Category: blog hoppin

loom knitted beanie hat

Hats life!

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

Thank you so much for your hat suggestions, I have really enjoyed looking at them and reading your thoughts about them. In the end I went with a loom knitted hat, inspired in part by a post I read by Kagibari ami unravelled and a forgotten find in the back of a wardrobe. 

Do you remember this?

No! 

Well if I am honest, I had forgotten about it too and seemingly abandoned it in the back of a wardrobe. 

This was my first dabble with loom knitting and on closer inspection, it was a bit holey and I could not remember what pattern I was using or where I had got up to.  So after  falling into the abyss of you tube and loosing myself for almost a whole day, I set my beating heart  upon this pattern

bicolour brioche stitch hat  by Tuteate.

loom knitted beanie hat

I unravelled the yarn from my loom, and began again… only this time I was making a beanie hat for Mr. R. 

loom knitting beanie hat

 

Oh! how I loved knitting and purling, even if I did have to rip it back 3 times…yes 3 times!!!! to start over and make an emergency dash to the habadashery shop when I snapped my loom pick as my tension was too tight! 

loom knitting beanie hat

When I saw those knitted stripes in perfect formation I didn’t care that my fingers hurt a little or that I had ceased all work on my Charming Harbour Blanket for my new love.

loom knitted beanie hat

I soldiered on until the end, enjoying every knit stitch and every purl stitch until I cast off and realised…

loom knitted beanie hatthis beautiful beanie would not be gracing the fair head of Mr R at all because it was just too small…

but it did fit my little birthday Robin and doesn’t he look dandy in it?

birthday robin

and just in time for the snow!

snow

xxxxx

 

A belated gift and a belated thank you…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

Things are still very tough here at the nest, but we are hanging in.  Mr R is now out of hospital and we have nurses attending at home. We are healing slowly, but have a long road ahead of us.

I am finding I can crochet again for short periods of time, it is as much as my mind can focus on and I am enjoying the little bit of creativity my hook is giving me.

I have started a new project …yes, I know another one!

sneek peek…

But, it is quirky and fun and I have enjoyed the creative process of designing it.  I will share more as I progress. 

I really wanted to drop in and give a BIG shout out and thank you to Ginny over at mytimestitching who sent me this gorgeous sock yarn, which I won in a competition she ran on her lovely blog.

My yarny win…Thanks Ginny x

  I received this yarn a while back now along with a lovely shawl pattern.  I am not sure what I will hook yet, but for now it is enough to keep squishing it! 

I also received a belated birthday present a few weeks back too, this stunning yarn bowl, handmade by Sarah Whyte Ceramics

beautifully handcrafted

Ginny’s yarn fits in just perfectly.

xxxxx

And the yarny winner is…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin7 Comments

I love this bit…announcing the winner of my yarny competition.  Last year Mr R drew names from a wooly hat in traditional old skool style. 

DSC_0186

This year however, I have allocated all entrants a random number and then got all high tech and used  Random.org to select a winner.  A massive thank you to all of you who entered, I wish I could let you all win, but alas that is not possible.

So with out any further ado the winner of this hank of gorgeous baby alpaca yarn…

glorious alpaca yarn
glorious alpaca yarn

is Denise over at Nerdish Delights.  Huge yarny congratulations to you Denise, I will email you now to arrange delivery of this yumminess.

xxxxx

 

Sharing a good thing…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

untitled

How Kind!

Thank you to Eleanor over at Harebells  crochet for the nomination. 

I love playing a very tiny part in such a BIG community of bloggers and am always amazed and humbled that even one person bothers to read what I type.  So to be nominated for such makes me both smile and blush! The award comes with a few guidelines and in the true spirit of

‘Love is something if you give it away’

‘sharing a good thing’

‘pass the blessing on’ etc, etc…

The rules for the Creative Blogger Award are:

Thank the person who nominated you and include a link to their blog….. (tick)

Share five facts about yourself…..(tick)

Nominate other bloggers and add their links…..(tick)

Notify the bloggers you included…..(tick)Keep the rules in your post….(tick)

So, my 5 facts are:

1.

just had to stop the car the other day for this cheeky chappy!
just had to stop the car the other day for this cheeky chappy!

These are my absolute favourite animals…Alpaca’s! The yarn is divine and when my middle little Robin was very, very little he called them ‘naccapaccas’.  We still use that word for them now.

2.

100 patch granny
100 patch granny

I am addicted to coffee, I just love to have a cup close at all points of the morning.

3.

wpid-dsc_0155.jpgI rely on hope, at all times and in all circumstances it is hope that drives my soul.

4.

already a firm favourite!
already a firm favourite!

I love a lazy afternoon, I don’t get many, but they are perhaps my most favourite thing… a lovely cosy blanket, snuggled up with my family, a cup of coffee, a hook and some yarn…bliss!

