African flowers

As well as frantically knitting my mossy, zesty green cardigan for autumn, I've been making a few African Flower hexagons.

I have the back and both front pieces of my cardigan complete now - the shot above shows my placements for the buttons using pins (you can just about see) so that I know where to make corresponding button holes on the other front half.

These are the african flowers. I do love them, but I'm not sure what to do with them. I have about 20 at the moment, and I'm not sure I can summon up the motivation to make enough for a blanket. I'm also not sure I can summon up the motivation to figure out how to make half hexagons for these so that I can make squares for a cushion cover.

The thing is, all I seem to feel like doing at the moment is knitting, knitting, knitting! I think it is the change in seasons and feeling like I want to be able to surround myself in hand knitted sweaters! I don't know why, but there is something so much more comforting about wearing a sweater you have hand knitted yourself. It somehow feels like a coat of armor - and makes the day and the world a little easier to face!

I think I might finish my green cardigan soon - only the sleeves to go and they are 3/4 rather than full length, so I'm well away. I always feel like I'm in the home straights on knitting a jumper or cardi when I get to the sleeves!

I'm contemplating this pattern for my next knitty adventure. It's something I already made a few years ago and really love. Then I saw recently that Rowan have a gorgeous red shade of this yarn out now, and I think this jumper would look gorgeous in that colour.

Apart from that I have been painting chairs in preparation for my flat! But more on that next time....when the paint has dried!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A big decision...

Well, I have something pretty exciting to share with you! Well, its very exciting to me anyway!

I had a half day off work this afternoon, and spent the afternoon visiting the building society and then the solicitors...

...yes, this may sound familiar to those of you who are home-owners....

....I am buying my very own little flat!

I can tell you it's a scary proposition, but also soooo exciting! I've been busy looking for somewhere since the beginning of May, which has meant I haven't had the time to be here on the blog as much as I would like to - between everything else in life and trying to arrange a mortgage and find a suitable property... well, you will know what I mean!

But, at last I have been able to set the wheels in motion. Things are still at an early stage, and those of you who have done this before will no that there a lot of things that can still go wrong. Nevertheless, I am hopeful that in a few months time I'll be able to share with you the excitement of moving day!

It has been quite a lovely day here - blue skies, sunshine, still very warm but thankfully not as stultifying as it has been!

Once I'd returned from my various flat-buying related errands, I was mercifully able to flop down on the sofa for a while and relax with some crochet.

First I worked on the granny stripe.... stripe, stripe, happy stripe I worked, enjoying the bright colours.

Then, in a sudden burst of energy and project-finishing-inspiration I got out the hexagon throw and have just spent the last few hours stitching motifs in place:

There is still a little work to go on this, and then the ends to fasten in. But I hope to have this project finished well before moving day, so that this blanket can grace my new home!

I think I may have to make something else brightly coloured once I finish granny stripe and hexagon blanket. These little tea light shades which I have in my bedroom have been reminding me of all the colours I love!

Have a happy evening.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Patchwork throw, by Erika Knight

So, last week, or maybe the week before (time flies, even when you're not having fun apparently!) I gave you a sneek peek of my latest colour crochet project, and promised more details!

I've made quite a lot more progress since the last time I mentioned this project.

The pattern is the Patchwork Throw, from Erika Knight's book Essential Crochet.

I love this book, its almost the first book I bought when I was learning to crochet a few years ago. I've tried to make this throw before but things got in the way.

Firstly my lack of skill - my motifs all kept coming out slightly different sizes! Looking back I don't think I had understood the pattern instructions properly!

The pattern also recommends a mercerised cotton yarn - Rowan Cotton Glace. When I tried to make this before, I went with that recommendation. However, much as I love mercerised yarn for small crochet projects such as bags, doilies etc, I just didn't feel the love when it came to trying to make a throw. I don't know why but I just prefer 'wooliness' in my throws!

Well, this time I am determined not to be defeated. I have bought a big stash of colourful yarn (probably a little heavy on the purple as usual) and have been hooking away my woolly hexagons and loving it!

So far I have about 80 motifs I think, but still a long way to go - the pattern calls for nearly 300! Hmm, not sure I will make it that far before my attention span (and my purse) give out! 

I am determined to complete a proper size blanket though - watch this space!

Actually I have a back-log of posts related to various craft projects at the moment, so maybe another post tomorrow if I get time!

xx xxx xx xxx xx xxx xx xxx xx xxx xx

Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging (but not craft!)

Any regular visitors to this blog know that I usually aim to post about once a week. However, I don't like to post if I feel like I don't really have anything to say, or anything new to share with you.

I think I mentioned on a recent post that I had been having some tough times in the last few weeks. Well, that made me feel like I just didn't have the energy to post. But, I'm lucky enough to have some tremendously supportive people in my life and I'm already feeling much better. As I have probably said many times before here, I always find crochet and knitting to be a soothing distraction from whatever is troubling me.

So, as well as finishing my pastel throw I have been working on a new hexagon blanket. I don't want to make this post too long, so I'll save full details for another time. The pictures above show a sneak peek!

