An indulgent day of crochet and crafting

Yesterday I spent the day crafting and enjoying some down time. It was a delightful treat and a real pleasure to sit and make. After having had a very busy week at work I felt that I wanted to put my effort into things that I love and make progress on my own personal projects. After pootling around the garden and greenhouse checking out how everything is growing, hanging out the washing to dry, I settled down to a day of craft projects. It felt like a perfect day doing the things I love.

Firstly I spent the morning printing out the photos I've taken during August so far and caught up on memory keeping for the month using my Project Life album and my stash of Studio Calico Project Life kits. I love this project and when I make the time to sit and document it enables me to see how very rich my life is. I find it a really important exercise in gaining perspective and appreciating the small and simple things in life.

After lunch I settled down to carry on with my granny square crochet project.

I began this project quite a while ago and started off making some small granny squares. I had a slight panic a few months ago about how many more squares I needed to make and join together for the blanket size that I wanted. Joining crochet squares together is something I have never done before and I am currently sticking my head in the sand! With thoughts of the final construction process in mind I decided to make each square bigger by repeating the colour combination of rounds once again. I'm hoping that this will mean that the process will be easier as there will be less squares to join together. I'm loving these big granny squares and think that the patterns that they create are so pretty. I'm hoping that I will find it a real pleasure to put these together when the time comes.

The rhythmic treble crochet and colour changes is something I'm enjoying very much at the moment with this project. Whilst I crochet I love listening to podcasts, the majority of podcasts that I listen to are from the US however I recently discovered a lovely podcast from the UK that I am really enjoying.

I found out about this podcast whilst attending Blogtacular in June. I met lots of inspiring bloggers during the day and one of those was the wonderful Kate from A Playful Day. Kate's blog and fantastic podcast is a real must for yarn lovers and I would highly recommend it. Since attending Blogtacular I've been catching up on each new episode of A Playful Day but I wanted to spend some time listening to the back catalogue. I must say that it is a real pleasure listening to the yarny chat and the inspiring topics that Kate covers. It has opened my eyes up to many aspects of knitting that I wouldn't have realised, so much so I have pulled out my cosy cable cushion cover that I had put on pause and have started knitting again this morning.

Yesterday was a really lovely indulgent day and something I so very much needed. Taking the time and investing my energy and thoughts into the things I love doing is something I find very fulfilling and something I hope to continually try to do more of.

Crochet progress

My eyes have been opened wider than before, the books I have are starting to make sense, and I’m beginning to read the diagrams and understand the written patterns...I'm talking about the world of crochet that seems to be opening up in front of me and at last starting to make sense. Last night I came back from my crochet class fired up and raring to move forward with my crochet hobby. Something happened during the class and everything I've been doing so far started to click into place.

I've being going to a crochet class at my local craft shop, PaperVillage, run by a lovely lady called Vicky, she's an artist by day and creates 3D yarn art, mainly with crochet. I’m currently taking her beginners crochet class and this week we made flowers. Her style of teaching and what we are learning each week is building up the basics of crochet and giving us confidence to try new patterns. Vicky presents us each week with a small project to work on for two hours. We all work through the pattern together, making it step by step and asking questions and for help as we go. The pattern we were given last night looked quite complicated but with such an encouraging and enthusiastic teacher we all managed to make a flower or two and felt that we had achieved something pretty brilliant! Plus we learnt to read an American pattern, the terminology is a little different so it feels that I have my head round that too!

I love going to a class, rather than learning alone. What it has given me is a chance to ask the all important question, 'where do I put my hook to make that stitch?' which seemed to be the main problem stopping me moving forwards. I'm loving being part of the class, there's a real buzz about the room as we all learn to make the projects each week. I can feel my brain working whilst I'm there, as it's all about counting, checking and learning new stitches, it's definitely a hobby that is challenging me. 

This morning I got up and looked at the flowers I made and with a new enthusiasm I went straight to the crochet books on my book shelf. I have a small collection of crochet books that I have spent time oohing and ahhing over for a while but have always felt unsure about how to start many of the projects. Taking a fresh look this morning with a new found confidence, the terminology and instructions are finally starting to make sense.

It feels like a revelation being able to understand the patterns, opening up this hobby beyond the basic granny square and ripple pattern that I'm currently doing. I now feel that I can make a start on a few projects I've been wanting to make for a while but didn't have the skills or knowledge for. I have a few friends that are expecting little bundles this year and I have been keen to try and make baby booties and a few simple crocheted toys. I think that following yesterdays class and with a new found confidence I'm going to have a go at making one of these projects. I'll let you know how I get on!

