getting back into crochet - making blankets!

I've taken a bit of a break from yarn (see my last post for my weird habit of 'sewing in summer, wool in winter'), my last foray into crochet being many moons ago in April. To get back into the groove, I thought I'd try something easy - blankets!

Firstly, my boss volunteers at an animal sanctuary and they currently need hats for baby birds (to sit in rather than wear) and blankets for hedgehogs. So, I decided to crochet a little blanket for a recuperating hedgehog. Ta da! As you can see it's just a glorified granny square but it was the perfect thing to get back into crochet.

Secondly, my very good friend Lauren had another baby (boy) this summer so I decided to make him a blanket. Again, it's a lovely simple pattern (granny rows??) but I really like the colours. Best of all, I got to deliver it in person, which of course meant baby cuddles!!!! :D ♥ Oscar is SUCH a cutie.

Next, I need to pick up my knitting needles again...pattern/idea suggestions most welcome :)

Makes of late

I've not made much time for my creative outlets during these first few months of 2016 (something that reading Big Magic is sure to change, don't you worry!). One thing I did finish making however was this little deer.

Rather than dwell on the fact that I started her back in June last year (I was asked to do some hand modelling for a crochet shoot and I felt a little out of practice so I picked up this pattern to get me back into the swing of things), what's important is that I finally completed her and she's cute (I'll also ignore the fact that Mitch was like: cool, what do we do with her though? We don't know any small children right now so duh, she's for display).

A second thing I made (and in one afternoon no less) was another Zippy tee with the fabric I picked up in Brighton. I have four zippies now :)

Next on my making list: a baby quilt for a friend's little one (progress is currently slow but there's a sneaky peek below) and dresses! Although the weather in London is all over the shop (snow on Tuesday!) spring/summer will arrive at some point in the capital and I have a distinct lack of dresses. I've seen a couple of patterns I'd like to try and it's pay day on Friday so watch this space! What are you making at the moment?

Seed stitch scarf

I'd been wanting a mustard coloured scarf for aaaages and, having completed the more challenging (and time consuming) task of knitting a jumper, I decided to treat myself to nice simple scarf. It's true, I'm a little obsessed with moss and seed stitch (used here and here) but whatevs, I think it's pretty.

I used a chunky wool which was part alpaca and thus incredibly soft. It turned out exactly as I'd imagined it, took no time at all to knit and I've worn it every day since I finished it, so yeah, a very successful make in my books :) 

Although I just bemoaned the jumper knitting I'm v.tempted to start another...I had a dream recently where I was wearing a navy one with burgundy raglan sleeves and now that's all I can think about! I've not started anything new since completing the scarf - all my stuff is in boxes and I've no idea where anything is - but watch this space, those boxes have gotta be unpacked sooner rather than later.

2015: in review

I'm not going to lie, I was quite happy to see the back of 2015. Although it was eventful, it wasn't plain sailing in the slightest. Hard-going would best describe it.

Back in January I made a very unspecific list of things I wanted to achieve throughout the year and, despite my putting a bit of a downer on 2015, I have actually done pretty well (funny how things work out eh?!). So, as I love a good review, let's break it all down shall we...

The big goal of 2015 was to move out of my parents house and buy our own flat. Oh my god, the stress of buying property was something I couldn't have conceived. Naively writing about how scary mortgages are, back in January I had no bloody clue about the months of frustration and stress quietly simmering away at the back of mind and pit of my stomach. But, raised blood pressure and extra grey hairs aside, there IS a happy ending to this: we officially became homeowners on Dec 4th :D We've not moved out of my parents' house yet (the flat is lacking a few crucial elements such as a fridge and washing machine) but the move is imminent (two weeks time if everything goes to plan)!

★ Career - if you're a long time reader you're probably already aware how absolutely miserable I was during my four months of unemployment. It was shit. The shittest, in fact. The joblessness played a starring role in why 2015 was a tough one for me, but... This has a positive ending too because I found employment with a charity and I now work with the nicest bunch of people a gal could ask for. Sure, the money ain't great and the work itself is pretty boring but, rather fortuitously, at the end of 2015 I got some freelance sewing work which'll help with the extra money and interest that my office job can't provide. Like I said, it's funny how things work out.

