Latest Pins to Inspire

I thought it would be fun to share some of my latest pins - pinterest is really so full of inspiration. This is a bit of a mix, I hope you will enjoy it

1. This cute DIY for putting away my current crochet projects - what do we reckon, 20 minutes max? 

2. I love that outfit. I really need a red polka dot top and green trousers - I should not work, but totally does. And that bag..  This is definitely on my sewing project for March (I am finally taking a course!!)

3. Thinking Easter Eggs au naturel...I think that would be a hit for Britain in our Kitchen. 

4. I am officially in love with Anthology27 on Etsy and any of the earrings. 

Interesting colour coordination - not one of my obsessions? 

 5. And finally I want the squirrels in my garden to be this funny! 

Stop!!! 

So, what has inspired you this week? 

Finishing and Announcing

I have been analysing my granny square blanket A LOT (you know the one I made for the Janaury Defi'13). And there was something wrong with it. Not an obvious 'wrong' (ie the colours were not wrong), but it did not look finished. And I did not like it. After a bit of blog stalking - one of my favourite pastimes - I came across Faustine's own granny square blanket (made for the same Defi'13) and I could see that she had a really nice finish. The solution was simple she said, the last row is a single crochet row made of a contrasting yarn - of course!

Once I started, that was it. I knew it was right for the blanket. I had some grey Cocoon left - not a full skein, but just enough for this last row. I really like the effect, it looks like a blanket stitch and really finish off the granny square (so no temptation for me making it even bigger!).

So guys, what do you do when you know there is something wrong? Do you have a standard solution or do you try to find similar projects on blogs? or do you just give up...

Anyway, did I mention an announcement in my title? I sure did... I am SO exciting about this. To thank you all for coming to my blog, I will have host my very first GIVEAWAY whilst we are on holiday. I set myself a threshold of people visiting my blog and I passed it - and that is really rewarding!

So Friday this week, all will be unveiled. I think you will like it - it is not just for knitters, or for patchwork... more a home thank you giveaway... It will be open for a bit more than a week - so plenty of time if people missed out. All you need to do is follow me!

Put your hands up those of you who thought I was pregnant?

Defi'13 de la decoration

We are the 13th of the month and it can only mean one thing - it is time to link up to Defi'13! This month we had to make something for your house.. Pretty easy - I had loads of ideas. And I managed to make... one, I suppose at least it is one. This is probably the most simple - yet the most expensive (it literally eats yarn) - crochet pattern. The giant granny square blanket.






Pour ce Defi'13 de la decoration, j'ai decide de faire le plus grand des granny squares. J'avais beaucoup d'autres idees en tete bien sur, mais je n'ai reussi qu'a finir (et en fait commencer) ce projet. Pour ne pas me sentir trop nulle, j'ai quand meme ajoute un coussin que j'avais fait l'annee derniere en patchwork. Le granny square au depart c'est tout simple, le probleme c'est en fait son cout - j'ai arrete de compter le nombre de pelotes dont j'ai eu besoin - c'etait trop deprimant.

The yarn used is mainly Rowan Cocoon - and it worked - much better than in my Cadence! I know now how I can use it in the future! I used 4 different shades of grey and you may remember that yellow yarn from Baby Longlegs I used for that slouchy hat! The hook was a 5.5 mm. This is the colour scheme of our bedroom - except that when on the bed, well it just not the right effect. So the grann y square is going to the little room - aka my hobby room with the cushion I made last year. It actually works very well there - so pleased. Would have been really upset if I could not show it off in my house!

J'ai parle il y a quelques billets de cela de mes malheurs avec la laine Cocoon de Rowan - je la trouvais trop lourde et pas facile a travailler. J'ai perserve et ca a paye! J'ai utilise 4 nuances de gris, et ai fini ma derniere pelote de jaune de Baby Longlegs - que j'avais utiliser pour ce projet. J'adore cette couleur. Le crochet est un 5.5 mm. Pour celles qui suivent mon blog, il s'agit effectivement de la palette de couleurs de notre chambre, et en fait ce granny square etait pour la chambre. A part qu'en dessus de lit - ou en bout de lit - ca ne va pas du tout. Ca ne rendait vraiment pas. Donc le granny square est maintenant dans mon bureau, sur ma chaise made in IKEA.

This was a great project for the winter as whilst doing it - in front of the TV (so great after Gingko!) - it was on my lap the whole time, keeping me warm! Brilliant! If you have not done any crochet before, I would definitely recommend this project - it is really easy to do and it grows very quickly (at the beginning). The only problem is at the end, when you need a skein for only one round (hence the expense). As far as the change in colours is concerned, I think at the beginning it was based on a 6 round basis, and then on what I had left... I made a very quick sketch, that I follow quite loosely.

