Category Archives: My ramblings

Dating Profile of a crocheted sweater

13 Tuesday May 2014

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online dating profile for crochet sweater

I’m a 3/4 length sleeve, slash neck sweater. Dad is a silver-haired Garnstudio Drops Cotton Viscose, and Mom is Belle by Rowan. I am named after Mom.  By just looking at me you would think I am a difficult person to live with, but if you look closely you’ll see I’m basically just 4 panels. Two of my panels are intricate lace, and my sides and sleeves are worked as one. I look difficult, but I’m really not. Saying that, you have to keep your wits about you because I can be a bit splitty – I get that from my Dad.  On the plus side I also got my slight sparkle from Dad. I will only shine in the right light though, and only to those who care to look closely.

I like showing off with friends, especially at the craft mornings where my design is really appreciated. I don’t like sharp edges or rough surfaces – it brings out my splitty side. When I’m wet I become rigid and need a firm hand to get me to open up again. If you have a firm, yet gentle hand, I will reward you with a beautiful open lace pattern and be the perfect length to flatter your hips.

I sometimes think I need to duplicate myself because I’m just so fabulous. If there were two of me, I’ll improve on myself by changing my splitty nature and dyeing my silver hair blue so that I will look good with denim. I’m hoping somewhere in my gene pool there is more cotton and less viscose. I may not have the same sheen, but I’ll make up for it by being much softer and more relaxed.

If you’re looking for a classic companion with a lacy edge, want to get close enough so that you can appreciate my sheen, and are willing to stick around for the softer me, I’d love to hear from you.

xxxx

This post is the Day 2 assignment for Knitting and Crochet Blog Week 5: Dating Profile

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A Day In The Life

12 Monday May 2014

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Sunday. Living room

10:13 She is meant to crochet my squares every evening, yet I can’t remember when last I saw a crochet hook. Will I have to sit through yet another Sunday watching her make amigurumi owls, knit (bah!), crochet placemats and do cross stitch in stead of working on my squares? By the way, what’s with the cross stitch and knitting? I thought she was all about crochet. Judas.

10:30 She and the hubby are eating breakfast. Enjoyed your lie-in did you? valuable time wasted when you could have been catching up with your mood squares. She committed to make a crochet square every day and look at me. Skinny as a rake while they’re doing that full english breakfast thing. So selfish.

11:10 She’s finally out of those hideous pajamas and in her spot on the couch. There’s a mug of tea too. Will she work on her mood blanket squares? No. She’s knitting! Stupid needles click, click, clicking away. If I was able to crochet myself a square, today would be a purple square ’cause I’m really irritated.

11:55 Ooo, she’s reaching in my direction. Tote Bag Barry tells me that she is writing down her moods in a diary. Maybe she’s reaching for the diary. At this stage any progress is better than nothing. Even if it is just to write down “okay” or “ditzy” or whatever crazy mood she’s in.

Nope, I’ve been ignored again. She was only putting her knitting away.

Why has she forsaken me? Why? I’m definitely having a grey square moment. So sad, so sad.

11:56 Off to the kitchen. Probably to make tea.

11:59 Here she comes. I smell peppermint. Called it. (How much tea can this woman drink?!)

12:01 She’s reaching in my direction again. I’m not getting my hopes up. The acrylic strands of my heart can’t take the rejection much longer. I mean really. It’s so quick to crochet a 4-round square. She doesn’t even have to join my squares – it’s join as you go for Pete’s sake. If Barry is right and she is writing down her moods every day, she is still thinking of me so why not put hook to yarn? Just one square a day is all I ask. Just one a day.

Oooh, the hand is coming closer.

I’m out of the bag! I’m out of the bag! I can see her (ugly) Crocs.

I’m on her lap! Whoo-hoo! This is it!

Barry was right. I can see the diary. It’s open at 4 April 2014. Geez, she is way behind! Not judging. Just saying.

Well hello Sirdar Hayfield Baby in White and 3.5 mm Knitpro crochet hook. Long time no see. Welcome, welcome, welcome. Come snuggle up next to the happy green square from 3 April 2014.

Suddenly my day has turned into a very good day. My stitches are practically a quiver with happiness.

13:10 She’s been crocheting squares for almost an hour now. She only took one tea break and I’ve grown by two rows – that’s more than 4 weeks worth of squares!  I think she may even be up to date with the squares. I’ll have to ask Tote Bag Barry to check the diary, but things are looking good.

