9th January 2017

The knee continues to hamper movement.
Hope restored with almost hobble free walking, then dashed when the tendon? ligament? muscle? at the back and to the side (outer), of the knee begins to hurt again and exaggerated hobbling resumes.  At least my bum is reacquainted with the sofa, it's lowness no longer a barrier.

Plans to visit the skate park are saved by my housemate, who takes Rye and her children there this afternoon.  The sun even shone its benediction on the outing.  I'm bored, these four walls are beginning to press in on me.  To distract myself, I nosey in my wip basket; there's crochet flower motifs ready for hanging into bunting, granny triangles needing blocking, a half finished freeform baby jumper, the base of a gnome house, random scrumbles, and my grotty falling apart red slippers I began covering with scrumbles several months ago.

Cold toes nudge me about the slippers, and I pull them out and decide today is the day.  I find my sheet of faux leather and cut out soles.  I've no idea how to add them properly - in my mind's eye I keep seeing the stitching on Dr Martins boots, and have a vague idea of doing something like that.
I start by gluing the soles to the slippers.  One of the slippers has scrumbles already attached and it occurs to me this could make hiding the edges of the sole difficult.

I work on the slipper without any scrumbles first.  Using a running stitch, I sew the sole onto the bottom on the slipper, my idea being, I will cover the raw edges of the sole with scrumbles as I attache them.  It's not as easy as I imagined, and at some point it occurs to me that folding the edge over and whip stitching it to the slipper is probably the best plan.  I use No.8 Anchor pearlised cotton, reading later online, I discover that waxed thread is probably the better option as it's longer lasting.  I make a mental note to buy some.

The second sole I glue to the bottom of the slipper - it holds the sole in place, and I suspect it will put less pressure on sewed sides. The blanket stitch is trialed...nah.  Whip stitch it is.  It' rather awkward to sew the sole on.  I'm pleased with the second sole, I prefer the sole whip stitch, despite the lack of consistency in the stitches.
I consider the mechanics of creating a slipper from scratch with faux leather soles.   Wee ideasbegin to formulate.

My index finger is sore from the sewing - my toes are thankful.  so warm and toasty.
I love my new slippers!

Oooh I took some better photos:

Playing with designs and mechanics of construction for slippers made from scratch now too, I'm also thinking of offering a service where I will repair and breath new life into old favourite slippers - re-use rather than throwing away!!  

What do you think?  Would it be a service you'd be interested in?

August round up

Hey up lovelies, bit late with this one what with being away.

Anyhoos I thought it would be cool to look back on crochet started and/ or completed in August

 

Lots and lots of these guys, and another 3 orders to fill!

Beginning my puzzle piece freeform.

 

Next part of the freeform puzzle piece.

And yet more babies, the last shipped before camping was this one:

I'm at the Mercian over the weekend, once back I will start in earnest on designs for the Autumn, and, yes I know, very early, but I will also be showcasing some Yule decoration designs. Very boho, very colourful - well, would you expect any less, I love me some colour!!

 

 

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Bits and bobs

It's rare I crochet for myself these days, partly because of the time factor, when order hooky is complete, I am usually testing out ideas for new designs, or creating stock.

So WIP's for me are few, and are often assigned to the back burner - one almost complete item is my elf hood poncho:

Few more rounds on the hood, and a few on the poncho - decided I'd like it longer; and then it's finished!

I had a sudden urge to embellish a rather boring skater style tunic the other day. Recycled silk sari yarn met large wooden hook, and a simple, but I think effective motif was born.

I may add further decoration, although I do like simplicity of this, so dunno, maybe? All rather depends on the next bout of whimsy, I suppose.

 

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Puzzle piece CAL

So, if you follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, tumblr, twitter, G+, Instagram! you will know I am currently up to my hooks in these fellas;

The first bunch have been sent. My hook needed a change, something easy to pick up and down as orders demand...

I joined Dada Neon Crochet's puzzle piece CAL. I'm woefully behind most people, though only because it started 13weeks ago. Not to worry, I'll play catch up. To that end, I've created two pieces. The first was a simple circle motif in which yarn, colour and textures changed, this first motif ended up reminding me of a butterfly, so I added antannae.

The next suggestion was drawing around the hand and creating a life size replica. I decide to free crochet my hand, and began with a spiral motif that I then squared off a bit, and began adding a thumb and fingers. After that came a colour change, well, as this puzzle piece will create a blanket, I'm using a lot of my hand dyed stash, as well as the novelty yarns, and scraps.

