2018 – Page 5 – Crochet blog

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 5 – 8

Published on February 8, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 Comments

#yarnlovechallenge... if you’re not following this on Instagram…here are my days 5 – 8.

Day 5: Style… Rocking my own style with these barefoot sandals

Day 6: Colourwork… One of the best things about starting a new project is planning which colours to use. These are my colour pegs and these are the colours of my latest blanket on my hook.

Day 7: Designer.. My current design crush is Eleonora at Coastal Crochet and this is the beautiful CAL blanket.

Day 8: Prep…Following on from day 7’s designer prompt…I love to design my own hooky makes. This takes a lot of prep and I do like to be near to the kettle!

xxxx

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 1 – 4

Published on February 4, 2018February 4, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin1 Comment

#yarnlovechallenge... if you’re not following this on Instagram…here are my days 1 – 4.

Day 1: Intro…Well this is me…

Day 2: Volume…I had to think a bit more about this one. I was going to post a snap of a bright and vibrant crochet blanket, like the Very V blanket. But, then I thought about those rare precious moments, when all is silent in the nest, and I can curl up with a coffee and some yarn….ssshhhh!

Day 3: Soothing… That is exactly the essence of this ripple blanket, happy and soothing with a bit of an addictive bobble edge!

Day 4: Snack…You just can’t beat a clotted cream tea for a real bit of indulgent hooking!

xxxx

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge 2018

Published on February 1, 2018January 30, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin10 Comments

So, it begins…

I will be posting daily on Instagram, you can click the Instagram button on the side bar to follow me.

I will post every few days here on my blog collating a few days prompts together. If you want to join in then please do, it is a great way to meet fellow crafters and it’s good fun too!

xxxxx

#seasidestashbustingblanket

#seasidestashbustingblanket

Published on January 30, 2018January 30, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin25 Comments

As if having one large blanket on the go isn’t enough! I have accidentally, well…ok…I spent 2 hours rummaging through my yarn stash, so not accidentally at all…but I couldn’t help but chain the starting chain for this mystery CAL, which is being hosted by the talented Eleonora over at Coastal Crochet.

In my defence I am using only stash and there are only 4 sweet rows of the pattern being released each week…so that’s doable isn’t it?

I was a little late to the hook up, starting in week 2, but I am fully caught up and I can’t wait for week 3. The bobbles were fun to hook and I am pleased with the mustard (gold) against the raspberry. The yarn is stylecraft special dk and I’m planning on using these colours.

In addition to these colours I will also be using Graphite (charcoal grey) and Gold and possibly candyfloss pink…I am still undecided about the candyfloss…mmm…we’ll see…What do you think?

I am slightly disgruntled that I have not been able to find my yarn pegs for these missing colours in the picture, but I am unable to look properly because of this…

It really hurt! and I am a big baby!

Yes, It’s all done and it wasn’t very pleasant and I still feel queasy, and I am not a good patient (it must be the nurse in me!) but I am grateful to be this side of it.

I have always wanted to complete a CAL like this but have always been a bit cautious about being able to follow the pattern instructions, but Eleonora’s instructions are written very clearly and she has also made a video tutorial to help out if needed, so I think it will all be gucci.

The blanket is going to be a fair old size when it’s finished in the Autumn. You can checkout other blanketeers in this CAL by using the #seasidestashbustingblanket or #coastalcrochetcal.

xxxxx

Crochet Robins Nest Square motif in cotton yarn, perfect for lightweight summer crochet projects

CAL Granny Style

Published on January 27, 2018January 28, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin19 Comments

February is just in view, in fact it’s approaching so quickly it may possibly arrive before I finish this post…you see every time I have sat down to type, something has needed my urgent attention. It seems this has been the reoccurring theme here at the nest this January, so much so that not a lot of hooking has taken place!!

crochet bag — My crochet has followed me around in this bag…but has not come out to play since Scotland 😦

But… I have plans a foot for February…which start with being immobile thanks to some planned foot surgery early next week. On the bright side this will require a period of recuperation mainly with my foot up and sat right next to a basket of yarn… hooking perfection!

First on my hooking list is a delirious granny CAL (crochet a long) which begins on the 01st Feb and which is being hosted by the lovely Rosina over at Zeens and Rogers…do hop over and check out one of her podcasts they always make me smile and always inspire me and of course feel free to join the CAL too.

