Finishing the Unfinished

Earlier this year I resolved to finish projects as I have a track record of starting lots of projects but not finishing too many. Its a big ask of someone like me who has more ideas than time...

Yesterday I dug out a blanket I started crocheting some time ago- I don't even know when- but fortunately I had some wool left and so I decided it had to be done. The only problem was that I hadn't left a crochet hook with it and I couldn't remember what size hook I'd used. I tried a 6mm but the stitches looked too big compared to the row that was already started. So I unpicked it and used a 5mm hook, this time the stitches seemed the same size so I carried on for three rows to finish the pattern repeat. I then held the blanket up to decide how to finish it. This is when I noticed that the blanket was not so much a rectangle as a trapezium. It was several inches wider at one end than the other...

...clearly I had ended with a smaller hook than I started. Aaaaarhhhh!!!!

So what did I do... well I couldn't face going back and unpicking a large amount. It was more than the three rows I did yesterday. I must have been inconsistent with my hook size more than once during the crochet. So I have left it!!!

I finished with a row of double crochet (UK) around the edge and am now sat under it- it is a thick yarn with a dense stitch and so is quite warm and it is a little cooler  today than the last few days.

I don't think anyone will notice it is not even unless they fold it in half so long as I keep quiet...

Anyway, until next time

Gillian

Apology Time

I'm sorry I haven't posted much recently. Life has got in the way!!! Again!!!

The latest thing is that I have been to the doctor about my earache and, after three weeks and two courses of antibiotics, she now believes I have something like glue ear. She is linking it to my hayfever and blocked sinus's causing sticky fluid to accumulate in my ear. Yuk!!! The result is aching pain, loss of some hearing, pain from loud noises and a completely scrambled brain- I can't seem to think straight!

So please bear with me- I'm trying to keep going but I am tired out and not able to keep up with everything. Hopefully this will pass in a few days/weeks...

... let's hope it is sooner rather than later!

So until next time
Gillian

Kindle

I've got a Kindle from Amazon this week- wow it's brilliant, so good I persuaded John to get one too and we are ordering one each for our oldest two boys who are both finishing a month of exams at school and college.

The best bit is that we can have a choice of books at any time without carrying loads with us and we can all read the same book at the same time. The downside is that it all has to be registered to my account (and hence gets billed to me if anyone downloads a book). I suppose it's not too bad as John and I have always shared a bank account from almost as soon as we started living together, but I wish we could all have separate accounts and share the book downloads in the same way we do if I buy a paper copy of a book.

I'm also shocked that although paper books are not taxed in the UK, ebooks are subject to VAT (value added tax) at 20%- how is that fair?  I don't like being political, but that is unlikely to change under the current Conservative Government, no matter how ridiculously unfair. I really think this is crazy, especially as you could make a case for e books to be more environmentally friendly that making and transporting paper books!!! (I know there are environmental costs of producing e books too but these are lower).

Oh well rant over. I do love my Kindle already- it's really brilliant!!

So until next time
Gillian

Freeform and Tunisian Crochet

It's been quite a week for me, so sorry blogging has not happened for a few days. I've had to interview for the jobs I currently do, apparently this is the current trend in the UK when work hours have to be reduced- it's a horrible process causing enormous stress and I can honestly say this has been the most stressful week I've had in this job. Additionally we've had a Fair Trade week at school cumulating in a Fair Trade type sale of products made by the kids on Thursday; plus one friend left work  after 19 years there and another had a baby on Friday- that made it quite a week!!!


This week I did do a little internet shopping and bought a book on Freeform Crochet, basically it seems that anything goes when it comes to making things this way. There is no pattern, you just make small motifs or patches and crochet or sew them together to make a pleasing result. It gives unique results and can be used to make one of a kind items of clothing or bags for example. For me it appeals as I sometimes just want to play around and not worry about making something specific. Sometimes I really do not feel like following patterns!!!


This is my starting point. It's just a simple spiral but I'm going to add to it... More will follow in the coming weeks.


