Sea Blue Hooky

Hello,

I was all cosy on the sofa the other evening, wrapped up in my ripple blanket with a nice cuppa and a copy of Country Living magazine.  I noticed that twilight was infusing the blue sky with it's velvety darkness and I suddenly had an urge to start a new crochet project...darker nights make me want to dig out my hook and a stash of soft wool and get busy.  The next day, I took myself off to the local wool shop and browsed the shelves looking for the right shades for my new scarf.

Yes, another scarf.

I cannot help myself when it comes to making scarves - it's because it's such a portable project, and pretty quickly made up I think, so I enjoy making them.  Plus, it's always nice to have a cosy and colourful collection to dip into come the colder weather.

But this time, I wasn't after bold, bright splashes of colour.  This time, I was trying something very different ~ I was on the lookout for sea blues and greys, the colours that I associate with the coast in winter...I envisaged a smooth, round, charcoal coloured pebble encircled with an elipse of white sitting in my palm...I saw pale blue skies, with gulls wheeling high above on the thermals...I saw stormy grey blue seas, wind whipped into frothy white waves that crashed onto pale sandy shores...I felt the cool, bleak wonder of a beach walk in January, discovering bleached driftwood and tiny white shells sprinkled on the tide line amidst muddy brown fronds of seaweed.

I wanted to find these kinds of colours for my scarf.  And I discovered Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK and I was smitten.



The shades of this yarn are beautiful, and capture everything I was thinking of.  I also had a pattern in mind for this scarf, which is called the Starburst stitch.  You can probably get a free tutorial online for this stitch, but Im using the one that's in Handbook of Crochet Stitches.

I like how the Starburst stitch looks a little bit like waves on the ocean...



I must admit, despite being landlocked and yearning for brisk Autumn walks on a beach, I do like this time of year in these parts.  The countryside is slowly fading, the carnival of Summer packs up it's glamours and slowly moves on, replaced by that chill in the air, an undefinable feeling, a wistful sense of something passing...of log fires and hot chocolate, of walking in crunchy leaves down lanes where the air is tinged with the scent of a bonfire.  All of these things have me yearning to be in the kitchen making delicious things...



...like aromatic parsnip and apple soup...*recipe can be found in October Edition of Country Living Magazine*

There is something very comforting about home made soup, fresh off the hob and dished up with a warm baguette, generously buttered and served with a big mug of tea.  It is comforting, and reassuring and homely.

I do enjoy these small comforts, they help me to make the transition from Summer to the colder months ahead.  I know I'm one of those souls who, despite liking each season enormously, deeply laments the passing of the warmer days.

I'm currently tucked up indoors working on a commission painting; I'm also starting new sketches for the solo exhibition I am in next year, at Studio 61 Gallery, in Derbyshire.  This is my first ever solo exhibition and I'm thrilled to have been invited to show with the gallery.

Also, for the first time in many moons, I have agreed to do a Christmas fair - it's hosted by the very talented Kate Brazier of Kate Creates, and I'll be down in Newton Regis on the 8th December to sell some Christmas and Coastal wares!

I can feel a cup of tea coming on now, I'll see you next time - thanks for bobbing by.

Garden Flower Crocheted Mobile Phone Pocket

I recently got a new mobile phone (my old one was practically an antique and well past it's sell by date) and as my new one is actually a small computer in disguise, rather than just a phone I felt it needed something, a little pocket type protector to look after it.  I hadn't seen anything I really liked in the shops and all of sudden thought...hang on, why don't I crochet one!! Well of course!

So I looked for colour inspiration in my basket of odds and sods...

 ...and found a nice selection of Rowan Handknit Cotton DK.
I chose this particular wool as it can be crocheted up to be pretty sturdy.  Especially using SC (USA) stitches.

So I got busy.  Do you want the pattern?  You do?? Ah, OK then :D


The pocket is really easy.  It's just two stitches ~ chains and single crochet, so if you can do those then you can probably make this in an hour or less.


