Bursting With Stripes

This past week has not seen one stitch of knitting, only lots of wonderful crochet! I haven't started any new projects as I want to work on my current two as much as possible. I love them both so much!

Sunny stripe is getting so big now,  and I always feel so warm when I crochet it. The last time I measured the blanket, it was over 50 inches! When I pull it up to my neck it only leaves my toes bare, and I am 5ft 10inches so you can imagine it is quite big now. I want to make it big enough to cover from my neck right down past my toes, I am feeling ambitious!

Berry Burst is so addictive to make, and it covers my shoulders properly. The top left photo is how it currently looks, however it will be staying this way for a while as I have ran out of pink wool (sad face). I am debating whether to complete the rest of it in the purple wool, or to keep it on hold while I order another ball of wool. Decisions, decisions!

I am not including the book I am reading as it is the same one that I mentioned in my last WIP post, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I am taking my time with it as I usually read it on my break at work, so I can keep my time free at home for crochet.

As it is Wednesday, here are the links to WIP where you will see plenty others taking part, and Yarn Along to see what others are crafting and reading as well!

Crochet & Knitting

This is my first knitting WIP, which is half of a hexipuff. I hated knitting it at first, but now it is a lot easier to knit along. I tried to crochet a hexipuff but it takes much longer to make one of those than a knitted one.

Sunny stripe is only 20 inches away from being finished, she currently measures around 50 inches in height. I started this blanket at the end of January, so it has taken me about a month to do an average of 10 inches! I need to have it finished by mid August, in time for my sisters birthday. I can't wait to give her it!

Recently I started crocheting a shawl, Berry Burst. I decided to make a shawl as I seen so many other bloggers making beautiful shawls, and thought it was time I make one. It is just big enough to cover my shoulders at the moment, and I totally love the purple and pink stripes in it. I hope to have it finished in time for the colder weather coming back in.

Other than crochet and knitting goodness, I am still currently reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I am possibly halfway through the book, I already know what is going to happen because I spoiled it trying to figure out which was the second and third book. As the third book descriptor concludes what the second book is all about, Oh well!

As it is Wednesday, here are the links to WIP where you will see plenty others taking part, and Yarn Along to see what others are crafting and reading as well!

Hexipuff Knitting Adventure

Last Friday I spontaneously bought King Cole Sock wool and double pointed needles, I don't know what has possessed me! I am not even an advanced knitter, but those little hexipuffs are so damned cute that I demanded that I learn myself to make them.

Saturday night I started my hexipuff knitting adventure, re-learning how to cast on again (since it has been over a year!). Then I struggled to divide the 20 stitches onto the other two dpns, repeatedly dropping them because holding numerous needles felt awkward. When I got them divided, I slowly started knitting from one of the needles, halfway through the other needle decided to slip from all the stitches which left me cursing at the thing. I ripped all the stitches out. Start again!

By Sunday morning ripping out and starting again happened quite a few times, until the point Andy thought I was going to launch my needles across the room. What on earth was I doing wrong?! I stared at the pattern, trying to fathom why this was being so difficult. At this point I was really considering in giving up the whole thing, and just be content with crocheting.

Later on Sunday, the sock wool was staring at me and I knew I couldn't be defeated by this pattern or by knitting! I picked the wool back up and the three needles, and read over the pattern again. I spotted a mistake that I was making, in regards to the position of my tail (in the wrong place!). The hexipuffs seem to require a long-tail cast on, which I had never done before (hurray for YouTube).

Once I mastered the cast on, my hexipuff now seems to be growing. I didn't realise how tiny the hexipuffs are, which I hope will add more cuteness!

This little adventure that I am on has taught me one valuable thing, I am always going to be a crocheter. Knitting is just far too stressful for me! (I am already considering in using the sock wool for something else).

Crochet and Sweetness

Currently I am working on three projects, as I like having alternating things to work on if I get a little bit bored with one of my projects. 

Sunny Stripe is steadily growing and I am confident I will have it to 80inches in height by August. The little circle in the top right photograph is a Christmas gift that I have started, although I won't be showing more of this as I want to keep it a bit of a surprise. Berry Burst is going to be filled with lovely pink and purple stripes, I love how they define the points in the pattern. It is only big enough to cover my shoulders but I am taking my time making it. 

The little pink carnation I seen in a little café, they are pretty flowers that always give me sweet memories of my mum as they were one of her favourite flowers.

After storming my way through the Shades of Grey trilogy, I have turned my attention to the Hunger Games trilogy. This is the second book, as I have completed the first book which I thoroughly enjoyed! It is nice to finally read different genres from paranormal fantasy which I am getting a bit bored with. I am happy to hear anyone's recommendations for other good books too!

