The evolution of yarn, and some FOs

I'm still really new to crochet, and yarn. One thing I'm learning though there are just SO many possibilities, and it's just amazing to see how your yarn works up into an item.

Remember that Aade Long I purchased on Ebay? It's fairly yucky to work with. You can really feel the 'sheepiness' in it. You get that lanolin feeling all over your hands. And it's just coarse as. I still really love the colourway I chose though. Fingers crossed when I wash/block it it comes up nicely (although I'm not holding my breath).

I used this yarn to participate in a Tumblr crochet-a-long for April. The chosen pattern was the Monroe shawl (available here). I have finished this item, but for blocking. I'll take more pics to show it off properly after its blocked.

Yarn in Hank form.

Wound into a cake, now you can see how it will behave!

Starting to work the yarn, how exciting is the colour change!

Better idea of the colour changes.

A bit of detail.

Some of the first yarn I bought online was some random 100% wool, hand dyed, bought from this seller. I chose greys becuase I thought it would be good for work. The yarn is a bit rough, not suitable for garments agains the skin. It did soften up a bit on blocking. I soaked my shawl in wool wash first, rinsed and then soaked in water with some conditioner.

Hank form.

ball form

I made my first shawl with this yarn. The pattern I chose was the seraphina. Chart and further pattern instructions which I found very helpful available here.

Before blocking.


During blocking


Blocking detail.

Hanging out.






Yes, I took this in the bathroom, there's the toilet!

I would like to make another seraphina, in a solid colour. It's a nice pattern and I think I look quite stylish with it draped to the side, even if I do say so myself ;)

I also participated in my first ever scarf swap this month.

The first pattern I made for my partner was a crobaktus. I used an 8ply cotton from Bendigo Woollen Mills. Lovely soft yarn to work with. This is my second scarf with this yarn. The first one was a lacy pattern, so the drape was ok, but I really wasn't happy with the result on this one. It came out a bit stiff, so I rushed to get a second scarf done that might be worthy of my partner.

Great value 200g balls from BWM.



About half way through.



Before blocking, a bit of curling on the decrease half.

 And post blocking:

I don't mind how it looks, but it just doesn't have that 'wow' factor.

 So I made another scarf! The second scarf I made for the swap, my version of the Queenies Angel Crochet Scarf. I used a Lincraft brand 100% Merino (3ply), in a flecked brown colour. It was lovely to work with, squishy and blocked beautifully. Really hard to give this scarf up, it came out lovely, soft, swishy and long!

The yarn.

Before blocking it was very lumpy:

On the blocker you can see the pattern coming to life:

And Fin! Grew A LOT longer!

Hanging out

Pattern detail

Wraps twice around the neck.

Funnily enough, the scarf I received in the swap was the same pattern! Thanks Shilo!

The scarf I received.

Feeling very productive now that I look at all my hard work in this post :) Go me! Next time I might even leave my head in the pictures! Stupid head!!

My current WIP is a Sidewalk Shawl done in Acrylic. Its going to be chunky and squishy, the yarn is actually beautifully soft to the touch. It will be my frist adventure in blocking acrylic too, so that will be a challenge!

Pattern detail

Still working on that gosh darn teenage mutant ninja turtle I spoke about here. I have actually done tons since then. Just need to finish off his arms and head and bandanas and weapons! Woo! I'll blog about that later...

My sunday

Obviously yesterday was mothers day.

I won't go into details, but I didn think this was a good opportunity to share a couple of my favorite recipes which I made for lunch yesterday.

A while back Meet me at Mikes blogged a few baked risotto recipes . I've made No 2 - the Tomato and Parmesan Risotto a couple of times now. I make a few variations to the recipe:

1. add a couple of rashers of bacon at the same time as the onion.
2. omit capers and lemon zest (only because I didn't have these ingredients handy - it still turns out scrumptious)
3. double the recipe - Still turns out fab and makes enough to serve 5 people!
4. I use that fresh chilli you get from the fridge section of the supermarket rather than flakes - and then only the mild version.

