Magic Time

Once again, the time lapse of wool and hook. Making when you don't have time to make.

I have been making things since we moved: painting, unpacking, framing, organising, but all a little bit here, a little bit there. It was only after making these I felt I could share them. There is something about the wholeness of a completed item of crochet that I love. A beginning, a middle and an end.

Two hats for two of my favourite heads. Both a plain rib (after the foundation chain you stitch into the back loops only) and a pom pom. Made on a pom pom maker too thank you very much, no messing about with cut cereal box circles. 

The blue cowl (I see these called infinity scarves but, well I don't know about that) is spaced iris stitch. I have the pattern for this easy stitch in an old magazine, but I saw it here when I searched. In a lovely blue merino blend with glittery thread running through it.

The cat scarf I love. At least I love the end product, not the process. It was one of the most complex things I have made, possibly beaten only by the Yoda iPod cover I made for my nephew. Must remember to stop seeing beautiful complicated many-pieced things on Ravelry and then buying them. Piece after piece after endless piece. I'm really not that kind of crocheter.

But my little girl she loves cats, grey ones especially. There is something so funnily old-fashioned about this scarf, all the legs and the head flopping down like a fox draped around the shoulders of a old lady. Thinking about this made the lengthy making process bearable.

Then there was the embroidery, the buttons, the ears...frankly if she doesn't wear it I will. I got the pattern here and it's great, really clear but don't say I didn't warn you. Oh, I made the tail a lot thinner than it says.

I wrote about the magic, time-creating miracle of crochet a while ago here and hurray for it. 

Oh, and I started another blog which is really sensible seeing as I can barely cope with my laundry but it turns out I really love to take photographs and write about them. This one's all about my mum and the little stories she makes with some tiny penguins. Works better visually.

a wedding

A very modern wedding. I really love these deeply personal ceremonies: a bit of this tradition, a bit of that. 

A three-year-old boy walking down the aisle with his mum, whilst his dad and his big brother wait at the other end. A deconsecrated chapel housing a very inclusive, very civil - in every sense of the word - do.

I made dresses for my girls, using the Bella dress pattern. I added some elastic shirring at the waist and sleeves. For my older daughter, I used some fabric I had embroidered on a while back.

                     

For her sister I used Heather Ross' Princess and the Pea fabric which is completely beautiful, soft and light.

But, in many ways my proudest achievement that day was made not from fabric, but from loom bands (z?).

The bride and groom sent a piece of bunting out with every invitation, asking that all guests make...something. 

So this is what I did. As well as all the things that have happened in my life this year, as well as being the year of this special wedding; this year will always be the year of loom bands.

Guided by some of the kids at school I followed this tutorial and damn, it was complicated! Those looms were designed for fingers much smaller and younger than mine. I made a figurine for each member of the family. Just don't look too close.

I love this kind of challenge, but can see how troubling this is to the non-crafter. 

A fair few guests spoke in hushed tones about the deep stress they had had over the bunting, and really, couldn't they have just bought a set of serviettes instead? 

Blurry iphone photos as I (the DJ) was a bit blurry by this stage

They strung all the pieces up at the party, and don't they look beautiful? Steak knives wouldn't give you that. So personal and special, just like the day.

You Can Call Me Owl

I finished the cable owl tank top. Cabled owls and no pattern. This was boldly going to new frontiers in crochet for me. And I don't even watch Star Trek. I put the link to the tutorial I found helpful to make the crochet owls in my last post. 

Structurally speaking, a tank top is pretty simple. So when I couldn't find what I wanted, I decided to just go for it on my own. I looked at the pictures of this pattern for a bit of guidance on shaping. A train journey to Nottingham and some ribbing along the bottom and it was finished.

This experience has reinforced my belief in the tank top as a superior garment. What else keeps your vital organs warm, your hands free, and allows you to wear three owls on your chest, all whilst looking badass?? Nothing, that's what.

Owl odyssey

I fell down some rabbit holes recently looking at crochet owls on Pinterest. Who knew there were so many ways to crochet an owl? Not me. 

In the end I chose this one. Meant to be an iPhone cover but now my older daughter uses it as her, umm, make up bag. 

