Shopping Bag Love

Have I mentioned how much I love my Granny Chic book I had for Christmas off my sister who must know me so well! Well if I have forgotten to mention this small fact then ....... I LOVE IT!!!

I have a small plan of every time I buy some new yarn, I have to use some up from my stash .... as I have to admit it is getting slightly ridiculous! So I decided to balance the act of buying some lovely chunky yarn for a ripple blanket, by using up some sock yarn I had left over from a scarf I made last year.

After browsing the Granny Chic book for some divine inspiration I decided to make myself a string shopping bag. Without a cause, or planned use, I knew I wanted one hanging on my pegs in my newly decorated hall.

I set to it. Using a 6mm hook and some fine sock yarn. Making a lovely round base to start and watching the colours melt into one another. It was a dream to work with slight yarn and a big hook. So fast and easy to catch. No splitting and it quickly spiralled into a lovely circle which I then could build up from.

Oh the sides were wonderful too. Simply wonderful. Just a dc and ch5 into each gap. This created the most stretchy and shape adapting bag there ever was! And no signs of this one ripping under strain! This was going to be a very strong bag!



 

After I had hooked up the sides I decided to bring it in a little by decreasing every time by just 1. So I did 1 dc into 2 gaps and then ch5. This added a little shape and charm to my bag. And I think that is the beauty of crafting. Once you know what you are doing you can change a simple pattern or recipe into something that is truly your own. And if it goes wrong, who cares! That's the glory of crochet .... you can unravel up to where you went wrong!

Nearly done now. Just a couple of handles to make ........

So here is my ta-dahing moment. And what better place to ta-dah than on my new quarry tiles!!!!!

TA-DAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Such a fabulous way to keep all those gloves and hats together during winter. And I am sure I will think of a grand use during the summer! Maybe keeping my flip flops, a book and a blanket in .... all ready for summers day outing!



 

So if you are looking for a stash busting and quick project .... that is equally as satisfying then this is for you!

Speak soon and welcome to my new fabulous followers!

Kate xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

100th Post - last one of 2012 - what a year!!!

Today is the last day of the year when I found my love for crafting. And coincidentally it is the 100th post of the this little blog which I have enjoyed soooo much.

I thought it would therefore be best spending my 100th post, and the last one of the year, reminiscing on the journey I have made by celebrating all the ta-dah moments over the past year!

I first posted in May not really knowing where things were going to take me but I had discovered blogs like Attic24 as I was first learning to crochet and thought "I could do that". And I am so glad I did. Blogging has introduced me to a whole community ... not just online but also in my town.

Although I was very very ropey both in blogging and crocheting I made my first blanket. For a baby, which sadly never came ... but without my new found hobbies I don't think I would have ever got through it. This blanket is now safely in a box with a few other little memories.

 
I then picked up the hook and yarn bug ever so quickly ....... I literally went mad for it!!! I made some birthday bunting, which now traditionally gets hung up on all of the families birthdays, some olympic bunting which me and my sister waved like crazy when we went to London 2012 (and is still strung in my car's back window).

These quicker projects gave me much needed breaks while I tried to complete my brightly coloured vertical strip blanket. This is now a much loved beach/picnic/chair cover blanket! A new family heirloom.

 I must take a second out from the yarn ta-dah's and just salute the Queens Jubilee (wasn't it fantastic!!!!) with my little Patriotic Felty Birds which still hang with British pride in my kitchen and get the most attention from visitors!

While completing my first projects I also learnt how to knit. I didn't really pick it up as quickly or with as much enthusiasm as crocheting, but I did stick with it and I am glad I did. I started off with some easy projects and did a sample scarf with some sneaky crocheted flowers to hide the mistakes. My granny wore it every day we went out over the Christmas holidays and I am glad to say it looks alright!

In my knitting class everybody made a doll to send to Africa, which I embraced and learnt a whole lot whilst making it. I definitely want to do some more charity knits in 2013.

