Happy New Year!

2014 has begun with a storm but I'm hoping for a calm year. I will look back on 2013 as the year I learned to crochet. A few hours spent on a bank holiday in May seems a distant memory as I can barely remember a time when I couldn't crochet. I have accumulated more than 10 magazines, 3 books and a growing collection of hooks all dedicated to my new skill. I don't think twice about how to make a double, treble, half treble and the like which makes me laugh when I think I used to have trouble with the humble slip stitch! I have mastered the granny square as well as working in the round and can follow a pattern without too much trouble. When I come across a difficulty there is always good old YouTube to help me out - I still have to use it to remind me about the magic loop.

Amongst my crochet projects in 2013 were:
A fig, 2 jammy dodgers, a pot holder, numerous washcloths, a variety of flowers and many stars (see previous post).

This year I am aiming to complete a granny square cushion and blanket and maybe even an article of clothing. I would also like to crochet something every day. So far I have been able to, even if it's just been an odd square or two or a heart.

Stash sort out time

It's that time of year - the stash sort in order to justify buying more at the sales but then realising you have far too much already and then promising not to buy any more yarn for a year but then buying some anyway.

Or something like that.

Whatever it is, I have sorted some of my stash and am feeling quite smug that I have put 4 lots for sale on eBay and have regained a little order over the unruly mass.  My baskets are looking neat and tidy, some wips have been unravelled and a huge knot of 3 colours of cotton has been untangled.

Now where did I put that ball of chunky dark green?

Star Crazy

Since discovering this fantastic pattern from Michelle on Ravelry I have become just a little star crazy.  I am seriously addicted to them.  I've made 2 Christmas garlands, some sparkly ones for gift tags and 12 in shades of blue.

There is no end to the variations.  I'm thinking of decorating my tree with a variety of these next year.

The sparkly ones on the presents were made from  Sirdar Ella using a 4mm hook.

For the blue ones I used Rowan 4ply cotton and a 3mm hook.

Multiplying garlands

Now that I have mastered the basics of crochet, I have ventured into teaching myself to follow a pattern.  After a bit of trial and error, I starting picking up the different stitches and quickly learned to crochet a heart, a flower or two and a butterfly.  These little projects are instantly satisfying and so, so addictive.

Before I knew what was happening, one heart turned into an entire garland and that garland turned into many more of every colour combination possible.

I just adore these little creations and the endless possibilities of combing colour, shape and yarn.

I am now very excited to announce that I have an etsy shop selling these pretty garlands.  They are roughly 150cm long and I will take orders for different specifications.

Please pop over to etsy and take a look: etsy.com/shop/LollipopKnits

My dining/knitting room

I have been in this house almost 2 years now and I am in the process of redecorating.  The first room I did was my dining room where I keep my stash (well, not including the hidden bits!) and all my knitting-related paraphernalia.  I adore colour so I have kept the decor mainly white so that the colour can come from my 'stuff'.

The light wasn't amazing and still waiting for my own camera.  I really love looking at my shelves and browsing through books and yarns.  I'm not sure when I will be able to bring myself to use any of the skeins as I miss them when they're gone.  I started using a skein of Rowan colourscape chunky this week.  Whilst I miss it from the shelf, it is turning itself into a lovely throw.  Is this an unnatural attachment to my stash?  I know I buy the yarn to use one day but I also like the look of it on my shelves, like having my very own shop to browse in, touch the yarns and admire the colours.

There is a distinct lack of blues so I need to bear this in mind when I next allow myself another purchase.  But am I buying yarn to make something or to look good on my shelf?!

I'm back!

Hello, I'm back.  Welcome to my blog if you haven't been before and welcome back to those of you who have!

Well, what have I been doing for 5 years?  5 years!  I now have an 8 year old and a 6 year old so I guess that's what I've been doing.  Oh, and working full time and adjusting to life as a single Mum.  Oh, and moving house twice. 

Yes that's what has kept me away from my cyber-life.  And the fact that my computer was hacked into which made me slightly computer-phobic for a while not to mention what it did to the actual computer.  Anyway, it is good to be back and you can be reassured that I have not stopped knitting during these last 5 years.  Oh no, most definitely not.  My stash has reached its all time record and I dare not admit the number of unfinished projects that are hiding around my house somewhere.  No, the knitting is what has been keeping me sane. 

I have so many new things to share with you that I hardly know where to begin.  It is tempting to blurt it all out now but I must restrain myself and slow down.  I also have a bit of camera problem at the moment so I can't share any photos.  Once the issue is resolved I will be able to share my new creations with you all.  At the moment I am just bursting with another secret that is so, so, so exciting!  I was going to save it for another day but I don't think I will be able to keep it in.  I'll just whisper it quietly...

(I can crochet!)

There, I said it.  If I start on crochet now, I don't think I will stop so I mustn't say another word. 

But I am totally hooked.

Felted bag pattern

I've been meaning to write up some more patterns recently so here is the pattern for my little felted bag. It takes no time at all and is ideal for a last minute gift!

Yarn: Debbie Bliss SoHo (1 ball)

Needles: 1 pair 6mm for bag and 1 pair 5.5mm for handle

Other materials: Button or toggle

Bag:

Cast on 30 sts.

Knit 6 rows

K14, YO, K2 tog, K to end of row (creates buttonhole)

Continue in garter stitch (Knit every row) until knitting measures approx 26 cm or desired length. NB make sure you have enough yarn left for the strap.

Handle/strap:

Using 5.5mm needles, cast on 3 sts. Knit until strap measures approx 50 cm.

To make up:

Fold up about 10cm from bottom of bag. Sew up sides and turn right side out. Sew ends of strap
to either side of bag.


Place inside a pillow case in the washing machine with an old towel or pair of jeans. Wash on short cycle at 40 or 50 degrees. NB felting is a trial and error process! This worked for me. It left some stitch definition but made the bag much more sturdy.
Attach button when bag has dried out. I placed newspaper inside the bag to help it dry.

Variation:

The blue bag was knitted using the same pattern but I omitted the buttonhole. Instead, I added a loop afterwards and attached the button this way. I also forgot to use different needles for the strap so the whole bag uses 6mm needles.