Sunshine Award

I am honoured to say that Kepanie from Knitspiring Odyssey has nominated me and my blog for the sunshine award! I really appreciate Kepanie's thoughts and I always enjoy reading her comments on my blog posts, thank you very much!!!

The Sunshine Award Rules:
1.Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you. - Check!

2. Answer the 10 questions on your favorite things.

3. Nominate 10 blogs to receive the Sunshine Award and let them know they've been nominated.

The Questions:

I. Favorite Animal 

My favourite animal would have to be cats, I really love my cat that lives with my dad right now. 

This is my little old man, Badger! I love him so much.

II. Favorite Number

I have always liked the number three, but I think that is because I am born in March which is the third month.

III. Favorite Non-Alcoholic Drink

Tea or coffee are the drinks I often have when I am at home or at work, so they must be my favourite drinks. I am not really a fizzy juice person, but I do like the odd fresh fruit drink every now and then.

IV. Facebook or Twitter

Facebook - mainly because I forget about twitter half the time. I do post my instagram photos on twitter but that doesn't really count.

V. My Passion

Crochet and reading are both my passions right now, they often get turns each with my attention. Although my kindle allows me to read and crochet basic things at the same time. It is so good to find a hobby that I am passionate about and haven't lost my interest after a while, its been almost a year since I picked up a crochet hook and I don't regret it one bit!

VI. Getting or Giving

I like getting things, but I prefer to give things! Especially when you know you are giving the person something you know they will really appreciate and adore. I like pleasing other people, it makes me feel good too.

VII. Favorite Pattern

Simple crochet patterns meaning that granny stripes and squares appeal to me the most! I do love learning fancy patterns, but I find granny patterns very relaxing to crochet and allows me to switch off when I want to chill out.

VIII. Favorite Day of the Week

Friday is my favourite day, when you know you have finished work for that week and you can get to relax or spend time with special people for the next few days. It is always a good feeling when I finish work on a Friday.

IX. Favorite Flower

Gerberas are my favourite flower. 

When I was younger I used to love that they looked like big colourful daisies, and how they came in various warm colours! Maybe I should have these for my wedding as they are wonderful colours.

X. Favorite Country

Even though I haven't travelled outside of the UK, I would say that Italy is possibly my most preferred country that I want to travel to...so this can be my favourite! I would love to go to Rome and Florence, and eat lovely italian food...oh the romance!

Now for my 10 nominations:

1. All4meggymoo 

2. Hilly Town Blue 

3. Crea in the City 

4. Knit one, Stitch one, Save one?

5. Crafts From The Cwtch

6. Bunny Mummy

7. This Girl Is..

8. Karisma's Kraft

9. A World of Imagination

10. Little things made with love

These are the ten blogs I nominate, as I love reading them and seeing what everyone is up to. There are always a variety of lovely crafty projects happening that are so inspiring! I am glad to be part of this lovely crafty blog community! Now I am off to let all these lovely people know about this sunny award!

Fifty Shades and Charity

There hasn't been any crochet productivity in the past few days as I have been sucked into reading the 'Fifty Shades' Trilogy by EL James. I had seen these books before and never gave them much interest, but recently a few bloggers have mentioned reading them and it spurred my interest in them. I bought the three books from Asda on Monday (I forgot how nice it is to read a proper book that isn't my kindle).

The storyline totally sucked me in, even if it was quite cheesy and a bit filthy most of the times. I wanted to keep reading more! Needless to say I have read the first two books already, and can't wait to get into the third one. Maybe it is just the crackling connection that Mrs James has created between the two main characters, and I don't mean the erotic scenes! I mean the wit, sarcasm and humour that goes between them. It is definitely a romance story, which I have soft spots for, however it isn't your run of the mill romance story which also made me enjoy reading them. 

On Sunday I participated in the Race For Life in Glasgow, which I managed to raise a total of £75 for the charity! I done this with my friend Jade, and it took us less than an hour to complete it even though we walked the 5k. 

Next year I plan to do it properly by training for it, as I would like to run it (since the runners must have been finished before we even started!). I appreciated everyone who helped me participate in this event! 

I do plan to pick crochet back up, but it has been nice to do other things as well.

The Story of May in Instagram

Taking Debs from A World of Imagination idea in showing instagram photos that I uploaded in May.

Me and Andy together.

My Knit-A-Square squares (I am about 12 squares behind progress).

Away out dressed all girly in the summer sun.

Learning new crochet stitches.

Having a crochet tea party with my sister This Girl Is..

Started a new project - Berry Burst Shawl

Making really good progress on Sunny Stripe Blanket!

Trying another new pattern called the wool-eater!Using these instructions!

Purchased these play mats to be my new blocking mats, thanks to Hilly T suggesting this idea in her post. Though she suggested Tesco, I bought mine from Early Learning Centre.

May has been very busy and productive!