lovely in green

This square is called Lovely in Green, by Dayna Audirsch. It is a free online pattern, click here for the link.

It actually worked up quite quickly and easily. I've used a 4.5mm hook and recycled 8ply/DK yarns. For the first two rounds I used the same colour, and after that the colour was changed at the end of each round.

• round 1 & 2 - cream
• round 3 - brown and white fleck
• round 4 - dark burgundy
• round 5 - cream
• round 6 - rivergum green
  
• round 7 - petrol
• round 8 - forest green
  
• round 9 - mid blue
  
• round 10 - natural fleck
  
• round 11 - camel fleck
  

bright and cheery

One of my main reasons for chosing to work on the 'block-a-month' project, was because I wanted to learn to read patterns properly. I figured that if I was working on the same squares as the rest of the group, then there would be plenty of people ready to help when I needed it.

Well, it's working... and I'm now confident enough to try any pattern... well, almost any pattern!

Another interesting thing, is that I can now see FAULTS in patterns. Instead of assuming that I am the one at fault, I can see that there are times where the pattern just does not make sense.

This is one of those patterns. All was well up until about round 7, and then I got stuck. The instructions didn't fit with the previous round... so I ignored them, and just made it up based on the photograph of the finished square.

It is a free online pattern - Bright and Cheery Square, by Dayna Audirsch... click here for the link. I've used a 4.5mm hook, and recycled 8ply yarns.

• round 1 & 2 - mid blue
• round 3 - navy
• round 4 - beige
• round 5 - cream
• round 6 - rivergum green
• round 7 - mid blue
• round 8 - natural fleck
• round 9 - dark burgundy
• round 10 - peacock blue
• round 11 - rivergum green
  

how's it looking?

As you already know, I'm working on a block-a-month project with a group over at Ravelry. The idea is that you make one 12" square each month, and at the end of the year you join them all together to make an afghan.

Since I'm after a larger afghan, I have been making two squares each month.

Well, we're half way through the year already... so here are the first twelve squares.

another haekelbeutel...

Okay... so I haven't actually finished making my first haekelbeutel yet... but I'm working on another one!

This time, it is part of a challenge with the Oddballs Group on Ravelry. I'm really looking forward to seeing what the others come up with... there's certainly some fascinating creations which come from that group.

As for mine, this time I'm just working it in regular granny squares... which I will join as a haekelbeutel. This one will be much smaller than my first one, which you may recall I had to felt when it turned out ginormous. Click here to stroll down memory lane.

Instead of yarn, this time I'm using plastic garden twine... and I'm planning to also incorporate some audio cassette tape!

Here's my progress so far...

rabbit stew

A little while back, there was a 'Kitchen Challenge' held in the Crochet Lovers Victoria Group on Ravelry. The idea was to make something you would use in your kitchen. Rather than following a pattern, the aim was use your creativity and to crochet something new.

So... this was my entry... aptly titled RABBIT STEW...



My rabbit stew hangs from the corner of a blackboard on my kitchen wall, and has attracted many comments from visitors to our home. Some love it, others hate it... but I think it's quirky and fun.



As for the winner of the competition? Actually, there were two winners... Daphne with her Granny Square Fridge Cosy and Tess with her Toasty Warm Tea Cosy (a tea cosy, which looks like a toaster... complete with TOAST) What a fabulously creative group we have. If you're a member at Ravelry, you can click here to see photos of the fridge cosy, and here for the tea cosy. Leave a comment on the project page there, and let the girls know what you think of their creations.

charity sqare #3 - jimbo's hook

The third and final blanket is being worked in purple, to be donated to the Peter Mac Cancer Institute

This time I have used Waldo's Puzzle pattern, again by Chris Simon. I've worked this pattern before, and loved it. The directions are very clear, and there are step-by-step photos to guide you along the way. It really makes the whole intersecting ring thing very simple and straight-forward. Click here for the free online pattern, and here to see my first version of this square.

Thanks to Daphne for supplying me with the purple scraps for this project. I think they worked together beautifully.

charity square #2 - jimbo's hook

The second of the blankets we are working on is in blue, for a Friedreich's Ataxia charity which is close to Jimbo's heart.

You can look back at yesterday's post for the pattern details.

Thanks to Daphne and Maree, who both offered yarn for this square.

charity square #1 - jimbo's hook

The first of the blankets we are working on is in red, for the Country Fire Authority.

I've used a pattern called Supernova, by Chris Simon. Click here for the free online pattern.

From memory, Jimbo's hook is 5.0mm. The yarn for this project needed to be machine washable wool, which I didn't have in my recycled stash. So I made a plea to the girls in my local crochet group, and Daphne came to the rescue. The yarn is Cleckheaton Country 8ply, and it took one 50g ball.

