:: Fancy a cuppa?

Posted by Kirsty on April 13, 2008 | Permalink

I’ve been keeping this post hidden for a couple of weeks, as I made these cup warmers for a friend and I couldn’t post until after her birthday (why do I always, always type ‘brithday’?), but now they can be unveiled! The inspiration came from a knit pattern that I saw on ravelry.com, but because I am rather impatient and lazy, I decided that crochet would be quicker and would enable the warmer to be created in one piece. Sewing pieces together is one of my least favourite things to do, it makes me unreasonably grumpy (which is why I’m crochetting my latest baby blanket in 12 squares instead of 35…)

So, what little elements of crafts that you otherwise enjoy do you despise? What tasks or finishing touches put you off making or doing something that you’d really enjoy?

Categories: craft
Tags: crochet, cupwarmers, peeves

8 comments

:: Japanese Elephants?

Posted by Kirsty on April 2, 2008 | Permalink

I’m pretty taken with my new book of amigurumi crochet, which is full of cute little toys to make. I whipped up this elephant for a friend’s baby in a few hours. Read more…

Categories: craft
Tags: amigurumi, babies, crochet

5 comments

:: Bamboo daisies

Posted by Kirsty on March 16, 2008 | Permalink

I really love working with bamboo yarn - it’s so silky and soft and completely natural. Though it does freak me out that I could potentially sit on a bamboo chair, wearing a bamboo cardigan, eating bamboo shoots in black bean sauce, crochetting with bamboo yarn with a bamboo hook; surely no one thing should be that versatile? Freaky plant!

Anyway… this scarf is the finished product of my piles of crochetted daisies. I couldn’t find any chocolate brown bamboo yarn, but I did find these lovely, vibrant purple and pink shades that go perfectly with the baby blue. I already working on another one in duck egg blue and cream that reminds me of Wedgwood. I’m all about warm weather scarves this year!

Categories: craft
Tags: bamboo, crochet, daisies, flowers

4 comments

:: Crocheted flowers

Posted by Kirsty on March 7, 2008 | Permalink

I’m pretty pleased with my crocheted rose; well, I am with this second attempt. The first time round, I managed to completely miss a row out and couldn’t understand why it looked all scrumpled. I used the pattern by Megan Mills, though her’s looks a lot more refined than mine. The effects that you can get with different yarns are fantastic - I think Megan must have used a cotton yarn, while I used alpaca wool. I added the leaf for a finishing touch, making up the pattern by going ‘maybe I should increase here, oh yes!’
Read more…

Categories: craft
Tags: crochet, flowers, rose, scarf

2 comments

:: Square-o-rama!

Posted by Kirsty on February 28, 2008 | Permalink

So, I’ve made a lot of squares. A lot of squares. Soon these squares will become a blanket, bordered in beautiful sage green yarn, but until I begin that task, I’m quite happy looking at my pile of squares.

It’s actually quite useful that I’m behind schedule on this project - the intended recipient is due in two weeks and I thought I’d have it done by now - as whenever I make or buy a present for someone I get childishly impatient to give it to them. Partly, it’s that I’m so excited that I’ve found or made something that I’m really pleased with and I want the person to be able to enjoy it straight away, but partly it’s that I’m scared someone will give them the same or a cooler present before I get to! I know, I’m a loon.

Categories: craft
Tags: baby blanket, crochet, squares

1 comment

:: Teddies for tragedies

Posted by Joelle on February 21, 2008 | Permalink

Here’s a rather heartwarming craft project for anyone with a few ends of wool who wants to put their needles to good use. Teddies for Tragedies is a site offering a simple pattern for a knitted or crocheted bear, destined to travel with a charity or aid worker to a child in need of a teddy. Some have travelled to refugee camps, some to hospitals, some to areas damaged by natural disasters. They are rather sweet don’t you think?

