Learning to crochet

I can't remember learning to crochet.  Not surprising really, it was about 55 years ago!

I do know that my Dad taught me the basics as he had a lot more patience then Mam.  She took over later when we could do the basics.

I remember making "Tank-Tops" that looked like string vests.  And ponchos that were all the rage.  And waistcoats, long lacy ones.

The problem with Crochet is that people tend to think it belongs in the 70's.  Not at all true!  You should see some of the things I have seen crocheted!!!

For something different, visit Patricia Waller.  Do NOT go if you are easily offended. Her work is really wierd, gruesome and, most of it, not at all to my taste. However, the crocheter in me appreciates the the innovation and work that has gone into these pieces. I love the Rowing Monkey.

James Walters and the late Sylvia Cosh are part of our British crochet heritage.  They made a formidable team. Sadly, Sylvia died from cancer in 2000.  James built a website about their work but it is no longer available. I have a few of their books which are now out of print.  Sometimes you can get lucky and get them on eBay but they are so popular they go for rather a lot. They are far more interesting than some of the modern books you can get.

Most of the information around is US based. However, I have a Tutorial in UK terms on my site.

And once you have mastered the basics you could try out this Mini Flower Tutorial.

When you get more adventurous, there are a whole load of Free Patterns on there.

About that Clematis.............

After being featured in Issue 26 of Inside Crochet, I have had lots of requests for the Clematis pattern. So I thought I had better get on and write it. It isn't a quick project as it will include the frame, stems, leaves, fluffy heads, six different flowers and three differnt buds. Well, if you are going to do something, best do it properly.

The original one was quite large and has attracted a lot of interest. The new one I am making for the pattern will be a lot smaller, the bamboo poles are about 40cm long. I have also crocheted the stems rather than luceted them as it is meant to be a crochet pattern.

I have also changed the colour of the leaves. I thought the new colour would look better but until I see them with the flowers, I am not so sure. I am hoping to have the pattern finished and up for sale by the end of the month. In the meantime, I will keep you updated on my progress.

Ooooh! I am all excited.

I feel like a kid at Christmas but I really can't help it. I have been officially published in Inside Crochet. And I get paid for it! Yes, I know I have been in mags before but not like this. I have never been paid before for a start. Anyway, if you want to see a free online preview, you can click on the picture.

And there are more to come. The full Lowercase Alphabet is going to be published this and the next two issues.

And I have to say, the photos they have taken are lovely and make my letters look stunning.

Now, as to why I haven't blogged in ages.

Well, there has been all this overtime in work. And there have been the driving lessons and studying for the Theory Test. And there has been all the time spent working on more patterns for IC.

And there has been all the time spent working on a new pattern for Rainbow Valley. This one is "Scrapbooking with Crotat". As you might have guessed from the name, its a motif pattern for scrabooking - or anything else you would like to use them for - and is all crotated.

Crochet Tatting is a form of tatting done with a special type of crochet hook and combined with crochet to produce a unique effect. Here are just a few of the motifs from it, I think there will be 15 different designs in all, along with some basic instructions.

It is almost finished and will be published in April, along with a slightly revamped site.

I have started working on a crotat jewellery one as well.

New project!

Usually, when I have finished a pattern, I am at a loss for what to get on with next.

Not this time though, I have already started it!

I used to make a whole load of quilted items which I sold. Included in these were names. You can see "Benjamin" on the wall - along with the "Pooh and Friends" set on his bed. Now I am designing all of these letters in crochet. The uppercase ones will be about 20cm tall with the lowercase a corresponding size. Of course, a REALLY long project.

I suppose I had better get off here and get on with it!

As promised........

Photos of the new lanterns First of all, here is the Candle. I wanted something relatively simple as some of the more complicated things I was working on just weren't going right.

I was pleased with the way this turned out, simple but effective. Again, please excuse the bad photos, take with the IXUS on ISO3200. But you should be used to them by now! As soon as I am able to get a decent evening, I will go out and do the decent ones on a long exposure. I just have to wait tuntil its not too windy.

