Snowflakes

I've been addicted to making these sweet little snowflakes.
See what happens when I get out the hook?
No really, just while I'm waiting for the clothes to dry, I promise.

After you get the hang of it, each one only takes about 15 minutes to make. 

You can find the pattern HERE

Also, in case you have been told otherwise, I'm here to tell you that you CAN block acrylic yarn!

Have a great weekend!

The Circle Game

It must be winter...
The yarn has come out and I have taken up the hook for the first time in an age. As I always do, I start a little practice bit, just to get the hands working, to remind my brain how to do this, and to get the rhythm right.

My go-to trick is a roundy thing. I do like to go 'round more than I like to go squareish when it comes to crochet. Fairly soon the Engineer will begin to worry over my going in circles, it has concerned him before. Still, round and round I go.

I had no plan, I just started to get started, and though it has a little bit of wonk, it isn't turning out half bad. There could very well be a granny cushion for my Granny's love seat in the near future.

What is your favorite winter craft?

This also happens to be an excellent way to avoid cleaning up my studio which is in such a state that when I went in with purpose - I ended closing the door and taking up the hook again.

Is it the end of the affair?

I was rummaging through the studio this week, as I do, and I found my yarn stash. I looked at it - the happy colors, the endless possibility and I thought about my Crochet Affair. That affair started in 2006 or so and it has waxed and waned since that time.

Just very recently I thought that the affair may be over. A little sad maybe, but times change and passions fade. So, with a heavy heart I put away my yarn and went for a quick goggle at my fave blogs, looking for happy images to cheer me up.

And wouldn't you just know it, I stumbled upon (completely by accident mind you) some lovely and juicy crochet treats! It seems wherever I turned crochet was staring me prettily in the face. I felt a pinch of that old flame, I did!

I remembered the excited triumph when I completed my first Granny Square! I thought for a moment, then I thought for a few more moments, searching my heart and mind. I don't think the love is gone. I don't think the affair is over. It is possibly rekindled!

So what shall I make? And could you please tell me where I've put my hooks?

Wonky and Bright

Wonky and Bright, that's me! I am on my second week of recovery from a minor surgery and it's getting better all the time.  Minor or not, surgery feels a bit like getting hit by a truck and the first week was a little wobbly. This week I'm back to school drop and pick up, quite excited to be driving again. The Engineer has been a whole lot of Superman lately and I can not thank him enough for taking over. Of course, family and friends have been stunningly helpful too, I am truly blessed to have such a caring support group around me.

I have done the tiniest bit of making whilst laying in. Crafting under the influence I'll call it. Under the influence  of pain medication, sunshine and Spring! Everything is blooming in the brightest of colors! Yesterday on a family Sunday drive I nearly cried seeing rows of Dogwood in bloom, the flowers were the most amazing shade of salmon pink!

To celebrate the kaleidoscope of my neighborhood in bloom and my feeling well enough to make a little something, I grabbed my long neglected hooks and found the brightest of all yarns in my stash and just began. It took me a minute (or half an hour) to remember what it was I needed to do. It took me another half an hour to get my stitches relaxed and even. The Engineer got that worried look on his face that he gets every time I take up the crochet and asked what I was making. "I don't know," says I, "I'm just moving my hands and getting the rhythm."

And it grew. Then pony Girl suggested that it should be a blanket, for her. "Alright," I said, "it might be done by Christmas."  Anyway, it doesn't really matter. The yarn is crazy colorful, fun and makes me happy to look at.  The thing I'm making is decidedly wonky and bright, just like how I am feeling right now.

And how are you my friends?

Making Stuff

The creative sap did rise and I made.

A slap dash little quilted camera case for my point and shoot travel camera.

I managed a few good rows on my Granny Cowl with pretty but pesky gray cotton.

And I am eyeing this fabric for a bag, it's an unusual choice for me, but it is awfully pretty.

What are you making?

Have a happy weekend all!

