~ Krista block 13 ... Secret Santa ... The Lace Cafe

 

Krista throw block #13

 

This week I made the 13th square towards the Krista throw. Its also a flower but this one didn't have a centre ball in it like the flower did in week 3 - though very similar methinks.

 

 

 

I love the final effect of the raised flower petals, though I'm realising that I prefer less lacy blocks and blocks with a little more structure to it.

 

Its my intention to join these blocks together without spending too much time blocking them - and I hope that any tension concerns I have for the "lacy"-type blocks will be resolved when they form part of the throw's whole.

Remember all the patterns in this throw is free and via the link: http://promotions.spotlight.com.au/Facebook/Tabs/block_of_the_week/botw.aspx

Also the Facebook group for the Krista throw has a community of likely minded crocheters who are happy to talk you through the experiences they had when constructing their own Kristas.

The wonderful world of the Secret Santa / Kris Kringle

One of the Australian traditions that has a very special place in my heart is the "Secret Santa".

A group of people set out to buy each other Christmas presents anonymously in what is fondly called a "Kris Kringle" or "Secret Santa" exchange.

How does it work you're wondering.... Its pretty straight forward really. All the names of the participating group members are chucked in the proverbial hat - and from this you are given one name and that is the person you will be buying a gift for.

The price range is usually set upfront and everyone who participating agrees to this and a date to bring the gifts in. As great efforts are usually taken to keep it anonymous the gifts these are clearly labelled with the name of the recipient and then be collected in a pre-determined area, handed out and opened to great fanfare and enjoyment.

This year I had wonderfully unique pleasure of participating in two of these exchanges - with a couple of differences in that

 

-\ the participating groups covered the entire Australia as a geography;

 

-\ the gifts were to be mailed

 

-\ it was for two craft groups - both joined via social media.

   The first the Krista Facebook group; the second the Granny Exchange I have mentioned before and fondly call the "crocherati'

 

-\ these groups are full of talented crafters and crocheters

 

 

With all of these constraints you might be questioning the end result of these exchanges - but look at my beautiful gifts!

I am so very privileged I'm counting these as my best Christmas gifts this year! You can see from the photos the wonderful attention to detail as I received two fabulous bags, a detailed scarf, other goodies in line with my interests; a beautiful handmade card for the tree - look I can go on and on and list them all, but why don't I just show you how wonderfully spoilt I am. A picture speaks a thousand words so I hope you get as much joy picking out the gifties as I have in my enjoyment of them. PS those tealight candles are banana leaf candles and smell absolutely devine!

 

 

 

Clearly I'm still a bit giddy - wonderful people, a wonderful tradition. Thank you so much I'm so pleased to share your generosity with the world!

 

The Lace Cafe in Olinda

We also took a drive on the tourist road through the lovely Dandenong ranges here in the State of Victoria and had a pie and a cuppa in the lovely town of Olinda.

There is a beautiful Victorian-esque shop on one of the corners called "The Lace Shop" and what a treat to walk through there! I snapped these two phodies of the outside display windows - how beautiful:

 

 

 

Even though it was past 5 o'clock the shop owner welcomed me to walk through the shop and I'm definitely going to make a plan to go back and buy some of the goodies I spied with my little eyes... In particular there were some lovely spoons at the front counter that had a crystal embellishment at the top of its handle, all the goodies in the store were absolutely fabulous.

I do like to collect business cards of such glorious little shops but she had just run out - only to be so kind as to write down all the details for me on a piece of paper even though it was well beyond the store's opening hours at that time.

Saw on the outside shop window that the store is in the market - and just to tempt you I have found the link click here: http://www.commercialview.com.au/businesses/retail/1-olinda-monbulk-road-olinda/business-details-3191563.html

Its not often you get to buy into an opportunity like that with an existing reputation, clientele, and on the tourist route! Fabulous! If it were my time I'd be knock-knock-knocking on that door but at this stage of my life I have to pass on this opportunity. I hope the new owners will keep the character of the store - what a lovely lovely place!

That said I can't believe we're at the end of 2012 - yay we survived! Happy New Year to yawl - I pass this blessing to you that 2013 sees your hopes and dreams realised; that your best wishes are surpassed and that any kindness you show to others be repaid to you tenfold!

- warm pixie smiles coming your way. xo  -

oOo

~ Krista block 12 and a spoily for a friend who deserves a spoily

 

My favourite thing about working through the Krista blocks is

revisiting skills I thought long since forgotten.

 

 

This week's Krista block (number 12) is entrelac crochet and came out pretty looking just like it did in the picture so I'm rather happy with it.

