Speaking of magazines, I got all excited the other day thinking that the publishers of Simply Knitting had brought out a new crochet magazine called Simply Crochet!
Unfortunately, it’s just a summer special and I’ve already got a couple of the patterns from a free supplement in Simply Knitting last summer.
I still bought it of course and I’m so glad I did!
I’m already working on one project (the ‘Day at the Beach’ Lilac Shawl), plan to crochet two of the ‘Cosy Cuddle’ baby blankets and have a renewed interest in the ‘Flirty Fans’ vest top (although, personally, I think it works out quite expensive).
I’m loving the way the shawl is worked, although there are loads of ends to weave in.
It’s made up of motifs but is unusual because you join them together as you go, which means no sewing up but lots of sewing in!
Because I’m making the medium size, my shawl will be made up of 105 motifs!
Since each one only takes about 10 minutes to crochet (yes, I’ve timed myself), it shouldn’t take too long
Here’s progress so far…
50 down, 55 to go!
This is definitely a project that will benefit from proper blocking!
I was also really excited to actually use the recommended yarn for a change. It’s made from Sirdar’s Simply Recycled Aran but I’m using the darker dusk (colour 32) instead of the chamomile (which is no longer listed on the website so perhaps unavailable)
The only problem so far is that I’m going to need an extra ball… Thankfully the shop had plenty of this dye lot so I think I’ll be ok.
The blankets are gifts for a friend who has a young daughter and a bump on the way. It’s still early days so they’re not urgent yet.
Apart from all that, the Cricket Jumper is still nowhere near completion (I still haven’t finished the back!) but the weather’s a little too nice to need it
I’ve bought yarn to make a blanket for Steven and I which I’m really excited about but, again, it will mean a lot of ends to weave in
The designing is still going well. I’ve designed and made a little toy based on a TV ad but I;m not sure about copyright so I’m waiting to hear back from them before publishing
The book idea is still in the pipeline but the designing slowed a little while I searched for a solution to a problem (hopefully all sorted now!)
One big problem I’m having is that my new job leaves me too little time to craft!
I just finished my second week and I was so tired last week, I didn’t do a stitch of anything for days
But, all in all, things are good and I’m actually thinking about designing a cardi to commemorate my time there – something inspired by the environment (sea, cliffs and plenty of flora and fauna!)
We’ll see…
Vix Knits... and crochets and sews... 