Crochet

On this Wintery afternoon i thought id share a little crochet. Outside it is sleeting and very windy so its lucky i'm inside with the fire blazing to keep me warm.

 The wool i used i picked up at the $2 shop in Katoomba just before it closed. As everything was 40% off i got it at $2 a ball. It is very soft and quite thick for a 8 ply. It crocheted up really nice i wish id purchased more.

These are both cot or pram size & just right for a wintery stroll around town.

Just a Little Crochet

 my Star Burst Baby Blanket is finally finished, it took a while but i found a tutorial that i liked, the Chain Seam & once started it only took two afternoons to complete. the pattern & a tutorial you can find here  in a previous post. i still love all of those sweet baby colours & will be using them again in another project.

this one i started ages ago & when i found the chain seam join i thought it was a good match for this one as well. it sat there with 30 squares for a long time, i did a few more to take it to 48, a long way off a single quilt as i first thought it was going to be. sometimes you just have to get things finished, mostly in my cast i was just sick of looking at it & wanted to be done with it.

so now its more for a cot or stroller or even for the couch on a chilly afternoon.

both of these have been listed at My photo share & at Baby & Kids under photos in the Hand Made Baby folder.

Crochet

Crochet Baby Blanket 

part 1 & 2

some of you may have seen these over on my Flickr account, i think these are called starburst but i could be wrong the tutorial i used was very easy until the last round with the join as you go so i will be joining a different way as i could not find another tutorial for it.

each colour combination is in stacks of 10.

the last round turned it into a square

last round in one chain space [corner] 4 ch [= 1 dc], 1 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc, 2 ch
next chain space 2 dc, 2 ch
next chain space 2dc, 2 ch
next chain space is a corner 2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc, 2 ch
next chain space 2 dc, 2 ch
next chain space 2 dc, 2 ch
next chain space is a corner 2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc, 2 ch
next chain space 2 dc, 2 ch
next chain space 2 dc, 2 ch
next chain space is last corner 2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc, 2 ch
next chain space 2 dc, 2 ch
next chain space 2 dc, 2 ch slip stitch in top of 4 ch to finish off the round

crochet blanket

Pink & Chocolate Brown is the colour combo, i have been working on these squares for way too long. i have 30 in the basket which kind of sounds a lot but as a blanket not so much.  i think it was about 64 squares the red, white, blue & beige blanket & this one im thinking of making it into a single so at 30 im not even half way. i really like to crochet blankets but i really need to sell or give some away as im getting quite a few stacked up in the cupboard.

Crochet T-Shirt Rug

i have finally finished my T-Shirt Rug. i started it in June 2008. for those who have not seen this before it is made up of all my boys t-shirts that i have collected over the years.

cut off all the seams & sleeves, then do a continuous cut 2cm [1inch] & roll into a ball. i used a 6.5mm steel hook. all single crochet.

lots of ends to weave in

the finished size is 1meter x 1.3 meters. it weighs 5kg & has 97 rows.

this took so long to make for two reasons,
1 i had to wait for the t-shirts
2 it is very hard on my hand & wrist so i could only work on it for short periods of time. i think it turned out great, now to keep Miss Sally Girl off it will be a challenge.

this mat is made up of hessian braided together & sewn together with brickies string. i made this for my foot peddle as i was sick of it sliding.

Miss Sally Girl right behind my chair supervising

Braided Floor Rug
The Start of the Crochet Rug
 Crochet Rug Progress

Crochet

 Crochet Blanket

just the right size for the couch to keep the chill off. 

i made up these squares last year & they were just sitting in a basket waiting to become a nice warn blanket. it was going to be a single bed blanket but i didnt want to make a heap more squares. last saturday  i layed it out & found i needed 3 more squares to finish it off.

it is a 9x7 patch about 68" x 48".

i didnt want to just sew it all together i wanted something more so on to you tube i went in search & i found a tutorial for a continuous five

chain flat braid Five Chain Flat Braid 

so on sunday i sat down & pieced it 

all together, took me pretty much 

all day, i like how it turned out, i 

will be using this method again. 

Blogtoberfest day #5

Winter Warm

i purchased a Grey winter coat this year & decided i needed grey Scarf & Mitts, so over winter i came up with my own pattern for a long scarf.

i think it turned out pretty good 

the wool i used is Moda Vera* Chantilly, an acrylic milk blend

New Year

well here we are again, another year has flown by
tomorrow its back to work for me Grrr..... i just dont want to work there {bad pay, bad conditions, Bad employers} really new a new job.

the last week & a half i have been pretty productive, it all started with trying to finish off some of the many projects i have on the go......... i did manage to get a whole stack of knitted squares sewn together into a blanket now i just need to give it a crocheted edge.



after that i ditched the half finished projects to start on some new stuff
first up were a couple of tops, the pattern i purchased in Feb last year
its a Simplicity #3835. these tops are so easy to make, however if you have a big bust you will need to adjust the pattern.
i like the colours in this fabric, its a really soft cotton so falls nice
this one is made from a sheet i purchased from Vinnies {cleaned them out of sheets to use as drop cloths over my furniture, when we were doing the kitchen. more projects to come using sheets.} it is very soft from years of washing.

the next 3 items i made come from a Simplicity pattern #4595
i have used the pattern before, when i made an orange short skirt to go over jeans {view E}
i used view D for all three but altered them slightly.


the first one i followed the pattern, the fabric is a cheese cloth, so really light & summery
i added a bright red lace to the bottom hem
the second & longer one using the same cloth also view D but i added 2 of the second section & added another 3 inches to is length so it would also gather & another 5 inches to the bottom frill. i did not hem the bottom as i used the selvage edge.