Inspired by...my top 3 favourite crochet blogs

I've just spent the past week in bed getting over a nasty flu-like virus which has wiped out almost all my energy. I've been in bed sleeping most of the week and in between naps have been reading and watching a few films. It took until late Thursday to feel that I may fancy a bit of hooky time and crochet a granny square or two, it was bliss but I felt pretty tired after about an hour.

I'm feeling less exhausted today and feeling a bit more of myself but think I'm going to have to take things a little slower than normal for a while! As someone who usually juggles quite a few things, I've spent the past week and a half learning to really slow down and take my time over things and have tried to listen to my body. It's been great to slow down and take time over a few things but also frustrating too.

I spent a little bit of time catching up with my favourite blogs this weekend and thought it may be a perfect opportunity to share with you my three favourite crochet blogs that inspire me. Grab a cup of tea and spend a few minutes taking a look at these great blogs, I hope that you will love them as much as I do:

Attic24

Coco Rose Diaries

Cherry Heart

On a rainy day like today I love reading the posts written by these UK based bloggers, they share such gorgeous projects and updates on their lives. I've been reading Attic24 from early 2011, Lucy's projects and writing style inspired me to become a blogger and to learn crochet! I can also say the same about Vanessa's blog Coco Rose Diaries, I saw her gorgeous photography, crafty projects and just love her updates on life. I've been reading Cherry Heart for probably about a year and a half now and really enjoy Sandra's projects and the pastel colour palette she uses. I hope you get inspired to pick up a crochet hook and start or bookmark or follow these fab blogs.

I'm hoping to spent the rest of the day settled on the sofa with a cup of de-caf tea (since feeling unwell I've not enjoyed normal tea as it feels a bit too full of caffeine) and carry on with my ripple blanket today after a two week break. I can't wait!

Loving a bit of hooky time - Crochet update

Oh how I love crochet. Until recently I didn't realise how much this crafty pursuit pleases me. After I get home from work I sit down and chill out with a cup of decaffeinated tea and enjoy spending an hour or so each weekday evening crocheting. I'm so glad to have found a craft that I can do anywhere, whether it is sitting on the sofa, on a car journey, or at the kitchen table, I love how portable and simple it is. The therapeutic and rhythmic motion of crochet is so relaxing especially when you know what you are doing and no longer need to follow a pattern. I love sitting listening to music or a podcast, or watching a film or TV programme whilst having a bit of hooky time. Recently I've found myself spending even more time with a crochet hook and yarn in my hands, it's a perfect crafty escape that once started doesn't need too much concentration after a busy day. It really is one of my favourite things at the moment.

I started dabbling with crochet a few years ago and have slowly been making granny squares for a blue and white blanket. I'm still gradually working on the granny square blanket and love working in rounds creating square by square. The small steps of this blanket make it a project that is easy to pick up and put down.

Over the past few weeks I've been creating granny square after granny square and so far have made 66 granny squares. I decided that what I needed was another project to work on to mix it up a bit.

I decided that I would take the plunge and create another blanket, this time with stripes. I'm a huge fan of a brilliant crochet blog called Attic24, written by the super inspiring Lucy. Attic24 was one of the first blogs I read and it inspired me to learn crochet. Lucy is a blanket fan and has been lovingly creating many gorgeous blankets over the years. I have been admiring for some time her beautiful neat ripple blankets. Take a look at Coast, Cottage and her first ripple blanket, they are so yummy and I love the colour combinations.

I decided to pluck up some courage and have a go myself. Having only made granny squares so far I knew I needed to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. I needed a reminder of the basics of crochet and pulled a few of my trusty crochet books together for reference and took time to read and print out Lucy's Neat Ripple pattern that she has written and is free on her blog. Lucy's excellent step by step explanation enabled me to make a small sample, and from that moment on I was hooked and had made the decision to jump into a new project.

This month I bought some yarn in a multipack (check it out here) and topped it up with a few extra balls of wool and have started to make my own ripple blanket. Unlike most of my projects I haven't gone with a specific colour theme, I've decided to make a multi-coloured ripple blanket! I've decided to make it 4 foot by 6 foot, it's a good size to snuggle under but will also look great draped over a chair or put on the end of a bed. I'm using Lucy's Neat Ripple Pattern as the guide for the width (213 foundation chains for a 4 foot wide blanket) and will just add row by row until I get to the length I'm happy with.

As with fabrics, I enjoy combining colours and what better way to brighten up the cold and dark winter evenings with a fun, colourful and achievable crochet project. I just love the colours of yarn and can't wait to see how this project turns out. I may add a few more colours into what I have as there are quite a few pinks and purples. I fancy a lighter yellow and maybe another shade of green but I will see how I get on.

I started my blanket last Sunday and by mid week it looked like this...

Yesterday I completed my 6th row and am really enjoying the pace of the project and the sense of achievement.

