New Projects

First finished project of 2017...

This was a kit bought for me by my in-laws for Christmas, it is gorgeous... a quick make and great finished bag.  I haven't done yet, but I intend to sew some bias-binding along the handle to stop it stretching, but other than that, it is good to go.

 Attic 24's Weekend Bag in Heatwave

Somewhere between Christmas and New Year's day, I finished off the last few remaining squares of my Last Dance On The Beach (Under the Stars colourway).  I admittedly didn't follow it to the letter, there were two squares I just couldn't get on with (and a colour I disliked) and I swapped things about a bit.  I'm quite pleased with the end result, its a colourway I normally wouldn't go for, but I really like the darkest brown against it and it somehow works ok.

So I would normally be a little out of sorts without a blanket on the go, but all is well, as I quickly took up this....

Attic 24's Moorland Blanket which was also bought in kit form for me for Christmas, this time from my parents (my family know me well!!)  I'm enjoying this, the colours are beautiful.

So busy with this and a few other less exciting things.  Back to studying now and back with the running group I joined in October.  Hopefully 2017 contains a few 10k runs and hopefully I get to set some new Personal Bests.

Small steps - kleine Schritte

This week feels like a satisfying week...not only one finished project, but two.... (I won't mention that one also started this week, so wasn't strictly an 'unfinished project')...am I on a roll do you think? 

 This first one, is Shifting Afghan by Grace Akhrem which I found in an edition of Interweave Knits.  It's a really effective pattern although really simple.

The yarn is Sirdar Escape which I bought three (?) years ago....see although it looks like I have a huge stash, it's just waiting for the perfect project to come along and the pattern on these mitered squares, sets off the range of colours brilliantly.

The next finish was Crafts from the Cwtch's Fittleworth cowl this was a really quick simple knit...so not strictly part of my huge bundle of projects I need to get to, but hey.....small Steps!  I made the cowl with a Rico Creative Micro dk which was beautifully coloured and has a great drape, plus it's so soft against your skin....my only complaint was that as it has such a high sheen, the ball just kept unravelling itself which was pretty frustrating.  The finished cowl is beautiful though, worth the yarn-niggles

So this week, I may have a look in the dreaded project bags....I also have half a Last Dance on the Beach blanket to do....hhhmmmmm.....I've also emailed a running group with the idea of joining, I'm a bit nervous as I don't know anyone there and I'm pretty slow....well I could think of lots of reasons not to go, which is probably why I should! And I have some German to catch up on too....it's going to be a busy week!

Blanket love

Well, you might think you could get bored of doing the same thing.....but you know, no matter how many blankets I make, I still want to make more!

About three months ago, we bought a caravan, in a bid to make family holidays a little more affordable, having three school aged children and dogs makes for an expensive getaway always.

Our first caravan holiday went swimmingly, it was so relaxing.....yes, we forgot things, but it was lovely having all your own things to hand.....and who knew that you could carry so many crochet/knitting projects when you have a whole caravan to fill ;-)

Well, it wasn't long until there were 'caravan blankets' being crocheted frantically!

This is middle boy's blanket who has a liking for  yellow and blue....and was so excited when I finally sewed in the final lose ends....doesn't that make you so warm inside when something you've made is so wanted?

This is biggest boy's (as seen on the last post)....far more grown up and sophisticated!

This is littlest boy's....I had already made this, so it has been re-purposed as a 'caravan blanket'

And if I haven't made enough, I find myself making another at the moment, this one a car seat blanket for a new baby girl....I am really enjoying it, as it's a totally different design to the ones I have made previously....I'll show you next time.

On other yarn news, I bought the above from a lovely etsy shop Mothy and the Squid.....it looks amazing, you can't see all the rainbow colours in it, but it is called Summer Skies Rainbow.....I think it will be a shawl....hhmmm shawls, just mini blankets eh?!  The delivery was next day and I got some lovely stitch markers to boot!  How thoughtful is that!

On non-yarny news, this is my mad hubby, finishing his first Iron Man....that's 2.4 mile swim, 122 mile cycle and 26.2 mile run....I was too stressed at the time to take it all in, but I've shed a few tears since.  He raised £500 for a local food and clothing bank.....MY HERO!

