Ripple

Last year I managed to cross something off my bucket list, I finally taught myself to crochet!  I started off with a cowl and then a granny stripe blanket and then I started to feel a bit more ambitious and want to do a ripple blanket.

I found a great tutorial on the Attic24 blog and away I went:

I did a practise piece, something an impatient person like me never does but I really wanted to get it right.

And then I was off with this lovely pink, white and purple colour combination.

And it just kept growing.  It's a lovely relaxing pattern and I just keep hooking away while I was watching TV in the evenings until:

It was the perfect size.

And I can't tell you how soft it is, perfect for this little lady:

I was told that Alice loved her blanket and then I got to see for myself:

She loves to snuggle her face into it :)

I really enjoyed making it and I know I'll do another one but at the moment I'm wondering what to try next.

Thanks for stopping by
Jo xx

Another Hobby

Well I've started another hobby, it's one I've wanted to do for years but I've never managed to conquer. Finally, fingers crossed, I've got the hang of it. What is this new hobby of mine? Crochet!

When I was a small girl my aunt used to crochet dresses and cardigans for me. I used to watch her fingers flying like shuttles hooking the wool and I was fascinated.

Years later I asked her to teach me and, bless her, she tried. She showed me how to make doilies but mine always ended up looking like bowls! My tension was to tight and I couldn't really work out where to do the stitches. I think the problem was I wanted to be as fast as she was, trying to run before I could walk.

Since then, every few years, I've gone out and bought a hook and some wool thinking I'd be able to master this craft. I never could and just ended up with quite a collection of hooks!

Last year I turned up at my aunt's and asked her to show me again. She looked at the wool, then looked at the hook, then looked at me and laughed. "I've forgotten how to do it" she said! My chance had gone, the master of crochet had lost her skills.

I'm not a quitter though, I knew I'd learn one day, then I saw this post on Katherine's blog. Time to buy another hook and some more wool and try, try, try again!

This time, though, it clicked! I was crocheting, slowly at first but speeding up the more I did it. I started on the Wednesday and by Friday I had made this:


I had managed to crochet something I could wear, something I was proud to wear:


Now I'm just a little bit addicted. So I've made one cowl, I've nearly finished another and I want to do a Granny Stripe blanket. I've done a practice piece for the blanket:


Just needs a little more practice. But…I finally feel I've cracked the art of crochet.

Now that's something crossed off my bucket so what next? :)

I hope you're having a good week.

Thanks for stopping by
Jo xx