And here is "SnowStorm", although I am not quite sure if that is the right name of it. Any suggestions? It is the same as "Starburst", made with 11 motifs in the smaller size bangles.

This weekend I bought some new candles, just under £5 for a pack of 6 in Wilkinsons. This is roughly the same price as you can get them on eBay and you don't have to worry about the postal strikes. Something else I have been doing recently is re-investigating Ravelery. I joined over a year ago and got so confused with the place I gave up. Now, whether it is me or them I don't know, I am finding it a bit easier to negotiate.

I have been adding some of my free patterns to their database and, when I work out what I can and can't do, may add some of the ones for sale. In the meantime, if anybody wants to add me as a friend I am Enfys on there as well. Just one more thing I couldn't resist showing you, I bought this cute little phone sock in Peacocks, only £1

First Day at School

It doesn't seem all that long ago I was dressing him in a school uniform for the first time to go to Ysgol Sant Baruc in Barry. It was actually 7 years ago. This week he was all dressed up ready for his first day at Senior School.

He didn't like the feel of the collar but, after telling him it had to be done up, we finally got him sorted. Apart from the silly face, I quite like this picture. Now all I have to do is try to get into some sort of a routine! I know I wasn't going to mention the "C" word again but, when you design and make things for that particular season, you have to start early.

I had an order for a set of Christmas Tree decorations which I have been working on.

Unfortunately, I have run out of one colour I need and my supplier is also out of it. I ordered 3 different coloured balls from her about 10 days ago. Two arrived two days later but the one I REALLY need was out of stock. If it doesn't arrive at the beginning of the week I am going to have to phone and find out how long.

Hopefully, if it still isn't in, she will have some in smaller balls. It ends up costing more but will mean I get it quicker and can get the order done.

Of course, while I was making up the ones I do have the thread for, I kept thinking "There is an easier way of doing this" and have ended up re-vamping some of the pattern.

Silly really, as there wasn't anything wrong with the original way its just that the pattern was written over 3 years ago and my designing and pattern writing has evolved a bit since then.

I really ought to be working on new patterns, not revamping old ones, but I am having difficulty coming up with something different for this year.

I was thinking of lanterns. Now that you can get those LED battery powered tea lights, it would be perfectly safe to use lanterns made from cotton. They don't get hot and I used them last year in paper lanterns at the home with no problems what so ever.

Now to come up with some original and quirky designs. Maybe a Santa head? And a Christmas pudding? I am open to suggestions!

That C word

I know its early but........... I have started thinking about Christmas! The thing is, when you make stuff you have to start earlier. And, when you design stuff for other people to make you have to start even earlier!

Now, I promise not to mention the C word again until December! Well, I will try very hard not to anyway!

Rainbows and Stars

Its finished!!!!!!

My new Rainbows and Stars crochet pattern. And, I must say, I am rather pleased with it. After months of no new patterns, I have finally done one. I have even added to Rainbow Valley. Now all I have to do is let my crochet groups know it is finished, sit back and (hopefully) watch the orders flood in!!!!!

The final set of motifs is the Pot of Gold. I have also included the Mini Rainbow Stars that I have for sale on my site. I have to decide what to do next. Any suggestions?

I suppose I really ought to be finishing off the puppet patterns I have been working on. I could get those done in a couple of weeks if I get down to it.

But I am really loving working with the thread, especially as I am getting more colours.

September Calendar

I have been a bad blogger! Nothing in over 2 weeks!!!!! I hope these pics make up for it.

I thought I would brighten up your desktop this month! This is a photo I took yesterday at the local garden centre. I just can't resist those bright blooms. As usual, click on the pic over in the left column to download.

I just can't resist dandelion clocks! The macro lens allows me to get really close and see all the fine detail. I like the way the narrow depth of field softens it and make it look fluffy. I did get some of a bee on the dandelions but he is blurred in all the photos because he just wouldn't keep still! Better luck next time?????

And, yes its pink, but it was the only rose bush there!