This is my puzzle piece so far:

Once I've completed a few more suggestions I'll show it off again, and hey, why not join in? Freeform crochet, is essentially painting with yarn, and while freeform can have avery distinctive look with the preponderance of spirals, bullion stitches and bobbles - it is by no means restricted to those motifs and stitches, for example:

This piece was inspired by The Magician's Nephew and created by Frances Covey

Isn't it beautiful!

 

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Mandrake

Customer and shop inventory aside, my next make is going to a version of this fabulous knitted mandrake for one the next birthday girl in the co-op. She's Harry Potter mad, and as I know her she has requested all things Harry Potter, I think this will go down well.

Someone has created a crochet mandrake, but I'm not keen, I want to try and recreat this look as much as possible in crochet. I'd also love to make it a screaming mandrake - any ideas?

 

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Fiddlesticks!

There's very little in crochet that hasn't been done before in some shape or form. It's particularly galling to have an idea...and discover it's already been done.

I hooked a poncho for a housemate's mum last year, it was a pretty pattern, and the poncho was made from two rectangle pieces, adding extra interest in the design. Lucy, from Attic 24, also hooked a poncho, which looked deliciously warm. And popular of late is the different stitch pattern blankets, and mandalas. All giving me an idea for a freeform poncho using the basic rectangle construction.

And today on Pinterest I saw this;

Ok, not exactly as I envisaged, but close.

Bah humbug.

Pretty though.

 

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Catch up and news!

Hello, eek bit neglected again. Pesky life keeps on getting busy.

Lots of exciting news and makes to share though, I've really enjoyed the creative process of designing and making of late.

Rainbows have featured heavily, Rye wanted a coin purse.

Inspired by colour, new makes and finally, yes finally, got my sewing machine up and running...yes the sewing machine from way back here: Brrrr. Just a wee bit sewing machine phobic, oh, but now it's working, I love it.

Rye finally has his fabric picture hemmed and on his wall

The rainbow coin purse, a suggestion and working sewing machine inspired me to create a bag...

 

It's not quite finished, popped on hold temporarily, while I complete orders; a round rainbow bag. I am going to line with the gorgeous sugar skull fabric, made all the easier and quicker with the use of a sewing machine. It's going to be fabulous! It's destined for the shop, well, suposedly, I may not be able to part with it tho!

Other makes include:

Ahhh, the pretty flowers. A trade make with a friend who has a shop; flowers on twigs in exchange for leaving business cards and popping items that fit in with her shop in there for sale :-)

Another gnome house, destined for the shop. I've started a new large one too, which is a commission. Love those houses! So cute, and very pretty with an LED tea light inside too. I have ideas for more fanciful shapes using plastic cartons to provide structure.

A commissioned string market bag. I was a tad dubious initially when the customer picked those colours, but once I started I realised the combination was going to look great!! I'm really pleased with the bag, and it was fun using tapestry crochet on the circular mandala that is the base of the bag.

A rainbow purse was ordered, nailed adding the zip, and the fabric lining looked amazing with the crochet rainbow!

And finally, that wee flower, now that flower is super exciting. I squeak a little when I think about it! I've been asked to run Crochet a flower workshops at The Make Studio on 5th July!!! That wee flower is a test of my designs and writing out a tutorial. Nerve wracking and gosh so much fun. If you are free come, say hello! There's spinning workshops by the talented Aisling Designs, yarn dying by Jill from Knitty Bots and the lovely Natasha from The Make Studio is running a workshop on patchwork tiles. It's going to be awesome, with lots of laughter and fun. All profits from the day are going to Amnesty International and the Austistic society, so please, pop along to the web page of The Make Studio and buy your tickets.

I will also be on hand to answer any hooky questions too. ****squeeeeee****. I'm very excited.

 

 

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GIVEAWAY TIME

I do love a good giveaway, and this one is a super dooper one! Are you ready? Seriously it's Fantabulos darling.

So, we three indie crafters/wahms got together and decided to each make an item for a super giveaway prize. The amazing Mama Pixie, the gifted Felt So Good, and of course me.

I hooked a pretty gnome house, Sarah from Felt So Good, felted a gorgeous play mat, and Emi fom Mama Pixie, made 3 Waldorf styled wooden play pieces.

So, what are you waiting for, go and enter, here (you will need a FB account), for a chance to win this stunning prize.

