New winter socks

When I started teaching myself to crochet last July, I never imagined I would be able to make socks.  But I can and I did.

As I was experimenting, I didn't want to use good quality yarn so I bought a 100g ball of acrylic yarn at the Reject Shop for $2.00, not quite using the whole ball.  The yarn is 8 ply and I used 4.0mm crochet hook.   The yarn isn't particularly soft but as an experiment, I am very pleased with the results. I found the pattern for the socks here.

I learnt how to crochet a rib effect for the upper part of the socks, how to make a heel (next time I'll increase the heel by a couple of rows) and shaping by decreasing stitches.

 I worked on the first sock over a period of three days as I wasn't really sure what I was doing.  The second sock took about 3 hours to make, not all at one sitting though.  Now that I can make a decent sock, I might just buy some lovely wool yarn to make a really comfy pair.  

Have a lovely day/evening,

Anne  xx

P.S.  If you are going to have a crack at making these socks, just to let you know that I started off with 40 chain instead of 30 as I wanted a longer sock.

Granny square cushion cover

Last year I started teaching myself to crochet and I'm totally addicted.  I started making some granny squares with the idea of making a cushion cover.  Well I've FINISHED!!!!!  Finally.  This is my TAH DAH moment.

Front view of cushion.
I didn't have enough matching buttons in either of these two colours in my stash so I decided to alternate them.








 Back view.
Incidentally, this sofa is actually has a cream cover so you can see my camera doesn't have the colours right for either the sofa or the cushion.  The colours of the cushion are more aquamarine, teal, aqua, deep steely blue and bright deep pink.  I made a cover from fleece material to cover the cushion insert so that the white wouldn't show through.

This cushion is destined for hubby's dark brown leather chair in the family room.  After the morning sun has gone, this is a very dark corner of the room and I think a bright cushion is just what his chair needs.
 

I am so proud of my cushion.  I've actually learnt how to crochet and made something that is FINISHED!  I was dancing around the family room last night literally hugging my cushion I was so happy.  Yes, it's sad, I know.  :)  I love this so much I've already started making granny squares to make a cushion cover for my bedroom in colours to match the bunting.  Hopefully it won't take me as long to finish this one.

Have a lovely day everyone.

Anne  xx

Crochet gone wrong

One of the nice things about getting older is that you don't tend to take yourself as seriously as when you were younger.  That's why I can laugh at my attempt to crochet a neck warmer.  I mean seriously, how hard can it be to crochet a neck warmer even for a novice?   Apparently quite difficult for me as this neck warmer had a mind of it's own.

Do you think it looks a bit like an elephant's trunk?  I do.  This was based very loosely on a pattern I found on the internet.  I made it wider and used a different stitch.  On the up side to a slight disaster, I've learnt how to make a crochet buttonhole based on a tutorial by Jacquie.  Thanks Jacquie.  I've also learnt I need to be patient (don't anyone hold their breath please) and perhaps not go out on a limb and do my own thing while I'm still learning to crochet.  Regardless of the shape of the neck warmer when it's laid out as above, when it's buttoned up you can't see too many of the imperfections.  :)

It's going to keep my neck warm come this winter when I go out on my early morning walks. 

 Two more positives here, I love the colour of the yarn and I used three buttons from my stash.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.  My thoughts are with the people of Japan as they endure and work through a very difficult time ahead.  Still also thinking of the people in Christchurch (earthquake) and Queensland (floods) as they rebuild their lives.  Take care everyone.

Anne  xx

Lost in Sp-tlig-t

How can a person get lost in Sp-tlig-t for 2 1/2 hours?  Easy peasy, I managed to do just that this morning.  I was lost in beautiful coloured wool and at $2.00 a ball, I snapped up these glorious colours below.  The larger balls were more expensive and acrylic but to buy actual wool wool and in pretty colours.  Sigh.  Oh the granny squares I'll be making! 