J'ai adore ce projet, apres Gingko qui m'a quand meme pris un peu de temps et beaucoup de ma concentration, c'etait quasiment trop facile... Non pas vraiment, parce que ce n'est pas facile a manier quand on a utililse toutes les pelotes de Rowan de son magasin de laine (bon peut etre pas toutes, mais une bonne partie). Par contre ca tient au chaud tout au long du projet, et en plein hiver c'est quand meme super appreciable. Je recommende ce projet a toutes celles qui n'auraient jamais fait de crochet avant. Ca grandit tres tres vite au depart et ca rend vraiment bien pour un point assez basique. Un autre Defi'13 releve!

Another Defi'13 done!

Recommendations

I received a new Japanese crochet/knitting book in French (did you follow all of that) yesterday. I am seriously obsessed by Japanese craft books, and for once I could actually understand what they meant - sort of (as in it is not all in Japanese). This one is called 'Joli Fil de Lin'. I just had to have a go yesterday (yes I still need to finish Gingko), and make a little crochet snowflake coaster last night. It is so pretty. Although it is in French, the book is in fact divided between pictures and patterns (not written out though so you can follow easily even if you don't speak French).

Suite au billet de la Poule, je suis hier devenue l'heureuse proprietaire de 'Joli fil de lin' et je me suis mise au crochet tout de suite (parce que j'ai le Gingko de Mamy et plein d'autres projets a finir). Mais le modele etait vraiment trop 'cute' et toute resistance etait futile. Et finir un projet en une heure est vraiment gratifiant en fait.. Meme si le livre est en francais, ce qui aide (en comparaison au japonais par exemple), les patrons ne sont pas ecrits en entier - une fois qu'on a deciphere (tant bien que mal) les schemas ca va beaucoup mieux..

What other project am I likely to make .. Autres projets qui vous verrez peut etre finis.

A spring/summer scarf

A head scarf - could be woolen one for skiing?

A necklace and bracelet (especially the bracelet)

It is a hit and miss with this book. There are projects for the house and accessories that are beautiful (simple and geometric, what else!) but the garnments are a bit strange, and I am unlikely to make them if I am honest - although I may learn a few new stitches. It is worth buying if you are into Japanese patterns - there are a few quick (gratifying) projects as well, otherwise there are probably models already available on Ravelry.

Je suis contente de mon achat, on trouve un peu de tout. Tout ce qui est pour la deco et 'bijoux' c'est super par contre j'ai trouve les modeles pour les vetements.. en fait pas trop a mon gout. Mais bon quand il est question des gouts et des couleurs.. A vous de voir. Par contre je recommande chaudement 'Impostures sur papier glace' de Catherine Rambert qui raconte la vie d'une redactrice-en-chef fictive de Super Star. C'est vraiment tres marrant, tres bien ecrit, et ca decrit le monde des 'beautiful people' et de Voici, Gala et autres glossy magazines.

Si vous achetez l'un des livres ou faites l'un des projets en crochet, faites moi signe..

If you buy the book/already made projects fromt he book, let me know, I would love to see them.

Decisions, decisions, decisions

So you have seen them... Yes the Christmas adverts have arrived, and it is time to think about presents for my family. I try to knit/crochet a shawl for Mamy (my Grandma) every year. She is always cold, and she loves telling ALL her friends that I have made what she is wearing. So where do you go for inspiration.. yes, ravelry. Here is my selection so far (if you want to get the pattern, I queued them all on my ravelry profile). But what to choose?



I chose a mix of winter-y shawls and more spring-y. It is all colour neutral now, so I cannot get influenced by the colour - does it make it easier, not sure?

There are all very different and requiring varying degree of skills, and varying lenghts of stockinette. I really don't want to get bored otherwise, it will never happen...

And then there is the outsider: the SHRUG. I really do like it, but is it Mamy's style, not sure... I am wondering if she is not a Navdanya prayer shawl... Decisions, decisions, decisions...

So what is your favourite guys?? Have you already thought of Christmas presents - even started making them??

PS: Just ONE day to go before my holiday, I am SO excited!

FO and UFOs

Hiya guys!! Happy Wednesday. I am back in England! I am debating whether I should be unpacking my bag or leaving it as it is for my next trip (Sunday) to Zurich - save for the dirty washing, obviously... More hotel weirdness to come? I wonder... Anyway I am not here to talk about business travelling, but to talk about my projects - ok, my progress on my projects. FO: Finished Object (note the use of the singular); UFOs: Unfinished Object (yes, you've got it plural).

Started a year ago, making progress very sllllooowly (hence for winter)

I was doing really well, until I ran out of white fabric yarn. I need to create some more.

By the way, it is much harder than it looks.

Started in the spring, half way through, and going.
The result will be amazing, when I get there.

I finished the necklace I talked about here...
Love it, so easy to wear (note, I had to use some jewellery glue)

So what are you up to guys? What are you current projects? Are you inspired to take up a new craft for the winter...

