shawl – Crochet blog

#Sidekicksistas…

Published on January 21, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

I wanted to stop by and show a beautiful shawl I made as a Secret Santa swap for one of my #sidekicksistas.

If you don’t know I am wonderfully blessed to be a part of a fabulous group of crafties that meets once a month. I met them online way back when I had my foot operation and I started the #seasidestashbustingblanket in 2018, and they kindly invited me along. They really are just the most supportive and creative women and we all share the same crafty kindred spirit. Even though I don’t make the monthly meets and only get to about three a year, I just love these women so much. The highlight is always our Christmas dinner in December where we all chip in and cook something for the table…here we are look…

This year for the secret Santa swap, I decided I was going to make a shawl and after a long trawl through ravelry, I set my heart on the Dragon Belly Shawl by Johanna Lindahl of Mijo Crochet. It is a free pattern and has a simple 2 row repeat, which means it is the perfect pattern to hook up whilst indulging in a box set. Perfect relaxing crochet. The pattern is well written and I will definitely be making this again.

I decided to treat my recipient to a Scheepjes whirl to hook this shawl in…well to treat myself really as I had never hooked with this yarn before and I had wanted to for ages. I chose the Blueberry Bambam which was my second choice. I had originally chosen the Jaffa Pop colourway…but it was out of stock everywhere, and I mean everywhere and was not due to be re-stocked until after Christmas. So Blueberry Bambam it was.

The yarn was a beauty to hook with. It is a beautifully soft cotton blend 4ply yarn which has a long gentle gradient. I used the whole 200g (1000m) and it made a great sized shawl. The whirl was worth every penny, as it produced a really lovely quality fabric which drapes amazingly. I love the raised rows of this shawl and it is aptly named the Dragon Belly for this reason. So, if your looking for a fabulous make which won’t tax your brain; but will certainly scratch that creative itch and give you a real sense of hooky satisfaction…this is the pattern to go for.

xxxxx

A little crafty…

Published on May 26, 2019 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin4 Comments

Hello lovelies, I thought you may like to see what I have been up to lately. I have been busy crafting and hooking and I have also been busy ignoring my PHD projects in the hope I can convince myself it is ok to start more projects!

I have had this beautiful mustard coloured yarn for a little while and I knew I wanted to make a sweet little beanie for a little head. I still need to pop on a pom pom to finish it off, I just cant decide whether it should be black or white!

Any thoughts?

I even had enough left over to make a sweet little headband too…

I also made a large beanie for Papa’s birthday, Mr R made him some domino’s; so his birthday present was a real homemade affair this year.

The pattern for both the mustard beanie and Papa’s is my own, I just haven’t written it up yet. I have also done some more embroidery hoop art…this is my favourite one so far…

I also have some very exciting crochet news…but I can’t share that with you just yet, I promise I will do as soon as I am allowed. So you see I have been quite crafty. This afternoon though I am just deciding whether I really need this gorgeous shawl in my life and if so what colour yarns I should choose!

It’s a long weekend here in the UK, so I can spend some time crafting later and tomorrow too…Have a great week whatever you have planned.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Woodland Trails and Puff Stitch Bees…

Published on May 1, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 Comments

A three day weekend…this should be made compulsory.

Oh, if only I could have a bank holiday every weekend.

We have taken walks along woodland trails,

Explored caves

and enjoyed some down time

I have made slow progress on my hotel of bees shawl #hobcal

but, I am enjoying the pattern, even if I do have to concentrate really hard. I really enjoyed hooking those sweet little bees.

I have also been finishing up my Baby Wilmer blanket, I just have a few more rows to add now before I border.

I hope what ever you have been doing has been just as fun.

xxxxx

#HOBCAL

Published on April 23, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

Following on from my epic fail I sought solace in my ironing pile and some of my favourite crochet podcasts.

It was whilst watching one of these podcasts that I stumbled upon the perfect remedy for my misery…a CAL (crochet-a-long)!

So, with much excitement I ordered my yarn and made a start.

The pattern is written so well but is challenging my skills also. The design is amazing; I love how the different elements of this shawl work with one another.

I think this CAL runs until the end of May, so if you are looking for a challenge and want to join in it is not too late.

Here are all the details you need:

Hotel of Bees pattern

CAL hosted by Cherry Heart and Betsymakes

Ravelry group

search #HOBCAL

xxxxx

Sunday Shawl Love…

Published on March 17, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin11 Comments

This is my Mellow Sunday Shawl by Alia Bland.

I want to start by telling you how amazing this is to hook, how simple, yet stunningly beautiful.

I want to tell you how deliciously soft scheepjes merino is and how it creates such a gorgeous stitch definition.

I want to shout with joy at just how happy I am with these amazing mellow colours; but that will all become obvious when you see the pictures!

I started with this serene grey

This was a therapeutic hook, the subtle tone of the yarn, and the ease of the pattern made for a quick hook up of the main body. I really enjoyed that each stitch was made in between the stitches of the previous row and not in the top of the stitches as is usual.