Choose your yarn.  I would suggest something fairly robust like a cotton but it's up to you.  I used a No. 4 hook and a selection of seven colours which were inspired by my Cath Kidston messenger bag.  The phone pocket is made up in stripes which consist of two rows of the same colour yarn in SC stitch.




The Pattern:


1:  Measure around your mobile phone.  Mine is a HTC and pretty small, so if you have an i-phone you may need extra chains to begin, and extra stripes to fit it height wise.  I will be giving the number of stitches that I used for mine, which may suit yours perfectly but do check before you begin.

2:  Ch 20 + CH1 

3:  SC in second stitch from hook. 

4:  1SC in each stitch all along the row to the end (20 stitches).  Turn for row 2, CH1 then in second stitch from hook, 1SC in each stitch til end of the row.

5:  *Finish off and add a new colour yarn

6:  Row 3:  Hook under 1st stitch of last row, CH1.  In same stitch, 1SC then 1SC in each stitch along the row to the end. (20 stitches).  Turn crochet piece for row 4, CH1 then 1SC in each stitch along the row to the end (20 stitches)*.
Repeat from * (step 5) for the rest of the pocket, until you have a rectangle of stripy crochet that fits just above your mobile phone.


Finish off, sew the edges of the pocket together (right sides facing) with yarn, leaving a space at the top to slide your phone in.  Turn the pocket the right way - almost done!

The flower...you will need to be able to do double crochet clusters (DCC) for this - see below flower tutorial for How To:

To embellish your pocket with a small flower, choose a contrasting yarn.

1:  CH 4 and join with a SS into first stitch
2:  *CH3, then 1DCC (see below), then SS into ring*.
3:  Repeat from * four more times, and finish off.
4:  Sew in ends and then sew the flower to your phone pocket, add buttons to finish.


Double Crochet Cluster stitch:  Here is an explanation of how to do this stitch - I hope it makes sense as there aren't any photos!


After doing your CH3, wrap yarn around hook and push hook through ring.
Pull yarn through (3 stitches on hook), wrap yarn around hook and pull through 2 stitches (2 stitches left on hook),  wrap yarn around hook (3 stitches on hook), push hook through thr ring, wrap yarn around hook and pull through (4 stitches on hook).  Wrap yarn around and pull through 2 stitches, wrap yarn around again and pull through remaining 3 stitches on hook.
Done.

So there you have it!

A pretty, protective, and unique little Mobile Phone Pocket!  I hope you like it, do have a go if you do, and please get in touch if you have any questions.


Love Julia x

New Hooky Stuff

Hello there!

I have something to share with you today, something of the Hooky Sort, something new and exciting.

I was playing about early last week, rumaging in my bag full of left over balls of Rowan pure wool yarn and wondering what I could make out of those scrumptious bright colours. Such a shame for that lovely wool to be stuffed in a bag like that and left, that just wouldn't do, not at all. So on went the thinking cap, a spot of doodling followed and then a light bulb moment presented itself. I would make a Tote Bag!! Hurrah!! A colourful, bright and cheery bag made from these pretty rainbow yarns! But before I got stuck in, I wondered if I might be able to make my own little pattern, my very own little square from which to make it. I do like a challenge, and before long I could think of nothing else. I knew what I wanted it to look like, yes that was the easy bit - but it took a few sums and much scratching of the head before it came right.

And then, much hooking ensued, much unravelling and some quiet cursing too.

But eventually, I was happy with it, and here it is; Popcorn Flower Granny is born and what do you think?!

This has made me rather happy and excited all at once, these delicious squares have a rather nice 3 dimensional quality to them, due to the plump raised nature of the popcorn stitch.

Here's another one...(as I write this I confess that the pile has grown a bit more, I'm totally besotted with these very easy grannies)...

I am working up a little stash of these, and just about to start edging them - I cannot wait to show you more as I go on.

Would you like a pattern tutorial for these Popcorn Flower Grannies?

You would?!

