I knock - a little melodious knock. "Come in", I hear. I think how cool it is that my eighty something Great Aunt is happy to have her door unlocked.
I let myself in.
Auntie Pat is all organised and ready for our knitting date. The radio is tuned to Magic 1278 and her current knitting project is laid out on the dining table.
I'm offered a cuppa and say yes to a cup of tea. Once the tea is made we settle ourselves at the table. Auntie Pat examines my homework. She's very happy with the way I'm knitting. She runs her fingers over my work and says softly "Mmm, yes, you're going to be a beautiful knitter Koo". I feel well pleased with this. I like to be good at stuff.
I've brought along the pattern as well as my 365 knitting stitches desk calendar. I hand the pattern over to Auntie Pat & ask ernestly if I should begin at January 1st or maybe today's date? "No", Auntie Pat says firmly. "Close that book." I do. "Right, now just open it up and work on whatever pattern it throws up." I do exactly that and open the book at the diagonal rib. Auntie Pat is pleased and tells me to get started.
I cast on using my thumb and Auntie Pat begins reading. We sit together in an easy silence, knitting and reading. "Islands in the stream" comes on the radio and I smile to myself. I don't think I've heard that song since 1987. I hum along happily.
Every now and then Auntie Pat offers a "interesting" or "hmmm, clever".
Very quickly the two hours is up. I pack my things and say my thank yous and goodbyes at the door. Once I start the car I'm tempted to tune the radio to 1278 but decide to save the Magic for Tuesdays with Auntie Pat.
Stuff I'm getting paid for, stuff I'm doing for pleasure, cooking, knitting, sewing, stitching & hooking too. It's out of control.
Just because I have the attention span of a hyper 2 year old I borrowed this Crop-O-Dile from Cathy. I've said it before & I'll say it again. Scrap bookers have the best tools ever! This thing is amazing. Don't get too close to me or you may find yourself with a few holes punched in you!
Good stuff comes in small black boxes lined with velvet doesn't it? Well, let me tell you the thing inside this box is just about the best thing in the whole wide world. It's made by one of the cleverest people I know. It's beautiful but you'll have to come back tomorrow to see it. I promise it will be worth the click.
Don't forget to pop in & add your link if you're playing along this week.
How It seems that the mulberry granny shrug has inspired a few of you to have a crack yourself. That's super exciting & exactly why this patch of web space exists. Over the weekend Lara & I have worked together to present to you the whole box & dice for the granny shrug enthusiast.
There's something for everyone. This is the master class...for lovely folk who like to follow a pattern, or maybe you need the visual (like me) or perhaps you'd like to watch a dinky video.
If you know how to make a granny square then you know how to make this shrug. Just crochet yourself a couple of lovely granny hexagons.
You can just skip over the "instructions" & make the granny exactly as you always do. Maybe you slip across to the next chain space...ripper knock yourself out. There is no "right" way to make it.
You'll just end up with a lovely curly hexagon...good, that's great...exactly what we want. Just keep checking your sizing after each round to decide when you're done.
Mine have been 9 rounds (in the Wilderness) but depending on your tension & hook size yours might be 8 or 10 or more. Keep folding the curly hex in on itself until you're confident that the fit will be right for you.
the pattern My very favourite crocheter is Lara. She's one of the reasons I picked up the hook in the first place. She likes to be good at stuff & works hard to make sure she gets things right. Well, guess what? She's written a fabulous, fabulous pattern (it might not have posted yet...be patient) for you to print & keep. And spared you all from my effort at a written explanation. Thank you Lara, you're the very best & it was lovely to share the making of the how to with you.
& the video Just so you know it was really hard to crochet standing up stradling a tripod & keeping (or trying) the crochet in the frame.
Australian/UK terminology
Yarn You've got a HUGE amount of flexibility here. You want to achieve a good deal of chunkiness & you'll just adjust your number of rounds accordingly so pick something that suits your style. I did make the suggestion the other day to use stash yarns crocheted together to make up the chunky style yourself.
I used Patons "Wilderness" 14ply. I like it...A LOT. It's a blend so purists might like to check out other options but I think it's just the perfect yarn for the job. Here's why... (& where to buy too).
OR you can have a go with 2 balls of 8 ply held together or whatever else takes your fancy. You'll just adjust your number of rounds according to tension & fit. Go nuts. Lara's using two strands of 12ply & is very happy with the result.
Hook I'd say 15mm. I'm really happy with the result I'm getting with the 15mm hook. You need it to be loose so that you get a nice drape with the finished "fabric". We're not going for sturdy here folks...we want the pretty drape.
Making Up I switched to a 2.65mm hook & just used double crochet up the centre back seam.
