2017: The Year of Play...

'You can't use up creativity; the more you use, the more you have.' Maya Angelou

Hello, dear readers! It's been a while, eh? The last quarter of 2016 was a very busy one indeed, and I had definitely burnt out by the end of the year. In fact, I'm still feeling the effects of the end-of-year creative burnout now, 20 days into the new year. So I've been trying to give myself fresh new impetus, and allow myself time to explore new ways of being creative, and see how that influences my writing, blogging, IG photography and crochet design. So, having been listening to a few podcasts and read a few blogs, I've decided to adopt a word for the year. I dare say some of you have been mulling this over too; it's a fabulous way to inspire oneself from within, don't you think? 

So, my word for the year is (drum roll please...)

PLAYFUL

I feel like all work and no play has brought me to a point where all crochet is work, and therefore after a period of time, this then becomes a chore. Which is not fair- on me, or the people who love my work and continue to use my skills and willingness to design. So I want to do is try lots of new things, and see how they influence my crochet design. This could be learning new skills entirely, or trying new stitches or techniques within the making I already practice.

So when it comes to crochet, I think it's important to make some more things for me, just experimenting. I've been lucky enough to work with the exciting folks at www.lovecrochet.com, who send me their lovely yarns to play with, and allow me to come up with some fresh new accessories ideas. I enjoy it so much, and some of my favourite quick-to-make and stylish designs have been with these guys. Hop over to the blog here to see my free patterns. 

I want to crochet with some of my more luxurious yarn stash, and part of that will be using these beautiful undyed, natural and British fibres to make a triangular shawl. Too many distractions are stopping my from hooking right now! I also want to try some more textural stitches, and my new job working with a new magazine series called Simple Stylish Crochet (only out in Germany right now) is allowing me to do this, and really explore and expand my crochet skills base. It's hard work but usually involves elements of creativity and playfulness, so will continue to inspire me throughout the year. Also- this gorgeous new book from Claire Mongomerie! I love Claire's palette, and I just know there's still so much for me to learn. I'm going to start with the simple phone cover- love it!

When it comes to knitting, there's so much I want to learn! I want to try more cables, sock knitting and colour work, and pretty much use some of my starting-to-become-epic stash. I've cleared most of my unused stash now, and kept my favourite acrylics (more on that later). Leaving a lovely selection of luxury yarns! I'm trying to stop myself stashing beautiful yarns and actually use them. So I'm joining a mystery knit-along! The Curious Handmade #snowmeltmkal begins next month and will reveal a pattern week-by-week over five weeks, which seems perfectly reasonable, time-scale wise. 

Here are me three chosen yarns, all fingering-weight and from deep stash:

I love how each skein is attached to a memory of where and when it was bought. The pale grey is a beautiful alpaca- Angel from The Chester Wool Co. - and was bought at Bridport Yarn last summer, when we went to stay at lovely Lilac Cottage. It was a blissful family holiday, and we really liked Bridport. The Slate grey in the centre is an incredible baby camel and silk blend, bought from a stand called Sparkleduck at the 2016 Waltham Abbey Wool Show. I went with my mum, as she lives in Waltham Abbey, and we went back to hers and I taught her to crochet afterwards. It was a lovely, freezing, sunny winter's day and I admit I have not yet used any of the yarn I bought. So now I should! The beautiful mustard yellow is very special to me- it's the ultimate mustard luxury yarn and I cannot wait to see how it knits up. It's DyeForYarn merino and silk, this colour way is Golden Beehive, dyed especially for Loop. I bought it on a trip to Loop on my birthday in 2015! So I'm getting really exciting about the mystery knit-along or 'MKAL'. I love Helen's Curious Handmade podcast, so do pop along and add it to your list if you're a knitter or general yarnivore like me. 

Finally, I've got this beautiful and very cool knitting kit from We Are Knitters, and already cast on! I'll show you more next time with a progress update. (ps have you noticed my current grey obsession?!)

Anyway, if you want to explore your creativity and 'playfulness', I can't recommend enough Kate O'Sullivan's podcast 'A Playful Day', enough, where she explores creativity in all its forms- cookery, illustration, knitting, botany and everything in between. And while you're at it, I also love the PomPom Quarterly magazine's podcast- Pomcast! fun and giggles and of course knitting.  I don't have time to watch video ones sadly, but if you do try Potter and Bloom and Cherry Heart. Links in the sidebar I believe. Do you have a favourite podcast to recommend?