I adore having such a range of colours to choose from, it feels really indulgent, and means I can enjoy selecting a new colour every two rows. The ripple pattern is now firmly in my head and I don't need to check the pattern anymore, it feels like great progress. I love working the decreases and increases in this pattern and feel I've pushed myself a little further forward with learning some of the basics of crochet.

This project has a great sense of achievement and I'm really enjoying seeing the project grow row by row.  I'll keep you posted with my project updates here and on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages as I gradually create this ripple crochet blanket stripe by stripe. If you have mastered a granny square already and fancy a new simple and relaxing blanket project I would definitely recommend this one.

Crochet Confidence

Crochet has been something I have wanted to try again for a while. I swoon over photos of crochet projects on some of my favourite craft blogs and magazines wishing I could make them. I love the images of yarn and seemingly complicated looking, but gorgeous crochet projects. In January 2012 I wrote a post about making a start with crochet . Afterwards I felt that maybe I had had a fluky few days of doing it. Whilst looking through books trying to decide what to make, I picked up my crochet hook a week or so later and couldn't crochet. I was getting muddled with simple patterns I read, I couldn't get the hold and tension correct and so I decided to move onto other things. Perhaps I was lacking confidence with myself and lacked patience at the time. After that I had told myself one day I'll try again. This month I did and I'm pleased to say I am now well on my way with the basics of crochet.

With the evenings after work being darker and colder I wanted to do something I could snuggle on the sofa with and pick up in small chunks.  I'm loving knitting the cosy cable cushion again but the concentration needed to work through the pattern isn't conducive to multitasking watching Downtown Abbey, Strictly Come Dancing or The Mentalist!

I didn't want yarn, patterns and tension to defeat me. I knew that if I could knit using the basic skills this really should be achievable! One Sunday afternoon I found myself with a few spare hours, with all the major household jobs done round the house and the ironing completed I decided to try and crochet again. I knew I had to be patient, not rush it and take time to read and refresh myself on everything. So I gathered my little collection of crochet books, found the crochet tutorials on blogs and YouTube that I had bookmarked, and sat with a pot of tea to see if I could get my head round crochet again. 

I went back to basics and dug out a ball of wool from my tiny collection. I found some turquoise yarn and started practising the crochet hold. I then started a chain, doing it and then unravelling it and starting it again many times until I was happy with my hold and tension of the chain. I made mistakes, the stitches were too loose and too tight but eventually I managed to get a similar tension and began to feel coordinated again. I opened all my crochet books and looked at the technique sections but found myself gravitating towards a lovely little book called Crochet Unravelled I bought a few years ago. You can find out how to get Crochet Unravelled on the publishers website and most wool shops I've seen stock the little book too. Mine only cost me about £8 so see if you can find it as it really is worth it.

The book looks pretty odd and not your typical crochet book. I mainly go for the books that have lovely photography of the projects inside. But as the saying goes don't judge a book by its cover. What I love about this book is its simplicity in style, it has illustrations and a few black and white photos, but what it lacks in pretty layout is an absolute goldmine of learning how to crochet. The simplicity and fantastic step by step explanations is just like having someone next to you teaching you. For both right and left handers this book works you through the stages and stitches taking you through to simple projects so you can gain confidence. Each stage is carefully explained using plain language and tips. It progresses to reading patterns with crochet abbreviations, and also those patterns that have diagrams. I'm not really there quite yet but I am starting to piece together the concepts.

I've started where most people do, the good old classic granny square. My aim is to make a granny square blanket. After following the step by step instructions in this book and cross referencing with a few images of granny squares, I managed to create a square. I unravelled it and did it again. After a few more goes I felt that I was ready to get myself some yarn I wanted to use so I could start my own crochet blanket. 

During a lunch hour from work I headed to a lovely shop called Wool in Bath to look for yarn. I didn't want anything too expensive that would put me off completing the project, I've bought yarn for knitting that I love but at £5 a ball you have to be really committed financially to a project with yarn that expensive! When I was in Wool I asked for some advice about the yarn I should be looking for to use when crocheting and was told double-knit wool (dk on the label) is what I should ideally look at. The yarn I selected was Rico Baby Classic dk at £2.75 a ball. The yarn is soft and is a 50% acrylic and 50% polymide mix. You can use a 3.5 or 4 crochet hook with this, luckily these are the two hooks I already own. I came home with a selection of colours that would work in our home, specifically to work well with our teal coloured sofas.

As soon as I got home I made a start on crocheting a granny square in the light blue yarn so I could see what I was doing and get used to the yarn in my hands. My plan was to create a classic multi-coloured granny square blanket. I wasnt too sure how to add another colour so I did a bit of research, this video on how to crochet a granny square with colour changes really helped me see what to do.

Here's my first attempt of a multi coloured granny square with three rounds.

and another...this one looked a lot neater!