Skirt # 3 also view D, used cotton fabric & again added the lace to the bottom.

lov the skull & cherry fabric
all 3 skirts had a petticoat added, the black one didnt need it but i like to have one anyway
the pattern for the petticoat is from Kwik Sew View C . so easy to make only uses to pieces.
the petticoat is sewn into the skirt before the waist band is done.

back to that same sheet i used to make the top, i made 2 aprons. the one below is a double sided apron, on the other side i used a yellow sheet. the reason it is double sided is because the fabric is just a little to thin on is own to use as an apron. most spills & what not would soak through pretty quick, making a mess of what ever i am wearing. also made one out of black & white ticking for work.

been watching lots of TV shows & movies, staying up late. so while i was doing that i was also crocheting dishcloths. these are sooo much quicker than the knitted ones i make. i used a 20% cotton 80% bamboo mix. they are really soft, would make better face washers. i must say i prefer to use the 100% cotton as its easier to work with, the mixed ones dont stay twisted like the cotton.


the Phoebe Bag comes from artsy crafty babe blog
http://artsycraftybabe.typepad.com/
i purchased this green fabric form the furnishing section, its pretty thick, sort of like a canvas
i didnt add the flap & clasp. lined it with a cotton Cherry fabric & it has 4 pockets in total
it is very cute


Green really does make me happy so a green work bag might make going to hell [work] a little better. for both bags i used iron on interfacing.




the work bag has a hard plastic bottom inside a fabric slip so it can be removed to wash the bag, it also has 7 pockets. why 7 you might ask? well thats how many i needed.

Day 23- Tired

got up at 4.45, left the house at 5.30, train at 5.56, off at 6.35 walked for 25 mins, packed fruit & veggies until 1pm, walked 25mins to train,{supper hot, got a head ach} train 2pm, off the train at 2.32, home at 3pm. now im tired. tomorrow i dont finish until 4pm.

enough about that, how about a cute crochet baby blanket i made up over the last 2 weeks

Day 5 - Sewing

The Weather Forecast
Warm & Sunny {mmm i see a pattern forming}



it feels good to get some sewing done, even tho i only finished one item.

1 pair of PJ pants finished
1 pair pinned & cut, ready to sew
1 Nightie cut
1 skirt pinned & cut, ready to sew
1 Apron cut
1 Skirt pinned
1 Baby Blanket pinned & cut, ready to sew



70's leftover blanket, just the right size for snuggling on the couch

added a new blog to my list,
GoingGreen Handmade For Sale
any & all items i have on here that are for sale will be added to this blog
i will also take orders for some handmade items, but most will be one of a kind.

Blogtoberfest

Decided to join in on Blogtoberfest, blog everyday in October :o) mmm could be fun or could make my readers delete me from their blog lists out of boredom.

BLOGTOBERFEST begins

The Weather Forecast
in the mountains today it was beautiful & cool, with rain & a lot of fog.
Day light saving starts today {lov the extra light, but don't like the mozzies}

went around emptying all my buckets into the rain water barrel, {it has been dry for 2 weeks} we don't have a water tank so i collect all the water i can, so my veggies will grow up big & strong.

spent the morning tiding up & picked out the fabric for a new nightie, i need to spend a couple of days this week sewing. i sold all my Veggie bags & have a couple more orders so i need to make some more. also want to finish off my PJ pants & i have a bit of mending to do.

the afternoon was spent watching movies, & as i never just sit & watch {i have to be doing something} been crocheting like made trying to finish off the small 70's leftover blanket. i hope to get it finished tonight well fingers Xed.

spring update

the rain disappeared after 3 days & now we are back to the warm spring weather again. Ive been sick since Wednesday with the flu, today I'm starting to feel like myself again except for the runny nose & the hacking cough I'm just peachy.
yesterday afternoon i decided to do a bit of spring cleaning. i dragged down all the bowls, jugs, canisters & other kitchen items from up on top of the cabinets. don't ya just hate the sticky dust that forms in kitchens. I'm pretty bad i usually only clean them every 6 months or so, or if i need to use something. everything was washed dried & rearranged back on the top by about 6.30pm just in time to sit down to tea {chicken legs, baked potatoes, peas & gravy}.


i also took down the autumn/winter wreath from the front door & made a spring bush one. don't know how long it will last, just giving it a mist spray every
morning.


some bush flowers for the kitchen
on the dish cloth front i have finished 5, i am a lot quicker at knitting them now & i don't even need to look at the pattern any more. i found this waffle weave pattern at homespun living blog http://homespunliving.blogspot.com
i lov how they have turned out. i have purchased a few other colours so i will continue on until i am sick of making them or the weather gets too hot.