 

 

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More yarn porn

Ooh, and more yarn deliciousness from Arwen Makes. This one is called Stanton Moor, it's a more subtle colourway that I perhaps would not have considered myself, yet it's beautiful, and this is the joy of yarn clubs; I'm taken out of comfort colour zone and challenged.

Again this is an Aran yarn, blue faced Leicester this time, and just oh, so gorgeous, and reminds of my childhood growing up on the moors, the purple heather, and the rolling mists that would cloak blue skies, hazing the colours. I have vague ideas for a play mat, perhaps with a folksy feel to it.

Currently I'm creating some May inspired pieces, though not ready for sharing yet, here's a tease of things to come.

 

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Soleful Hooky

I love the crocodile stitch booties by Bonita Patterns, just one wee thing, the upper part of the bootie is luscious, thick and warm, but the sole is just double crochet, so feels very thin compared to chunkyness of the rest.

I pondered this, several solutions came to mind;

1. Sew two soles together to create double thickness
2. Change the pattern slightly and use a technique that produces a double thickness, and very sturdy sole, though very yarn hungry, or...
3. A leather sole.

Now, I live in a wonderful community, a mutual cooperative house; and the ethos of the house is social change and veganism. While not vegan myself, by nature of the house I eat mostly vegetarian/vegan. I support the premise that animals should not suffer and be exploited, especially in this day and age, when humans have access to alternatives...so leather didn't sit right with me...

So I searched and hey presto, faux leather. I'm really excited, the faux leather sole will means the booties are non slip, and wearable outside, when dry, of course.

So currently, I have one sole cut out, with holes punched, so I can hook the sole to the bootie. I've used the super dooper E6000 glue to attach the sole, and add a bit extra attachment to the bootie.

Now then, this is where you can help me, I need someone with a toddler to road test these booties for me. If interested leave me a comment.

The booties are 15cm long (heel to toe), and quite wide.

Please note, these booties are not vegan, as the yarn is a wool blend.

Mind bend? As I said, I'm not vegan, so yes I use wool, although I try to source ethical wools, where the animals are treated well, and also co-ops and fair trade yarns where the workers are paid a fair wage. As for the house philisophy, communal areas are vegan, so while I wouldn't run a wool felting workshop in the house, I do run crochet workshops using non wool yarns, and do have a range of vegan friendly yarns. My personal view is one of seeking balance.

 

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Sneaky peaks.

Oooh, spring is in the air! The past couple of days there's been a distinct warmth to the sunshine, birds excitedly chirping, and laundry drying on the line! (Major thing when the household consists of 10 adults and 8 kids!!!)

Spring is naturally a time of vigor, creativity, and stirrings of new life, and boy, have I've been busy!

New dread wraps /cute scarves, just need to fringe and add bead decoration, then I'll take photos.

New fitted wrist warmers, the first pair are child size - yes I booboob, and made a tad smaller than intended:

Aren't they cute! I love the touch of lace at the end, and these are longer length too, personally I prefer wrist warmers that are nice and long. This yarn, is the superb James C Brett chunky marble, a premium acrylic that washes beautifully, and if gently tumbled becomes even softer.

So, anyway, after these, I was on a wristwarmer curve, and designed these ones:

So another fitted warmer, this time with ribbing, leading to the lovely woven stitch, and again shaping at the wrist, finished off with granny clusters and picots. And guess what.... YES! I remembered to make notes! Especially excellent because my creative mind is all over the shop at the mo, and I've yet to make the partner to create the pair. Ooh, and again James C Brett Chunky Marble. I'm considering wrist cuffs,as above, without the ribbing and hooked in 4ply, so a lighter, more spring like cuff. Do you like that idea?

Anyway, creative mind jumping around, yup I moved onto the night light. I am ridiculously happy with this, felting the walls, as suggested by my house mate, was inspired! So much easier to embroider onto, sew beads and gem chips onto and looks super! It's not quite finished yet, so more sneaky peaks...

This particular Gnome House night light is already sold, never fear, another is in production. These gnome houses are just so much fun to make, plus I'm learning new skills, embroidery, and general sewing. And oh my gosh felted fabric, the windows in the felting process had shrunk too much. With fearful hands, and a held breath I cut them bigger.... And it was fine. Very handy because the cut out bits can be used to strengthen the walls.

My next thought is I have corks.... Hook wee hats and the corks could become wee gnomes. And while these are night lights, so very obviously multi use, season table, imaginative play, containers, so perhaps accompanying gnomes would be cute.

