tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77974426507752382832024-03-12T21:31:06.776-07:00My crochet & knitting blogIn which I intermittently post about my crafts.Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-27319508136037884482017-10-09T07:21:00.000-07:002017-10-09T07:22:40.806-07:00Some thoughts on handmade presents<p>A few years ago I used to follow a wonderful Facebook crochet group. Sadly it grew too large and eventually it was shut down because the moderators couldn't cope with all the vileness hurled at them in response to their strict policies on what was and wasn't allowed. I still miss that group because there were some wonderful patterns and projects posted, but I understand why it couldn't continue. But there was one topic that divided opinion and which I've wanted to talk about ever since, namely handmade presents, in particular crocheted gifts.</p>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/37545636806/in/dateposted/" title="Road trip scarf"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4448/37545636806_ccdf442c95_z.jpg" width="510" height="340" alt="Road trip scarf"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<p>
Many of the people who made crocheted gifts for their friends, family and work colleagues reported that the recipient was delighted with the present, but there was at least an equal number who posted resentful comments about how their hard work had not been appreciated as they felt it ought to have been. They would complain that they were mortally offended that their handmade garment wasn't being worn or their doilies, baby blankets or teacosies had been stashed away in a drawer, unseen and unused.</p>
<p>The posts were all about them and their grievance, but it made me wonder why should a gift be valued and used <i>just because</i> it has been handmade? </p>
<p>If the person making the gift has consulted with the person they plan to give it to and they are sure of size, colour preferences etc. there is less likely to be a problem, but you have to face the fact that not everyone appreciates hand crafted things. Are you confident that it is skilfully made to a professional standard? Parents treasure the wonky craft projects produced by their offspring, but if you're an adult they won't cut you the same slack. Many people are not that keen on handmade items and would rather have a commercially made item. You may think this is shallow and consumerist of them, but when it comes to gift giving, you need to respect their opinions. </p>
<p>However, even if someone likes the originality of handmade items, you still need to be sure that what you're planning to make will be to their taste. If the colour is wrong or it's just not something the recipient would use or wear -- someone who loves the minimalist look is not going to appreciate doilies! -- or they're allergic to wool or hate the feel of acrylic, then regardless of how many hours it took to make, the gift will end up unloved and forgotten in a cupboard somewhere. </p>
<p>Then there is the opposite problem. The recipient may think that the item is lovely, but if it needs too much care, for example gentle hand washing in a mild detergent instead of being thrown into the washing machine along with the rest of the laundry, a busy person is going to find it's too much trouble for general wear. </p>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/37335694120/in/photostream/" title="Animal face doll blanket"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4465/37335694120_47dda2e0ec.jpg" width="438" height="500" alt="Animal face doll blanket"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<p>I have made crocheted gifts occasionally. There was the Year of the Blankets, when I made colourful crochet blankets for the grandchildren to snuggle under while watching TV or playing games on their tablets. These were a great success and smallest granddaughter loved the blanket I'd made for her when she was a baby so much that she wanted one for her doll, so I made a small version out of yarn left over from the original. I've also made hand knitted scarves for my daughter and daughter-in-law which were very well received, so much so that daughter-in-law requested another one for her sister. So handmade gifts can be a delight, but my advice is to give freely and don't expect extra gratitude just because you made it yourself. </p>Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-59484738568986298362017-02-14T06:33:00.002-08:002017-02-14T06:33:50.075-08:00Weaving in endsOops! I don't seem to have posted here for a whole year! Must try harder in 2017.
Recently, smallest granddaughter requested a blanket for her favourite doll. I thought I'd make a smaller version of the one I made for her when she was a baby and I've just finished crocheting all the squares. I've joined them using the join-as-you-go method, but whichever method I used, there would still have been an awful lot of loose ends! This is the snag of doing multi-coloured crochet or making items from squares or other motifs.
See what I mean?
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/32897719105/in/dateposted/" title="All those ends!"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2137/32897719105_6f09ab3f98_b.jpg" width="505" height="812" alt="All those ends!"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
You often see people saying that you should weave them in as you go along, but here's why I don't.
For Christmas 2015, I decided to crochet some Christmas stockings for the grandchildren. The idea was that they would have money for their main present but I would give them some sweets and small toys in a stocking so they would have something to open and enjoy on Christmas day. I embarked on the three stockings, but after getting this far, I realised that they were coming out far too big.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/32897293285/in/photostream/" title="All those ends!"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/323/32897293285_99c3b4b022.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="All those ends!"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
See all those ends?! Now, if I'd woven them in as I went, I would have just have had to throw those part finished stockings away because when I weave in an end, it stays weaved! I know that from bitter experience. A few years ago I was trying to make something out of African flower motifs and I'd followed the advice to weave in ends as soon as I finished and joined each motif. Unfortunately, I eventually realised that I didn't like the way the project was working out and I decided to frog it and rescue the yarn to use for something else. It was a complete pain trying to find and unpick the ends and I wasted quite a lot of yarn.
This time, however, the unravelling was easy and the yarn, along with other random bits from my stash, ended up as small tea cosies which I use every day.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/32744027122/in/dateposted/" title="Small tea cosies"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2622/32744027122_12e86cbd7a.jpg" width="500" height="407" alt="Small tea cosies"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
To be honest, I don't find it too bad tidying up the ends all in one go. I usually find an interesting drama on the BBC iPlayer and once you get into it, end-weaving can be quite relaxing.
