yarn-a-long Sunday is back for June…

top 100 crochet blog

Yes, just for the month of June, Yarn – a – long Sunday is returning as requested. 

The series back in March was fun for me and I know I had  a fair bit of lovely feedback about how some of you enjoyed joining in to.  So I will be kicking things of on Sunday 03rd June  and I’m hoping you will make a cuppa and join in  and have some fun.  I am also going to run the series over on Instagram too so you can join in there if you prefer.  You can find me @yarnyrobin.

If you have absolutely no idea what I am talking about then you can check out March’s yarn – a – long posts just here, here, here and here! 

See you Sunday!

xxxxx

#yarnlovechallenge February round up

February #yarnlovechallenge photos all in one place. 

This was so much fun and a challenge too.

#yarnlovechallenge

days 1 – 4

#yarnlovechallenge

days 5 – 8

#yarnlovechallenge

days 9 – 12

#yarnlovechallenge feb 2018

days 13 -16

#yarnlovechallenge

days 17 – 20

#yarnlovechallenge

days 21 – 24

#yarnlovechallenge

days 25 – 28

I’m going to miss my little daily challenge!

xxxxx

 

 

yarn-a-long Sunday…

yarn a long March

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

I’ve finally found labels for my crochet…

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!

CALICO LABELS ETSY SHOP

Just look at what they sent me…

personalised organic cotton labels

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.personalised organic cotton calico labelsI am so thrilled…thank you Calico Labels

xxxxx

 

 

 

 

End of year review…Bring on 2018

2017 has certainly had it’s ups and it’s downs.  I am pleased  to report that it is ending on an up.  I have really enjoyed perusing back through my posts and have picked out my favourite from each month in way of  reviewing 2017 here at the nest.  Before we begin I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of my seasoned readers, to those of you that have recently discovered this little corner of yarniness and to you if you have  just stumbled across this post by accident.

Without all of you, I would just be here, hooking and writing and hooking some more; annoying my family by taking photo’s every 2 minutes and whilst that would be ok, it is so much more fun with you dropping by and saying hi every once in a while.  You encourage me and inspire me to keep blogging about all things yarny and for that I am very grateful. 

So grab a glass of prosecco or the bottle!  or maybe a cuppa if you prefer and lets look back at 2017 here at the nest.

January 2017 

shawl crochet ayarnyrobin
crochet in bed.

2017 began with shawls, having completed x2 virus shawls I had the bug for more.  This‘ is the ‘pink shawl’ by Cecile Balladino,  and it is still one of my favourites although I still can’t call it the ‘pink shawl!’

February 2017

#yarnlove challenge 2017

I had so much fun doing the yarn love challenge during February.  A post a day was a challenge, but I relished the daily prods to share. 

I’d love to do this again in 2018. 

Here is a little link to my favourite #yarnlovechallenge post and another favourite… well I couldn’t just pick one!

March 2017

Sunday Shawl by Alia Bland
Sunday Shawl hooking

Another month another shawl…This time the beautiful Sunday Shawl by Alia Bland.  This project proved to be the perfect way to jump into spring, maybe it was those delicious pastels against the warmth of the grey.

April2017

Alpaca cake…

A milestone birthday, an alpaca birthday cake, and a graduation. I couldn’t have imagined a happier set of celebrations. I was so  blissfully unaware of the catastrophe about to beset us.

May 2017

Interlocking stitch

At least I got some crochet in whilst juggling hospital trips and the absence of a critically ill Mr R…crochet is not only my joy it’s my default when things get tough…my sanity. 

This Baby Wilmer blanket, filled me with hope, a new life just entering this world, whilst life at the nest  felt as if it had paused in some horrific nightmare.

June 2017 

yarnbomb, ayarnyrobin gate installation
yarnbomb

Mr R had prayerfully turned a corner  and our healing had begun, it was time for some fun and this yarny gate installation celebrated that!

July 2017

free dog collar crochet pattern...simple free pattern which you can crochet in under an hour
Jess… with her new crochet collar.

Still healing, but healing well! 

Small projects worked best and this ‘Oh so cute’ free dog collar pattern went down a treat with little Jess.

August 2017

C2C crochet baby blanket, crochet heart squares in paintbox cotton yarn
crochet and coffee

I fell so in love with these adorable C2C (corner to corner)hearts that I just couldn’t stop hooking them!  I couldn’t!! 

They fell off my hook so quickly that before I knew where I was I had enough for a blanket of hearts. 

I have to confess that I still need to border this lovely…yes it is still a PHD (project half done).  In my defense I just can’t decide what colour to border it in!

