muddy hands...

Some things really haven't changed that much since *E* was very small. There was nothing she liked better than being in the garden, tending her plot, digging, planting, watering, watching, waiting and finally enjoying the results whether they be vegetables or flowers.

We still have her tiny red metal wheelbarrow that she doesn't want to part with, though these days the radio flyer serves as a better one. There's something quite heartwarming about a 14 year old who's into all kinds of music, tweeting, messaging friends, homework, swimming, riding, etc. but still likes having a 'plot' and getting her hands muddy. Currently the sunflowers raided from the bird seed box are doing well, some flowers called 'fairy bouquet' have been started off (proper name Linaria) and two seed trays on the kitchen window sill will eventually need to be potted on (more flowers). Hopefully we'll have some colourful posts in a few months!

Just a short post today... that bloomin' cold I've been trying to ignore turned flu-like today so I'm off for an early night. First evening of the Easter hols too. Mum's can't be ill!

crochet blossom square...

Pattern for blossom square:

Using a 3.5mm hook and dk cotton in first colour: wrap cotton round finger to form a loop, (3ch, 3dc) 4 times, ss in base of 3ch.

ss in 1st ch sp, in same 3ch sp *(2tr. 2ch, 2tr), miss next dc, popcorn in next dc, rep from *3 more times, ss in top of tr.

It should look something like the picture below:

Change to 2nd colour, ss in 3ch sp, ch3, 1 tr, 2ch, 2tr, *popcorn in sp between 2tr, 1tr in 1ch at top of popcorn, popcorn in next tr sp. In 3ch sp (2tr, 3ch, 2tr) rep from * to end, ss in top of tr. It should now look like this...

Change to 3rd colour, ss in 3ch sp, now you simply granny around to finish: ch3, 2tr, 2ch, 3tr in same 3ch corner space, 3 x 3tr clusters evenly spaced along each side with (3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in each 3ch corner sp. ss to finish.

Popcorn stitch is simply 5tr in the same place, remove hook after 5th treble and poke through top of first treble, then put back through top of fifth treble, yarn round and pull through to close popcorn, chain 1 to secure.

ss = slip stitch

ch = chain

tr = treble

dc = double crochet

sp = space

all UK terms.

freshly mown grass...

This is where I did my pondering and crocheting this morning. Just one vital change from yesterday - an old rug under foot. Catches dropped crochet hooks nicely thank you.

I was thinking back to when I started crochet and how I believed it was best to crochet in cotton. I also believed it was the least splitty yarn to work with (not necessarily true). It is nice to work with though so I had a little peek in my cotton basket. Eek, I'm so easily distracted once a current project is all planned and under way!

That little peek, coupled with thoughts of Spring and a fascination for popcorn stitch led to the creation of a little square that reminds me of blossom...

 

I realise it's a humble offering (aimed at beginners) but I thought I'd post the patten for this blossom square tomorrow and then try and post some simple squares from time to time and somehow stick 'em in the sidebar with vaguely representative names. I had high hopes of posting the pattern for the blossom square today until I realised that it takes a while to redo something you did whilst daydreaming about freshly mown grass.

When I first learnt how to crochet I was hungry for squares, motifs, blocks or whatever you prefer to call them. I still dream about coming across the ultimate book of crochet squares, maybe one for every day of the year, none that require a minute hook size or a degree in advanced hyperbolic crochet!

I'm so happy we have a little role reversal going on in this household. Mr H does all the cooking. Fabulous. I hate cooking. I mow all the grass. Equally fabulous, he hates mowing. So today, not only did I manage to haul the mower out from underneath bikes, badminton nets and diving gear I even managed to start the darn thing after ten pulls with the choke fully on. Mmmmh, first cut of the year and the smell was divine.

I can never fathom why the dog treats the hoover with a lofty contempt but gives the mower a piece of his mind... he runs alongside it barking furiously. In true chicken style he drops down into the stream if I get too close. Hence mowing the grass equals wet muddy dog...

'What do you mean my paws are too muddy to come in?'

dogs, deliveries and drama...

 

Thank you for a lovely weekend Archie! Next time we see Archie he'll have lost his sweet little barrel belly, his wiggly wonky gait and trusting demeanour. He'll probably be fully grown, a little wary of strangers but probably still stealing shoes and handbags and dragging them back to his bed!

I've no idea how hot it was here today but it was like a summer's day. I put three loads of washing through and got two pegged out (including the dog's furry friend) when Harvey alerted me to the door.

My blanket yarn had arrived! The perfect excuse to sit on the deck and crochet the day away! It did feel slightly mad handling aran wool in the heat but at least they are only small pieces at a time. I'm not joining as I go because I want a complete line of stitching along each side as opposed to just a couple of loops.

I'm so pleased with the colours, especially the slate blue which really made me feel like I was creating a beach from wool. I had my handful of pebbles nearby...

I was on my sixth hexagon when distaster struck! A catastrophe that only Mr H could solve when he came home from work...

Note to crocheters with decking... beware of the cracks! Luckily Mr H never minds using his smart new power drill thingy; just as well because he unscrewed the wrong plank to begin with. I had to use my nicest smile and say with an innocent look, 'oh gosh, I could have sworn it was that spot, it must have bounced or rolled!' That's when I decided to add a new tool to my crochet bag...

A shiny, aluminium, orange torch to match my shiny, aluminium, elusive, orange, 6mm crochet hook. Handy for searching under sofa's too!



cutting and pasting...

This blanket is taking a while to come together (do you like my virtual cut and paste pinboard?) I've made a decision to do hexagons. I've made a decision on the wool weight (aran, because 5-6mm hook size is more comfortable for my wrist and it'll grow quicker). I've been hunting high and low for the right yarn colours; thank you Deramores for the most user-friendly website possible. However, the toffee, mustard and wheat tones (top right in the pebble pic) are proving problematic.

I've taken the plunge and ordered some of these colours in 400g balls. Along with my existing stock of dappled grey, flecked off white and 50p ball of tweedy mustard, plus any yarn that I come across whilst the project is on the go... I think I'll have more than enough to create the effect I'm after. I'm also toying with the idea of doing some of the hexagons in two similar tones with the darker shade for the last round of trebles to create a sort of shadow, 3D effect... you can see I've been trying it out in this pic - the dark grey, mustard and off white hexagons are all in two tones.

I'm sticking to yarn with a wool content rather than 100% acrylic but I'm disappointed that it can't be 100% wool. This is for two reasons: 1. I can't find 100% wool in the right colours and 2. when I find some of the right colours they are in 50g balls at a cost that would require a second mortgage to make a blanket with. I probably need to think about owning sheep and spinning my own in the future!

strolling...

dear blog readers...