My PHD!

I thought it about time I returned, I know its been a while and it has been far longer than I had planned.  So I return with a familiar confession. 

I have come to realise that I am actually not as clever as I like to think and so this post is about my PHD….Projects Half Done!  I much prefer this to the acronym WIP (works in progress) as PHD sounds so much more positive and well….lets be frank; what I am about to show you is not in progress.  Not even by any stretch of the imagination!  Abandoned may be a better description.

InstagramCapture_2131d25e-f4ba-4128-a9a3-6a8f70e4a67c

 So, first out of the box is the baby blanket awaiting  the hooking of one final square and then construction.  So close to a finish, but I need some more cotton.

InstagramCapture_b1e1474d-aadc-4596-9ef3-9d5bcd71e7d0Then there is this linen stitch blanket…I abandoned hooking because I felt my design may be a bit to fussy…I’m undecided.  Do I continue or rip it back and reclaim the wool?….I’ve done that before.

WP_20160403_19_24_13_ProThen there is my knitting loom project, a sumptuous alpaca cowl…I really must restart this…if I can remember how to that is!

WP_20160522_00_14_07_ProThe rainbow V stitch blanket is still on the go, not abandoned at all but most definitely a PHD!

And it is with this in mind I need you all to do me a small favour…if you don’t mind that is.  If you ever read my words that might even hint I am going to study again then I would like you to hit me over the head with something very heavy!!!

xxxxx

Easter yarn shortage…

Following some much needed soul restoration on Friday, the theme has lingered here at the nest over the Easter weekend; and I can deleriously report is continuing today too.  However, hooking  came to a very abrupt halt yesterday!

WP_20160325_16_43_13_Pro

After a chaotic but funny Easter egg hunt, in which I muddled the clues up somehow;  and hearty singing of praises in church. Followed a mixed weather walk just down by the brook,

WP_20160325_16_45_13_Proup over the big field and back home through the daffodils…my favourite flowers in the whole world.     

WP_20160325_17_36_13_Pro

I love carefully picking my way back home through this flowery path…

WP_20160325_17_36_21_Pro

Back home for some quiet hooking

WP_20160328_10_59_25_Pro

which was fine until…

WP_20160328_10_59_38_Pro

I realised I had  only this much red cotton left and four robins nest motifs left to square…I told you the hooking came to an abrupt halt!  Which was only soothed by this wonderful Easter tray that I received from my lovely brother and Sister in Law (Thank you Kate xx)

WP_20160328_11_05_59_Pro

Which proved just perfect to hold my coffee whilst I ordered more yarn

xxxxx

Robin’s nest square

WriteOnImage635941689278682349

   How can x2 part completed quilts just get mislaid????  That is the question I am pondering this week.  Several years ago I started on two lovely quilts and I cant find them anywhere.  However I did find this…

DSCF4491_1__medium2

A square I hooked several years ago… along with my scribbled notes on the pattern.  So I hooked up a new one and thought I’d share.  

As always I’m using English crochet terminology.

Ch – chain

Slst – slip stitch

dc – double crochet  

tr – treble crochet  

ch3 – counts as a treble unless otherwise stated.  

I’m using drops muskat cotton 

dsc_1012.jpg

and I’m using the colours listed below

red

old pink

white

vanilla yellow

dark orange

sky blue

apple green

and a 4mm crochet hook. This lovely yarny square measures 7″ x 7″ or 18cm x 18cm once blocked.  To download a pdf version click here, otherwise full instructions are below. 

So here goes…

ch2, join with ss to form a tiny ring

wp_20160225_20_54_35_pro

Row 1: ch3,

WP_20160225_20_55_19_Pro

11tr into ring,

WP_20160225_20_58_30_Pro

join blue yarn and  slst into 3rd ch

(12tr in total).

WP_20160225_21_00_24_Pro

Row 2: ch3,

wp_20160225_21_04_47_pro

1tr in same space, ch1

WP_20160225_21_05_28_Pro

2tr in next st, ch1

WP_20160225_21_09_20_Pro

*2tr in next st, ch1*, repeat * * x10 times,

WP_20160225_21_14_31_Pro

slst into 3rd ch

(12 clusters of 2tr).

Row 3: join white yarn in any ch space, ch3,

WP_20160225_21_21_55_Pro

2tr in same sp, ch1

WP_20160225_21_23_18_Pro

*3tr in next ch space, ch1*

repeat * * x10 times

wp_20160225_21_52_33_pro

join with slst in ch3

(12 clusters of 3tr).

