A Little Bit of This and That

Homely Matters

I have had a little more time recently to get more confident with the grannys. In fact much enjoyment has been gained by these little squares and they are great for relieving boredom of a long journey. So far I have five but the first one is bigger than the rest for some reason so might need to be re-done. Anyway I think they are really pretty even though I think the yarn I chose is a bit thick and it keeps splitting. It was on offer at Hobby Craft and I love a bargain so I'll persist with it! I love the colours and can already imagine them becoming a little cushion.

Also on the agenda has been looking after my baby plants. (Cucumber, lettuce, sweet pepper, rocket, spinach, cherry tomatoes, basil and coriander.) I'm also very happy to report that we now have about 25 chillies growing steadily on our chilli plant and I just love watching them change colour.

Mr K suprised me over the holidays with a gorgeous bunch of flowers quite unexpectedly and they have made me happy every time I looked at them. Thankyou Mr K. x

I hope you are all enjoying a little bit of this and that of your own. It's so nice to have a few things on the go to look forward to after a day at work. x

The Start of Something New

Homely Matters

Like everyone else in the UK I have been enjoying the unusually warm weather lately and haven't felt like doing much baking. So instead I have battled through my crochet frustration and today I managed a granny square at long last. In no small part, this is thanks to Kandi of kandipandi encouraging me along the way. Once again I am soooo pleased to have finally mastered this. I have to admit that this granny is humungus in size as I crochetted it on a massive hook so I could see properly where the holes are to crochet into!! But as you can see it is a distinct improvement on previous efforts. It needs a little neatening and some down sizing but I think I've cracked it. Onwards and upwards - now I can try all sorts of yummy colour combinations.

My wool and my 5 double pointed needles arrived ready for me to attempt some sock knitting. It's lovely wool - it looks pinkish on the photo but is actually lilac and really soft. I think this project will be taking a back seat to my crochet for a while though as I don't feel quite so much like knitting snuggly socks in this weather. The five needles are a little daunting too!

I've also just recieved a lovely parcel of Merino wool tops from Wingham Wool which has inspired me to make some pre-felts ready for a new project. I have been in love with felting for about a year and a half now and it still amazes me how it felts with just water, soap and elbow grease. I'll be talking more about felting in my 'talking textiles' post next Monday if you're interested. Don't you just love getting new goodies? Even if you've had to part with hard earned cash to get them, they still feel like presents!! There is nothing quite like the start of a new project.

Crochet is My Frustration

Talking Textiles

Sadly this is not one I crocheted earlier! This is one I found at a charity shop and I love it. I can knit a tea cosy, I can felt a seamless bag, I can bake a cake, I can make handmade paper, I can cook a meal from scratch, I can even spin a skein of wool (well kind of) but I cannot crochet a granny square. No matter how many times I try- it just isn’t happening. I’ve watch endless utube videos, followed  attic24's wonderful tutorial/pattern and even went on a day course but I just can’t get it. It’s starting to really annoy me now. My squares are not square and I can’t seem to identify the right holes to stitch into. Don't laugh!

Somebody please tell me that I can master this. Someone out there please give me hope. I long for a perfectly crocheted square – not a blanket or even a cushion cover, just a little baby square! I can do the stitches on their own – chain, single, double and treble crochet but it all goes to pot when I try and make that square and I’m not even thinking about changing colours yet.  Help! It really shouldn’t be this hard – should it?

I wish I had lots of my own lovely crochet photos to show you but this is real life and the truth is I just don’t, but when I do, you will be the first to know. In the meantime I shall share with you my knitting project instead! Here is the finished tea cosy which I promised I would show you.

Anyone for tea? x