Today

Today is one of those rainy days that has me thinking the best place to be is on the couch with a hook and yarn, working in rounds.

Today I am nursing a toothache that that seems to have spread to my whole body, another good reason for parking myself on said couch with a bit of yarn and roundy therapy.

Today I may attempt to finish the Valentine dress I started for my girl, which requires working in rounds as well.

Today may be a well rounded day.

Happy weekend everybody!

In Other News

So it turns out that I am in the latest issue of Mollie Makes! Funny, I had to find out from a friend in London. My crochet flower frames tutorial is in there, hooray! I'm not sure when this comes out in the US. I think we are a month behind the UK on distribution. All of Mollie's covers are so gorgeous and inviting.

In other news, I am working feverishly on a deadline. My festival weekend has left me a bit behind and so it may be a bit quiet 'round here until next week. I have so much I've been wanting to share, so many comments I have wanted to leave but, I must soldier on. I promise good things when I am back on track.

Have a gorgeous weekend all!

and then along came yellow

Just over a week before Pony Girl's 6th birthday and she 'allofasudden' up and changes her favorite color!

"I loved pink and I cared a lot for purple but then, along came yellow!" She tells me. "It's my favorite color. Oh, and sometimes red."

I wasn't expecting yellow. Blue, green, and sometimes red certainly - but, yellow? O.k. so...those amazing pink curtains I found at the local thrift to re-do your room as a birthday surprise...not gonna cut it.

She's been sick with a fever for a few days now, feeling pretty miserable, so in an attempt to take her mind off the ick, I started asking her about birthday plans.

"I want a yellow lemon cake with yellow frosting all over and maybe strawberries, yes, strawberries." Fine, but I had better give it a trial run as I don't think this girl has ever had a lemon cake in her life. When asked if it would do she said, "It's good but, not those other colors of frosting, only yellow - all over, and strawberries...and not sour."
So, not lemon then. But yellow, definitely yellow.

As she lay in her nest of blankets watching me crochet she asked, "Who is that for?" For you, I answer. "How come it's not yellow?" Because when I started it, pink was still your favorite color. "Oh."

And because she knows that I make her a dress every year for her birthday, she wants a yellow dress. A quick look in my rainbow fabric cabinet reveals a serious dearth of yellow. Oh dear. "Well, it can be Golden then," she says. La dee da!

Oh, speaking of room re-dos for kids, you need to check out the super fabulous and creative room idea that my dear friend over at Schtuff at Home put together for her boys, so awesome!

Well, now that we are firmly in the age of Yellow, I have some pondering to do. And even though it isn't yellow, Pony Girl has decided that her new cardi is good enough to wear to school.



Where Credit is Due:
Urban Girl Cropped Cardigan free pattern by Lion Brand HERE (I added the shell edging on the front to hide my (no matter how hard I try) wonky edges. I used an acrylic worsted wt. yarn in 'Not Yellow'

Lemon Cake Recipe HERE and it is delicious! I did add a squeeze of lemon juice and a tsp. of vanilla extract to the batter which is not listed.

Hello Monday

Well hello!
If you were in the neighborhood yesterday, and just happen to peek into the windows of the little green cottage, you would have seen my little family all in our pajamas well past a reasonable hour. You might have witnessed a baby bird in a nest of fluffy blankets, eyes glued to an episode of Scooby Doo. You certainly would have noticed the Engineer concentrating on a recipe in the kitchen. You may also have seen Lola on the couch, cup of tea by her side, and a look of confusion as she read through a new pattern.

Yes, the three of us were feeling a little poorly yesterday. Not the horrible horrendous kind of poorly that has you knocked out flat and moaning (thank goodness) but, the take it easy in your pajamas all day and make a nest on the couch sort of poorly. The Engineer who was the least poorly of us all, took over the duties of feeding the family with a masterpiece of slow food, something cooked over hours and hours with love.

What a good man!

