Author: Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin

Mostly enjoying this busy, beautiful life with lots of yarn and a hook! I'm hooked on God, my 3 boys, Mr R and if your reading this then you'll know I'm hooked on crochet too!! So thanks for stopping by...feel free to have a good old poke around...and I hope you enjoy your time spent with me because you are very welcome here xx
crochet

Sometimes just being underneath crochet is enough!….

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin18 Comments

I have not been overly productive on the crochet front since the New Year began, largely down to  a chest infection and it’s lingering gift of tiredness. So I have settled for being under my crochet instead…

crochetI have started my new book which I got at Christmas…it has been on my wish list for a while now and I am really enjoying turning the pages and soaking up the next page of words…I haven’t read a book for a long time.

crochetI have put the border on my second ‘Yala’ blanket…I know I have not shown you the first yet, but I am thinking of ordering some cork disc labels to add to them and they are in need of blocking also, so you will have to wait to see them. 

Whilst adding the border this morning I relished the feeling that time had slowed down and I drank in the atmosphere here at the nest…home, sweet home.  I enjoyed the sound of my youngest two robins chitter chattering to each other and tried to absorb all of them, even their bickering.  They are growing so quickly, and I know that in a blink of an eye I will be sat here hooking, wandering what they are doing and when they might visit.

sunsetI spent the afternoon baking for the week ahead and we managed to catch the sunset whilst walking the dogs.  It was windy and the trees swooshed noisly above our heads. I was grateful to be outside, kicking up the leaf litter and breathing in the cold air; I was even more grateful to come home into the warm, pull on my pj’s and heap my bowl full of slow cooker chilli.

My plans for the week are particularly hectic…today may well have been the calm before the storm; so I plan on spending little snippets of time through out the week doing more of the above, wherever I can…because sometimes just being underneath your crochet is enough. 

I hope you have a good week whatever your plans.

xxxxx

Advertisements
crochet hearts

Little Hearts…Lots of Joy!

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

These are some of my first makes of 2019…

crochet hearts

Colourful 3d crochet hearts. The pattern is called ‘Hearts and Bees’ by MojiMojiDesigns.

I spent a lazy New Years afternoon looking at lots of different heart patterns over on pinterest, but this pattern was written well and was my favourite by far. 

crochet hearts

I really like the neat little invisible decrease stitch which is recommended in the pattern too.  I had read ‘invisible decrease’ in a few patterns, and had no idea how to make my decrease invisible, but this pattern clearly explains how to execute said stitch…and it is super nifty and is indeed invisible. 

crochet Hearts

These hearts are made from Stylecraft Special Chunky and measure approx. 10cms x 9cms.    

I ended up hooking several and found it a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon thawing out after an extremely cold and particular lengthy walk with the dogs. 

crochet hearts

I think these hearts would be adorable as little newborn photo props or for gender reveals or perhaps even for Valentine’s which is just around the corner! 

What do you think?

xxxxx

learning to knit

Thank you 2018…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin13 Comments

As 2018 draws to a close and 2019 peeps over the horizon, it is that time of year when bloggers from all around the world post their obligatory review of the year. 

Yes, this is that type of post…however, I have kept it simple and I have decided to choose just one photo from each month…yarn related of course. 

Suffice just to say, 2018 has had it’s ups and downs, as I am sure it has for you; but crochet has, as always been my constant therapy!  2018 was all about busting my stash, finishing Projects Half Done (PHD’s) and learning to knit…I have also released the following FREE patterns this year which I hope you have enjoyed.

Sunshine Jelly Baby Blanket

Grandma Florence Tea Cosy

Grandma Kathy Tea Cosy

Being part of an amazing crafty community means so much to me and I just want to say a MASSIVE thank you to you, whether you are a first time reader or if you are a regular  here at the nest.  Your support and encouragement is treasured. 

Here  are my favourite 12 yarny photo’s of 2018…

January 2018

crochet tea cosy free pattern and tutorialThe Grandma Florence Tea Cosy…bright, quirky and a whole lot of fun to make.

February 2018

broken foot and crochet
guilt free resting!

February, revolved around guilt free crochet as I ended up on crutches and had to take a month out of work. Luckily, for me I found the beautiful Seaside Stashbusting Blanket CAL hosted by the very talented Coastal Crochet It was the perfect project to bust some of my stash…every cloud eh!