13:13 I’m back in the bag and she’s off to the kitchen.  I presume this is the end of the marathon moodblanket catch-up session.   Her hands are hopefully probably aching from trying to catch up on the backlog of squares. Serves her right for neglecting me for so long, but has she learned her lesson? I’m not betting my stitch markers on it.  I will bet on something else though: she’s in the kitchen making tea.

xxxxx

This post is the Day 1 assignment for Knitting and Crochet Blog Week 5: A Day In The Life.

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Crochet holidays, cruises and weekends

30 Wednesday Apr 2014

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I’ve been thinking a lot about going on holiday lately. If I think “holiday” I also think “what should I take with me to crochet?” and that made me wonder if there are any crochet themed holidays and retreats out there. There are! Here is my list of crochet holidays, cruises, retreats and weekends. Some are expensive, some are very cheap. One is sold out, and others still have space. Whether you are able to go or not, it’s always nice to know that our crocheting and knitting needs can be catered for on a holiday – in fact there are people out there who make it their business to give us a crochet themed holiday! Take your pick and enjoy your holiday.

Wordle word cloud crochet knit retreats

Knitting Holidays in France

Sue Culligan’s knitting and crochet holidays at her farmhouse La Verderie in Charente-Maritime, France offer an idyllic getaway where like-minded people can get together to crochet and knit, be wined and dined, explore French market towns and enjoy the surrounding vineyards and woodlands. The workshops only accommodate five people over the five nights so it’s lovely and intimate.

I’ve been following Sue’s blog for a while now and I’m always amazed at the great time she and her guests have. Sue picks up her guests at airports or trains stations, take them out on day trips and go to cafes for coffee & cake and cook them amazing dishes – that certainly sounds like the kind of thing you do for a friend or family member, not a fee paying guest.  Sue seems proud to show off the French villages and markets to the visitors, blogging beautiful photos and giving us a glimpse into her world. Her most recent blog posts shows a guest knitting in the traditional Portuguese way with the yarn around her neck. It must have been fascinating to watch.  Sue not only opens her home to knitters and crocheters, she will also teach workshops upon request and guests have access to her extensive library of books and patterns.

Next getaway: 21 – 26 September 2014 (plus one more in October 2014 and two in 2015)

Cost: From £325 per person

Find out more: WEBSITE and BLOG

Craft Cruises

If you think of cruises you will either think “glamorous/luxury/pampering” or “old-fashioned/nowhere to hide/all you do all day is eat”. To be honest, I fall somewhere in between these two extremes. Craft Cruise® want to change our misconceptions about cruising. They say “The most satisfied of all Craft Cruise® participants are the ones who resisted. The onboard classes, the pampering, the friendships, the overall feeling of togetherness, and the exclusive opportunities to meet other like-minded people in ports around the world have led to expectations being exceeded and the cruise experience being repeated over and over again.”  Having a look at the long list of crafts, and various cruise itineraries for each craft, I can see how Craft Cruise® would be able to change your mind about cruising. The destinations, activities and teachers on board are brilliant.

The crafts offered include knitting, hand spinning, beading and needle point – they even have plans for brewing and cooking cruises. The last crochet cruise was in a 13-Day Canada & New England cruise in October 2013 with guest speakers Edie Eckman (I love Edie’s crochet!) and Chris Bylsma. Passengers traced the path of American independence, ate fresh New England lobster, watched dyeing demonstrations, visited an Angora goat farm in Saguenay where they saw raw wool processed from goat to sweater, and shopped for yarn. They set off from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale with visits to the ports Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Maine and South Carolina. All of this, whilst crocheting and being taught by the likes of Edie and Chris!

Unfortunately there will be no more crochet specific cruises. Craft Cruise® will be focusing on knitting cruises, but I don’t think that’s a huge issue. Crocheters and knitters both love yarn and we love mingling with like-minded yarn loving souls, so whether you spend your days on a cruise ship and at ports visiting yarn shops with a crochet hook or a knitting needle in hand, it doesn’t matter – you will enjoy yourself. Craft Cruise® have been hosting knitting themed cruises for over 15 years, so they certainly know their stuff and you’ll be in good hands.