Three ways to help:
- make some teddies! The patterns are here, which look simple enough. Make sure to follow the checklist to ensure they meet safety rules.
- help the teddies to travel. If you know any charities, volunteers or aid workers who could deliver some where they are needed, let them know about the scheme
- help promote the teddies on your blog or amongst your crafty friends.

Thanks to my lovely Mum for telling me about these. Hello Ma!

Categories: adventure, craft
Tags: children, craft, crochet, knitting, teddies

3 comments

:: Crochet with Kirsty

Posted by Kirsty on January 29, 2008 | Permalink

As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve just learned to crochet. I’m finding it really fascinating to learn and I thought that, as I’m at the beginning of my crocheted road, some of you might like to learn along with me. So, over the next few weeks/months/however long it takes me, I’ll be posting little tutorials of new techniques and tips that I’ve been trying my hand at.

The very first thing that I learnt to crochet was a square - yeah, forget the boring bits like making a chain or single crochet, try a square on your first day! You’ll be so pleased with yourself.

Read more…

Categories: craft, tutorial
Tags: crochet, squares

10 comments

:: Sherbert

Posted by Kirsty on January 20, 2008 | Permalink

It’s no secret that I have a thing for bags. Making them, buying them, reluctantly parting with them when I realise that I have too many - yet again. I have a glorious plan for a luscious mermaid bag, using a beautiful teal Colinette point 5 and some mermaid charms, but for now I’ve practised my fledging crochet skills on Sherbert. I couldn’t stop marvelling at how simple it was - I didn’t even need to line it. Crochet rocks.

The pink and orange acrylic blends were from my stash.

Categories: craft
Tags: bags, colinette point 5, crochet, mermaid, sherbert

7 comments

:: Stitchin’ ‘n bitchin’

Posted by Kirsty on January 12, 2008 | Permalink

Debbie Stoller must be clacking away with her needles atop a great big pile o’ cash nowadays, as her three knitting and one crochet books have each become super bestsellers. Stitch ‘n Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook was my very first knitting book and, as of this Christmas, I’m now the proud owner of all four books (and the calendar), and I’m going to add my voice to the clamour of praise. Now I’m not saying that Dr. Stoller (she has a PhD in the psychology of women, don’t you know) is single-handedly responsible for the phenomenon, but us lasses are claiming back yarn arts as a valid feminist pursuit and the stitch ‘n bitch mama is definitely throwing a gorgeous shade of limelight on the movement.

I really like the patterns in all four books (though the thought of a knitted bikini makes my teeth itch) and I’m constantly dipping into them for inspiration, even if I don’t follow the pattern exactly in the end. The instructions are much clearer than a lot of knitting books that I’ve tried to grapple with and there is a huge emphasis on people - the designers, input from stitch ‘n bitch groups, the mothers, aunts, and grandmothers who got this generation of crafty ladies into knitting and crochet in the first place. The Stitch ‘n Bitch titles let you into the secret that craft isn’t for a po-faced elite who can only decipher the code through a divinely imparted knowledge - all you need is needles, yarn, and enthusiasm!

Categories: craft
Tags: crochet, Debbie Stoller, feminism, knitting, Stitch 'n Bitch

4 comments

:: I’m hooked!

Posted by Kirsty on January 4, 2008 | Permalink

So, on Christmas Eve I learnt to crochet. My auntie taught me, because we’re both left-handed and we do it all backwards and upside down but the results are just as good! I really like crochet - it’s quicker than knitting, so you can see results much sooner, and I’m loving the new patterns that I can make with yarn. I tried a few granny squares, learnt to make circles (resulting in a rather fetching but quite random bowl), then got on with the baby blanket above for my friend’s impending arrival. I’m pleased with it, though some of my stitches are a bit loose; I’ll work on my tension for my next effort.

After hooking with my auntie, I’m all excited for some crocheting friends, so whether you’re a newbie or a pro, please drop me a comment!

Categories: adventure, craft
Tags: baby blanket, crochet, learning

5 comments