If you're after the pattern for this block or any of the Krista blocks I've made sofar click on this link they are available for free:

http://promotions.spotlight.com.au/Facebook/Tabs/block_of_the_week/botw.aspx

 

 

I had a good giggle at myself in the beginning of the block as the ole mind tried to remember how it works - and then two tips came back to me:

   1.\ after the first square, flip the work before you turn

   2.\ turn it clockwise until the hook touches the 3ch start

After that it was zippy fast and the block took as much time to make as the traditional granny square - faster than any of the the other blocks in the throw sofar.

 

A close-up of the stitching 

 

 

 

The nice thing about entrelac crochet is that the front and the back look pretty much the same - its really fun. Here's the flipside of the work.

 

 

 

 

Other applications of entrelac crochet

It will come as no surprise to you that there are many many applications for entrelac crochet. Some of my favourites include baby blankets - and there are some beauties out there.

One that I am adding to my favourites is featured on Charlotte's web page and is a white and blue baby blanket. Have a look at it here:

http://yardsalesandcrochet.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/entrelac-crochet-blanket.html

 

Helpful friend

Helping my lovely friend, who doesn't know she's gonna be helped by my yet, and hoping she only reads this blog only after I've had the opportunity to give her the gift...

 

This friend has twice now broken her shoe just as she's about to enter her local shopping centre. Which is a good story to laugh about - but also an opportunity for a surprise spoily.

 

So I made an imaginary thong - it has no sole and is pretty much a hippy version as it involves hearts - but its forming part of an "emergency mall survival kit" that I was hoping to get to her before Christmas.

 

I'll demonstrate what it looks like on my hand:
 

 

 

How did I make it...

 

I made a heart - and at the bottom of the heart made a ring of 30 sc looping back to form a ring. This forms a nice loop for her toe to go through.

 

At the top of the heart I made two ch stitch ropes - one of 50 ch and one of 40 ch. Why different lengths you wonder? Well why not, its for a laugh and a giggle. And to see if she'll notice ha ha ha.

 

Well its been a good fun week - Merry Christmas I hope you have good family fun and have a lovely day.

 

That's my craft story this week - warm pixie smiles coming your way. xo

oOo

` hearts hearts hearts

 

... Oh this has been a fun week - I have been making hearts that will [potentially] become pins during memorial services at a Palliative Care Unit here in Melbourne. I say potentially because if the Crocherati lady who is coordinating this activity finds an alternate use for them it would still give me great joy to have been part of this.

 

Yes, I have prioritised something over my Krista block again this week - but have no remorse as there are one hundred little happy hearts in my arms.

 

Let me share some pictures with you ....

 

 

 

So many hearts they are falling out of the box ... I need to do some planning to squish them all in without tangling their little heart strings....

 

 

It starts with one bunch ... 

 

 

... and then another bunch comes along for the party ....

 

 

  ... and another ...

 

 

... and before you know it they have multiplied like little hearts who are left alone in a box with other little hearts.... lol!

 

 

... fun in a variety of colours ...

 

 

 

All the hearts in the mailing box, ready for a send off...

 

 

To be a fly on the wall when she opens that box I'll send it off tomorrow and even though its Christmas Australia Post won't let me down I'm sure she'll have it in a flash!

 

I have been making some heart pins for my Etsy shop and am so pleased that the little guys in the photos above will add some value to the Palliative Care services.

 

Well, that's my craft story this week - warm pixie smiles coming your way. xo

oOo

 

 

... loading ...

No blog this week, pigeons, just clear ran out of time. Methinks the pixies may have helped themselve to my stash of extra minutes. But do come back next week to see what we got up to.

 

xo

~ cute sunhat, how to draw a crochet diagram, Bass Coast Australia

 

Cute Sunhat

 

This week I made a little sunhat for a toddler. I have been looking everywhere for a nice hat with a floppy brim and I just couldn't find anything I liked - or should I say that sat nicely in the "cutie cute cute" category of my mind.

 

And as you would - I thought to myself ... "well why don't I just make one" !!!

 

So I did - look at how cutie cute cute it came out:

 

This being the google age I did start off with a search and found a pattern - so I didn't have to design one from scratch. It is super easy and FREE - called "Peach Happy Sun Hat" and you can get the instructions for it at:

 http://stitch11.com/peach-happy-sun-hat/

 

I made two small adjustments in my pattern. The first is that I adjusted the hat part to fit the head of the toddler I was making this for. I didn't actually measure it but took a piece of yearn and wrapped it around the baby's head, then cut that yarn and used it as my measurement to make the hat. I love doing it this way it works a treat!

 

So for my version of the hat I omited the increase round 7 and just DC for that row.

 

The second adjustment in my version of the hat is that I used 100% cotton that is thinner than the yarn used in the pattern, so for the floppy bit of the hat I needed to make it slightly longer - and to do this I repeated Round 14 a couple of times more till I had the right length. Et Voila! A cutie cute cute 100% cotton sunhat. I love it!

