Feeling loopy

Today I started writing the basic crochet stitch instructions - there's a total of seven stitches for now, but I've just returned from Hobbycraft (I was very good and just browsed longingly through the very expensive wool section!), and there I spotted a book with 100 crochet stitches!  One hundred!  I couldn't imagine there could be that many - I think after describing all of those, I'd be positively loopy!

Anyway, the stitches I have are the main basic ones, so will serve very nicely for reference purposes...for now!

Crochet Traditional Granny Square

This is THE best video tutorial I've been able to find on crocheting a traditional granny square.    I'll be using this method for my next project...once I've finished this seemingly endless baby blanket, of course!

Crocheted Party Bags

When I'm not grappling with a crochet hook, I earn a living selling children's party bags.  I've been a work-at-home mum for almost six years now, and I've seen many other mums like me turn their hobbies into businesses - be they card makers, candle or soap makers, jewellery makers or very nifty with a sewing machine.

Inspired by these clever women, I suddenly wondered if my hobby could become part of my business....and so I invented the crocheted party bag!  Quite simply, it consists of 2 granny squares joined together, with a thick crocheted chain handle.

The end result looks fabulous (I think!) but would be a nightmare to produce - the amount of time it would take would mean a very unrealistic selling price, but the bag itself, I quite like!  What do you think?

Project Baby Blanket

During a New Year's Day cuppa with our neighbour, I somehow found myself agreeing to make a baby blanket for his new grandson.

As this is my first "commission", I've found it quite difficult to decide on a colour scheme, chopping and changing as I go.  I think, however, that I've finally found the right combination.  The background colour will be my favourite - red - and the granny squares will be a random mix of different, bright colours.  Now all I have to do is get it finished, and hope they like it!

An Afghan Blanket

I'm really pleased with this Afghan blanket.  It's the first big project I've done, although following my trend, it's not quite finished.  I realised when attaching the last few squares that I'd messed up on one of them, and until I get more yarn, it's going to have to stay unfinished.  That's not to say it's not been used!  It's already taken up residence on our sofa, and my son Adam has suggested I make it twice the size so it can fit more of us underneath it....

If you want to see how it's done properly, it's another of Mikey's from the Crochet Crowd, and you can see the tutorials here.

A crocheted scarf

Just before Christmas, Michael at The Crochet Crowd posted a pattern for a one-hour scarf made from reclaimed wool as his "pattern of the day".

The original pattern can be found here, at Laughing Purple Goldfish Designs.

Well, I had to have a go myself - I mean, one hour?  Was it really possible?  The answer to that was a decided "no", but then I'm not the fastest speed-crocheter, and I did make it longer than the original pattern, but it was definitely done within 2 hours.  I made two for myself, and then splashed out on some extra special yarn to make 2 Christmas presents for friends.  Here's one of them below:

I have to say, the pattern was very easy, so well worth giving it a go.

My first granny squares!

About this time last year a friend sent me a link to a blog called Attic 24.  It's well worth a visit if you like crochet or crafts of any kind.  Even if you don't, have a look anyway because it's a beautifully written blog full of stunning photography and engaging posts.

I was immediately drawn to a step-by-step tutorial of  how to crochet lovely summer garden flower squares.  The instructions were so well written that even a novice like me could follow them, and after a few weeks I ended up with my very first blanket (pictured).

Well, I say "ended up"...it's not actually finished yet. I have to finish the edging at some point.  I feel this may be a recurring theme to most of my crochet as both my blankets require "some finishing"...