Just to leave you with more happy thoughts, here's the caravan blankets, littlest boy, middle boy, biggest boy and mummy blankets....hubby denies needing one.....will it stop me???

FO Friday

So remember this?  The blanket I made for a friend who was getting married in July....well, here it is in all its huggable glory!

This pattern is Wool Leaves by Jared Flood..... it was a breeze, and it is just as I wanted it....you know me Blanket Girl....always looking for the next big project...and this one didn't disappoint.

The yarn is Sirdar Big Softie Super Chunky  I'm not sure I really want to think about how many balls I used, but probably around 15.  I would recommend the yarn, really soft and chunky....in fact....it did exactly what it said on the tin.

The picture above was the blanket, unblocked and the one below, blocked.  After blocking it was far more drapey and grew a bit too, which was nice as the chunky yarn in this was swallowed up like candyfloss.

So there you have it...one more blanket...my love still not satisfied.....

For the first time I am joining up with Tami's Amis

Year of projects - 21.04.13

Well, as you can see, I finished my Vintage Crocheted Throw.  This has been a really quick project (when I found it again!) and a real pleasure to make.  I used (if I remember correctly!) Sirdar Wash + Wear Crepe, and following the pattern for the Afghan size, I used slightly less than a ball of each colour, so a pretty low cost project.

 I do love a stripe, as you all know, and I really enjoyed the autumnal colours I used in this, it's a bit more muted than some of my crocheted blankets....don't you think the pattern of the chevron is clever?

So you may think I would be at a lose end now....but then again, anyone who knows me, would know that wasn't true.....onwards and upwards with another blanket.  This one is Wool Leaves and I think it is absolutely stunning.  The blanket is for a friend of mine who is getting married in a couple of months ( this being a slightly more pressured make!).  According to others who have made this, it is all about the blocking, but I am enjoying the pattern, and being such a chunky knit it grows fairly quickly (and also goes through balls at a rate of knots)...so watch this space, hopefully it will be done soon.

Today is grey and dismal, but yesterday, it was warm and sunny.....perfect for a wood walk with the dogs, I'm so glad we got out and about yesterday.

Fancy a walk?

To catch up with other knitters and crocheters progress, take a look at the Year of Projects ravelry page here.

Wrapped up in blankets

I've never hidden the fact that my great love in life is making blankets......as I'm making one (or a few!) I am thinking about the next one.

I like them baby sized, keeping warm sized, king sized.......I just can't get enough of them.

I love to make them for gifts, knowing something I've crafted, is  keeping someone warm.

I thought I would share the new, the newish and then the 'should have been finished ages ago' blankets in my life at the moment....yep, there is more than one of them!

This is my newest blanket........this is going to be a Christmas present, and if I can really get on with it, I may make two for my nephews.

I totally fell in love with the idea of this blanket when I saw Emily's ( Unravelled) gorgeous blanket that she made for her son.  Her blanket is what caught my eye, if I had seen the original I think it would have passed me by.  I think I was first to comment on her tah-dah post and said that's my next blanket!

In the words of my cleverest crocheting friend I have reverse-engineered rather than bought the book, so mine will not be as perfectly formed as Emily's stunning blanket, but hopefully a little blocking and 'all will be alright on the night'.

Next up is my Little Woollie CAL blanket.

I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying this one......it is a dream to work on, and yep, I do think I have actually dreamed about it!  It is garish and gaudy and not as beautiful as Little Woollie's mixed stripey blanket.....but I don't care I AM IN LOVE!

This is a blanket I started at the beginning of the year and despite being a really quick pattern, I am trying to follow the colour sequences in the pattern and it has really slowed me down, getting it out to photograph made me realise how much I love it, so I must get my felt pens out and figure a better/quicker way to see the next colour.

This one is a slow-burner, but easy to pick up and down, its just I've been putting down more than I've been picking up....ooooops!

The Kingcole Riot is just amazing as the colours unfurl.

The last blanket, is the first I ever started....unfairly named the Boring Blanket.

When I took this out of its bag, I hadn't realised quite how many hexagons I had made already.....I really should press on, as it is very pretty....and also pretty boring!

