I confess I have a weakness for gadgets. They don't all live up to expectations and I won't name and shame, but one I've been using recently and really quite like, is the Clover Quick Yo-Yo Maker. Originally yo-yos (or Suffolk puffs as I know them) were a way of re-using old fabric to make quilts.… Continue reading Clover Quick Yo-Yo Maker Tutorial
Author: bizzymitts
Flowering Peacocks & Crafty Concatenation
Hooking 142 motifs together on my most epic crochet project to date, I looked up and noticed the word of the day on my screensaver was 'concatenation'. I'd not heard that before. Apparently it's the operation of linking a series of things together end-to-end. 'Just what I'm doing', I thought, feeling smugly educated. But then we… Continue reading Flowering Peacocks & Crafty Concatenation
What’s Hooking Now?
Last weekend I found myself without a crochet project. Or specifically the RIGHT crochet project - the sort I could do in front of the TV after a hard day, or take along to Knit and Natter. Though 'Craft and Natter' would be a more befitting name for us, as anything textile related goes. Honestly,… Continue reading What’s Hooking Now?
A Handmade Christmas
I hope you're all enjoying the festive season. Presuming we've all avoided the dreaded norovirus (youngest) and flu (Mum), Christmas competes with the summer holidays as my very favourite time of year. Parties, pantos, good food, carols, the joy and excitement of the big day and precious time with family and friends is all wonderful, if… Continue reading A Handmade Christmas
Yarndale 2019
"Thank goodness that yurt we tried to book was already taken!" was my overriding thought as we drove through the lashing rain last Friday. Armed with wellies, thermal socks, yarn, pamper kit, gin and enough food supplies for several months, friends and I had decided to do Yarndale a little differently this year and make a… Continue reading Yarndale 2019
Patchwood Samplers
This summer I've been all-consumed with my second epic crochet project of the year (more on that coming soon). Consequently, there's been little time for other creative pursuits, so it was great last Saturday to be back at my happy place, Anne Brooke's Shed 76½, to meet my stitchy friends and try something a little different.… Continue reading Patchwood Samplers
Looks Like Rain
When I made my Marguerite blanket, it was part of a CAL (crochet-a-long). Joining a group on social media was a great way to help each other out with tips and advice and to see how yarn choices and design tweaks progressed into beautiful individual blankets. This was one of my favourites. I loved Tina's granny style… Continue reading Looks Like Rain
How Do You Do Blue?
Even after hooking up twenty skeins of indigo-dyed yarn to complete the Marguerite blanket, it would seem I still couldn't get enough of blue. At a recent workshop, there had been the usual genial chatter: new exhibitions, books, artists etc. At some point the conversation got to subscription boxes. For the uninitiated, it's essentially paying to… Continue reading How Do You Do Blue?
Daisies and Skies
Compared to teeny, tiny Octopals, my next project was supersized! Yes it involved learning tapestry crochet, a new-to-me technique and investing many hours, but the pattern was so well-written and the yarn delightful so hooking the Marguerite blanket was an absolute pleasure. Sandra Eng of MobiusGirl Design released the pattern as a crochet-a-long (CAL) running from January to… Continue reading Daisies and Skies
Crafting for a Cause
Perhaps it's got to the point where you've run out of surface to display your creations? Maybe your family's hinting that your home is not the relaxing, minimalist sanctuary they aspire to - more something like this? Or can you no longer find appreciative recipients for your efforts? Well then, it's time to consider using your skills… Continue reading Crafting for a Cause
