On my hook - a twisted cowl.

I finished this twisted cowl last week and I know I say it each time I crochet something, but I loved making this, it really was a joy to pick up and work on.  I made it especially for my lovely sister-in-law who celebrated her 50th birthday yesterday.  I loved sifting through the yarn at the local yarn store, picking out the colour I thought she would like, choosing the type of yarn, and browsing online for the right pattern.

The pattern is a fan stitch and done with a 180 degree twist on a 5mm hook so it's nice and chunky.  I absolutely LOVED the yarn too - a superfine Merino (Zara brand) which was incredibly warm and soft, just perfect for wearing around your neck.   The photos really don't do the colour justice - it is such a gorgeous blue and suited her perfectly.

What's been on your hook lately?
tina xo

On my hook...

I have been quietly crocheting away at any and every opportunity which unfortunately for me hasn't been as much as I would like.  We are slowly getting back into a routine now that school has returned, so here is a little peak at what I've been doing.

...this lovely little pixie hat for the wee one, done in a pretty shell stitch.  I ADORE this stitch - it's so lovely and repetitive, and so so pretty.  I also did some leg warmers for her in the same colour and shell stitch, but sadly I underestimated the chunkiness of her thighs.  I had to unravel them as they were WAY too small.  Would you look at those cheeks??  A babe with cheeks like that AND a pink bonnet - it doesn't get any sweeter for me. (Did you notice that I put her hat on upside down in the last photo.  The scalloped edge is supposed to be at the front - oops!)

I have started on a cot/pram blanket in a lovely ripple pattern.  My little sister is due to have her third babe in June and I have several friends due in August/September so my plan is to have a few small blankets done in different colours and patterns.  I'm loving the browns and blues in this one and the ripple pattern is another favourite stitch.

I have had a skein of Alpaca wool sitting in my basket for a few months now.  It is the most divine earthy, autumny red, russet colour,  I love it.   It sat in my basket for a while because I just couldn't decide what to do with it.  I only had one skein of it, so I was a bit limited with choices.  In the end, I decided to do a simple double crochet cowl for myself.  When I finished it though, I just wasn't happy with it; it didn't seem to be long enough and the stitch just didn't seem to do the wool or the colour justice.  So, I unravelled it and did another cowl in a ribbed stitch.  Again, it just didn't look and feel right, so I unravelled it again.  It is sitting in my basket all rolled up, just waiting for me to something else.  Any suggestions with what I should do?  It's just too lovely a yarn to have sitting in my basket for too long.  Any suggestions would be most welcome!

tina x

Round Crochet Cushion

It has been a few months since I started this cushion, so it feels good to have it finally finished.  It wasn't a complicated pattern; the opposite actually - easy, repetitive and soothing.  I loved picking it up when I got a chance, do a few rows and then put it down again for a few days or sometimes weeks at a time.  The actual pattern is from Nicki Trench's 'Easy Crochet' (have I mentioned how much I love this book?) but there are many patterns and tutorials on the web.  The rose is also from the same book, but the leaves are from here.   Don't you just love pink and green together? 

Now that I've finished this I'll start on the wee one's christening bonnet.  Nothing like leaving things until the last minute!

Tina xo

________________________________

The yarn is from Bendigo Woolen Mills in 'Classic' Pale Eucalyptus.  The rose is 'Drops' Lima Powder Pink (3145) and the leaves are 'Drops' Lima Light Olive (45)

Christening Bonnet

"It always seems impossible until it's done"

Nelson Mandela

I finished the 'practice' bonnet a few days ago.   I must say, I am rather chuffed with it.

It was about 7 months ago when I first saw this pattern and I immediately fell in love with it.   I had only just started crocheting, and I remember looking at it and wondering if I'd ever be able to make something so delicate and elaborate.  It looked very complicated and really not something that a beginner should attempt (I was still all thumbs if you know what I mean).  I printed out the pattern though and kept it in the back of my little project book.  When I started to get more confident with reading patterns I got it out again and the little symbols and abbreviations started to make sense.  I read it and re-read it until I could see the pattern forming in my minds eye and then I took the plunge.  It really was a simple pattern which didn't take all that long to work through.  I think that's why I love it; it's simple, feminine and beautiful.  

❤❤❤❤ I loved every minute of making it ❤❤❤❤  

I did intend to get a few photos of the said bonnet on Little Miss 'I', but it was very difficult to keep an almost 6 month old from moving around, particularly when mama has a very interesting clickety click thingy in her hand....