 

 

A diagram promised

 

Now, the diagram for the granny square I made last week.

 

Last week I whipped some granny squares togethers remember these: [click here to go to the link, then come back to this page to read further ....]

 

Though I read both patterns and diagrams I find it so much easier to convert a pattern to diagram for the next time I need to make it. Not only does it act as a memory trigger but it also helps me visualise the final item so I can plan any adjustments should they be required.

 

I decided to illustrate in 4 steps how I would turn the completed square into a diagram. Here goes.

 

 

 

Step 1 - bring together

- the completed crochet item - in this case the square I made

- a clear file pocket / sleeve

- a permanent marker. I like to use one thats really thin and "pen" like - so I use Steadler permanent Lumocolor - size F

 

 

Step 2 - prep

- place the crochet square in the sleeve and tuck the sides to the back so it won't shift around. Secure it in place with tape.

It is important that the item can't move around else you're pattern marks won't align properly and you're diagram could well end up being a hot mess...

 

Step 3 - mark away

You can see in the picture that I pretty much draw the stitch marking on top of each stitch I crocheted. I try and do this immediately after I've made an item so the pattern is still fresh in my mind.

 

Step 4 - grand finale

After I've mapped out the markings I pull off the tape, remove the item from the sleeve and hey presto I have a diagram of the square!

 

 

 

I like to place a white sheet of paper in the file pocket / sleeve and then put it in my crochet file.

 

 

To see a picture of the final diagram click here: [click]

 

 

 

If its a pattern I use often, sell or gift to others I would turn it into a computer diagram - I'll show you how next week.

 

 

 

What inspired me this week

 

This week I spent some time down on the Bass Coast in Australia - and in particular a lovely town called "Inverloch" and really loved the nature in that stretch of land.

 

Here is a photo of the view from our room - there are wetlands between the room and the beach and hearing birds chirping at the sunset and dawn was just so nice I feel revived and refreshed.

 

 

 

Now before I start sounding like a toothpase commercial I'll put my pixels down and send you warm pixie smiles for the week.

oOo

~ Krista block 11, yarn bombing and milk milo

 

This evening I'm writing my blog with Star Trek Voyager on the tele. Its one of my favourite shows I love how Captain Kathryn Janeway handles herself with such poise and dignity. Sometimes that can be a far cry from real life and a bit of escape is needed ... yes, a crochet project; some good escapism on the tele; and dare I add a milk milo to that as an evening treat... njum. devine

 

 

This weeks Krista block - number 11

 

 

I think this might be one of my favourite blocks sofar. The square structure is so nicely contrasted with the rounded  flower its just so eye catching I can't wait to make it in a variety of colours.

 

 

It will probably be a bit overkill to have an entire blanket made up of this square BUT THEN AGAIN you've got to live a little heh!

 

If you're after the pattern for this block or any of the Krista blocks I've made sofar click on this link they are available for free:

http://promotions.spotlight.com.au/Facebook/Tabs/block_of_the_week/botw.aspx

 

Quick granny squares for yarn bombing

 

 

I'm quite enjoying the yarn bombing craze and made this for somebody's project. Its a variation on the granny square and I'll write up the pattern and post it in the diagram section next week. I've taken these photos to illustrate how very different effects can be reached with the same pattern.

 

 

 

 

 

 And then a few of the starter rounds just for some fun ...

 

 

Yes I do love the granny square and all its varieties.

And crochet.

And Star Trek Voyager.

And a nice hot milky milo that is calling my name.

 

That's my craft story this week - warm pixie smiles coming

your way. xo

 

oOo

~ pretty pictures and a missed eclipse

 

Pretty pictures this week. I'll start with the lovely Christmas themed blocks I received from the crocherati this week. They brighten my day every time I look at them...

 

 

 

Then also a picture of the blocks I received in secret in the previous round:

 

 

 

Another block is one that I finished, block 10 of the Krista throw. The links to the Krista patterns promotion has changed, but all patterns to all the Krista blocks can be found via this [updated] link:

http://promotions.spotlight.com.au/Facebook/Tabs/block_of_the_week/botw.aspx

 

 

 

 

I really enjoy showcasing these squares I'm receiving alongside my own work because over time a unique blanket is forming in front of our eyes. Truly remarkable when one thinks of all the love put into each stitch; all the well wishes from someone whom you've never met - and in all likelihood never will meet. I'll call it what I think it is ... a real blessing!

 

 

Eclipse

 

 

One thing I was looking forward to this week but missed out on was the solar eclipse on the 13th. The northern part of Australia would have had a much better view of it but I wanted to see if there would be any effects as far south as Melbourne. The time for this would have been at 6:30 am.