Stay in touch guys! I'll be back soon with more yarn talk.

xxx

Yarn Talk

Throughout January, I had an epiphany. It's not unusual to have this kind of epiphany at this time of year; the start of a new year usually prompts such changes, but I realised I was weighed down with STUFF. So I sheeped out and bought Marie Kondo's best-selling The Life Changing Magic of Tidying. I haven't even got through to the part of how to tidy, but the idea of having objects that 'spark joy' only really struck a chord with me, and so I started with the place that I find is supposed to 'spark joy', and that's my yarn. I've seen bigger stashes than mine, but I felt I just had too much yarn that had no intention of using, that I had gone off, or that was left over from work projects. So I had a big clear out, swapping and selling what I didn't want, or donating it.

Here's what's left of my acrylic:

And I've kept a small stash of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in this basket too. It was overflowing with Stylecraft Special DK before, so I kept these few colours (2 x Parchment, Forest, Gold, Old Rose and walnut) either for a shawl (possibly My Rose Valley's Nordic Shawl, or Joanne Scrace's Acer) or a granny square blanket. I've also kept the mint, cream and blue from my Annell Rapido collection as I do love these colours. This basket now sparks joy!

I also organised my cotton stash, only keeping my very favourites (some Rowan Handknit Cotton, and a collection of Drops Paris) so they fit snugly into a birdcage that my friend gave me some years ago. I've invested in a cheapo yarn winder, and I wound my super chunky collection nicely, and used up the few balls of chunky that I had, making some mittens and using the chunky Natura XL for a work project. My aran collection now consists of just a few balls of leftovers from personal projects, in case repairs or alterations are needed. I organised all my Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino into one of those big organza bags that Wool Warehouse sends, and have another of my favourite DK yarns. My 'Luxury' yarns all got kept,l of course.

I mean, why wouldn't I? NO FILTER! These yarns really are this gorgeous! I have here (clockwise from top left) some precious The Fibre Company Terra, The Uncommon Thread Lush Worsted, Eden Cottage Yarns Titus 4ply, Collinette Jitterbug, Eden Cottage Oakworth DK (a very generous gift from instagram friend @penelopemakes), DyeForYarn Silk Fingering in a colour exclusive to Loop called Golden Beehive, and that lovely SparkleDuck Baby Camel/Silk. To be fair, virtually all of these skeins will be assigned to knitting projects.

Really what has prompted this yarn stash management drive is the wonderful knitting designer, blogger and podcaster Helen Stewart of Curious Handmade. I've been devoted to her podcasts this month on how she's tackling stash management, and how she's learning to love what she's got. So I'm using up some stash- some baby knits (ssshhh! they're a secret for a friend!) and a shawl for me- some selfish, enjoyable makes to make me appreciate what I've got.

Go have a listen to Helen's podcast and see if you can't get inspired to organise your stash, and join in the #uknewyearstashswap over on Instagram to see if you can get the yarn you've been dreaming of. And join me on Ravelry to see what projects I have queued up and the knit- and crochet-alongs I'm joining.
xxx

A Confession.

Forgive me, reader, for I have sinned. It has been almost nine months since my last blog.

Is a blog like a confession? Almost. A document of time passing, those small obsessions that take hold over the course of a few days, weeks or months. I confess to having lost my mojo. Blogging, crochet, parenting...all of it. In truth, I have been suffering from depression, and keeping myself busy with work and regular contact with my (wonderful) GP have helped me through a black time.

But on the bright side, my creative juices have been flowing- straight into work! I'm loving my writing work, and have been working with the same publishers on my features job for five years now. Each week I talk to interesting people, learn about new ways of doing things, and I'm inspired by those who teach, create, travel and just want to make the world a prettier, more productive and sustainable place to live in. And so I'm pleased that my ten-year career as a journalist has brought me to a happy place. And now, an even more productive, creative place in the shape of my new role as sub-editor of 91 Magazine! I've long been a fan of Caroline's blog, Patchwork Harmony, and I'm delighted to be involved in such a cool magazine, celebrating my favourite things: interiors and creative lifestyles. We're working towards bringing a new print version to you in late Spring/early Summer, and I can tell you know it's going to be BEAUTIFUL.

