Two Angels - angels & petals AND crafty angel

Don't be scared

I have written a little poem which I shall dedicate to all of you who are coming to our crochet workshop tomorrow.

It is how I felt when a lady at a knitting show was trying really hard to teach me to crochet!

Passing it on

‘Its just a treble, you see’ she said

With her hook whizzing away and a bob of her head,

Her fingers moved with the speed of light,

I’d never manage this!

Though she thought I might.

‘Slow it down’ I cried ‘it looks so weird’

‘Don’t panic girl, it’s not to be feared’.

‘ Its just wrap it over, shove it through, pull it back, and there’ll be two…..’

‘Don’t go on!’ she heard me plead ‘I need it simpler. If I’m to succeed’.

‘AH!’ She said, ‘you need a double’

Yeh, probably of gin, that’s my trouble!

She rolled her eyes and passed my hook

‘Now copy me - it’s easy, look’

I wrestled with hook, fingers and yarn,

But suddenly - it began to dawn.

It’s not so complicated if you take it slow,

There’s only one stitch at a time, you know,

So nothing to drop, no rows to frog back,

Just get your tension right, and pick up the slack.

So, it’s your turn now. Make a chain,

Through the loop and round again,

Soon it will grow and you’ll be glowing with pride,

Your first crocheted item!

Not perfect perhaps - but at least you tried

Have a go granny

I loved the footage on the news the other evening of the red coat wearing, handbag wielding granny, who chased off the robbers. Wicked!

It just goes to show how adaptable a granny can be. Cuddly story telling kind one minute, Fiendish attacker the next.

Granny squares can be very adaptable too. ( yeah, I know, poor link!)

I had a lot of cotton yarn left over from various projects, so decided to make lots of small squares and see what transpired.

 
As I worked away on those squares I felt they were destined to become a bag.

It's made up of 65, 3 round granny squares all double crocheted together. 2 handles done in half trebles and then lined.

 
It's nice and roomy for all my clutter and was a relatively quick project.

Just a little more inspiration for those thinking of coming to our Granny Squares workshop this Saturday.

Cobweb throw

A few of you will probably remember me crocheting my cobweb squares a little while ago. This week, thanks to a bout of tonsillitis, and not feeling like doing much, I've managed to sew it together.

Taa daah!

 
It looks quite nice thrown across the back of one of the sofas.

 
It's not perfect, but the yarn patterning is very forgiving!

 
It's so easy - just treble crochet.

If you're coming to our Granny Square crochet workshop next Saturday, you'll learn the skills to enable you to make this kind of throw. Truly!!!

I proudly present....................

 
Our first Pet Accessory. Made by the very talented & cat friendly Allotment Sue!

I think any self respecting cat would be delighted to spend a wet afternoon batting these cheeky little mice around. Good work Sue.

If you have made your pet an accessory and would like to see it Blogged here, please email it over.

Please note that the needle felting workshop due to take place this afternoon has been cancelled.

Baby Bliss

Debbie Bliss has worked her magic once again. This time in creating a knitting book of baby clothes, with helpful hints and tips on how to design your own little knits, based on her patterns.

 
The little girl below looks soooo cute in her dress with it's knitted top panel and fabric skirt.

 
Simple patterns are included too.

 
I love this little hooded jacket. Easy to knit yet stylish and practical too.

 
These letter graphs included in the book, give you the opportunity to personalise your knitting.

 
I think this is a great book for anyone wanting to gain confidence and is full of projects to inspire.

Knit & Nibble

Following our Knit & Natter session last night, in which nattering took second place to the eating of chocolate brownies! Here is my recipe, as promised.

 

Ingredients & Method

In a bowl combine 100g melted butter with 40g Cocoa powder. Mix well.

In another bowl beat 2 eggs and add 225g caster sugar. Mix well.

Add the choc/butter mixture to the sugar/egg mixture. Mix well.

Now add 1 teaspoon vanilla essence (optional), 50g chocolate chips & 50g Self Raising flour. Mix well.

Pour into a lined tin and bake at 180C for 30 mins.

Enjoy!

 

Button it

 
Beautiful button brooches and rings just arrived from a lovely lady in Cornwall. Perfect for a Valentine gift. Tell your men!

Raggy results

The most lovely things can be made from the smallest and scrapiest bits of fabric, as you'll see.....

 

 

 

 

 
Easy, cheap & great therapy for a winters afternoon.

Lavender hearts next week - see you there maybe???

Knitted Hugs

There is a huge amount of buzz around the world of knitting at the moment. Quite rightly everyone wants to have a go. Once the initial knit & purl has been mastered and the obligatory scarf has been knitted it can be difficult to know what to move onto next. A hat might seem a bit predictable, a jumper a step too far, yet the creative juices are flowing and there is a need to push yourself.

This little book, Knitted Mug Hugs, offers the possibility of making 20 small, yet useful (they do work!) mug warmers in a variety of patterns.

 

 
Perhaps begin with a simple knit, embellished with yarn.

 
Learn how to knit a 'picture'.

 
By the time the strawberries are ripe you'll have whipped up enough for all your freinds & family.

Priced at under a fiver, I think this makes a great starting point for enthusiastic newbies!