It was my birthday last weekend and my cleverest crocheting friend, who is as clever at sewing and  crocheting as she is at being my friend, made me this.....

A big project bag, how well does she know me eh?  Perfect for blankets....problem is, I could do with a few more!

So....a few things that are making my world colourful at the moment....how about you.....what makes your heart skip a beat?  Somehow I don't think I will ever tire of making blankets....why would I?

Reasons to be cheerful!

I'm hoping I'm not too late....although I'm definitely cutting it fine.  Despite my lateness, I haven't been racking my brains for

Reasons to be Cheerful

I have been too busy being cheerful to blog!

I have a blanket on the go! My favourite thing to do as you all know!  This one is for a new little baby boy, Kester, born just a few days ago.

The second thing I don't have a picture for, but it is the light streaming through the windows (and my house isn't too dusty for a change) I'm not one who suffers in the dark winter months, but the sunshine streaming through the window is great for the soul!

The third and maybe the most exciting one is that we are getting one of these.

This is our new beagle puppy who we are going to collect in an hour and a half........I am quietly excited and nervous all rolled into one!  He still doesn't have a name, we have a long list, but can't agree......any ideas?

I have so much running through my mind and haven't found time to blog at all.......please check out Jill's (from Stocki) Beautiful Blogger Blanket.  It is a simply brilliant idea that I can't wait to get going on (I know.....I know I must get on with it) .....its all about blankets, so you know I'm in don't you?!  Why don't you join in too, the closing date is 31st January.

Anyway.......I'm certainly very cheerful about that too.....why don't you pop over to PlanetPenny and join in the fun and spread some cheerfulness too.



Year of projects (wk14)

Christmas is drawing in and on Thursday next week we have middle boy's Christmas fayre which we have been crafting for.......it's not like me, but I've found this really stressful.  Both my older boys transferred schools in September and I feel like we've all been on a bit of a campaign to get every one's approval (probably also because it caused quite a stir when we left the little village school.)

Anyway, next week I will hopefully be revealing a small offering of glittery Christmas makes from the fair hands of all three of my boys (and even my husband too on occasion, this goes to show the level of dedication in this house!)

So crochet? There's been a good bit of that too...........

Went off track a little this week after some friends had their first baby.

I made this with stylecraft, however the stitch and colour I think make it look like it was made with expensive yarn.  I worked two colours at once with a size nine hook. Just plain old single crochet, with I think, nice results.

I've also been making a hat for my father-in-law as they are away for Christmas so presents are being done and wrapped now........not entirely sure what he will do with a snuggly woolly hat in S.Africa though!

This is a Robin wool mix and it's gorgeous, so soft and warm. I can't say I am otherwise taken with Robin as I find it to be a little squeaky?

I've been hooking various portable projects too, on the school run etc.... So I've kept myself busy!

Yesterday we all went out for a walk around the local lily ponds. After walking through wooded paths there is a wonderful beach........I'm afraid I don't believe that anyone else lives in a prettier place than I do.......can't be possible!

The boys walked their legs off and I must say last night I was finding it difficult to crochet with heavy eyes!

Do you know.....I feel quite overwhelmed by all of my bloggy friends.....who knew when I started all this, I would feel like I do now! I sooo appreciate the compliments, the inspiration, the giggles.......thank you so much to all you lovely fellow crafters and bloggers.....you make this Little Welsh girl very happy indeedy!

To check out other lovely Year of Projects work.....see ravelry here.

Year of projects (wk13)

I'm feeling quite bright and breezy today.

..............not sure why........new projects............walking in the hills yesterday..........new yarn..........hhhhmmmmm.....................

Well, first things first........as part of this and my One-a-day project I have been doing a sunnyspread throw, and last night I finished it..........finally!

I had been having a little crisis with my ongoing 'will I/won't I have enough cotton?'  Well it turned out to be both really.

I just got finished the fourth round of edging and realised with the mini bit left (about 4m!) I wasn't going to be able to do the final rounds of SCs.

The edging was beyond tedious, but made worse by the fact that I had bought a new pattern and the yarn to go with!

So I steamed on ahead and started the new .......blanket!....... (who knew that I would do another blanket!!)

