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When Technology Lets you down… back to basics & Crochet on…..

It seems like an age since my last post… with Christmas & New Year celebrations well & truly over, I was keen to get back to what I love, writing patterns. With lots of ideas floating around in my head, I wanted to get them written down on my trusty work computer; the computer I’ve had for years. She had all the bits & pieces I need for the precise & intricate details required for pattern writing… You can imagine my stress & panic: when she refused to start up & the Techie sadly shook his head…

So, years of work gone… my fault really… I should have up-dated regularly, I should have backed-up more often… well, I didn’t, trusting that the ‘old girl’ would go on forever… naive, silly me…

However, it’s not the end of the world… some of my work can be re-loaded onto another  computer, unfortunately, I was using very old programs so more up-to-date ones will need to be found & I’ll be able to re-build… A whole new learning curve… yikes! that’s a job…

Meanwhile, crochet on… just so you know I haven’t been completely idle, here are a few new items I’ve created, with more to come, & which I’ll be listing in my Etsy Shop over the coming weeks as I get more photos done… stay tuned…

 

A Huge Honour to be Featured in Artistry in Fiber Vol 2 – Sculpture

In September 2015 I was contacted by E. Ashley Rooney & Anne Lee, who asked if I would be interested in being featured in their newest series of books for Schiffer Publishing, Exploring Fiber Art. The three volumes would cover Wearable Art, Wall Hangings; and In Three Dimensions, & anticipated including about 75 artists in each volume…

…Of course I replied with a positive, Yes….

E. Ashley Rooney has produced a long and successful line of books, which  can be reviewed at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  Anne Lee, her coauthor, has worked with Ashely on several books and coauthored Encaustic Art in the Twenty-first Century (due late 2015).  Schiffer’s beautiful coffee-table books are aimed primarily at galleries, artists, art lovers, and collectors.

About the coauthors: ‘Living in Lexington, Massachusetts, E. Ashley Rooney and Anne Lee had been casually acquainted for many years. They first volunteered together in 2010, curating an art show at Cary Memorial Library. Other shared art events followed, and both their friendship and thier writing partnership evolved. Together, they have edited Encaustic Art in the Twenty-First Century (Schiffer) as well as this exciting series on fiberart. As coauthors, they balance each other and offer different experiences and perspectives: Ashley is the author of over fifty books, specialising in contemporary art and architecture; and Anne researched, curated, and wrote about exhibitions at Vose Galleries in Boston. Exploring fiber art’

…And so, in early June 2017, I was thrilled to received confirmation that  Artistry in Fiber Vol 2 – Sculpture was being released… A beautifully presented book, featuring 78 of today’s most noteworthy fibre Artists & 500 photos of their work… I’m not good at blowing my own trumpet but I can’t let this opportunity pass without saying…. What a great honour it is to be included in such an amazing array interesting & inspirational Fibre Artists & their diverse use of materials & techniques… ‘Artistry in Fiber Vol 2 – Sculpture‘ is a book that will fascinate & enthuse anyone remotely interested in the fibre arts…

3 Crochet Ponchos & a Circular vest – using up large amounts of left-over yarn…

yarn left oversI simply love yarn; the rush you get when you find a new one. How colour and/or texture floods the mind & inspirations just flows in.

As a rule, when I’m in the process of purchasing yarn, in the back of my mind I’m always afraid that I won’t have enough for a single project, either a project in mind or a potential one that hasn’t been thought of yet. And so, inevitably I, more often than not, purchase far more than I eventually use &, as most yarnies will agree, yarn stashes can grow at an alarming rate.

To gain some semblance of control, quick & easy projects can, to some extent, if not completely, reduce that overwhelming feeling of becoming a yarn hoarder…

These 4 projects are a great examples for using up those larger amounts of yarn sitting idle for far too long.

For the ponchos I used variations of my own pattern which can be found here

dscf2060For the hooded poncho I knotted together (leaving the knots as a feature) a combination of complimentary, natural & acrylic, green & brown yarns & using a large hook (UK:10mm / US: N), crocheted in trebles (US: dc) & worked in stripes, adding extra rows around the neck-line to produce the cowl / hood.

 

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The yarn for the red, purple & black poncho is a 12 ply acrylic that I never found again, but luckily I had just enough. Again, I used a largish hook (UK: 8mm / US: L) & crocheted in trebles (US: dc)

 

 

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The pink / purple poncho in made up of a beautiful 30% wool / 70% acrylic 8 ply yarn that, if your lucky, can still be purchased but I’ve never found it in this colour combo again… I used hook size (UK: 6mm / US: H) & also crocheted in trebles (US: dc)

 

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I didn’t have a pattern for the Circular vest. Working in trebles (US: dc) & a hook size (UK: 4.5 mm / US: G), I began in the centre as you would for any circle & spiralled around & around, always marking the first stitch of each round & increasing as you would for a circle. I used my mannequin to determine arm-holes & basically freestyled it to the end. This is a gorgeous 8 ply, 60% super wash wool / 40% polyamide, yarn & a delight to work with.

So, to end this long post, I’d just like to say… don’t be daunted by your growing yarn stash… find patterns & projects that use limited amounts of yarn. Take a chance & use combinations of different yarns, knot them together or just join in new yarn as one runs out. Try out different size hooks… it’s fun, it’s creative, you’re never quite sure how it will turn out but, best of all, it’s a mighty, practical way of losing that hoarder reputation…

Little Dots Rug (Afghan) Crochet Pattern….

little dots rugIt’s been a long while since I’ve posted anything new, 2016 being such a stressful year but I’m determined that 2017 will be a happy, productive & creative time again. This little pattern has been in the pipe-line for ages & I’ve finally put it all together… I hope it’s a pattern that is both interesting to work & practical to boot…

Little Dots Rug (Afghan) Crochet Pattern:little dots stash

Little Dots Rug (Afghan) Crochet Pattern is a great, fun pattern for using up all those bits & pieces sitting idle in your yarn stash; those small yarn left-overs that are not enough for large projects but too good to just discard or throw away…

Little Dots Rug (Afghan) Crochet Pattern is suitable for beginners but still interesting enough for the more experienced.

little dots motifYour choice of yarn, back ground colour, & appropriate hook that you favour, will give your project its own unique result. I’m a big fan of rainbows but there’s no reason why you can’t work your rug in mono tones…

The pattern includes:
~ both UK & US terminology
~ pattern diagram (chart)
~ stitch drawings
~ assembly.

Enjoy this fun pattern using up all those neglected yarn bits & pieces in your stash… waste not, want not… is my motto for this project….

Available now in my Etsy Shop

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