It'll be crocheted this Christmas...

I think I may have got carried away with crocheting presents for people...

A throw for Mary

A tie in the Norwich colours for a colleague

A bright pink slouch beanie hat for a shy and retiring friend!

Crafting at Christmas

So, what to do with my new-found enthusiasm for crafting?  I know, I'll make Christmas cards!

Hmm, maybe not.  Just glueing everything from the kit onto the front of the card doesn't seem to be having the desired effect, although it is very sparkly.  I asked my friend Vicky and she said I have to plan my designs.  I'm not too keen on planning - I'm more of an impulsive creator.  Then I realised I hadn't put the lid on the glue properly and it had gone all over the rug.  Oh, I give up!

Crochet for charity!

I decided I needed some purpose to my crochet practice and a girl only needs so many scarves.  I tend to put together a few shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child but this year I decided to contact the Swindon co-ordinator and ask her if I could donate some crafted items to add to other boxes.  She was delighted!  So me and Mum set about making scarves and this is the little bundle I managed.

Granny Squares

Using trebles again I started making a Granny or Afghan Square and then decided to make one huge square to use as a throw on my sofa.  I find it really difficult to start the square despite my Mum showing me several times.  I managed one but it was very squiffy, I found quite a few useful videos on youtube including one where you make the inside circle by wrapping the chain round your finger.  I can't find the link now though so back to square one (geddit?!)

A shawl? Go on then!

I made this shawl with an awful lot of help from my Mum - she started it off and completed quite a few rows before handing it over to me.  I got quite quick in the end but I cannot honestly say I remember the pattern and would have to ask my Mum for help if I attempted this again!  Also, I had a horrible allergic reaction to the cheap synthetic yarn I used, it made me very itchy and I couldn't stop sneezing.  Oh well, it looked nice when it was finished!

My first real piece

Having mastered trebles (although still having difficulty with turning) I decided to embark on a small project.  A beautiful stripey scarf in my favourite colour.  Having tried to change yarn on my practice piece and become hopelessly tangled I decided to use rainbow or self striping yarn to introduce some variety.  I cannot remember how many times I had to unpick this because I had either increased or decreased making it very wobbly but I was proud of it by the end.

I made this pattern up but I think it was a foundation chain of 25 using a 4.5mm hook and was just trebles all the way.  The yarn was doubleknit 100g but I can't remember the brand - it may have been Robin Paintbox?!

Learning to crochet - a quick re-cap

Date:  Monday 31st May 2010

Place: My parents' living room

Five minutes after expressing an innocent interest in my Mum's current project I find myself well and truly tangled.  I have somehow managed to tie the yarn round a crochet hook, my finger, the zip on my top and the cat's tail.  I can't even make a foundation chain without creating huge knots and for some reason am struck with the giggles and can no longer see what I'm supposed to be doing.  My mum recounts the time she tried to teach me to knit when I was about 7 years old.  Twenty years on and I have not made much progress.

Date: Tuesday 1st June 2010

Place: A park in Bath

After recounting last night's escapades with crochet I now find myself sat on a park bench having just purchased some bright green yarn and my very first crochet hook (4.5mm).  

My mentor is showing me (for the fifth time) how to make a foundation chain and I seem to have the hang of it.  Whilst showing me how to do doubles and trebles she is also watching her 18 month old son chase pigeons, jump in puddles and scream with frustration as he is teething.  She periodically springs into action to stop him dashing out of the park, lift him up to look over a wall and on one occasion to breastfeed him but she always comes back to our bench to offer me encouragement.  She has the patience of Job.  Her son is slightly less impressed with my efforts but I decide not to take it personally.  He is not the only one close to tears by the end of the day but I am determined not to be beaten.   

Link to my lovely teacher's facebook page:  Crochet by Mai

I proudly take home my masterpiece to show my Mum.

A little bit of background...

Apparently Aquarians (such as yours truly) are the most creative of all the star signs, the symbol of the upturned water jug shows a constant stream of ideas and inspiration.

According to Chinese astrology I was born in the year of the Dog meaning that I enjoy creative outdoor pursuits.

Meyers Briggs has me down as 'Introverted Intuitive Feeling Judging' which means I am artistic and creative but not very good at dealing with the minutae of detailed tasks.

And numerology says I am a 7 but with a soul urge of 3 meaning that I often scatter my attention and accomplish very little and am a non-stop talker.

All of this may go someway towards explaining the many fleeting fads I indulge in and my inability to commit to anything - although I'm not sure about the non-stop talking...*whistles innocently*