Then I doubled along the top sleeve seams & single crocheted along the back of the neck opening to give extra strength.
Again if you know how to do it your own way...do that. It will be great.
What, haven't had enough? Here's the steak knife! A round by round for the visual learner. How to make a granny shrugView more presentations from kootoyoo.
Other Stuff There's a flickr group. If you make a shrug we'd love to have it added to the group.
HAC class? There have been a couple of requests for a HAC class for the shrug. If you still think you need it or would like to make it up with a bunch of other girls over tea & biscuits, I'd be happy to run it over two evenings. If you're keen please email me kootoyooATgmailDOTcom & if we get enough interest we'll go ahead.
Friday is the long run day which means I think a lot - probably too much.
Today I was thinking about craft & dating. This seems like a bit of a weird connection (stay with me).
One of my really good friends used to say that she was addicted to the beginnings of relationships. At the time it was true ... she had lots of love em & leave em boyfriends. Many of them had a fair bit of bastard about them too (which of course only made them more appealing). Brief affairs really, flirtations, experiments but satisfying nonetheless.
She's now happily married to a fine upstanding guy. Marriage, of course requires a deep commitment, compromise & the making of promises you really mean. You need to be patient & dedicated & determined. The rewards are plentiful both along the way & at the end. Something to be really, really proud of.
Then I started to think about me & the craft thing. I too love a new beginning. I like to think long & hard about the how. I flirt with ideas, experiment with techniques & then have a one night stand with the actual crafting. It's quick & it's usually dirty (with varied results) but satisfying nonetheless.
Crochet (I'm trying - really I am), knitting & quilting require a deep commitment, compromise & the making of promises you really mean. You need to be patient & dedicated & determined. The rewards are plentiful both along the way & at the end. Something to be really, really proud of.
I'm married to my bags & the music boxes but I'm one night standing with plenty of other stuff to get my new beginnings fix.
I'd be interested to know if you're married to your craft, married & cheating (like me) or all about the thrill of a one night stand.
for crafty pursuits lately. The image above is me faking it til I make it!
The lovely Ingrid has posted recently about being a craft fraud & I admit I feel the same way this week. I can't crochet or knit much either but it's just unfinished business I'm referring to.
I've been at work lots & being a mum lots & that hasn't left much spare time.
I've got a list a mile long of things I want to finish up:
my broomstick needle project. my use what you have project. something for this girl.
Plus a whole host of other stuff which is overdue.
I'm supposed to be cleaning the house tomorrow but I think I'll sack that plan & have a crack at finishing off a few projects that have been hanging around for far too long.
The date & I went to Maybe We Have Met Before at Kick on the weekend. Sean Morris's illustrations on wood were right up my alley. If you haven't been you should - it's good.
& yay hooray Brown Owls tonight. I've missed those crafty souls. See you tonight.
Hot -These bracelets from RG Madden. I've been coveting these for a good long time now. I'm trying to recreate them using gummy bracelets which I purchased at the Op Shop/Thrift store. Currently a fail but I've got another couple of ideas. -Citipower actually came to my house today. -Fisher Price "Little People". I'm loving those little guys even more than usual this week. -Embroidery...I can't get enough. -These shoes which I saw at Shoppo on the weekend. -Kids who say #fail & #owned (according to the kids, not me - see below).
Not -The fact that the gummy bracelet (hot 80s fashion item) is now a "shag band". Yick! -My TIP of a house. I've mentally & emotionally "left the building". There's stuff from one end of the joint to the other & it's driving me insane. -The AC adapter for my crappy old laptop finally giving up. Too expensive to replace (also not hot). -Shoppo. It gives me a headache. -Kids who say #fail & #owned. I'm getting heartily sick of #failing & being #owned by my 10 year old.
Every once in a while something of mine turns up somewhere super lovely.
Just for the record:
----- Apartment Therapy The Apartment Therapy Mission Helping people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online.
What We Believe A calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness and success in the world.
Creating this home doesn’t require large amounts of money or space. It requires inspiration, connection to resources and motivation to do something about it.
The basic elements of good home design can be learned and achieved by all.
Simplicity and luxury are not mutually exclusive.
