Boho Sunday Shawl

Do you remember the Sunday Shawl CAL (Crochet Along) I was part of at the beginning of the year?

It was a super pattern by Alia Bland  (also known as The Little Bee) called Sunday Shawl.  

I made one which I renamed my Gypsy Shawl.

Whilst I was making it I knew that I would make another one (at least one!) 

as it was such a lovely pattern to follow and crochet up.  It also worked up super quick too!

This time I used Stylecraft Special DK as I had a few balls in navy and oddments in other bright colours.  

I really wanted to go for a more "bohemian" look and so choose the brightest colours I could find 

so that they would really pop against the navy.

I also wanted to add a bit more of the pattern at the bottom to add a little bit more length. 

 I am not sure how many more I did, I just kind of winged it!

When I felt it was long enough I went for the last two rows to finish it.

It took me about three days to make from start to finish ... how speedy is that?!  It really is a very quick make and so enjoyable to do because of how it looks and because of how quickly it works up.

And ... I'm going to make another one!

I am taking this one a bit slower but have already selected Stylecraft Special DK in Meadow 

and have started to hook it!  

I think this time I am going to go for more delicate colours at the bottom - 

perhaps mauves, lilacs, pale green ....

So watch this space as I'll let you know when that one is finished.  Mind you, I do have a few other projects still on-going AND I plan to start a couple more KALs - this time a shawl and perhaps socks too (eek!!!)  

Wish me luck!

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Lulu's Loft's Lois

There are many traders in The Emporium in Yeovil.

One of whom has become a very good friend of mine - Lucie at Lulu's Loft.  She paints furniture and makes them beautiful using Frenchic Paint which comes in gorgeous shades - AND you can also buy this paint from her (along with the brushes and stencils and lots more)!

Anyway, as well as giving a shout out to my friend and her business, I also want to mention that she has just had the most gorgeous little (or maybe not so little at 10lb 6oz) baby girl 

... and I have knitted a little cardigan for her.

Short Notice for Lois

The pattern I used was Short Notice Cardigan by Taiga Hilliard Designs.  It uses chunky yarn and I had the idea yarn for this ... a gorgeous Devon Sun Yarns Humble Chunky in a lush pink colour-way.  Perfect for a little girl.

I have such high praise for this yarn ... it is soft and just a dream to knit with. 

It feels lovely .... I just cannot find enough superlatives to describe how gorgeous it is to work with 

and how it works up.  So a big high five to Daisy at Devon Sun Yarns! 

#devonsunyarns #humblechunky

I am hoping that when little Lois is big enough for the cardigan that I can show a picture of her wearing it.  In the meantime ... some progress photos ...

I have worked on many more projects during the past month (which has just flown by) but have been hampered a bit by my fibromyalgia flaring up and haven't felt much like writing blog posts.  I am hoping to remedy this over the next few days (or weeks) and you can see what else I've been doing when I haven't been almost comatose on the sofa!  

Plus side ... I've nearly caught up with Neighbours!  And managed some more hexis for my Beekeepers Quilt along with the ends from these going into my Sock Yarn Blanket.  Both of these are long-term projects and are picked up every now and again.  

Believe me, though, when finished ... they are going to be fab-u-lous!

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A bit of Sparkle coming to The Emporium tomorrow!

Anyone who saw me in The Emporium in Yeovil last Tuesday and Thursday will know that I was busily crocheting away whilst serving our lovely customers on the till downstairs.

I have finished it!

And here it is in all it's sparkling glory!

It is a square baby quilt/throw/lapghan measuring 39" x 39".  

I made it with Hayfield Baby Sparkle which worked up lovely.  

A soft yarn that is actually 97% acrylic and 3% polyester but feels rather like it has a lot of cotton in it.  

Everyone that saw it in progress commented on the sparkle in it - 

a lovely silver thread running all the way through.  It just gives it an extra bit of fairy dust!  

I'm really pleased with how it has turned out.  I think it looks nice and fresh.  A summery feel to it.

Wouldn't this be ideal for a baby gift?

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I have a little left over so made a little outfit for Barbie!

Doesn't she look pretty?!

Anyway both the blanket and the Barbie outfit are coming to The Emporium (link above) 

tomorrow morning (Thursday 30 March) when I do my next shift.