Speaking of beautiful, isn't the above image lovely? This is my stash from the Waltham Abbey Wool Show, which I visited last weekend with my mum. I chatted to the lovely Fiona Alice, author of Take Heart above, and I can't wait to cast on some of these projects. The yarn is gorgeous too- the slate grey is Baby Camel/Silk and is the softest thing EVER. I had to stop myself buying more, but at £23.50, one 400m skein of 4-ply is plenty! I'm thinking of knitting a shawl- my current obsession, actually. That West Yorkshire Spinners Fleece is a beautifully soft Blue Faced Leicester, and will be a cowl I think.

Over the past few months I've been acquainting myself with less 'mainstream' yarns and delving more in to the world of small dye-houses and indie yarn spinners. Yes, folks, I have become a yarn snob. Of course I still love my Drops yarns, my bright Rico cottons and my growing stash of Debbie Bliss yarns, but there's something magical about the combinations of fibres and colours that indie dyers and spinners are using. So to celebrate my birthday in November I went to Loop and spent an obscene amount of cash on some truly special yarns- limited editions and exclusive to Loop! My most favouritest yarn shop in all the world.  I'll share that stash soon!

I can't wait to update you on my Handmade Wardrobe situation and show you all the work I've been doing for pretty much all the crochet magazines. I'm also becoming a proper Ravelry user! Be my friend! And does anyone know how to get a little 'r' button so you can link directly to my Ravelry page? Evidently the break from blogging did not include learning how to be more technically-minded.

Thanks for calling in again, I wasn't sure if I wanted to blog. But thankfully the words have flowed, and a little break from the work schedule can do the world of good. cheerio old beans xxx

Annabel

Hello! Me again! I made something else- and it's GREEN! I think I am in love with green. This particular green is Drops Nepal in Olive Mix- some gorgeous soft, thick wool I bought a loooooong while ago with no real project in mind.

In September I decided to expand my knitting skills with another cardi- this time knitted in the round on chunky 6mm needles. Easy peasy. And it was! Until I got to the sleeves. Having never knitted anything in the round before I found the garter stitch a fiddle. Knit one row, purl the next. My first sleeve had ladders all the way down from the change from one DPN to the next. But I got there in the end. However, put off by the fiddly-ness of sleeve number one and a raft of commissions and Christmas, Annabel went back into her bag for a few months. Until January when I decided to just get on with it, and it took just a few evenings to finish it. The pattern is Annabel by Quince & Co...

TADAH!

 I love the neckline.

 See that ladder there on the sleeve?

 The colour is heaven, and changes in every light.

 The wooden buttons are from Liberty.

Soft, warm and cosy. Perfect. I think I'd like another one. Maybe next winter, I can't face waiting six months for more sleeve motivation! I'm hoping to try another cardigan soon though- perhaps Andi Sutterland's Miette cardi? Suggestions please! Simplicity is key. 

xxx

New year, New blog

Oh, hi. Is anyone there? I decided to have a spontaneous re-design today! Do you like it? I am IN LOVE. I was neglecting my blog. It had become a tired space, no room for growth or improvement. Just drab photos of sporadic makes. It wasn't a place that inspired me anymore, just an obligation that had no worth to me. I've not felt like picking up my hook for myself, and left several knitting projects abandoned. Unfinished books, dusty sewing machine and a busy life built around a growing school boy and difficult toddler have all left me and my blog in the doldrums. 

I once read that comparison is the thief of joy. Ain't that the truth! I don't need my blog to look Scandinavian- because I'm not. And I don't need it to have detailed tutorials and glossy, styled images. All I need is a personal space, cultivated to my tastes and loves; a place that I can escape from real life. Therefore I need somewhere tidy, clean and colourful, reflecting my loves, passions and memories. So I made it happen. I deleted the expensive Etsy-bought template; beautiful though it was it didn't feel like 'me'. 