*******************

For those of you who are interested I used a 4.5mm hook and 50% Acrylic/50% cotton in a light brown colour (Moda Vera 'Gelato').  The pattern can be found here at Aesthetic Nest.   The bonnet is a bit big for Little 'I' but I'll adjust my tension and maybe use a 4mm hook.  Although, the rate she is growing each day it will fit her by March!

*******************

Have a great weekend,

Tina xx

On my hook...

I haven't been crocheting much lately - I haven't had a lot of spare time and it's been too hot to do anything other than breathe!  (It was 41 degrees C again yesterday)

I am still working away on my little Marabelle flower garland, the pile is slowly getting bigger... I do a few here and there when I get a chance.

I've also started a round cushion cover too.  I've done the front, the little rose and leaves, so it's just the back and it'll be done.  I am having trouble sourcing a round cushion insert though which is very frustrating. ( Let me know if you have any ideas where I can get one from.)

I've also started on Little Miss 'I's christening bonnet. I saw this pattern on Pinterest months ago, before I could even crochet, and just loved it.  I immediately knew I had to make it for her.  It's so pretty...

I thought I should do a 'practice' bonnet before starting on the actual one though.  The pattern has been really easy to follow and I haven't had to unravel too many rows :)  This bonnet is a pale brown colour (very vintage looking ❤) but I've bought a gorgeous cotton yarn called Blush; a really pale pink, which I'll use for her actual christening bonnet.   I can't wait to start on the actual bonnet, but here's a sneak peak at the 'practice' one. (sorry about the photos - the colour is a bit off; the actual colour is more like the top photo)

It's so old fashioned... I just love it ❤❤  She is getting christened in March so I'll have to get my skates on and finish this one off so I can make a start on the actual bonnet.

What have you been up to??

Tina xx

(I'll post details of each project, ie the pattern, yarn type and colour etc when they're completed)

Kooky Crochet

Remember I said I was crocheting something kooky, something a little bit different and not normally my crochet style????

Well, here it is - the finished product .......

..........crochet taxidermy........

I saw something similar as I was looking through pinterest and thought I'd give it a go.  It was fun and it looks great in little F's room.   It's about as close as I'll get to having a dead animal mounted on my wall!!

The pattern is basically just single crochets worked in rounds, so it's pretty easy - it's sewing all the pieces together that's a bit time consuming and fiddly.  

The original pattern can be found here - the only problem is that it's in French.  I've written it out though and will post it over the next couple of days if you're interested.

Go on .... everyone needs a crocheted reindeer on their wall!   Leave me a link if you make one - I'd love to see some more. x

On my hook this week...

There are soooooo many projects bouncing around my head right now that some nights I go to bed thinking how on earth I will ever have the time to get to them all.  I am constantly coming across new ideas for projects and things I want to try so they get added to the list and heavens - the list is HUGE! I think that's why I've got a few little projects on the go at the moment. I really would love to commit to something bigger (I'm thinking big cozy blanket) but I'm actually a little apprehensive truth be told to start something so BIG.  Maybe I could just start the blanket and pick it up when I feel the need and then do other little things on the side......mmm yes, that would work.  Now all I need to do is decide on which patterns and colours.  Eeek!

Until then this is what I've been hooking this week...........

 .......Lovely little marabelle flowers which will eventually be a garland for little miss 'I' s room.  I'm doing a vintage whimsical theme for her so this should work in beautifully......

.......little acorns and leaves in anticipation of autumn.  I know it's months away.....but time has been known to get away from me in the past so I'm getting prepared.......

and here is a sneak peak at something else I came across whilst scrolling through Pinterest.  It's not normally my crochet style, but I thought it would look cute in my 2 year old boy's room.  Any ideas???

..... no they are not little hats or bowls ..........

.........it's the start of something a little bit kooky....... stay tuned......

This afternoon, my three older children went to my sister's place for a play which left me at home with just the wee one.  After she was safely tucked up in bed for her afternoon nap, I had the whole house to myself.  It was so quiet.  The house has not been that quiet for at least two years.  I love all the noise and chaos that children bring, but boy when I get a little quiet time, it really is something special!  It. Was. So. Peaceful.  You know when you haven't eaten something for a long time and then you get to eat it, it's like pure indulgence and you savour every bite, well that was me this afternoon.  Absolutely savouring every last bit of quietness.  *Sigh*    I also got a bit of hooking time in.  I probably should have been doing my ironing as the pile is getting as BIG as my project list, but I decided on doing a little crochet instead.  Much better for me....he he.


