That is the ugliest effing square I’ve ever seen*

*it’s not plagiarism if you change a word, right?

I thought I had my mojo back up and running, but then I made the mistake of ignoring that little voice telling me I didn’t like what was appearing at the end of my crochet hook.

What hideous colours. But the next few rounds will fix it, won’t they?

Nope. Still hideous.

I frogged the whole thing and now it’s in the naughty corner for a while.

It’s strange that the colours I chose for the blanket all look so good together, but take out two or three of them and it can end up a disaster! I used to think I had such an eye for colour.

Well, I’ll try shuffling some around and maybe swapping some out, and see if I can get something workable. Maybe even pretty. Wish me luck.

Hannah

xXx

No mojo

This year has not started out as I mean to go on. I’ve not blogged at all and that’s partly because I haven’t touched a hook or needle for weeks. I have no reasons, or even excuses; my mojo has just vanished.

The last thing I did finish was my Roses for Grandma blanket. After more than two years of working on it in dribs and drabs, I finally crossed the finish line at some point between Christmas and new year 2020. And here it is:

The pattern is (Rav link) Roses on Lace by Pat Gibbons. The roses and forget-me-nots are mostly Eco Cotton yarn, with some Ricorumi for the leaves. The cream is a little bit of cotton I had leftover in my stash with no label on, but mainly Women’s Institute Soft & Smooth acrylic. And every last bit of it is infused with memories of my Grandma. I never could forget about her, but it’s comforting to have something physical that I can wrap around myself and be warmed by as I remember.

Hannah

xXx

Happy new year

Just a quick one to say happy new year, and I hope 2021 is much better for everyone.

Also, I forgot to mention my secret Santa present:

I’ve wanted one of these for aaaaaaages so I’m really excited to get stuck in. So that’s how I’m starting this year!

Hannah

xXx

I think I’ve got it

Current WIP count: 6

Stubbornness wins! I kept trying and trying with this joining pattern, and last night it finally clicked into place.

It’s actually really simple now I know what it’s asking for.

My problem was that the pattern uses the terms ‘same square’ and ‘adjacent square’ to explain what’s going on, but when you have to turn the work a few times (which you do) it’s a bit difficult to keep track of which square is which.

Some photos or diagrams would have helped, but never mind. I’m on the home stretch now and I can definitely finish off this blanket before the new year!

Hannah

xXx

No socks Monday

Believe it or not, I don’t have any socks on my needles right now. Gasp!

What I do have is a serious case of finish-itis. I’ve sewn in all the ends on the baby jumper and my Diagon Ally socks, and I’ve been super focussed on the boyfriend’s jumper. It’s odd not having the slightest urge to start something new.

However, I have hit a bit of a snag with one finish. Earlier this year I mentioned completing my Roses for Grandma blanket before 2021. All of the squares are finished and now it’s on to joining them together.

But I can NOT understand the joining instructions. At all. I’ve tried a few versions of what it might be trying to say, but none of them turned out useable, never mind correct.

There are no diagrams in the pattern, no notes on Rav, and no videos on YouTube that I can find, so I’m a bit stuck. I don’t suppose anyone else has made it before and can help me?

Hannah

xXx

WIP-ing on a Thursday

Current WIP count: 7

Having a job isn’t helping me keep track of days at all, so no alliteration for today’s post title. I’m sure we’ll manage.

I have finished the first sleeve on the boyfriend’s jumper, but haven’t picked up stitches for the second one yet.

If you think that sleeve looks a bit long then you’re right. The boyfriend and I like our jumpers and coats to come down past our wrists, for maximum warmth and snuggly-ness. He has tried it on and approved.

The blanket is coming along nicely, with four squares now finished.

I’m dithering a bit over that latest square. It’s all very red and orange and part of me wants to sub in some more yellow in the second one, but I also want to stick with the pattern and keep both squares the same. What do you guys think?

Hannah

xXx

October review 2020

Stash used this month: 0.5

Total stash used this year: 43

Stash added: 2

Stash remaining: 327.25

I’m really not getting through stash mountain as quickly as I hoped. That seems to be what happens when I can’t stop knitting socks; they’re such addictive little things, but not exactly yarn munchers.

All I’ve managed this month is a pair of socks for the boyfriend and two blanket squares.

Of course, stress-buying yarn isn’t helping either. I really am trying to cut down on that.

I’m now starting to think about Christmas presents, as well as a couple of December birthdays, so there should be something other than socks and blankets to show off this month! Even I’m looking forward to that.

Hannah

xXx

WIP Wednesday 28.10.20

Current WIP count: 8

We all knew it was only a matter of time before I started another blanket, and this week I found I couldn’t resist any longer.

This is the beginning of another Beachcombing blanket. My last one was in mostly blues and greens so I decided to use my hot colours this time round. I’m not totally convinced that the dark brown (showing up as black in photos) works, but a few other people said they like it so I’m going to keep it in there.

I’m starting my temporary job tomorrow – training starts at 8am sharp! Wish me luck!