March 2018

crochet blanket
crochet and coffee

This is my favourite photo from March.  My Seaside Stash Busting Blanket was starting to look more blanket like and by now I was enjoying the random colour selection from my stash.

April 2018

crochet baby blanketOn a personal level April was profoundly traumatic and sad here  at the nest, but on a yarny level I released the pattern for this beauty.  I just love this blanket so, so much and it proved to be a welcome shower of cheer which burst forth amongst the grief.  This also fulfilled the remit of completing a PHD!

The free pattern is available just here. 

May 2018

learning to knit
learning to knit

2018 saw the beginning of my learning to knit adventure…this is as far as I got.  I started really well and perhaps got a little ambitious…which became my downfall.  Here are my posts to prove it here,  just here and here

I haven’t returned to this project yet as I can’t work out where I am in the pattern!  I do really want to finish this off…a New Year Challenge perhaps? 

June 2018

crochet blanket cal

  We had an unusually hot summer here in the UK, so hooking al fresco was great now that my Seaside Stash Busting Blanket had grown in size.  We had a beautiful sunny weekend glamping and those soft pink and grey shells will forever remind me of that recharging break away with Mr R and the Robins.  You can read about those glamping adventures just here.

July 2018

crochet zebra

The stash busting continued throughout July and inspired me to hook this cheeky dude.  I had some black, white and grey Paintbox cottons just sitting in my stash and the most apparent thing to make was a zebra of course. 

Having never made amigurumi before I am now completely smitten with all things amigurumi, which came as a total surprise to me!  I made so many mistakes with this pattern, but learnt lots about the process of amigurumi along the way…if you want the full details of the mistakes I made take a look here.

August 2018

Vintage Market Tote

This was a joy to hook and also busted some more stash.  I made this Vintage Market Tote for my Mama…and she loved it

September 2018

mixed stitch blanket

The end was in sight for the now glorious Seaside Stash Busting Blanket…and just in time for the change of seasons as Autumn crept in.

October 2018

amigurumi unicorn

A real …tadaaa… moment.  This beautiful unicorn was made with a lot of love in my heart and no mistakes…well none that I know of!  A real gem of a pattern that was easy to follow and so well written.  It was an absolute joy to send her to her forever home and I am looking forward to hearing what she has been named.  The pattern details are just here.

November 2018

crochet baby blanket

My two favourite things to do when I’m on my own are to crochet and drink coffee and if I can do both whilst watching the world go by then that is near perfect for me. 

This  is another stash busting win for me also…a super soft and pretty baby blanket using up left over yarn from my Sunday Shawl.

December 2018

crochet bag

This is the sad state of my Charming Harbour Blanket…still in its bag  (hangs head in shame!). 

This photo is from January…a PHD fail.  I have added some more rows over the course of the year…honest I have.  I don’t know why I haven’t finished it.  The pattern is simple and it is very handsome… and it is not really that far from being finished; but the pretty things call me more loudly.  

All in all 2018 has been quite yarny, maybe not as yarny as some, but yarny nonetheless.  I have met some amazing crafty friends along the way, busted through a lot of my stash and finished a PHD or two. 

Now bring on 2019!

xxxxx

 

 

 

 

pattern testers wanted

Call out for Pattern Testers

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin4 Comments

pattern testers wantedAre you interested in being a pattern tester for me? 

If you are keep reading. 

I am looking for a few of you to test crochet one of my patterns.  If you are not sure what this entails, I have set out what I require below…of course you can always ask your own questions if you are still unsure.

Do I need to have test crochet before?  Nope… as long as you can crochet and read from a written pattern you are good to apply to be my tester.  Infact, I am looking for  people with varying abilities of crochet.  

Is there a deadline? Yes…if you are successful in applying for the role of tester I will require you to finish the test within the specified deadline.  See below for more details.

Other than crochet the pattern on time what else do you need me to do?

 Good question! 

I will need you to give me lots of feedback, to include the good, the bad and the ugly!  

Spot typo’s and grammatical errors and make  pattern corrections. 

I need you to keep in touch even if this means you can’t meet the deadline…life happens, I understand that.

I also require a good quality photo of the finished item that I will be able to use on all social media…I will of course tag you. 

You need to be able to keep a secret.  If you are selected to pattern test for me, I require you to keep my pattern out of the public domain during testing and until the pattern goes live.  However,

I will require you to be active on social media once the pattern is live….What does this mean?  Once I have published the pattern and it is available on general release, I would like you to post your picture with a link to the pattern.  I will let you know when the pattern is live. 