I on the other hand, decided to try something new...you may remember that I have set the goal of being brave this year so...well, I was just sitting on the couch anyway.
I have begun some hookery in pink, following a pattern! with sleeves! (at least I'm hoping it will have sleeves, as opposed weird dangly bits when I'm finished with it) Now, you may wonder what the big deal is, it is simply that I have never, not ever tried such a thing. I am not expecting perfection, only that it turn out vaguely similar to the pattern picture. Baby bird is still in her nest today with a fever and another episode of Scooby Doo, I'm off to keep her company and get a few more hooky rows in.

Have a lovely day.

Tins in Turtlenecks, Cans in Cardigans

The little green cottage smells of cinnamon and ginger, the cold winter wind is ruffling the feathers of the hens, the twinkle lights glow and we are up to our elbows in last minute doings.

You may recognize those spiky Aloes from my header. Despite my best efforts at neglect, they have continued to grow and propagate, multiplying in bunny-like abandon. So, inspired by Dottie Angel's jars in jackets, I thought why not tins in turtlenecks and cans in cardis?

What a grand last minute gift idea! I'll make them all cozy, dressed in their best sweaters, and at the last minute deposit them on doorsteps with notes of care. The recipient will open their door and see that a canned aloe has come seeking shelter and a forever home. If you see one upon your doorstep, please take them in and give them some love. They wont cause nearly as much mischief as a pesky gnome and they are quite useful around the house.

I am off, for the Gingerbread men are demanding duds and decorations!

I hope you are having a cozy day where ever you are!

It's Friday - time to show off!

First, let me say how appreciative I am of all the gorgeous comments you left for me over my last two posts. You all have brought tears to my eyes with your lovely words and joy to my heart with what you have shared with me. I really don't think there is a better group of people out there, you absolutely are the best of the best. Thank you!

And now for something completely different...a little shameless self promotion! I have finally managed to get a couple of new Hook Books in the shop due to popular demand.

There are a couple of other little gifty items in the shop as well, so stop on by and have a little look-see.

Next week I have big plans, there's been a crafty revolution going on 'round here! I have a wee 'How To' planned if I can get the light to shine through these dark winter clouds for photos.

Have a joyful weekend and I will see you soon!

Aimless making and embracing the wonk

Hello friends, how nice to be back after my little break. We had a lovely holiday with family and friends. Good food, conversation and a couple of days of just hanging out. During my break, with the kidlet home from school, I knew that most of my making would be spent in the kitchen, oven on, goodies baking...and not much of the crafty bits. Still, I managed to sit down a couple of times with hook in hand.

Thing is, I had no real idea of what I was going to do. Just a few leftovers of dodgy yarn and a need to make my hands move with the work.

So, what happens when you sit down to make for the sake of making, one stitch after another with no clear destination, just moving hands and color changes? One round in dc, another in hdc, an increase here, a decrease there, and you keep going ...waiting to see what it is going to be.

A pot holder? No, we've gone too far for that. A sweet little bag? No, I don't think so. Oh say, how about a basket? A four apple cozy? Now that's an idea!

Silly thing, all full of wonk, hardly graceful or even, or truly pretty. Still, I really enjoyed the act, the not knowing, the aimless making of it. It is useful and loved and I embraced the wonk whole heartedly!

A lesson in letting go and not pinching my perfectionist 'till I'm bruised. It is what it is, and I like it.

Oh, did I tell you I made a hat? He he. She loves the hat, the face is her "I've reached my photo limit mama" expression.

Now I'm off to see what's been going on out there in blogland while I was away! Have a stellar day!

It's Friday!

I'm gearing up for next weeks school holiday and family holiday. Truth be told my head is in a spin and a last minute B-day pres is required for tonight! Eeek! With all the planning, cooking, making, and general full house mayhem, I think that it might be wise for me to take a little blog break. So, I hope that you and yours have a truly wonderful week next week while I'm away being very thankful for all I have.

Oh yes, I have fallen behind on my own self portrait challenge, I know, I know. I could have picked a better time of year for this really! In any case, I do have one from Halloween that I have been remiss in showing you. The process of this photo has led me to the discovery of feather eyelashes, more fun than I ever would have imagined!