5.

wpid-dsc_0621.jpgAccording to the internet, my bakery name is ‘Sweet Brownie Patisserie’ 

Nominations

So time to share this good thing… My nominations for ‘creative blogger’ are:

Stefanie over at Wooly cakes and wooden spoons

(because I love her attitude and more recently her awesome podcasts)

Lundy Girl over at Could do worse

(because I love her posts about her allotment and wordless Wednesday’s also)

and Anna over at Boys and Chickens 

(because I love the honesty of her writing about the everyday)

 

These are really great reads. 

xxxxx

 

Leibster Award

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 Comments
Leibster Award
Leibster Award

You might remember me mentioning the nomination that I received for the Leibster Award, from the lovely Lauren that writes her equally lovely blog, called the handmadehandmaiden.

Well, here is my post in response to that nomination.  In a nutshell, I answer some questions, set some new questions and pass the Leibster on by nominating others, there are some more detailed rules which I outlined before, which you can take a peek at just here

Here are my answers:

Have you ever lived in another country?

No, but sometimes I think it might be nice to!

Do you have any pets?

Alfie
Alfie
Jess
Jess
Heidi, Holly and Bo... Sunny was busy laying an egg!!
Heidi, Holly and Bo… Sunny was busy laying an egg!!

What is your favourite icecream flavour?

that would have to be Peach Melba…or possibly bubblegum…or rocky road..or… lets be honest it depends on what ever takes my fancy.

What do you desire most to do in your life?

That’s easy…to influence and inspire people positively.

Countryside or City?

I need both.

If you could travel where would you go and for how long?

Bikini Island, Fiji for at least a month, then Australia for at least 6 months!

What is your hobby?

like that needs an answer, but just in case…

yarn, yarn, yarn, hook,hook,hook!
yarn, yarn, yarn, hook,hook,hook!
out on Bella x
out on Bella x
gardening
gardening

Least favourite thing to do?

Clean the oven!

What tv/ current book are you watching / reading?

my current read!
my current read!

 

If you could time travel – who would you see – where would you go?

Another easy one… I would revisit the younger me and say…

worry less, it will all be just fine,

you are beautiful just the way you are

and maybe consider avoiding eating chicken in the Lake District!!!

 

Here are my nominations for the Leibster Award,

Leibster Award
Leibster Award

crochetandcoffee

thegreenonion

loveorchestrated

I  highly recommend you take a peek at these blogs.

Here are your set of questions guys:

1. If you could have a shop what would you sell?

2. What is the meaning of your name?

3.What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

4. Margarita or Pina colada?

5. If you had a super power what would it be?

6. What is your favourite book?

7. win the lottery or work your perfect job?

8. Do you have a favourite quote?

9. what sound do you love?

10. tell us what your happy song is?

Hope you have as much fun as I have had with your

Leibster Award.

xxx

 

 

 

Not a lot…but quite a bit!

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin13 Comments
my poppy
my poppy

yearofblogsshortbanner[1]

This is the sum total of my craftiness this week….not a lot.  This is my poppy made just for me, being as all the previous poppies I had made for myself were oohed and aahed over and taken by my family and friends…not that I minded in the least, I take great joy from knowing that my hooking is appreciated!  I did however run out of the pretty topaz glass beads for the centre, but found these little glossy black beads instead which just makes this one extra special and mine!

 

I did achieve quite a bit else, this week saw my interview for my Return to Nursing Practice which was on Thursday.  After much of the week re teaching myself fractions and how to do long division and multiplication of decimals (yawn, yawn) I took my numeracy and literacy tests and successfully got through the gruelling interview and so start this new and daunting journey on the 13th January 2015! (cue angelic hosts singing Hallelujah!!)

 

I hope to make progress this coming week on my own pattern and who knows maybe even finish it so that I can share it with you in time for Christmas.

If you have not read all about the Leibster Award, please take a peek just here, I have 10 nominations to make and if you would like me to nominate you to receive the online award, then just let me know by leaving me a comment.

Leibster Award
Leibster Award

Enjoy your week

xxx

 

Would you like a Leibster Award?

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments
Leibster Award
Leibster Award

You may or may not have heard about the Leibster Award, if you are shaking your head and are unfamiliar with the Liebster Award, it is a purely online award that is passed along from blogger to blogger, in the hopes of promoting new and aspiring bloggers with less than 200 followers.  Since it is promoting newish / small  blogs, there are a set of rules that are attached for each person nominated to follow, 

The rules differ from blog to blog, but these are the general rules;

1. Thank the person who nominated you with a link to their blog
2. Display the pink Liebster Award in your post (or any other Liebster Award button! Doesn’t have to be pink!)
3. Answer the questions that are posted
5. Nominate 10 other bloggers with up to 200 followers and inform them by commenting on their blog or contacting them
6. Write ten questions for the bloggers you nominate.

 

So I’m off to answer the set of questions I have been asked by the lovely Lauren, who nominated little old me and writes the handmadehandmaiden blog and will be back soon, so you can all have a read.  I have decided to allocate my 10 nominations to the first 10 aspiring bloggers that comment on this post stating that they would be up to the challenge…. So my first question is

Do you want to be nominated for the Leibster Award?

Just let me know!

liebster-award1

 

 

it was at the bottom of a stash bag!

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin7 Comments

yearofblogsshortbanner[1]

Well this week I am posting and posting on time!

