Some Bits & Bobs I've Been Making Part 1

I have been doing quite a bit of crocheting lately & here are some of the things I've made.

I was very excited with the news that my high school bestie Wendy's daughter was expecting her first child. I couldn't miss an opportunity to make something, so I asked if she would prefer pastels or brights. Pastels please! & she sent a pick of a beautiful ripple blanket in these exact colours. I did plan on making the ripple rug, & I did start it, but for some reason I just kept losing the plot with the pattern so in the end I threw in the towel & decided to go with a simple corner to corner rug. I felt it was probably the best option if the rug was to be finished this decade! Sometimes my brain just doesn't co-operate & this was one of those times. I used Patons 4 ply pure Merino wool, I'm old fashioned & like to use natural fibres for babies. It was lovely & soft & drapes beautifully.

I found a few odd granny squares I'd made & realised they'd make a great base for a vintage basket I take to my craft group. I joined them up added a border & voila!

An infinity scarf crocheted with a pretty variegated yarn.

'Betty' the Yarndale mascot & she couldn't have a better name. My Mum is Betty, & she taught me to knit & sew so I just loved it when I first saw Betty on Lucy's blog. 

Here is the link to Betty & the pattern to crochet her:

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/woolly-sheep.html

Lucy's seaside bag, I really am a Lucy groupie aren't I?

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/weekend-bag.html

The bag above I made in Spotlight's Marvel 12 ply yarn & it worked well. 

The bag below is made using the yarn supplied in the kit from Wool Warehouse. It is a fabulous bag, just the right size, I use mine a lot & plan to make a few more in different colours.

A scarf I made for Emma, I forgot to take a pic after I finished blocking it. Doh!

I crocheted up a bunch of flowers & decorated a pair of IKEA scuffs, & an IKEA cushion cover with them. These were a birthday gift for a dear friend.

This is where i found the pattern : 

http://sillyoldsuitcase.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/diy-crochet-mini-flower-garland-in.html

 I love making & using pure cotton facecloths. 

I use Mornington yarn & do a simple corner to corner (C2C) pattern. 

A phone cover I whipped up for a friend. She loves pink!

A cowl I made for Emma.

A heart brooch for a friend.

Loving the beautiful hearts that popped up on Lucy's page for Yarndale this year.

Slouch beanies I make for my vintage stall Carry On Vintage at 1546 Vintage in Tyabb.

Yummy Hand Knitted Socks!!!

Like a lot of people I caught the sock making bug. I never actually thought I'd be able to make a sock but with a little help from my friends, a wonderful pattern & tutorial from Winwick Mum, & a teeny tiny circular needle I did it, quite a few times in fact! They are super comfy & very warm.

Knitting socks had always been on my to-do list so I was glad when the opportunity came along. I find most things just fall into place along the way. My Mum knitted socks for the soldiers during WW2. She was still at school at the time, & she & her friends, would go the home of a lovely local lady in Goulburn to make socks, & also camouflage nets. 

My great aunts used to knit beautiful wool socks for my Dad, they lasted for many years, & Mum would darn them whenever necessary, the socks not my great aunts lol. Though they did also last for many years, the last of the four sisters who shared a home, passed away aged 103. Aunty Lal was such a character she was by far the worst driver I've ever been in a car with, but somehow we all survived. She went through life calling everybody 'Love' as I'm not sure she actually remembered anyone's name. She was always a lot of fun & all her great nieces & nephews loved her. Ah getting a little nostalgic, back on track...

If you'd like to have a go at knitting socks here is the link to get you started. 

http://www.winwickmum.co.uk/p/sockalong.html

Grab a friend who is also keen as it's fun to sockalong together & help each other if necessary. There is also a facebook page where you can chat to other sock makers & get heaps of help & advice if needed.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/642084589269882/?ref=br_rs

I found that sock yarn is a bit addictive & I have quite a nice stash of it. 

These beautiful hanks were bought from a local lady who dyes the most exquisite colours.

Pauline has a facebook page, Wild at Heart Yarns, so you can check them out for yourself. (No affils. just a happy customer).

https://www.facebook.com/Wild-at-Heart-Yarns-1079763735419431/

My 1st pair!

These 2 pairs of self-striping yarn, very clever & fun to work with, are made from Spotlight's Not Just Socks 4 ply yarn. 

https://www.spotlightstores.com/craft-hobbies/yarn-needle-art/yarn/wool-blends/moda-vera-not-just-socks-yarn/p/BP80314899

I'ts not always in stock, & the colours change frequently, worth keeping an eye out for as it it is nice to work with, & is suitable for any project requiring 4 ply yarn. 

It's especially good when it's on sale, that's when I grab a ball or 2. :-)

Hydrangeas & Alpacas - does it get any better!

I have no idea why, but as a kid I really didn't like hydrangeas. Now I love them! 

I snapped these pics at my daughter Emma's farm, the colours are just amazing. Knowing how much I love hydrangeas (now) she bought me the hydrangea kit put together by my fave crafter Lucy of Attic 24. I haven't started it yet, but I have made the Moorland blanket & it's been toasty warm through a very cold Melbourne winter. I'll share pics of it soon.

One of the highlights of visiting Emma's is catching up with her beautiful alpacas. 

She has 8 now with several babies due later this year. 

Here I am with Leydan, he is such a sweetie.

You can't beat nature for incredible colours.