It mentions in the pattern that you shouldn't panic if the square turns out wavy, and that you can flatten it out with your hands. Well... mine turned out REALLY, REALLY wavy! I blocked it in my usual way, and it turned out perfectly. Click here for my simple tutorial on blocking.

jimbo's hook

Have you heard about Jimbo and his hand carved hooks???

If not, you should take a moment to check out his handiwork... over at his blog: Jimbo's Front Porch

Read Jimbo's story while you are there.

Jimbo kindly sent one of his precious hooks to Crochet Lovers Victoria, so that we could use it to work on some charity rugs. The hook has been making its way around our group, with each of us using her to make three twelve inch squares.

Finally I had my turn, and I have to say... she is MAGNIFICENT!

It did take a little bit of getting used to. The hook feels a bit bottom-heavy at first, and seems awkward on the wrist. But I found that the more I used it, the easier it became... and in the end, I didn't want to let her go!

I have never worked with a hook so smooth. She is truly beautiful.

Here she is with my 'one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater'

sissy pooh

pattern used -

• The Sissy Pooh by Lisa Gentry
• pattern available for sale - click here for details
  

yarn used -

• 8 ply/DK recycled wool

hook size -

• 4.5mm bamboo hook

comments -

• the pattern is designed to make a summery cotton dress... but since we are in the thick of winter here... I made a much warmer version, using wool... which can be worn over a long-sleeved top and pants
• I made the largest size, but it is should probably have made the next size down
• would love to make a summer version, too
• made a huge mistake with this dress... I MADE IT BLUE!!!!!
• Little Miss Five has been refusing to wear it... because I really don't prefer that colour mummy... I only like pink!
  
• I've added a felted heart, to show her it really IS a girl's dress, despite the fact that it is blue!
• she is still not convinced... check out the sulking in the photo
• the bandana she is wearing, is this one here
  

little miss sunshine

A very precious little girl turned one recently, and we were invited to celebrate her birthday. The invitation featured Little Miss Sunshine, and I knew that there would be a Little Miss Sunshine birthday cake... but I had no idea what I was going to make for her.

It got to the day before the party, and I still hadn't made a decision. I'm such a shocker for leaving things to the last minute, and then putting myself under unnecessary pressure - I seem to do it all the time - and never learn from the experience! Sad but true...

Anyway, as I mentioned... it was the day before the party, and I was surfing Ravelry for pattern ideas. Little Miss Five (yes! she's five now) was watching me, and of course she had to know what I was doing. When I told her I was looking for a gift to make, but I didn't know what... she said... MAKE HER A LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

What a fabulous idea!

So I did...





Of course, I didn't have a pattern... so I had to just make it up as I went along!

I've used a 4.0mm hook, and two strands of yarn worked together. Her hair is made from lengths of chain stitches, which I then braided together. The hands are flexible, so that they can sit in front of her mouth (as you would usually see her illustrated) or out to the side. I didn't measure her, but her diameter would be about that of a bread and butter plate.

Isn't she cute?

(but not as cute as the birthday girl, of course!)

frilly flower

pattern used -

• Frilly Flower by Dayna Audirsch
• click here for free pattern
  

yarn used -

• reclaimed 8ply/DK yarns
• round 1 - maroon
• round 2 - deep burgundy
• round 3 & 4 - cream
• round 5 - mid blue
• round 6 - rivergum green
• round 7 - natural fleck
• round 8 - mid blue
• round 9 - deep burgundy
• round 10 - camel
• round 11 - mid blue
  

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook
  

comments -

• I love the way that this square has worked up
• to add some depth to the flower, I embroidered around the centre
  
• if you are a member at Ravelry... you can click here to see all the projects worked from this pattern

bold squares

Would you believe that I have now completed the THIRTY DAYS project???

Admittedly, it did take me more than 30 days... but I got there in the end!

Of course, I was working on a few other projects in between... I just can't remain monogamous when it comes to my crafting. I'm not a one-project-at-a-time kind of gal... I crave variety!

Which begs the question... What else have I been working on?

