Crochet Along Shawl Is Finished!

A really fun, fast make and here is the completed shawl.

 Just seven evenings work!

 I enjoyed making this and will probably make more in other colours.

I'm on a roll now!

Want to give it a try? Visit Diana here for the pattern.

Crochet-along Shawls

It's been a while since I last crocheted anything; I seemed to have overdosed on it for a couple of years and then I moved on.
Now that I've tired myself of quilting I'm ready to crochet again.

Diana, one of the ladies I sometimes see at our local 'Knit and Natter' was wearing a beautiful scarf she had made and as she had just completed the pattern and started a 'Crochet-Along' on Ravelry 
I decided it was just what I needed with the freezing, sub-zero temperatures we're having this week!

The yarn I ordered arrived this morning and I've just started to make it. I'm using Drops Fabel, colour 151 and I'm finding it very smooth to handle.

You can also find Diana of The Crochet Chain here
I hope you're keeping warm and cosy,

Beautiful Katia Paint Cake

I discovered this fabulous yarn yesterday in Sussex Crafts, a fab little yarn shop in Cuckfield, West Sussex.
All the years in Spain I knitted and crocheted with the Spanish made Katia yarns and this didn't exist.
I love Katia and was so surprised to find a stockist here.
Sussex Crafts has blossomed since the new owner took over and is a magical place to spend some time. It's impossible to leave without buying something because there are so many wonderful things shouting 'Take me home!'
This is the Gorgeous Katia Paint cake that I bought.

 There are several colour mixes to choose from.

The yarn is 80% Acrylic and 20% wool but feels and looks like wool. There is enough yarn in the 150gm cake to make a shawl or scarf but I won't be using it yet a while, I just want it on my desk to look at!

Meet the 'Mice Girls'!

The Euro 16s football has been on the TV recently and although I'm not a great fan I can tolerate it being on in the same room providing I have something interesting to do, then I can just listen whilst working, only looking up if I hear shouting and there's the possibility that something interesting might be happening!
So this is how I came to take up my crochet hook again and make my medley of mice.
After making so many rabbits I needed a change and these crazy girls amused me, taking on their different personalities as I made them all slightly different shapes and sizes.
Meet the 'Mice Girls'.

First we have Martie, she's the sweet grey and kind.

This is Mabel, the white mouse, she's the eldest and takes on all the responsibilities of her younger sisters.

 Mary is the yellow mouse who is always happy.

 And Maudie, the green mouse who is the youngest and naughtiest.

Here they are together in a group hug!

As you see I quite enjoy the football being on!
Enjoy your weekend,

Jazz up Your Jars!

I'm sure many of you will have seen great ways to decorate jars, there are lots of patterns available online and in magazines. I crocheted these last year for Halloween but they can be done with any colour for any occasion. The tea lights inside them really bring out the colours but they can be used as desk tidies to hold pencils or anything else.

A great way to recycle jars and use up small amounts of yarn.

Happy Bunnies!

A very big welcome to my new blog!
A blog full of all my random, handmade projects. I have so many interests and hobbies that involve making things, so I hope you'll find something to interest you and maybe, also inspire those who want to try creating something but have never tried.
I'll start with my rabbits. I couldn't get a pattern for a rabbit I liked so made my own. Sitting with a notebook and pen I wrote down everything, round by round and after a few changes here and there, I ended up with a basket of Happy Bunnies! Using the same pattern but different yarns and hooks, the rabbits came out all different sizes. The tiny ones are suitable for my dollshouse while the bigger ones can be dressed and given to children. I have stitched all the features, so no hazards for babies.

 This style of crochet is called amigurumi and is done in the round and not in rows.
It's a wet Bank Holiday Monday so grab a hook and yarn and stay dry indoors making something!