Top Down Knitting and Lace Shawl

It seems like I have caught the knitting bug. Originally I wanted to knit a rounded cropped Bolero jacket. Whilst searching the Internet  for patterns I came across this Top Down Feather and Fan Cardigan. I was intrigued. Once I started to knit, there was just no stopping me......

I made three since the beginning of June...

The first one was knitted with one thread of bamboo and one thread cotton. Just some yarn I had in my stash. This is a very light summer top.

I tried to adjust the pattern to be slightly rounded at the front. 

Once it was finished I thought I could try again and improve my knitting skills.

This one is knitted with a 80% Wool - 20% Cotton mix

I just love the Feather and Fan Lace pattern.

(Yay, I can knit lace!!!!)

Next I wanted to make a thicker winter cardigan.

And, as you can see, I tried more lace patterns.

This one is knitted with 100% Merino Wool.

I am very pleased with the way they turned out.  

It is quite chilly here in South Africa and therefore the perfect weather for knitting. 

I so enjoy to knit in the evenings and I'll have to hurry up because the hot weather is just around the corner. As of September it will be too hot to knit  :(

I am also busy crocheting a lace shawl.

The yarn I'm using is Malabrigo Baby Lace  

100% Merino Wool Lace Yarn from Malabrigo Yarns of Uruguay 

Colour: Indicieta

available   here

I'm using a 4.5mm crochet hook

Pattern: South Bay Shawlette available here

I have been crocheting again

I have so many ideas in my head.... I don't know where they come from....

It must be the yarn I bought, it is really beautiful to work with.... aahhh and the colours.....

I made some funky chicken hanging thingies...

Mom

and Dad

and

three

sisters?

I think they would look so lovely in a child's room, don't you?

The above picture depicts " Organised Chaos".

 I had a lot fun decorating the little chickens, getting out all my goodies and making good use of them,  eating the last of the Christmas cookies, listening to an audio book - oh what bliss!!

I also finished the crochet hexagons and made a little blanket out of them.

The blanket measures about 70cm x 70cm.

I don't know what to do with it now. It will probably be saved for the future grandchild.....

In case you are wondering, I am already working on a pink one :)

Crochet Hats

I have the crochet bug! I admit it, I am totally hooked, ( excuse the pun), hehe.

I found this gorgeous, local, 100% Cotton yarn on a sale the other day. For 2 days, I just kept looking at and rearranging all the lovely colours.

Then, inspiration hit me and I started crocheting baby cloche hats.

Preemie to Newborn

Newborn

Toddler

 3 - 6 months

0 - 3 month

I don't know what got into me..... You think I'm ready for a grandchild?

Lol, a granddaughter please.....?

And then I finished Penny's (our dog), blanket.

If you look closely, you can see that she has used it already.....lol

And......... wait....... I am already busy with a new crochet project.......

here is a sneak preview:

What do you think ?  Maybe a baby blanket......?????

(Pierre and Kati, if you read this, please, I am only joking...... no pressure, lol)

Rag Rug

Hello again! I have been busy recycling my old t'shirts as well as some t'shirting material I had lying around for a few years. The pattern on the material was so out of fashion that it could not really be used for anything....

But, as it was still brand new, ( one of those purchases), I kept it at the back of the cupboard for many years. ( Bad conscience, lol)

 I am glad I did!

The other day I was surfing around the internet and came across a recycling website. I was totally inspired by the use of old t'shirts to crochet rugs.

Rolfi is very happy with his rug.

The tshirts are cut into 2cm wide strips and then, with a giant crochet hook, (I carved my own because I could not source one in South Africa over the internet. Remember, I live in the bundus...)

you crochet away. It is really quick and easy and the t'shirt yarn feels real soft in your hands.

The metal crochet hook in this picture is a size 6.5mm and I guess my carved one is about size 10mm.

Hope I inspired you a bit......

The possibilities with this type of crochet are endless....

Here are some links that might interest you:

http://vintagechica.typepad.com/the_life_and_times_of_thi/2006/10/rag_rug_tutoria.html

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/39345/how-to-crochet-a-rug-out-of-t-shirts/page/all

http://www.designsponge.com/2009/07/mini-crochet-baskets.html

Crochet Pin Booklet

Have you ever embroidered on felt? If not, do yourself a favour and try it. It is such a nice feeling. The needle just seems to slide through the felt and the stitches look so beautiful.....

I have kept my crochet needles in and old, tatty spectacle case for years now. (Which I suppose is a pretty good idea....... -others were hiding in all sorts of places.)

 Every time I needed one I had to throw out the whole lot and search for the right one etc.

The other day I came up with the idea of making myself a little booklet where they are all held in their place neatly. Again, a mixture of odd stranded and perle yarns were used for the embroidery. It didn't turn out too bad for a first try....  The hunt for " loose" crochet hooks is on, to be put into their beautiful new home.

I'll have to make this a class project........... 

 Mmmmmh, what about another one for knitting needles?

Left over yarn

I have always wanted to give Granny Squares a try. The other day I was searching for wool and I was reminded about all the lovely little bits of left over wool and yarn, not to mention all the bargain odd balls.

Do you do that as well? I am such a sucker when it comes to Sales. I keep buying odd balls of crochet yarns because they are marked down. And even though  a little voice at the back of my head says,: "Its not enough yarn to make something", I make the same mistake again and again. I have some quite convincing excuses, like the colour is beautiful or the price is just too good to let this ball go. Hence, I have a whole box full of odd yarns and wool.

So, the other day I thought maybe its time to use some of these precious bargains, (some of them have been in my possession for 15 years already)

What do you think?  I will probably turn them into a knee blanket, or pot holders? Or a bag?

Any ideas anyone? Please help me, otherwise I will be stashing these squares for another 15 years?