do you ever

Do you ever get 3/4 of the way through a craft project then realise, you just don't like it?


or look at your children and wonder when they got so big and grown up?


or how amazing nature is to produce such amazing and diverse plants?

progress

Seems that progress is very slow around here this week. I think these rainy days we are having don't help progress too much at all, I just feel like curling up under a cozy blanket. I have however made some progress, I've finished off my brooch for the brooch swap and I'm also finished my tea towel for the swap too. Now I just have to find some time to wrap them up nicely and send them on their way.

Happy weekend.

covered toes

Today was the first day day in a very long time that I covered up my toes. The cold weather has finally reached my feet and I reached for some socks and boots today. It kind of makes me a bit sad, but before I know it the spring will arrive and my toes will once again be free.

lucky

On the weekend I had a lucky thrift find. I found a great stack of embroidered linen and these tapestries all for less than a price of a coffee. I couldn't believe my luck. Now I've got a plan in mind for these and the ones that are already in my stash. Now to find the time to put the plan into action. So many people have put so many hours into these tapestries it seems only right to make something with them that will be seen rather than just tucked away unfinished.

And yes I'm making a BIG rug with the red fabric "yarn".

beginning

The beginning of a big project - big hook, big fabric "yarn", big, big, big! Any guesses?

woven washcloth pattern

This is the washcloth pattern that I have been using to make a big stack of washcloths. It gives a nice woven look texture, great for using as a facecloth or in the kitchen. I've used the same pattern (and hook size) with 4ply and 8ply cotton, the 8ply gives a chunkier look and feel to the cloth. I don't think gauge is so important with a washcloth so I haven't included one, but my cloths are around 16cm square (6.5 inches)

Written in American terms.

Size 3.5mm hook

FPDC - Front post double crochet, BPDC - Back post double crochet

Ch 32
Foundation row: DC in 3rd chain from hook (counts as DC), DC in each chain to the end. Chain 3 (30 DC)
Row 1: FPDC in the first two stitches, BPDC in the next two stitches, repeat to end with a DC in the top of 3 chain from foundation row. Chain 3, turn.

Row 2: BPDC in the first two stitches, FPDC in the next two stitches, repeat to end with a DC in top of 3 chain from previous row.

Row 3: Repeat row 2

Row 4: Repeat row 1

Row 5: Repeat row 1 , continue working the pattern until you have a square cloth

Finishing: Work a row of SC around the edge of cloth, working two SC along the sides where you crocheted 3 chain. Weave in the ends! Make one, make a stack! They make fantastic gifts for young and old. Crochet a few and wrap with some nice baby soap for a gift for a new baby or some with a tea towel or apron for someone who loves baking. A few bright ones with some bubble bath will make a child beg for their mum to put the bath on straight away (yes that did happen)

Ashford

This is the before photo - fingers crossed there will be an "after" one. I found this Ashford doll's pram in the local Salvation Army today. It needs a bit of love, some of the small cane parts have broken off and it needs a good clean and perhaps a paint job. Funny thing is the kids have played with it all afternoon with no alterations (other than me giving it a quick clean) so maybe it's "loved" just as it is. I didn't know Ashford made children's toys, I thought they only made spinning wheels.

Pop back tomorrow when I'll be sharing my favourite pattern for dishcloths, I've been working my way through my cotton stash making a big pile of them.

lightbulb

A little light bulb went off in my head the other day. It has always annoyed me when I crochet shapes to stuff and the stuffing (the white fibre fill kind of stuffing) shows through the stitches, it just doesn't look right. All of a sudden I thought why don't I stuff the shapes with dyed wool roving to match the colour of the yarn that I've used. It isn't so clear to see in the photo above but this was the first project I've tried it with, the one on the right is stuffed with the dyed wool. I'm quite excited about this discovery although I'm sure that someone must have already discovered it!

You can find the free hear pattern here.

weekending

A few snaps from our weekend, a very decadent cake! some perfume making by miss E and I found some quiet time to finish off a scarf. I really enjoyed this weekend, so much so, I'm already looking forward to the next one!

swapping

just a couple of things I've signed up for, in case you are interested to. Click on the pictures to take you to the sign up pages.

deadline

The farm is nearly finished and some animals have arrived to check out the progress. There are just a few more things to do and then it's all finished, another row of crocheted carrots, weave in some loose ends of thread, and sew a pocket on the back so it will fold up into it's own case. It's a really rainy day today so I think I'll get a chance to finish it all off.

Happy weekend to you! and if you are a mother, happy mother's day for Sunday- I'm hoping for a lie in.

progress

I have been working on what seems like a ton of things all at once, which simply means that nothing is ever finished off and I have lots of people breathing down my neck. One such person is a five year old girl who desperately wants her farm mat finished so she can play with it. Well I'm certainly keen to get her to stop breathing down my neck so I've set a goal to have it finished on the weekend. Then I can get onto some other crafting, sounds like a win,win to me!

( I feel bad I've just looked up the other post to link to and it's nearly a year since she asked for it! No wonder she's keen to have it finished, what a bad mum.)