Here are the three small Christmas stockings I made. It was quite easy to modify the original pattern to make them smaller.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/32897303605/in/photostream/" title="Small Christmas stockings"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/258/32897303605_359d2d0773.jpg" width="500" height="409" alt="Small Christmas stockings"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<br>
I did finish one large one. Here it is for comparison. It would have taken an awful lot of chocolate and treats to fill it and my son and daughter would <i>not</i> have been pleased if I'd given their children so much sweet stuff!
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/32856735196/in/photostream/" title="Large & small Christmas stockings"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2918/32856735196_ee9735fca0.jpg" width="440" height="500" alt="Large & small Christmas stockings"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-73625035958296877932015-12-19T08:08:00.000-08:002015-12-19T08:08:49.576-08:00Colourful Christmas stockingsI started making three of these colourful Christmas stockings to hold small additional gifts for the grandchildren. When the first white one was nearly finished and the other two were about half done, I realised that they were coming out a lot larger than I expected.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/heleninwales/23221414343/in/dateposted-public/" title="Large & small Christmas stockings"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5802/23221414343_4f8f3baa80_z.jpg" width="449" height="510" alt="Large & small Christmas stockings"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Fortunately it wasn’t difficult to modify the pattern to make smaller versions which came out just the right size for some chocolate “gold” coins, a Kinder Santa and a small toy or other small packet of sweets.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/heleninwales/23480291719/in/dateposted-public/" title="Small Christmas stockings"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5648/23480291719_3a397fb2a3_z.jpg" width="510" height="418" alt="Small Christmas stockings"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The red and blue stockings have been posted off to the grandchildren and I will keep the big one to put some chocolates in as a present to myself and G. :)
In the New Year I will frog (ie unravel) the other two part done white stockings and reuse the yarn, probably as tea cosies, of which I could do with a couple more.Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-42502061429796866742015-09-18T06:12:00.000-07:002015-09-18T06:12:54.273-07:00A whimsical witch hat for HalloweenI'd spotted this Whimsical Witch-Hat <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-whimsical-witch-hat" target=_blank>pattern on Ravelry
</a>
<p>Here's my version...</p>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/20889489914/in/dateposted-public/" title="Whimiscal Witch Hat"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/750/20889489914_3fa18ec6c4_z.jpg" width="510" height="592" alt="Whimiscal Witch Hat"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<p>To be honest, I ended up using the pattern more as a guideline than something to follow exactly. This was because the pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, which I don’t use and which isn’t that common in the UK. Also, I wanted to use up my stash of double knitting left over from various blankets and other projects. As I didn’t want to buy new yarn for what is, after all, just a silly dressing up hat, I used the pattern as a starting point and then just winged it.</p>
<p>
I am, however, delighted with the result as it’s very similar to the hat my avatar wears in Habitica.</p>
<p>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/21486165236/in/dateposted-public/" title="Habitica icon mage"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/628/21486165236_56184d4d28_o.jpg" width="139" height="147" alt="Habitica icon mage"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>
It even sort of suits me. :)
</p>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/21486029166/in/dateposted-public/" title="Selfie with witch hat"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/703/21486029166_55bd757b0f_n.jpg" width="265" height="320" alt="Selfie with witch hat"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<p>I’m now planning to make another one in black.</p>Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-78545993612859620552015-01-31T09:13:00.000-08:002015-01-31T09:13:08.472-08:00I have been sadly negelecting this blogIt's been a long time since I updated this blog, but it has not been forgotten or abandoned. Unfortunately, I haven't been doing much crochet over the past 6 months due to getting more teaching hours at the local college and I haven't had a moment to blog what I have been working on. However, I did crochet a poncho out of some nice soft acrylic aran yarn that had been sitting around for absolutely ages waiting for the right project. It keeps me warm whilst sitting working at the computer.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/16410219622" title="Poncho for the winter by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/16410219622_dc47dd28b2_z.jpg" width="510" height="339" alt="Poncho for the winter"></a>
My latest project though is -- shock! horror! -- knitting!
The yarn is Sirdar Montana and I love the way the colours change.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/16410088052" title="Sweater in Sirdar Montana by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/16410088052_b5f1f25c3e_z.jpg" width="510" height="340" alt="Sweater in Sirdar Montana"></a>
I have knitted a few scarves and hats in recent years but only ever once in my life finished a sweater and that was an awful long time ago.
I actually bought this yarn to crochet a hooded sleeveless cardigan in Tunisian crochet, but then decided that that would be too ambitious and I needed more practice at making smaller things in Tunisian crochet first. As I do need more sweaters, I decided to see if I could actually knit one. The back is now almost complete and, so far, it's looking good!