Row 4: join green yarn in any space and ch3,

wp_20160225_21_55_45_pro

3tr in same sp, ch1

WP_20160225_21_56_40_Pro

*4tr in next space, ch1*,

WP_20160225_21_57_41_Pro

repeat * * x10 times,  join with slst in ch3

(12 clusters of 4tr)

WP_20160225_22_04_07_Pro

Row 5: join yellow yarn in any space and ch3,

wp_20160225_22_06_27_pro

4tr in same sp, ch1

WP_20160225_22_07_40_Pro

*5tr in next space, ch1*,

WP_20160225_22_08_45_Pro

repeat * * x10 times, join with slst in ch3

(12 clusters of 5tr)

WP_20160225_22_16_07_Pro

Row 6: join pink yarn to any space and ch3,

5tr in same sp, ch1,

*6tr in next sp, ch1*,

repeat * * x10 times, join with ss in ch3

(12 clusters of 6tr)

wp_20160225_22_33_42_pro

Row 7: join red yarn in any space, ch3,

wp_20160225_22_37_53_pro

 

5tr in same space,

WP_20160225_22_38_47_Pro

ch3,

WP_20160225_22_39_08_Pro

6tr in same space (corner made),

WP_20160225_22_40_20_Pro

*6tr in next space, 6tr in next space,

WP_20160225_22_43_51_Pro

6tr in next space, ch3,

WP_20160225_22_45_14_Pro

6tr in same space*        (2nd corner made),

WP_20160225_22_46_02_Pro

 

 

repeat * * x2 times

WP_20160225_22_48_44_Pro

WP_20160225_22_51_41_Pro

6tr in next space, 6tr in next space, join with slst in beginning ch3.  Do not fasten off.

Row 8: ch3,

wp_20160225_22_56_06_pro

1tr in next 5sts,

WP_20160225_22_59_07_Pro

*6tr in ch3 sp,

WP_20160225_23_00_01_Pro

ch2

WP_20160225_23_00_21_Pro

6tr in same space (corner made),

WP_20160225_23_01_34_Pro

 

1tr in next 5sts,

WP_20160225_23_02_43_Pro

dc in next space (indicated by needle)

WP_20160225_23_04_46_Pro

 

WP_20160225_23_05_18_Pro

 1tr in next 5sts,

WP_20160225_23_06_12_Pro

 

dc in next space, 1tr in next 5sts,

WP_20160225_23_07_18_Pro

dc in next space, 1tr in next 5sts*,

WP_20160225_23_08_14_Pro

repeat * * x2times

WP_20160225_23_16_00_Pro

6tr in ch3 space, ch2, 6tr in same space (corner made)

1tr in next 5sts,  dc in next space,

1tr in next 5 sts, dc in next space,

1tr in next 5 sts,

 slst to beginning 3rd ch to finish.

Weave in ends.

 

WP_20160225_23_21_24_Pro

 

Pin out to block… this is really worth the extra effort.  I just pinned this square to a clean towel,

then spritz with water and leave to dry.

wp_20160229_17_33_53_pro

blocking really makes the the world of difference…

wp_20160302_09_34_22_pro

A very versatile yarny square.  

Happy hooking

xxxxx

 

 

‘Robins nest square’ designed by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin.wordpress.com…….March 2016

 

Little Leaf pattern

wp_20160217_21_40_10_pro
‘A yarny little leaf’ designed by Nicola Florence @ayarnyrobin.wordpress.com….February 2016

On a very wet afternoon,  just the other day, I began to hook up some little leaves.  Simple I thought, no pattern required.

WP_20160217_21_40_22_Pro

After a couple of tweaks here and there, this is what my trusty hook had produced.  I think they are rather sweet, so I thought I would share this little leaf pattern with you.  

Little Leaf Pattern.

I used drops cotton dk and a 3.5mm hook.  All instructions are using English terminology.

Slst – slip stitch  

st – stitch

ch – chain  

dc  – double crochet  

htr – half treble  

tr – treble  

dtr – double treble

blo – back loop only   

Central Vein

Ch8, slst into 2nd ch from hook, then slst into each remaining 6ch and fasten off.

wp_20160217_22_16_30_pro

Leaf Body

Join chosen colour thread to 1st st at bottom of leaf vein.  Ch1, dc in next st, htr in next st, tr in next st, 2dtr in next st, tr in next st, htr in next st, dc in same st, ch3(you should now be at the top of the vein).  

wp_20160217_22_29_37_pro

You now need to reverse the pattern down the other side of the leaf.   This time working in the back loops only. 

wp_20160217_22_34_36_pro

So, dc in next st, htr in same st.  

  tr in next st, 2dtr in next st, tr in next st, htr in next st, dc in next st, slst in next st.  Fasten off to finish and weave in ends.

