afghan / blanket – Page 3 – Crochet blog

#seasidestashbustingblanket weeks 5 - 8

#seasidestashbustingblanket weeks 5 – 8

Published on March 14, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin19 Comments

I thought you might like a little update on the slow CAL (crochet a long) I am participating in which is being hosted by coastal crochet…details of weeks 1 – 4 are just here. You may have seen it across social media with the #seasidestashbustingblanket.

#seasidestashbustingblanket — mixed stitches…

There are several things I am enjoying about this CAL. The first of which is the pace. Eleonara, is releasing just four rows a week; two on a Monday and two on a Friday and so it feels very relaxed.

#seasidestashbustingblanket — as approved by little Jess

The second little gem is that I am busting my stash! The CAL’s focus is using up what you already have and so this blanket is being made entirely from stash. I have a lot of stash, not as much as some, but too much to be just lying idle. I feel like I am achieving something very positive using up my hoard and turning my treasure into usable wealth.

The third pleasure is the online community element of this CAL. I have met and chatted with so many talented ladies and gentleman and have been inspired and encouraged. It never ceases to amaze me how folk can hook the same pattern and yet the different colour choices make it look so different.

Creativity…I just love it!

#seasidestashbustingblanket — week 8

Eleonora, has called it her seaside blanket because she lives by the sea and takes her inspiration from her surroundings and therefore that is reflected in her colour choices. It made me smile when she introduced pink into her blanket… stating she new she would have to as it was in her stash. Eleonora, likened it to strawberry icecream on the beach, which I liked a lot.

It got me thinking about the colours in my blanket and what they reminded me of and after some thought I think they remind me of a stormy sunset.

So I am going to call this my Stormy Sunset blanket…what do you think?

xxxxx

yarn a long March

Yarn a long Sunday #2

Published on March 11, 2018March 8, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin20 Comments

Welcome to the second yarn a long Sunday…I hope you have grabbed yourself a coffee or something else to drink. Last week’s yarn a long was all about why you crochet, knit, craft… and I shared my story of post natal depression.

Thank you for sharing your stories. I think the two common elements were overwhelmingly how crochet links us with our memories of our older relatives such as grandparents and the importance of passing skills down through the generations. Secondly, how crochet and creativity links with easing stress and impacts upon our wellbeing. I also enjoyed exploring new to me blogs too!

If you want to read last weeks thread you can access it just here.

Todays yarn a long is about your help: Just take a look at this

This is my 100patch granny and some of the granny’s have come unravelled…

x2 questions really…

Why is this happening?

and

How can I fix it?

It’s making me reluctant to start another modular blanket and I so want to, but I wan’t it to stand the test of time too!

Pearls of wisdom welcome in the comments thread below.

xxxxx

yarn a long March

Yarn a long Sunday #1

Published on March 4, 2018March 3, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin26 Comments

Yay…Welcome to the first yarn a long Sunday…If you have just stumbled here by accident, I do hope you will stay for a while and join in too. I am a teensy bit anxious about this to be honest as I have not done anything like this before and I’m worried no one will join in, although I have had some very positive feedback…thank you if that was you…you will know who you are.

The purpose of my yarn a long is to get to know you a little better and you I; and so I am hoping that you will join in with me by commenting in the thread below. My hope is you will also get to know each other a little better too and discover new blogs and other such yarny lovliness.

So, shall we begin… Todays yarn a long is:

‘Why do you craft…crochet…knit?

Shall I start?

I have wanted to write about this for a while because crochet has become my default…it is almost like my reset button. I was introduced to crochet a long time ago now; about 8 months after my youngest Robin entered the world and I was suffering with post natal depression. My Health Visitor was great and along with other structured support suggested I attend a local group of Momma’s that ate cake and drank coffee and crafted…well she had me at cake!

An elderly lady named Eileen, came along soon after I joined and she taught me how to hold a crochet hook and chain stitches. There was something very soothing about the rhythm of making those chains and before long Eileen, had me making treble crochet stitches (double crochet stitches if you use American terminology). Those first stitches were far too tight and I got frustrated easily, but the company was healing and Eileen, was patient and kind and the cake tasted good! I must have swatched 20 or more uneven little squares before it clicked…I’m a slow learner…but, when it did, click that was, I made a giant granny square blanket for my boys. We still have that blanket today and do you know I have never taken a photo of it, because it isn’t well hooked or perfect or in great colours… but it is in the colours they chose! My boys still use it though and who knew that it would lead me on the most wonderful hooky adventure.

I have taken a photo of that 1st blanket and here is the exclusive just for you… but don’t look too closely!

That was nearly a decade ago and since then I have immersed myself in learning new stitches… thank you to video tutorials, blogs, books, magazines and good old trial and error. I have also immersed myself in yarn and lots of it!!

Crochet saved my mental health back then along with some good medical support and the love of an amazing family and crochet continues to soothe me still in the beautiful chaos of life…

Thanks to a tuned in Health Visitor and Eileen.

‘Why do you craft…crochet…knit?

I’d love it if you would share…

xxxxx

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 25-28

Published on March 2, 2018February 27, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin1 Comment

#yarnlovechallenge... if you’re not following this on Instagram…here are my final four days of prompts.

Day 25: International…This is my ‘Around the World in 64 Squares’ friendship blanket. A blanket made from crochet and knit squares sent to me from all around the world. In return I sent the same amount of squares all around the world as part of a fabulous group on ravelry call The Global Square Exchange. It was super fun to be a part of and I have a truly unique and international blanket.

Day 26: Embellish…This is my ‘yarny Little Leaf ‘ and one of my favourite embellishments to use. They are quick and simple to hook and look stunning in Autumn colours too. Just click on the link for the free pattern and tutorial.

