A New Crochet Project

Back in June, when Mick and I attended the craft show in Sydney I had an item to shop for.  Mum is knitting a blanket and needed a bigger circular knitting needle.  I hadn't been able to buy one locally. 

The night before we went to Sydney I was trawling the internet, looking at prices and what is around.  I then expanded what I was looking at and started looking at crochet scarves and shawls, as you do.  I had really enjoyed crocheting my simple scarf at the beginning of our holidays. (By the way, I've been wearing it lots this winter.)  I then started looking at yarns on line as well. Just browsing, not buying. That was that.....or so I thought.....

It took a bit of a look around the craft show to find the knitting needle, but we found one.  However, while looking we discovered several stalls selling beautiful yarn.  Coincidentally, one of the stalls was one of the websites I had been looking at the night before... and had the yarn I was looking at... and had a sample of the shawl I had been looking at made up in the yarn.......Of course you can see where this is going.....

The yarn is a cotton/acrylic blend and made in Turkey.  It has four strands and the colours change by one strand at a time, with tiny knots of that strand.

The pattern I had been looking at was the Virus Shawl.  It is a free pattern and there are a few Youtube tutorials.  There is also a version called the Virus Meets Granny Shawl and a fellow called Fiber Spider has the most detailed tutorial, over 3 parts.  It certainly makes it easy to learn the pattern.  Many versions are in 8-ply yarn, but this yarn is much finer, so I hope it will be nice and drapey to wear as a scarf.

I went with the Virus meets Granny version, just to create a bit of visual interest, and the granny sections are quick and easy to work.  Always a bonus for me.

I got started at the beginning of July.  The pattern is fairly easy, once you've seen the tutorial. The yarn is rather splitty, which means I have to take a bit extra care, but so worth it.

It has been something nice to work on when sitting in front of the heater.  The sewing room is shut off from the general living area of our house and gets rather cold, so it isn't really practical or pleasant to just duck in to do a few minutes' stitching, rather I need to get the room warm and make the best use of that time. Therefore, it was nice to have something else to work on.

Initially I had my project living in a plastic bag, but then I remembered the beautiful knitting bag I received from Oddbjorg in the Secret Santa Christmas Swap back in 2015.  It has been absolutely perfect for keeping things together and taking it along to work to do a little in my lunch breaks.  It is so nice to be using it.

This is where I am up to now.  I have to do another band of granny clusters and then another three rows of scallops and I think it will be finished.  Each row does take quite a bit of time now, so if I get a row done each day I'm happy.

The graduation of the colours isn't all that noticeable, but I think there will be enough yarn left on the ball to make a second version from the lighter part of the ball.

I've never blocked anything before, but this will definitely need it.  Something else to learn.

I haven't included this in my goals for August, as it isn't sewing, but I do hope to have it finished this month.  I'm really happy to say that I haven't created any new UFOs in the last year or so, and I intend to keep that record going.  Also, I want to get it finished while the pattern is still in my head.

I will then still have the other half of the ball of yarn to use for something else, probably something similar to this, but with some variation.  

Oh, and I bought another ball of Caron Cake yarn when it was on special, this time in a neutral colour palette.  I'm not sure what pattern I will use, but it will be something simple once again.  It would be nice to have it ready for next winter.

I just thought I'd show you where Mum is up to with her rug.  She has a nice little corner where she sits in the sun and knits and crochets.  (If she isn't knitting, she is crocheting tops on kitchen hand towels, having made about a hundred int the last year or so, all to raise funds for the church fete.)  Mum has made several of these rugs over the years using two yarns at a time.  She gets one yarn, generally a dark colour that she uses throughout and then adds in other colours, using up all sorts of scraps of yarn.

This time she is using a lovely blue that is on a cone.  It was quite a bit bigger than this when she started the rug.

Who knows where she got it from, but it is rather old and originally comes from a woollen mill in Ipswich Queensland.  I'm sure the mill will be long gone.

I'll never be as proficient in these crafts as Mum, who has made some beautiful things over the years and is always rather prolific, but it is nice to be having a bit of a go.

One Monthly Goal for July

It is once again time to set my achievable stitching goal for the month.  Decisions, decisions........