On Sunday, I finally managed to finish my pastel hexagon throw, and posted a pattern for this, which some of you may have seen already. Some of you lovely readers have been kind enough to post some very positive comments already. Thank you so much for those comments - they really do mean a lot to me. It feels great to know that other people can get enjoyment and inspiration from the things I post here. 

Comments are aso great, as they make you feel part of a community - and that was really why I started blogging!

Now, my lack of energy and stress has sadly also meant that I haven't stopped by any of my own favourite blogs for a while. Well, I'm going to try and remedy that today! I have a lovely day off work today, though so look out, I may be stopping by your blog and leaving you an admiring comment or two!

One final word - I wanted to share with you the glorious, gorgeous yarn bundle that has just arrived in the post!

 

Stay happy, and keep on crocheting!

xx xxx xx xxx xx xxx xx xxx xx xxx xx

 

Evie: Pastel hexagon throw pattern

Finally I've been able to finish this project (it feels like it has taken ages!), and I'm now able to share the pattern and instructions with you!

Materials

4mm crochet hook

DK weight yarn in the following quantities and colours:

For centres of motifs (use one colour per motif)

3x dark purple

3x lilac

3x pale pink

3x rose pink

3x duck egg

3x airforce blue

3x pale blue

3x fudge

For edge of motifs (each motif is edged in cream)

7 x cream 

The yarns I used we Sublime Extra Fine Merino, Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK and Rowan Cashsoft DK. Sadly some of these lovely yarns (the Rowan and Debbie Bliss) are now being discontinued, so I don't recommend any specific shades. I've given the colours above as a rough guide to the shades used should you want to make a throw with the same colour effect as my own. However one of the great things about crochet is the endless possibility to be creative with colour, so I'm sure you will want to pick your own colours for a unique effect!

Instructions for making hexagon motif

Make 142 motifs to create a throw measuring approx. 43 inches wide x 60 inches in length.

Using any of the 8 colours you have chosen, chain 4 then join into a ring by slip stitching into the first chain.

Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as your first stitch), then working into the centre of the ring you have made, work 1 treble, *2 chain, 2 treble. Repeat from * 4 times more. Finish round by slip stitching into the top of the 3 chain from the start of the round. You should have 6 2 chain spaces and 6 clusters of 2 trebles.

Round 2: Chain 3 (counts as your first stitch), *work 1 treble into top of next stitch, then work 1 treble, 2 chain, 1 treble into 2 chain space from previous round. Repeat from * 4 times more. Work 1 treble into top of next stitch, then 1 treble into 2 chain space, then 2 chain. Finish round by slip stitching into the top of the 3 chain made at tha start of the round.

Round 3: Chain 3 (counts as your first stitch). *Work 1 treble into top of each of next 2 stitches then work 1 treble, 2 chain, 1 treble into 2 chain space from previous round. *Work 1 treble into top of next 3 stitches, then work 1 treble, 2 chain, 1 treble into next 2 chain space. Repeat from * 4 times more. Finish round by slip stitching into top of 3 chain from start of round.

Round 4: Chain 3 (counts as your first stitch). *Work 1 treble into top of each of next 3 stitches, then work 1 treble, 2 chain, 1 treble into 2 chain space from previous round. *Work 1 treble into top of next 4 stitches, then work 1 treble, 2 chain, 1 treble into next 2 chain space. Repeat from * 4 times more, then work 1 treble into top of last remaining stitch in round. Finish round by slip stitching into top of 3 chain from start of round.

Round 5: Change to cream for edge of motif. Join the new colour in in one of the 6 two chain spaces in your hexagon, using a 3 chain for your first stitch, then *work 1 treble into each stitch along the first side of your hexagon. On reaching the next chain space work 1 treble, 2 chain, 1 treble into chain space. Repeat from *5 times more until the entire hexagon has been edged in cream, finishing the round by working 1 treble, 2 chain into last chain space (same chain space in which you began the round) and slip stitching into the top of the 3 chain at the start of the round to complete.

Arrange your motifs in rows, alternating between 9 in one row and 10 in the next, using the pictures as a guide. Ensure that you do not place to motifs of the same colour next to each other.

Stitch the motifs together in rows by oversewing the edges of motifs together using the cream yarn. Sew the rows together so that your hexagons tesselate.

Weave in any loose ends on reverse.

xx xxx xx xxx xx xxx xx xxx xx

If you try making this I hope you enjoy it. If you have any questions or anything is unclear in the pattern, please let me know by leaving a comment on this post.

Starburst hexagons

A few days ago I hinted at an idea I had for a new crochet project (after finishing my ripple throw).

Maybe you remember that I felt inspired by our woodpile of all things (and here it is in all its glory - hmm actually looking forward to cold weather so I can snuggle in front of the fire)!

Well, now I can share a little peek:

Hmm these aren't the best pictures looking at them. I've just upgraded to a whizzy new phone and I've taken to snapping making pics using that - obviously I haven't quite got the hang of holiding it steady while I snap!

Anyway, these hexagons are just a modification of the starburst square - just worked the last round into 6 sides instead of 4.

Not sure how big this throw will get as I am not planning on buying a lot of new yarn for it (ah who am I kidding, its bound to happen!). I'll see how I go.