Look what I won!

Yesterday was full of exciting post - my supplies for my next big school felt project next week, Moy Mackays most recent felt book and a surprise! 

I won a competition! Squeal!

5 Clover Amour hooks from Inside Crochet Magazine in sizes 6.5mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm and 10mm. I had a quick look on Wool Warehouse and together they would cost over £30 to buy. 

I've fad a quick play with one and they feel pretty good - I'll test them out properly and let you know how I get on. 

My first sweater!

I have finally done it!  I have crocheted my first sweater.  I actually finished it in January but life has gotten in the way and so I'm only blogging about it now (sorry!)



My finished sweater!

 The pattern I used is the Lace Sweater pattern by Victoria Brown featured in issue 26 of Inside Crochet (check out their blog here with a much better photo of the sweater than I took!)  It was worked from the bottom up with the body made in 1 piece and the sleeves made separatley. The sleeves were then attached to the body and then the yoke and neck of the sweater worked last.  The cuffs, bottom and neck used a lovely raised treble stitch with the body and arms worked in a 7 row repeat lace pattern.  Once I got into the lace pattern, it was very simple to complete.

Close up of the lace pattern

I used some yarn that I had in my stash, Sirdar Country style.  This is a wool acrylic blend which I bought from Abakhan at a bargain price of £12.95 for 12 balls!  It took approximatley 8 balls to make (I made the largest size).  The yarn is a lovely purple colour which washes well!! 

Once complete, the pattern says to steam block it - new for me!  I used a steam iron and the way the yarn changed was very exciting.  

I have worn my sweater a couple of times and it has been admired by many people.  All in all, I really enjoyed crocheting it and am looking forward to tackling my next sweater pattern.   

Keep calm and drink tea!

Photo courtesy of nicasaurusrex on Flickr

There is nothing better than a good cup of tea.  In fact, we Brits are well known for drinking copius amounts of the stuff.  The first thing we do when someone visits is to put the kettle on and 'brew up', making everyone a nice, refreshing cup of tea (and if you're lucky, there is often a scrummy biscuit to go with it!)  Even when faced with a crisis, there is always someone on hand to offer you a cup of tea because, quite frankly, a cup of tea solves everything!

As you are probably already aware, last week we witnessed some of the most appauling behaviour from a minority (and I emphasise that it was a minority) of citizens, as they rioted, looted and quite frankly made a right show of themselves, across the country.  In the face of adversity, there were, as only we could have in Britain, people on hand to offer our police officers a good cup of tea (all be it served on the back of a riot shield) to show their support for the very difficult job they had to do.

On Facebook, a group was started to encourage us all to calm down and drink a cup of tea. 

So, this brings me onto my crafting.  In the most recent issue of Inside Crochet there was a pattern for a magnificent tea cosy designed by the amazing Aoibhe Ni (I adore her patterns).  It was unusual, funky and quirky and so I knew I had to make it.  I raided my stash and found the perfect wool, as it needed to be one that would felt, and set about to make the tea cosy.  It had it's outing at the Stitch 'n' Bitch I hosted with my friends (my Mum, Jo and Jan) last Friday, and was admired by all. 

Inspired by making this tea cosy, I decided to have a go at desigining and making one of my own, and this is what I came up with;

It reminds me of a swimming cap from the Seventies!