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-79842794772984172612014-06-01T06:43:00.000-07:002014-06-01T06:43:01.599-07:00Three steps forwards and two back<p>I have been very busy in the Day Job recently, so I've not had much time for crochet and none at all for updating this blog. However, the end of term is in sight, the huge pile of assignments to mark has been dealt with and so I can get on with my own projects at last.</p>
<p>Or not...</p>
<p>Things I have been UN-making</p>
<ul>
<li>The snowdrop scarf I started using some gorgeous Jawoll Magic sock yarn </li>
<li>The filet net curtain </li>
</ul>
<p>The snowdrop scarf had been hibernating while I finished all the blankets that were Christmas presents and the bunnies and baskets that were Easter presents. When I finally came to pick it up again, I realised that however beautifully the yarn was working up, the finished article wasn't going be something I would actually wear. So I have unravelled it and will find a different scarf pattern instead.</p>
<p>Similarly, having got almost half way with the curtain, I held it against the window and realised that it was going to block too much of the view. I initially intended it for the bathroom (frosted glass) but my husband said he liked the existing blind and didn't want it changed, so I had thought of putting the curtain on the landing window instead. But the current net allows you to see through to the grass and trees in the front garden; the filet net didn't. So I've frogged the filet part and I'll have to think about what to do with the Japanese flower motifs.</p>
<p>But it has not all been negative progress. Things I have been making:</p>
<ul>
<li>a new phone case for my new phone</li>
<li>more of the simple filet crochet starburst squares for the picnic blanket.
</ul>
<p>I started the picnic blanket almost exactly a year ago, but it only gets worked on between other projects, so progress is slow. It is being made with all the random bits of acrylic double knitting yarn left over from all the blankets I made last year. It will be a cheerful blanket that can live in the car and be used for sitting on for picnics or for snuggling in if I have to wait in the car on a cold day.</p>
<p>The new phone case is for my new phone, my first proper smartphone! :) It's a Samsung Galaxy 4S in stylish red. The phone case I crocheted is in brightly coloured random stripes. I wanted to use up some of the ends of yarn left from making the rainbow ripple blanket I made as a Christmas present for one of my grandchildren.</p>
<p>The case has turned out cheap and cheerful, but I'm quite pleased with it. I even lined it with some red fabric that I've had lying around for years. A bright red button just finished it off. So from this...</p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/14320061545" title="Left over yarn by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/14320061545_56f2e5ff6f_z.jpg" width="340" height="510" alt="Left over yarn"></a>
<p>We get this! :)</p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/14133465360" title="My cheap and cheerful phone case by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5200/14133465360_2c47c9c668_z.jpg" width="331" height="510" alt="My cheap and cheerful phone case"></a>
<p>So now, having successfully transferred over my contacts and calendar, my phone is fully functional and has snug case to protect it.
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-77576161597655189822014-04-18T10:00:00.000-07:002014-04-18T10:03:00.193-07:00African flower pot-holders<p>I'm not entirely sure how to spell "pot-holder". I've seen it as "pot holder", "pot-holder" and "potholder". Anyway, I've made some of those circular things you handle hot pots and pans with. :)</p>
<p>This project was partly to help with stash busting and partly because I genuinely need new potholders and crochet ones will be pretty and quick to make.</p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13901516046" title="African flower potholders by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/13901516046_fe5fd2bf0d_c.jpg" width="510" height="675" alt="African flower potholders"></a>
<p>I started to follow <a href="http://crochethealingandraymond.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/ornamental-pot-holders/">a pattern for an African flower granny mandala potholder</a> but I thought it might come out too holey. I didn’t want to risk burns, so instead I did solid treble crochet (UK) circles to surround the African flower rather than treble clusters. I had to do a bit of frogging before I got it to lie flat, but I got there after a couple of tries.</p>
<p>I finished off the second pot-holder yesterday. I only did African flowers on the front, so the backs are just concentric circles of pink, white and blue. For some reason, one potholder fitted together perfectly, the other needed a bit of fudging because though I was sure I’d done the increasing the same, it seemed to have far more stitches. Anyway, they’re fine for my own use and worked great when removing the pizzas from the oven yesterday. :) I joined the two circles with double crochet (UK) and then did a final round of Crab Stitch to give a nice firm edge.</p>
<p>I may make this pattern again, but there are some other pretty ones I want to try first.</p>
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-37060973240509231342014-04-03T03:37:00.000-07:002014-04-03T05:45:27.227-07:00Ta da! Easter bunnies and pretty baskets<p>I can't resist showing off the Easter Bunnies and crochet baskets I've made for my grandchildren. The baskets I just improvised so there's no pattern. However, <a href="http://miggledymaggledy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/it-will-soon-be-easter.html">I talked about them here</a>. If you want to make your own bunnies, <a href="http://thegreendragonfly.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/nibble-nibble-hop-hop/">the pattern is free and available from this website</a>. </p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13544787225" title="Easter bunnies in baskets by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/13544787225_03cfc20e7c_z.jpg" width="550" height="362" alt="Easter bunnies in baskets"></a>
<p>I could just have bought Easter eggs, but I wanted to do something a bit different. I also wanted to give the grandchildren something to play with once the chocolate had gone. The project has also been a very useful stash buster and I've managed to use up some colourful odds and ends of yarn left over from all the blankets I made last year.</p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13545096474" title="Easter bunny by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/13545096474_609fd01a3b_n.jpg" width="223" height="320" alt="Easter bunny"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13544747675" title="Easter bunny with basket by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/13544747675_21a87d21f0_n.jpg" width="213" height="320" alt="Easter bunny with basket"></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13544732755" title="Easter bunny with basket by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/13544732755_86fe2fb3fa_n.jpg" width="281" height="320" alt="Easter bunny with basket"></a>
<p>I've bought chocolate and sweeties to add to the baskets and now they're all ready to be wrapped up and posted to the grandchildren.</p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13544814383" title="Bunny tails by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/13544814383_284a6a5fd2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Bunny tails"></a>
Now I just have to find boxes and bubble wrap and they'll be on their way in good time for Easter.