On Saturday i went into spotlight to get some flannelet & a pattern for some Pjs, they had a buy 1 pattern get 1 free, so i also got an apron pattern {3 half aprons & 2 full aprons}.
Pj pants are on my to do list this week all my old ones are on their last legs LOL.

Baking Sunday* White Choc chunk biscuits * ANZAC * left over cake * & a new old item was Short bread haven't made this in maybe 10 years so it on the new item list.

the Radish & Cabbage that i planted on the 25th Aug, emerged from the soil on the weekend, i think it had something to do with all that rain we had. Praise to the rain gods :o)



Radish Shoots

Pea Flowers


Silverbeet

i was asked to see a pic of the 70s quilt on the bed so here it is.




Working on List/To Do List
Floor Rug* 14 colours down
Knitted Dish Cloths*5 Patchwork Quilt* still about the 1/2 way mark on the top stitching Cross Stitch* still on the list
Hen House* the end is in sight
Pj Bottoms*mmm Red flannel with White spots
Apron*

Finishing Line/ Spring Time

Ah Spring Time again. i lov lov lov winter, the cold crisp mornings, putting on my scarf & gum boots to work in the garden, i will miss these things & many more when we head into the warmer weather of late spring & summer.
as i am new to this simpler life {gardening & such } i am now looking forward to the spring planting & the arrival of chickens, it is going to be a fun summer. there are how ever 2 things i hate about the summer & that is the HOT weather, i dont do well in the heat & the other is snakes, we back onto National Park so lots of bush.

on Saturday we went to the Gardening Australia Expo at Homebush
i was disappointed with most of it. i wanted to come home with a couple of Apple Trees, a Raspberry, Blackberry, Loganberry, some knee pads & a couple of other things, but alas it was not to be, not one of the items on my list were there. if i wanted water tanks or astro turf i would have been set. we did come home with some Lemon Myrtle products, the hand cream & soap smell just Devinne & my hands haven't been this soft in years. also picked up 3 of those rubbery buckets with the 2 handles, 1 is now in the kitchen for the recycling & the other 2 i will use in the garden.
we didn't get a chance to watch any of the talks as there were just too many people but i understand that Peters talk was great. he is a very nice man & he has forgotten more than i will ever know about gardening { i met him when we lived in Tassie, we had a great chat one afternoon in his veggie patch after they had filmed one of his segments}.
this was the first time we had gone to the show & i don't think i will be going next year,not as many things as i was hoping for & the $17 each was a bit steep. my SIL said they didn't have as many things as they had had in previous years.


the finish line is in sight, if the weather is fine this weekend the Hen House will be finished ready for some cluckers.

Red Door & Floor


my queen sized 70s blanket is now finished Woo Hoo
the colours are much brighter in real life, that light colour is green.

so i started a new project on Friday, knitted dish cloths i have already finished 2 i would have finished at least 3 more but i keep dropping stitches or i get interrupted & do the wrong stitches & as im no good at fixing my mistakes i have to unravel the lot & start again.
ill put up some pics next time & a link to the pattern

Working on List
Knitted Dish Cloths {2 down}
Patchwork Quilt {1/2 way through the top stitching}
Floor Rug {10 colours in & many more to go}
Advance Australia Cross-Stitch {just the wording to stitch}
Hen House {on the home stretch}
70s Blanket {Finished}

i was asked about the Hens that i want to get so here is the list:
Rhode Island Red
New Hampshire
Barnevelders
Light Sussex
Silver Laced Wyandotte
the reason i have chosen these breeds is for their egg production & their meat.
i am how ever having a hard time finding them.

Winter or Spring

Sunday was a beautiful warm day, not a cloud in sight. spent most of the day in the garden, weeding, watering & making a new wood chip path. wiled away the afternoon in the sun joining the last of the 70's crochet blanket squares into long strips. then onto my crocheted t-shirt floor rug, i can only do a small amount at a time on this as it hurts your hand after a while.



Saturday A & i went to have a look at a couple of kit homes in Emu Plains, we are thinking about buy some land & building a kit home. it is a huge step, that size loan scares me a lot.

Monday morning i went out the back to hang the washing out & found white crunchy grass & the bird bath water frozen & ice on the veranda, this is the most frost we have had this year.


i baked all the cookies, plus my new recipe was a Hummingbird Cake. Minestrone soup & zucchini bread for tea.
& today we are back to spring weather, no clouds, a slight breeze, beautiful & warm.

ALS challenge for this month is Stock your pantry, & i am well on the way. today my goal is to clean it up as it seems that a lot of items just get thrown in any old way & its a bit of a mess. so ill tidy it up & make a list of all the items that need restocking. this week is also my use it up week. Sunday we started by eating all the leftovers in the fridge & a couple from the freezer. for the rest of the week i will be cooking up all those odd bits & bobs in the freezer. you know like 1 piece of steak, 2 sausages that type of thing. so my freezer is all ready for the organic side of beef that comes next month.


Friday i purchased the cotton to make some dish cloths, but i wont be starting them until i have finished another project, other wise i end up with 20 odd things on the go at once.