 

Unfortunately I slept right through it so I can't comment on whether any effects were visible or not...

 

I am not an expert on these things, but after experiencing a full solar eclipse about ten years ago my ears pick up at the mention of a coming eclipse as it was one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had.

a trip down memory lane if you dare...

 

It was in Africa and if I remember correctly it happened in the afternoon. The entire area went suddenly dark - almost the same dark as just after dusk ... but an eery golden syruppy kind of hue. Add to that the air almost felt thick and it looked so golden I wanted to reach out and touch it ... and all the animals and insects held their breath collectively.

 

I was so engrossed in the experience I was completely not interested in looking at the sun - but instead went for a walk around the area. The eclipse in its entirety only lasted a couple of minutes, but being part of that surreal experience is still so vividly with me I can close my eyes and be back in that moment.

 

Definitely worth travelling for methinks. Maybe next time....

 

That's my craft story this week - warm pixie smiles coming your way. xo

oOo

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ sacrificial blog; baby beanies, worst haircut ever

Sacrificial blog

 

30 little hats take the place of my Krista block this week - and as such this space is dedicated to them and their cause.

One of the crocherati ladies mentioned a cause and a challenge. The challenge is to make 1,000 beanies before the end of November. The cause is to be part of a keepsake memory box for the parents who experience loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal loss.

So this week instead of making my Krista blocks I bought some acrylic wool and crochet these little beanies and in doing so my heart goes out to anyone who has experienced this kind of tragedy.

Boxed and ready to go...

 

The pattern

 

I stuck to a basic pattern as the wool is not a solid colour. The pattern I followed was shared by one of the crocherati ladies, Suzie, and follows the good old beanie outline to start with.

 

Using UK terminology:

 

Row 1: Inside magic loop, make 10 htr

Row 2: 2ch (start), 2htr in ea st to end. Join with sl st in 2ch start. (20 st)

Row 3: 2 ch (start), * 2htr then 1 htr *. Repeat to end. Join with sl st in 2ch start. (30 st)

Row 4: 2 ch (start), 1 htr in ea st to end. Join with sl st in 2ch start.

 

Repeat Row 4 till you have the desired length of the little beanie. Mine had 9 rows in total.

 

 

Now I'm getting all emotional and before I take you down that emotional path with me let me change the topic completely and tell you about the haircut I had earlier this week. I shall dub it:

 

Worst haircut ever

 

A couple of months ago I lost a few inches off my hair - I just took the scissors and cut it off.

 

"that's crazy" I hear you think, yet that's not the story of the worst haircut....

 

After my scissor attack I've noticed that my hair has many split ends and is difficult to brush so I thought I'd go for an actual haircut and have this sorted.

 

I went to one of the cheap and cheerful hairdressers - $12 for the cut. Though I recon $12 is still plenty, but that's a different story.

 

Of course I did some recon - allbeit "incognito" as part of the conversation. Yes the dude liked cutting hair. Yes he's been doing it for 8 years. Yes he'd like to open his own hair salon one day. Yes he specialises in female hair....

 

Also I kept my requirements minimal. I asked if he could layer the towards the bottom so that it thins out - I have curly hair and it can look quite bushy if I'm not careful.

 

Of course this would not be a problem. of course....

 

He cut-cut here and cut-cut there and before I knew it my hair felt very short and close to my ears. And then I saw the time and had to run so I'd dry it at home no worries...

 

You can see where this is going can't you. Allow me to illustrate using paint the vision versus the final cut..

  

Its really terrible. Every time I brush it it looks like I'm wearing a triangle of hair on my head. Actually its quite funny, but it would be more funny if it wasn't happening to me but rather a Dilbert cartoon. Actually, I n have the hairstyle of Alice in the Dilbert cartoons. ha ha ha ha!!!

 

At least its an opportunity for me to practice different ways to style my hair. And apparently an opportunity to draw random drawings in MS Paint.

 

 

So what's up for the next week

 

 

From a crochet point of view this week I need to finalise the next round of granny squares to send out to the crocherati. I'm tempted to make myself a duplicate of the square I make my secret recipient so that my blanket grows faster and I can expand on the origins of the blanket's story.

 

I also want to have a look at some alternative patterns for the organisation making memory boxes for parents of little stillborn angels.

 

And I am being encouraged to put some of my thoughts into a book. I am very passionate about the art of crochet and am very excited about its revival in popularity. To this I would also like to help preserve some of the heritage crochet samplers and in sodoing help introduce that to a whole new generation of crafters.

 

But that is the dream, and one for another week.

 

That's my craft story this week - warm pixie smiles coming your way. xo

oOo