The start of a (mainly) grey sweater

31 Wednesday Oct 2012

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It seems that Autumn has well and truly arrived in the UK. That means only one thing: time to start making those wooly sweaters and cardigans. Yeah!!!

I actually started planning the sweater I’m currently (inbetween the projects with my Aida crochet thread) working on, way back in May. If I say “plan” I mean, find a pattern and buy the yarn. The dark grey Garnstudio Drops Merino Extra Fine was bought on Mastercard Morning. Two of those Mastercard Mording projects are completed, this one is the only one left to go.

I’ve since changed my mind about the pattern though. I really tried to get my head around Doris Chan’s Talle Latte but I just couldn’t do it. It was causing me so much stress to figure out what she wanted me to do, that I just gave up and looked for something that I would enjoy making – enter Lionbrand’s Driftwood Pullover. I will only refer to it as Driftwood this once though… Watch this clip from Meet the Fockers, and you’ll know why. Until I find a more suitable name for the sweater, I’ll just call it The (mainly) Grey Sweater.

“Mainly” because I’ll be adding Redcurrent red to the grey. Surely you’ll know by now that I would be incapable of doing a whole sweater in a solid charcoal grey. No Sirree. I’m going to use the Sublime Extra Fine Merino for the neck, wrist and bottom edging. Right? Can you see it? The tiny lines of red just to add a pop of colour to the dull grey? Yes Sirree!!

The Sublime was bought at a online haberdashery store I stumbled upon called LoveKnitting. Now you crocheters shouldn’t be putt off by the reference to knitting. As can be seen from the photo below, they also sell crochet hooks so it’s not all knitting. I bought the 12mm KnitPro Symfonie hook to take along to the Granny Square Workshop I’ll be attending at Toft Alpaca Farm on Saturday. (Can Not Wait!) I’ve never used Symfonie crochet hooks, but they look so pretty and colourful how could it not be a great crochet hook?

I was so impressed by Loveknitting’s packaging that I just had to take a photo to show you. Can you believe that this is the way a big online store would package their items? It looks like I bought the yarn and crochet hook from an Etsy or Folksy seller. Huge thumbs up to Loveknitting for adding a personal touch!

Another great thing about Loveknitting is the 10% discount you receive on your first order and they also do free postage if you spend more than £25 in one go. I also like the way they sort the yarns on their site: you can search according to weight, brand, colour and/or fibre and the whole site has a clean and modern feel. For an online store only operating since April 2012, I think they’re great!

Before I spend more money at Loveknitting, I have to finish 42 of the 58 squares for The (mainly) Grey Sweater. The sooner I get through the grey, the sooner I can get my hook into that Sublime Redcurrent and then on to the gazillion other crochet projects on my To Hook List.

Oooo, I see that Loveknitting gives you 10% off all yarn bought before midnight 2 November with code 10SPOOKS…. as if I need any more encouragement to buy more yarn!

Terrific Tuesday

28 Sunday Oct 2012

Posted by Natasja in Terrific Tuesdays

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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

A little something I’m working on, using Aida crochet thread and pattern from Kyuuto Japanese Crafts Lacy Crochet.

Wishing you all a terrific Tuesday!

Natasja

Loose weight with crochet (and Weight Watchers)

26 Friday Oct 2012

Posted by Natasja in My ramblings

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Weight Watchers

I joined Weight Watchers Online this morning.

Here is my favourite (and only) Activity.

I had to create it from scratch because Weight Watchers doesn’t list it as a pre-set activity. Blatant discrimination against us Hookers! Don’t they know crochet is an Intensely pleasurable activity?!

And another thing: Hubby just told me that I should remember that whilst I’m crocheting, I can’t eat. Such a wise, wise man!

So if I don’t loose weight with ProPoints, I’m just increasing the amount of crochet I do. Right?

How utterly fantastic

25 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by Natasja in In the press

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magazine

Last night I was lying in bed reading the latest issue of the South African craft & lifestyle magazine, Ideas, on the iPad.

The “You said it” section is always interesting. Hearing from readers all around South Africa, praising the lovely crafty projects in Ideas.

Then, at the top right something caught my eye….

Oh my word!!! Lizandi is referring to this article.

Thank you so much Lizandi Fourie for taking the time to write to Ideas. I find it “utterly fantastic” that I can be an inspiration to you. Keep on hooking girlfriend!!

Terrific Tuesday

23 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Natasja in Terrific Tuesdays

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autumn

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

Autumn at Wisley Garden in Surrey.

Wishing you all a Terrific Tuesday!

Natasja

The Making Spot gifts

22 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by Natasja in My ramblings

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crochet, giveaway

Way back in August I blogged about The Making Spot’s crochet along and flower swap. I made a cute silver bracelet out of crocheted balls and a flower for the swap. I took part in the crochet-along as a way to challenge myself to work with super fine crochet thread and the tiny 1.5mm crochet hook it called for. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed it and vowed to use the left over light grey crochet thread for more jewellery items.