★ Health - badminton games became a regular occurrence throughout my unemployment but, as soon as I started my job, regular exercise (and having any kind of self control when it came to crisps and chocolate consumption) fell by the wayside. It took quite some time for me to settle in, figure out my routine and it wasn't until the end of September that I finally joined the gym. The last few months have been great - I go to the gym twice a week and I've been gradually shrinking my portion sizes. Just before Christmas I felt pretty good, the best I'd felt in aaaages to tell the truth. Of course the festive period arrived and now I feel over-fed, over-tired and very squishy around the middle. But that's ok, I'm ready to stop eating all the biscuits and get back on that elliptical machinecome Monday.

★ Travel - I did extremely well in this department. Continuing the trend that started last year, 2015 saw a lot of long weekends away around the UK: Dorset, Shropshire, the Isle of Skye, Yorkshire dales, Brighton for our anniversary and most recently, the Brecon Beacons. My passport also got some use this year what with our amazing holiday to Iceland, a few days in Slovakia and the week long road trip along the west coast of Ireland (which I still need to post the pictures from...it's super late but I really want to share as I've got lots to reccommend)! I think 2015 will take some beating travel-wise and, what with having just bought a flat, I don't think 2016 will be a big holiday year for us but who knows!

★ Making - I'd say it was a productive year, a bit of crochet, a bit of design, a bit of knitting. I tried weaving for the first time and although I didn't get around to using my printing kit, I DID some rather successful dressmaking, a dress but more importantly tops (something I'd been sorely lacking). Both the Bess and Zippy tees are great patterns, which I've recreated more than once (and will continue to do I'm sure)! Although I probably did more sewing than anything this year, I'm particularly proud of my jumper, the most labour intensive project of 2015 but so so worth it.

I mentioned that this was a tough year, particularly for Mitch's side of the family. In October, his uncle passed away - what I'd call a character, incredibly warm and welcoming, very chatty, loved his tea and always had interesting stories to tell. I was lucky enough to have met him a number of times, including when we stayed with him and his wife in Germany. He died before his time and, in a way, quite suddenly. We'd known he was sick but the truth of how bad it was wasn't really shared. I have great memories of him and, more importantly, so does Mitch.

This was also the year Moriarty passed on and I still miss that little guy one hellava lot. Ah le sigh. I've been contenting myself by looking at all the cute furballs on instagram, thankfully there's lots. Fortunately/unfortunately our new flat doesn't allow pets (not that that's stopped us before) but I think it'll be awhile before we get another. Mitch is holding out for a dog but of course we'd need a garden for that!

And speaking of gardens, 2015 was the year we whole heartedly threw ourselves into growing our own veg. It was a fantastic experience and, not to toot our own horns, but our hard graft really paid off. Gardening definitely became a new favorite hobby this past year. Sadly our flat doesn't come with a garden but we're hoping we'll be able to keep a few herbs on the balcony.

I guess this overview paints it in a rather good light but it's been a year of stops and starts, incredible highs and emotional lows. Through it all, my friends and family have been there, a constant source of support, advice and, when I needed it, the perfect distraction from the stressful stuff that gets blown way out of proportion (and there was a lot of that stuff this year). Mitch is obviously included in that catchment of friends and family but he gets a special mention because he's had to put up with A LOT. I know he's my husband and it's expected that he'll support me in anyway he can but damn, that guy goes above and beyond :) We've had some bloody amazing adventures last year (Iceland being perhaps my favourite) and I cannot wait to begin our next!

So, thanks 2015, you were a bit of a test, but we're out the otherside and all I've got are positive vibes for the year ahead :)

Knitted Raglan Jumper

Last year I knitted my first jumper (actually I knitted it, then unravelled it and knitted it again) and I'm not shy to say: it was crap. I took some pics of me wearing it (for prosperity's sake) and they were promptly deleted. Frumpy and unflattering, the jumper got stuffed into a drawer and I haven't tried it on since!

Now, I'm not one to let things go so easily... I WOULD knit my own jumper and it wouldn't be shit and unwearable. So, back in October I started another. It's for beginners and is dead simple to knit up (apart from the neckline which I'll come to in a second), just four pieces - front, back, two sleeves - plus that pesky neckline. I completed it a couple of weeks ago, so here, in all its glory, is the finished thing.

