blanket – Page 4 – Crochet blog

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

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

End of year review…Bring on 2018

Published on December 30, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin16 Comments

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

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

Charming Harbour crochet blanket for him by ayarnyrobin

The Charming Harbour Blanket…

Published on November 20, 2017November 18, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin13 Comments

After a slow start I am finally making steady progress on my Charming Harbour blanket.

crochet blanket, charming harbour blanket — In the beginning…

I have found myself flitting from one project to the next lately, but I am getting at least a couple of rows hooked each evening now; which is reassuringly comforting as the pattern is so familiar.

Charming Harbour Blanket, crochet blanket, mens blanket — Charming Harbour Blanket in the making

I am enjoying the simplicity of the colourway also. A trio of sober colours, which formally stand to attention and which make this blanket so wonderfully handsome and so beautifully striking.

The yarn has also proven to be a joy to hook with. The yarn is from the Women’s Institute…you can read my review of it just here.

I am totally thrilled with this blanket’s reversibility which was entirely serendipitous. The right side is darker

Charming Harbour crochet blanket for him by ayarnyrobin — Charming Harbour blanket in progress…

and the back (I can’t call it the wrong side…because it is not wrong at all!) is lighter altogether.

I have not been disciplined in weaving in the ends as I go, so I must make more effort else I will have a mammoth task at the end!

lots of ends to sew…

Yes, this Charming Harbour blanket is just that…

charming!

xxxxx