I posted my flower to the headoffice for them to send on to someone else. I would then also receive someone else’s flower. The flower arrived last week along with a handwritten note from Jenny at The Making Spot and a book of Christmas themed knitting patterns. How nice is that?!

My flower, or in fact, group of three flowers, is from Jen Beaton, who is also the owner of TheOtherMrsBeaton Etsy shop and blog. Have a look at her granny square buggy blanket – it’s lovely. Jen also received my flower and says she is going to turn it into a brooch or a fridge magnet. How sweet of her.

But wait there’s more…..

Part of The Making Spot’s crochet along was a giveaway where one lucky person would receive a hamper from Anchor worth £100. Guess who that lucky person was. Me!!! I had totally forgotten about the giveaway aspect of the crochet along, so it was a huuuuge suprise when Jenny emailed to say I had won. I guess that the gods of crochet was really impressed by my willingness to try something new, so they rewarded me with more crochet thread to play with.

The box arrived on Friday. When I got home I put my hair in a ponytail, kicked off my shoes and immediately ran for (not with) the scissors to get to my box of goodies. It felt like Christmas! Not only did I receive 26, yes 26, balls of crochet thread, but also three pattern books.

Just look at all those colours!

There’s even metalic gold and silver crochet thread.

Now for the big question. What will I be using my crochet thread for? Well… after a few hours on Ravelry and a rummage in my yarn & pattern stash, I came up with three projects.

The first will be a cover for my iPhone using Crocheterie’s free pattern.

Then I’ll be making two items from the Lacy Crochet book that my Mom gave me as birthday present a year or so ago.

The green flat basket is to be used at work for the piles of Post-it pads and bits & bobs that litter my desk.

I’ve always wanted to make a doilie but out home decor isn’t suited for doilies so I’ll use it as a covering for a miniature rose potplant I was given by Pieter & Lizelle. In a bright blue you’d never think it was a doilie!

To The Making Spot I want to say a huge thank you for hosting the flower swap, crochet-along and the giveaway. And to Anchor thank you so much for the perfect selection of crochet thread. I don’t know whether you looked at my blog before picking those colours, but boy you got it right!

Terrific Tuesday

16 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Natasja in Terrific Tuesdays

≈ 3 Comments

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crochet

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

This is my definition of crochet. It’s not Merriam-Webster or Oxford, but if you love crochet, you’ll “get” this definition.

Wishing you all a Terrific Tuesday!

Natasja

Yarnbombing in Thames Ditton. Again.

14 Sunday Oct 2012

Posted by Natasja in My crochet, Yarnbombing

≈ 22 Comments

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Instagram, Yarnbomb, yarnstorm

I did it again! Another yarnbomb for Thames Ditton. I had such a great response from the squares at the station, I just had to do another.

This time I chose to beautify the bench in front of the Summer Road Recreation Ground. I did my measuring on Friday, crocheted the “leg warmers” on Saturday and sewed them onto the slats on Sunday afternoon.

The slats are 4.5cm in circumference. To make the crochet strips 4.5cm wide I chained 21, starting the DC in the 3rd chain from the hook, and did 28 rows of DC. I only used warm shades of Stylecraft Special DK, starting with yellow and ending in a maroon & bright red stripe.

Hubby was the willing accomplice (or as he thought of himself – my bodyguard) and photographer.

The autumn sun shining down on the bright yarn, really makes it sing don’t you think?

I truly hope the park users will enjoy the new and improved bench.

I’m not planning another yarnbomb in Thames Ditton until later in Autumn when the trees (actually, one specific tree) has lost all its leaves 😉 Fear not, I will strike again!

Update on the Station Road / Speer Road fence: two of the squares have been removed and one torn. It’s sad, and mind-boggling to me, that someone would take the time to cut through cable ties to remove something that’s only purpose in life is to be pretty. Let’s hope the remaining seven squares, and the park bench yarnbombing, will stay put.

CAL blocks 10 to 16

10 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by Natasja in CAL, My crochet

≈ 8 Comments

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200 crochet blocks, crochet along

Here are my blocks ten to 15 of Rachell’s 200 Blocks Crochet Along. You will see I only have five blocks instead of six. That’s because I didn’t make block no. 11: Baby Blocks. For the life of me I just couldn’t figure out how to carry the yarn and I got confused with which SC counted as the first stitch of the new colour. I really tried, but then I thought &%$*% it. I can always repeat one of the other block designs and seen in the big scheme of things, who cares whether I can make Baby Blocks or not (I certainly don’t).

So here are blocks 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

My least favourite block is Fine Lines. Hubby said it reminds him of a banana peel. I kinda see where he gets that.

Circle in a Square is definitely my favourite. I used it when I made cushions for my brother, and also for my first yarnbomb. For the yarnbomb I only did rounds 1 to 5 and it still looked great. It also works up really quick.

And a group photo. It’s very colourful isn’t it…?!

Terrific Tuesday

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Natasja in Terrific Tuesdays

≈ 4 Comments

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

I found this on Pinterest. It originates from the Urban Farmgirl blog. Can you imagine how great the world would be if everyone lived their lives this way?