Eight-by-Six

Catching up with some granny squares this week for my work in progress blanket. I should be knitting a hat but I wanted a change and a treat, we all need a treat at this time of year don't we? We are all running around buying presents for loved ones and friends and forget ourselves. Self care it is then! I may have ordered more Debbie Bliss Cashmerino yarn too, oops well it is on sale. home made raspberry gin liqueur putting my Birchbox bag to good use I also managed to bottle up my summer raspberry gin that has turned into the most delicious liqueur if I do say myself. Its going to be my drink on Christmas day with some Asti. You can find my cranberry gin recipe on my blog, just use what fruit you want. Last year I made cranberry and orange for gift bags, my friends loved it, why wouldn't they! I bought some lovely silver and gold jar labels in Oad Street on Saturday and I'll use these for my chilli jam gifts I'm making this week. I alos bought so...

Isn't it  the best crochet therapy ever? I really do love the simple granny square, a timeless classic. I never get bored with making these and its very satisfying to sit back and look at a neat stack. A couple of weeks back it was full on granny square production line. Here are some of the photos I took. Currently have 36 joined and another 60+ to make. Its a great project for adding to as and when you feel like it. I like that kind of no pressure kind of project. classic granny squares I pick it up and instantly smile and the happy colours. I have a few baskets full of Debbie Bliss Rialto DK plus a whole box under my bed full of new yarn (oops!) Its going to be big, perfect for snuggling up on the sofa. Full of merino yarn which is so soft and machine washable (added bonus). Just need to decide on a nice wide border. I'll  be picking this up over the weekend and playing with colours. My preferred joining method is join-as-you-go because I love the vintage ...

I'm currently working on two new crochet shawl designs using the most beautiful hand dye yarn from Sew Happy Creative (both gifted) but I have ordered more which I will pay for! That's the yarn in the second photo. I was gifted 3 mini skiens (20g each to test) and fell in love with them. You can buy yours here on Etsy . I prefer to buy the mini skiens as I find it less work especially winding the skiens as I always make a mess of the 100g ones! The vintage denim yarn in photo one was gifted for my birthday back in May and it was stashed away for a few months until I decided to cast on a new crochet shawl just before I went to Italy. The yarn is so soft and the colours are beautiful. Little flecks of turquoise amongst sandy colours so this is definitely a beachy themed shawl. I'm planning to add bobbles to represent stones, I have tried them and they look amazing in this colourway. I've almost finished a 100g skein so I've a little way to go, what with swapping pr...

Granny square day is fast approaching on Thursday 15th August. The other night I got home and declared the rest of the evening to making granny squares. I popped a one pot chicken casserole in the over and sat down with my yarn stash of Debbie Bliss merino yarn, perfect. What better way to finish off a busy day at work than messing about with colour and squishy yarn. I do love a basic granny square, so satisfying seeing a neat stack to be added to a new (on going) blanket project. Making them during the summer is the best part, because you get to join them and use the blanket ready for the autumn and cosy Sunday afternoons on the sofa watching films or reading a book. glorious granny squares This year there are lots of preparations going on in Instragram and Simplycrochet Magazine has a digital booklet full of gorgeous granny squares for you to make. I've added the link for you to check out all the latest designs, and download your own free copy, granny squares have ne...

June must be a month for me making tees the knitted and crochet kind. I started my denim daisy tee about a week ago, a re-worked version of what was going to be another blanket when I had the brain wave to turn it into something to wear. The denim colour really does make the colours pop don't you think? the back of one jumper meets the front of another tea time in my garden on Sunday morning And I also started my Dill Tee from the lovely We Are Knitters, its my first purchase and won't be my last. I love how you can take the cardboard bag with you that doubles as yarn holder and I managed to find 15 mins to add a few rows whilst waiting for my manicurist on Saturday morning. The instructions and kit are just perfect for beginners and more advanced/experienced knitters, everything is in the bag ready for you to cast on. I'm now a #wakambassador so if you fancy a peek at their range (they have a sale on this week) you can use my link here just a...

I spent some of the weekend making more granny squares and joining together the ones I made ages ago. There is something quite satisfying about making these little squares. I have quite a lot of merino yarn left over from previous blankets and its a great way to experiment with colours. My husband commented that the first photo looks like a sweet shop! How very true it does. My kind of Saturday Sunday morning vibes

It's started and I'm in love with this pattern and yarn. As you can see from the picture the sun came out for my lunchtime knit. The Stashbuster Sweater is an over sized comfy sweater and can be knitted in a number of sizes, I've chosen the second size. gorgeous Debbie Bliss Yarn  its addictive! I love how quickly the front has grown, knitting quickly to reach the next colour change. The Debbie Bliss Rialto DK yarn is soft and gives good stitch definition. I was lucky to have most of the colours in my yarn stash and bought some in the sale. Most of the colours are now discontinued so this is the perfect project to put the colours together. I'm really happy with the way its working out. If you fancy raiding your yarn stash and started your own you can find the pattern by Rosee Woodland here on Ravelry Stashbuster Sweater

I thought you would like this easy project, its perfect for a last minute Christmas gift or birthday present. But this one is for me! It uses chunky yarn (I’m using Debbie Bliss Rialto Chunky 200g (4 x50g) but you should be able to use any chunky yarn, amounts vary. I'm using 200g and a 6mm hook The origianl pattern credit is Bellacoco link here but I've added my notes that I think are easier to follow. So this is how you make it .... Foundation chain : Chain 23using a 6mm crochet hook Round one: one tr into 4 th chain from hook, ch1, tr into the same chain space (this is the V stitch) * Skip 2 chains, tr, ch1, tr into the same chain space * repeat 6 times, tr into last chain space. Chain 3 turn Round two : * tr into chain 1 space of V stitch from the previous row, ch1, tr into the same chain space * repeat 7 times, chain 3 turn Repeat round 2 until you reach your desired length. 65 rows should be enough until you almost run out of yarn but ...

It's finished, hot off the hook! No idea why it took me so long to complete other than being distracted by lots of Sheepjes Whirl and other gorgeous yarns. So here it is and the custom order has been received by my customer. I hope she likes it! To make your own version here are some basic instructions (very basic as I haven't got round to making lots of photos but I will for the next one I make) How to make a granny square scarf like mine 1. make 39 granny squares in your own yarn, colour combo, finishing on round 3 (you will join on round 4) I sew in the dangly bits as I go along to make it quicker at the end. 2. I've used Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in many colours that I have in my stash 3. to join I've used Debbie Bliss Rialto DK Heathers range (denim blue) I really love how this sets off the other colours. This yarn is so soft which is perfect when it will be so close to your skin 4. I used the join-as-you-go method as I find this works for me and I like the ...