Anyhoos, that's the sneaky peak - once the makes are properly finished I'll take better photos.

Oooh by the way, I took photos for a wee photo tutorial on how I weave in tail ends for a crochet newbie, but I was thinking of writing it up and posting on here, maybe it becoming a regular thing? Let me know what you think.

 

K, tis late and my lovely warm bed is seductively calling me, so toodle pip.

 

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Hookiness.

Hey up me lovelies! I am so excited to show off recent makes; including a fabulous new range I'll be adding to the shop soon! Mind, the joy dimmed a wee bit when I looked at the CE certification paperwork. Oh my, there's BURNING people, BURNING! Sobs. On the plus side, it does mean my makes will be safe for the kiddywinks - which of course is all important!

But first, latest makes:  I can't remember if I showed you the fabulous leaf poncho I made for one of my housemates' mother.  So if I have, oops..but hey its worth another outing :-)

The photo really doesn't do this patter or yarn justice - it was utterly beautiful, and took a lot to give it to my housemate.  I so wanted to keep this beauty!

We had another birthday, and this time the birthday girl requested pink wrist warmers.  I also added an earwarmer head band.   Really chuffed with this, I must make some more for the shop!  The headwarmer looked stunning worn.

I've finally completed the Winter and Spring Garlands.  I lost the mojo a bit, and just didn't like the spring garland, so frogged everything and started again.  I am now insanely chuffed with it... and again the photos just don't do it justice; but unfortunately the light is rubbish so these are the best photos I could get.

Pre-strung; flowers blocked and all ready for putting together.  Incidentally, a tip for blocking structural crochet, I used spray starch; first I pinned out the daffs and then sprayed liberally with spray starch, before drying with a hot hairdryer.  The snowdrops I also sprayed and then teased into shape as they dried.

And strung... TADDAAAH, gawd I love this spring garland so much.  I'll be making a couple to add to the shop, including adding wire stems to create individual flowers that can be popped in a vase.  My own season table is demanding some pretty daffs and snowflakes!

 Isn't the wee bird utterly beautiful!  Soooo love this wee bird, designed by Lucy at Attic 24.  I have made it slightly differently, this is very small, so I used yellow felt for the beak, and then more felt for the wing, with beads glued on.  I really like the effect.

And finally hung up.  So pretty.  I just wish I could have got better photos to truly show these off!

And the winter garland is beyond cute!

 (sorry for the photo quality)

These were a lot of fun to make, just so sweet.  Rye has asked me to make him a pom pom snowman.

Would you like to see my work space?  I love my wee desk in front of my living room window.  I have shelving units to the side, holding yarns I tend to use most, including beads, felt, buttons, and I look out onto the side part of our garden.  Rose Howey is surrounded by trees, a wonderful treat, from the boring street and house brick view I had back at Firs Lane.  I can watch the squirrels' acrobatics, listening to the clucking of the hens and happily construct away.

Those hats, have I showed them, gosh, it's been so long I can't remember, so what the heck, just in case.  I am very proud of these hats too - or rather head huggers, great for dreads and long hair!

 This one is made with hand dyed merino, and is gorgeous.

And this, which is my favourite, is made with James C Brett's Monsoon.  So gorgeous.  I really wanted to keep this, but I forced myself to list it on Etsy.   I get to gaze a wee while longer at it, before the right person comes along and falls in love with it and buys.
Other makes were sweet wee booties for an online friend's twins, whose poor tootsies were cold:

 Lovely snuggly pure wool yarns, should keep those gorgeous little toes toastie!

And finally, my own new design TAADDDDAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH:

 Gnome House Night Light.  So cute.  I have lots of different designs in mind.  This one, the prototype, as it were, was included in the Green Parent Forum Season Swap, by all accounts well received :-)

I used some thick, home spun brown wool, I had hoped it would be thick and sturdy enough to withstand the weight of the roof; but not quite, so I did have to stuff inside of the house with wax proof paper and liberally apply stiffener to the walls.  I plan to experiment to with felting yarn, and using different types of support - but a few other ideas, which would entail re-using glass jars and clear plastic containers.

The light source is supplied by the LED tea light, these ones flicker like a candle, and really do produce a lovely ambiance

I'd love to know your thoughts on the gnome house

And just finally, a wee pic of the entire GP Season Swap that I made for my recipient: