Crochet Fail & Stitching Therapy

Hello everyone! I've been MIA for a few weeks - we went to Norway for the Easter holidays, then after we came back it took me a good week or so to get settled back in real life!

But I've finally uploaded my latest YouTube video, where I talk about my most recent crafty shenanigans, including a massive crochet fail...and how embroidery provides a perfect antidote when I'm feeling all fingers and thumbs.

Skiing in Norway...

What's on my hook

I started a shawl on the airplane to Norway, and I finished it on the flight home! 

This is the beautiful Parallel Bars Shawl by Sarah Shrimpton of Annaboo’s House. I hooked it using 

YanTanTetheraYarns Mether yarn in "Dirtwater", which isn't the prettiest of names but was the prettiest of yarns!

I'm joining in the Hotel of Bees Crochet-A-Long hosted by Sandra of Cherry Heart and Sam of Betsy Makes. The Hotel of Bees is a beautiful crochet shawl pattern by Christina Hadderingh, and the pattern can be found here. 

I'm afraid this is where my epic crochet fail comes into play, but you'll have to watch the video to see what has happened. Regardless, I'm enjoying hooking it with the luscious Fyberspates Scrumptious Sport Superwash 4-ply yarn!

Progress is being made on my Missed Kingfisher shawl

The pattern is by Joanne Scrace for “The Shawl Project: Book Two”, from The Crochet Project. I'm using EdenCottage Yarns Titus 4-ply in Rambling Rose and Oakworth 4-ply in Compost. 

I also talk about some very useful yarn needles, Susan Bates Finishing Needles, which I purchased from amazon.co.uk.

What's in my hoop

I've uploaded more stitch tutorials on my YouTube channel, so you can learn how to do more of the flowers from the Herb Embroidery!

Nearly finished!

There's also some progress on a quilt I'm making for my daughter...plus the woes of Beavers uniforms...pour yourself a cup of tea and come have a visit! 

You can find me here on my YouTube channel. Thanks for popping by!

Chrissie x

Slow Crochet & a Stitch-Along | YouTube Show Notes

Greetings fellow crafters! In conjunction with my new YouTube videos, I'm going to share information on my blog that I talk about on my channel. If you haven't seen me live and in action yet, you can find my YouTube channel HERE.

Starting with the latest episode, Slow Crochet & a Stitch-Along...

What's on my hook

I'm making good progress on the Missed Kingfisher shawl by Joanne Scrace for “The Shawl Project: Book Two”, from The Crochet Project.

I am using Eden Cottage Yarns, Titus 4-ply in Rambling Rose and Oakworth 4-ply in Compost. I think it looks rather delicious! I've dubbed it the Missed Cupcake Shawl.

Also on the hook is the Peach Pocket Tunic pattern by Eline Alcocer, crocheted with King Cole Cottonsoft DK in Colour 713 Lilac.

I'm making the monthly mandalas in Simply Crochet magazine using Namolio linen threads - it gives the mandalas a completely different look to regular yarn! I usually use a 2.25mm hook or thereabouts...

So far I've finished two mandalas

And the third is underway!

New on my bookshelf is “Every Which Way Crochet Borders” by Edie Eckman. I review it in the show, it is a great addition to any crochet library!

What's in my hoop

Time to kick off the Stitch-Along! If you've never embroidered before, or if you have and just fancy an easy-peasy project, then this stitch-along is for you!

I'm using the simple Herb Embroidery design I use for teaching beginner's embroidery workshops - the design features a number of basic stitches, all used to create pretty herbs I doodled from my herb garden. You can download the pdf file in the link below:

Herbal Embroidery Pattern

I will be making short video tutorials for all the stitches we use in the design, including how to transfer a pattern to fabric, how to prepare your thread and how to do basic stitches.

All you need to get started is a 10-inch square of fabric (I'm using linen, but any fabric you can easily pull a needle and thread through will do!), an 8-inch embroidery hoop, scissors, an embroidery needle, and a selection of threads in colours you'd like to use for the flowers. I've used greens, purples, yellows and a bit of pink, Plus wee bits of white and brown...

I hope you play along, and share your creations with me! Let's hashtag them #herbembroiderySAL on social media, shall we?

Happy crafting!

Chrissie