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-55381088622530645962014-04-01T02:32:00.000-07:002014-04-01T02:32:09.093-07:00A table runner becomes a net curtain<p>My 92-year-old Dad moved into residential care last autumn and my brother and I had the job of selling his bungalow. <a href="http://miggledymaggledy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/i-seem-to-have-another-wip.html">I started to make a filet crochet runner</a> for the lovely dark wood dining room table, thinking it would help to brighten up the place while the bungalow is being viewed by potential buyers. Once the bungalow was sold, I intended to find a home for the runner in our house. However, the bungalow sold more quickly than I expected so I didn't have time to get very far with the project. In fact all I had was a number of Japanese flower style motifs joined into a strip.</p>
<p>The table runner languished for some months. I was busy with Christmas projects and also wanted to finish a blanket for me to use while the weather was still cold. It didn't help matters that we don't really have a suitable place to display it as a table runner, so motivation wasn't high. And then, realising the Easter bunnies and baskets (see next post) were almost complete and wondering what to make next, I had a rummage through the bags of yarn and unfinished projects and found the pretty flower motifs I had made. My first though was to finish it as a table runner, but then I had a better idea. A net curtain!</p>
<p>I removed a couple of motifs and managed to improvise a way of joining the filet crochet onto the floral strip. Once I'd put some different sized stitches in to level up the row, the filet part became very straightforward.</p>
<p>I contemplated placing the another band of motifs part way up the curtain, but then rejected that idea and instead I'll place them randomly on the net. This is a venture into the unknown for someone who, until now, has always religiously followed patterns! :)</p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13556632415" title="Floral net curtain WIP by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/13556632415_7b5a32ecbf.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Floral net curtain WIP"></a>
<p>As spring is here and sometimes -- like today! the sun streams through the window on the landing outside my study-cum-workroom, I think a new curtain should look good and it will kick start the next round of cleaning and decorating. I went round the whole house a few years ago, but the décor is looking a bit tired and grimy because it <i>was</i> quite a few years ago now. </p>
<p>Anyway, I'm delighted to have found a good use for the motifs. Progress has therefore resumed and crocheting the filet net is a nice mindless project to do for relaxation.</p>Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-81029961657432166872014-03-26T03:01:00.001-07:002014-03-26T03:01:04.540-07:00A small project jumps the queue<p>I'm supposed to be finishing the Easter bunnies and baskets for the grandchildren and I really ought to finish the Fatty Lumpkin pony, which is currently stalled at the assembling stage. So what do I do? I end up making a quick pot-holder to use up the last of the James C. Brett Craft Cotton. I now know what sort of project it's good for and if I need more, I can buy it as and when required, so it seemed like a good idea to use up the ends of the balls on something useful rather than have them sitting around in my stash.</p>
<p>And my current pot-holders are getting very tatty. :)</p>
<p>It only took a few days.</p>
<p>Note: I don't usually get more than an hour each day -- two at the most -- to crochet and I'm not a fast crocheter, preferring to plod along in a meditative fashion. I'm sure that a speedy crocheter would be able to whip one of these up in an evening.</p>
<p>To use up the very last ends, I made a couple of little lid-lifters. The pot-holder is lovely and thick, but therefore would be too bulky for lifting the lids on my stainless steel saucepans or removing the lids from the glass casserole dishes.</p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13422667023" title="Circular pot holder by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2912/13422667023_6b79815298.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Circular pot holder"></a>
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-35816676555374093142014-03-22T13:17:00.000-07:002014-03-22T13:17:39.038-07:00It will soon be Easter<p>For the past week I've been busy making Easter presents for the grandchildren. I didn't want to just buy chocolate eggs because the postage makes it a very expensive way to buy chocolate. In fact I think last year I sent money to our son and daughter and asked them to buy eggs on our behalf for the grandkids.</p>
<p>However, this year I intend to do better.</p>
<p>I had seen <a href="http://thegreendragonfly.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/nibble-nibble-hop-hop/">some cute and easy bunny patterns</a> on Ravelry, so I started making those first.</p>
<p>Here's the first bunny almost ready to assemble.</p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13333026424/" title="Crochet Easter bunny WIP by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7091/13333026424_22e225c180.jpg" width="401" height="500" alt="Crochet Easter bunny WIP"></a>
<p>I know a lot of you like to weave in your ends as you go, but the photo below shows why I prefer to wait until I've finished and I'm sure it's all correct. I making 3 bunnies and I had almost finished the sixth ear when I realised that I'd done something stupid whilst making the 5th ear and somehow added in an extra yellow stripe! If I'd woven the ends in as I went, I'd probably have had to throw the ear away as too fiddly to frog, but it didn't take long to correct and now I have all the bunny parts and I'm almost ready to start sewing them together.</p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13332644935/" title="Too many stripes! by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/13332644935_dea0428e18.jpg" width="500" height="253" alt="Too many stripes!"></a>
<p>I haven't actually started sewing them yet because:</p>
<p>a) A lot of the yarn was reclaimed from a failed project that had been sitting around for more than 12 months gathering dust so I thought I ought to wash the bunny pieces.</p>
<p>b) I started making three little baskets to put the chocolate and bunnies in.</p>
<p>I had some James C. Brett <i>Craft Cotton</i> sitting around that I'd bought by accident a couple of years ago. How can you buy yarn by accident, you may be wondering? Well, it was while I was making the Funny Faces blanket for the latest grandchild and I thought it would be soft, like the James C. Brett Cotton On I was using for the blanket. Unfortunately, it's a cotton intended for dishcloths and such like, so it's more like string!</p>
