Chunky Flower Garland

Following from my previous post, here is the first of my chunky garlands, hot of the hook.  It looks really lovely hanging up in my living room.  Imagine a whole swathe of them decorating a gazebo or fence, or strung through trees to decorate a summer garden party or BBQ.  And of course, a perfect accessory for a little girl's bedroom.

Flowers

Inspired by yesterday's success with the flower garland, I've been playing around with the concept, and have been making extreme (in other words large!) flowers.

I think the large chunky ones may really appeal to children, and would make great outdoor bunting.

Next stop chunky stars and hearts!

Flower Garland

Earlier this week I discovered Sarahndipities, and in particular, a very simple pattern for a flower garland.

Here's my version, which didn't take very long at all - it looks perfect on the wall above my work desk, along with the jumble of treasured photos and hand-made gifts from my boys!

Vintage Floral Afghan - finished at last!

Last night I finally put the finishing touches to the black floral afghan.  It's a special present for my best friend, but I'm sorely tempted to keep it!  She requested a black blanket, so it wouldn't show up red wine spillages....poor blanket!

arty shot

full frontal

one corner

a different corner

Almost there!

Remember ages ago when I started a black floral blanket for my best friend?  Well, it's finally almost, nearly but not quite....finished!  It's taken much longer than anticipated because the yarn shop ran out of black wool for a few weeks....

I can't wait to show the finished product because I think it's going to look totally gorge....here's a little taster

My first bag

This bag took only about 3 days from start to finish, doing bits here and there, so it was a nice quick project, and  quite easy too!

It's made with Stylecraft chunky yarn, on size 5 hook and is mainly treble crochet.  I wasn't sure whether it would stretch once it was full of items, but as you can see, even with a loaf of bread and a few tins in, it holds its shape really well.

If you want to have a go, then here is the pattern I used: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80803AD.html?noImages=  (it's a US pattern, so for double crochet, read treble crochet)

Empty

Full!

Cheesy picture - imagine I've just arrived home from the market!

Bags of fun!

I popped down to the yarn shop earlier this week and came home with a whole new stash of Stylecraft chunky acrylic wool and little idea of what I was going to do with it!  The colours I'd chosen were denim blue and a light beige.  I did consider making another colour burst afghan with the denim as the main colour, but didn't feel too inspired by that.

So....I had a little scoot round the Lion Brand pattern finder and decided to try my hand at making a bag!  I'm about 2/3 of the way through it, and will so been starting on the handles.  I have no idea in reality how big this bag will end up, and whether it will even be practical, but it's been quite quick to make so far, and easy enough for a first attempt.  I can't wait to finish it and see the finished product, but here's a picture of it in its present state...

April Blanket

The granny squares below have finally been joined and bordered and have resulted in my most favourite blanket to date.  I wasn't sure at first if the colours would go together as I envisioned, but I think they look bee-ootiful!

I finished it off in the garden this afternoon in the lovely April sunshine.  It's turned very cloudy and cold now though, so we've all retreated indoors, and April Blanket has found it's rightful place on my comfiest chair.

Now.....what to make next?

Many people have asked me for the pattern for this afghan, so here's a link to Michael Sellick's online tutorial - it's in 4 or 5 parts in total.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd6H3k91QYE

Happiness is....

....a fresh stack of granny squares!