Do I get paid to test a pattern? Nope…I wish I could say yes, but sadly the answer is no!  However, you will get the pattern fully edited for free  and if your photo’s are of good quality I will use them here on my blog and in my social media and I will always tag you so people can head your way!

Can I make changes to the pattern?  mmm….I need you to follow the pattern as it is written.  With regards to yarn I will make recommendations, but this can be negotiated as different yarns will give me more thorough feedback.  It’s all down to communication. 

Do you supply materials? Nope, I only send you the pattern, you will need to supply your own materials

How will communication happen? via email. 

I think that about covers it…other than deadlines.

The pattern and deadline details are below. 

Crochet cupcakes

( cotton or a cotton mix yarn in several colours and toy stuffing will be required)

deadline for applying is December 31st 2018 deadline for completion is January 31st 2019

I do have some more patterns in the pipeline that will need to be road tested, so watch this space. 

If you are interested please complete the contact form at the bottom of this post.  In the comments section please state

1.your level of crochet experience ie/ beginner, intermediate, advanced

2.a link to your crochet social media / ravelry account if you have one

3.a little bit about yourself ie/ where you are from, how long you have been crocheting for.

 

Thank you in advance, I will look forward to hearing from you.

xxxxx

 

 

 

crochet baby blanket

Sheraby Baby Blanket…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin19 Comments

Oh my days! 

Life seems to be on fast forward at the moment…It is nearly December already…how can that be? 

I  have been hooking, but a lot of what I am doing is

Secret Santa type of top secret and the like.  I can show you this, however

crochet baby blanketA pretty linen stitch baby blanket, using up my leftovers from my Sunday Shawl…this yarn has to be my absolute favourite at the moment.  It is Scheepjes Merino dk and it is so, so soft…I mean really soft and plump and squishy.  I started this blanket on a whim and then couldn’t put it down, so it actually hooked up quite quickly.  I hooked it in the car,

crochet baby blanketIn the café whilst the boys were mountain biking,

crochet baby blanketbut, mostly I hooked it in Sherwood Forest, whilst away for a few precious days…hence the name ‘Sheraby’. 

in my happy place

You might be thinking what about all those pesky ends?  Well, I just crocheted over them as I went, so there were no pesky ends at all.

crochet baby blanketIt is only a small little blanket…car seat size, but I am so pleased with it.  This years hooking seems to be about busting my stash and I am really enjoying the challenge of that.  I really do like the ‘knitted’ look  that linen stitch produces to.  It’s a lovely closed fabric effect and is very simple to do.

crochet baby blanket

crochet baby blanketWhat do you think?

xxxxx

mixedstitch crochet blanket

seasidestashbusting blanket…The End!

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin17 Comments

It’s done!  I have made the last stitch and woven in the last end of my beautiful #seassidestashbusting blanket. 

It’s huge and I simply love it!

mixedstitch crochet blanketOh! what a journey this blanket has been…a beautiful, stitchy, vibrant and meandering journey of colour, crochet and community…not to mention stash busting too! 

mixed stitch crochet blanket

Thank you so much to Eleanora over at Coastal Crochet for hosting such a marvellous and well organised CAL (crochet-a-long) and to all the lovely people I have met  a long the way; who have encouraged and inspired me with kind words or blankets of their own.  I have really enjoyed scrolling through the IG feed #seasidestashbustingblanket and seeing so many wonderfully unique contributions.

mixed stitch crochet blanket

I am keeping this blanket for myself because honestly, I just can’t bear to be parted from it.  I have hooked in so many memories of my year…like the sunny glamping rows, the foot surgery rows, the world cup rows, the too hot to crochet rows and the snowy day bobbles and I can relate each memory to the specific rows.  I will leave you with my photographic journey…

#seasidestashbustingblanket CAL

#seasidestashbustingblanket weeks 5 - 8mixed stitch crochet blanketcrochet mixed stitch blanketcrochet blanket calmixed stitch crochet blanketseasidestashbustingblanketmixed stitch crochet blanketLove, love, love this blanket. 