And on this sunshine-filled winter morning I gathered my very bestest craft supplies: Liberty 'Betsy' tana lawn in my favourite-ever (discontinued) colour way, my very favourite knitting needles (bamboo, 4mm), this stunning Rowan Alpaca yarn (what shall I knit with it? I need it near my face, or my hands, it's the softest thing I've ever known), the best-ever mustard yarn (Rowan Handknit Cotton, FYI), this beautiful blue silk thread on a wooden spool- a relic from my grandparent's sewing box- and a couple of jaunty coloured hooks. I tend to use these plastic hooks for decoration, really I prefer the Clover Amour crochet hooks. I also added my favourite vintage brooch- I'd like to write a little about my favourite outfits too. 

All of this inspired me. Lately, crocheting for work and making things for others has turned me off. It's hard when you also have been recently diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome to get motivated! However, it only takes a look around Pinterest, a flick through some favourite magazines (see right) and a pile of books to get me on the right and proper hooky path. I'm finishing off a 'Hook a Stitch' feature for Simply Crochet at the moment, and a huge baby blanket for a friend that I put off for ages...the headache of working with black yarn was too much for me to contemplate! Then I have a list of things to make- including two of Kat Goldin's designs. 

I also have some knitting projects I want to try- a few hats (perhaps for next winter), perhaps a cardigan or two, and some socks of course. My sewing is improving a lot, I'll share a couple of recent makes soon I hope. I want to make dresses, dresses and lots more DRESSES! And blouses, I have recently discovered love of blouses. With pretty handmade skirts and clogs, what can go wrong? I hope this will inspire some style posts, too. 

I have recently got a new camera phone so I hope when the winter light gives way to Spring I'll take some better photos! And perhaps even finish off so projects that have been lying abandoned in my box for so long- remember that Wes Anderson-inspired blanket? Well that's half complete. And I'm having major second-sleeve syndrome with my Quince & Co. Annabel cardigan. I will finish it! So there we are, my creative intentions for 2015. And as you as my witnesses, I know I'll be motivated enough to finish them!

Thanks for staying me with me all these years. I think it's my fourth bloggiversary! See you soon for more stitchy chit chat. 

xxx

Cosy crochet slipper tutorial

I've been wanting to crochet a pair of slippers for absolutely YONKS. I tried and failed at making the beautiful slippers in my Japanese crochet book, and didn't fancy making thick, chunky boots. Just something simple to slip over bare feet or tights, in economical DK yarn. 

I spotted the ever-so-lovely Paula (@polly_pet) on Instagram had made her own pair inspired by some she had seen on Pinterest, and she kindly advised me on how she made hers. I just couldn't get them to work like that, either. Either too long, or too tight, or too wide. My feet are quite wide, you see. So after an evening or two of trial and error I finally came up with a workable design, and here it is. Hook them up to your heart's content! They'll make lovely (sorry) Christmas presents! 

They're ladies sizes, and crocheted in DK yarn so ideal if you have stash that needs using up. 

The pattern is worked in rounds until the piece measures the ideal length until you hit your ankle. I've written the pattern in three sizes- SMALL (size 36/37), MEDIUM (size 38/39) and LARGE (size 40/41). Size medium and large are in the brackets. If you need to adjust the length, just add extra rows or stop as you get to your ankle, basically. The the remaining piece is worked back and forth.

All terms are UK, if you're in the US please note this is all worked in hdc and sc :) 

You will need:

• 100g DK Yarn (I used 2 x 50g balls of Drops Karisma bought at a bargain price from the shop where I teach), plus extra contrasting yarn for pom poms

• 4mm hook

• 2 stitch markers (free gift with issue 24 of Simply Crochet! more on that later...)

• Some spare time (lucky you!)

• A good film (I recommend I Capture the Castle, which is what I watched while I hooked these up)

To begin, Ch4, join with ss into ring.

1. Ch2 (counts as htr), 11htr into ring, join with as into ch-2. [12 sts]
2. Ch2 (counts as htr), 2htr into each st around, 1htr into last st. Join with ss into ch-2. [24 sts]
3. Ch2 (counts as htr), *2htr into next st, 1htr into next, repeat from * to last st, 2htr into last st, join with ss into ch-2. [36 sts]
4. Ch2 (counts as htr), 1htr into each st around, join with ss to ch-2. [36 sts]
5. Repeat round 4 17 (19, 21 times more). Fasten off.                                                

Positioning the joining seam so that it sits at the sole of the slipper, place two stitch markers 7 sts apart at the top of the work, to indicate the 9 st space for the foot opening. Rejoin the yarn in the st next to the marker,

Heel: 

1. Ch 2 (does not count as htr), 1htr into  same st as ch-2, work 1htr into each of the next 26 sts. Turn.
2. Repeat as above 9 times. 