Hannah

xXx

Decisions, decisions

Today I have another quiz from Karen, and this one feels particularly relevant to me at the moment (read: all the time because I’m a WIP-fiend).

Are you a one project at a time crafter or do you like a variety to suit your mood?

I feel like there have been times in the dim and distant past when I was a monogamous crafter, but generally my WIP list sits between 5 and 10 projects at any one time. Partly because I both crochet and knit, but mainly because there are too many beautiful things to make and I can’t possibly stick with just one.

It does seem to work out that I usually have one large and one small project each for knitting and crochet, and then a few others sneak in when I see something I really want to make.

Do you reward yourself along the way with a new project after reaching a certain goal?

Sometimes, but only if it’s a really big/complicated project and I need a bit of extra motivation. I’m a bit too easily distracted by the new thing so it doesn’t always work…

How do you decide which project to work on? Do you require that you work on a less loved project before you work on the one that is really firing you up?

Since lockdown started I’ve only been working on projects that I feel like making (mostly socks) – there’s too much stress involved in just existing at the moment, so craft time needs to be something I enjoy.

In the before times I did used to hold exciting projects back until I’d crossed a few things off the WIP list, so maybe I’ll get back to working that way again one day.

How do you know you have too many things going at one time?

I started keeping a WIP list for just this reason. After a year or two of using it I know that once the number of projects hits double figures I’m going to start getting overwhelmed.

If you had to chose between a project that is nearly done and a new exciting one which would you pick? Are you a process crafter or a project crafter?

Well it depends. If the nearly-done project is socks then right now I would probably go for that. I’ve still not got over the I JUST MADE A PAIR OF SOCKS feeling every time I finish. Otherwise I would probably get distracted by the shiny new thing.

And there you have it. Feel free to join in if you fancy it!

Hannah

xXx

September review 2020

Yesss Halloween month is here! Time to dig out my face paints and costumes!

But before all that, let’s have a look at my yarnery in September.

Stash used this month: 1

Total stash used this year: 42.5

Stash remaining: 325.75

Makes for myself

Just a crochet rainbow and most of a pair of Hermione’s every day socks for myself this month. I’m happy with that, as I’ve wanted to make a rainbow like this for MONTHS and I just love the neon rainbow yarn from Siobhan’s Crafts.

Makes for others

I finished off a green pair of socks for the boyfriend and made a start on a purple pair. Cuz he’s amazing and bought me flowers as soon as I found out I was losing my job.

He is good to me.

I am most definitely still in the middle of a sock phase. But I also feel the urge to make another blanket getting stronger and stronger, so that’s probably going to happen imminently.

It just popped into my head that I did a “make 9” post away back when things were normal, which I haven’t even looked at for months. It’s probably a bit late to get them all done before the end of the year, but I think I’ll have a look at it again and at least try something from the list.

But then I will also be spending a lot of time looking for a job and then hopefully working at said job. We’ll see.

How was your September?

Hannah

xXx

WIP Thursday 17.09.20

Current WIP count: 7

I thought I was over the lure of crafting magazines and their freebies, but it turns out I can still be swayed.

It’s the Peanuts amigurumi, you see. I have so many people who love Peanuts so they would make excellent presents. Plus there are both crochet and knitting patterns for each character and I’m intrigued to see the difference when making the same item.

But also, there’s a wee rainbow pattern in the back, which I’ve been meaning to make for at least 5 months so that was just the push I needed.

Turns out it’s tiny.

It was done in about half an hour, and only took that long because I was so scared of snapping the hook. I mean, look at this nonsense:

But not too much. One hard stare might be the end of it.

Of course, I’d barely finished before planning the next one and how I could improve it, so I’ll probably be making rainbows for a wee while yet. It feels good to be crocheting again!

Hannah

xXx

A gifting quiz

Ugh I knew WP wouldn’t let us keep the classic editor. I cannot work this one for toffee so my posts are going to be a mess for a while.

But the good news is hooray, it’s quiz time again! This time it’s about giving gifts.

Do you gift your handmade items?
Eventually. Unless I’m making something specifically for someone then my FOs usually sit in a box until an occasion or suitable person arises.

Do you have limits around who you gift to or what you gift?
I used to give to anyone and everyone, but now I’ll only make presents for family and very close friends. Somehow they just seem to appreciate it more.

What type of things do you like to make and gift?
I looooove giving amigurumi! Whatever someone is into there will be an ami pattern out there, and I love seeing people’s eyes light up when they see their favourite character/person/animal/snack food replicated in yarn.

Have you received handmade items?
I have a crochet blanket that I won in a raffle, and there have been many handmade cards over the years, but I can’t think of any gifts at the moment.

Have you ever asked for a gift back?
Er no. That’s not how gifts work.

Do you gift handmade items for holidays?
I have for the last few years, but I’m not sure that’s sustainable. We’ll see.

So there you have it. Feel free to join in if you want!

Hannah
xXx