Top 5 things to crochet when it's hot and number 1 is ironic! — Robins nest square

Thinking about what to hook for the CAL has got me looking at all things granny and I realised that the simple treble stitch nestled next to two other simple treble stitches…classic granny stitch…is actually one of my go to stitches…

It is also #yarnlovechallenge time again. Check out last years prompts here and if you want to join the fun check out the #yarnlovechallenge on Instagram or check back here on Thursday.

So I am going to try and post short daily posts throughout February inspired by the daily prompts and crochet out rather than being too spaced out on pain killers…I hope!

Have a great weekend.

xxxxx

a wee sottish adventure

A Wee Scottish Adventure…

Published on January 19, 2018January 18, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin25 Comments

Last weekend Mr R and I took the train and embarked upon a wee Scottish adventure.

It was business for Mr R but I tagged along with my hook and yarn. The temptation of a long train journey without the little Robins was just too much, even if it did mean an early start!

It provided a whole few hours of just sitting watching the world go by with just Mr R for company and the opportunity for guilt free hooking…what was not to love!

I got some more rows done on my Charming Harbour Blanket…I am still hooking away at this. It is rather slow going, not because of the pattern, more the sheer size of the thing and the fact that I am only working on it every now and then. But, I am enjoying the hook and I do not have any deadline pressures with this one.

Crochet blanket — Charming Harbour blanket PHD

The journey to Glasgow and then onto Ayrshire was hassle free and I can highly recommend hooking on a train…there is something about the rhythm of the hooking combined with the uniform clickety clack of the train which hushes one into a calm serenity.

Mr R got the business thing done quickly and we wound our way down to the north Lake District and found a charming little place to stay in Cockermouth before heading back home to the little Robins because by then we were really beginning to miss them!

xxxxx

crochet tea cosy free pattern and tutorial

The Grandma Florence Tea Cosy

Published on January 16, 2018January 16, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

In my haste to release the fourth gorgeous tea cosy of the Grandma Collection…The Grandma Florence tea cosy; I realised that I hadn’t posted the formal introduction. So here it is…

Dedicated to my lovely Momma…Florence.

My Mom: the woman who raised me and who has quietly influenced me throughout my life.

I followed in her duty shoes and trained as a nurse, inspired by memories of her putting on her nurses hat and cape…of course that style of uniform has long since gone…but I wanted to help people just like her.

My Mom has been such a creative influence in my life too, for as long as I can remember she has made stuff. Clothes, flower arrangements, knitting, patchwork quilts…no wonder I have the desire to create and craft.

My Momma has also taught me how to be a Momma to my boys…and if I do half as good as her then I’ll do alright by them! But most of all she is always there and she is kind and that is just what I want to be.

So this is the Grandma Florence tea cosy, a pretty cosy woven with bright ribbons to represent the encouragement, love and inspiration that my Momma has woven throughout my life… Thanks Mom!

xxxxx

So that is the Grandma Florence tea cosy in all of her glory, here is the pattern linky thing which is free and has a photo tutorial also.

xxxxx

personalised organic cotton labels

I’ve finally found labels for my crochet…

Published on January 12, 2018January 11, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin18 Comments

I’ve finally found labels for my crochet makes!

The great folk over at Calico Labels

sent me some to try out and I was super thrilled to say the least. And there is more…Their cracking little Etsy shop is full of organic cotton no fray labels in some seriously cute designs and fonts. Seriously cute, so be warned if you go check them out!

Just look at what they sent me…

squeeee…sorry, but they make me very excited.

I have attached the first one to the 100 patch granny that always greets me on my blogging chair. It took me a little while to decide on which birdie house to choose, but in the end I went with the pink one.I am so thrilled…thank you Calico Labels

xxxxx

New Crochet Tea Cosy Free Pattern Coming Soon…

Published on January 5, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

Just wanted to drop in and let you know that I am almost done on the newest tea cosy in the Grandma Collection; which means that I will release the pattern on Tuesday. I am so very excited about this one, it’s simply beautiful. Here’s a sneak peak…

This photo was taken a little while ago…I can’t wait to show you! Have a great weekend

xxxxx