Assembly: With right sides facing place ends of slipper together and slip stitch to join together. Fasten off.

To finish: 

Rejoin yarn at seam and dc around edge, working 1dc into each row end and 1dc into each front st. Fasten off.

Make up 2 x 30mm Pom Poms in whichever manner your prefer (I use the clever Clover Pom Pom makers- so quick!) and attach. Weave in any remaining ends. Pop on feet and enjoy. 

        

Apologies for the rubbish pictures, I thought I ought to quickly snap what I was doing but the light was poor and my lens is still scratched. 

But I sure do love these slippers! And so will you. Happy feet all around. 

TTFN 

xxx

Blog hopping...

A lighter post today. It felt good to talk about something that's important to me- charity and empathy, and even just selflessness. I live in a modern Britain that seems to be all about image, the 'cult of self'... and not about helping others, educating our children in basic things like being polite and helpful and being happy. I am a happy person. And very happy to invited to join in with the current blog hop! The very lovely Kim from the colourful What Peggy Said blog invited me to join weeks ago (sorry, Kim) and last week Georgina who writes Crafting not Cleaning also nominated me. So how could I say 'no'? Kim's blog is bursting with colour, and I adore her beautiful illustrations. Like me she is a retro and vintage lover, and her instagram feed is full of inspiration, as are her photographs on What Peggy Said. I first met Georgina at A Crafty Day two years ago, and she writes TWO blogs in between her time teaching and crocheting, sewing and looking after her two daughters. Two very different blogs, but linked by a love of craft and learning. 

Like me! So, here's a small peek into my crafty mind...

1. What am I working on? 

I am coming to the end of a project I started randomly a couple of months ago. Those of you that follow me on Instagram will remember that I picked up some random odds and ends of Drops Paris Cotton and started hooking up this beauty...

Since then I've seen countless V-stitch blankets pop up, including a beautiful bright one that Kim has made for her Basset Hound, Peggy. I've been dragging this out, squeezing it in around commissions from Simply Crochet magazine, and making a lovely Mina dress for a IG friend's little girl. (I'll tell you more about that later this week). I found some abandoned projects in my ottoman the other day, so stuffed and stitched up some cloud cushions, and dug out some yarn for I-don't-know-what-yet. But I see many more V-stitch blankets on the horizon!

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? 

I don't know that it does, really. There is a limited number of crochet stitches, and there are certainly trends that I've seen come and go on Instagram. However, I think that any project is personal as it's handmade and chosen in very personal colour palettes. 

  I've enjoyed working with these brightly-coloured acrylic yarns for my crochet lately, but my best-loved projects are the ones that have cream as a dominant colour. I prefer using cotton yarns, and love vintage colours. In fact the V-stitch blanket is my favourite colour palette yet- the right mix of cream, scandi blues and greys, with vintage mustard, pale pink and brown. YUM. I am pretty sure that I'm the only crocheter that insists on using MUSTARD in EVERY project, ha ha!

In both my knitting and crochet I have definite ideas of what designer's patterns I like, and what my favourite yarns are. I guess these things make my work mine. But really, my original patterns both here and published in magazines and my book are what make my work differ. 

3. Why do I create what I do? 

I love to find a way of making something I'm inspired by, and love sharing my discoveries in this blog. I am so inspired and encouraged by blogs, and that's ultimately what my crafting is all about- encouraging, inspiring and sharing so that readers can go and adapt and create things for themselves. I've recently become obsessed with sewing- the idea of making something made-to-measure, in my style and in fabric I've chosen is really enticing. 

I also love having something to do with my hands. The bonus is that I have something unique and handmade- and you can't put a price on that. Well, you can, but I can't be bothered! 

4. How does your creating process work?

It starts with a seed. Usually a colour will sing to me, and tell me what it needs to be. I love Pinterest and magazines, so when I see something that inspires me I begin to think about what materials I'll need and start researching the perfect yarn or fabric. Then I wait, and think for a week or two- sometimes longer if it's an original idea for a pattern, for example. Then I'll collect and gather my materials, and refer back to the pin or magazine, and try to forget about it so I'm not too influenced- I don't want to just copy someone else. 