I’m a crocheter, but even I would like love to go on one of the knitting cruises. Specifically the Ireland Knitting Cruise in August 2014. It’s a 14 day cruises starting and ending in Amsterdam. The highlights include:

  • A trunk show in Amsterdam with Stephen West
  • Sample traditional Indonesian cuisine with a Dutch twist at a rice table in Amsterdam
  • Shop for yarn at de Afstap and Penelope Craft in Amsterdam
  • Enjoy traditional Irish tea in the medieval section of town at The Constant Knitter yarn shop in Dublin
  • Visit the Skye Shilasdair dye-house and yarn shop in the scenic Highland area of Northwest Scotland
  • Shop for Norwegian yarn and Dale of Norway Sweaters while enjoying the sights in Bergen
  • Visit the Troll Wall which is the highest overhang in Europe overlooking the sea while in the beautiful port of Alesund
  • Shop for Waterford Crystal in Waterford Ireland

See what I mean? Whether you crochet or knit, this is our kind of cruise!

Next cruise: No crochet cruise planned, but the next knitting cruise is Musk Ox & Glaciers 25 May – 1 June 2014. There are six more knitting cruises planned for 2014 from July to December.

Cost: Price given on request

Find out more: HERE

Cool Crochet in Marrakech

I found out about Ingrid Jansen (of Wood & Wool Stool) and Ank van der Pluijm’s Cool Crochet Workshop in Marrakech through Dottie Angel’s Instagram posts. Dottie’s Instagram photos really, really, really made me want to be there with her in Marrakech buying wool, watching the wool being dyed in the souk (I mean really! How cool is that?!) and crocheting in local cafes and in the open air with Moroccan women. Nevermind cool, Cool Crochet sounds like a crocheting adventure! I’ll be keeping a close eye on Dottie’s blog and of course the Wood & Wool Stool blog for more photos and writings on their six days in Marrakech.

Next getaway: 3 – 8 October 2014

Cost: EUR 525 per person

Find out more: HERE

Knit and crochet weekend in Bournemouth

Debbie Abrahams and Jane Crowfoot are hosting a knitting and crochet weekend from 7 – 9 November 2014 in Bournemouth. Unfortunately the workshop is fully booked, but I wanted to include it in my list because it just sounds So Marvellous. With the help of Debbie and Jane you will create a pocket style advent calendar using either knitting or crochet or combine the two crafts. The weekend is not only about crochet and knitting – included in the price is a one day health spa pass and admission to visit a museum & art gallery. A Rowan yarn kit and beads by Debbie are also included. I can see why this weekend has sold out!

Next getaway: Unknown

Cost: From £240 p.p

Find out more: HERE

The poor man’s option

If you can’t go on a cruise, fly to Marrakech or visit France, you can always hold a knitting and crochet retreat at your house like Kim Werker did. Get your crafting pals together, eat loads of cake & crisps, order a take-away, leave the dishes to the next morning, drink wine, oh, and do a bit of crochet. Do it all again the next morning, replacing Chinese take-away with a Hearty Breakfast. It’s like a weekly crochet session at the local pub, stretched over 24 hours within the comfort of your own home. Lovely!

Next getaway: Any weekend the husband and kids are away

Cost: Price of a take-away and wine

Find out more: HERE

 

*I have not been asked, or paid, by any of the organisers to write this post. Only the Craft Cruise® write-up contain affiliate links.

14 Ways to join your crochet

10 Thursday Apr 2014

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I found this great summary of the many ways to join crochet.

monsteryarns's avatarMonster Yarns

I’ve recently seen a lot of crochet blankets being worked on. I have also finished one a few days ago. As a result, I’ve been thinking of the best ways of joining crochet work.

After a little research, I was amazed to see how many different ways there are to do this. Choosing a method depends on the colour, design and effect you want to create. So here are 14 ways to join your work. Let me know if you can think of other methods. Click on the titles for a link to a tutorial.

Whipstitch – sew them together. Nice, flat and involves a needle.
whipstitch

“Zipper” Method – amazing flat crochet join which makes a feature out of your join.
zipper methodInvisible Seam join – the opposite of the Zipper Method.
invisible seam joinUnusual “Dude” Join – I’m not sure how to describe this but it is very pretty
dude joiningSlip-stitch join –…

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Terrific Tuesday

08 Tuesday Apr 2014

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On a Monday I can still remember the fun I had over the weekend, Wednesday is the middle of the work week, on Thursday I start getting hopeful and on a Friday I can taste the weekend. But what about a Tuesday? It’s so…. just there. Weekend memories are too far away and the upcoming weekend might as well be a year away.