I really don't know where the time has gone. Since Benjamin has come home it has been all go. We went to Cambridge on Friday to do all the Museums. Of course, I didn't realise just how many there were! There are 8 free ones in walking distance of the bus stop and 15 in total. We managed 4!!!!!

But we had a great time. The down side was the 1½ hours on the bus each way, which was actually more than that because of the traffic. But the fare was only £5.50 for both of us so that made up for it a bit.

This is a definate repeat for half term, however, as he also has 2 teacher training days added on to the end of half term, we might do it then when there won't be so many people around.

And I must remember to take the camera next time!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something else I have been doing is working on some puppet patterns. I "lost" the Jungle Puppets in my recent puter crash and didn't realise until I was putting them all back on the puter from the discs. I hadn't saved that one to disc - Silly me!

Anyway, I was sent a US copy of one I had sold and have been using that one the create the UK copy and remake them to take pics. While I was at it, I have altered one or two things to make them easier to do.

When finished, I will be putting both the pattern and the puppets on Etsy and send out the re-vamped copies to the two nice ladies who sent me theirs!

I have also been re-working some of the older pupper patterns. The original ones were made in a totally different way to the newer ones as they have "evolved" somewhat over the years. I have been working on the Pond set. This will also be on Etsy when finished.

Now, I have a jam packed day ahead of me so I had best get off here and get on with it!

Dilemma!

As you may have read, I have to have a major sort out of my crochet stash as it is taking over the house!

I have more yarn here than I can ever hope to use, even if I live to be 150!!! Hence the "Funky Fibre Giveaway" below.

Today, I have started sorting out my thread. I have finally collected enough colours of the DMC Petra to convert all the Scrapping Items I sell on my site from the thread I have been using. The DMC looks and feels nicer, although it doesn't cost more and, in theory, is the same quality.

Now the dilemma. I haven't sold any of the actual items since last summer. Is it really worth the effort of making everything in the new thread to add to the site for sale? Or should I just delete the pages and create a "Sale" page for the stuff I already have here that I made when designing the patterns?

What do you think?

Of course, I could just add a load of pics on here of the stuff I need to clear out and do another stash exchange????????

Whatever I do, I still have a carrier bag of the Twilleys thread to dispose of!!!!!

My patterns have been doing quite well on Etsy. I have also added a few more to Craftjuice - including Christmas ones.

This may seem a bit early but it is nearly September and people who will want to be making these will want the patterns in plenty of time.

When it gets a bit closer to the time, I will add some actual items. I have loads of them in the wardrobe as well! However, as listing stay on Etsy for 4 months, I won't be leaving it for too long.

In the money!

Well, this combination of Etsy and CraftJuice seems to be working very well for me!

I have sold 12 patterns over the last 3 days. Just wish I could do it all the time then I wouldn't have to worry about jobs and CRB checks!!!!!

This is the latest one I have listed on Craftjuice. It is actually the first pattern I ever wrote for sale. It remains my best selling pattern.

I have also made loads of them for sale and they have gone all over the world. It looks great in blues for a baby boy.

I have started sorting out those cupboards! Honest!!!

I found I bag of thread left over from making the wall hangings. I didn't realise there was so much. I can make another 2 tops from it - at least!

I also found the bag with the new denim skirt in. I stopped making this when I started losing weight. Although the doc wants me to lose another 4 stone, I can't see this happening. So I might just get on and finish that. I could do with some new clothes!

Doesn't leave a lot of time for Scrapping though! And I have a pile of new stash to use that I got through the Crochet Embellishment Swap! I also bought some on the weekend. Not much, just some handmade papers so I can scrap the last 4 silk paintings I made.

So much to do and so little time!

First Day of Peace.

It doesn't really seem all that strange. I am used to Benjamin being in school while Mark is in work.

But the thought of 2 whole weeks of being on my own from 7.30am to 5.30pm is a little daunting.

I am, by nature, more of a loner. I enjoy my own company and generally find that I don't have enough of it when it is the school holidays.

