Crochet procrastination...crochastination?

So...I should be writing assignments for uni, but instead I keep picking up the crochet hooks. This is becoming a problem.

(Source)

Because I can't help myself, I ended up finishing the stashbusting (but not really 'cos I had to buy way more yarn) ripple blanket that I blogged about last time.

I decided on a simple edging of white, then the hot pink sc around. On the short ends, I used a diagonal edging by Le Monde De Sucrette which was super easy and not too frilly.

Looking all pretty on our QS bed - I love curling up under this at night. What is it about handmade bedding that makes it so much more cosy?

Ta-dah! My first go at The Little Bee's Sunday Shawl pattern. I decided on a whim to join the CAL going on Ravelry. There's still heaps of time to join in - prizes up for grabs!

I'm loving the border colours so much. I had to frog them a few times as my colour palette had too many brights and no pastels. Then I culled it down to these colours and added a few from the stash.

It screams Spring.

Hubby is off on a ski trip this weekend, so he requested a beanie. Lucky for me he chose the simplest pattern I had and didn't want the horns. So, it only took an hour or so from start to finish. I love these quick projects! Pattern is by Mamachee on ravelry.

Finally, I've been on a japanese crochet book buying binge. This doily pattern I first saw on one of my all time favourite blogs, Coco Rose Diaries. The border was a little tricky, particularly since Im' not used to using 4ply yarn. This one went to my Nan for her birthday a couple of weeks ago. I'm already onto my second one...hooked (badoom ching).

Oh, and if you'd like to follow me on Ravelry, here's my project page link. :D

Now, to get those assignments finished.

More ta-dahs

Yay for sunlight. I could finally get some nice pics of the blankets I've finished off recently and another progress shot of my WIP...

Cindy approves, although really I could have put anything on there and she'd be on top in a snap.

This is definitely my favourite blanket so far. The bright happy colours, the pixelated effect, the rainbow progression...

So soft and snuggly.

And that border....mmm

Happy kitty.

This is another finished one, this time for Henry. I wanted to use up all of my stash and this definitely did a good job. Using 3 strands at a time and a 10mm hook, it's a pretty heavy blanket. Lucky I didn't plan to make it bigger!

I do love the effect and it'll be great for those extra cold nights or even as a rug to lounge on.

I'm already 2/3rds finished with this WIP now. It's finally long enough to really snuggle under while I work away at it, but I'm already getting a bit bored. I'm still not sure what to do for a border on it, though. Ideas?

Ripply work in progress

Woo it's school holidays! We're away on holiday this week and I'm loving having some time to crochet in new, peaceful surroundings without the pressure of housework niggling at the back of my mind. How lovely is it to stay somewhere when you know someone else will clean up for you!?

Windy, cold, but beautiful.

My current ripply stashbuster afghan is a third done. Now, I say stashbuster as the majority of the yarn is from my stash, but I was running out of the pinks too quickly. Luckily I found a yarn shop in the small fishing town that we're holidaying in and they just happened to have the right colours! It was meant to be. :)

I'm on the hunt for some new hooks too. These are all of the 4.0mm hooks I have, which is the size I use most of the time. The yarn store here has some Knitpro soft touch hooks, so I might try one of those. I know a lot of fellow crocheters love the clover ones too, but I'm worried they'll be too chunky for me. I'm used to using the top aluminium style. Shelley from Spincushions did a mammoth comparison of crochet hooks a while back and she recommended the Knitpro waves. You can check out her blog here. Anyhoo, I'll update when I've given it a go.

Catch-up and some Ta-dahs

So 6 months has flown by and this mumma's been super busy. But at least I've completed 40% of my teaching course! Hooray. Since semester broke up I managed to get quite a few projects finished off, which is so therapeutic. So, here we go...

This ripple blanket went to my mum for Christmas. I love the purples and reds together!

How ca-yuuuuute is my Christmas wreath. I've considered ripping the bunting off so that I can have it on my door or inside all the time...or maybe it's an excuse to make another.

A couple of little hanging pots for my mother-in-law for Christmas

Eep - my first go at using piping. This insanely cute reversible bonnet went to my new niece for Christmas. The pattern is by Made by Rae. It was really easy to follow so give it a go!

I've made a few pairs of these now in an attempt to stashbust and these particular ones are for sale in my etsy shop (go here to take a look). The pattern is by Bron Green on ravelry.

I decided to make something a little different with this doily that's not adorning my dining table. Loving the ombre effect, which was actually completely unintentional! The pattern is actually a floor rug by Creative Jewish Mom, but using 8ply (DK) yarn and a smaller hook obviously downsized it a tad.

Then to match my new mothers' day mug, I made a little coaster. The pattern is the very awesome Spring Mandala, which I'm definitely going to make again as a pot holder.

And this is the most recent finished project - my ultimate stashbuster pixel afghan. I was going to place the squares randomly, but the control freak in me couldn't handle it. So semi-rainbow it is. The square pattern is by my fave crochet chic, Attic24. I also used her join-as-you-go technique, which really was faster and easier. I might have to take better photos in daylight so you can see the edging - I used a little picot pattern and I love the effect.

Also, I've finally started to keep WIPs in my Ravelry page. All the links to patterns and notes are in there.

Phew!

Another finished blanket and a SALE!

What the...when did it become December already? This year really has been a crazy one, especially with a toddler and a new business in tow. Fun, though!

Do you remember the balls of yarn I had lined up for my sister's new blanket? Well - it's done already! This time I didn't use the ripple blanket pattern (shock horror) from Attic24, but a chevron one that used my favourite stitch, hdc. Yes, I'm a nerd who has a favourite stitch. Mostly because it uses the least amount of "yarn overs" and it's fast.

The pattern I used is from String With Style and I found it much faster to work up than the ripple pattern. It worked out as a bit bigger than a lap rug, so nice and snuggly for when sis moves to the colder climates.

Since it's December, Bebe Bouton is on sale. Today's Day 1 of our 12 Days of Christmas Sale and bow ties for little boys are down to $15 - bargain.

Sunshine Ripple Blanket - It's Finished!

Hooray - it's finally finished! This one has definitely ended up larger than I planned, but it was so cozy to snuggle under while I was crocheting away the past week. Isn't it supposed to be Summer? Pfft.

Henry approves - good enough to drive on. Now on to the next one...

Thanks again to Attic24 for the pattern. I used yarn by Moda Vera Marvel and Panda, since Moda have discontinued the pumpkin colour.

Toddler Recipes - Quiche Bites

It's finally happened - Henry's decided he'll try new foods. Hooray! I came across this recipe made as muffins at a friend's baby shower and asked for the recipe. Turns out they're a hit - Henry eats these regularly (usually 4 or 5 at a time!). I can't help but snack on them too - delicious.

Quiche Bites
Thanks to Maree for this recipe.

15 Sao Biscuits (crush in the food processor)
5 rashes of bacon (finely sliced) - I omitted this time
1 cup grated carrot
1 cup grated zucchini
2 Sliced button mushrooms
Finely diced chillies (Omitted for toddlers)
1 small onion (grated/finely diced)
1 250gram pkt of grated cheese (chedder/tasty)
1 cup of milk
4 beaten eggs
crushed garlic & ginger to taste (about 1 teaspoon of each)
salt and pepper or 1 teaspoon powdered chicken stock to taste

Method

Mix all ingredients thoroughly, spoon into greased mini muffin tray
Bake in a moderate oven for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown

Makes about 40
50 calories each without the bacon

nom nom nom