What we need is a bit of colourful inspiration to get us going on a Tuesday, don’t you think? A pretty picture, beautiful scenery or colourful imagery. Yup, that’ll liven up Tuesdays and turn it into a terrific day!

From now on I will go through my photos and Pinterest likes every Tuesday and find us a pretty picture to add colour and joy to the day.

xxxxxx

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Here’s a photo of the Spring wreath I made over the weekend with only three ingredients from Hobbycraft: rattan wreath, green striped cross grain ribbon and wooden flowers. Special mention goes to Dulux for the Hawain Blue gloss paint on our front door.

Wishing you all a Terrific Tuesday!

Natasja

 

 

 

I want to crochet with Geep wool!

04 Friday Apr 2014

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A rare, hybrid animal that is part goat and part sheep has been born on a farm in the County Kildare, Ireland.

(If you can’t watch the video you can read about Geep, the Goat-Sheep in this BBC article.)

I can just picture this conversation in many a yarnaddict home:

“I’m off to the shops to buy geep wool.”

“Cheap wool?”

“No, geep wool.”

“Sheep wool?”

“No, geep wool.”

“You want to keep wool?”

“No, I want to buy geep wool!”

“Whatever.”

When work interferes with crochet

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

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I have been crocheting little circle lace motifs on the train to work this morning using my own Lacy Coasters pattern. You would assume that I would like how they’re turning out, but you would be wrong. Just as the train was about to pull in at London Waterloo station I realised that I don’t like what I have been making.  Something was bothering me about the design and/or  the colour and/or the placement of the colour. It’s not the fault of the pattern – hey, it’s my own pattern – it’s because I’m not sticking to the original colour scheme. I’m using two colours instead of the original three and now everything looks different. Me. No. Likey. And what’s the worst thing that can happen when you realise you don’t like what you’ve been crocheting? That you have to wait to fix it.

Reluctantly I had to pack up my things, get off the train and onto the bus that would take me to the office. All the way to the office all I could think about was The Design. I played out scenarios in my head, imagining how I want the lacy motif to look and what I had to change to get it just so. I gave myself a talking to “Geez Natasja. You designed those lacy coaster and they are beautiful, so why mess with something that works?” Sadly I wasn’t even able to convince myself to stick to my pattern. It just had to be changed. Had to.

Then it struck me. Somewhere between Waterloo Bridge and Royal Courts of Justice I knew what I had to do to make me love my circle motif again. I got out my notebook & pen (one always needs a notebook and pen for when inspiration strikes on the bus) and quickly sketched out what was in my head. I was happy that I solved the design problem, yet sad and frustrated that I couldn’t then and there try it out. No, I had to continue my bus journey to get to the office to do PA things whilst my whole being was longing to crochet and play.

Around 11:20 I sneakily got out my tote bag and did a few crochet stitches but got a funny look from one of the other PAs so I had to put back my toys.  But I did sketch out a section of a crochet diagram on my notepad. I might not be able to crochet it, but no-one can stop me from drawing it. Amongst the meeting notes and instructions from lawyers scribbled on my notepad, I have left my crochet mark. Oh I love seeing those little symbols that means so much to me and absolutely nothing to anyone else in this law firm.

IMG_6147

Eventually the digital clock on my PC monitor showed 12:30. Finally! Lunch! I turn my chair around so that my back is facing everyone who walk past my desk, bend down to rummage in my tote bag and get the three things that bring me a world of joy. My crochet hook, embroidery scissors and cotton yarn. Now I can do what I’ve been thinking of whole morning.

And it was good.

So good.

I very quickly undid the two rows that were bothering me and crocheted what I had written down in my little notebook. It certainly looked better but it still wasn’t quite right. Unlike this morning I was able to try out at least two other stitch-and-colour combinations. I could feel myself relax as I immerse myself totally in my crochet. I know people walked past my desk but I was in my crochet bubble where no-one else matters. It just me, my creative imagination, the yarn and my crochet hook. As I crocheted I could see the picture in my head taking shape right there in my hands and my spirits lifted. It really did! I had been frustrated and a bit gloomy all morning, but within 30 minutes of crocheting and being creative, everything changed.

I really do notice that when I’m crocheting and fully concentrating only on that, my mind wanders to its Creative Place where new ideas are formed. When I’m truly “in the moment” it’s almost like meditating and I can connect with my true self. No wonder sitting at the office counting down the minutes until I can pick up my crochet hook and yarn, makes me a bit sad.