Sure it's not perfect (can't be doing with perfection), a little on the large side and the neckline is a dog's dinner but whatevs, it's cosy and warm and I made it myself.

Next time (a dark red I'm thinking) I'd choose a smaller size and start the neckline a bit lower. It doesn't look it (I don't think) in the pictures but the neckline is a little on the tight side, getting it over my head isn't the smoothest of operations. The other problem (which probably has something to do with the fact I'm a tight knitter) was picking up the stitches to add on the neckline. It was actually impossible to fit my needles back into the stitches so instead I picked the stitches on the row below, hence why it's all a bit uneven. I haven't helped matters by choosing a contrasting colour (dark navy on green is pretty noticeable). My mum, skilled knitter, suggested I pull it out and do it in green and my dad, who knows sweet f.a about knitting, said I should redo it in grey to match the sleeves. Being a mature adult, who's able to take constructive criticism, I decided to ignore them both, mostly because the thought of redoing the neckline again filled me with horror (three whole evenings I wrestled with it!) but also because it's actually a recreation of a jumper I had a couple of years. A victim of shrinkage on an ill-fated visit to the washing machine, I loved that jumper and have been looking to replace it ever since it's departure to the charity shop (some small child is very lucky).

It's not quite the same but the essence is there and, most importantly I suppose, I'm happy with it. It's even had a couple of wears too! So there you have it: the story of my second (but first wearable) knitted jumper.

Got any knitting triumphs (or fails, there's no judging here) you'd like to share or point me to? I'm always interested to see what other knitters are up to :)

#workinprogress

More zippy tops (I am obsessed) // jumper progress (I'm on the second sleeve so not long to go!) // lavender birdies (to be sold at a little Christmas market to raise money for my nan's daycare centre) // (what will eventually be) a crochet deer.

Gotta keep myself busy on these cold winter evenings :)

What you makin'?

polar bear (and some April goals)

I finished this little guy (complete with scarf) for my sister last week. He's essentially exactly the same as the brown bear I made back in January, only white, so he's a polar bear :) Much like my first attempt, this was a dream to make (the Toft patterns really are super easy to follow) and has only increased my want to try one of the other animals in Edward's menagerie. One day I will, I just need to find someone to make it for!

In other news, it's now April (!) which means I need some goals for month…behold!

1. Finish reading the three books I'm half way through. (Why do I do that to myself?)
2. Find alternative breakast foods. (Some days I eat so much bread I am geniunely concerned that I may turn into a loaf).
3. Find a dress (or possibly dress pattern to make) for a hen do next month.
4. Buy some bras! (How the hell have I come down to two?!)
5. Do some printing!
6. Try 3 new veggie recipes.
7. Go for a walk everyday, 20 minutes at least. (I realise that doesn't sound like much but this unemployment shiz has meant that some days - bad days - I don't leave the house.)
8. Continue to apply for jobs (one a day) and do some prep for interviews.
9. Organise my craft supplies (and possibly get rid of some). Mitch tidied his section of the room and I am most definitely letting the side down.
10. Give some change to the next great busker you hear. Granted I've not been heading into central that often recently but my three interviews this month will give me ample opportunity to show some appreciation to the buskers.

Right, I'm off to the job centre (joy of joys), hope you're all having excellent Thursdays.

stripy baby blanket

Earlier this week I finished knitting the baby blanket for my cousin's little one. It's super simple, just double moss (I really love the pattern and texture that stitch makes), but I think the coloured stripes are the stars here really. The sex of the baby was kept a secret so I thought a rainbow would work either way. Also, if you can't decide on one colour, why not have them all, eh?

I had intended to make a quilt for the baby but having seen some excellent knitted baby blankets (Elise's for a start) they inspired me to try something different. I do miss patchwork but the thing is, knitting (and crochet) is just way more sociable and portable than quilting. It seems to be all about the yarn for me at the moment. Anyhoo, I'm pleased with how this turned out and I can't wait to give it, and the crochet hat, to the newest little one to join the family who, by the way, arrived a couple of weeks ago. It was a girl :)

Making lately (and some March goals)

a bit of doodling // after successfully finishing my brown TOFT bear, my sis asked me to make her a white one // baby blanket progress // fun lunches

And some goals for the month...

