Summer!

Finally feels summery here in Liverpool. There really is quite a difference in temp between the South East of England, and North West. The evening still feels a bit chilly to me...all very bemusing as I am a northerner, albeitly one that's acclimatised to southern climes. Brrrrrr.

I feel an urgency to enjoy summery weather, it wasn't so imperative in Folkestone - the weather was invariably sunny or at least dry..cor the NW gets a lot of rain! Two extremes, lived in the warmest/driest part of England, and now in the wettest.

Anyway, enjoying sunshine (or dry but humid);

Lots of bike riding, most evenings he goes for a ride with his friends, and sometimes we go together. The bike is definitely a big hit.

Last week, we went wild swimming in a lake in Delamere Forest. I nearly expired on the walk to the lake - much further than anticipated, hot, humid and sandels that attracted grit and stones in them. It was a relief to get in the water when we eventually got there (1hr later), once over the shock of cold water it felt rather warm. Rye managed waist height before running back to the grass and grabbing his towel. Mind, he's lost the puppy fat and is now tall and lanky, he feels the cold. Will have to keep my eye open for a wet suit for him.

There was a festival at the local park at the weekend, the parade and music was fun though I spent most of it looking for Rye, who'd gone with his friends. We were suppose to meet up, but by the time I'd walked round most of the festival area, I was hot, it was terribly humid and I was beginning to feel rather grumpy. Mind, by that time the park had filled up and become very crowded, so it was a relief to go home - where, of course, my son was.

There's also been trips to the park and tree climbing

Yes, they are at the top of a tree. (It's not terribly high tho).

Inbetween the trips, bike rides, mysterious evenings/nights of flash high temperatures and feeling unwell, and racing around like a loon with his house friends Rye has also been reading to me. He's not quite an independent reader, but he is becoming more confident. And when not doing home eddy stuff (shhh, I know terrible English), I have been busy with orders.

The bag is finished minus weaving in ends.

The house I've started to add the flowers. I'll post more photos after it's being sent to the customer.

It takes a lot of work to make these little houses, but oh, it's so worth it. Here, I'm stretching the walls after felting the wool. This time I decided to use wool to overlay crochet the vines, I much prefer the effect.

Anyway, bedtime. Dependent on a few factors, I'm hopefully taking Rye to the beach tomorrow, it will be physically challenging for me, beauty sleep an absolute necessity!

 

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Flower workshop.

Ooh the workshop at The Make Studio was so much fun!

Everyone produced pretty flower brooches, and well, Natasha put on a fab event - I'm looking forward to going back again for the next event.

Talking of workshops, I have a lovely written tutorial for the flower brooch, if you'd like a free copy message me on my fb page (link at the top of the blog) or email me at hookydelights@gmail.com

 

 

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Yarn Porn.

Oooh, I love a bit of squishy, colourful yarn porn.

My friend, Sarah, of Arwen Makes runs a monthly club for her stunning indie hand dyed yarn, (psst, she also knits, crochets, and dyes gorgeous play silks), and of course, I'm a member.

This month is fairytale rainbow, and oh my gosh, it's jewels in yarn, it makes my heart beat with joy, and that wee colour addict inside me sing rapturously.

Seriously, it is that pretty. Shall I prove it? Ok, be ready to fall in love:

Isn't is gorgeous! Now, what to hook? Go on, leave me some ideas of items/patterns you think this yarn would be perfect for - remember I have 200g only.

The details; the yarn is a Merino super was, Aran, 100g per Skein, 180m.

 

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2013 in Crochet.

It's been an eclectic year for crochet:

Lots of Pentacles:

 Water bottles, market bag and a wee owl pouch:

 Oh, interesting, just two blankets.  I really thought I'd hooked more - I guess the mammoth kingsize blanket made it feel like more.

 Broaches.  I really like these little pretties, sadly they don't sell particularly well tho :-(

 Hats and a cowl.  I love the pixie type hats, and since discovering pom pom making using the clover kits... hehehehe pom poms galore.

Slippers and socks; I decided to learn how to do a heel for crochet socks, and omg, so easy! I love the hexagon slippers too; although they take a surprising long time to hook.  If I make more I'll definitely need to charge more.

 Dread cuffs.  I plan to make more of these, and hopefully sell at festivals in the summer.

 Ahh my freeform skirt; such fun to make.  There will be lots more freeform items in 2014.

 Flowery hair clips and hair bands.  Very pretty, I love making flowers.

 Ahh playing with vintage motifs and hearts, lots of fun.

Pretty wee Goddess.  She was lovely to make; I did have plans for more goddess; maybe in 2014.

A commission that had me giggling as I hooked it....

Garlands/bunting galore.  Owls were very popular, I'm moving on in 2014, new designs rattling around in my head.

Boot cuffs - I have plans for more boho type cuffs for 2014....

Chocolate oranges covered by a crochet snowman; so cute!  And the pom pom baubles, I sold a LOT of these.  I have since bought the entire range of clover pom pom makers, as I have lots of new designs floating around my head incorporating pom poms.

Latest finished project, Iron man hand warmers for Rye.  Supposedly for his birthday, but it's only a few days away and his hands need the warmth... besides he saw them and wanted them NOW :-)  Loved hooking these in Rico Essential 100% wool.  Beautiful yarn to work with, and made hooking these gloves a breeze.   Should I make Iron man hand warmers again, I'll definitely do the hand section in the round to avoid sewing of seams.... not a fan... besides the decreases will work better in the round.

The commissioned cloak - a steam ahead now as it must be finished and couriered by Saturday (4th?) so it's in time for the little girl's birthday.    And my capelet; almost finished, just a few more rounds on the hood, but until the cloak is finished it's on hold.

I have another two garland orders too, winter themed, one is virtually made - but again, priority is the cloak... once the garlands are complete no more commissions for a while, I really, really, really want to get these ideas in my head on paper, and then translated into hookiness!

2014 will be my first year as a full time hooker... it's going to be an interesting year and exciting to see where Hooky Delights goes and becomes.   It's gonna be a wild ride :-)