Playing Hookey

I've been playing away.

These days it seems I have more and more obligatory sewing that must be done. And don't get me wrong, I still am madly truly deeply in love with sewing, but when it becomes work, work can sometimes be a chore and its nice to have a break from that.

So I taught myself to crochet. Again.

I had learnt to crochet right back in the days when Mollie Makes first came on the scene. I didn't however really get the hang of it and after making an apple cosy promptly forgot the bare grasp I had on the skill.

Then inspired on instagram by the likes of Bonnie from Pink Stitches I decided it was high time I picked up my hook again!

I started with a blanket, made from old balls of wool I had from before either of my children were born! It is a squircle granny square with a large spike stitch border (I used a tutorial for the border but I can't remember where from, sorry!)

I had hoped to make it bigger, but ran out of the white yarn. And in all honesty for a first blanket it was a good size to attempt, any larger and I would have lost interest. Crochet takes way longer than quilting, fact. The kids certainly love it and its always in use. 

Then I decided time for something for me

A lovely big squishy crochet shawl, using the Nordic Shawl pattern from My Rose Valley. I  love the simple style and the most fun was playing around with which colours to use.

Next, my local yarn shop, Social Fabric, asked if I would help them get a kit together for a granny square blanket. They gave me a lovely bundle of soft DK yarn and I set to work turning it into piles of granny squares for a shop sample.

Then, back to something for the children. I saw this amazing doll on Instagram and just had to track down where it came from and make one.

You can find the instructions for this doll over at Annaboos house in the cal. I adapted the pattern to have a slightly longer body and stripey tights. I am pleased to say coconut (as my children affectionately called her during her bald pre-hair period) is all finished. 

A second doll had been promised to my older daughter, but in the meantime I can be found making a batch of animal ear headbands, I've been asked for purple hippo ears and brown bears too!

WIP Wednesday

Just a quick post this evening to show you what has been keeping me out of mischief this week....

I am busy getting ready for the Exeter Vintage and Handmade Fair this Saturday which is being held at the Thistle Hotel. I have been sampling new lines and thought it would be a good place to trial them, here is one

I have also run up a matching Union Jack cushion, a notebook cover and have several more items on the list to make up before Saturday (guess who'll be living by the sewing machine for the next few days!)

No wanting to give myself an easy life I have also discovered I love to crochet and thought it would be ideal to revisit knitting at the same time. I always wanted to knit but its never come very naturally to me, here is a little project I have started

This is taken from the current issue of Handmade Living Magazine and is the first time I have tried increasing/decreasing and shaping. Its turned out rather better than I expected (having only knitted scarves previously!). I Just have to make the second one now to make the pair of mittens.

I am also teaching myself to crochet with help from books, YouTube and some very helpful friends. Here is a little of my practice

My first ever granny square and a crochet flower, I think I need a lot more practice! I have also started making a little baby play mat to practice my tension and colour changing techniques

Finally, I have been working on a promotional flyer for our really exciting new Christmas event, yes you did hear me correctly, its for Christmas! By now I should really have sampled my Christmas stock and had ideas sketched, made up and finalised. But the summer sun keeps me creating sunny tea party by the sea inspired pieces!

Anyone interested in having a stall at this event can email me at emilylevey@yahoo.co.uk