Happy New Year 2013

I wish you all a fabulous yarny year.

Why not visit a local alpaca farm or cotton mill as a treat? A driving holiday along these lines could also be planned. Fascinating places.

Crocheted Cotton Dishcloth Pattern

This is my first pattern writing effort, no doubt there are many variations out there. Please note this is written in English, not USA, terms. dc=sc

The cloth is a simple thing: 

Using Anchor Magicline cotton (any 8ply knitting cotton should do) and 4.5mm crochet hook, I chained 38 stitches, dc into 2nd from end then dc to end of row, ch1 and turn; dc 2 more rows. For main pattern, dc 3 stitches each end and v-stitch (alternate dc and ch) the rest of the rows, continue until 3 rows shy of square. Fold diagonally from corner to corner to check size. Finish with 3 rows dc and a chain edge trim all around and a chain loop in a corner to hang the cloth from a handy projection.
The pattern would probably stand out better with a solid colour. What the heck, it is thick and flexible and I like it.

Next photo is of different cottons held together, no edge and no loop; still thick and thirsty and you can see the pattern a little better.

E-book reader cover

I bought myself a small Kindle and made a cover in 100% washable wool. The tunisian crochet is denser than the other style so should absorb some of the shocks during its life. There is a front flap which sits under a single crochet string across the envelope. Another crochet string is attached to one corner of this flap which wraps around the whole item for a bit of security. I didn't want to use button or zipper closures, just wool. I am happy with it.

Cloths

Cloths are wonderful things, limited only by your imagination. I recently crocheted two from the same Australian cotton: for one I used a larger hook, giving it a soft texture and drape and I made it to a larger size because it is destined to be a shower cloth; the other is made tighter and edged whimsically as a kitchen cloth. They are treasured gifts, my friends know there is love in every stitch.

Bamboo yarn slinky hat

Not everyone wants a beret - can you imagine that?!

So I made a lacy black bamboo yarn slinky cap for my niece. To my joy, she loves it.

If the girl ever sends me a photo (sigh) I will show that too.
It would be good to show the cap on a person instead of a car bonnet or country fence-post.

Berets

Berets look great on most people, I recently discovered, but my family don't own berets - well, they didn't until I decided to fulfil their unvoiced need.

A basic pattern is easy to reconfigure.











Make up a lace pattern.

Mix and match yarns.

Make up a different lace pattern to match another loved person's individuality.

Or keep it simple.

Just remember to always use the very best yarn you can afford.

Your hands and their heads will thank you for it!

Water bottle carrier

I walk along beaches and around parks so I always carry a bottle of water with me. This holder is crocheted in acrylic and I used Tunisian crochet for the sturdy handle.

I normally sling it over my shoulder so the bottle tucks against my back near my arm, thus leaving both hands free.

Have I thought of a full water bottle being a potential defence against a menacing animal? Hell yes!

The Scarf

I rarely knit now that I have discovered crochet, but I made an exception for this gorgeous scarf which I made from pure wool and mohair. It is a simple straight scarf, wide enough to fold in half lengthwise, with a moss stitch border and garter stitch. This will keep the brother's neck warm!

I went beserk and crocheted him some slippers too.

Isn't he a lucky bloke!!

More Hats

Friends are about to visit a cold place so I made them hats:

the brim should protect his glasses from rain

such a pity the subtle colours don't show

Big fun hat

This crocheted hat is bucket shaped with slightly denser brim, so you can curl up the brim or wear it down or poke it into a trilby style.

 I had fun with it and sent it to a friend.

I like making hats

I made a hat with Australian alpaca yarn for my sister Helen.

She loves it, so warm and comforting.

I made a hat for my friend Carol

but it is too small and I have lost it anyway so I am making her another;

I made a hat for her son

I made a hat for his sister

which I will post tomorrow and make them happy, I hope.

Banana Pancakes

2 large overripe bananas, mashed
2 large pinches mixed spice
1 large egg, raw
1/4 cup self-raising wholemeal flour
1/8 cup cornflour
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup muscat (or mead or port or anything similar, wonder how Midori would go?)
rice bran oil
Mix together all ingredients except oil to form a thick batter, heat lightly oiled frypan and cook dollops of mixture until cooked on both sides. I used 1/4 cup measure as scoop and the mixture made six [6] banana pancakes. Add whatever takes your fancy (if anything) - fruit, honey, yoghurt, ice cream, chocolate ...

Per basic pancake:
166 calories
5g fat
24.4g carbs
3.7g protein
3g fibre

Ah January

New year, new friends - so I made slippers for the whole family, nana, mum, dad and two young girls.

 

These are for Abbie, she likes blue.

 

Bella prefers purple.

In each case, I combined a beautiful Australian alpaca yarn with an acrylic of their colour choice to form the slipper then added the beaded cuff in a cotton/acrylic combination.

The slippers are very warm and fit snugly and the girls like them - they should have a lot of fun "accidentally" sliding on the shiny floor tiles at their house.

Oh dear, I need Christmas gifts ...

... so I crocheted a bag for my sister-in-law

(sorry, didn't write a pattern as I made it)

and a bag for my niece (simple rounds so no pattern).

In each case I used a Knitting Nancy to knit the handle.

I love this creative stuff!

More on the way, my flying fingers are busy.

Tiny work in progress, finished

This washcloth was something to occupy my hands in July as I waited for my husband at his physiotherapy sessions when his smashed wrist was healing. It was almost completed when it fell into the “no longer urgent” section and was covered with more stuff, revisited now and completed as a small gift. This is lovely cotton to work with and to use as an item and the hand-made goat's milk soap is simply delicious. How will I bear to part with it?

October and November 2009

In October I knitted myself a small multi-coloured, cotton yarn, teddy bear to tie to my luggage for ready visual identification  as I travelled to and from Melbourne. Did I remember to take a photo? No.
Whilst in Melbourne I knitted another small luggage bear in pink for my sister to take overseas. Did I remember to take a photo? No. I showed the multi-coloured bear to my 4-year-old great-niece, who admired it and accepted the offer of a green version. We called it a green goblin and put three skewed safety eyes on it. Did I remember to take a photo? No. Somehow the great-niece managed to snaffle bothe the multi-coloured cotton bear and the green goblin. By now she will probably have convinced her yaya that she should have the set, sigh.

I also crocheted a wide-handled shopping bag from the same cotton yarn (Anchor Magicline) in late November, with which I am very happy. Sorry there is no pattern for such a simple thing but at least I took photos this time!

Swap

Last month I was  involved in a Ravelry swap and I crocheted a small retro shoulder bag for my partner, finished it with two buttons and a knitted strap.

I also created a crocheted evening bag for my niece as a birthday gift.

It was a good month.

Knitting and crochet

In the past month I have made:

a hat for my niece, basically a Kiddie Cadet cap with a textured stitch and crocheted flower (modelled by a friend)


crocheted slippers for my friend Lori





and crocheted slippers for my friend Linda

My creative urge is satisfied for the moment.

See my ravelry for pattern details or send me an email.

For the first time

I knit a little, have learned to crochet and am having great fun with it and I love to cook. The internet is a huge library resource which I exploit as much as I can for patterns and recipes and for learning materials. It is also a huge world of potential friends with similar interests where my questions can be answered and good company be found. I like it!
Here I will share snippets of my creative endeavours and lifestyle. You are very welcome to join me ...