afghan – Page 3 – Crochet blog

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

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 17 -20

Published on February 20, 2018February 18, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 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 @ ayarnyrobin3 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

#seasidestashbustingblanket

Hooking and Healing…

Published on February 15, 2018February 12, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin18 Comments

If you read my last #yarnlovechallenge post, you may have gathered that I’m a bit laid up… but every cloud has a silver lining and my enforced rest has meant lots of crochet.

broken foot and crochet — guilt free resting!

and a spot of jigsaw (ing!!),

but mostly crochet and cuddles with my buddy.

scnoodle dog — Jess, my crochet buddy…

I have really made some headway on my Charming Harbour blanket . I hadn’t picked it up for a while and I was just beginning to feel burdened about the possibility of it becoming a long standing PHD. I am so glad to have pulled it back out as I have found the simplicity of hooking this blanket most pleasing lately.

Additionally, I have been thrilled to be taking part in a CAL hosted by Coastal Crochet. I found the CAL a little late in week 2, but I soon had the rows completed, thanks to my prescribed idleness. I have kept up to date ever since too. We are now in week 5 and this stash busting blanket is growing into a mighty fine array of mixed stitches, with beautiful waves of long stitch abounding currently.

#seasidestashbustingblanket — mixed stitches…

I have still to make a start on the Granny Square CAL details of which are just here, but I still have another week until my stitches come out so I’ve got time.

Enjoy the rest of your week whatever you have planned.

xxxxx

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 9 -12

Published on February 12, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin7 Comments

#yarnlovechallenge... if you’re not following this on Instagram…here are my days 9 – 12.

Day 9 : View…I’m getting tired of this view now…I’m loving the extra hook time, but would like to loose a few stitches (surgical ones that is!)

Day 10: Novelty…If you are new here and you have not been introduced, then this is the quirky Grandma Florence Tea Cosy. A mesh of crochet woven with ribbon for a very novel way to dress your teapot. The free pattern and tutorial are just here.

Day 11: Smell… These alpacas smell like popcorn and of course their yarn is divine. Taking them for a walk is also pretty cool too. You can read about such adventures just here.

Day 12: Worn…I generally gift most of what I make…but, I kept this lacy infinity cowl for myself. Details of this gorgeous pattern are just here.

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

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 5 – 8

Published on February 8, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 Comments

#yarnlovechallenge... if you’re not following this on Instagram…here are my days 5 – 8.

Day 5: Style… Rocking my own style with these barefoot sandals

Day 6: Colourwork… One of the best things about starting a new project is planning which colours to use. These are my colour pegs and these are the colours of my latest blanket on my hook.

Day 7: Designer.. My current design crush is Eleonora at Coastal Crochet and this is the beautiful CAL blanket.

Day 8: Prep…Following on from day 7’s designer prompt…I love to design my own hooky makes. This takes a lot of prep and I do like to be near to the kettle!

xxxx

yarnlovechallenge 2018

#yarnlovechallenge days 1 – 4

Published on February 4, 2018February 4, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin1 Comment

#yarnlovechallenge... if you’re not following this on Instagram…here are my days 1 – 4.

Day 1: Intro…Well this is me…

Day 2: Volume…I had to think a bit more about this one. I was going to post a snap of a bright and vibrant crochet blanket, like the Very V blanket. But, then I thought about those rare precious moments, when all is silent in the nest, and I can curl up with a coffee and some yarn….ssshhhh!

Day 3: Soothing… That is exactly the essence of this ripple blanket, happy and soothing with a bit of an addictive bobble edge!

Day 4: Snack…You just can’t beat a clotted cream tea for a real bit of indulgent hooking!

xxxx

#seasidestashbustingblanket

#seasidestashbustingblanket

Published on January 30, 2018January 30, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin25 Comments

As if having one large blanket on the go isn’t enough! I have accidentally, well…ok…I spent 2 hours rummaging through my yarn stash, so not accidentally at all…but I couldn’t help but chain the starting chain for this mystery CAL, which is being hosted by the talented Eleonora over at Coastal Crochet.

