School's out for summer...

Well as it's been almost a month since my last post I thought I had better check in before I forgot I had a blog!!

Those last week's of summer term always seem to fly by in a daze of sports days, school fetes, end of term parties and class exhibitions of the year's work all whilst I desperately tie up the last financial year's shop paperwork for the accountant, make sure all of this year's is up to date so I don't panic over the holidays AND get my own tax return sorted.

But it's done and now the summer holidays have begun!

We have day trips to plan and a short seaside break in the camper to look forward to. Riley has discovered his reading mojo so regular trips to our local library will be essential and our very local (just 10 mins walk away ) independent cinema has the most amazing ticket prices which means weekly movie trips are possible, even on our very limited budget! I also have some home projects to work on like finishing the kitchen re-paint and tackling more of the garden jungle...

But what about knitting? Well to be honest it's been too hot for much knitting the last couple of weeks, (although, typically, now the summer hols have started the cooler weather is back!) and constant interruptions of the small boy variety means anything too complicated is out so I have decided to dedicate this summer to home knitting and crochet projects - simple, easy to pick up and put down at a moment's notice; portable, so I can work on them in the park whilst Riley plays and mostly using cotton yarns which are cool to handle and don't make my hands sweat!



New dish cloths and wash cloths for starters, knitted and crocheted in Drops ❤s You 5 - an aran weight recycled cotton yarn. (I've made a start with the Happy Face Cloths from the wonderful book Crochet Therapy I reviewed here). I may even knit a tea towel or two! This yarn is perfect for placemats and coasters too as it's washable, hard wearing  and comes in lots of pretty colours, so I may add some simple linen stitch table accessories to my summer making list...

I have crochet summer bedspread to work on in beautiful jewel colours of Drops Safran cotton yarn.

Then there is the cat bed I started a while back hooked up from strips of fabric using a 10mm hook. I have used all the fabric I prepared and really need to hunt through my stash for some more. Or scour the charity shops for old bed sheets which are perfect for recycling in this way!

I know the next six weeks will fly by and it will be back to school time before we know it. Riley is getting older and it won't be long before summer hols won't be about day trips with Mummy any more but hanging out with his mates so I feel the need to make the most of our time together while I can! Making memories is my priority this summer.

Making things can wait until the nights draw in again...

Book Review :: Crochet Therapy by Betsan Corkhill

 

Crochet Therapy

by

Betsan Corkhill

paperback  £12.99

published by Apple Press

July 2016

Author Betsan Corkhill is a clinical practioner who has passionately advocated whole person health and well being since the 1970's and has extensively researched the use of therapeutic craft to improve health, wellness and manage illness. In this brand new book she looks at the benefits to mind and body the practice of crochet can bring.

Combining 10 therapeutic exercises designed to help focus the mind, energise or relax into a mindful state with 20 beautiful patterns to inspire and uplift, Crochet Therapy aims to bring moments of calm into our otherwise chaotic lives with well written explanations of the different forms of therapy covered such as relaxtion techniques and mindfulness and the benefits such practice can bring.

The Exercises

Crochet Therapy includes a number of exercises for the body and mind - from simple stretches for you hands and arms (essential if you are planning a lengthy crochet or knitting session!) to creative visualisations to ease stressful situations, even if you don't have your crochet with you. There are tips on how to energise and refresh yourself during work breaks and permission to allow yourself a little time to daydream too!

The Patterns

There are 20 patterns included to tie in with the exercises ranging from quick and easy mandalas, colourful coasters, wall hangings and accessories through to slightly more complex and time comsuming cushions, blankets and wraps, finishing with a beautiful project you can work at with friends.
The patterns are all well written, using UK crochet terms,  and easy to follow. I especially like that no specific yarns are listed, just weights and yardage (although there is a list of the yarns used for each project at the back of the book). Also at the back of the book is a fairly comprehensive guide to all the crochet techniques needed to complete the projects in the book making it an ideal beginners book too!

