Times are changing!

You might have noticed my recent cheeky name change. After much deliberation about what I want to do with my increasing interest in crochet, I've decided to take a bit more of a proactive interest in sharing my projects on this blog. Hopefully I can inspire some peeps and encourage more of us young bloods to take up hooking ;) Being a hooker is FUN.

Since my last post, which was quiteeeee some time ago, I've finished some quite large and some special smaller projects.

African Flower Baby Blanket

Made with love for one of my best friends who is due with her first next month (gender unknown). Although I'd really hate to count how many hours I actually spent making this one, I really, really enjoyed it - it was particularly special. Barbara Smith's beautiful African Flower Square Tutorial was my starting point - head here if you want to create your own.

Finished Product getting blocked

Hunted around everywhere for a cheap version of these kids puzzle squares - Kmart is your go-to!

Construction. Unwelcome helper, Miss Z.

What happens when you don't sew in your ends as you go. Left with a tangly nightmare. 

Can't remember what wool I used for this off the top of my head...oops.

Lalylala Amigarumi Toys (see http://www.lalylala.com/)

I've made quite a few of the funky cute Lalylala toys now - once you've done one, the rest seem to happen quite easily! Having a stitch marker is my biggest tip for anyone who want to create amigarumi toys and the like. I can't believe I did my first Lalylala toy without a stitch marker....I'm surprised it's bottom didn't end up around it's head.....

Meet Fibi the Fox!

I find these toys excellent gifts for friends' kids- girls and boys alike. I've recently finished another of the Lalylala toys but as I haven't yet gifted it...it can't yet be revealed! It's pretty cute....

Yoga (or "shopping") bag

After getting annoyed about having to take all my "stuff" to yoga without a bag (being my towel, water bottle, keys, wallet....those essentials), I decided to make myself something for a change.

Present for self

There's sooo many crochet bag patterns around, but I really liked this striped Textured Mesh Tote Bag - you can buy the pattern here. Couldn't get the colours for the bag I wanted, but what I did get I ended up quite happy with. I used Lily Sugar & Cream wool - it's brilliant for this type of thing (I'd probably find it too stiff for making much else than bags, bowls etc.).

Hopefully my next post won't be too far off - I've got a lot of projects on the go and about to start a new one tonight...perhaps a preview blog of the yarn I bought today might be in order...

Till then....be a hooker but don't judge me.

There's just not enough

...hours in the day! Sometimes I wish I could quit my job and spend all day crocheting. Maybe not a great idea though.

There's also just not enough room on my coffee table for all my current projects. Oops. At the moment, I have countless projects on the go. Being placed on the coffee table though means that I really am trying to finish something!

This week I started making the "Valerie" top which is in the Debbie Bliss "Simply Crochet" book. I've already made the "Darcey" dress from this book which was the first dress I'd ever made...I was thrilled with how it came out.

Darcey dress from Debbie Bliss "Simply Crochet"

 

A terrible selfie of me wearing the Darcey dress. Was stoked with how it came out.

I've chosen different colours for the Valerie top - I've gone with the main colour as navy primary colour and cream trim for this one - same wool as the pattern requires though (Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino). So soft, so I imagine it's going to be pretty nice to wear.

Valerie top from Debbie Bliss "Simply Crochet". My WIP.

Also on my coffee table is the project that feels like it never ends....namely the blanket I'm supposed to be making for my lounge. It's another Attic 24 Neat Ripple pattern...I love it, so easy. This is what I've done so far.

I'm using Biggan Design DK Merino wool in black and natural - from http://www.tangledyarns.com.au/catalog/. Beautiful and soft, but pretty exy wool...which means it'll probably cost me a fortune to make...but I figure it's a bit nicer than just buying a throw...?!

I'm really excited to finally be able to share with you the Lalylala Lupo the Lamb I made for one of my friends, Christina, who is expecting a bub in 5 weeks time!

Gorgeous Christina kindly agreed to be on my blog with her Lupo - yay!!!

Lupo the Lamb

I first discovered the Lalylala patterns when I went to my first crochet class at Threads and More here in Brisbane (sadly they've now closed down). One of the teachers had this awesome, cute little amigarumi dragon she'd made. At the time, I remember saying to her I'd never, ever be good enough to make something like that. She insisted that with practice, I would. And here I am...I've now made 4 of the Lalylala dolls...and I think another one might be on the cards soon. They're super gorgeous with their big round bobble heads, and the patterns are easy to follow. You can buy the patterns here: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/lalylala.

Hopefully my next blog update will mean I've actually finished more projects...here's hoping haha!

An introduction

Hello fellow crochet lovers.

I've started this blog not only to share my love of crochet, but also to try and motivate myself to complete my numerous crochet projects - I'm hoping that having to post photos and updates will keep me going! I'm not sure if you are the same, but I find about 1/4-1/2 way through a project, I get a little distracted by something else and end up not finishing. The only things I seem to finish are projects for other people - like baby blankets.

So to begin, I thought I'd make a list of just a couple of things I am working on at the moment, as well as sharing a few recent completions. Over the next few weeks and months, I'll add to this list and share some of the things I've completed in the past. 

Some new projects (not all...I have heaps!!):

Excitedly awaiting the arrival of my Bohemian Rhapsody Wrap. Saw this on the Yarn Glorious Yarn Facebook page (for Brisbane peeps, here's the link: http://www.yarngloriousyarn.com.au/) and had to get the kit immediately.

Bohemian Rhapsody Wrap.
Pic courtesy: Renaissance Dyeing (http://www.renaissancedyeing.com/en/products/bohemian-rhapsody/)

Last night, I also started making another of the insanely cute Lalylala dolls. I remember when I took my first crochet class here in Brisbane, one of the lovely ladies who was teaching had brought along Dirk the Dragon. I had never seen something so so cute. I told her that I never thought I'd ever be good enough to make one of them, and she fiercely insisted that one day I would. Low and behold, only a couple of months after making my first granny square, I made a Bina Bear. I made two of them as well.

After giving amigarumi a rest for a quite a while, I was feeling motivated to do another of Lalylala's dolls. 

Last night, I started Lupo the Lamb. This is my progress so far - it took me about 90 minutes but I am definitely better at counting stitches now than when I did my first Bina Bear. Having a stitch marker makes a huuuuuuge difference. 

This is what the final result will (hopefully) look like:

Lalylala's Lupo the Lamb
Pic courtesy: Lalylala (https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/lalylala)

I tried to post a progress shot, but I'm pretty bad at this blogging thing and it came out the wrong way around! I will get the hang of it eventually. 

Some completed projects (seems my WIP is far greater than my completed list):

I'll continue in each blog post to add some of the projects that I've completed. I particularly love doing baby projects, as there's nothing more awesome than gifting something handmade to a newborn. It's SO worth all the time and effort.

Here's a blanket I made for one of my best friends (sorry, I didn't make the card - it is incredible though!):

Large granny square baby blanket - Ashley Gordon

Large granny square baby blanket - Ashley Gordon

Large granny square baby blanket - Ashley Gordon

I used a beautiful soft wool which I ordered all the way from the US to here in Australia. I'll try update some of my posts in the future so that I include links to patterns where I can as well as the yarn I used. 

My friend also referred to her bun in the oven as "Bunny", so as a welcoming gift, I made a small amigarumi bunny. This now sits in her little Bunny's cot. I'll post a pic of this another time.