Fabulous. I will of course be writing one out and will share it with you lovely people here as soon as it is done. Just think what you could do with this little square ~ my goodness I'm having palpitations just imagining blankets and cushions made out of them! :D

Anyway, aside from all this, we have managed to squeeze in some more Seaside Time. This time was in South Wales while we were away visiting some family. We spent several lovely hours on two of the days down on the beach by Porthcawl, the Little One was in her element...but then, so was I. There is nothing I like more than closing my eyes at the waters edge, hearing seagulls and inhaling that wonderful Seaside Scent with the warm sun on my face. Bliss.

On Saturday evening, after a smashing meal at a country pub, we drove over to Penarth which is a little coastal resort very close to Cardiff. It was one of those perfectly warm, blue summers evenings, one that made you feel glad to be out and about. We strolled upon the beach and looked across the water to the islands of Steepholme and Flatholme. You could see the Somerset and Devon coast over on the other side of the channel too.

There is a very pretty little pier at Penarth, which reminded me a little of the one in Southwold. We had to have a mooch on it, eating an ice cream of course whilst watching the boats sailing about. It was lovely and relaxing until the Small Person in our party thought it might be fun to climb the railings... lemming impressions were not on the agenda that evening and Mummy nearly had a heart attack when she realised what was going on! The rescue mission was carried out in the nick of time with Daddy swiftly scooping the escapee up and hoisting her onto his shoulders before removing her to the safety of the pavement! Phew!! Never a dull moment!

So a nice weekend was had by all - made all the nicer by a phone call from my dear Mum to tell us they were going to whisk us away to Northumberland for a week in a cottage...oh my word, I could hardly believe my ears!! You will know how I fell in love with the place on our visit back in May, I wrote about it here - now a chance to spend 7 glorious days in Bamburgh...Oh my word, I am counting down the days already!

Anyway, before I go, I wanted to let you know that I'm going to be having a bit of a giveaway on my Facebook page once I reach 100 Likers. I'm up to 97 at the moment so perhaps with your help we could reach that magic number and some lucky soul could receive something nice from my arty stash of goodies! You can click on the link in the sidebar if you are interested.

Talking of art, I am still drawing but haven't had much time for painting of late. I'm working on some new ideas for some new work and also some new prints. As ever, I welcome all your comments and thoughts so do get in touch if you have a question or an idea about my work, or maybe even suggest some subject matter for me to paint, I sometimes get a dreaded dry spell and other people and their inspiration can be a tonic at times like these!

Thanks for visiting me today, and welcome to some new followers, it's lovely of you to drop by!

Sending love

Julia x x x

Corsage joy

Last night I started and finished this pretty little corsage - its adorned with a lovely blue heart shaped ceramic button and I was rather pleased with it I must say - I was in two minds whether to actually put it on my Etsy or keep it for myself, but as the dear other half pointed out, if I kept everything I made, Id be flooded with stuff...he's right, I have a drawer overflowing with such things so with some reluctance, but sure that one day it would meet with a joyously happy owner, I added it to my little shop.

I also managed to do a bit more crochet work to add to my blanket stash, and realised that the pale blue wool I had chosen to edge my blocks with was running dangerously low. Alas, the only thing for it was a trip to Holmfirth to the excellent Up Country

If ever you have the chance to visit this little aladdins cave of treasures and all things woolly, then do go along for a peep - once inside you disappear up some stairs and you are in wool heaven! There are delightful cupboards oozing wools of all shades and textures, drawers have yarn tucked away in them and there are lots of lovely makes like Rowan and Debbie Bliss - the owner (I presume) has also very thoughtfully left some childrens toys on the floor in a corner, so that mummy can browse in peace whilst the little ones amuse themselves with small cars, a house and a plastic snoopy.

Perfect!

I came away with stocks replenished (isn't it awful when you run out half way through something?) and after a spot of grocery shopping we came home for lunch.

A lovely, pootling sort of day - and tonight a meeting with my Craft Candy friends!

Hope you are all having a scrumptious day

Sending love and cosy blankets - its still very chilly here, is it the same where you are?

Julia xxx