1. Finish a bunch of craft projects - baby blanket, crochet bear, needlepoint black bird.

2. Get a haircut.

3.Go and see an exhibition (Magnificent Collections at the Barbican perhaps, or maybe Fashion on the Ration at the Imperial War Museum).
4. Drink 1.5 litres of water a day and cut down on bread - 1 slice a day maximum (being at home a lot has meant that my bread consumption has got way out of hand over the last month or so).
5. Go on another bike ride. 
6. Buy (or possibly make) an address book.
7. Set aside some time to do more drawing (you love doing it after all).
8. Ebay the rest of the stuff set side *ahem* in January...
9. Continue to apply for jobs, 5 a week minimum (and do some prep for your interview).
10. Sew something! We've got to March and I've not done ANY sewing yet this year :(

Happy Tuesday all!

Crochet Baby Hat

A little bubba is due to join our extended family in just over two weeks, cue lots of making :) The timing of this particular arrival is perfect as I have quite a bit of time on my hands (a definite perk of not being in full-time employment). After some searching (thanks Pinterest) for free hat patterns (there are so many good ones out there), I settled on this one. It was incredibly simple and took no time at all to make. The sex of the baby has been kept a secret so I went with yellow. My sister informs me that yellow is more of a 'girl' colour but whatevs. I'm sure my cousin won't mind. I'm also in the process of knitting a baby blanket too (so much glorious time on my hands). Here's a sneek peak.

In other news, tomorrow will mark two years since Mitch brought Moriarty home. At two years and two months, he's doing pretty well for an old boy. We've all noticed that he's a lot more reluctant to come out of his cage these days but when he does, the little guy is so full of beans, running and climbing about all over the place, just like the old days :)

TOFT bear

As a little Christmas present to myself I ordered Toft's polar bear kit (opting for chestnut wool rather than the suggested cream) and spent the evenings between Christmas and new year cosied up in front of the fire crocheting away.

After a couple of fasle starts (and all I needed to do was watch all the v.helpful tutorials on the Toft website) the pattern was actually super simple to follow. Although the original white polar bear is cute, I'm really pleased with how my little brown bear turned out. Also, he's the first 3D thing I've crocheted successfully!

I reckon he'd make a lovely gift for a little one. I'm quite tempted to make a charcoal one, or possibly try one of the other animals in Edward's Menagerie - I especially love the wolf, tiger and highland cow (but that last one looks a but tricky). I wouldn't mind a visit to the alpaca farm too...

Oh yeah, I also knitted my bear a little moss stitch scarf, just because.

what Sundays are made for

1 // Sleeping in till late

2 // Crocheting whilst Mitch plays computer games

3 // Christmas present making (aka potato printing)

4 // Spending quality time with my sister (aka watching The Guardians of the Galaxy)

5 // Keeping myself sustained (aka eating mince pies with brandy butter)

6 // Cuddles with Moriarty

And not a job application form or cover letter in sight.

bobble hat

A couple of nights ago I finished my first ever hat!

Not gonna lie, I'm pretty chuffed with it. I've actually managed to knit something successful other than a scarf! Yes, that was a jibe at my jumper. I did actually make it for a second time buuuuut...I still don't like it. I love the wool but the jumper makes me look like a frumpy, lumpy sack of potatoes. Needless to say, I've not worn it out. To add insult to injury, the jumper worn by the model in the pattern book looks great so I'm not sure where I went wrong. I was incredibly annoyed at the time given all the time I'd spent knitting the damn thing twice but, thanks to the hat, I still get to wear the wool just in a different form.

I used this pattern to make the hat, it's just a simple rib but incredibly warm and a snug fit. The bobble is sooooo soft and kinda looks like a rabbit's tail. It's from Toft which I picked up at the knitting and stitching show back in October. Mitch has asked me to make him a hat which I hope to finish in time for Christmas. As for jumpers, I've not been completely put off but I'll wait till the new year before embarking on a new one. I'll leave you with yours truly looking smug in her new hat. Hope you've got something fun planned for the weekend.

two together knitted scarf

Over the weekend I finished Mitch's scarf. It was supposed to be a Christmas present but it's only going to get colder between now and new year so it made sense for him to have it early.