But, somehow, I get the feeling that I am going to get too much of it over the next 2 weeks.

It isn't as if I don't have plenty to do. Mark has been nagging me to sort out my cupboards. I am a dreadful hoarder and people keep giving me stuff which I can't possibly throw away as I am sure I will use it at some point.

However, this rather large bag of oddments of chunky yarn and heavy weight upholstery fabric, what on earth am I going to use those for????? It just has to go!

Anybody want it?

Thanks to everybody who voted on Craft juice. I really need to explain how it works.

When you submit an item, it goes on the "Upcoming" page. When you have 5 votes it get promoted to the "Popular Crafts" page, which is the main Craftjuice page. You can still get votes when it is on there.

I submitted my Snakes and Ladders today. It has 4 votes already so hopefully will be promoted soon.

It is a great place to showcase your crafts, whether you are selling them or not. Unfortunately, the pictures need to be online already. I was hoping to link to them from my site but for some reason it didn't work.

That is why the one of the Scrapping Babies didn't have a picture. I ended up adding it to Etsy and using the pics from there. Unfortunately, this meant entering it twice and I have no idea how to delete the one that didn't work. The one that did work is now on the front page and has 9 votes!

Pattern Finished!

And I am sooooo pleased!!!!!

I am pleased that it is finished.

And pleased with the way it turned out.

And especially pleased at the time it took. That had to be the quickest ever pattern I have done from start to finish!!!!!

So here it is!

I have added it to Rainbow Valley.

This week has been an odd one. Benjamin is staying with my parents in Penarth and it is sooooooooooo quiet around here!!!!!

Mark is off work but has spent a lot of time down the shed so we haven't been out much. Apart from yesterday when we were out all day. We went to visit a friend, then did some shopping. We now have a new patio set and I have some trainer socks in colours to clash wonderfully with my red trainers!

I am hoping it is going to brighten up a little soon. I am thinking about going to the garden centre to see if they have any of those little lanterns for tea lights left. They would look lovely with the new patio table.

If not, I will go next week. Mark will be back in work and Benjamin won't be home for another 2 weeks.

What am I going to do with myself?????

Journalling Pattern Finished!

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!! And here it is in all its glory! Its no wonder it took me so long to write, there are 20 pages in this one. It includes upper and lower case letters, numbers, punctuation and the doodling that I have put up as free pattern. Now the question is "What next?"

I have been thinking of a "Weather" set. I can include my Rainbow in it. I was thinking of Raindrops and Wellies. Possibly a Brolly.

I can also put the Sun, Moon and Stars in it. But that isn't going to fill a pattern. So if anybody has any suggestions, please lave them in the comments

Another thing that has cheered me up is that I won the photo competition on UKS. I got really excited about that!

Thank you to everybody who voted for me.

I can do Joined Up Writing!!!!

I wasn't really happy with the chain for writing the words. And I wanted something different for this LO. So I decided to play!

It took a little bit of fiddling but I managed to do it. I haven't worked out how to do the rest of the letters, just the ones I need for this. However, I plan to do the whole alphabet like this and put it all in the pattern.

I was thinking that maybe it would be far too big for one pattern so I might put the letters in one and the numbers and puntuation in another, with a discount for buying both at the same time. Then I couldn't decide how to finish this off. Lesley suggested crocheted swirls, which ended up as crocheted doodling.

I was quite pleased with the result and they are so easy to make. I am going to add them to my msn group as a free pattern. I will let you know when it is up. So the finished LO looks like this! Not a particularly good picture but I took it at 7.am this morning in the bedroom and I haven't sorted out the RAW plug in yet for Elements.

Yesterday was.....

...A Really Good Day!

I turned on the puter to find a nice order of patterns waiting for me.  That put me in a good mood for the whole day and, I figured that if things did happen to get worse, with a start like that I could cope with anything!

This meant I could go shopping on eBay for stash!  I ordered a whole pile of beads for the silk paintings.