My heart was skipping towards the next colour though. A teal; and one of my favourite colours of all time.

Next a perfect pink…

This yarn is a dream, it is a dk weight, but it has a satisfying plumpness to it, making it pleasantly squashy! This pale pink was followed by an equally gorgeous spring green.

The quick colour changes make this pattern good for the soul…you know how I love colour.

This mustard colour makes me very, very happy, but then so does this sky blue…

And so this enjoyable colour changing border continued…

Until my heart near burst as the pattern instructed me to hook scallops and I politely introduced this even paler pink.

Just as I was getting a little too giddy with these colours, the pattern rescued me with a tad more grey; sobering me and gently grounding me.

I had a dilemma deciding on which colour to finish this charming shawl with…

in the end it had to be the mellow mustard (Van Gough 641).

I have a lot of love for this shawl and this yarn, so excuse my indulgence in a few more photo’s.

Details of the pattern and yarn, which I highly recommend can be found by clicking on the links at the top of this post, but just in case you can’t be bothered they are just here to.

xxxxx

Just as a footnote: this review contains my genuine opinions on this pattern and this yarn, for which I am not being paid.

Scheepjes merino soft yarn in

Kandinsky 625 50g

Degas 632 50g

Van Gough 641 50g

Titian 647 50g

MagrittE 614 50G

Ansingh 643 50G

Lowry 604 250G

purchased from Woolwarehouse

Pattern: The Sunday Shawl by Alia Bland.

A Little Bit of This….

Published on March 6, 2017March 6, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

And a little bit of that…

and a little bit all over the place really.

I am feeling most unsettled and have a severe case of startitis as a result!

The unfortunate side of this has meant (for the purposes of treatment) I have had to place a yarn order; which has not arrived yet, so I can not report if this treatment has been successful or not. I will let you know how the treatment goes in due course!

What I can show you is what I have on my hooks as a consequence of this starting infliction.

This is the start of my new shawl, the Sunday shawl by Alia Bland. I am totally in love with it.

This is the start of my latest tea cosy I am designing for The Grandma Collection. I am pleased to have got off the blocks with this one as I have been meaning to start this for a wee while now.

Finally, I am still hooking this baby blanket too, which is looking mighty fine and is super squidgy.

So, as you can see I am hooking like a goodun’ and will have a pattern release very soon…subject to successful treatment.

Now, where is that postman?

xxxxx

Newest stash…

Published on February 26, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

Day 26 of

#yarnlovechallenge

and we are almost at the end now.

The theme for today is ‘newest stash’.

This is luscious Scheepjes Merino Soft that was delivered just the other day by the fabulous folk over at Woolwarehouse. They have always given a prompt and excellent service and have a fabulous range of yarns.

This lovely collection of yarn is soon to be hooked up into the even lovlier Sunday Shawl.

Currently wearing…

Published on February 22, 2017February 23, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin2 Comments

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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!

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 2017

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

November 2017

December 2017

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

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A three day weekend…this should be made compulsory.

Oh, if only I could have a bank holiday every weekend.

We have taken walks along woodland trails,

Explored caves

and enjoyed some down time

I have made slow progress on my hotel of bees shawl #hobcal

but, I am enjoying the pattern, even if I do have to concentrate really hard. I really enjoyed hooking those sweet little bees.

I have also been finishing up my Baby Wilmer blanket, I just have a few more rows to add now before I border.

I hope what ever you have been doing has been just as fun.

xxxxx

Share this:

Like this:

Following on from my epic fail I sought solace in my ironing pile and some of my favourite crochet podcasts.

It was whilst watching one of these podcasts that I stumbled upon the perfect remedy for my misery…a CAL (crochet-a-long)!

So, with much excitement I ordered my yarn and made a start.

The pattern is written so well but is challenging my skills also. The design is amazing; I love how the different elements of this shawl work with one another.

I think this CAL runs until the end of May, so if you are looking for a challenge and want to join in it is not too late.

Here are all the details you need:

CAL hosted by Cherry Heart and Betsymakes

search #HOBCAL

xxxxx

Share this:

Like this:

This is my Mellow Sunday Shawl by Alia Bland.

I want to start by telling you how amazing this is to hook, how simple, yet stunningly beautiful.

I want to tell you how deliciously soft scheepjes merino is and how it creates such a gorgeous stitch definition.

I want to shout with joy at just how happy I am with these amazing mellow colours; but that will all become obvious when you see the pictures!

I started with this serene grey

This was a therapeutic hook, the subtle tone of the yarn, and the ease of the pattern made for a quick hook up of the main body. I really enjoyed that each stitch was made in between the stitches of the previous row and not in the top of the stitches as is usual.

My heart was skipping towards the next colour though. A teal; and one of my favourite colours of all time.

Next a perfect pink…

This yarn is a dream, it is a dk weight, but it has a satisfying plumpness to it, making it pleasantly squashy! This pale pink was followed by an equally gorgeous spring green.