Motif # 51

I just picked this one randomly from the book I didn't particularly like it or dislike it.  It looks far more complicated than it actually is to make, it was very quick and simple.  What surprised me the most was the finished result, I think its beautiful, much nicer in real life than it is in the book or in the photo.

Motif # 51

progress 5 of 100

Boat Neck sweater.

I really enjoyed making this little sweater it was very quick and easy.  The only thing that I don't like about stripy patterns is weaving in the ends, I carried the wool up the side on this one, less ends but it leaves you with a very bulky seam, so I think I will stick to the weaving next time.
This is another pattern from Linda Permanns Little crochet.  

Motif # 111

Making this motif took longer than I thought it would and although it is lovely when it's finished, it does take a lot of work and uses a lot of wool so maybe not one to use for a big project.

Motif 111
Progress 4 of 100

Project Washables.

One of the projects in the loving hands winter challenge is what we call washables or washable sanitary towels for women and young girls in Africa.  It seems sad and unbelievable that in this day and age such basic items which we take for granted aren't readily available the world over but sadly it's true.  These links can explain it better than I can.here and here

So for the past week I have been making these, there are quite a few patterns on the web because people are becoming more aware of the need to recycle and  home made towels are becoming more popular, I have kept mine simple however because to be honest my sewing skills are appalling  lol it has taken me a whole week to make just 25 towels 25 covers and 5 bags to hold 5 towels each.  My poor sewing machine nearly found it's way sailing through the window on several occasions, why does the thread snap so often and why does the tension keep changing and don't get me started on trying to thread the needle lol.

Beyond the Square Motif #60

I must admit I have been making the motifs I like best first, it's so much easier to make something you like the look of don't you think, but I know I will have to make those I don't like that much as well if I am to reach the 100 motif goal ( or even more if I am to beat Barbara lol )  

I do like this one it was one of the first that caught my eye.  I love the woven corners it makes it unusual and I haven't made anything like this before.  I have chosen the colours that are in the book because I just happen to have them and they make a lovely combination.  The motif was easy to make but there were lots of ends to weave in, so I wouldn't be encouraged to make a large project with these.  The sides are curved so joining them to make a blanket would be impossible anyway,  I was thinking of a bunting maybe made in colours to suit an occasion, or a simple wall hanging perhaps. 

Motif #60
Progress 3 of 100

Beyond the Square Challenge

Barbara over in K-Town recently issued a challenge she is currently making motifs from the book Beyond the Square by Edie Eckman and she has challenged us to join her in making 100 motifs or as many as we can.

I do love this book it's lovely to browse through even if you don't make a single motif. I have already began by making motif # 40 

You may ask what's the point in making motifs that you may never use, well my reasons are, it improves your crocheting skills, it provides some light relief when doing a bigger project, it's stirs up your imagination and creativity who knows what project may blossom because of them,  it's nice to show them off to family and friends and... I want to try and make more than Barbara lol, having said that she is already way ahead of me. 

Single motifs can be used as wall art, decoration on clothing, coasters, gifts.  With that last thought in mind let me lead you to this next motif.

 Motif #127

This first one was made with cotton yarn.  It's a very easy motif to make, the one in the book is made with a single colour but I like the two colour effect.

 I made this one with DK yarn

 Both together on a dark background

There are other heart motifs in the book but this one caught my eye, the gift of a heart given to the one you love for Valentines day or for anyone that's special in your life.

Progress 2 of 100

Elephant Blanket all Done !!

Yes here it is all finished at last.  It measures 5'x5' and it's very bright, cheerful and most importantly warm, I'm hoping the elephants like it, I wonder if elephants see the same colours we do, I don't suppose we will ever know lol  I made it very simply in hdc throughout just varying the number of rows for interest. 

Swing Set Cardigan

To continue with the Book story, another book I love which was given to me as a birthday present is Little crochet by Linda Permann.  I couldn't wait to make something out of it so I started this little jacket on New Years Eve ( I needed a break from making the elephant blanket lol ) and I finished it off on New Years Day. This little cardigan was such a joy to make, made in one piece from the yoke down, a nice easy pattern to follow, I like the way that the self patterning yarn has produced an uneven result, I think that it adds to the charm of the jacket. 

I wish that I had a little grandchild or some small person to make things for I would shower them with all the beautiful things that can be found between the pages of this book.  I intend to work through this book as well as the other books I have so it's going to be a busy year, the things I make will be sent to Loving Hands so some small people somewhere in the world will benefit at least and who knows maybe one day one or more of my four sweet children may even bless me with a grandchild :)

New Books

You know how it is when you get new craft books, you can't leave them alone, you just pour over the pages and dream up endless possibilities.  It doesn't matter that you are in the middle of another project your fingers are just itching to start on something out of the book.  I'm in serious trouble here because besides the two books I got for my birthday I got one for Christmas too. I have already tried some of the motifs, but I won't be happy until I get my teeth into a proper project.  Until I decide what that project might be, here is one of the motifs I have made.  I love it, a big flower I am such a fan of crochet flowers.  Now just imagine this flower motif  repeated several times over in lovely bright vibrant colours all joined together to make a huge flower blanket,  mmm maybe.

motif # 40
Beyond the square motifs by Edie Eckman
progress 1 of 100

Elephant Blanket

First of all I would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year and thank you all once again for your support and the lovely comments you have left for me over the past year.

 I have been neglecting my Loving Hands work over the Christmas and New Year period and have been making lovely decorations and presents for myself, family and friends, but now it's back to work. The Loving hands Winter challenge comes to an end in three weeks time and all I have to show for it is the granny ripple blanket I made back in November.  I am also trying to complete an elephant blanket, lol yes you heard me correctly, we are making blankets for orphan elephants, you can read all about their plight here. Most of the ladies are making squares or strips that can be sewn into 4,6 or 8 foot blankets but I would like to complete a four foot square one myself, I would say it's a third of the way through and I am using my stash it's a good way of using up all the left over bits of yarn, this is where I am so far.  If I can discipline myself to just concentrate on this blanket then I should be able to finish it, but I have already started a little crochet jacket so we will have to see if I can finish it in time.

still a long way to go!