WP_20160217_21_41_12_Pro

Happy little leaf hooking

xxxxx

‘A yarny little leaf’ designed by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin.wordpress.com….February 2016.

Sweet mandalas

Hooking these sweet mandalas has been so lovely…I actually hooked them last week so can include them in January’s makes.

WP_20160131_13_27_35_Pro (1)

WP_20160131_13_28_01_Pro

WP_20160131_13_28_29_Pro

WP_20160131_13_29_09_Pro

WP_20160131_13_29_44_Pro

The pattern is by the very talented Robin Sanchez over at onceuponapinkmoon 

Just had to share these with you.

xxxxx

A lost yarny Angel

Do you remember these…I think I must have given all mine away last Christmas, because I’ve searched everywhere for my host of angels and can’t find them…I think it will be off to the shops tomorrow for some pipe cleaners and some sparkly yarn.

This divine angel is made by hooking 2 small granny squares and assembling with a few bits and pieces.  I made mine in a white yarn with a silver sparkle…the pattern is by the very talented Priscilla Hewitt  (search Granny square angel on her site) and is super simple to follow and in no time at all you could have your own host…. 

 

A yarny give-a-way…

A yarny give-a-way from a yarny robin!

 From me to you with love…

to celebrate a year of this blog.  

already a firm favourite!
already a firm favourite!

(one of my first posts)

 

Whilst this blog started as a catalogue of my crafty life and has never been about the number of hits or the number of followers, I have been amazed and humbled over the last 12 months by the huge amount of encouragement and support I have received in terms of folk reading and liking my posts and leaving me such lovely comments…

THANK YOU ALL.

This last 12 months has seen lots of craftiness… here is a little snippet of some of my favourites

happy ripple in progress
happy ripple in progress

(my first tutorial – bobble edge)

 

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

(roses and posies tea cosy)

 

yarnpom
yarnpom

(yarnpom)

 

Hot Love
Hot Love

(my first pattern)

 

There were also the new arrivals and fabulous family memories made…

Jess
Jess

( the arrival of Jess)

 

DSC_0022

(and Percy)

 

down by the canal
down by the canal

(out on Bella!) 

 

messin' about on the river
messin’ about on the river

 (a day on the river)

 

 I wish to show my appreciation by means of a small give-a-way… of yarn…open to all

it could be yours!
it could be yours!

Just leave a comment below if you would like me to enter your name to win x3 50g balls of this Chunky yumminess… I will draw a winner on the 13th June, so make sure to leave a comment by the 12th June…

xxx

Blooming Joyful…

How fun is this?….

WP_20150512_010
Work in progress

 

I’m getting so much joy from hooking up this absolutely lovely pattern…that I just had to share it with you all before it’s even finished.  You will have guessed that it is another from Attic 24…the linky thing is just here.

The End of my Cosy Journey

The 'His and Her's cosy blanket
The ‘His and Her’s cosy blanket

As promised, here are the pictures of the ‘His and Her’s Cosy blanket’ set.  This most enjoyable hooky adventure started back in November 2014, when I fell upon this oh so easy and yet oh so fulfilling pattern, details of which I will list at the end of this post, so you too can embark on your very own cosy escapade.

'her's'
‘her’s’

The colour way is simply delicious and has the romance of femininity, which just flounces through the overall blanket, making it just perfect for wrapping up in.  For details of yarn and colours, please see below.

DSC_0082
‘his’

The colour way of the ‘his’ blanket was inspired by the Eastern Bluebird, both blankets incorporate 15 different colours, 7 of which are common in both, and have identical row placement, giving them the same overall tone and therefore linking them as a set.

the blankets share 7 common colours and row placement
the blankets share 7 common colours and row placement

Each blanket is bordered with 4 rows of colour, the first 2 rows being shared by each blanket

denim, camel, plum and rose
denim, camel, plum and rose
denim, camel, turquoise, and petrol

If the truth be told, I’m missing hooking these beautiful blankets… I really have enjoyed my journey and I will definitely be returning to this pattern again and again.  I will leave you with some more pictures and the links below.

 

 Pattern  

Yarn  

her colour way  

his colour way  

xxx