I spotted this very pretty sparkly thread at a haberdashery earlier this week, and I knew straight away that I wanted it for snowflakes. The shimmer in it is from a clear, plastic-like thin thread woven into the shiny cotton strand, so it sparkles without having an actual metallic thread that is obvious to the eye. I used a size 2 hook, it is quite delicate going, but I’m pleased with the result. I’ve blocked it, but I might play around with starching or something to make it a bit stiffer. Garland is the obvious use, but I am considering making more and sticking them to plain brown gift tags as Christmas labels. This one is smaller and more fragile than the snowflake in the magazine, which was worked in proper yarn.

And I just couldn’t end a crochet post without showing you the progress with the snood:

mmmmm...

Welcome to my new followers, and a huge thank you to everyone joining in the CAL, I am so happy to have so many enthusiastic, lovely people happily hooking up with us! Link up below...

Chrissie x

Bloomin' CAL: Progress report and a book review

It will come as no surprise to many of you that I haven’t made progress on my hexie blanket this week, as my crochet energies were devoted to the Knitting & Stitching Show and getting to know my new yarn purchases...

The colours seem to change with every photo, sometimes bright, sometimes smoky...

*sigh* Ain’t she just a beauty? This type of project is just so portable; I’ve been tucking the yarn and hook in my bag this week as I zipped to a meeting, to a get together with friends...I even completed four rows as I waited the half hour of Bunny’s harp lesson (yes, harp. Her second lesson. Because obviously a piano isn’t big enough...). I do love the social aspect of it, the other musical mums waiting at the school were keen to talk about the snood and seemed quite interested in my crochet (perhaps next week I’ll let them know I’m teaching some more classes in a few weeks, drum up some more business!).

Do you take your crochet out and about? Have you struck up a conversation about a project?

I had some queries about the book from which this snood pattern originates, so I thought I could show you a bit more.

Erika Knight is one of my crochet heroes. I have a few of her books – this one is aimed primarily at beginners, but it is so gorgeous that the more experienced might well want to add it to their collection. It is an excellent reference book to have on the shelf.

Here is what’s on offer inside. Erika Knight offers some of the best tutorials for crochet that I’ve seen. Her stitch descriptions and illustrations are crystal clear, and she goes a step further to show detailed hook sizes and swatches of stitches so the reader has a visual guide.

The book features page after page of these types of swatches, as well as a multitude of yarns and textures that lend themselves beautifully to crochet. I love Knight’s books for the contemporary use of materials. She specializes in earthy, smoky palettes, with the texture of the fibres enhancing the appearance of the crochet.

The projects in this book could easily be adapted to pastels or brights, like I’m doing with the snood, but it is lovely to see them in these more neutral tones, and they would suit those of you with more male-dominated homes (stripy cushions for your boys’ rooms!).

What’s on your hook this week? Check out the links below and join in the fun! I hope to have a gang of hexies invading the CAL post next week...

Chrissie x

PS Thank you so much to everyone who commented on my last post, I loved reading what the season has offered you! 

Knitting & Stitching Show Part II: Yarn Love

How’s that for some yarn bombing? That taxi could drive me to Fairyland...

The Knitting & Stitching Show didn’t disappoint with its yarn offerings. Stall after stall had beautiful skeins hanging from pegs, filling baskets and piled on shelves. I can’t tell you how many shades of magical blues and peacock shades I fawned over. The textured neutrals, the various blends for comfort or warmth...

And I finally got to see the incredible selection of Drops yarns in person! This brand is going to be a big contender for the crocheters’ choice accolade (watch out, Stylecraft). They have a very wide range of blends, in really beautiful, soft shades that I haven’t seen at these prices (lots of DK, 4-ply and Aran yarns hovering between £2-£4).

That stunning blanket above was on The Crochet Chain stand, made with Drops Delight and Fabel yarns – and check out the price per ball on the tag. That blanket would fit in nicely with the Bloomin’ CAL...

But what about us? 

Aw, don’t worry, my little sweeties, I haven’t forgotten about you!