{Granny Squares - Buy it or Make it?} Noas' Libellule obsession

Hello peeps! Happy Friday! Is everyone looking forward ot the weekend? Anything exciting planned? We are off to our last wedding of the year. And then, that is it, nothing planned, weekends are free... and I will be catching up with some craft. Yipee! And definitely some granny squares. It was really fun to put this post together - and I am super inspired... Will you be?

1. Scarf, House of Holland, ASOS; 2. Kid scarf, Super Soil; 3. Pincushion from Namolio, Etsy; 4. Christopher Kane Crocheted Pencil Skirt, Net-a-Porter; 5. Christopher Kane Suzie Crochet Effect Leather, Net-a-Porter; 6. Blanket from the Knitbox, Etsy; 7. House of Holland Tights, Asos; 8. Cushion cover from the Bayleaf Studio, Etsy.

What I love with granny squares is a) it is quite easy to make, 2) you can make them as big or as small as you wish, and 3) it is all about colour coordination. And suddenly you have your own vintage, or modern homemade home - or a new scarf (I love the House of Holland one)!!

So you are asking how? how can you make those beautiful things? I was hoping to make the tutorial... but did not get a chance in the end (a combination of work really kicking off and catching up with sleep). However Adaiha makes it look super easy at her tutorial page.

I have just been on Ravelry to see what comes up if you search granny squares: 4,092 results that include aprons, slippers, colourful cushion covers... If you want inspiration, this is the place to go!!

Have a great weekend guys! And have fun wherever you are!

Noas' Libellule How-to {The Lace Pouch}

Hello guys! How are you all doing? Happy Thursday! I had a lot of comments on my {Buy it or Make it} post about pouches and clutches. Thanks for dropping by guys!

Do you remember by pinterest inspiration in this post a couple of weeks ago.


I finished my own pouch version and here it is... Neat, non?

I made the doily and the pouch. However, if you cannot crochet or if you do not have the patience to spend weeks making a doily, there are plenty of doilies for sale in charity shops...

What you are going to need....


1. Linen Anchor Cotton @Purplelinda Crafts

2. Fabric for outside of your pouch - I used some light jean fabric (well I had made a skirt out of it)

3. Some lining fabric for your pouch, mine is from @Stefaniexu

4. Crochet hook 2mm

5. Metallic Anchor Cotton @Purplelinda Crafts

6. A zipper which is the width of your pouch (if you have a bigger one, just reduce it)

7. Some thread.

The Doily...

I must admit I challenged my crochet skills a bit here. I tried to make a doily before - but never finished it. So I decided that it would be a great idea to go for something much more complicated this time. Obviously!

The pattern is from Ravelry (available for free). I was attracted by the fact that it had been crocheted in black which made it instantly more modern. You will have noticed that I changed yarn at the end. I just ran out of yarn (- it has happened before, and will happen again). But I actually really like the linen yarn and what it adds. I cannot imagine the doily without it now (more information on my ravelry page).

The making of the doily was the most time-consuming part of this project. I nearly gave up on it a few times, but the doily looks really good. I am really happy to have finished it. HOWEVER the doily is too big for the pouch which was a bit annoying when it came to fix it on the pouch (I had to cut it). So just beware of sizes...

Making the pouch...

The measurements of the pouch were based on that of the carry-all American Apparel pouch - in my buy it section. To make the pouch I used this tutorial which was really easy to follow. Just don't forget to open the zipper for when you sew together the pouch to close it.

Pouch and Doily... Together... Forever...

You can position the doily as you wish. I decided to go for off-centre. I just stitched my hand the outside of the doily onto the pouch - just a simple stitch, tried to avoid stitching through the lining. Quite an exciting part really. Et voila!

What do you think guys? You like it? I am hoping to take it for an outing this weekend at another wedding I am going to .. Hopefully you will see it on Monday as part of my outfit.

PS: If you do the Lace Pouch let me know, it would be great to see your version. Also I think this would look great on a cushion if you are not into pouches.

Homemade {Pinterest inspired - in progress}

Guys, I am dying to show you the-Thing-In-Progress-that-is-now-Finished but I haven't had a chance to give it to my friend yet, so I should really wait. It is all done, ready for her - and I really hope she likes it.

Over the weekend, I had a chance to catch up with another project of mine. Last week, I got very inspired by this,

Via pinterest

and this,

Via pinterest


So I started my doily following a gorgeous pattern found on ravelry, and it was all going really well, until I ran out of cotton yarn. Noooo... I now have to wait patiently for more to come. I have been told it is on its way. Here are a few picturs of the progress - it is all glittery, and looks lovely. Cannot wait to show you the final result... Until then, I will look out for the postman and try not to scare him!

Hope you are all having a great Monday!