Then I finished my latest pattern.  I was so pleased to get that out of the way.  Unfortunately, one of my testers didn't get back to me about the pattern but the other lady was really pleased with it. Then I went to Tesco on the free bus and when I got home, I edited my site to put the pattern on Rainbow Valley for sale.  I haven't sold any yet but have had a few compliments.

Next, I went to get weighed. I wasn't holding out much hope for a weight loss after that box of Roses I had for Mothering Sunday but I lost 1 lb.

When I got home, the stash I had ordered the day before had arrived.  This was more sewing thread. I have used this lady from eBay a few times in the past.  Her service is great and so are her prices.  10 reels of Coats Moon 1000yds for £7.25 inc. postage.   She obviously remembered me because she put an extra reel in for me as well.

By the time I had put the thread away, it wasn't worth getting the sewing machine out as Benjamin was due home soon.  So I went back online and emailed my crochet groups to tell them about the new pattern.

The only bad bit of the day was that I didn't win the pair of Kickers I was watching on eBay.  However, this did mean that I still have a healthy Paypal account for stash shopping!  Even after buying more silk this morning!!!!!

A Day Off!

Doing the Happy Dance!

Well, I would if I had the energy! My body is aching all over and I have really had enough of these leaflets!. Still We have done nearly 7,000 of the 10,300 so it will only be another 3 days at most.

The only thing is, we also have 3,000 for Littleport!!!! Joan has asked her partner if he would like to help out and they reckon that we could do the whole lot in one day on Sunday. I have my doubts but am going along with it.

The vest top is coming along nicely. I am trying it on as I go and am really pleased with the way it looks. My problem is that because I have such big boobs, anything I wear either has to stretch over them or hangs ungainly below them. I have shaped this over them so that it goes in underneath before going straight down. Mark likes it as well!

We have another really frosty morning here. I would love to go out taking pics of it but feel so guilty at making Benjamin work most of his half term off that I am just letting him sit and watch TV instead.

I haven't done any scrapping or anything else this week! I miss my life of leisure!

Oh dem bones!

Or more to the point, dem muscles!!!!

I mentioned I had a job for the week, well I think it is more like for at least two! I have taken on a one off job of delivering leaflets in March, a neighbouring town. What I didn't mention was that there are 10,000 of them. I asked a friend if she would like to do it with me as I needed somebody with a car to get back and fore. She was really enthusiastic and said it sounded good money for a weeks work. However, she REALLY underestimated the time it would take!

And the other thing is those aching muscles! I thought I have been doing a good job of getting fit. Because I don't drive I either walk, or mostly, cycle. However, walking and cycling regularly do not prepare you for walking almost solidly for 4 to 6 hours a day. The second day I could hardly get out of bed!

It has been getting easier. This morning there is just a little ache but, because I decided to use a bag instead of the trolley for part of it, my back hurts this morning. I should have known better and will not be making that mistake again!

Also, I have been coming home far to tired to concentrate on writing crochet patterns! I have been working on a vest t-shirt and, luckily, have got up to the part where it is just plain trebles until it is long enough. I can do that on auto pilot.

I did manage to get some pics of the French Knickers on Saturday before all this started. So here they are. The first one shows a semi side/front view so that you can see the way it ties up.

The second one is from the back. The front looks almost the same but I have made the back a little wider. The pattern is available on Rainbow Valley

New Pattern Finished

Oooh! I am all excited! I have finally finished my latest pattern!!!!!

As you can see, its very festive. A range of 5 Christmas frames for scrapbooking. Somebody did comment that it is a bit late for Christmas but, if I know Scrappers, its just at the right time. I bet we all have loads of Christmas pics just waiting to be scrapped.

The pattern is for sale on Rainbow Valley but if you want either the pattern or some of the Christmas frames free, enter the competition! Just click on the flashing button over there <<<< to find out how to enter.

Snakes and Ladders Finished!

At last it is finally done. And what's more, I updated my site as well to add it to the toy patterns page. Haven't I been good????

Now I have to go and get Benjamin some new school shoes.