In my defence I am using only stash and there are only 4 sweet rows of the pattern being released each week…so that’s doable isn’t it?

I was a little late to the hook up, starting in week 2, but I am fully caught up and I can’t wait for week 3. The bobbles were fun to hook and I am pleased with the mustard (gold) against the raspberry. The yarn is stylecraft special dk and I’m planning on using these colours.

In addition to these colours I will also be using Graphite (charcoal grey) and Gold and possibly candyfloss pink…I am still undecided about the candyfloss…mmm…we’ll see…What do you think?

I am slightly disgruntled that I have not been able to find my yarn pegs for these missing colours in the picture, but I am unable to look properly because of this…

It really hurt! and I am a big baby!

Yes, It’s all done and it wasn’t very pleasant and I still feel queasy, and I am not a good patient (it must be the nurse in me!) but I am grateful to be this side of it.

I have always wanted to complete a CAL like this but have always been a bit cautious about being able to follow the pattern instructions, but Eleonora’s instructions are written very clearly and she has also made a video tutorial to help out if needed, so I think it will all be gucci.

The blanket is going to be a fair old size when it’s finished in the Autumn. You can checkout other blanketeers in this CAL by using the #seasidestashbustingblanket or #coastalcrochetcal.

xxxxx

Top 5 things to crochet when it's hot and number 1 is ironic!

CAL Granny Style

Published on January 27, 2018January 28, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin19 Comments

February is just in view, in fact it’s approaching so quickly it may possibly arrive before I finish this post…you see every time I have sat down to type, something has needed my urgent attention. It seems this has been the reoccurring theme here at the nest this January, so much so that not a lot of hooking has taken place!!

crochet bag — My crochet has followed me around in this bag…but has not come out to play since Scotland 😦

But… I have plans a foot for February…which start with being immobile thanks to some planned foot surgery early next week. On the bright side this will require a period of recuperation mainly with my foot up and sat right next to a basket of yarn… hooking perfection!

First on my hooking list is a delirious granny CAL (crochet a long) which begins on the 01st Feb and which is being hosted by the lovely Rosina over at Zeens and Rogers…do hop over and check out one of her podcasts they always make me smile and always inspire me and of course feel free to join the CAL too.

Top 5 things to crochet when it's hot and number 1 is ironic! — Robins nest square

Thinking about what to hook for the CAL has got me looking at all things granny and I realised that the simple treble stitch nestled next to two other simple treble stitches…classic granny stitch…is actually one of my go to stitches…

It is also #yarnlovechallenge time again. Check out last years prompts here and if you want to join the fun check out the #yarnlovechallenge on Instagram or check back here on Thursday.

So I am going to try and post short daily posts throughout February inspired by the daily prompts and crochet out rather than being too spaced out on pain killers…I hope!

Have a great weekend.

xxxxx

a wee sottish adventure

A Wee Scottish Adventure…

Published on January 19, 2018January 18, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin25 Comments

Last weekend Mr R and I took the train and embarked upon a wee Scottish adventure.

It was business for Mr R but I tagged along with my hook and yarn. The temptation of a long train journey without the little Robins was just too much, even if it did mean an early start!

It provided a whole few hours of just sitting watching the world go by with just Mr R for company and the opportunity for guilt free hooking…what was not to love!

I got some more rows done on my Charming Harbour Blanket…I am still hooking away at this. It is rather slow going, not because of the pattern, more the sheer size of the thing and the fact that I am only working on it every now and then. But, I am enjoying the hook and I do not have any deadline pressures with this one.

Crochet blanket — Charming Harbour blanket PHD

The journey to Glasgow and then onto Ayrshire was hassle free and I can highly recommend hooking on a train…there is something about the rhythm of the hooking combined with the uniform clickety clack of the train which hushes one into a calm serenity.

Mr R got the business thing done quickly and we wound our way down to the north Lake District and found a charming little place to stay in Cockermouth before heading back home to the little Robins because by then we were really beginning to miss them!

xxxxx