So What's Happening in 2015?

I hope that you all enjoyed your New Year celebrations and are looking forward to 2015.  I had a quiet time with my family who refused to let me do anything.  Christa my lovely daughter in law and little sweet Emily did all the cooking while my sons waited on me! I thought to myself yes this is the life haha.

The morning brought in the New Year but also a lot of sadness as we waved Emily goodbye, she is such a lovely girl and she has found a place in all our hearts.  My son is truly blessed to have found her and although they are apart now I'm hoping that they can find a way to be together permanently in the future but for now all I can do is console him, lend him a shoulder and give him lots of hugs.

As for here in the  crafty corner I have lots planned for 2015...

The Mini rings of change CAL with Kate ...

 this is my progress so far...

the first five rounds, 
Round one and two - I used Stylecraft Special chunky in shade 1425 Emperor.
Round 3 and 4 Sirdar bonus chunky in shade 884 neon.
Round 5 Stylecraft special chunky in shade 1064 meadow.

I'm keeping a track of the colours I used here just in case I want to make it again, (lots of my friends are loving it so far and I have a feeling they will be wanting one too) and for you too just in case you would like to join in and use the same colours. 
I really enjoyed working with the chunky yarn it works up very quickly and I'm looking forward to week two.

Stash-busting in 2015 
More about that very soon the first stash link party of 2015 with be up and running on Sunday 4th. I just need to add and count up the final totals for 2014 so please leave me your totals for December if you are counting.

Another block challenge, I enjoyed the knit a block challenge so much last year that I am doing it again but this time in crochet using this book

I know it's been out for a lot of years and I have had it in my library for ages but haven't made much use of it, I intend to rectify that this year and concentrate more on finishing projects made with blocks from this book rather than just individual blocks, I will be using yarn which I already have in my stash so it's really two challenges in one. I would love it if you would like to join me with this but more about it later.

I'm also hoping to take part in the moogly CAL which starts on the 8th January, so there is lots to look forward to  I'm just hoping that I will be able to keep up with it all!

Most of the projects I'm making will be charity makes, it does my heart good to know that the thing that I love to do more than anything else is benefiting those in need.. it's a win win situation don't you think? :)

I'm also looking forward to keeping up with you all my lovely blogging friends and maybe joining in with anything that you have planned and just generally going with the flow.  Lets hope that we all have a fabulously great blogging year!  :) 

Which Do You Prefer?

Knit or Crochet? it seems to me that there are a lot of would be knitters out there.  I know we all love crochet but I see that the knitting is creeping in more and more.  Some of you who can't knit are wanting to knit and I have to say I have done more knitting of late than I have in a good long while.  See if these hats can help you make up your mind.

Knitted Version

Made with Aran weight Yarn it took 50 grams and it was so easy to make.  I finished it in a couple of hours, the sewing up of ends and making and placing the pompom took nearly as long as making the hat.  Find the pattern here  I will definitely make it again because 

you can play around with different pattern stitches for the body of the hat and make it your own like I did with this one.

Crochet Version

Made with the same Yarn and I made the same size it took 86 grams of yarn and took me much longer to make than the knitted version and that surprised me because usually crochet is faster than knitting, probably it was because it was all in sc. You can find the pattern here 

My Verdict

Knitted version

• Was quicker to make and I could watch TV while I knitted away.
• Took less yarn.
• Is super stretchy and soft.

Crochet version

• I didn't like the cuff part, it seemed to take forever to do and I had to watch what I was doing as it was sc in the back loop only.
• The finished hat looked much wider than the knitted version but didn't stretch that much.
• It had a much denser texture so wasn't as soft as the knitted one.

In this case then the knitted version wins hands down for me. the crochet hat was lovely too though and will do just as good a job as the knitted one.  It shows therefore that there is a good case for knitting and I would urge you would be knitters to give it a go.

So is it knit or crochet for you? :)

How about a knitting Challenge for the New Year?


Linking with

Sweet Little Things

Angel Claire body warmer

I love making baby and preemie things because they are so quick to do and of course they are so sweet.  I have been working my way through Mayflowers patterns and here is what I've done so far.

So tiny only 6'' long

As Big as it gets cardigan

Sunday best jacket and bonnet

Springtime  cardigan

Weenie waistcoat

 Chullo and mittens

lil bit bigger jacket

Sweater set

Girly Hat and Scarf

There are still quite a few more of Mayflowers patterns to do but I'm not sure if I will have time to do them all because the Spring Challenge ends at the end of this month.  Still I'm sure that we will still beat the 1000 item target because I know lots of Loving hands members have been making her designs, the favourite is definitely the Marie Claire body warmer it's lovely to make and once you start making it making just one is not an option :) 

In Memory of a Friend

It's a while since I knitted anything because I find that I prefer crochet, however I have dug out the knitting needles for the following project and I find I am quite enjoying it.  Maybe it's good to have a break from things now and again.

Sadly one of our lovely Loving Hands members passed away last year, we new her as Mayflower and she was an inspiration to us all.  Not only did she turn out many beautiful items she also shared her knitting patterns with us. As a tribute to Mayflower part of the Spring Challenges is for us to make 1000 items from her patterns.  This is will be a pleasure for us to do because her patterns are very simple and easy to follow.  

Unfortunately I can't share the patterns with you because they are for Loving Hands members only, but I will be showing you the finished items as I make them.  I intend to do at least one item of each of her patterns which are all knitted and are mostly for babies and Preemies.

Mayflowers Wee Cardigan

I have made this one before it's a lovely pattern to make and as simple as can be.

If you would like to join Loving Hands just e-mail Lou on this link