I also made a little Mrs TT Mouse which my sister-in-law took to Thailand as a good luck charm during her travels.


By this time, its was all clicking and boy was I on a crafting high .... a high I don't think will really ever go! I felt confident enough to start making things for the home and learnt to Tunisian crochet some arm covers and cushions for our living room and a nice beach inspired rug to hide a stain on the carpet in our bedroom.

I started to use wool to make gifts as well .... scarfs and snoods for friends and family, baby blankets for new arrivals and decorations and felted bags and mice for Christmas gifts.

 

For my birthday in September my husband also brought me a sewing machine .... I was too scared to touch it for weeks but as soon as I did I caught that bug as well .... just in time for Christmas. I made some lovely little advent bags for my mum and dad and in laws (as well as myself) and filled them with some little goodies to help with the build up to Christmas. I went to a couple of amazing workshops and learnt new skills and came out with some festive stockings which are now with my godchildren in Oz and a Christmas Tree table runner ..... which has inspired my first commissioned pieces; a table runner for my Auntie. I also have made the most out of scraps with bunting and hanging tree decorations.
 

Phew ..... I think I have covered the main bits! Wow what a year! What an achievement.

Other than crafting I have had a nice year, a tough one, but a lovely one all the same. Some lovely holidays, new Friends, a weekly crafting circle to go to and our lovely chickens (in the picture is Jill .... the one that got away)! I have so much to be grateful for and would like to thank you all for taking my on the ride as well! You are all wonderful and lovely and inspiring!!!!!! Thanks!

So 2013 ....... a few goals.............

• Keep crafting and blogging and getting better!!!
• Try some craft fairs (I have already booked on one at the end of the month) to raise some money for materials.
• Read 12 books (one a month). I have already decided on six.
• Try mediation.
• Do a charity knitting project.
• Loose some weight.

I am sure I will keep you posted along the way!

Love and best wishes for 2013

Kate aka Granny Taught Me To Crochet.

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Go on .... have a go.

 

An hour to spare?

Beautiful Yarn?

Some beads and a bell?

 

...... http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/bauble-decoration.html

 

xxxxxx

Making Snowflakes

What fun I am having. Any pattern I find I am trying. And learning so much more too!

I must have over forty in my pile now; growing like that of a satistfying as the granny square pile.

I am so in love with these six sided frosty shapes.

Not forgetting some cute granny chrstmas trees.


Some new red and white glittery yarn? ..... I think so!

I am even brave enough to start my own symetrial freestyle patterns. What do you think?

I love pinning them out, starch spaying them .... and then coming down in the morning to find perfectly formed snowflakes!

So what will it be,
hanging in the window?
garlands for my shelves and fire place?

 

A string for the tree?
Some pastels would be nice?
Or Nordic? 
Or even a mobile?
Or simpley hanging decorations?

Whatever ...... I am loving the snowflakes!



xxxx

Snowflake Swap ... who wants to play?

Hi!

Well there are twelve days left to join in with the snowflake swap this Christmas.

I thought I'd give a little rerun of the brief, just to entice you once more!

I have been busy, busy, busy getting some lovely snowflake patterns, and doing some fab research to get those creative juices flowing!

 

I have started making a collection of lovely inspirational ideas on my pintrest page. Why not hop along and go and see for yourself? ....

Also if you need some amazong crochet patterns to get you started then please pop over to this link. I have tried and tested them ... and let me tell you the are a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

 

 http://www.coatscrafts.co.uk/Crochet/Projects/snowflake_tree_decoration.htm

 

 

So who's up for a little bit of jolly fun?

Let me know you want to join in by leaving me a comment either on my facebook or blog page.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/179198652217037/
Blog - http://grannytaughtmetocrochet.blogspot.co.uk/
Let me know what country you are from and if you are prepared to post internationally or not.

I will then tell you who your partner is on the 13th of November so you must let me know by then.

Once you have been partnered up get to know each other by looking at their blog and seeing what they like doing.

