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Sunday 25 November 2012

~ 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:

 
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

Sunday 18 November 2012

~ 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:
 
 
 
 
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
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday 11 November 2012

~ 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

Sunday 4 November 2012

... Spring all around ~ Krista blocks 8 and 9 ~ Red Heart baby hat


Sunset over the bird sanctuary

I thought a nice brisk walk through the bird sanctuary would clear my head with the fresh spring air all around us.
 
As always there were a good selection of not only parrots, but also crickets and frogs - and a whoooole range of sounds I couldn't identify.
 
Then amongst all his nature the sun set slowly behind the trees as the birds quieting down. Here is a picture of the sun setting over the bird sanctuary.



Krista crochet blocks

On the crochet front I not only made the Krista block 8, but also block 9.
 
I'm really chuffed with how pretty the number 8 block came out - a different take on the granny square but its almost binary in the way the two sides contrast each other and build with each new row. I think I'll be making more of this one...
 
Krista block 8
 
 
 
Krista block 9 
 


The pattern to all the blocks in this throw (which are free) are at:
  
 
 
Baby hats - another free crochet pattern

I'm also looking for a nice pattern for baby hats to go towards charities over this festive season.
 
On the Red Heart website I found a lovely pattern called "One Ball Baby Blanket and Hat".
 
This little guy was so easy to make, and really fast - it only took about 20 minutes end to end. Add to that its such a cute hat and I think I'll take a larger crochet hook and make one for myself as well. 
 
 
 
That's my craft story this week - warm pixie smiles coming your way. xo
oOo