<p>However, it does make very nice little baskets. :)</p>
<p><b>Here's the two-handled version.</b></p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13332656685/" title="Easter Basket -- two handles by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/13332656685_e2fb82dda0.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Easter Basket -- two handles"></a>
<p><b>And here's the version with one handle.</b></p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/13332651035/" title="Easter basket -- single handle by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/13332651035_e6e803514b.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Easter basket -- single handle"></a>
<p>Anyway, everything is coming together. The bunnies can be assembled as soon as the pieces dry, I have bought a variety of chocolate and mini-eggs, the third basket is almost complete and I've been making some pretty little flowers for decoration. All being well, everything will be ready to post next week in good time for Easter.</p>Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-88501575523820755532014-02-27T07:55:00.000-08:002014-02-27T07:55:32.834-08:00Slow but steady progress<p>I am making a Fatty Lumpkin pony, one of Heidi Bears' <a href="http://heidibearscreative.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/fatty-lumpkin-brave-african-flower-pony.html">delightful African flower animals</a>. I finished all the motifs and I'm now busy joining them all together.</p>
<p>It's a slow process, but I'm getting there. Doing the join-as-you-go has involved quite a few mistakes and some muttered curses, but it does create a neat finish and it means that the joining is accomplished as you crochet the final round of the motifs. Ideally I would have liked to make a hippo first. Hippos are blobby in shape and they therefore look a bit easier than a Fatty Lumpkin, but due to starting a new part-time job I didn't have time to make the creatures for Christmas presents and the eldest grandchild (who is getting the pony) has her birthday first.</p>
<p>The only consolation is that the hippo should seem easy once I've mastered the pony!</p>
<p>So far I have put together Fatty's bottom and hind legs.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12815385605/" title="Fatty Lumpkin is progressing by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/12815385605_dd4b164090.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Fatty Lumpkin is progressing"></a>
<p>The crochet is resting on some books I've been using for work teaching a GCSE English re-sit class and a couple of modules on a foundation degree.</p>Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-3580442509177050172014-02-24T08:54:00.000-08:002014-02-24T08:54:19.054-08:00In which I finish a hat just as the weather turns warm<p>I have finished another project. This time it's a slouchy hat. To be honest, I would never have attempted the pattern based on the photos posted with it, but someone on Ravelry had done it in a chunky tweed effect and added a flower. As I had some blue Marble Chunky to use up, I decided to copy what she did. </p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12719170645/" title="Blue crochet slouchy hat by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5494/12719170645_ba661ef6bf.jpg" width="500" height="434" alt="Blue crochet slouchy hat"></a>
<p>I didn't do as many increases or as many rows as the pattern says because of using different yarn and hook size, but I'm very pleased with the results. It actually looks good on me! If I sound surprised, it's because it's not easy to find hats that suit me.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12719178635/" title="Blue crochet slouchy hat by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5526/12719178635_f8cf7bace5_n.jpg" width="320" height="309" alt="Blue crochet slouchy hat"></a>
<p><a href="http://www.jennlikesyarn.com/2012/03/free-crochet-pattern-really-easy#.UwoAQYXcyK0">The pattern is available free here</a>. The flower was from Crochetgeek, also on Ravelry and <a href="http://www.crochetgeek.com/2009/02/chain-5-join-round-1-10-sc-through-loop.html">available here on the Crochet Geek blog</a>.</p>
<p>I was planning on wearing the new hat for our visit to London later this week, but the weather (which has never dropped below freezing all winter) has just turned even warmer, so my poor hat may not get an outing until next winter. Though having said that, March can be very cold and windy, so we will see. :)</p>Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-53128160771218326602014-02-22T03:53:00.000-08:002014-02-22T03:53:15.504-08:00Giving cushions a makeover<p>Partly to brighten up our sitting room and partly to use up all the yarn I bought for projects that are not now going to happen, I've decided to revamp all the cushions. This is the first. I think it came out quite well, considering I just improvised the design. </p>
<p>I used the Redheart corner-to-corner pattern to make 2 squares which were sewn together round 3 sides and buttons added on the back of the cushion to close the top. The border is just a simple shell stitch, a simplified version of the border in the Redheart pattern. (I didn't like the picots, so left them out.) The yarn is James C. Brett Marble Chunky from my stash. Very simple and quick to do and it matches the snuggly corner-to-corner blanket I made for myself!</p>
<p><b>Front</b></p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12693692115/" title="Corner-to-corner cushion by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/12693692115_f181e5eccd.jpg" width="500" height="441" alt="Corner-to-corner cushion"></a>
<br /> <br />
<p><b>Back</b></p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12693686515/" title="Button fastening by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/12693686515_100190f08b.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="Button fastening"></a>
<p>I plan to work my way around all the cushions now, trying out different designs. A cushion cover is an good size for experimenting with new stitches and there are only so many blankets a small house and two people can use! :)</p>Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-17020647916703951222014-02-09T06:41:00.000-08:002014-02-09T06:41:19.709-08:00How to decrease when crocheting the corner-to-corner stitchSomeone on the Creative Crochet Crew -- The Group Facebook group was getting in a muddle over where exactly to place the slip stitches for the decrease when making a corner-to-corner blanket. In order to try to help, I did some photos which I thought I'd also post here, so I have the tutorial handy in case anyone else has a problem.