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed reading this book - the author's expertise in her field clearly shines as does her passion for holistic health. The patterns are lovely and I can honestly say I would be happy to make nearly all of them. They are easy enough for beginners to follow and interesting enough for more experienced crocheters too,

In all a good looking book with enough substance to return to again and again!

Ravelry Round-up - Nine fab jewellery patterns.

One of the best things about starting a new blog has been planning lots of lovely features to include. The first of these is a regular Ravelry Round-up where, once a month, I share with you my picks from Ravelry.

This month, being the hater of waste that I am, I have mostly been looking at things to do with left-over yarn. You know, those little bits, 5 or 10g of a skein left when your project is done. Not enough to make anything substantial but too much to throw away. Now I know there are plenty of 'scrap blanket' designs out there - indeed one of my favourite long term projects, The Beekeepers Quilt, is perfect for using up the bits left over from sock knitting - but sometimes we want something we can knit up and use/wear/gift right now! And what better way of using up those luxury silk blends than in knitted and crochet jewellery?

Here is a selection of lovely designs from my Jewellery Favourites Ravelry bundle. I hope you like them! (You can see the rest here)

 1. Tassel Necklace by Ambah O'Brien 2. Seven Sisters Necklace by Brenda Burrell 3. Easy Knitted Bangle by Ambah O'Brien

I-cords make great jewellery - knit for as long as you want/until you run out of yarn, add a button and a loop and - ta-dah!a trendy wrap around bracelet. A perfect way to show case left over hand-dyed variegated yarns. Stack them, layer them or, in the case of Ambah O'Brien's fab necklace add a neon tassel and wear them around your neck! I adore Ambah's Easy Knitted Bangles too - just a few rows of stocking stitch knit in the round and allowed to roll over. I can see a whole stack of these on my arm very soon!

4. Knitted Knit Bracelet by Isobel Morainn  5. Blommer Bracelet by Helda Panagary 6. Autumn Leaf Earrings by Amy Yarbrough

 Oh I do love bracelets. The Celtic Knot inspired Knitted Knot Bracelet is all about those i-cords again. Helda Panagary's Blommer Bracelet is such a colourful treat for your arm and for those of you who make beaded jewellery as well (or like me, have dabbled and still have loads of kit) those delicate autumn leaf earrings are just adorable - be warned though this one requires teeny tiny crochet hooks but would be fabulous made in silky embroidery threads or fine silk lace weight yarn.

7. The White Flower Necklace by CreativeYarn  8. The Daisy Chain Kit by Frankie Brown  9. Tiny Rosettes by Melanie Larson

Finally something a little more delicate. Three sweet crochet patterns for summer days. I am totally in love with that Daisy Chain Kit - each daisy is individually worked with a little split in each stalk for threading them together, just like the real thing! And those tiny rose bud earrings are just perfect for those who like their jewellery on the more subtle side.

I hope you have enjoyed my first Ravelry Round-up. Have I tempted you by any of these patterns?

If you have never considered yarny jewellery do give it a go - it's the perfect way to use up those oddments and you still get to wear a little woolly wonderfulness even on the warmest of summer days!

Contour Shawl by The Crochet Project

Last week I shared with you my love of knitting shawls. Turns out I like to crochet shawls too!

Now I know what I SHOULD have been doing whilst waiting (im)patiently for the first of The Shawl Society pattern to be released (just one more sleep!!!). I should have been working on my pile of current WIPS. There's an almost done sock - it's the second one too! - in the pile, not to mention half a sweater for the 8yo, two blankets, one knit and one crochet squares*, a fingerless mitt (again, the second one) and a rag yarn pet bed for whichever cat deigns to use it. Not to mention the ongoing hexipuff mountain that is the Beekeepers Quilt...

I really should have got at least one of those off the needles.

