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.
I can’t believe that this blanket has been on my hook and in my life for four months. It is getting large enough now for me to throw it over my lap in the evenings and I thought you might like another photo update on my progress.
well it was basket weave and if you are a long time reader you may remember my last foray with basket weave…It looks great but I do not like hooking this stitch you can read why just here.
So it came as a very welcome relief to find out that the next stitches were the relaxing long wave stitches after the stressful basket weave!
If you want to find out more about this delightful slow CAL (crochet a long) which is being hosted by the lovely Eleanora hop over to her beautiful blog… Coastal Crochet. You can also find lots of other amazing blankets and makers participating in this CAL across social media by searching #seasidestashbustingblanket.
I‘m off to do another couple of rows now. I will be back soon to show you what else has been on my hook of late and I will also write an update about my yarny knitting adventure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
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.
guilt free resting!
and a spot of jigsaw (ing!!),
but mostly crochet and cuddles with my buddy.
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.
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.
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
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 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
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!
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
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!
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 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…
Do not cut yarn at the end of each row. Instead, work with 3 balls bringing the selected yarn up the side of the work. This will prevent lots of ends needing to be sewn in!
Row 1: With yarn a, ch 9, 1htr in 2nd chain from hook,
1htr in each st across (8htr).
Row 1
Row 2: Join yarn b, ch2 (does not count as a st), turn. 1htr in each st across (8htr).
Row 3: Repeat row 2 with yarn c.
Juggling 3 balls will reduce the number of ends to be sewn in at the end!
Rest of rows: Repeat row 2, colour repeat – Yarn a,b,c to end. Measure against your dogs collar for length.
sew in ends…
Sew in the ends and whip stitch around dog collar as shown.
Sew a seam with a simple whip stitch.
tOP TIP:
To increase or decrease width of collar you could use a larger or smaller hook or increase or decrease the number of starting chains accordingly.
Voila…all done.
Jess likes her new collar…I hope you do too!
Enjoy the pattern and send me photo’s of your cutie sporting a yarny collar if you make one won’t you?
Well put out the crochet bunting….I’ve qualified!…a long hard slog, but it is done.
So of course celebrations have been ongoing (both alcoholic and non alcoholic), but my favourite (and the one I am going to share with you) was a blissful week at home, pretty much to myself. Doing this sort of thing…
Bathing Jess…
she looks so cute once she gets a blow dry…
drinking coffee …
working on a new tea cosy pattern…
Enjoying suprise gifts left by a neighbour…
planting out my winter window boxes…
and hiding daffodill bulbs under the ground.
Enjoying a fish and chip picnic
and contemplating what to do with these bag handles??????
Enjoying the cosiness of home with friends…
Yes…a lovely week indeed…Now, the hard work really begins! xxx
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