Vintage Rainbow Hat

Hook: 6mm

Yarn: Drops Paris in various colours.

Pattern: Petal Beanie from Love Crochet magazine (Spring 2013 issue)

After completing my footstool cover I wanted to find a project that I could used to experiment with the new Drops Paris stash that I recently got. My intentions were to find a project that I could wear like a jumper or a vest, but nothing pulled my interest. Browsing through my collection of crochet books and magazines the Petal Beanie pattern caught my eye, and I thought it would be perfect for trying out my new stash. It is a really easy pattern to follow, and it has been sampled in the magazine from a book called So Pretty! Crochet by Amy Palanjian. The pattern has been written in UK terminology, it requires 85g of medium-weight cotton yarn and a 6mm crochet hook. It also calls for a little leather bow for detail, but I kept mine very simple as I have a lot of colour in my hat.

It makes me feel so cheerful!

Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Hazel x

Ta-dah - Granny Footstool

A while ago I started this footstool cover, thinking I would complete it rather quickly and instead it has taken me a month to do. Nevertheless, I absolutely love it and I think even Jess loves it too! I got the inspiration to do a footstool cover after seeing some crochet covered ones on pinterest, and I thought that would be a fun project to do. I bought the footstool from Dunelm Mill, a little cheap one that I could make all pretty. On the same day I started to crochet a granny square to match in size with the top of the footstool, and after that I have just been working on the rounds to cover the height of the footstool (this part took forever!).

Now I can put my feet up on the loveliness while I am crocheting away at my granny star shawl, which I am going to do just now.

Take care and have a good weekend!

Hazel x

Things I'm Hooking

My footstool cover is nearly finished! It has taken me a lot longer to crochet this project than I originally planned as I hadn't counted the fact that it is like crocheting a blanket. It is what is on my hook tonight as I am hoping to finish it this week. I only have 6 rows before it is completed!!

The granny star baby shawl is a very new project which I started at the weekend after I discovered that I don't enjoy granny circles very much....not on the blanket scale. I got the inspiration for the granny star blanket after browsing the internet, although after doing a search for the pattern I found out it is not a free pattern. This resulted in a pinterest search for a very clear photograph of a granny star so I could figure out the pattern myself....as it isn't very complicated to do...naughty me!

My granny square blanket is slowly growing bigger in the background, but I am not in a hurry to get this one finished as I only hook it whenever it takes my fancy.

Aside from hooky fun, I have bought myself the sewing machine that I wanted and mentioned before in a blog post. I got it all set up at the weekend and tried the stitches out on an old pillowcase. I was really pleased to see that I could work a sewing machine, and I can't wait to start some sewing projects. Although I am a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of starting a sewing project as I am not sure what to make, where to get fabric from, or if I have all the sewing essentials to do sewing projects. I would appreciate any advice and websites that I could benefit from on my sewing journey! 

I think I am going to go back to hooking my footstool cover a little bit more.

I hope you all take care,

Hazel x

New Yarn - Squeeeeeeeeeeee!

Today has been a happy day as I received lovely yarn in the post! I ordered some Drops Paris from Wool Warehouse (a really good uk yarn site), thanks to Attic24 posting recently on facebook about getting some Drops Paris yarn. I just couldn't resist!!!! I got some rustic rainbow colours for a little change, and I can't wait to make things with it.

A quick post from me, but I hope you all have a good weekend!!

Take care!

Hazel x

Book Review: Vintage Crochet

This weekend I have treated myself to a new crochet book, Vintage Crochet, by Susan Cropper during a shopping trip to Glasgow. After being requested and then suggesting to do a book review on it, it seemed like a fun task to do!

It is filled with lots of beautiful vintage patterns, and the cover of the book really grabs your attention with that lovely big throw! The patterns inside are divided into several sections which are Boho Babes, Nostalgic Home, Lazy Summers and Gorgeous Gifts. Also included at the end of the book are instructions with pictures for special stitches that are used in the patterns throughout the book, as well as adding edgings and embellishments.

Here is a sneaky peek at some of the patterns that are found inside!

"Ava" Wrap

Picot Star Tablecloth

Garden Tablecloth

"Syd" Rabbit

This shows just a little bit of how interesting this book, I would love to show you ALL of the patterns but that would spoil the book. I think it is a lovely book, and everything is written quite clearly. The patterns are written in US terminology, as the author of the book is native to New York even though she has founded a shop in London. 

The book is available from Amazon for £12.80, it seems to be a bit of a rare book but it is one you must have if you are intrigued by vintage design. I think this is an ideal price for this book, as you are getting 30 inspiring patterns from it!

This week I am going to make a project using a pattern from this book, so keep posted to see what I choose to make. 

Hope you enjoyed reading this little review!

Hazel x

KCBW Day 7 - Looking Forward

4KCBWDAY7

One year from now, when the 5th Knitting & Crochet Blog Week rolls around, where do you hope your crafting will have taken you to? What new skills, projects and experiences do you hope you might have conquered or tried?

This could be anything from mastering a technique (broomstick lace, entrelac, etc), trying a new yarn or skill, or a long term wish to crochet only from your stash, or knit every stitch in one of the Harmony Guides. Maybe you have no desire or plans for your craft at all, no new element of knitting or crochet that you dream of mastering, in which case write about why that might be. In a year's time participants will be asked to look back to see if they achieved any goals, no matter how general, and see which house conquered the art of looking forward.

What do I want to achieve by KCBW 2014....

• Make projects with only my stash.
• To make a garment that I can wear (hats and scarves don't count).
• To learn more techniques/patterns when they take my fancy.
• Write some crochet patterns.
• Get better at crochet!!
• Try making v-logs and podcasts, to be more different too.

Recently I have been playing with temptations to get a sewing machine, and learn how to sew with one again. Patchwork items keep luring me in, and it would be great to learn a craft different from crochet. I have already bought a Sewing Book to read up on all the different techniques!! I have spotted this little Brother machine in Hobbycraft for £75 and it is calling my name!

This Blog Week has been amazing and thank you Eskimimi Makes for organising it, and I can't wait for the next one!

It you haven’t already I highly recommend looking up any of the tags for the blog week 4KCBWDAY7

KCBW Day 6 - My Favourite Tool

4KCBWDAY6

Write about your favourite knitting or crochet (or spinning, etc) tool. It can either be a tool directly involved in your craft (knitting needles or crochet hook) or something that makes your craft more pleasurable – be it a special lamp, or stitch markers.

My favourite tool would have to be my 4mm clover crochet hook, as it is amazing to use compare to standard crochet hooks. I think the handle is a lot easier to grip, and it rests in your palm a lot better than a standard crochet hook. Although I would like to try other crochet hooks as well, if anyone has suggestions.

The day to day tools that are necessity for me are my scissors and darning needle....I am quite a simple crafter

This morning I had played about with recording myself telling you what I had to say about this post, but I sounded so silly! I will get over my fear eventually!

If you would like to find out more about the KCBW, do check out Eskimimi's page to find out more details.

Also to search other people that are joining in, do a google search with 4KCBWDAY6