<p>1. Here is what the piece looks like as you finish the last of the increase rows. Until now, each row has been getting longer, but from now on, we're going to decrease to stop the piece growing and instead get it to narrow down to a point.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12409907834/" title="The end of the last row of increases by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/12409907834_2e19aef2ba.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="The end of the last row of increases"></a>
<p>2. Turn the work and slip stitch into the trebles (US double crochet). I find that crocheting into just the two nearest the 3 chain loop works best.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12409405575/" title="Slip stitch into the trebles by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/12409405575_a952b89e45.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Slip stitch into the trebles"></a>
<p>3. Now slip stitch into the 3 chain loop which is <i>on the same block</i>.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12409373665/" title="Slip stitch into the 3 chain loop by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/12409373665_9ea3fa8191.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Slip stitch into the 3 chain loop"></a>
<p>4. Chain 3. You can see where the next block will fit. The decrease has started to make a straight edge and from now on, the project begins to decrease in width.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12409348095/" title="Make 3 chains by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/12409348095_9ac9263eed.jpg" width="500" height="485" alt="Make 3 chains"></a>
<p>5. Here the decrease is complete and we're working the rest of the row.</p>
<p>At the end of this row, you can either carry on increasing, in which case you will end up with a long rectangular strip, for example for a scarf. Or, after you have reached the end of the row and made the turn, you can start to decrease at this side as well.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12409319355/" title="Decrease complete by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/12409319355_6a871af65c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Decrease complete"></a>
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-18924476247497045782014-02-01T08:24:00.000-08:002014-02-01T08:24:46.454-08:00Lots of African Flowers<p>After 2013 being the Year of Blankets, I intend to stick to smaller items this year, namely items for me to wear, bags and toys. As soon as I saw the cute <a href="http://heidibearscreative.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/happypotamus-happy-hippo-crochet.html">Happypotamus</a> and <a href="http://heidibearscreative.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/fatty-lumpkin-brave-african-flower-pony.html">Fatty Lumpkin Pony</a> designed by Heidi Bears, I knew I had to buy the pattern and make them.</p>
<p>And then 2013 turned into the Year of the Blankets. :)</p>
<p>However, finally all those projects are completed and I have therefore spent the past few days making African Flower motifs whenever I got a spare moment. So far I have 10 hexagons. Still quite a few motifs to go and then the real fun begins when I try to put them all together, but Heidi Bears pattern is very clear with lots of photos, so it should be OK.</p>
<p>Here is a motif in progress. I'm using acrylic double knitting and a 3.50 mm hook. I tend to crochet rather tightly, so I'm hoping these will keep the stuffing in OK.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12251984236/" title="IMG_8779 crochet edge copy by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/12251984236_e266d3c90b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8779 crochet edge copy"></a>
<p>And here is a pile of colourful hexagons.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12251415945/" title="IMG_8787 African flowers copy by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/12251415945_57a70c81f7.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8787 African flowers copy"></a>
<p>I'll post again when I have a finished pony.</p>Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-69984815600099237762014-01-25T03:59:00.002-08:002014-01-25T04:01:08.197-08:00My big snuggly blanket is finished!<p>Once the Christmas presents were all finished, the next big project to work on was my big snuggly corner-to-corner blanket made out of James C. Brett Marble Chunky. I still have a few final ends to weave in, but as I've already started using this blanket, I think I can count it as finished. It's the biggest thing I've ever crocheted!</ p>
<p>I made this partly to use up all the marble chunky in my stash. I'd bought it with the intention of making scarves and cowls to sell, but then I got a teaching job and had much less free time, so I abandoned the idea of selling items. As well as using up my stash, I did also buy a couple of extra balls to make sure it would be really big and snuggly for wrapping myself in while I watch TV. As you can see, it is as big as our bed!</ p>
<p>Photographing so I could blog about it wasn't easy. It was raining hard, so taking it outside for better light and more space wasn't an option. The only place large enough to spread it out was our bed.</ p>
<p>So... I had to stand on a chair and hold the camera above my head at arms length. Even increasing the ISO led to lots of blurred shots and these are far from perfect, but I think they do show off the beautiful way the colours vary.</ p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12131930886/" title="The big corner-to-corner blanket by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/12131930886_16366a69c4.jpg" width="500" height="324" alt="The big corner-to-corner blanket"></a>
<p>Not all crochet patterns work well with variegated yarn, but the corner-to-corner pattern comes out really well and now I have a big snuggly blanket to wrap myself in while watching TV in the evening. :)</ p>
<p>Here's a close up of the pattern.</ p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12131669444/" title="Closeup of the corner-to-corner pattern by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/12131669444_4562b6cee6.jpg" width="500" height="339" alt="Closeup of the corner-to-corner pattern"></a>