I’m not sure what I’m going to do without the weekly rows…

xxxxx

amigurumi unicorn

Amigurumi unicorn…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin7 Comments

amigurumi unicorn

 

After dipping my crochet toe into the world of amigurumi with Abe, the delightful zebra dude  I knew I had the bug and it wouldn’t be long before I started another little cutie.  This time I fell for the magical charms of this sweet, sweet unicorn.

crochet blog
Unicorn ingredients…

amigurumi unicornI wanted her to be white and chose Sugar n Cream worsted weight cotton mix, which gives a lovely texture  to her body and face. Her hooves were hooked in a soft lemon aran weight cotton yarn from The Women’s Institute and her mane and tail were created using a dk weight Ricorumi cotton in a baby pink.

amigurumi zebra

I even managed to get everything the right way round this time! and felt much more confident than when I hooked my zebra.

amigurumi unicorn
getting her ears

 

The pattern is by the very talented Chiquipork and is called ‘William the Unicorn’. It is a beautifully written pattern and has lots of top tips for construction.  The pattern is  written very clearly and it was easy to follow as it is formatted into the different sections of construction.  There are lots of photo’s too which I found helped me in the ‘putting together’ process. 

Well worth the purchase!

amigurumi unicornamigurumi unicorn

I have named her Bella, but alas she is only staying with me for a few weeks, for she has been adopted by a little girl who will love and cherish her and who may well give her another name!

amigurumi unicorn

Bella…she is magical isn’t she?
xxxxx

 

 

mixed stitch blanket

Seasidestashbusting blanket weeks 29 – 32

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin13 Comments

mixed stitch crochet blanket
Here’s the penultimate update on the gorgeous

#seasidestashbustingblanket …

These rows were finished a little while ago and I am onto the border now…but, I wanted to show you my progress in chronological order.

mixed stitch blanketI didn’t think this blanket would match any décor in the nest, since it is just made up of stash I had hiding under Little Robin’s bed, but it is looking fine on my bed…

mixed stitch crochet blanket

and in the lounge…but to be honest it is so flipping lovely it would look amazing anywhere. 

So,  I’m off to finish the border and I will be back soon with the final post for this beautiful blanket.

xxxxx

Vintage Market Tote

Vintage Market Tote…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin10 Comments

Vintage Market ToteAutumn is creeping in and I can feel the joy rising in me.  I adore the Autumn and all of her treasures; it awakens my soul and wraps me with comfort. 

I know not everyone feels this way…Mr R mourns the Summer, but I am celebrating her arrival. 

A great deal has gone on here at the nest over the Summer months and there is still much more to achieve.  New windows and doors have been fitted, outdoor adventures have taken place, three weddings have been witnessed and celebrated (we still have two more to come), decorating has commenced, and children have been coming and going and then coming back again only to go off once more it seems! 

I have taken great delight in my crochet time, which has been a little bitty.  I wanted to share this Vintage Market Tote with you…pattern details and links can be found at the bottom of this post.  I made it for my Mama’s birthday and it hooked up quickly. 

Vintage Market Tote

The pattern is free and I found it to be well written with clear, concise instruction.  I altered the length of the handle by about 20 stitches, making the straps a little longer, but that was just preference. 

women's institute yarn

I used a lovely  aran weight cotton blend yarn by The Women’s Institute, which flowed from my 5.5mm hook with ease.  I crocheted using x2 strands to make my tote more sturdy,  which meant I used  just over 300g of yarn and finished with a chic black and white spot ribbon.

Vintage Market ToteI will definitely return to this pattern…and my Mama loved it! 

Pattern by Dorianna Rivelli – Vintage Market Tote

xxxxx

seasidestashbustingblanket

Seasidestashbusting blanket weeks 25 – 28

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin2 Comments

seasidestashbustingblanket
I am still behind on my 

#seasidestashbustingblanket …

I have just completed  week 29 and I think the CAL is now up to week 31, so I really want to push on and catch up with this as the CAL is almost done.  I think there may be a couple more weeks of rows before it is time to border and finish.  So I am going to make this one of this week’s hooky priorities; especially since it has cooled down a lot around here.  These weeks pictured contained some more filet crochet, bobbles and some more basket weave! 

I am loving these colours there are 11 in total which I had in stash and they are stylecraft special dk. I did have to go a buy a ball of yarn yesterday as I was short and didn’t want to introduce a new colour so late into the blanket and I really felt that it should feature in some of the last rows.  Other than that I am just picking from these yarn balls randomly, and I like the surprise of that.

I have been hooking some other little makes and have found some wonderful patterns and I will share those with you soon.

xxxxx