See you soon!

Mary Go Round crochet flower ring tutorial

Well, here we are, my first crochet tutorial! This is ever so exciting. I keep finding new ways to use these 'Mary Go Rounds'. I've just discovered they make the most whimsical little picture frames. And of course they can be worn as bracelets for the daring and discerning fashion forward among us.

I am including a whole lot of photos in this tutorial hoping they will be a help and not a hindrance.

Let's get down to business shall we?

Materials:
* A bit of yarn in a color that makes you happy ( I have used mostly odds and ends of worsted medium weight)

* Your trusty crochet hook ( I used an H/8 - 5.00mm hook)

* A stitch marker (optional)

* A bracelet that you are ready to upcycle into a bit of crochet loveliness. It should be a stiff, non-flexible material - plastic/metal/wood etc. ( I raided Pony Girl's dress up box, the local junk store and thrift. Just some very cheap costume jewelry, keep an eye out at yard sales too.) The more plain the bracelet the better.


Techniques Used: I am using US crochet terms, for UK Terms click here
* Slip Stitch (sl st)
* Chain Stitch (ch)
* Single Crochet Stitch (sc)
* Double Crochet Stitch (dc)
* Tying Off and Sewing In Ends
All photos can be clicked on to enlarge

Begin by attaching your yarn to your hook with a Slip Knot.


Round 1
Attach the yarn to the bracelet with a Slip Stitch


Chain 1, this counts as your first Single crochet stitch. (If you are using a stitch marker, this chain is where you would stick it.)


Begin working Single crochet stitches into the ring/bracelet.



Continue with the Single crochet stitch around the bracelet. Work 48 Single crochet. Including your beginning chain, this makes 49 stitches (sc).

As you go, slide your stitches close together so there are no gaps where the bracelet shows through. Adjust the top of your stitches to the outside of the bracelet as you work.



Once you have your 49 sc, join the round with a Slip stitch into your first chain.



Round 2
Chain 3, this counts as your first Double crochet.



Work 1 Double crochet into the next stitch, continue working 1 Double crochet into each stitch of the first round. 49 dc including beginning ch 3.
Straighten your work as you go.
`

At the end of round 2, I count my stitches to make sure I have 49 including my beginning ch 3.
Join the round with a Slip stitch into the 3rd chain of your beginning ch 3.



Round 3
*Skip 2 stitches, then Double crochet 7 times into the next stitch.


Skip 2 stitches, then Slip stitch into the next stitch.*


Repeat this this pattern - between ** around the bracelet.


You will be working 8 shell clusters in all. Join the round with a slip stitch into your beginning stitch.




Tye off yarn and sew/weave in loose ends. What a sweet 'Mary Go Round' you've made!



I hope that this tutorial is clear. If you have any questions, or notice that I have made a mistake, please let me know. If you decide to make a 'Mary Go Round' or 6 (they are addictive) I would love to see!

This would work on rings of different sizes too. I have tried it on a smaller and larger ring. Working your first round in multiples of 7 stitches seems to be the key for getting the shell edging to work out.

Happy making!

Lin, a reader, sent this comment which has a helpful correction in my pattern. Thanks Lin!
If you change the size, it should be by adding or subtracting a multiple of 6, not a multiple of 7.

In the original, you have eight sets of six stitches - you skip the first two; double crochet into the next one; skip two and slip stitch into the next one.

You usually don't count the turning chain as a stitch - I think that's where the confusion comes from since it gives you 49 stitches instead of 48. 6 x 8 = 48.

In most patterns, you just need to count the number of stitches you used in the previous row to make your repeat to produce the design. Then add that number to the beginning chain. If you want it smaller, you subtract that number from the chain.

Edited to add: I attached the pictures to the frames by gluing them to a slightly larger circle of felt, I then hand stitched the felt to the back of the crochet frame.