I'm pretty pleased with the end result, the two shades of blue work well together. If you do knit two wools together it's a good idea to unravel them then wind them into one ball - waaaay easier to transport. I have my nan to thank for that tip!

It's essentially just garter stitch broken up with a looping stitch (not a technical term) to give it some interest. I also have my nan to thank for the looping stitch as no tutorials could be found (most probably because I'm pretty sure that's not what it's called). So, in case you'd like to have a go, there's a little tutorial below. It's super simple.

Knit however many rows you wish until you want to do the looping thing, then, on the right side, knit the first stitch as normal then bring your yarn to the front (as if you'd be about to purl) and knit the stitch as usual. You should have, what looks like, an extra stitch on your right needle.Bring the yarn to the front again and knit the stitch. Continue like this until the end of the row. You should have, what looks like, double the amount of stitches on your right needle. The last stitch should be a regular knit stitch.

Next row (wrong side): knit the first stitch as normal and then slide the second stitch off your left needle (as if you were dropping it). Knit the third stitch and slide the next one off your needle. You should be able to see the loops beginning to form, they kind of look like elongated stitches. Continue in this way (stitch one, drop one) to the end of the row. Continue in stocking stitch until you fancy doing another line of loopy stitches. Easy-peasy eh?!

If you have a go I'd love to see! Also, if anyone knows the actual name for the technique leave me a message in the comments. I'll leave you with a picture of Mitch modelling the scarf :)

making lately

Lots of knitted squares for a knitting magazine project // a couple more coin purses // some doodling (with tongue twisters as my inspiration) // Mitch's scarf using two wools knit together.

I've had a lot on my plate in the last couple of weeks, in good and bad ways. It's all I can do in the week to get home, eat dinner and go to bed. Weekends too have been fairly low key - gardening, the odd visit o the cinema, a couple of drinks in the pub. I know that it's only going to get more full-on (both work-wise and socially) the closer we get to Christmas so, in an effort to prepare my body for the busy-ness to come, this weekend will be jam-packed full of good stuff - getting a haircut (dear lord I need one!), seeing friends and dancing till the early hours. Should be good and there's only tomorrow that stands in my way. Bring on the weekend!

Knitting & Stitching Show 2014

 It's that time of year again. Wool, threads, fabric and exhibitions all in the palace at the top of the hill in north London. Last Thursday was the first time I'd been to the Knitting & Stitching Show not for work purposes. Whilst I missed being able to leave my coat and umbrella in the press office and the ability to pick up a programme for free, it was rather liberating to wander around the show sans 'work-mode', at my own pace and shop, without feeling guilty, to my heart's content.

Highlights:
★ At the top of the list is Caren Garfen gallery, She Was Cooking Something Up. She combines cross-stitch and screen printing to bring to light issues affecting women in the 21st Century, particularly the media's obsession with women's bodies, weight and dieting. Garfen's work is insanely detailed - see the tea bags containing household items rather than leaves, oh and that dress (which is one of two) is completely hand stitched, yeah. As well as featuring cross stitched sayings ("she had her cake and ate it"), the exhibition also highlighted the damaging effect of an attitude, channelled by the media, in which women's bodies are public property to be scrutinised and constantly commented on.
★ The Knitted Textile Awards section featuring, amongst others, the awesome hand knitted dresses by Tuesday Rigby (originally spotted at the Degree Show at Central St Martins), a cute knitted seagull by Clare Sams, the amazing knitted bear by Heather Drage and the entire knitted cast (complete with lonely mountain coat and Peter Jackson) of The Hobbit made by The Knitting Witch who was so so lovely.
★ A lot of people have praised The Eternal Maker and I would like to add mine. They had SUCH a fantastic range, it was impossible to browse and not buy. I got some red geometric-y pattern fabric and some with polar bears on it. Not sure what I'm going to make with it - a cushion perhaps? Also, if I had a lot of money, I would've bought many things from Toft, home of the softest wool ever. I did get a pompom and picked up a free pattern for their bobble hat. Fabrics Galore also deserves a mention - love those guys - I got some of their chambray. Here's my haul :)