After the mad scramble at the end of last month I do hope to be a little more organised, and to kill two birds with one stone by making my goal to complete something, so that it also meets my One Project a Month goal as well.

Way back in 2013 I made a table runner for Chookyblue's Secret Santa Christmas Swap and my swap partner was Caro in the Netherlands.  I made a table runner for her, which I was delighted to see on her table in several of her following blog posts.  I really liked the way it turned out, so set aside the remainder of the fabrics to make a version for us.  As you can guess, it never happened.........until now.

The fabrics have been waiting patiently in their little baggie.  Other than the green one on top, they are from an Anni Downs range from back then. I still love the colours.  The pattern is made with the Lil Twister Ruler.  A fun method, which is easier than it looks, although rather wasteful of fabric.

In the background, I will be making my pink Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks and hope to make at least four Splendid Sampler 2 blocks.  That little lot should keep me amused.

Pop over to Elm Street Quilts to see what the other clever ladies will be up to.

December Stitching, Gifts and One Monthly Goal

Now that the month is nearly over it is time to share what has been happening on the stitching front during December.

Firstly, this year Chookyblue's Secret Santa Christmas Swap went into respite as life got in the way.  However, it was suggested by one of the previous participants that we could send a decoration to Chooky to brighten her Christmas.  You can see them all here.

This is the little decoration I made.  It did have a red ribbon hanger, but I took the photo before I added it.  

Mum has been crocheting lots of kitchen towels for the church fete since she has moved into full time aged care, so she made this rather appropriate one for Chooky and I then found the little chook on our recent travels.

My friend Lou (Manxgirl) and I swap Christmas gifts each year.

I was delighted when there was a package of bunting in soft floral fabrics.  I was rather taken with the set that Lou made for her sewing room, so was very surprised and happy to find some had winged its way over here.  Happily, it matches my sewing machine cover and will fit above my sewing room windows nicely.

The rest of the gift consisted of a very practical sized project bag in kiwiana fabrics and some yummy nibblies and pins.  All very handy to have.  

This is what I sent to Lou.  A sewing machine mat with a decoration the same as Chooky's and a few extra bits and bobs.

Although it is designed as a sewing machine mat, Lou has found that it is the perfect size to use as an armchair caddy on her favourite chair.

My One Monthly Goal for December was to complete four Splendid Sampler 2 blocks.  Well, today it is New Year's Eve and I have just added the final stitches.  Once again, goal met by the skin of my teeth.

Nancy's Spool.

Antique Memories

For Madge

Cheers.  This is a bonus block for the New Year, so rather appropriate.

I'm linking up with Elm Street Quilts.  I'm really happy that I joined this challenge, as I have met my goal for each month except one.  I'm pretty pleased with that.  I think the secret has been to make realistic goals.  The goal does not have to be to complete a project, but can just be to complete a certain stage.  I'm looking forward to participating again next year.

I'm also adding my few little finishes to One Project a Month hosted by Peg and Kris.  I didn't succeed as well with that this year, but there are still quite a few finishes in the side bar.  I'm particularly pleased to see some UFOs on that list. 

Now I'll have to start thinking about what I want to achieve in 2019.  The world is full of opportunities.

SSCS Received and Sent

Now that Christmas is over it is time to reveal what lovely gifts I received from Gail in Missouri USA in Chookyblue's Secret Santa Christmas Swap.   You can see the lovely ornament Gail made here.

Mick likes to take a photo of me opening the present. You can tell I was happy.

Wow! What a lovely collection.  The main gift is a Christmas table runner, which is perfect, as I use lots of table runners at Christmas time.  

The other bits and bobs are great - a tape measure, note pad and pins from the famous Missouri Star Quilt Company, as well as a sewing machine bookmark and charm, which will go on one of my pairs of scissors.  I was intrigued by the fabric which depicts "Kokopelli", a Native American deity I had never heard of.  Thanks Gail for the fabric and the information you provided on the design.

So I was thrilled with what I received.  Thank you Gail. 

Now, to what I sent to Martine in France.

I had fun with the L'il Twister Ruler to make  a wreath table centre or mini quilt, whichever you like.  I also made some coordinating hexy coasters.  Add a Hatched and Patched pattern, (as I had an inkling that Martine liked her style), a little notebook and pen and a scented sachet.  I think she liked it.  Happy dance.

