Hooky
Posted under Crochet
I’m definitely obsessed. I spend far too much time thinking about crochet, thinking about wool, reading about crochet and actually doing crochet. It’s one big crochet fest round here, little piles of wool all over the place and half finished projects strewn about the place. I’ve surprised myself by being a ‘flitter’…I enjoy crochet most when I have a couple of projects on the go at a time. That’s quite unlike me since I’m one of those tedious, dogged types. But there we go.
I think part of the ‘flitting’ is because I am not enjoying the weaving ends/crocheting together part of my first and biggest project…a granny square blanket for Bertie’s bed. I’ve finished and put together 70 of the 80 squares but it’s painfully boring.
So I’ve been relieving the boredom by tackling, and completing, a ripple blanket:
Used up some wool, tried a new edging technique with a giant granny (arrghh, scary big nana!):
Then I started work on a cream baby blanket (just peaking out in the photo at the top of this post), had a go at hexagons (really not keen on them, they will be a cushion cover ie. a small item) and then made a scarf in a Queen Anne lace pattern. And there’s an alarming amount of wool knocking about the house ready for other projects.
Yup. I’m obsessed.
It’s been such a learning curve though. From ‘never crocheted’ to ‘can pretty much crochet’ in just a few months. There have been a few tears along the way and quite a bit of unraveling, or ‘frogging’ if you’re in the know. I need to think more about colour, rather than just randomly picking colours that I like. And I’ve learnt a lot about wool, what I like, what I don’t, what’s good to work with, what’s a pain the neck to work with. I might write a separate post about that as I want a record of what I’ve worked with on which project.
What’s I’ve mainly learnt about wool, though, is how expensive it is and how little choice we have in the UK. Why do the US and Scandinavia have all the good colours? I’m disappointed at how muted most wools are. I want brights!
I have to allow at least 10% wastage too since those Megaboys also like to crochet. Alas their version of crochet involves cutting wool, winding it around themselves/fingers, tying bits together etc. It’s enough to make you weep but I don’t want to stiffle their creativity. So, wastage it is…sigh. It’s upsetting though. It ‘may’ have involved Grudge Book entries for Crimes Against Wool. Harumph.
By ‘wool’ do you mean yarn or wool yarn? My sister is a mad crochetter and she has skads of yarn…but not in wool, she is alergic….I could send you fun colored yarn….what colors do you want?
lol I’ve been following open heart thru the blogs tonight!
Anyway… I agree with her. I’ll send you any color you need :)
also if you are thinking of donating any to poor uncreative slobs (such as myself) I’d be honored. I’ll even give you a tax receipt. :)
Look at you go! Very impressive. The lace scarf is amazing. Did you get the pattern online? The turquoise is gorgeous. I think you should be able to get lots of colorful wool online too! Have you taught the megaboys to finger knit yet? DD learned at the Waldorf school when she was 3 and a half. Easy and fun and productive use of yarn scraps. It just so happens that there is a little felted bag on this desk now that was made in 1994 with a finger-knitted strap! DD uses it for jewelry storage these days.
Oh! Have you tried silk or bamboo? They are so soft to crochet with and, are great for scarfs around the face.
It looks like my warning at blogcamp turns out to be true. Crochet is addictive but you have made out of wool the most beautiful blankets. Congratulations!!!!
xoxo Elizabeth
Oh I should have said…the pattern for the scarf is Queen Anne Lace by MK Carroll on Ravelry. http://www.ravelry.com/stores/mk-carroll-designs
It’s totally addictive and lovely to work! I made it in a silk/merino mix by Mirasol called Tupla (shade 317).
I’m just working with bamboo at the moment and love it. mmmm! Thanks for idea re finger knitting Deb, I will try that as I think they will love it. x
Shannon – argh, English and English American is getting between us! We call yarn ‘wool’, and that means ‘wool’ and everything else like silk, cotton, mohair etc etc. confusing huh? I think i will take you up on your offer to send wool/yarn but only if I can pay for it!!
Bambi…whatchawantin’? x
color me impressed! and come and show me immediately. physically and in person, as i am unable to learn from you tube and books. but please wait ’til i’m not coughing anymore.
Look at your beautiful work! Jealous, jealous, jealous. Not a wobbly edge in sight and gorgeous colours. Bravo Spud!
Ah I knew it was you who had the ripple blanket – I need a new project and think I’m going to attempt one – off to find that link you posted before!
You are getting very skilled, Spud my dear.
So have you started importing Scandi wool, yet?
I love the ripple blanket. LOVE it!!