I bought some Drops Big Delight in the Rose Garden shade. I couldn’t wait and started a snood

From this book

Crocheting this is so much fun, it whips up very quickly, and it will perk up my new cream-coloured winter coat. I am loving the shades and how they magically change row after row (speaking of yarn magic, how is it that these variegated yarns knit and crochet perfectly into fancy designs, regardless of pattern? It must be some complicated form of engineering, or frankly some mystical powers at work...) If the snood turns out well, I can make more for Christmas gifts – I have my eye on the Mint Chocolate and Autumn Forest shades, too.

I bought this inexpensive tweed from Abakhan, for this project

Eeeep! How enchanting is this little fellow? He is one of a range of the cutest little dollies from Lalylala.

Janie Crow had a bright, happy stall

I love the crochet bird and flower design that is used like appliqué, see the black cushion on the shelf below

That's got the cogs turning...

Like the stitching aspect of the show, there was some artistic uses of crochet on display

But not nearly as much as the embroidery galleries. I’ll admit that, while I loved everything about The Knitting & Stitching Show, I found the stitching bit more interesting. It was easier to get into stalls and get up close to the delicate stitching on display. 

The yarn stalls were a bit more chaotic. One stand, I think it was Black Sheep Wools, literally had a giant pile of bulk-buy yarns in the middle of the floor, with dozens upon dozens of ladies rummaging through looking for a bargain. I teased my friend that I was going to climb on her shoulders and cannonball into the middle of the pile and shock the daylights out of everyone...

I think with these types of shows you definitely must have some projects already in mind, especially for the knitting/crochet side. It is easy to pick up a few embroidery or cross stitch kits for a few pounds, but with a skein of yarn, you really must know what you are going to make or you will have wasted a load of cash on some beautiful, hand-dyed yarn made from the wool of free-range virgin sheep fed on a diet of milk and honey (believe me, there was some precious wool on offer!). You don’t want to buy yarn at a show then realise you need one extra ball when you’re home checking out a new pattern!

Now I’m off to catch up on my hexies, then I’d better get the toadstool doll going for Bunny...oh, but that snood is just so pretty and sooo quick...!

Happy crafting!

Chrissie x

The nose on my face

Thank you all for helping with my colour conundrum in my last post – the result was a dead heat between the pale green and the aqua. So I whipped up a hexie in each colour

And the solution was obvious – use both!

Really, I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. I suppose I was so enchanted by the picture of the hexagon throw in Cute & Easy Crochet with Flowers that I wanted to copy it as closely as I could. The flowers in that blanket use the same colour patterns throughout.

But now I’m thinking outside the box – thanks to all of you who commented with ideas! – and I’m going to treat these hexie blooms like granny squares, and just use whatever patterns strike my fancy. I tell ya, I’m living on the edge! I’m a bit of a wild child like that...

Tomorrow I’m off to the Knitting & Stitching show in London – yippee! I can’t wait to get there...I’ll give a full report for Stitching Sunday!

Have a lovely weekend!

Chrissie x

CAL colour conundrum

Welcome to this week’s Bloomin’ Crochet-A-Long post!

My intention was to do one hexie a day from the kickoff of the CAL last Thursday...

So for all intents and purposes, today is Tuesday and I haven’t yet done my hexie. Hmmm.

But I hit a little wall, you see, and I need your help to get over it and get on with this project. Take a good look at the picture of those five hexies. I’m not crazy about the yellow one in the corner. It just doesn’t seem to fit right with the others, at least in my opinion. I’m just not happy with the deep teal centre. I want a softer colour there.

What to do? I couldn’t decide which shade would suit the yellow hexie, so I’m going to show you some options and ask you to vote for your favourite combination!

First, the line-up with pale green

Number two, the light aqua

And three, the pink one

What do you think? Obviously, I could whip up a hexie with each choice, but that takes up three days’ worth of hexie making, and I’m still stuck at Tuesday!

While I’m waffling about with colours, please visit the links below to see what others are hooking this week!

Thank you for your input, and happy crafting!

Chrissie x