But I didn't. Instead I started another new project. Another shawl. But this is crochet not knitting so it doesn't count. Right?

Let me just introduce you to The Crochet Project if you haven't come across this before. Founded by designers Kat Goldin and Joanne Scrace (aka Not So Granny), The Crochet Project's main aim is to create and promote beautiful, wearable designs and they have certainly achieved that, publishing four beautiful books so far. Contour Shawl is their latest pattern and was released into the wild just in time for the bank holiday weekend - I think I spotted it on Instagram and instantly fell in love! I knew that it would be the perfect project to tide me over (or the perfect avoidance tactic ref all the WIPS currently clamouring for my attention...)

I was very good - I had a good rummage through my stash BEFORE I purchased the pattern just to make sure I had something suitable in the right quantity as this shawl requires quite significant yardage and I wanted a project to start NOW not have to wait for more yarn to arrive. Luckily I had four balls of Drops Delight hidden away at the bottom of the box with the exact yardage requirements.


The pattern uses only 2 stitches with increases in the centre and at either end to create the interesting asymmetrical triangle - it's shaped like a giant tick! - and despite never having done either stitch before I was able to get into the swing of the pattern very quickly and had no need to constantly refer to the instructions after the first few rows. I do find crochet projects so much easier to pick up and put down when the mood/opportunity arises as the need to 'finish this row' is much less pressing - perfect for a busy bank holiday weekend with family - but I surprised myself with just how quickly the shawl grew! I even took it to the cinema (Angry Birds no less. Ah the joy of half term movies...) and managed to hook a couple of rows. In the dark. Without making ANY mistakes!

Crochet, coffee, cat. What Sundays were made for!

Anyhow, my Contour Shawl was finished over the half term week and has served it's purpose of satisfying my need to start a new project and keeping my hands occupied before the Shawl Society kicks off. It's been blocked to within an inch of it's life and is looking beautiful. Unfortunately it's just too darn hot to wear it right now so I will have to make do with showing it off here until the Great British Summer does it's usual thing of sodding off just as we are getting into it!

The Knitty-Gritty
I hooked up my Contour Shawl using 4 x 50g skeins of Drops Delight in Autumn Forest colourway using a 4mm hook. I managed to get an extra row on my shawl than the pattern states and pretty much used up all the yarn. The pattern is available through Ravelry and costs £3.00




*actually when I look through my Ravelry projects I see there is a third blanket stashed away that has been ignored for far too long as well. Oops.

Garn Studio needs your help!

just a small selection of my Drops collection...

I am big fan of the Drops range of yarns by Norwegian company Garn Studio. They have an extensive range of gorgeous high quality yarns at prices to suit the most budget conscious crafters and are easily available via mail order (I purchase most of mine from the wonderful Wool Warehouse).

They also have a very impressive catalogue of patterns available to support their yarns. Pattern books are published several times a year and, for those of you who don't like having pattern books cluttering up your shelf, the entire back catalogue of individual patterns (nearly 92,000 of them!) is available to download from their website for free!

Garn Studio have just announced the shortlist of patterns for their Autumn/Winter 2016 collection and they want us - the people who buy and create with their yarns - to chose our favourites for publication later this year. There is an amazing array of patterns to choose from, from sweaters and jackets to ponchos, shawls and bags along with socks, slippers, hats and gloves. There are even some skirts and dresses and a selection of home accessories too! And these are not just for knitters - there are lots of crochet patterns as well.


If you fancy having a say in their Autumn Winter Collection why not nip over and check out the list here. Garn Studio are asking you to chose your 10 favourite designs (only 10! It's not easy...) with the most popular designs being included in the season pattern booklets.

I have cast my vote and already have my eye on a beautiful alpaca shawl (pattern z-752) and a loose flowing sleeveless jacket in alpaca boucle (pattern ab-068) so perfect for layering, so I really hope those two make the final selection!

What will you choose? I would love to hear your thoughts on this collection!