It’s not all bad though. God has been good and things have lined up for me that will change my work-crochet balance for the better, but I don’t want to say too much yet. Until then my work desk will look something like this for an hour every day. I’m very grateful for even this extra hour in my day to do some crocheting.

And if anyone should say something about the yarn lying around, I say: Bite me. I’m happy.

IMG_6139

 

 

An office behind the door

16 Sunday Mar 2014

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Everyone needs a space to call their own don’t you think? Your area where you can do your own thing and surround yourself with that which makes you happy. Yesterday, I got my little hideaway and I’m so grateful for it!

Before I show you, I have to say that our house is tiny. It might be small but it’s big enough for the two of us and we love every inch of our home. But being small, we need to make the best use of all the space we do have. One of the things we have found that works really well is to utilise the space behind doors. For example, behind our bedroom door we have a tall bookshelf for shoes and in the spare room we hide the ironing board and clothes drying rack behind the door. All of these unsightly everyday things are neatly hidden away yet easily accessible.

The only option we had for creating a workstation for me was to go looking behind doors again. We found the perfect space in the living room.

IMG_6027 before

All I really wanted was a white desk (it has to be white so that I can use it to take photos for crochet tutorials), a chair and maybe a little cupboard, but how do you fit a whole desk and chair behind a door? You go to Ikea and buy a drop-leaf desk and foldable chair!

IMG_6028 after When I’m ready to work I flip the desk up, unfold my chair (which is of course stored behind another door), plug in the Macbook and I’m good to go!

IMG_6030 ready to work

I can place my chair on any of the three sides of my table depending on what I’m doing. For photos I’ll probably sit facing the window so that the natural light will fall on my crochet, and when I want to watch TV and do admin at the same time, I can sit with my back to the window. Look, I even have a little snake plant to keep me company. The whole setup cost us less than £100 (and to think we considered converting the garage into an office at a cost of £16,000!)

I’m typing this post seated at my desk, looking out at the garden where John is mowing the lawn and loving every minute! It’s strange how having a dedicated writing area makes it so much more pleasurable to write. My crocheting spot is still on the sofa, but for blogging, Etsy, admin and basically anything that has to be done on a laptop, I will be seated on my turquoise chair. 

Over time I’m sure my Office Behind The Door will change and become more “me”. Can anyone say crochet bunting? I also plan on crocheting baskets and covers for glass jars which will go inside the cupboard to keep my stationary. I’ll need a coaster to protect my white table too. Oooh, and a cushion for my chair!

If you want to recreate my little Office Behind The Door in your home, you’ll need the Norberg wall-mounted drop-leaf table,  a Frode folding chair and Besta shelf. 

Oh, and don’t forget the Sansevieria potted plant. Every fold-away desk needs one. You will also need a brilliant handyman like my dear husband who’s idea it was to get a  fold-away desk for me and did an excellent job in putting it up.

Let the writing commence!

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Distributing the Crochet For Kidneys Part 2 blankets

14 Friday Mar 2014

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Yesterday, World Kidney Day, John and I visited the Royal Free Hospital and handed over the 14 blankets. As you can see from the photos we had  a lovely chat with Thelma, the Ward Manager and other nurses. They loved the blankets! Thelma was very appreciative and promised to distribute the blankets to the dialysis patients who need it most.

She asked me to thank all you lovely people for making the hexagons and being part of Crochet For Kidneys Part 2.

I do hope that the recipients will find the time to join the Crochet For Kidneys Facebook group so that we can all “meet” each other!

With Crochet For Kidneys Part 1 and Part 2 now over, I know a lot of you are wondering when Part 3 will kick off. Crocheters love to crochet and we love to share our crochet so it’s only natural that you want to be part of more charity projects. I love that about you all! You’ll have to wait a couple of months for Part 3 though. Crochet For Kidneys Part 3 won’t kick off until September 2014, but dont let that stop you from crocheting for charity.

The Starting Chain blog made a list of ten US Charities that need crocheted items which you can read here and as a follow-up on that post, they listed nine charities in the UK, Canada and Australia that also need crocheted items here. If your hands are itching to put hook to yarn for a good cause, I’m sure you’ll be able to find the perfect charity project in amongst the 19 charities listed in these two articles.

One final thank you to everyone who contributed a hexagon. I, the nurses at Royal Free Hospital and of course the 14 dialysis patient really, really, really appreciate all you have done.

Blessings to each and every one of you.