<p>And here's the border. I felt that the blanket needed a simple border, but I didn't want to just do rounds of double crochet (UK) that I'd used on the c2c lap blanket for my dad. Instead I did a modified version of the border <a href="http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/crochet-corner-corner-throw">from the original Red Heart Pattern</a>. I simplified it and didn't do the picots, so this is just shells of 5 UK trebles.</ p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/12131253045/" title="Blanket border by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/12131253045_bae5abcfa5.jpg" width="500" height="380" alt="Blanket border"></a>
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-86252676933245698612013-12-21T09:44:00.000-08:002013-12-21T09:44:26.304-08:00In which I start a snuggly blanket just for me<p>I have finished several blankets in recent weeks, all for other people. The weather so far has been stormy but mild, but as we head towards the coldest part of the winter, I thought it was time I made a blanket just for me.</p>
<p>I have several big fat balls of James C. Brett Marble Chunky. This is a yarn which comes in lovely variegated colours and works up into a nice soft fabric. I'm making <a href="http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/crochet-corner-corner-throw">another corner-to-corner using this pattern</a>. I was really pleased with the one I made for my Dad and I've noticed from looking at blankets that other people have made that it shows off a variegated yarn really well.</p>
<p>This is the yarn that I'm using and though I only started today, I have already produced a satisfyingly large triangle. It's a really easy pattern and will be something soothing to work on over Christmas and won't take much concentration. Ideal for these dark days when I'm not at my best and sometimes feel that I'm functioning on only half a brain.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/10761110503/" title="Yarn for my corner-to-corner blanket by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/10761110503_94df30e118.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Yarn for my corner-to-corner blanket"></a>Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-25274987448904338262013-12-14T02:30:00.000-08:002013-12-14T02:32:57.510-08:00Ta da! Finished just in time!<p>This is the sixth blanket I've completed this year and the second rainbow ripple. Like the darker, rainbow coloured one, this is to be a Christmas present. I have to admit that I'm really not a big fan of pink, but our little granddaughter (almost 7 years old) is mad on it, so it should match her room. </p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/11354964576/" title="Pink rainbow ripple blanket by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/11354964576_f6cba9459d.jpg" width="500" height="436" alt="Pink rainbow ripple blanket"></a>
<p>I started this blanket back in July, but more urgent projects kept bumping it down the To Make List and then there was a hiatus when I ran out of the lilac and couldn't find more yarn of exactly the same colour. I never did find the absolutely perfect match, but I finally found one that was near enough and as it was only for the narrow lilac band at the point where the dark purple starts, I think it looks fine.</p>
<p>Anyway, the pink rainbow ripple finally reached the status of Most Urgent Project and I've been spending all my crocheting time on it. I finished it yesterday and just have the last few ends to weave in today, ready to wrap it and take it with me when I go to meet our son and daughter tomorrow.</p>
<p>This is all the purple yarn I had left! I was afraid I was going to run out, because though I do have plenty of purple, it's not quite the same purple, but I made it with just a metre or two to spare.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/11355058893/" title="All that was left! by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/11355058893_4f2305be40.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="All that was left!"></a>
<p>With all the urgent projects completed, I can take stock and see what to work on next. There are a couple more WIPs to finish and a few experimental things to either complete or abandon, but in the new year I want to start some new projects, in particular some sweaters and cardigans for me. Oh, and a couple of Happypotamuses and a Fatty Lumpkin. And what about... and there's always... (wanders off muttering and scheming what yarn to buy next)...</p>Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-79909924098303112702013-12-05T07:24:00.000-08:002013-12-05T07:24:18.168-08:00Ta da! And now the rainbow ripple is completed<p>Because of unexpectedly getting a teaching job in September, after more or less deciding to consider myself retired, my crocheting time has been much more limited. In the summer, thinking that I had plenty of time to fill with useful activities, I optimistically started a number of projects, but though progress obviously slowed right down, it hasn't halted. In fact I'm finding that crocheting while listening to radio programmes is a great way of relaxing my brain after working on something intensely intellectual, like learning up new stuff for my courses or putting together teaching materials and lesson plans.</ p>
<p>This is the latest project to reach completion. It's a rainbow ripple blanket and will be a Christmas present for our grandson. I hope he likes it. His sister already has her own blanket <a href="http://miggledymaggledy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/finally-finished-baby-blanket.html">that I finished earlier this year</a>.</ p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/11221469273" title="Rainbow ripple blanket by Margaret Hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5549/11221469273_e3deac1ae5.jpg" width="500" height="393" alt="Rainbow ripple blanket"></a>
<p>The other things that I had hoped to make for Christmas will have to be crocheted through next year and given as birthday and un-birthday presents, though I have another rainbow ripple in pink, purple and white that almost complete and which is intended for our granddaughter. It's not a colour scheme I would like for myself, but she is at the Everything Must Be Pink stage at the moment. :)</ p>