Spool holder
----- Craftzine Introducing CRAFT: The first project-based magazine dedicated to the renaissance that is occurring within the world of crafts. Celebrating the DIY spirit, CRAFT's goal is to unite, inspire, inform and entertain a growing community of highly imaginative and resourceful people who are transforming traditional art and crafts with unconventional, unexpected and even renegade techniques, materials and tools; people who undertake amazing crafting projects in their homes and communities. Christmas Decorations, Corner Bookmark, Granny Square Necklace, Spool holder
----- Craft Gossip Confused about everything crafty out there? Not sure where to go and what to buy for your latest craft idea? Can't find that kitsch pattern that everyone else is talking about? Well worry no more! CraftGossip is all the latest news from real craft people telling you about the real stuff. We scour the net looking for the best craft ideas and projects and review them for you. Corner Bookmark, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Hand pieced Pincushion, Photo to embroidery pattern, Twisted Cord
----- Mixtape Zine Mix tape zine is a collision of craft, eco-cool and pop culture kitsch it features recipes, eco tips, crafty people profiles, ethical business practices etc - you can purchase back issues here or find out more here. Find Justine here and Nichola’s blog here. my collection in issue 6
----- Nuts about Needlepoint An encyclopedia of needlepoint and thread information for all stitchers. Learn about Janet M. Perry's needlepoint projects, read book and product reviews, and find articles about techniques, threads, and more Twisted Cord
----- One Pretty Thing One Pretty Thing is a daily website dedicated to bringing you inspiring projects for a more beautiful life. Corner Bookmark, Drawstring Bag, Embroidered carry all, Embroidery on dark fabric, Fabric Notebook Cover, Photo to Embroidery Design, Quilt Quiver, Tealight Holder, Twisted Cord
----- Quilting Board The Quilter's message board. Thank you Sondray for linking to my projects.
----- Sew Mama Sew You’ll find some handy sewing tips and inspiration. Whether you’re just learning to sew, or have been sewing forever.
The Sew,Mama,Sew! blog is pulled together each week by Kristin and Beth. Who both sew whenever they can and love fabric with a passion.
If you’re looking for fabulous fabric and patterns, please take a look at the Sew,Mama,Sew! store.
Drawstring Backpack, How to fold a fat quarter
----- Tipnut I think we all have them, those mile high piles of household tips and life hacks that we’ve collected over the years. They’re messy, disorganized and once they’ve been ‘filed’, those tips are nowhere to be found again.
TipNut.com isn’t anything fancy. It’s simply my way of putting together all the cool tricks I’ve accumulated over the years into a simple, searchable, online filing box–this website. Some of them I’ve tried, some of them I don’t know if I’ll ever try. But I do know they’ll be here if I need them–and I’m happy to freely share everything with you too! Simple square pincushion
----- Whip Up Whip up: To prepare quickly. To excite. To create. To incite. To build. To invent. To conceive. To push. To upset. To manufacture. To provoke.
This website has been created in order to bring the best original and exciting crafts to the attention of many. To create a community of artists, crafters and makers and share ideas in a central space.
Embroidered Carry All, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Corner Bookmark, Handpieced Pincushion, Pillowcase Shoulder Bag, Sausage Dog CD cover, Simple Square Pincushion, Toadstool Pincushion
Thank you lovely folk for the thumbs up. It's much appreciated.
Right O it's all about the hot at the moment. I'm choosing not to focus on the not.
HOT - a christmas gift from rummage. Just gorgeous...go & get your pressie too. - thoughtful, intelligent people writing some good stuff over here. - the butter dish featured on my kitchen table above.It's so good - it even has it's very own knife. - my house tour on the design files. Eeek...Lucy has made my house look fab. You've all been very patient waiting for me to share some pics & I haven't because I wanted to wait for this. So if you want a gander at the new digs you need to click here.
It's just absolutely freezing in Melbourne at the moment and increasingly difficult to drag myself out of bed in the 5s to run.
I am enjoying playing around with blanketing & yarn. Today I've been doing a bit of blanket tattooing (more on that later) which has been terrific fun.
I've also been thinking lots about this bolt of classic Melbourne grey (which I'm guessing is Doctor's Flannel), picked up at the Camberwell Market a couple of weeks ago. Of course, I don't know anything about Doctor's Flannel except that the softie queens use it so it must be good stuff.
This is... hosted by Three Buttons & theme from Flightless Boyds.
He's my brother. He's tech support. He's super smart. He's creative. He's clever. He's encouraging. He's funny. He's about 5 steps ahead. He does good stuff. He works hard. He plays hard. He thinks a LOT.
I try really hard & most of the time I'm pretty good but every now & then I just look at him blankly & shake my head.
The run has been lucrative recently. I've had a wonderful couple of weeks scouting good stuff from hard rubbish.
This office chair is Swiss made. It does have a little worn patch on one arm but I'm not at all concerned about that & if I do decide it warrants patching...I've bookmarked this.
The cushion is by Aunty Cookie. You can buy them ready made or buy the letterhead craft panel & you'll be able to make your own & a glasses case too.