I think it will help me learn new techniques, and as I can also incorporate knitted pieces, I could also practise new stitches. It will also allow me to play with colour and texture as both are important to add interest in freeform crochet.


My first freeform is going to be mostly white, though I may add some light pastel elements. I'm thinking of also embroidering the crochet too. Maybe using funky fibres/threads with texture for interest.

Today we've been out shopping in Truro and I visited my favourite wool shop. As well as some lovely wool I bought some large diameter crochet hooks (my plans for them will be revealed another time) and a Tunisian crochet hook. This is really a hook with a long handle the size of a knitting needle. It's basically worked so one row is worked onto the needle whilst the next works off the stitches off the needle.






I've never done it before so this is my first little swatch. I like the result and think it is going to actually fit in with the Freeform crochet.


I'm going to enjoy the relaxation of not worrying about gauge/tension, it is like playing with wool to make little swatches and patterns. It's also very portable which makes it quite handy to carry a crochet hook and small ball of wool in my handbag for when I have a quiet moment when I'm out...


I'll post more photos as my freeform grows...


Until next time
Gillian

Skimming Stones

One of Sean's favourite things to do at the beach is to skim stones. At Charlestown there were plenty of stones and he had a wonderful time.

At one stage, as the tide came in, Sean had the beach to himself...

He had a wonderful time on the beach!


Until next time
Gillian

Why I don't like cliff top walks!!!

We saw this sign on the coast path above Charlestown. It sums up one of my main worries about cliff top coast paths. (The other is falling off!!!)

Until next time
Gillian

Favourite Photos

These were the best photos I've taken in a long time. I think photos with stormy skies stand out as super dramatic and we had very stormy skies! We were lucky it didn't rain...

(None of these photos have been edited)


Until next time
Gillian

My Family

 I wanted to share some gorgeous family photos I took today at Charlestown, Cornwall. Sean, John and I went there to go geocaching and more on our day there can be found at Adventures in Geoland http://adventuresingeoland.blogspot.com/2011/06/charlestown.html .

Sean on a sea wall

Sean

John and Sean

John 

Sean and John

Me (Gillian)

Until next time

Gillian

Colour matching

I have a pencil case that I love. The colours are fabulous together. Maybe a little unconventional but they go together.











I'm not sure what I'm going to make, but I have the wool ready.

Maybe a doll with pink/green outfits... maybe an amigurumi...

I'll be going through my patterns later.







Until next time
Gillian

Amigurumi dogs

I have a lovely book I bought a few months ago called Ami Ami Dogs by Mitsuki Hoshi. I noticed it again yesterday and it just seems to be calling to me. I think I'm just going to have to make a dog as well as the ongoing knitted dolls. It's crochet so I find that easier and more portable, so I can do it anywhere even when travelling...







I particularly love the look of the sweet little Beagles...

Aren't they cute?

This book is brilliant-  the patterns are shown using the Japanese chart style but one whole dog pattern is shown using step by step pictures and written explanation so it is all well explained. Personally I think that once you try the chart style patterns you realise they are easier to follow.


I'm off now to look for suitable coloured wool...

Until next time
Gillian

Just got to do the stitch up!

I have finished knitting my next doll, I just have to sew up the seams and stitch on the limbs, hands and feet. I found this all pretty quick to knit this time, as I'm getting the hang of how to hold the needles and keep count. 

Next it's on to the hair, this involves doing loop stitch which I'm very slow at. I'm also using a textured wool that is also a bit thinner than double knitting wool, so I'm trying my luck a bit, but hopefully it will work.

I'm still making the petal dress in sea colours- I'm enjoying this as it is shaping up nicely.

I'm also finding that knitting is really relaxing, perfect for de-stressing at the end of the day...

Until next time

Gillian

Flowers from my garden

When we came home yesterday I noticed how our front garden has flourished with our tender neglect.  It develops a wild country cottage feel. When we try to maintain it, it never looks as lovely (- that's not to say it wouldn't look better with the grass cut however- but we'd rather be out and about than gardening).

Nature's beauty shines through and dazzles again!


Until next time
Gillian