This isn't quite as bright as the photo suggests, but has a more rich palette than my normal brights.

Having gone at this full steam ahead, I just couldn't get my head around the pattern....I hasten to add that this was after 11pm.............funny how when I picked it up this morning it all made sense!

The pattern is quick and simple, so this is not a long-termer.

Also in the mix.........having given up on the idea of sock monkeys for my youngest nephews, I've started on the first of two snakes.  Mindless crochet without a pattern seemed like a good idea until I realised that my twin nephews will argue if their snakes are different.

Hill walking yesterday.

Anyway, that's how my week has been going.........looking forward to seeing how yours is going too. 

If you would like to see other blogger's Year of projects work, please look here.

Year of Projects (Wk2)

Well, week two has whipped around pretty quickly and I am back on Sunday update again!  A few weeks ago I was on a bit of a lull with my crochet, unsure which direction to take and uninspired by my current projects. Joining the Year of Projects blog-along  was the good prod that I needed to get going again.  A good crocheting friend (she is both a good friend and a good crocheter!!) refers to losing her crojo (her crocheting mojo) and I definitely feel like I have mine back.  Mind, before you get too comfortable thinking you are in for a few hours worth of photos and wonderful prose, I will bring you back down to earth with a bump and say despite finding my aforementioned crojo, I've done very little ;-)

I came home from a lovely day out on Thursday, to discover that the postman had brought my granny stripe yarn.  This was fantastic, however, as I was going out that evening, I was unable to do anything.  The anticipation during Friday was just about bearable and once the kids were in bed, out came the parcel.

Granny striping at random turned out to be quite scary, I did the first two colours and instantly regretted my choices.  I wouldn't say I am a great planner, I tend to plough on in and hope for the best and I was beginning to think this was not the way to go.  After much angst, I was pretty sure random was a bad idea, but by the time I got to colour seven, I was beginning to go with the flow a bit more.  I have so far completed 12 of the 17 colours (Lucy Attic 24 Stylecraft pack) and feel that it is balancing out a bit better.  I am really enjoying it as it so simple and very quick...........the fact I am feeding my blanket addiction can not be overlooked either!

Sticking with the granny theme, I have also started a cushion out of some Wendy cotton.  I love working in cotton as I like to see the definition in the stitch.  The back of the cushion is completed but I have yet to sew the ends in.  The front I want to make out of small squares using the same four colours.

What I would like to do, but haven't tried yet, is to do another round but offset it, so it will be like a diamond within a square.....does that make sense?  I also think I will do a join-as-you-go method to work all the little squares together.

So really, not a lot to show, but I feel like I am back with the crocheting world!!  I was reading gingerbread girl's blog yesterday and was really caught up with her idea of a 'one-a-day' blanket.  I know I have a million and one things I want to do, but then could one innocent little block a day hurt?  And there would be another blanket at the end of it...............

Booo!

So here it is, in my mind long awaited, my first attempt at a blog entry. I don't normally have problems chatting, but somehow starting this is a little weird. I'm almost waiting to hear the echo of my voice coming back


"Is there anybody out there?"


I have so enjoyed hearing what everyone else gets on with in their blogs, that I wanted to be a part of it all too.

Gathering In

A little about myself, I live with my husband and three boys in Wales on a sheep and beef farm. I dabble in lots of different makey things, I paint landscapes and animals, I play a plethora of different instruments and I love to cook. I am unfortunately so busy doing those things, I find I hard to fit the mundane things (like housework) in! 

I started crocheting just over a year ago, and just can't get it out of my system.  If you can crochet one in an hour, I probably have.  I'm not great at long-term projects, but have discovered that if I do some little things at the same time, then somehow it will all come together.  I fear I may have a blanket addiction, and have a burning desire to make a granny stripe, which hasn't happened yet, as I won't allow myself until I finish the boring blanket I started in March.  I was young and foolish then and went with the first idea I had.....so there it is......make your bed and sleep in it!  In the meantime I can only dream about what my life will be like with a huge granny stripe blanket.

Well, if there is just one person I may have met today, it has been lovely to meet you, I look forward to hopefully meeting you again. Faith x