September 2017

crochet barefoot sandals - Corfu designed by ayarnyrobin.wordpress.com, summer feet
Corfu – Barefoot sandals

September felt much more ‘normal’ although I don’t know why…I spent a large majority of it bobbing around on a lazy river being drenched in golden sunshine on the amazing island of Corfu.  I didn’t forget about you though…look I made these barefoot sandals  by the pool… here’s the link to the free pattern just in case you fancy a pretty 20 minute hook up!

October 2017

Autumn woodland walks a plenty, a suprising wildlife sighting and family…I am so blessed.

November 2017

The Grandma Dot Tea Cosy, crochet tea cosy, The Grandma Collection by ayarnyrobin
Grandma Dot Tea Cosy

Finally, the release of my newest tea cosy in the Grandma Collection…the Grandma Dot tea cosy.  I don’t know why this took me so long to publish but it did.  Anyway, thank you for your frankly very kind feedback about this free pattern…there will be another one coming very shortly in the new year.

December 2017

loom knitted hat, ayarnyrobin
loom knitted beanie…

I told you 2017 ended on an up…the hat fit!

Enough said. 

Thank you 2017 for the joy, for the triumphs, for the challenge and even for the heartbreak…for all the folk that have stood alongside me whether that has been for a few minutes, a few days or for those lifers that are always cheering me on… you know who you are.  

Finally, thank you once again to you, for riding this journey with me… I think you are amazing and want to wish you all a very blessed and  extremely yarny 2018…

wherever it may take you.

xxxxx

 

Happy Tuesday…

Today has been a coffee and crochet kind of a day…except I forgot to take any photo’s ! 

So here are some photo’s of previous coffee (and tea) and crochet combo’s…just to give you the flavour of my day! 

Happy Tuesday.

xxxxx

My Yarny Autumn Blanket Round up…

With Autumn sneaking in…well here in the UK anyway, I thought I would take a little look back at some of my favourite blankets that I have hooked over the years. 

I rather think there is nothing as good to hook as a blanket, the process is satisfying and restful and of course it always involves that lovely stage of playing with colour and almost always buying new yarn!

Here is my yarny autumn blanket round – up…pattern details can be found in the links below or on my Ravelry page just here.

Granny square camping blanket
already a firm favourite!

This is my favourite camping granny square blanket.  Strictly speaking I did not hook this one as the squares were made for me from all around the world.  In return I sent squares all across the world too.  You can read more about this blanket here .

crochet blanket
design by Katherine Eng

This beautiful apartment lapghan in  this stunning alpine colourway, was a fabulous hook.  It challenged me at the time with the starting chain in the middle of the blanket !  I finished hooking this in the sunshine and I was thrilled with the end result…a perfect gift.

granny square blanket
Using up scraps!

I loved the alpine colourway so much that I used the scraps from the lapghan to make this simple granny square blanket.  I love to hook a traditional granny square  and always return to this pattern every now and then! I couldn’t resist a fringed edge for this one and it didn’t disappoint.

ripple crochet blanket
ripple so far…Attic 24 pattern

This happy ripple was another perfect gift…and just had to have a happy bobble edging to crown it.   This was a very, very happy hook…and I wished I could have kept it for myself!!!

crochet blanket, basket weave
basket weave baby blanket

Gorgeously cushy and in chilli pepper red. This basket weave baby blanket nearly tipped me over the edge, to read why click here.   I’m glad I have done basket weave, but it is my least favourite stitch and I think you get very similar results and much more joy from a C2C (corner to corner) technique. I did not follow a pattern as such, I followed a you tube clip on basket weave stitch (I cant remember which one!) but  my ravelry page for this blanket is just here, it might give an idea of amount of yarn used etc

Cosycattage blanket, ayarnyrobin, crochet blankets
Cosy Cottage Blanket by Attic 24

Another Lucy blanket and a dash to the finish line.  A simple hook but a mammoth project.  I love this blanket and still get to snuggle under it even though it was a gift…as I gave it to my Mom!

Pattern details just here

crochet baby blanket, popcorn stitch
rows of popcorn stitches

Once I had the pattern repeat in my head, I was able to hook this beautifully understated baby blanket on auto pilot.  I adore the popcorn stitches, and the alternating texture of this blanket.  This blanket draped well, felt soft and squishy and I remember thinking any baby would feel cherished snuggled in this blanket.   For pattern details click here.

crochet blanket, traditional giant granny square

Another great stash buster and great for crocheting whilst watching a box set…A giant granny square blanket.  Going back to my roots with this blanket as it was one of the first patterns I taught myself to hook…so the pattern is in my head…but youtube traditional granny square and you will be certain to find a tutorial for sure.

crochet granny squareblanket with bobble edging
100 patch granny

I kept this 100 patch mini granny square blanket after learning sometimes smaller is better!  I couldn’t resist another bobble edge again, but this time in duck egg.  I joined the squares using a double crochet technique which frames each square beautifully. Pattern details are here.

crochet v stitch blanket, rainbow blanket
Very V blanket

A rainbow lovely. 

