How to Crochet Corners

Since we moved house two years ago I have thought that it would be A Good Thing to make blankets for all our beds. I'm not claiming that these would be heirloom items, treasured for generations, but you know, nice ones to match the boys under said blankets. I'm not sure why I recently and suddenly embarked on Son One's last month. It could quite possibly be that the sight of so many unfinished projects overwhelmed and I needed, absolutely needed desperately, to start something different!

There seem to be three main criteria:first  there must be turquoise and red rounds, and second the blanket must use of lots and lots of wool from The Basket. I make no claims of A Stash. There is nonetheless a basket, and 'twould be good to use up bits and pieces, of the turquoise and red varieties in particular. The starting circle was one left over from the only blanket I have yet managed to produce for our Tanzania link, so the blanket did at least start as I mean to go on!

The last complete round is in a gorgeous petrol blue from Debbie Bliss's Rialto DK. Oh my goodness how I love this yarn. Being such a novice compared to the rest of you, I am impressed that I have a favourite yarn, but this one thrills. The threads bounce between your fingers, as if filled with air. I was also not a little pleased with the shells that I managed to cobble together- the third criteria seems to be that all the rounds are as different as my very limited repertoire can make them.

Which led to a dilemma. How to crochet the corners? Which then led to the dilemma you all helped me with last night: how to progress from favourite shells in favourite yarn without dimming the glory of both? Which made me think about how to crochet corners. Not the actual crocheting of a corner, but the finding of little corners where you can sit with like-minded folk and learn to crochet. How-to-crochet corners.

It has been a thing of great blessing for me over the wondrously many years we have been crocheting corners and more together: this sitting together on Wednesday nights through times of illness, of babies, of school issues, work issues, life issues, hooking (and knitting for the truly accomplished) and chatting and quietly supporting.

So, thank you for my corners (all of them)!

Owed to Spring

Didn't we have a Bliss-ful day the day we went to...

 Heather and Niqi and I entered the Aladdin's cave that is a converted outhouse on a working farm surrounded by lamb-filled fields and bordered by bursting daffodils. I have to emphasise the signs of Spring because they were the only ones I saw and it was COLD.

 Lots and lots and lots..

 And lots..

 And lots more very soft fairy puffs of yarn.

 And lots and lots and lots..

And lots of other delights too. All within a quick drive of Toast, where it is warm. And delicious and very wheel-chair, child, hooker-friendly. End of year jolly anyone?

Report on Away Day

Oh my....Wow....Oh, look....Gorgeous....I love this!

Just a few of the utterances to be heard this morning as the smallest band there could possibly be completed the Glen Gallery quest.

You drive down an insignificant and narrow country lane and enter a tiny pink cottage which transforms TARDIS like into the most amazing craft barn. They sell jewellery and finished goods as well as the tools and materials for knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, quilting, felting, beadwork and a lot of other handi-crafts too.  And loads of pattern books and how-to manuals as well.  Throughout the year they organise full-day courses (inc refreshments on arrival and lunch) around various crafts from knitting to beadcraft.  They stock the entire range of Debbie Bliss and Rowan yarns and have a very extensive range of other beautiful designer yarns.

Some pennies did change hands throughout the day and here are a few snaps of our purchases.   You'll have to keep an eye on the blog to find out what we intend to do with them :-)

And, of course, the gallant adventurers partook of some delicious food at the Millside Restaurant which is in the recently restored Old School in Gracehill, a quaint Moravian village full of beautiful buildings, fantastic front doors and a quiet village green.

Refreshed after lunch we visited yet another craft outlet, Gemini Crafts also in the Old School.

For those of you unable to join our foray into uncharted territories, all I can say is that you missed a fantastic day.  A return trip to all three locations is already on the cards .....