I then did another square...I decided to add an extra round of stitches to a square so I would have a granny square with four rounds and colour changes.

I've decided to keep my granny squares to four rounds and four colours (at the moment!). I like the size and they are achievable to make in about 40 minutes each. I'm using the white yarn and three blue yarns as the combination of colours seems to sit well with together. I will save the lovely minty green/light aqua colour I bought for a pastel coloured crochet project for our bedroom instead!

I am really enjoying getting stuck into making the granny squares and am trying out different colour combinations and orders. I imagine I wont have a blanket ready for quite sometime but I can watch the project grow and get excited about what it may look like in the end.

I'm looking forward to watching the blanket grow square by squaure. Owning a blanket I've made will be so satisfying and will be something I can treasure forever. I'm excited rather than daunted over this project, perhaps projects with many small stages fit best with me, piece by piece the they come together over time. This weekend I've put all my crochet books back on my book shelf, complicated squares and patterns can wait while I get to grips with the basics. I'm planning to take this hobby one small step at a time. 

If you want to get started with crochet there are so many resources out there in print and online. I would recommend getting the Crochet Unravelled book for the basics, looking at video tutorials, and buying yarn in colours you love, it makes learning so much easier and you'll feel motivated to keep working on the project. 

The blog that always brightens my day when crochet and crafts is concerned is Attic24, have a look and swoon at Lucy's fabulous designs and amazing use of rainbow colours. I love her little attic studio room with a lovely view too. There is a great crochet tutorial by Little Tin Bird about how to crochet a basic granny square. I spent time looking at the photos on this blog post and it gave me great confidence to start as I knew what to expect at each stage.

I'm not going to be ashamed to ask for advice moving forward with crochet, most people I've met are either finding their way through it or are very happy to help and share their passion. I hope I may have inspired you to have a go at crocheting a granny square and have given you the confidence to start your own basic granny square blanket. Let me know how you get along! I'll keep you posted with my progress.

Making a start with crochet

During the summer I had my first go at learning to crochet and I didn’t have a lot of success. I found it hard to hold the hook and yarn, plus I got quite confused with the patterns and different techniques. I managed some of the basics but every time I tried the stitches were uneven and didn’t look quite like the pictures in the books! I put my crochet hook down in the summer with the aim of mastering the knitting basics instead.

This weekend I finished writing my new year goals and I decided that I should have another go at crochet. I got my books out scoured over the gorgeous pictures of blankets, bags and little illustrations of the basic stiches. After a bit of concentration, warming up my hands, and practicing a few times, I managed to create a block of double crochet...

and a basic granny square using an odd ball of wool I found.

I was so happy with the outcome as the crochet stiches looked even and much more like the illustration in the book. I think starting with knitting must have helped me get to grips with tension and reading patterns.

The brilliant book that helped me create the two above was titled Crochet Unravelled - A clear and concise guide to learning crochet by Claire Bojczuk. You can pick it up on Amazon and hopefully smaller craft shops too. It had really good explanations of the basics and great step by step illustrations and made me feel that I could achieve some of the basics. Out of all of the books I have this really helped me gain some confidence.

I have a few other crochet books that I will now look at in a different light, with the aim of trying to find something that I can create and a pattern I can follow. The one shown below, Cute & Easy Crochet By Nicki Trench, has a lovely range of projects for a number of levels. The first pattern in Chapter 1 - Starting Out, has a beautiful Springtime Throw, which is a project involving lots of squares and is 'perfect for a beginner'.

So maybe I'll give that a go soon? But for now though I’m going to keep practicing and will try the next stage of adding different coloured yarn to a basic granny square. Wish me luck!

New Year, New Projects!

Happy New Year to you! I hope that you are looking forward to the year ahead as much as I am. I wonder what the year ahead may hold?

For the past few weeks we have had really cloudy and rainy weather but at last blue sky and fresh cold weather has made an appearance…

...and with the bright weather has come some clarity for the year ahead…I always try and write a few resolutions every January and I’m reasonably good at keeping them! However this year I’m going to set goals for what I want to achieve. I’m hoping to learn new things, share my inspirations and projects with you and spend quality time with good friends and family.

My wish list of projects to complete this year includes...

1) Complete my adventurous knitting project, a gorgeous Rowan cosy cable cushion

2) Pick up a crochet hook, refresh myself on the basics and make a start on a project

3) Learn the basics in quilt making and make something by the end of the year that I’m proud of

4) Try some new recipes, perfect my cake baking and biscuit making skills

5) Pick up some basic sewing skills using my lovely new sewing books I had as Christmas gifts, and make a few projects for the home

6) Get gardening again and find some new things for the home

There are quite a few things on the list, I just hope I can decide what to start first! What are you hoping to make and create this year?