Oh well, I missed the whole of May in blogging terms - too much going on! As per usual though I resorted to knitting projects for some relaxation, always works for me :)
Most recently however I've returned to crochet for instant crafty gratification - I purchased some Garnstudio Drops yarn a little while back. It was cheap enough to enable me to buy a few colours to work with for under a tenner! I use light aran/worsted weight wool to make granny squares these days as I use Leonie Morgan's book: 100 Bright and colourful squares - lovely selection of designs. They crochet up to 6 inch squares (well 5.75 with my tension!) really nicely. I've been using a 5.5 mm hook.
I've learned my lesson and found that I DO find that using yarn with a good wool content helps to block the squares to a nice uniform shape and size.
I'm using a palette of six colours and just making an odd square until the yarn runs out! No plans really just a bit of granny square practice over the Summer - when I'm done I'll decide what to do with them :)
Upper top left one should be a hexagon within a square but my stitch count was off so it looks a little skew whiff/wonky! Never mind, it blocked nicely into a square anyway :)
I love the top square with the large petal flower and have used this pattern a few times. The one below it with a flower within a traditional granny square is fun to do now that I've got the hang of it!
Crochet is such a lovely relaxing hobby - so easy to pick up and make something satisfying in an hour or so :) I do like the idea of just collecting a few squares in different patterns and using them to make something creative or other - it's a very flexible and a portable project to have on the go.
During May I completed another Echo Flowers lace shawl - I think I made my first one about 3 or 4 years ago. It's a beautiful pattern by Jenny Johnson Johnen.
This is it on the washing line after blocking - as you can see we've had some fabulous weather recently!
It's a lovely lime green colour - I'm waiting for a suitable posh occasion to wear it :) I might be waiting some time!!
I've been trying to get back to making some items for sale, but things keep getting in the way! Soon I hope though :) My Etsy shop is very quiet as I haven't had the time to do all the social media required to make online sales - I prefer to be creative than spend too much time on my notebook. It's a balance though I suppose :)
Life is a little quieter and settled at the moment so I'm looking forward to getting back into the groove as they say!
Bye for now
Alison x