Then, I had a go at this one and I loved it, it's basically a granny square. Before I knew it I had finished a couple. Another surprise: it turns out owls are pretty quick to do. 

But the biggest achievement for me has been getting the hang of crocheting an owl in cable. There a lot of tutorials around for this, but they all defeated me. I finally found one that was (almost) easy to follow here. It took a practice run but I got it. I was too impatient to watch the video, just followed the pattern for the owl.

I am making a little tank top for them to roost on (do owls roost?) nicely dovetailing my belief in the tank top as the ultimate garment with my new skills.

Sensible cords

I made these cords for my little fella Nat. Deep red with an elasticated waist and leg cuffs, I bet they feel amazing. 

Sometimes I think one year olds have all the fun. All this and you get to eat cat food when no one's looking. Stairs are unbelievably exciting. Naps in the day. Drop your bunny and someone adoring will pick it up.

Nice and roomy for his big old nappy clad bum.

I got the pattern from the wonderful Minikrea brand that I wrote about here. I did the simple view and appliqued on some kneepads because this kid's knees are seeing some heavy work at the moment.

This were so painless to make that I am going to do more. Next up in this cotton lawn for the summer. 

 After that, perhaps in denim and then a mustard corduroy for the autumn. To be teamed with a smoking jacket and cane. Boy's fashion: it's a lot more fun than I thought it would be.

May the Force Be With You

Hi. I am still alive and making things. 

Here are two and they both feature Yoda. I feel like Yoda has been a counterpoint to my life, and I'm sure to yours too. My cousin had a little toy hand puppet Yoda and he liked to chew his ears as he fell asleep. He's a professor now.

Also belonging to my cousin was a black guinea pig called Yoda. My brother did (and still does) very good Yoda impressions. None of this is surprising from these children of the 70s and 80s, but now I see Yoda love in the next generation. I think this is all A Good Thing.

I have a 12 year old nephew and am never sure about crafting for him. Is it any way cool? I know I think so, but not sure how he feels. So, I ploughed on regardless and made him this Yoda iPhone cover. 

It was not so much complicated as lengthy: once you had finally finished the duffel coat there were the ears, and then the hood and then the eyes, and then... who knew such a little guy took so long?

out of focus photograph you have taken

I think Sam is pleased, at least he said thank you very nicely.

Then, I made this hat for my godson, another mini Jedi. I took the pattern again from Ravelry and it went like a dream. 

When I got to making it up, the ears were a bit floppy so, for the first time, I started a thread on a Ravelry forum. Within an hour I had about 15 replies and suggestions for making Yoda's ears, um, stiff... You hear a lot about online 'community' but this really felt lovely. I do love Ravelry very much.

Here is the hat modelled by one of my own. In the end I made a stuffed pair of ears out of felt (I had some in a matching green) and sewed them on by hand, thus anchoring the crocheted ears.

Happily, my little godson is too young to be troubled by thoughts of whether a crocheted Yoda hat made by his godmother is cool or not, he just lives for the moment and wears his hat with the joy of a 4 year old. Very Jedi.

Finally, huge thanks to Kate, author of one of my favourite blogs for a very kind (and undeserved since it's so shamefully long since I posted) shout out. Kate, thanks for kicking me up the behind. And thanks for writing such a beautiful and inspiring blog.

Scooter girl

I may have mentioned that I find dressmaking a bit of a teeth-gritting battle. But if the pattern is simple and quick I love it. 

Danish pattern company Minikrea has been a great discovery for me. I found out about them at Raystitch. I am so lucky to live a bus ride away from this beautiful shop.

I bought this fabric ages ago, perfect for my little scooting girl.

So much that is interesting and beautiful comes out of Denmark doesn't it? My friend Ane for one. The pattern was very simple, just two pieces sewn together. My kind of dressmaking. I've bought the trouser pattern too.

They design the garments so they can be dresses, tunics or tops. I am hoping, with a little alteration, this can be all three.

Every time she wears it she gets compliments. But every time she wears it, being three, she screams and protests. Sometimes I wonder why I bother.

From the same pattern I made it as a long sleeved blouse for her big sister. Another piece of Liberty tana lawn from the sales.

She is so elegant, this one. This does not come from me.

I can see this being made again and again. Maybe in chambray, or denim, or needlecord, or gingham...