Well here is my June Craftster Square for the block-of-the-month challenge:



pattern used -

• Bold Squares by Dayna Audirsch
• click here for free pattern
  

yarn used -

• reclaimed 8ply/DK yarns
• round 1 - peacock blue
• round 2 - cream
• round 3 - maroon
• round 4 - peacock blue
• round 5 - navy
• round 6 - camel fleck
• round 7 - peacock blue
• round 8 - rivergum green
• round 9 - natural fleck
• round 10 - peacock blue
• round 11 - forest green
• round 12 - navy
• round 13 - cream
• round 14 - brown and white fleck
  

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook
  

comments -

• this square actually looks quite striking when worked in a single colour
• if you are a member at Ravelry... you can click here to see all the projects worked from this pattern
• see the pattern which emerges from the texture of the stitches? unfortunately the subtlety of it gets lost in amongst all my colours changes
• because I was working with a smaller hook size than the pattern called for, I had to add an additional round of sc and then a round of dc
  

project #30b - dare to be square

pattern used -

• Dare To Be Square by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• mostly 8ply recycled yarns
  

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook
  

comments -

• I need ten of these squares, which will be joined together to make a jacket
• working each round in a different colour, to create a totally random effect
• my plan is that each time I use a yarn for a different project, I will stop and add another round to one of these squares
• so it will be an ongoing project
• if it doesn't look any good as a jacket... I'll make a throw or a wrap instead

project # 30a - floral neck warmer

pattern used -

• Beadiful Accent by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• 5ply/sports weight recycled wool

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook
  

comments -

• I made five of the motif flowers, joined in the last round of each, according to the pattern
• the pattern calls for the last flower to be beaded with about 60 small pearl beads... but I quite like it without the beads
• I also left off the buttons, and used my Grandmother's old brooch to pin the scarf

project #29c - needle guard

pattern used -

• Needle Guard by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• 8ply/DK recycled wools

hook used -

• 3.5mm aluminium

comments -

• these pansies are actually very cute and very simple
• also finding it very handy for storing my wool and tapestry needles when not in use... they're usually too blunt and too thick to push into a regular pin cushion... so this needle guard works perfectly

project #29b - kitty's keychain

pattern used -

• Key Chain Little Kitty by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• 8ply/DK cotton

hook used -

• 3.5mm aluminium hook
  

comments -

• super quick and easy to make
• this pattern comes with instructions to turn the kitty into a key chain... but my daughter loves it just the way it is
• if you made a few, they would be just the right size for a cute mobile... or pram rattle... each cat could be done in a different colour, and embellished differently
• I'll keep the mobile/pram rattle idea in mind for future gifts
  

project #29a - kitty's treasure

pattern used -

• Kitty's Treasure by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• 8ply/DK acrylic

hook used -

• 3.5mm aluminium hook
  

comments -

• this is a really easy pattern... and very simple to embellish
  
• my daughter ADORES it, even though she is not a huge fan of 'Hello Kitty'
• I pretty much stuck with the pattern as written... although I did use a larger hook for the flower, and added the button at the centre
• around the opening of the bag, I used a contrast colour for the sc... but that was only because I had misplaced the white yarn, and was too lazy to look for it!

project #28b - hidden delights - wine bottle bag

pattern used -

• Hidden Delights by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• burgundy reclaimed cotton, 5ply/sport weight

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook

comments -

• I love the combination of ribs and shells in this piece
• pattern is simple and easy to follow
• I didn't make the cord in the pattern, just used some kitchen string to tie around the neck... and added some beads to each end
• this would be the perfect 'wrapping' for a gifted bottle of wine
  

project #28a - warm 'n cozy hooks

pattern used -

• Warm 'n Cozy Hooks by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• 12 ply grey reclaimed wool
• 8 ply tweed reclaimed wool
  

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook

comments -

• there are two size options in this pattern... I made the cozy for the thin hooks
• the shell edging was a bit too 'frilly' for me, so I worked a simple sc edging instead
• worked all in the one colour... then I added an extra sc edging, including buttonhole loop, in the tweed yarn
• omitted the ties
• the button I used was taken from one of Mum's tops... so it gives the case great sentimental value to me
• I love the ribbed effect on the outside of the case
  

project #27 - glitz & glamour desert gems

pattern used -

• Glitz & Glamour Desert Gems by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• size 3 cotton

hook used -

• 2.1mm steel hook

comments -

• there is also a pattern included for matching earrings, but I didn't make them
• I was amazed at how quick and easy this project was to make... it would certainly be a good beginners piece for someone just learning the art of beaded crochet

project #26 - ocean waves

pattern used -

• Ocean Waves by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• size 3 cotton

hook used -

• 2.1mm steel hook

comments -

• this pattern is for a candle drape... which is something I haven't ever heard of before
• it works up quickly and easily
• I didn't have a candle which was the right size... so I've positioned the drape over a glass for the photos
• just looking at the photos now... I'm thinking that this would look nice left on the glass the way it is... with a candle placed inside the glass

project #25 - forever beaded trim

pattern used -

• Forever Beaded Trim by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• size 10 crochet thread

hook used -

• 1.75mm steel hook

comments -

• not quite sure what I would use this trim for... I just worked a short length to see how the pattern worked up
  
• the beads which I used are actually too heavy for the thread, so next time I would probably go smaller in the bead department