I've been so envious of the wool the lovely bloggers in the U.K. can get their hands on and now I have some of my own.  YIPPEE.  I had a latte and berry friand afterwards at a little cafe nearby to celebrate.  :)

O.k. back to planet earth now Anne.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Anne  xx

I've been tagged

New to the blogging world I was not aware of tagging until a few days ago.  It seems that Cheryl

at the lovely blog "Time to Craft" has indeed tagged me.  So here goes with answering the questions.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1.  If you could spend time with a historical figure, who would it be?

It would have to be Michelangelo.  I read a fictional book when I was 14 about his life and the time he was working on his famous sculpture of David. 

2.  What kitchen appliance could you not do without?

That would have to be the bread making machine.  I make bread in it everyday using wholemeal flour and yummy seeds.  My family just loves the bread.

3.  Is your heart in the town or the country?

Definitely the country.  I grew up on a farm and I miss the wide open spaces.  I'm especially sensitive to the fact that many people living in the city (not all), are totally ignorant to how and where their food is grown, and how incredibly hard people work to produce it.

4.  Your three favourite books.

"These old Shades" by Georgette Heyer.  This was the first adult book I read at age 14 and I just fell in love with reading all over again.  The next one would be the fictional book I read about Michelangelo when I was also 14.  Unfortunately I can't remember the title or the author although I have tried to looking for it.  Third favourite would be "Hidden Treasures" by Nora Roberts.  I just love the story and the characters.

5.  Favourite childhood place?

This is so easy to answer, the hay shed.  I use to climb up into the hay with a hessian sack to sit on, a good book and an apple and  would read for hours.  I'd usually be accompanied by a cat or two.  Our hay shed was not like a barn.  It had a roof and one wall made from corrugated iron, so three sides were open to the fresh air.

6.  Are you superstitious?

My first answer would be no, but then I remember I say "touch wood".  I don't know if that is considered being superstitious.

7.  Tea or coffee?

Both.  I love my tea and coffee.

8.  What is your favourite pudding?

My Grandma's trifle and bombe alaska.  Unfortunately my Grandma has passed away so I only have sweet lingering memories.

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Now I have to tag a few other people and think of some questions for you.  OK, here goes with the questions.

1.  What is your favourite hobby?

2.  Do you like to drink your tea or coffee out of a stoneware or fine china?

3.  Favourite holiday destination to date?

4.  Do you have a favourite specialist stop, i.e. bookstore, craft/wool shop, delicatessen (food) etc.

5.  What is your favourite flower?

6.  Your favourite item of clothing?

7.  Where do you like to swim, beach, swimming pool, river, or lake?

8.  What colour eyes do you have?

The people I've tagged are:

Danae at Nae Chic.  Danae makes the most beautiful bags.

Louise of Ramblings of a Roachling.  Louise loves walking in the countryside and takes the most gorgeous  photos to show us where she has been.

Aubrey from Rambling with Me.  Aubrey is an Aussie too and lives in the country on a farm.  I'm envious.  She is also Mum to Kate of "Greedy for Colour" fame.  Hi Aubrey.  :-)

Diana of "Creating Balance: My Rich Life".  Diana is such a sweetie and makes me think.

Chantal of "Chantal Vincent Art"  I recently discovered Chantal and she INSPIRES me.  Thank you Chantal for sharing your creative world with us.

Just because I've tagged you lovely ladies above doesn't mean you have to participate.  It does take time, but I would love to know a little more about you and I'd love other people to visit your blogs 'cos I love them!!!

Have a lovely day everyone.

Anne xx

First granny square attempt

This is my first attempt at crocheting basic granny squares using bits and pieces of wool I found in the cupboard. The wool is acrylic which I find a bit scratchy on the hook (it's very cheap wool) but o.k. for a beginners project. These are the colours in Miss C's bedroom and I was thinking of joining the squares together to make a throw. What do you think? Does anyone have any suggestions about the joining colour?  (Sorry about the quality of this photo, I'm still learning).

This is my second attempt using Lucy's summer garden granny square pattern which I love.  I could happily crochet all day long in these different pinks, blues and greens.  These squares plus a few more (well more than a few), will hopefully turn into a throw for my bedroom one of these days.

Learning to crochet is such FUN!!

Anne  :-)