Contact each other and set a budget. Don't worry if you don't want to spend a lot. Some of the best swaps I have done have cost as little as £3!

You can send as many items as you like (probably best to set a total with your partner too) and all of them must be festive. Including a homemade snowflake. Be creative! It could be knitted, hooked, stitched or felted! Use your imagination! Other treats could include craft box items, sweet treats, yarn and fabric or vintage christmassy items.

All packages must be sent by 13th December to ensure they arrive by Christmas and then we can all post about them during Christmas week. I bet you won't be able to save your beautifully wrapped parcels until the big day!!

Just thinking about it makes me feel lovely and warm - oh how I love Christmas!

So who is going to play?

Interviews and links ...

This week I found out I have got an interview. I have spent lots of the week preparing. Visiting colleagues for preparation and researching policy's and legislation that affect public services and in particular the fire and rescue services.

I am so proud of myself for getting this far and to even be considered for such a role is a huge compliment but I must admit the added professional pressure has made me long for an evening where I am free to sit and hook without feeling a twang of guilt that I am best spending time focusing on getting that job!

It has been a while since I blogged though, and my brain is itching for a creative break .... and it is bored of trying to make reams of notes and thoughts and preparations look nice!

So what have I been up to I hear you cry???!!!!!

I have made best buddies with my new sewing machine. It is love. Pure and simple love between man and machine.

I have started a project .... can you guess what it is?

After this darn interview I will reveal the grand project. And who knows - maybe even have a Ta-Dah!

Also I have been busy using the crochet circle - join as you go method to make a lovely scarf.

I found that pattern .... which you can buy on the following Linda Permann link. It is a real bargain at £5 and you will become seriously addicted to it.

Anyway - best get back to it .... lots to do .... and a nice drink to look forward to later .....

Baby stuff #2 .....

Hey!

I am becoming a very bad blogging friend. I have been soooooooo busy that I have hardly anytime to comment on blogs of write one myself. I can read them on my phone but to comment is really pain staking difficult.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know all is well in the world here, we have had friends stay, night out and I am filling in a lenghty job application.

But all the rushing aside I'd like to show you my 2nd Baby Blanket .......

Ta-Dah!!!!

 

This is for my friend Wes who has just had a baby boy.












I have also been busy making baby bunting for my friends Emma's new baby. I'll take some photos soon though.

Also I have brought some felting yarn. It is 100% wool and I am knitting the cutest little bags for all my god children and cousins for Christmas! So watch this space for a tutorial on these babies!

 Just look at these lush colours!!!!

Oh I can't wait to show you them!!! Just give me a couple of weeks ... then I'll be ready.

I have so many exciting things in the pipe line for Christmas. Ekkkkkk! I makes me want to burst at the seams!!!

Lovely to catch up with you all. And I shall speak sooner than last time!

Kate xxxxxxxxxxxx

Baby Blanket #one Ta-Dah

Hey! I hope you are all well.

This year my friends have been very busy and in the matter one one week I have three friends have three baby's (I wonder what what so special about last Christmas!).

Isn't it great to not have to worry about what you are going to buy baby's! All you crocheter's out there will know the excitement of a new baby and the fact that this means we can purchase some excellent baby friendly wool and get hooking a blanket, booties or something else that is equally cute and gorgeous!

With three different baby's and three different projects today I thought I would share with you Baby Blanket #one.

This blanket is made using a scarf pattern that is made by joining little circles as you go. It was a joy to make and very very addictive. You may recognise the yarn from my Welsh holiday pictures as most of this blanket was made whilst sunning myself on the James Bond beach!

 
I gave the pattern to my Nanny as it was firmly embedded in my head and she was desperate to try it as well. I would love to share it with you. I'll get it back from her next time I see her and copy it up.

 Here it is all bagged up and ready to go ......

Perfect size for a baby seat blanket or a crib. And lots and lots of yarn left for blanket number two!
 
Kate xxxx