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yarn a long March

Yarn a long Sunday #3

Published on March 18, 2018March 14, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin9 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

yarn a long March

Yarn a long Sunday #2

Published on March 11, 2018March 8, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin17 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 @ ayarnyrobin22 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 @ ayarnyrobin2 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

crochet tea cosy free pattern

Grandma Kathy Tea Cosy…Free Crochet Pattern and Tutorial.

Published on February 23, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin4 Comments

This is the fifth tea cosy in the Grandma collection, and is quite simply delightful. The use of traditional granny stitches means that this pattern can be hooked within an evening. Ideal for that last minute handmade present. This cosy is sweetly uncomplicated and will cloak any tea pot with elegance.

Dedicated to the inspiration that is ‘Nanna Kathy’

The pattern makes a tea cosy that fits a standard 6 cup teapot.

I used less than 50g of Stylecraft special dk yarn in gold and scraps of apricot.

You will also need a darning needle, pin or stitch marker and a pair of scissors.

Stitches used in this pattern refer to English terminology, however a conversion to US terminology is provided in brackets below.

Ch – chain stitch

slst – slip stitch

dc – double crochet (single crochet)

htr– half treble crochet (half double crochet)

tr – treble crochet (double crochet)

dtr – double treble crochet (treble crochet)

You will also need:

a 5mm crochet hook for main body of teapot and a

4mm hook to complete picot edging trim.

Ok, here we go…

Using the gold yarn and 5mm hook, Ch 20

To adjust cosy size, the starting chain should be equivalent to the height from the base of teapot to the top of the body of the teapot or to put it another way, to the start of lid. If adjusting the starting chain it must be a multiple of 3+2.

*********************

Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in each st along, ch3, turn (ch3 counts as tr) (19dc in total).

Row 2: 2tr in same space as ch3, miss 2 sts, 3tr in next st (granny cluster)

repeat * – * til end of row, ch3 (counts as tr) turn.

(x7 granny clusters / x6 spaces).

Row 3: miss 1st granny cluster, 3tr in space before next granny cluster, miss granny cluster, 3tr in space before next granny cluster Repeat * – * to last space, miss 2 sts, 1tr in last st of row, Ch3 (counts as tr), turn.

(20sts = x6 granny clusters / 7 spaces / 1tr on each end of row).

Rows 4: 2tr in same space as ch 3, miss granny cluster, 3tr in space before next granny cluster Repeat * – * to end. Ch3 (counts as tr), turn. ( 21sts = x7 granny clusters / x6 spaces).

Row 5: – 17: Repeat rows 3 and 4, but omit turning ch on row 17.

Row 18: turn, ch1 (does not count as st)dc in same space, dc in each st across, ch3 (counts as tr), turn.

(20sts).

Now to make the spout hole!

Row 19: 2tr in same space as ch 3, miss 2sts, 3tr in next st, ch 10, miss next x5 granny clusters / x4 spaces, 3tr in last st.

(20sts).

Row 20: ch1 (does not count as dc), dc into same space, dc in next 2sts, dc in next 10 chain sts, dc in next 6sts, ch3 (counts as tr), turn. (19dc).

Row 21: Repeat Row 2.

Row 22 – 32: Repeat rows 3 and 4 but omit turning ch on row 32.

If adjusting cosy size make sure to finish this section on a row that is the same as row 3 in the pattern ie/ starts and finishes with 1tr.

*********************

Row 33: ch1 (does not count as dc), dc in same space, dc in each st along and fasten off and weave in ends

(20dc).

nb/ top and bottom – x1 granny cluster underneath spout

Noting top and bottom correctly, attach gold yarn to top right side.

Now to complete the petals.

Row 34: ch1 (does not count as dc), dc in same space, dc in each st across – ( the term sts here is used loosely as they are actually the side posts of the trebles and double crochet sts of the previous rounds. It may look a bit ambiguous, but we are aiming to get 36dc across this top edge), turn.

crochet tea cosy free pattern and tutorial — try to space these sts as evenly as you can… its just a case of getting them in!

Row 35: ch1, miss 2 sts, in next st place dc, htr, tr, 2dtr, in next st place 2dtr, tr, htr, dc

Repeat * – * to end of row

slst to beginning ch1 to join cosy in a circle.

Side Seam: Place cosy on teapot and mark with a pin across top of handle, slst from top of cosy down to this point (approx. 1.5cms).

Return cosy to the teapot and repeat process, this time marking below the handle. Remove cosy leaving marker in place, continue to slst along one edge (not both) until you reach marker for the bottom of the handle. Now slst both edges together to bottom of cosy, fasten off and weave in all loose ends.

Picot trim: Finally, attach apricot yarn in any beginning dc of petal (ie. dc to the right hand side of petal).

With a 4mm hook, ch1 (counts as dc), dc in next 3sts, dc in next st, ch3, slst into 1st ch (picot made),

dc into same space as previous dc, dc in next 4sts…1st petal edged.

For next petal and for all petals around, dc in next 4sts, dc in next st, ch3, slst into 1st ch, dc in same space as previous dc, dc in next 4sts.

NB/ do not crochet in this space by mistake

crochet tea cosy free pattern and tutorial — Do not crochet in this space by mistake else your picot will not be central!

To finish slst to beginning ch of trim, fasten off and weave in ends.

Now I think it’s time for a brew…don’t you?

xxxxx

I REALLY HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED MAKING THIS PATTERN AS MUCH AS I HAVE ENJOYED CREATING IT FOR YOU. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT SOMETHING OR NOTICE ANY ERRORS PLEASE SHOUT UP. EQUALLY PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR Grandma Kathy Tea cosy CREATIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW or with the #THEGRANDMACOLLECTION #AYARNYROBIN ON SOCIAL MEDIA…I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM!

THE Grandma Kathy Tea Cosy IS part of the Grandma Collection ©2018 designed by Nicola Florence @ayarnyrobin

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 17 -20

Published on February 20, 2018February 18, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin2 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 @ ayarnyrobin2 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