friendship – Page 2 – Crochet blog

CROCHET MIXED STITCH BLANKET

seaside stash busting blanket weeks 9 – 12

Published on April 10, 2018April 11, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin27 Comments

I thought you might like another little update on the slow CAL (crochet a long) I’m participating in which is being hosted by the lovely Eleanora over at coastal crochet. You can also find lots of other amazing blankets and makers participating in this CAL across social media by searching #seasidestashbustingblanket.

You can read about my weeks 1 – 4 just here

and my weeks 5 – 8 just here

But let me show you weeks 9 – 12. I have enjoyed these weeks so much, hooking out and about in town

The blanket is certainly growing larger and no longer resembles a scarf…in fact it is way past scarf stage now and is handy for keeping my lap warm whilst I hook away.

I think this will be the last close up picture where the whole of the blanket will fit into frame.

I’m still ploughing through my stash too, so this makes me doubly thrilled with this blanket. I find I am really looking forward to every Monday and Friday when the next rows are released. I love the surprise of not knowing what the next set of rows will be.

xxxxx

yarn a long March

Yarn a long Sunday #4

Published on March 25, 2018March 24, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

Well this is the last yarn a long Sunday in this March series. It feels like ‘blink and you will have missed it!’

Easter has hurtled at us and March is almost through!

Thank you so much for last weeks natter…I loved chatting with you about life’s little motto’s. I found it quite inspirational and have carried them with me through this week…not always successfully, but I have tried.

If you are not quite sure what I’m on about you can check out last weeks comment thread just here.

You can find week 1’s ‘Why do you craft, crochet, knit?’ yarn a long, just here

and week 2’s ‘How to fix a crochet blanket’ just here …

just in case you wanted to catch up and of course you can still join in with any of them.

If you are returning then welcome back…and thank you.

Now, as this is our last yarn a long for now, this week’s topic is

‘Ask me a question…yes you can ask me anything!’

Go on don’t be shy!

xxxxx

yarn a long March

Yarn a long Sunday #3

Published on March 18, 2018March 14, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin12 Comments

Welcome to the third yarn a long Sunday…March is certainly flying by!

Thank you so much for last weeks natter…I really enjoyed your suggestions and helpful thoughts about how to fix my unravelled grannies…I think the general consensus was leave longer tails and weave them in more thoroughly!!!

If this is your first time here, firstly welcome.

You can find week 1 yarn a long just here

and last weeks just here

just in case you want to catch up and of course you can still join in with any of them.

If you are returning then welcome back…and thank you.

Now, this weeks yarn a long is based upon one of my life mottos

I have loved this quote for a long time; I know some people say to me why would you want to jump out of a window? Mr. R included…he is not a fan!

But to me the sentiment behind these words is extremely powerful. I guess no one would jump out of a window given the choice…well most people wouldn’t. I’m guessing the window is high up…if you have to grow wings on the way down, then there is a bit of a free fall one would assume.

Jumping out of a window is a last resort, it’s desperate, it’s uncomfortable and frightening and your on your own. I have found it is in these places in life, in the struggle, in the heartache, in the mess, that you find a strength you did not know you had…your wings if you will.

For me my faith soars and the thing with wings is… you can fly. And if you can fly then you can flutter higher than any window you have to jump out of, you can rise and swoop in freedom.

So, I cling at times to this Ray Bradbury quote and at other times I am motivated by it and occasionally I soar, and often I just seem to flap about like mad!

Do you have any life motto’s I’d love for you to share in the comments thread below.

xxxxx

#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

#yarnlovechallenge

#yarnlovechallenge February round up

Published on March 6, 2018March 4, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin4 Comments

February #yarnlovechallenge photos all in one place.

This was so much fun and a challenge too.

days 1 – 4

days 5 – 8

days 9 – 12

days 13 -16

days 17 – 20

days 21 – 24

days 25 – 28

I’m going to miss my little daily challenge!

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

yarn a long March

yarn-a-long Sunday…

Published on February 28, 2018February 24, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin12 Comments

I am so enjoying blogging…and more recently getting to know some of you a little better. It is a side to blogging that I wasn’t expecting at all and it has led me to all kinds of lovely blogs, all of which are unique in their own way even though the shared theme is often the common thread.

And it is to this end that I am launching a series in March called

‘yarn-a-long Sunday’.

A short interactive post each Sunday through March kicking off on Sunday 04th; asking a question, or seeking your opinions and advice. I do hope you will make a cuppa and join in and have some fun; and then maybe I can get to know you a little bit better too!

xxxxx

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