herringbone bag

in the interest of actually finishing projects... here is my completed herringbone bag



It has been off the needles for a few weeks now, but I was having trouble finding the motivation to sew and line it. At last it is done. I'm not feeling much love for it at the moment... I'm actually a bit sick of the sight of it. It's not that I don't like the bag. I do. I'm just over it for the moment.

The herringbone bag is my own design. I will write up the pattern for it at some stage. Later... I feel too bleargh about it at the moment!

Next time I would make the band a little longer. On this one I had to crochet a rope edge around the top to add some 'bulk' to the band. I have lined this one. It is too smooshy and not supportive enough without a lining. I actually put some strengthening into the band lining, so it would hold the desired shape. As always, I made the internal pocket in a different fabric. Oh, and the button needed a shank attachment.

second sails

Found a fabulous little op shop during my family holiday at Apollo Bay... called Second Sails. Of course, I couldn't help but 'pop' in just for a little look see. There were bargains galore! So I convinced myself that it was okay to buy just a few more jumpers to unravel... and my enabling husband was happy to carry the bags for me! I love that man!!



I scored 14 garments... for the grand total of $30

Some I will felt, and the others I will unravel... either way, it will keep me busy for a little while.

Then my sister brought me a couple of bags of goodies. Stuff she was taking to the op shop, but she's a good sister and lets me sort through the items first. Lots of sheets and other assorted items which will be turned into fab-yarn. And six more jumpers!!! What a treasure my sister is. I love her too!



Handling yarn relaxes me, calms me... and really settles my nerves. It doesn't seem to matter whether I am constructing or de-constructing... it all has the same effect on me.

Yes, I'm obsessed... but it's a fairly cheap hobby, and it keeps me out of trouble!

fab-yarn... making fabric into yarn

ever wondered what to do with all of those fabric remnants you have stashed in the back of the cupboard? or your old sheets? pillowcases? nappies???

make them into fab-yarn, which can then be knit or crocheted any way you please... let your imagination guide you!

I finished my cheerful rag bag yesterday, and I adore it... think I'll work on a basket next

Here are some very simple instructions to help get you started making fab-yarn

or click here to discover a no-join method of cutting... ingenious!


1. firstly you will need to cut or tear your fabric into strips which are approximately an inch wide

(actually, after much experimenting I have found that I prefer my strips half an inch wide... and generally use an 8.0mm crochet hook)




2. fold the end of the strip over


3. make an incision, taking care not to get too close to the end of the strip


4. now make an incision at the other end of each strip


5. thread one strip through the other


6. then bring the 'tail' of that strip through its own 'eye'
is this making any sense yet?


7. slowly pull the strips in opposite directions


8. continue to tighten, forming the join


despite the fact that this 'join' looks bulky in the photos... it is fairly smooth to work through, and doesn't add any bulk to the finished product

cheerful rag bag

click here to download pattern

or click here to see another style of crochet rag bag

mary mary

another day... another project finished!

I really should finish things more often, it's a fabulous feeling

this one is a gardener's bag knitted in jute... I will fill it with goodies for my mother-in-law's birthday

This fabulous bag is designed with the home garden enthusiast in mind. It has a lengthy strap which allows it to be worn comfortably across the body, or can be tied wherever you are working in the garden.

Stash your gardening bits and bobs inside… secateurs, garden ties, gloves… whatever you fancy! Hang it up in the garden shed, or on a hook in the laundry… and you will be ready to hit the garden when Spring rolls around!

Or use it for collecting fruit… we have just had the most abundant yield of apricots here, and the plums are nearly ready!

click here to download pattern

adorable ruffles

Adorable sun hat designed to fit a 2 - 3 year old

download now

a time of planning

Happy New Year to all!

I'm not much of a one for making New Year's Resolutions. There never seemed to be much point. Traditionally they are all broken by the end of January anyway!

But I do have plans for this year... mostly regarding my craft.

#1. 'finish what you start'

Anyone who knows me well will be rolling around on the floor in hysterics at this suggestion! I am notoriously bad when it comes to finishing anything... fabulous at starting projects, but not so good on the follow through! So let's take it easy and just start with January. A time for finishing. I have 10 WIPs on my ravelry project page in various stages of completion. They will be finished by the end of this month. I will also reclaim yarn from four jumpers. Plus I have a pair of sock club socks to knit and a woolaholics lace swap item to make. Nothing new is cast on until ALL of those projects are completed!

#2. focus on reclaimed and recycled materials

Having learned to appreciate the art of reclaiming yarns... I love it! So it's my focus from here on in to use them wherever possible.

#3. share my patterns with the world

Why not? I have certainly appreciated finding so many free online patterns, so it's time to 'pass it on' and share some of my own. Knit and crochet.

So... that's for starters! Time to get busy.