This all fits in my 20cm cast iron crock pot - right to the brim but it doesn't expand so don't worry!

Doesn't look attractive but one of my favorite recipies now! Very tasty and VERY simple.
I've made this recipe for doughnuts (specifically, beignets) countless times now, and they always go down well. They melt in your mouth. I halve the recipe and that easily makes enough for 6+ people (6 people who eat a bunch of doughnuts each too!!).

Yesterday I even cut out different shapes - hearts and little men, and all turned out delicious. They didn't last very long but well worth the effort.

Also spent some time yesterday teaching mum and sis to crochet granny squares. There is mum's first granny square - go mum!

My sis thoroughly enjoyed both the doughnuts and the granny squares - actually I lie about the granny squares, she found them far too frustrating to make :( - but she wore hers around her neck :).

My kitchen table yesterday, crochet, doughnuts, coffee, what more could you want!! That black/grey item there is my Monroe that I managed to finish off, now for blocking and then I'll be ready to show it off properly :)

Lovely things

So often I stumble across things online and think, "oh, must remember that", only to promptly forget. 

Here are some random awesome things that I have seen online lately.  The emerging theme is oversized crochet.

Quilting and crocheting in one!  *Add to to do list*
As featured on Meet me at Mikes.

DOILY RUG!  Nuff said.

Similarly, BIG FAT CROCHET RUG!! (and kitties, don't forget the kitties)

 

THESE are the reason I taught myself to crochet.  Seriously.  Haven't made these yet (or even bought the pattern for that matter.... )



"Hey" necklace



Tennant Plushie <3



Twinkle sock yarn by anothercraftygirl on etsy

Granny Goodness necklace by Victoria Mason

Giant Poufs, knitted  (Spotted by Clara)

Giant crochet pouf

Adventures with yeast

I've been living life true to the name of this blog and have been very 'grandmotherly' lately. 

On Monday at work when I told people what I've been up to over the weekend, I was pleased to report that I'd done lots of baking and met up with my crochet group for some crafty time!

On Saturday I baked some Jam Scrolls using this recipe. They were fine, but for the amount of effort I put in I expected more out of them.  I think subbing the jam for a dried fruit mix and some brown sugar, and icing them with some coffee icing would improve them greatly. 



The dough after it had risen.

Adding the jam.  I used a combo of strawberry and raspberry.

Rolling up the dough.



Before baking.



Fresh from the oven.

On Sunday I made these hot cross buns.  Instead of using the exact measurements of fruit, I just subbed in the equivalent amount from a 'mixed fruit' package I had.  I brought them into work on Monday to share, and while everyone raved about them, I think they were a bit too dry.  A bit less time in the oven next time methinks.

The dough after it had risen.

The recipe said to 'punch' the dough, so I did!

Adding the crosses, they're really just made of glue!

Shiny buns.

I've been crocheting quite a bit too.  As soon as I take some pictures of my recent projects I'll put them up!!

Minestrone Soup

So first off, I have followers!! Hi!! I never expected anyone would actually follow my little blog, but welcome!!

And now, to business...

Thank goodness for colder weather! YAAAAYYY!  I love winter.  There are so many things I love about winter, and one of them is SOUP, and in particular the presence of bacon bones in the supermarket which facilitates my soup-making prowess.

On Sunday I made some minestrone soup.  It is a recipe from Better Homes and Gardens' Fast Ed.  It's SO tasty.  Like, ridiculously tasty.  And there is very little prep.  Cut up a few veggies and bung it in the pot, and forget about it! 

Here is the recipe, with my alterations.  The recipe calls for heaps of fresh herbs, which I find way too expensive as I never end up using all that I buy. I've instead opted for dry.  Also, dont worry too much about quantities. I find I need to add a fair splash of water at the end because the flavour can be quite overpowering.