An original pattern idea is trial and error- sometimes it works out beautifully first time. But that's very rare. I'll start making a dummy version, before checking the pattern by re-making it in the final materials. Lots of frogging, cursing and frantic scribbling occurs. However, if I'm following a pattern or working on a longer-term project like a blanket, then I get stuck straight in and never look back! I rarely make the same pattern twice, unless I really love it. Then, finally, I share it on here! my little diary, so I don't forget what I made. ro how my house looks- it's in a constant state of flux!

Now, the idea next is for me to invite three other bloggers to join in the blog hop...so you can visit them and perhaps find new blogs and inspiration. However, I think all the people I would have invited have already taken part! So why don't you go visit them anyways? They are Lazy Daisy Jones, Bobo Bun, and Vintage Sheet Addict. Three inspirational women, all of whom are multi-crafters, and all of whom are totally different and unique.  And of course all the blogs right there in my sidebar still continue to inspire me each day. 

I hope you enjoyed that rather self-indulgent post! It was nice to sit and think about my creative process, it's inspiring in itself. So go ahead, I now invite YOU to join in the creative blog hop!

xxx

Just sitting

Sunday was a good day. After a busy week with half term from pre-school and a on-the-cusp-of-walking George, I've barely had time to breathe. So yesterday my mission was to sit. Watch the husband potter in the garden, put the bubble machine on for the children, and play with my basket of bright, colourful acrylics.

I managed to get a few motifs done for my Wood & Wool style Fika cushion.

but mainly just gazed at my lovely happy garland I made at A Crafty Day at Hope & Elvis.

Of course I was interrupted every five minutes with the children's demands. But it was good while it lasted. 

Did you manage any al fresco crochet?

Happy hooking

xxx

Geek Chic Crochet

Eeeep! and Yip! and YAY! I finished something. A something I started many weeks ago now. 

I should have learned my lesson. Crocheting garments takes too long and the yarn I use always seems to get discontinued right after starting- and I ALWAYS run out of yarn. Curses. BUT the pattern was divine. I followed it TO THE LETTER. Most unusual, for me. And do you know what? It worked! I emailed Nicki Trench to ask about the sleeves, and she was most helpful. I found my tension was much too tight, even with the larger sizing, so I made the size 14-16 on a 4mm hook and it's just right. 

Anyways- here it is...the Geek Chic cardigan from the eponymous book by Nicki Trench. 

Buttons from The Village Haberdashery

Crocheted on a 4mm hook with King Cole Bamboo Cotton in Mustard- Shade 523 (discontinued now gaaah) and Pink- 516. Love the colour combo- very Granny Chic!

Isn't the lacy collar beautiful?

And the shaped waist. And the cropped sleeves!

Here it is on moi...

Sorry about the rubbish 'selfie'. I have teamed it with my fave vintage summer dress, but it will look lovely with any of my collar-less dresses I think. Mustard with everything yay!

I LOVE IT. It's quite weighty, actually, but feels wonderful soft when worn. I loved working with the yarn, and as it's bamboo cotton it will great for summer AND winter. 

Right now, it's my 'something for the weekend' number. 

Happy hooking!

xxx

Sandy Shawl

Hello! I hope you've enjoyed my holiday pics, and not found them too dull!

 I have something rather exciting to share with you...

 Yes! My first pattern published in Simply Crochet!

Her name is Sandy (after my nan) and it's a shawl I designed back in April. It's crochet in Rowan Handknit Cotton, and I love its drape and boho fringing. 

 What do you think? I love the styling of this shoot. 

Festival vibes are the focus of this issue, out on 29th May. (tomorrow eeeeeek!)

And here are some close-up shots of the shawl. Like Lucy at Attic 24, I found it so difficult to photograph! I loved her behind-the-scenes post about seeing her bunting pattern styled and shot. 

I love the way my shawl has been styled- so simple. The shawl is quite decorative and features quite a few different stitches, so it needed a simple setting. 

It's a perfect summer shawl in this cotton, or would be beautiful for winter in a cosy, soft aran yarn on a 5mm hook. I love it! 

There are also loads more gorgeous patterns in this issue, well worth the £4.99 cover price, I reckon.

Happy hooking!