Tag: photography

Project 100

Did you take part? There were many posts on Instagram covering a wide range of media and techniques. I chose the challenge as an ideal opportunity to use my scraps, and here is the project so far:

A square a day was the decision. Not too large, it couldn’t interfere with other projects which had priority, so I decided on four rounds. As the squares grew in quantity a plan for their use became apparent and I realised that I actually needed a few extra, so here they all are, laid out and ready for the next stage.

Next comes the best bit. I’ll sit back with a large cup of coffee and weave in the remaining loose ends. It’s very difficult to undo a round once a square is finished off, so I left some in case a colour needed changing.

It will be a while before joining happens, but it occurred to me that it will be an ideal holiday project! First, however, I need to book one 😉

Too HOT to crochet!

Are you revelling in temperatures in the late 20 to early 30s degrees C? (That’s 85+ to those of you that still use Fahrenheit, by the way.) I’ll be honest. It’s too hot for me and I’m suffering. A word of warning .. there is crochet below but also some medical stuff, so go away now or scroll down if you don’t want to read ..

For many years I’ve been treated fo Hypothyroidism. One of the many symptoms is inability to control body temperature. This doesn’t happen to everyone but to a ‘select’ few it’s very often far too cold or far too hot.

Long before I was finally diagnosed I was taking extreme precautions. For instance, a summer holiday in hot August would ensure that the first things to pack would be a pair of good quality gloves! There is nothing worse than hands too cold to move on a hot summer day! Of course, I was young then, and I had never experienced (or even heard of) Hot Flashes! These became a constant companion after an early hysterectomy, but soon became a thing of the past.

About five years ago they returned, at least I thought they had. However, temperatures swinging high are just the other side of the hypothyroid coin. So on days when most people are experiencing 31 deg C I’m flailing around shivering in -2C or melting in 45degC. It isn’t funny 😦

The irony is that my actual body temperature rarely goes above 35C!

Anyway. On to crochet.

It’s hard to crochet in gloves! But it’s equally hard to crochet with hands that are too hot, and as for working on a blanket ….

Which is frustrating as that’s what I should be doing.

This is square number 7 and I have 5 more to complete. There’s a deadline, of course, but hot hands, or cold hands come to that, have a way of making their own crochet tension. I can’t afford to spoil what’s already complete, so this project is on hold. HELP!

Fortunately I can work on random small squares. They aren’t precious so are a life saver. More about them next time. Enjoy your July wherever you are.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find my gloves!

Summer is here!

Other parts of the country have had periods of appalling weather, here, however, it’s been almost perfect. Apparently we are about to enter into a small heatwave – and that isn’t good news for crochet! The last thing that’s needed is snuggling under a blanket in hot temperatures!

It should, however, make interesting and vibrant colour combinations for the Temperature blanket, and also for the Spirit of Summer blanket which is now underway.

Here’s a glimpse of four squares, I’m hoping for some red soon 😉

If you want to follow its progress you can click the link above.

Hello Summer

As far as my temperature blanket is concerned the end of May marks the end of Spring. June is the start of summer regardless of the equinox or anyone else 😉

May was a very busy month. It was partly so due to a holiday which meant little contribution to the temperature blankets until I returned home. I managed to secrete a little crochet in my packing, but also including balls of numerous colours to cover all eventualities would have been very obvious. Consequently the last couple of weeks of the month were spent doing ‘catch up’.

I didn’t make an individual blanket for May, instead I finished the Spring Blankets. Did I tell you that I was making two?

The first one concentrated on the morning temperatures

and the second displays the temperatures at their height for the day.

I’m really suprised at how easy it is to see the progression from March through April and into the heat of May. It was a surprisingly warm month, although we always do have good weather during this time – that’s why we have taken our UK holiday then for over 30 years.

These are both now on the back burner as far as the border is concerned. I have begun a Very Important Blanket which is a secret (I love secret blankets). It’s going well so far, but it’s larger than anything I’ve made before so we’ll have to see how it goes!

I’m also keeping up to date with my Scrap Busting 100 days project! There’ll be more about that another day. I have so many ideas – but so little time! I bet you are the same……

Happy crocheting.

It’s been a month!

I had no intention of not posting for so long, but sometimes Life gets in the way, and it’s a question of just running with it.

Flu turned to Bronchitis and then I was forced to go on a cruise to recover! Crochet took a little backseat but I did manage at least one square a day. Here are a few pictures of work in progress and more. Some are finished, but they are for another day.

Now I have some catching up! I also need some more yarn, a big project is about to be started, so I’m off to take advantage of some special offers.

Back soon.

Slow progress

Well, it’s moved along a little, but I won’t be wearing it this weekend!

I began it during the ‘flu, and didn’t pick it up again until Sunday evening. Wow! Now that I’m further on I can tell you that I love this yarn!

Northern Lights by James C Brett has a small proportion of viscose mixed with the main fibre . Viscose is a plant based fibre and always gives a good handle. It can also have a warm cosy feel.

I’m using a size 5 hook and following the rules for a normal c2c at each edge but substituting 1tr, 1ch, 1tr, into each 3 chain of the previous row. Hopefully the following quick image will help to illustrate.

If you are looking for a new yarn to try I suggest you give this one a go. It comes with a free knitting pattern for a shawl, so if you don’t crochet, or want to try a new skill, you know that it will work. It’s currently on offer in various places, but I have to admit that the cheapest I could find is here, at the moment.

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First of two?

Yes, this might be the first post of two today, but I may run out of time!

Firstly, did you catch the recent post on Stashbusters Anonymous? You may like to read it, it might fill in a few gaps! The main purpose of this post, however, is to hilight a project in which you may like to get involved.

I recently spotted a request for granny squares by @purplestarmonkey on Instagram. She is making a blanket to be raffled to raise money for #sepsisawareness. Her request is relatively specific, but not difficult to fulfil, and even one square would be a help and a support.  I managed to find a few of the colour she is using and have made 10 squares. The ends need weaving in, that will be my next step, but my eyes have not been up to the task while I’ve been poorly.

All you need is a 4mm hook and some Stylecraft Special DK in one or more of the following colours: Copper, Graphite, Mustard, Spice, Lipstick, Buttermilk, Gold, Parchment, Grey.

I may get some more made, but in truth I have taken on too many projects for this month. I didn’t expect to be poorly! But then, we never do, do we?

Happy Hooking.