Serves 4-5.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 brown onion, sliced

2 carrots, diced

2 sticks of celery, sliced

2 bay leaves (I add 3-4)

4 sprigs thyme (I use a good couple of pinches of dry thyme)

6 cloves garlic (I was lazy and used minced garlic from a jar)

2 tbsp tomato paste

1kg bacon bones

1 L chicken stock

1 cup ml red wine

2 cans whole peeled tomatoes

2 tsp brown sugar

50g parmesan cheese

250 gr macaroni pasta

half a bunch of silverbeet

2 tbsp oregano

2 tbsp parsley

2 tbsp sage
2 tbsp garlic chives

Crusty bread stick to serve

Method:

Super easy.

1. Put the onion, carrots, celery, thyme and garlic in a pot, sautee until onion is soft.
2. Add tomato paste, cook off for 1 min.
3. Add stock, tomatoes, wine, cheese, sugar and bones.  Cover and simmer for 2 hours.
4. Add pasta, continue to cook until pasta is aldente.
5. Add herbs and silverbeet, cook until silverbeet softens.
6. Serve with bread!!

 



A bit of progress and a lot of planning...

I learned to crochet in November last year and it's a bit disconcerting how addicted to yarn I have already become. 

I'm still working on my Tardis, nearing completion of second side.  I'm exicted to get it finished, but blue blue blue gets a bit boring. 

I'm also working on an insanely intricate teenage mutant ninja turtle for my sister's birthday (which has already passed!).  It is a Kathleen Early pattern and I'm happy with how it is coming out, but there is SO much counting!  Here are the legs (there are even little toes on the feet) and the shell not yet stitched together...

I've ordered a bunch of yarn for future projects too...

Some King Cole Riot in 'Dude'.  Its an acrylic wool blend but lovely and soft with long colour changes. I am planning a half-granny shawl with this. 

I've also ordered some Aade Long, Artistic 8/2 on ebay, which is 100% wool from Estonia with long colour changes in purple/grey/black.  Planning some other shawl with this, but not sure yet!

Finally, because this blog is a place where I want to flag ideas for the future, one thing I'm planning is a Rapunzel themed item, from the Disney movie Tangled.  I am so obsessed with this movie at the moment, I almost love it more than The Little Mermaid *le gasp*

The colours in this movie are gorgeous, espeically Rapunzel's colour scheme.  She is all yellow/orange/pink/ purple.  I am currently lusting after Zauberball by Schoppel Wolle.  Another colour changing yarn (can you see a trend?)!  The Fushia colourway looks just about perfect for this future project.

Unfinished business

So, I created the blog to show off how clever and creative I am.  At the time I got majorly into crochet, was very proud of myself and wanted to post lovely pictures.

Problem... I have a horrible habit.  STARTITIS!  I have started sooo many projects and finished none :(

In an effort to make myself feel better, I am going to SHOW OFF all my UNFINISHED items!  Maybe it will even compel me to get my butt into gear and start FINISHING something :D

Inspired by the lovely Lucy of Attic24, yesterday at work I made this flower.  Possible test for a scarf/shawl as described by Lucy here.

This next one will hopefully become some Lacy fingerless gloves.  I just started these today, and one glove is nearly complete.  The yarn is a bit ugly but the colour is pretty.  

My TARDIS.  MINE!!  I'm improvising this pattern from my own noggin'.  It will eventually be a funcitonal box.  Each side of the Tardis is made separately, I will crochet them all together and it will be supported by a wooden box inside.  Inspired by this. 

My big squisy super bulky blanket.  It's quite fun using a giant 15mm hook. Based on a free pattern by Lion Brand, but a pattern isn't really necessary if you know how to make a granny sqare.  Unfortunately, nearly used all my yarn already, and it's only 80cm squared.  So a mini blankie.  If you have any Moda Vera Airone in Raspberry, Gold or Shades of blue you'd be willing to part with, let me know!

Another Lucy inspired project, this will eventually be a afghan.  Lacking motivation at the moment due to excessive ends to be weaved in.

Sadly, there are some other unfinished things I could include, but this is getting ridiculous!