Irish Crochet

Finished August's IC motif for the month, I didn't really struggle too much with this one although (as always) there is room for improvement

It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To......

.....To quote Lesley Gore. Anyhow it's a major birthday for me, sorry not telling how big.


I received some beautiful presents but this has to be my favourite. It is a redgum bowl handmade by my very, very talented brother-in-law, Don. (Don previously made both myself and daughter a lace pillow stand (and put a plaque on it).


Back to this bowl, not only did Don make it by hand, he also engraved a lovely birthday message on the underside of the bowl. I just love it so much.

Crochet of the Month - August

Here is August's crochet of the month squares.

Irish Crochet

Here is my disappointing attempt at this month's IC challenge. No more said.

I knitted an "Adipose" toy for my children, whom are besotted by Dr Who.

Adipose were a race of humanoid blobs of fat. Young adipose were hand-sized marshmallow-shaped beings, composed almost entirely of fat. They had two eyes and a mouth and webbed feet/hands.

Stainless steel yarn

I discovered some absolutely gorgeous yarn, mixed with stainless steel by Habu. The SS is almost invisible but it gives body to the yarn, whether you use it for knitting (I am currently making a jacket with this with two different colours - black and a brown) or even lace (I have a white cone for lace). When the knitted garment is complete, you just "scrunch" the garmet into shape.

The yarn is available in wool and stainless steel or silk and stainless steel.

It inspired me to attempt to spin my own - I found a supplier of the steel I just now need the time to experiment.

Fingerless mittens

Here is a set of fingerless mittens I finished making today with gorgeous handspun Angora/Silk/BFL - it is so soft. I slightly altered the pattern by adding crochet to the beginning. OMG, who am I kidding - I have no idea what I was thinking of but I actually forgot the ribbing at the start thus my amendment. Pattern by Ada Troxell.

Crochet of the Month - July

Woo Hoo - I've completed seven months' worth of challenges (i.e. two crochet squares a month). Roll on December when I can finally assemble the quilt/blanket/whatever-it-will-be.

Sock KAL

I am participating in an exciting Safari Sock KAL and received my gorgeous kit today which included a cute stitch marker. I hope I can keep up with the other participants, but I certainly won't be stressing if I'm a little slower, with so many WIPs on the go at the moment I don't seem to be completing much.

New spinning wheel

Couldn't help myself, I purchased another spinning wheel. This is a Wee Peggy (from New Zealand) and it is the cutest little wheel. I just love it, however I haven't had a chance to spin on it yet. I know there won't be a problem because the previous owner looked after it extremely well and most people who have a Wee Peggy admire their wheel.

Crochet beaded bracelet

This is a bracelet I completed yesterday (very quick and easy), using lapis lazuli chips mixed with standard glass beads. I then threaded these beads onto wire and crochet one-two beads per stitch.

Bargello case

For something a little different from me - some needlework. Here is a bargello sunglass case I made using tapestry wool. This was a very easy project, all that is required is some sort of legend/map for the design.

Creative Mojo

I think my mojo has returned. I was getting frustrated with my watercolours; deep down I didn't want picture perfect yet that was what I was aiming for (if that makes any sense at all). After all, I could use my camera for picture-perfect. I think that's why I find artists such as Frida inspirational.

Anyhow, I dug out my watercolours and brushes, my creative juices are flowing again starting with an autumn watercolour of falling leaves, and also a tree.

Here is the beginning of two pieces :-

Chunky Hat

A recently completed hat thanks to http://turvid.blogspot.com/2009/04/free-pattern-anyway-chunky-hat-in-super.html using some lovely chunky wool and a not so happy model.

Handspun BFL

Here is the Blue Lagoon BFL which is plied and ready to knit with (although not sure what pattern to use as yet). The fleece was spun on my Castella wheel and plied using my Ashford Traveller with jumbo flyer.

Socks using magic loop, and Handspun BFL

Here is a photo of a pair of socks I am knitting at the one time using one needle (i.e. magic loop) - I am sharing the photo particularly for my very good friend Lyn. I want these socks to be quite long (and warm) therefore will just keep on knitting until I run out of yarn.

Here is one ply of handspun BFL "Blue Lagoon" from http://www.ewegivemetheknits.com/ - I just love the colour. When I have completed another bobbin I would like to make either socks or a shawl from this.

Spinning Wheels

I can't remember if I have shared photos of my four "babies" = here they are in order of acquisition.

"Athena"

"Eos"

"Minerva"

.. and my latest babe which I "acquired" about one month ago, and as yet is unnamed.

Crochet of the Month - June

Two more blocks from the CAL challenge. These blocks were completed fairly quickly. In total I now have 12 blocks, I'm half way there!

Handspun fabric and lurex

As part of a fun challenge in a spinning group this month was to spin fabric ! Here is some fabric I ripped into strips and then spun it with glittery thread (which I always call "lurex" - it comes from being obsessed with the 70s).

Irish Crochet - flower

Finished another motif as part of the Ravelry IC challenge. This one is fun to do and I just adore the 3D effect. I have made a 12' square using a similar motif as part of a CAL earlier this year.