Simple pleasures . . .

I've been passing this patch of wildflowers on my way out to the moor track for the last week or so - it looks really pretty in a chaotic way :)  It was a bit blustery the day I took this pic but it's still lovely . . .

And a close up of the most perfect daisy . . .

We've had beautiful weather this week, but I did manage to finish the crochet bag last weekend - it was a race to see how it would turn out . . .

Just perfect to hold a couple of library books!  I'm really delighted with this pattern - so simple :)  I made the handles a lot longer than the original pattern required - 100 chain instead of 40 chain!  I wanted to use it as a shoulder bag though and did 3 rows of double crochet so that the straps weren't too thin.  I made the straps separately and just double cocheted them onto each side of the bag.

We're off to the Heb Celt festival today - it looks a little overcast, but I'm sure it will be fine :)   If the heavens really open I can always christen my new flowery wellies, hehe . . .

Bye for now!
Alison x

Crochet Bag Project

I was quite exhausted last weekend after my craft fair so I needed some 'me-time' - this lovely pattern for a crochet string bag in my 'Granny Chic' book really appealed to me, so I had to have a go . . . 

The instructions are really quite sparse and simple which seemed great for a nice but mindless piece of crocheting!  You basically make a circle using treble crochet, increasing the piece as explained in the book until the circle measures about 15 cm in diameter . . . .

Slowly I was getting there (looks a little like a UFO!) . . . 

I actually made it a little too large at 17 cm and ending up ripping back a row to get the stated 15 cm.  This piece forms the base of the bag, so far so good :)  After making the base, you create a series of chains and double crochet to make the mesh sides.  It looks a little like a doily at first but it will grow upwards eventually! 

This is where I'm at with it today - looking forward to showing you my finished mesh/string bag soon - hopefully!  There are lots of free patterns on Ravelry for string bags too BTW - I've looked!

Have a lovely weekend :)

Alison x

P.S. Our weather has been FABULOUS here this week so I've been outside enjoying it!  Not even a picture to prove it - but it has been lovely, honest  - that's why I haven't been here :) :)  Notes on the craft fair later - got to crochet first, hehe!

Collections . . .

I'm trying to tie up a couple of posts in one here, hence the title 'collections'!

A collection of blue sheep across the road . . .

Didn't they pose nicely for me, hehe!

A collection of crochet flowers - June was such a busy, stressful month, this was as creative as it got - just some nice relaxing crochet . . .

I found a nice pattern for gerberas in a magazine - they should have had a second round of petals - but could I figure that part out!!!!

A collection of spices - my youngest getting ready to cook a meal.  He's only twelve - a chef in the making! . . .

I love how he used the spoons to organise his cooking - ingenious :)  Loving the colours of the spices . . .

I've just finished some new pieces for a craft fair on Saturday - but I'll leave that for my next post!  This fair has crept up quite quickly but I don't like to turn the offer down, there's a stall with my name on it, hehe!

See you next week with my craft fair report (and some pics of the new 'makes')
Alison xx