New year’s resolutions

As I’m writing this the New Year is nearly upon me. For some 2014 has already arrived. I’m sat on the couch drinking an apple martini and wondering what the year ahead will bring.

I’ve made a list of 100 things I’m thankful for this year- my own little tradition (third year of doing it). It’s a nice way to say goodbye to the year that’s passing and to focus on positives that are all too easy to forget.

As for resolutions? I’m not a fan. I kind of see them as starting the year in a negative way… even if intentions are good.

Instead of resolutions there are a few things I’d like to accomplish this year. Nothing too taxing and if they don’t happen then no problem 🙂

1. I’d like to make something using Tunisian crochet.
2. I’d like to crochet something with cables.
3. I’d like to crochet a garment.
4. I’d like to investigate setting up my own business a little seriously.

2013 for me has been a good year and I wish it farewell.

I hope you have had a good year and I hope the coming year is better still 🙂

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A whole new world

One of my Christmas gifts was a yarn winder. I saw Mikey on The Crochet Crowd show how they could be used and I thought then that in the future one could be useful. I liked the idea of having balls of yarn that would definitely pull from the centre and being able to stack them sounded great.

The photo above makes it look like my feline assistants helped… they did not. I was struggling to find a surface I could attach the bracket to. The cat’s activity center/scratching post worked quite well 🙂

The balls produced are smaller and stackable 🙂

My stash is already looking deceivingly smaller! I’ve only wound up the balls that I’m currently using in projects, when it’s all done I’ll have lots of room for more wool 🙂

Bright and cheery blanketyness

Unable to resist I’ve started a new project! A sunflower blanket/afghan.

I’ve no pattern as such but I’m using motifs from a shawl (circular motif shawl – free pattern) I made for my mam for Christmas. The shawl I made uses a Patons colour change aran and requires no changing for the colour variation… the yarn does all the work.

The motifs aren’t too hard to crochet and they join together in the last round so you join as you go-which I quite liked. There was quite a lot of weaving to do though, I kind of wished I did that as I went along too. 🙂

My mam was very pleased with her gift and my dad couldn’t believe I’d made it by hand.

I thought it might be nice to make another but larger and to play with the colours of the rounds to make sun flowers. I’m liking the effect so far!

 

A quick hello

I’m hoping everyone is having a lovely time. I’ve enjoyed Christmas and feel very blessed.

It was really nice finally seeing the gifts I crocheted opened. Everyone looked really happy 🙂 I’ll now be able to share a few more of my projects that I haven’t been able to.

I’m ignoring my teddy bear motifs for the moment (very naughty I know) and have started a new project; I’ll discuss it in a future post. Two of my little ones decided to help keep me warm. 🙂

Christmas Eve

I’ve started joining motifs for teddy’s arms but it’s slow going and Christmas has taken over the last few days.

I’ve marzipanned, iced and decorated for Christmas cakes. Yesterday, I used my own mincemeat to make mince pies.

The veg is prepared and cranberry sauce ready too. All the presents are wrapped and we are sat watching Christmassy tv programs 🙂

Merry Christmas and seasons greetings 🙂

Why I love my hair

I’m 33 but look older. This is due, in main, to my hair colour. I have lots of grey/white/platinum hair 🙂

I got my first grey hairs when I was 12. And they really took hold in my late 20s.
Not liking or being ready for all this, I began dyeing it. I say I but this became my husband Jonathan’s reluctant monthly job. However, my roots showed so fast it felt like I was fighting a losing battle.

Jon and I at our wedding

Eventually, I decided to cut my medium length very curly hair shorter and embrace the grey. I liked it, and so did everyone else. People said I looked younger. I wasn’t sure I looked younger but I appreciated the change.

A couple of months ago my grandad transitioned (died). It was sudden and sad and he is missed by many but he is still here in my heart. Whilst enjoying my memories of him, I realised/remembered that my premature greying comes from my grandad.

My grey hair now reminds me of my grandad and is now such a special part of me. When my friend’s and husband start developing those first flecks of noticeable grey it’s highly likely my hair will be completely white…platinum.

I don’t mind this one tiny bit 🙂

Poor bear!

There are projects that I want to start. But I shouldn’t.

He sits there in the bag looking sad and forgotten. He feels incomplete like something missing! Poor bear!

Today I’m starting his arms, well crocheting the motifs I need. In all honesty I don’t know why he’s taken so long… I think it might be organising all the parts.

Anyhow, bear will be happy things are moving again 🙂

Crochet monster slippers

I love my finished slippers!

I bought the pattern by “knits for life” from etsy for £3.15. It was relatively straight forward to use giving instructions on sizing. I think the pattern was well worth the price and I’m looking forward to making these again.

The ribbing was crocheted using front and back post double crochets. It’s easy to learn how to do these from youtube videos. I love the effect.

Fiyero isn’t sure though! (What do cats know anyway?!)

The slippers have also given me an idea! I might adapt this pattern to make monstrous mittens! What do you think? 🙂

Finished slippers and a crocheted Christmas

I have finished my slippers and as promised I’ll model them. However, light had faded to the point that any picture I would have taken would have had to have been lit with indoor lighting. I much prefer natural light. Tomorrow I’ll wear my monster slippers that were really quite easy to make and look awesome.

Jonathan (husband) has pointed out twice that walking in my new slippers could be detrimental to my health. And he is of course quite correct… I’m incredibly clumsy and regularly trip over things that aren’t there! 🙂

Christmas is now so close I can taste it and all my gifts that I’m making are made, and thanks to Jonathan wrapped. I’m looking forward to sharing some of the things I’ve made that are presents… not long.

We are sharing presents, mainly, this year as we mostly like the same sort of things. The only things I’ve specifically asked for are some larger bamboo crochet hooks;Tunisian crochet hooks and a ball winder. I wonder what everyone else would like for Christmas this year?

These hooks I stumbled across on pinterest are great! What a gift they’d make.

Wooden sticks made into crochet hooks – http://pinterest.com/pin/94927504619540862/

Crochet slipper progress

So I’ve continued crocheting my monster slipper and am pleased with the progress I’ve made. All I’ve got left to do are the claws and finishing the ribbed cuff.

I’m now not actually sure I’ve done back post double crochets before. I have now! 🙂 I think any ribbing I’ve done before has employed half double crochets and front post double crochets. This pattern uses both front and back.

Back post double crochets are tricky!