31 January 2016

Stylecraft New Release pattern

I think this one might be my favourite blanket ever...

Pattern number 9255

but if you go to the 
click link

they might be able to tell you the pattern number

25 January 2016

11 January 2016

New work room table...and a 6' sample board to fill

Needed a table a gate leg so i can fold it away a bit...local second hand shop had 2 in
Picked a solid Oak with painted legs...heavy or what!
 started a second unfinished project (on the table) as I ran out of yarn to finish the Alpaca flowers
 then found a small ball of it so I can make a few more flowers but more yarn on it's way

 I knew if I put a cushion underneath some one would find a new place to sleep
 New 6' sample board to fill, 

using the 15 minute rule I will soon empty all the bags of samples to clear the floor space a bit

06 January 2016

CROCHET: More Fans of my books wonderful projects

More lovely makes from Fans of my books
If you don't see your project let me know I already have another set of fabulous  fans projects waiting to go, all are welcome


Granny Squares and Shapes

and 
Granny Squares 

by Susan Pinner


Mandala from my stool pattern in Granny Squares

and a beret too


Another Mandala from the wonderful

Beautiful pillows from my first book by 
Beautiful work Claudia


Marjan has made a fab cushion 
from the stool cover in my book



Maureen Cross 
Has made some awesome cushions from the new book







Jan Richards
is also making the cushions..... wonderful



Another beautiful blanket from
Martyna Bilska Martin



04 January 2016

CHALLENGE 2016: with a 15 minute commitment a day over a year

It's a Blanket...I really didn't think i could commit to do a blanket in 15 minutes a day but after thinking wrap and then finding that using the close 'v' stitch it would end up about 12' 2" long.....bit over the top

So over night I gave it some thought and its now a blanket, same stitch, same yarn but made in 4 approx. 3' squares one for each 4 months
mock up to show the idea



02 January 2016

A COLOUR EXERCISE: Temperature project, not easy to pick the colours

Trying to decide on colours for a Temperature/mood, blanket/scarf...was not easy but very interesting
I ended up with 4 seasons, each having a version of most of the colours 
Very personal and some shades are missing from each of the groups, this wasn't the same as OH would pick, so i guess it would be different for you too..but certainly an interesting and helpful exercise to do

WINTER


SPRING
some greens missing

SUMMER
some blues missing

AUTUMN
a particular shade of orange need here too

Now to pick 21 colours, for the UK
which colour for which degree
below zero - 30+ degrees?

1: below zero..white or cream 
2: 1\2 deg
3: 3\4 deg
4: 5\6 deg
5: 7/8 deg
6: 9\10 deg
7: 11\12 deg
8: 13\14 deg
9: 15/16 deg
10: 17\18deg
11: 19\20deg
12: 21 deg
13: 22 deg
14: 23 deg
15: 24deg
16: 25 deg
17: 26 deg
18: 27 deg
19: 28deg
20: 29 deg
21 30+ deg
below zero has got to be white or cream, still working on making a decision for the others...can i pick from each of the groups as the day happens? 
Not sure yet...
so for now its a record of temperature for each day.

JAN 1st 5 degrees grey but bright
JAN 2nd 8 degrees grey but bright


01 January 2016

A BLOCK STITCH TEMPERATURE/MOOD BLANKET/SCARF

Love this idea..wish it was mine but it's not.


There have also been a lot of Mood/Temperature blankets/scarves, 
not quite sure who started them off, but lots of variations were made and another great challenge to try 
check out Pinterest folder 

HERE

MOOD COLOUR WHEEL


This stunning Temperature Blanket by shhshh 
{click the link to see her other work} 

is my favourite temperature blanket check out shhshh temperature blanket click link below


BLOCK STITCH CHALLENGE
A challenge for 2016 to make a mood/temperature blanket combining both together using the block stitch

TEMPERATURE: use the sc/ch stitch row
MOOD: use the dc blocks

 CHALLENGE 2016: 15MINUTE A DAY COMMITMENT TEMPERATURE BLANKET
I couldn't decide on a mood each day so I'm actually making a temperature  only blanket
HERE
Just 15minutes a day and its in 4 section using close 'v' stitch and Alpaca mix in 12 colours with a fringe of flowers and will be about 6' square




UPDATED AND MORE DETAIL BLOCK STITCH HOW TOO 


 ch the length you require 
multiples of 3sts plus 2sts
For a scarf approximately 10 blocks wide 32ch sts


For a blanket you would need 200/300 hundred sts plus 2sts depending on the size you require

ROW 1: ch2 counts as first dc [tr], 1dc [1tr], in first st, 1dc [1tr], all ch sts.


NOTE 1: this row should have 4 dc to start and finish and multiples of 3 dc as a stitch count
NOTE 2: Do a colour change before completing the last st. 



ROW 2:new colour attached, ch1, turn, sc [dc], in first st, ch2, count 3dc sts,  sc [dc], in next space between not st, ch2, count 3dc [3tr], sc [dc], in next space, repeat to end, finish with sc [dc]
in the top of the last dc [tr].


NOTE 3: By making 2ch loops and not using 3ch sts, the blocks will be nicely compact and less open,  but if you want a more open and lacy effect then use ch3 loops


ROW 3: att, next colour, ch2 counts as first dc [tr], 3dc [3tr], into first ch loop, 3dc [3tr], in every ch loop to end, finish with 4dc [4tr], in last loop.


Repeat rows 2 and 3 for as many times as you require.


NOTE: EACH BLOCK ROW MUST START AND FINISH WITH 4 DC [4TR]


TIP: 
COLOUR CHANGES ON A STRAIGHT PIECE
If you are changing colour every row then cut off and weave in ends on each row, but if you are working with just 2 colours one for the sc/ch sts and one for the blocks then do a colour change before completing the last st on each row when possible....it will help with the number of ends