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-65053429734338478772013-11-30T09:16:00.000-08:002013-11-30T09:16:16.282-08:00Ta da! The mitred granny square blanket is complete<p>I finished the border and so I can now post a photo of the completed mitred granny square blanket. I'm really pleased with how it's come out and it's lovely and warm around my knees when I settle down in the evening to watch TV. :)</p>
<p>And now this is finished, I just have to crack on with the two rainbow ripples that are for Christmas presents and then I can take stock and decide what my next WIP will be. I still want to make a corner-to-corner blanket for myself, but I also want to try making a cardigan. Ooooh... Decisions, decisions, decisions.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, here is the completed blanket.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/11135513043/" title="Mitred granny square blanket by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/11135513043_c8133b9d8d.jpg" width="500" height="473" alt="Mitred granny square blanket"></a>
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-89708457207251574712013-11-22T09:17:00.001-08:002013-11-22T09:17:28.726-08:00Another blanket nearly finished<p>I intended this blanket as part of the decor for staging my Dad's bungalow for sale. It looks like it won't be needed for that after all, so it will be my blanket sooner than I thought.</p>
<p>Anyway, all the squares are joined together, most of the ends have been woven in and I'm busy crocheting the border.</p>
<p>I used a join as you go method of attaching the squares together <a href="http://livelycrochet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/connecting-hexagons.html">which is similar to this one</a>. I actually did it as part of the final granny cluster border, rather than as a separate joining round, but I think it makes a really firm join with no gaps. As the blanket is going to be an every day snuggling on the sofa blanket, I wanted something robust. It does create a slight ridge, but I decided that I liked the effect -- a feature rather than a bug. :) I would definitely use this method again as it's less tedious than sewing. The only downside is that you need to know the arrangement of the squares in advance. It won't work with the sort of project where you want to find the best arrangement for the squares once they're all complete.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/10996630044/" title="Mitred granny square blanket by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/10996630044_9fa478e977.jpg" width="382" height="500" alt="Mitred granny square blanket"></a>
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-76697058500695713362013-11-09T08:36:00.000-08:002013-11-09T08:36:17.831-08:00Something I'll be making for me!<p>I have made several small blankets for other people recently, so I thought it was about time I made one for me. I've unravelled a couple of items that I made with a view to selling, but which no one bought. I also visited my lovely local wool shop to add a few more colours to the mix.</p>
<p>I plan to start crocheting a corner-to-corner blanket some time this week using this James C. Brett Marble Chunky. It's acrylic, so it will be very practical for an everyday snuggling blanket, but it's very soft too and comes in a variety of wonderful colours.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/10761110503/" title="Yarn for my corner-to-corner blanket by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/10761110503_94df30e118.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Yarn for my corner-to-corner blanket"></a>
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-39826227457260754942013-11-06T11:02:00.000-08:002013-11-06T11:02:32.676-08:00I seem to have another WIP!<p>I am trying not to start new projects willy nilly and instead have a strict, 'one out, one in' policy, but I did finish the gloves and quite a few of my other big projects are at the 90% completion point, so I thought I could sneak in another smaller and quicker one.
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<p>I'm making this pattern up, based on an idea inspired by a photo posted to the Facebook crochet group I belong to. Basically, it will be a border of Japanese flower motifs around a rectangle of filet crochet. I've never done filet crochet before, so I hope it turns out easy to do.</p>
<p>So far I have just one completed flower (to make sure they looked OK) and six centres. The yarn is James C Brett's Cotton On, which is nice to work with and comes in many pretty colours.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/10711598683/" title="Crochet table centre piece by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/10711598683_2f7f7ce629.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Crochet table centre piece"></a>
<p>This will be a table runner for Dad’s dining room table while the bungalow is being viewed by potential buyers. After that, I’ll find a home for it in our house, perhaps on the TV table?</p>Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797442650775238283.post-60741725851909730472013-11-03T09:17:00.000-08:002013-11-03T09:17:09.997-08:00Ta da! Fingerless gloves are finishedEven with my limited crochet time, these simple fingerless gloves only took a few days. They made a nice little project that was both easy to do and quick to finish. It gave me a sense of achievement in the midst of several big projects. It used up some yarn left over from making a couple of blankets and they should keep my hands nice and warm too. A big win all round. :)
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/margaret_hall/10650274393/" title="Ta da! Attic24 wrist warmers by margaret.hall, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3772/10650274393_4014f8e72b.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Ta da! Attic24 wrist warmers"></a>
And now I must toddle into town to the Spar to buy milk, a jar of curry sauce and some sort of cake or pie for desert. I didn't feel like doing a proper shop today and I had some beef in the freezer which will work nicely in a curry. Another working week starts tomorrow. I've still not quite got used to being constrained to a fixed schedule after 5 years of being able to work more or less as and when suited me, but it's beginning to feel more natural. After all, I've worked outside the home for long enough in the past.
Margaret Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295409421137248157noreply@blogger.com0