This  simple v stitch blanket proved to be nothing but joyous from the moment the yarn arrived in its lovely balls all bagged up together.  Hooking this merry delight was rhythmically therapeutic and soothed me whenever I picked it up…needless to say I couldn’t put it down! 

Pattern details just here.

crochet baby blanket

An interlocking stitch on this Baby Wilmer blanket, gave a dense squishy feel and a reversible fabric, ideal for putting in the pram.  Using just 3 colours also meant I could work the yarn threads up the sides of the blanket without getting in a tangle; meaning colour changes were a doddle and  the number of ends to be woven in at the end were reduced by a gazillion!

C2C crochet blanket, afghan, corner to corner technique,crochet love heart squares, totally smitten
C2C Totally Smitten blanket

And finally, the blanket on my hook at the moment, a real stunner and a keeper…this C2C heart blanket which I am smitten with.  Pattern details just here and yes… it is still awaiting a border. 

So, there you have it; my yarny autumn roundup of blankets I have made over the years.  I will never tire of hooking such beauties and I still have so many on my to do list. 

I hope if you have the blanket bug this may help in your happy, hooky deliberating. 

If you have got this far and read all of this and you don’t have the blanket bug, just know that you may well have caught it by now…look out for symptoms over the coming week!

xxxxx

 

 

 

Thank you Corfu…

Thank you Corfu…

Thank you for sundrenched days 

Thank you for time with my brood, for rest and relaxation and time just to breathe a new rhythm for a while

 Thank you for tequilla sunrise and Corfu beer

Thank you that I was able to create x1 barefoot sandal

 well, I was just too busy doing not a lot!  See…

Thank you for time spent in your Old Town, where the streets came alive after dusk with the chatter of the swifts overhead and where the street sellers appeared from nowhere with their wares.

  For your cobbled alley ways crammed with unique gems and treasures. 

Thank you for fun, lots of fun… 

Thank you Corfu for helping our healing and for new memories. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

xxxxx

 

A yarny update…

It seems quite a while back now that I dipped my toe into the world of C2C (corner to corner) crochet.  It is  safe to report that I am totally hooked, if you pardon the pun! 

C2C crochet baby blanket, crochet heart squares in paintbox cotton yarn

It was actually only  in July that this C2C journey of mine began, inspired by the very talented lemonadesucrette  who had posted a series of updates on Instagram of a beautiful heart baby blanket.  In my  soul I had decided I too must create my own, but also had a yearning to learn C2C… you can read more about my inspiration for this project  just here.  

C2C crochet baby blanket, crochet heart squares in paintbox cotton yarn
I am using paintbox cotton yarns

I feel like my progress has been slow and steady.  I don’t have a lot of crochet time lately, but I am hoping that will change as the Autumn approaches as I have taken the decision to reduce my hours at work to restore some balance. 

C2C crochet baby blanket, crochet heart squares in paintbox cotton yarn

I can’t tell you how ridiculously excited I am to be able to take a non working day in the week.  It means I get to take and fetch my smallest Robin from school once a week; something which my heart has ached to do for far too long now.

I am hoping it will give me some more time with my hook also!

C2C crochet baby blanket, crochet heart squares in paintbox cotton yarnI have finally got to the stage in my C2C  sojourn, where I am sewing the squares together.  I am so in love with this blanket that I am not going to part with it.  I am going to treasure it and use it here at the nest.

C2C crochet baby blanket, crochet heart squares in paintbox cotton yarnI just have the decision to make about the border.  I will decide on a colour and keep it simple I think, but it looks like this will have to  wait until September now….

and a non working, taking to school, type of happy hooky day!xxxxx

Homemade Summer Plum Jam

Here are the pictures as promised, of my  homemade jam making exploits.

The plums were freshly plucked from the tree and were deliciously juicy.

homemade plum jam

making homemade plum jam
I de-stoned the plums
making homemade plum jam
and simmered on a low heat in some lemon juice and water

making homemade summer plum jam

making homemade summer plum jam
added a lot of sugar!
homemade summer plum jam
and potted

I had a lovely afternoon in my kitchen making this jam.  The boys think it is delicious; I think it is a wee bit sugary and not set quite right.  I think I will have to invest in a jam thermometer for next time…because there will be a next time. 

It is too satisfying not to!

xxxxx