What's been on your hook this week??

Tina xx

On my hook this week...

Over the last week or so I've been finishing off a few projects - mainly little Christmas gifts and decorations.  I've found the gentle rhythm of crocheting to be soothing amongst all the craziness that this time of year can bring.

I made these little balls for my 4 month old baby for Christmas, using the pattern from Nicki Trench's book, Cute and Easy Crochet (love, love, love, this book).  I must admit that I was a bit hesitant at first - I'm not sure why now because they were rather easy and fun.  I put a bell in each of them along with the stuffing, so they'll rattle when she shakes them.

A few years ago our family decided not to buy Christmas presents for the adults, but instead give the money we would have spent on a gift to a charity of our choice.  I always get a little something for my parents though, so the children can give something instead of just receiving.  This year I thought I would crochet this little basket to put mum's gift in rather than using wrapping - that way she can re-use the basket.  There are plenty of tutorials on the web for crochet baskets - for this basket I did four rounds of half double crochet (US terms) for the base and then 5 rows of half doubles and then two rows of double crochets, finishing with a row of half doubles. 

I found the pattern for this lovely little Christmas tree at One dog Woof.  There are three different sizes which are made to go over wine and champagne corks - how clever is that!!  You could really jazz them up by adding little coloured seed beads for lights,  embroider little stars on them or use sticks for the trunk.   I plan on making a few more when I get a chance - wouldn't a cluster of them look fabulous??  Maybe with a little deer standing amongst them...... 

What have you been up to?? Have you been able to get some hooking time in amongst all the Christmas preparation??

Tina x

Crochet Heart Garland

Finally....I have finished a crochet project.  Yay!!!  

This is my little crochet heart garland that I've made for my daughter's teacher as an end of year thank you gift.    I am really happy with how it's turned out.   

I've done it using a 3mm hook (US D) in a bright red cotton/acrylic blend yarn.  There are twenty seven hearts all together to represent the 27 children in her class but you could use more or less depending on where you want it to go.  I think this one would look very sweet draped around her desk or hanging in her class room.

The actual pattern for the hearts comes from here at Little Birdie Secrets blogspot.  They are very easy to whip up and took no time at all to make.  To make them into a garland I simply did 40 chains (as an end for tying etc) then single crocheted to the top of the heart, then did about 5 chain stitches and then another single crochet to the other side of the heart.  I then did 10 chains before attaching another heart.  Once they were all attached, I chained another 40 stitches to form another end for tying and then fastened off.

Voila.... a very pretty and unique teacher's thank you gift.

It looks very effective around my table Christmas tree too!!

What's on your hook this week??

tina xx

Treasures found and little moments

It was a fairly quiet weekend for us; no commitments, sport, or plans.  The weather was beautiful; sunny and mild - lovely spring weather, but with just enough heat in the sun to remind me that summer is almost upon us.  I did however get to one of my favourite coffee shops, Ajanta, in Coolamon, New South Wales.   I love the atmosphere of the place (it's in an old wool shed) and I always leave feeling very inspired and content (it might also have something to do with the home baked goodies the owner has on offer). Every nook and cranny is filled with beautiful things; it really is a lovely place to sit and have a coffee and wander around.

The always beautiful and inspiring Ajanta Coffee Shop

I also stumbled across a new little store, Kindrawares, (http://www.kindrawares.com.au/) not far from the coffee shop. Lots of gorgeous and unique gifts, plus pretty little crocheted Christmas ornaments done by a couple of local ladies.

Kindrawares Shop

Lots of pretties...

Look at the handmade Christmas Decorations!

This little treasure jumped out at me too.

I love the earthiness of the jute and of course I couldn't go past the turquoise colour around the top. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it but it's looking very happy and at home just sitting in my living room.

I also managed to do some crocheting - a little Christmas star which was whipped up in no time from a pattern I found here at jellywares.blogspot.com.au.  I don't have much time right now to commit to a large project (which at times is very frustrating) so these little projects satisfy my hooking need at the moment.  I'm planning on making a few more (they are quite addictive) and making a Christmas garland perhaps?

Festive Crocheting

I topped the weekend off with a little bit of baking.....

............so although it was quiet, I had some lovely little moments.  Have a great week,

Tina xx