It’s been a while I know… but I think that I must start by thanking some very special people.  If you read last weeks post you will know that I had lost my crojo! and I was desperate to find it again.  After searching high and low to no avail, these very kind folk all offered their help in hunting for my elusive  and misplaced enthusiasm;

Lucy, from aknitandacake despite having no crojo herself mailed me some enthusiasm.

Kim, from auntmaudknits kindly offered to send the great Aunt Maud herself, to come and have a good old rummage around in the search!!!

Ruth, from mysparemoments offered to search despite her leg being in a cast.

Iris, over at thegreenonion  offered some of her very own crojo.

Last but by no means least…Sandra, atfarmgirlsam suggested amongst other things a bit of yarny retail therapy.

I am pleased to report that after all that help, I found my crojo at the bottom of an old stash bag… and got x2 items ticked off my year of projects list.  A beanie for my Summer Robin and another for my Autumn Robin…I have no pics as they are away this weekend and their beanies have gone with them!  I will post in the week about them.

2014-10-18 17.37.27

As you can see from the photo I took Sandra’s advice and indulged in some (restrained) yarny retail therapy.  Isn’t it delicious…it’s telling me to hook it into some hottie covers for Christmas!

2014-10-18 17.45.34

I also had a little dabble around in Etsy and got these cute little elephant buttons.

bowling balls
bowling balls

I have also spent some very precious time with lil robins this weekend as it has just been him and me, as big brother is at scout camp and other big brother and Mr. R are on a cubs, lads and dads weekend. Lil robins’ requested we go bowling and eat pizza

2014-10-18 16.11.37

and ice cream

2014-10-18 16.29.06

He has talked my head off about flying cars and ninjago.  We’ve played pool and drunk slush puppies too, had long walks with the dogs in our wellies, watched movies snuggled up together and he has enjoyed sleeping in Mommy’s bed and Mommy has enjoyed that too!

Anyway, have a good week and thanks again for all of your help, I am going to enjoy the last few hours with lil Robins, we’re off to church, before the boys return with all that dirty, dirty washing!!

Bloghoppin

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

So this is a blog hoppin post, which means I have been tagged to write a piece by the lovely Ruth over at My Spare Moments.

I have been given 3 questions to answer, which is quite fun and I hope that you enjoy this post as much as I have enjoyed writing it!

 

Question 1: What have you been doing/making/scribbling at your desk/making table?

 

Well, firstly I wish I had a desk/making table, but I don’t… our house is way too small…and way too busy for that!  I do have my outdoor crochet corner for when the weather is fine, but I live in the UK, so I’m not out there that often..

crochet corner
My crochet corner

 

There has not been any hooking out there for a good couple of weeks, hooking has had to come indoors as the weather  has changed, but hooking always continues and I always have several things in progress

mini squares for my scrappy afghan
mini squares for my scrappy afghan

 

chilli pepper baby blanket
chilli pepper baby blanket
infinity cowl
infinity cowl
doodling future makes...
doodling future makes…

 

Question 2: Where are you currently finding inspiration?

My inspiration for projects comes largely from need, but I like to feel I am moving forward in my hooking abilities and stretching myself too.  The chilli pepper baby blanket is a gift for a family member who has just had a baby… and I wanted to learn a new stitch technique in with this project, hence the basket weave.  Most of my makes are gifted, so the person I am making for becomes the inspiration for the project.  For example the roses and posies tea cosy made for my friend, who is a chain tea drinker, and the happy ripple made in bright colours, for a friend who needed to be reminded that she had a bright future ahead of her!

these little roses are gorgeous to hook
these little roses are gorgeous to hook

 

for a special couple on their wedding day!

That and my love for colour inspire me the most.  Right now I am looking forward to my most favourite time of year…. Autumn, so am thinking about cowls and mitts and boot toppers and such other lovliness.  

 

Question 3: How important is being creative to you? and how do you blend with work/family balance?                                

Well this question is simple… its like oxygen to me… I have to hook!

My Coffee Coaster
My Coffee Coaster

 

An elderly lady taught me to hook, when my smallest robin was a tiny baby and I had post natal depression, she came to a group that my Health Visitor had coaxed me into… and quite simply I have never looked back and have hooked ever since.  It has become my default setting and just satisfies a part of me that nothing else seems to… no one else at home can crochet, so it belongs to me and yet everyone appreciates my pieces (or seems too!).  Hooking is so portable too, which means I can hook anywhere… more often than not its on the settee in the lounge, amongst the boys playing on mine craft or making loom bands! or at the kitchen table, whilst the dinner is cooking.  Sometimes, at the park sitting on a bench, whilst the boys play, or in the car when I’m waiting to pick the boys up from school, sports or cubs.  It fits in so well with the most important things in my life… my family!

precious!
precious!

so, there you have it… time to tag another for a blog hop.  I would like to tag Kim at Aunt Maud Knits a truly talented lady, whose projects are simply gorgeous and who may introduce you to Aunt Maud!

mention who tagged you.

What have been the doings/makings/scribblings at your desk/making table this week?

Where are you currently finding your inspiration?

How important is being creative to you and how do you blend this with your work-life-family balance?