And, of course, thanks to Chooky, with Denise's assistance, for pulling it all together once again. It really is a special part of Christmas.

Secret Santa Christmas Swap 2017

I haven't mentioned it as yet, (rather remiss there), but I have once again taken part in Chookyblue's Secret Santa Christmas Swap.

Now that parcels have been sent and received I can reveal just a little.

This is what I sent all the way to France to Martine.

The ornament has been opened, so can now be revealed.

The mailman has now arrived at our house and I received a parcel all the way from America from Gail.  I love that she sent a map showing where she lives and included a booklet on Missouri, her local state.

Once I browsed about Missouri I opened the small parcel to reveal a beautifully made ornament.

It is even reversible.  How good is that!

It is now hanging pride of place on our twig tree, which showcases our growing collection of handcrafted and special ornaments, and sits on a runner which was a SSCS gift a few years ago.

Thanks Gail for the lovely gift and thanks of course to Chooky and her elf Denice for getting us organised once again. This swap is such a special part of Christmas.

It's a Wrap and my SSCS Gift

Firstly I have to share my lovely SSCS gift from Steffi in Germany.  

This gift will grace our Christmas table in coming years.  It is so nice and cheery.  Not only that, it matches the tree ornament.  Thanks Steffi and thanks to Chookyblue for one again organising the Swap.

Now that Marica in Sweden has opened her parcel I can share what I sent on its way.

We had a nice, relaxing day on Christmas Day.  

Various friends and family called in during the morning.

We then tucked into a baked Christmas Dinner. Thank goodness the weather wasn't too hot.

After that we visited some more friends for the evening.

It is such a special time of year to spend with those that are special to us.

Mind you, I really do enjoy Boxing Day.  We do very little at all and the Boxing Day Cricket Test is always a must watch event on the telly.  Another good excuse to do nothing.

Merry Christmas

Here it is, Christmas Eve, and so far we have survived the madness of December.......so what have we been up to?

We have just happened to move into a street that embraces Christmas lights, with one of the finalists of the competition in Bathurst being just a few doors up from us.  Last year, we had signed on the dotted line to buy this house, but not moved in.  We drove past to see the lights and noticed our house in darkness.  We couldn't have that, so this Christmas we strung up a few lights out the front.

We've enjoyed going for a stroll around our neighbourhood in the nice, warm evenings looking at the lights, and thought we needed to add just a little bit more.......which required another home improvement.......

You can sort of see the garden next to our front door when we bought the house....quite bushy.

Very early in the piece we removed a big grassy plant at the back and a few others and put in a standard rose.  The bush at the front remained as it was flowering at the time.  A few annuals were added, but nothing else was done then.

That looks better doesn't it,  It will look even better when the new plants thicken up.  By the way......meet Mervyn and Muriel the Mooses (or is that Moosii?).

There you go.  Our contribution to Christmas lights.  Some icicles, our tree all lit up and Mervyn and Muriel.  That will do nicely.

I did do one tiny bit of Christmas sewing.  My Mum tends to use place mats now, so I grabbed some old scraps of Christmas fabric, probably dating from the 80s, and whipped up a place mat in a couple of hours.  Very scrappy, just sew two bits together and add a bit more and so on.  Not much measuring.  The bottom left corner is even crazy patched to use up the funny shaped bits.  No binding, just turned out  and top stitched.  It is now being used, which is good.  There is plenty more Christmas fabric in the box, so I'll have to come up with some more projects, or make us some place mats for next year.

My SSCS gift has arrived at it's destination, with Marica in Sweden.  It is such fun sending to places you would normally never have any reason to post a letter or parcel to.  I can share the little ornament now, but will have to wait until she opens her main gift before sharing that one.  

My parcel from Steffi is waiting patiently under the tree for tomorrow's present opening session.  Always a parcel that everyone present looks forward to seeing opened.

Which brings us to Christmas day.  Ours will be fairly quiet, with quite a few people briefly dropping in at various stages of the morning.  There will only be five of us for lunch, so we will actually do a proper cooked Christmas dinner.  In the afternoon we will be off to visit some friends.

I hope you have all survived the Christmas lead up in one piece as well and enjoy a pleasant Christmas Day with those special to you.