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Now what project shall I do now....?  

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Spring Lane times three

So here is the second clue for the Spring Lane CAL

 This one squares off the circles we made for clue one.

I confess I found the outside border just wouldn't work for me ... so it is slightly different from the pattern, but I don't think it matter too much.

Don't they look pretty with their square borders?

And then clue three ...

Making ten of these little ones!

My Crocus and Daffodil one is not made out of  Drops <3 You but Drops Paris which has slightly less yardage so I bought an extra colour (the dark green one) ... hence the variations on these little motifs. 

I particularly love the blues in these ones above.  

Don't they look fresh ... perhaps we should rename Ocean Road...?

And these shades just pop out ... and I love them!

Clue four is already out ... so I've got to get crocheting ....!

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Spring Lane Drops-a-long

So .... I've started hooking another Crochet Along!

This time it is called Spring Lane and is from Drops Design http://www.garnstudio.com/dropsalong.php?id=2
Using their gorgeous cotton range DROPS ♥ You #8. 

The suggested colours are so pretty ...

But, me being me, decided not to go for those colours!  

Although aided by the fact that they were out of stock when I looked!

So I decided to do not one 

not two

but three colour-ways

I just thought it made sense to make several and play around with colour!  I may even make one out of non-cotton yarn to see what that looks like!

Once I'd started the first motif I was whizzing away and loving it!

So ... wish me luck with my additional CALs 

(nearly finished my KAL which has over 500 stitches on the needles so one row takes forever and I have to concentrate!  And two CAL blankets just need their borders now...)

What do you think of the colours?  

I thought the top one looked like Spring with crocuses and daffodils; the second one I wanted grey tones with dusky pinks and apricots; and the third one -

well I just had to go with the blues, didn't I?!

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DeCluttering totals to date

2 x big boxes

2 x medium boxes

5 x bags

And in the back of my car a further two bags (yes I know I haven't dropped them off yet :-/) and another big box

Mixed Media!

I feel that I need to input some oomph into my makes and when Jonathan said that his sister was attending a Mixed Media Course near us.... well that got me interested!

https://www.craftcourses.com/providers/the-studio-heritage-crafts-somerset

 

So after a good browse at the website and encouragement from Jonathan I decided to book!

And, oh boy, am I glad I did!

So last Friday I attended the course and met the nicest lady, Constance, who was taking the course.  I'd already spoken to her on the phone and got that nice "vibe" and meeting her in the flesh just proved that she really was the loveliest person.

She taught both Karen and I about materials and bits and bobs we would be doing ... and after a morning of chatting ... we were let loose with the crafty bits ....!

I was in my absolute element!  Learning all about new techniques and experimenting away with paint, and crackle glaze, and heat guns, and fabric ... oh my gosh it was magical alchemy!

We also met her friend, Rosemary, who brought in this most divine caraway seed cake that we had with our cup of tea in the afternoon.  Rosemary runs the embroidery classes there.  Some of her work was on display, and she brought along a piece she was working on 

 ... and believe me ... it is all exquisite!

(Maybe I can do an embroidery course another time ....!)

The Mixed Media course is actually run in four sections with different techniques etc being covered each week.  I had only booked for the first one as finances are pretty tight and obviously needed to know that I would enjoy it (as if I wouldn't!!)

It really was a most exciting day!  It was also great to spend time with Karen whilst doing something we both enjoy.

And ... what's even more exciting is that Jonathan has generously paid for me to attend the next three sessions!  They are my Mother's Day gift!  Woo hoo to my wonderful man and for being a mum!  

  

 I can't wait!

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Happy Craft Month

The Emporium https://www.facebook.com/yeovilemporium/ in Yeovil are celebrating Craft Month 

... and my makes are featured!

https://www.facebook.com/yeovilemporium/photos/a.210541009019570.53676.172345822839089/1420021608071498/?type=3&theater

My taggy blankets are at the bottom second from the right!

I have quite a selection ready to sew up this week too.

It is so lovely to see lots of super handmade crafty things being sold in The Emporium 

and even nicer that they are celebrating us crafters this month!

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DeCluttering totals to date

2 x big boxes

2 x medium boxes

5 x bags

AND  in the boot of my car waiting to be dropped off a further two bags!