CROCHET AT PLAY - KAT GOLDIN

A wee while ago Kat and I got chatting through our connection at Kyle, our publishers, as I recall our books were next to each other on a shelf, for all to see at a book fair ( I think we were both secretly very proud of all our hard work). So when Kat asked me if I would like to review a copy of her new crochet book, I said yes sir, yes please.

Well what can I say..what a great book, fresh fun ideas and some rather great tutorials which in my case were a breath of fresh air.

Now I am a bit of a stick in the mud when it comes to crochet stitches, I like not to have to concentrate on anything too tricky or patterns I actually have to think about...you know, single, double & trebles with the odd double treble thrown in for good luck and maybe a puff stitch here & there.
So some glorious red yarn was chosen for this pattern by a young lady who is rather keen on a wrap or shawl.
I was a-okay with the puff stitches but then row 2 there it was ...1RdtrB... pardon me what, I have no idea what you are talking about Kat!
So a quick flick through to the front of the book and there it was, clear and rather easy peasy to follow, a Raised Treble Back stitch...simple when you know how....

So far I have learnt a couple of new stitches and I am making my way through this pattern,  so my thoughts on this book...blooming great and its taken me out of my comfort zone am I am looking forward to getting to grips with Mr Fox & Mrs welly boot warmers.....

TIPS FROM THE STITCHING ROOMS... A RATHER HANDY HOOK

Paper patterns aren't they a nuisance, delicate tissue, to stiff brown card. Where do you put them. Folding or rolling them back into the packet is a pain because they get all creased and won't lay flat. You could purchase some of these nifty hooks and hang them on a rail or you could make a few of these and hang them on a rail.

All that is needed for this quick fix is some heavy gauge florist (15 gauge) or similar and a bit of bending here and there.....rather easy peasy

1. Fold your piece of wire in half leaving a nice rounded curve at the base.

2. Then bend the left side top a couple of inches to make a hook, this will hang over you rail so make sure it is big enough to sit and move on the rail.

3. Bend the top right side about 2" at a 90 degree angle.
4. Then bend the end round the left wire just under the bend. This holds the hook closed so that your patterns don't fall off.

Just squeeze and unhook and thread your patterns onto the hook ( make sure you have punched a hole in them) and hang them on a rail all flat and ready to go.

You can also punch a hole through the instructions & envelope so you can identify the pattern at a quick glance.

Also if you haven't space for a rail, hook them over a coat hanger & hang them on the back of a door...

GRANNY CHIC OFF TO THE UNDERGROUND RESTURANT

Right then you lovely lot as you know I am off to Cybher this year to do my wee presentation on the process of writing a book with my wonderful buddy Tif, how our friendship came to be, how we found ourselves writing a book and various other interesting bits & bobs. So if you get the chance to attend its a fantastic day....

Now earlier in the year on one of her trips up north MsMarmitelover otherwise know as Kerstin came to stay for a couple of days filling the house with outrageous laughter, cooking, thrifting & marvellous stories and made me promise that if ever I was on my travels in that neck of the woods and should need a place to rest my head that I should give her a call.

picture from The English Can Cook

So that is indeed what I did when I needed somewhere to stay for this trip....Of course I was welcomed with open arms and then then Kerstin suggested wouldn't it be fun to do a 'granny chic' tea where people could come along to The Underground Restaurant  and sample some of Kerstins delicious creations, bring a crafty project or two & we could have a jolly nice evening.

If you would like to come along you can book tickets for the event here....see you there rx

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/216819

MISMATCHED FROCKS

are now in the shop....because of the nature of these frocks each one is made to order. Frocks can also be made in your own fabric should you wish to part with some of your stash.....just drop me an email or enquiry through the site.

ALL MESSED UP

Have you noticed how 'inspiration' has gotten a wee bit sterile all over the internet lately, or maybe its just me...perfect pictures adore our pin boards, blogs are churning out wonderful pictures of what is 'in' 'on trend' and what we should wish for ( just a note here, not all blogs,  I still read some wonderfully inspiring ones) and as I sat sipping a well earned cup of tea made by my expert tea maker son I looked around at the mess I was working in and thought to myself this is what I want to see....messy studios and lived in houses (obviously would rather not see pants discarded on the floor) but I want to be inspired by the goings on of other folk about their daily shufflings....

So in the spirit of all things messy a few shots of my studio... enjoy and if you fancy pinning some please do it would be good to see some ramshackle goings on in between all the perfect loveliness ;)

IN THE GARDEN - FINALLY

With the last of the snow that was clinging on for dear life melted away and a welcome streak of blue & sun we got ourselves outside quick sharpish. Last year due to manic book writing and all manner of other related stuff going on, the croft was rather neglected for the 3 naughty pigs to just do their thing. Which is fine but my five year plan just became a six or maybe a seven year one.

As you gasp in horror this is looking a-okay as the pigs are doing their job and earning their keep and paying for the Houdini moves...somewhat longer than a rotivator but oh so much cuter. The plan is to let them cultivate the ground each autumn after the growing season is over....well thats the plan if they would just stop scoffing everything before it gets a chance to grow. They are also going to be treated to a new ark this year so if anyone has any top 'ark' tips they would be most gratefully received. (ps if you were wondering where was the wonderful pictures of said pigs they are camping out in the barn til the fence is well and truly fort knoxed).

Violet & I managed a hour in the polytunnel planting some beetroot & french breakfast radishes today both from seed parade, a marvellous online seed seller that we stumbled across on twitter a year or so ago and have been very pleased with the seeds we have had from them.... she has demanded that she is the only one allowed to water them whilst singing a little song.
Fingers crossed we will get a bumper crop. There was also a mad dash to sow some gherkin cucumbers, winter squash & everlasting sweet peas as well before the skies opened and made it a treacherous journey back into the house, it will be interesting to see how they get along with this late start to the year...

A WEE BIT OF FOLLY & GLEE

Now who doesn't like a bit of barkcloth, that slubby cotton fabric that comes is many wonderful prints and colour ways and quite frankly is a joy to look at...I had been wanting to make a throw for Violets bed for an age but only had a few different prints to play with....enter stage right the most useful bags of barkcloth squares from the glorious Folly & Glee...

Cut to 30cm x 30cm squares there is no faffing about they are good to go. So I cut the pieces of fabric that I had put aside to the same size, shuffled them about a bit til each colour and pattern looked a-okay next to each other and then stitched away. 

I added a backing fabric and stitched the side & top seams wrong sides together rather than fiddle about with a binding, leaving the bottom seam open. Then cut a piece of cotton wadding to size, slipped it in like a duvet, finished the last seam and bob's your uncle.

I did do a stitch and knot in the middle of each four squares just to prevent the wadding from slipping about...perfect barkcloth loveliness. 

So if you are after an fabulous selection of fabric & some really rather stunning lampshades to complement, whip over to check out Polly's wares..

You will also find Polly hanging out these places too....

Folly & Glee Blog
Folly & Glee NOTH store