Day 27: Fit …This gorgeous boy got a surprise new winter hat when it became evident that it was not going to fit on my gorgeous husbands gorgeous head! A ‘fit’ fail!

Day 28: Confession…What more an I say

And that is it February #yarnlovechallenge complete…it has been fun…hope you have enjoyed it too.

xxxx

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 21 -24

Published on February 25, 2018February 24, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 Comments

#yarnlovechallenge... we are almost done, but not quite.

If you’re not following this on Instagram…here are my days 21 – 24.

Day 21 : Multiples…How pretty are these Robins Nest granny squares? I always feel a surge of joy when I look at them. Not only that but they are a complete pleasure to hook. The free pattern for them comes complete with a step by step photo tutorial.

Day 22: Bag…Well I have had a bag on my ‘must hook’ list for years. But, for some reason I have never got around to starting one, not even as a PHD! I have purchased the bag handles though.

Day 23: Mend… Not sure how to mend this or why it has happened!

Day 24: LYS…I don’t like my local yarn store as sometimes they can be a bit moody…and I think that’s off. You shouldn’t have to walk in wandering if the owners are going to be vexed with one another. Having said that they stock a good selection of my stock yarn and if I run out it’s handy. I would just like my LYS to be a lovely, friendly independent that sold some hand dyed as well as the usual. That ran classes out the back and had a whole yarny community vibe going on….moan over!

There are now only four days left of this challenge, but it’s not too late to join in the fun, each day in February has a prompt, as long as there is a tenuous link to yarniness in some way your good to go!

xxxx

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 17 -20

Published on February 20, 2018February 18, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 Comments

#yarnlovechallenge... if you’re not following this on Instagram…here are my days 17 – 20.

Day 17 : Ink…No tatts to show, but I do have a yarny shopping list!

Day 18: Art…Well it had to be this ‘Flower Fiesta’ wall art that I hooked a while ago now…the link to the post is here and the little leaf pattern (which is free of course) is just here

Day 19: Notebook…I have notebooks in every room of the house, except the bathroom. I even have one in my car because you never know when the creative lightening bolt may strike.

Day 20: Swatch…I’m not a fan of swatching…at all! But I did do a little one for my charming harbour blanket, because I don’t usually hook with navy and I wasn’t sure if I could commit to a big project without swatching first.

It’s still not too late to join in the fun, each day in February has a prompt, as long as there is a tenuous link to yarniness in some way your good to go!

xxxx

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 13 -16

Published on February 16, 2018February 15, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 Comments

#yarnlovechallenge... if you’re not following this on Instagram…here are my days 13- 16.

Day 13 : Publication…This book was published by Readers Digest in 1981. It’s the best stitch dictionary I have ever used and I have a few! Timeless.

Day 14: Yarn Love…a heart for Valentines Day. I love all yarn…it’s that simple ♥

Day 15: Cheer…This is the ‘Very V’ blanket…rows and rows of beautiful V stitch. This blanket was a joy to hook and never fails to cheer. The free pattern and tutorial are available just here.

Day 16: Join…how about a lovely double crochet (single crochet if you use American terminology) join, to give you a gorgeous raised frame around a granny square. Tutorial just here.

We are now over half way through this challenge but it’s not too late to join in the fun, just jump over here. Each day in February has a prompt, as long as there is a tenuous link to yarniness in some way your good to go!

xxxx

#seasidestashbustingblanket

Hooking and Healing…

Published on February 15, 2018February 12, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin18 Comments

If you read my last #yarnlovechallenge post, you may have gathered that I’m a bit laid up… but every cloud has a silver lining and my enforced rest has meant lots of crochet.

broken foot and crochet — guilt free resting!

and a spot of jigsaw (ing!!),

but mostly crochet and cuddles with my buddy.

scnoodle dog — Jess, my crochet buddy…

I have really made some headway on my Charming Harbour blanket . I hadn’t picked it up for a while and I was just beginning to feel burdened about the possibility of it becoming a long standing PHD. I am so glad to have pulled it back out as I have found the simplicity of hooking this blanket most pleasing lately.

Additionally, I have been thrilled to be taking part in a CAL hosted by Coastal Crochet. I found the CAL a little late in week 2, but I soon had the rows completed, thanks to my prescribed idleness. I have kept up to date ever since too. We are now in week 5 and this stash busting blanket is growing into a mighty fine array of mixed stitches, with beautiful waves of long stitch abounding currently.

#seasidestashbustingblanket — mixed stitches…

I have still to make a start on the Granny Square CAL details of which are just here, but I still have another week until my stitches come out so I’ve got time.

Enjoy the rest of your week whatever you have planned.

xxxxx

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 9 -12

Published on February 12, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin7 Comments

#yarnlovechallenge... if you’re not following this on Instagram…here are my days 9 – 12.

Day 9 : View…I’m getting tired of this view now…I’m loving the extra hook time, but would like to loose a few stitches (surgical ones that is!)

Day 10: Novelty…If you are new here and you have not been introduced, then this is the quirky Grandma Florence Tea Cosy. A mesh of crochet woven with ribbon for a very novel way to dress your teapot. The free pattern and tutorial are just here.

Day 11: Smell… These alpacas smell like popcorn and of course their yarn is divine. Taking them for a walk is also pretty cool too. You can read about such adventures just here.

Day 12: Worn…I generally gift most of what I make…but, I kept this lacy infinity cowl for myself. Details of this gorgeous pattern are just here.

It’s not too late to join in the fun, each day in February has a prompt, as long as there is a tenuous link to yarniness in some way your good to go!

xxxx

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