Hello! I hope your summer holidays are going well? We’ve not been able to do much here so I’ve had a little time to work on some creative projects…

{13.08.21} What I’ve been making in August

Finished Objects:

I finally finished my nephew’s blanket. I’m not really sure why this one has taken me so long as it’s made using chunky yarns (a selection of style craft and paintbox yarns) and a 6mm hook. I’ve worked it using the same method as I did my Farmhouse Blanket and it looks great. I hope he can enjoy it for years to come!

I’ve also been busy making lots of headscarves for the girls using my Lacy Headscarf pattern. This pattern was first released in Inside Crochet Magazine issue 55 (back in 2014!) I’ve updated and slightly revised the pattern and I’m much happier with it. You can find the pattern free here on my blog and I’ve also created a printable pdf for those of you that would rather print your patterns. 

Works in Progress (WIPS):

I’ve been working on a crochet request from Lulu this week in the form of a bucket hat. It’s not something I’ve ever made before but we saw some pretty crochet ones when we were shopping so I offered to make one. We had a quick look online and came across a YouTube tutorial for this ‘Oopsy Daisy Bucket Hat’ by Strings Attached Crochet. I used the tutorial more as a guide and worked alongside a bucket hat that Lulu already owned using my trusted Paintbox DK Cotton yarns. I love the style of this pattern though, the embroidered daisies work so well against the black yarn. All I have to do now is finished the embroidery and it’s done. Lulu already loves it and keeps asking if I’ve finished it so I don’t think this WIP will hang around too long. 

The other WIP that I’ve been working on this month is my bobble tank top. I finally sat down and worked out the pattern for the sleeve decreases so now have two finished panels. I just need to attach them and work some ribbing for the sleeves and collar. Still not one hundred percent about the sizing on this one so I’ll have to wait and see how I feel once it’s finished.

Skillshare:

This podcast episode has also kindly been sponsored by Skillshare who I have been working with again this month. I got some gouache paints for my birthday (these ones from amazon) so I looked at some folk art painting classes. The class I took was called Modern Botanical Folk Art: Draw and Paint Whimiscal Flowers and Leaves Using Gouache and Watercolor by Peggy Dean. I really enjoyed it and found it such a mindful activity to be able to just sit and paint whilst learning new techniques. You’ll have to head over to the podcast if you’d like to see what I created… I’ve also got an offer for a free month of Skillshare Premium linked over on the podcast if you’d like to try some classes.

New Items:

I’ve been very lucky to have been sent some new releases to review this month. 

First up is 100 Paper Pieced Quilt Blocks Edited by Sarah Callard published by David and Charles. If you enjoy paper piecing this may be one for you. There is such a lovely range of projects with subjects from hearts to animals to beach huts. I love the quirkiness of these projects and paper piecing is definitely something I want to try. This book included full-sized patterns and ideas and instructions to make ten projects using the blocks.

They also very kindly sent me The Witches Yearbook by Clare Gogerty which is just a fabulous book full of magical adventures. Based on the cycles of nature and the seasons, you can learn how to tap into the healing power of plants, the pull of the moon, and the spiritual rewards of creativity through topics such as crystals, affirmations, remedies, folklore, and crafts. Lulu already has her eye on this one!

The last book I was sent was Kaffe Fassett’s Quilts in an English Village published by The Taunton Press. I have been a long-time fan of Kaffe’s work and this book is full of the most inspirational quilts photographed in the beautiful village of Lavenham in Suffolk. The book includes instructions for 19 quilts with a range of projects to suit quilters from beginner through to advanced.

Again for a look inside the books pop over to the podcast for a full review.

This month’s books and TV chat:

I have been enjoying flicking through my new recipe book; Sea and Shore: Recipes and Stories from a Kitchen in Cornwall by Emily Scott. We’ve really missed traveling down to Cornwall the past two summers so my eldest treated me to this book for my birthday and I am getting so much pleasure from the local recipes and beautiful photos of Cornwall within this book.

I am currently working my way through Daphne Du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn which is a re-read for me and a book I always enjoy (although not as much as some of her others)

Also reading The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave which is set in 1617 on a remote Norwegian island named Vardo. After a bad storm, the Island loses its menfolk and has to find a way to adapt and survive without them. Eighteen months later a man is summoned from Scotland by the minister, who is concerned about the women’s souls and the increasing use of ‘the old ways’, to bring the women of Vardo to heel and root out the terrible evil that has developed.

Anyway, I think that’s it for this month. I hope you are all keeping safe and finding some time to enjoy some crochet or reading (or whatever you love to do) – please don’t forget to ‘like’, ‘subscribe’ and ‘share’ if you enjoy the podcast, it really means so much to me.

You can watch episode 41 here on YouTube.

Take care, Em xx

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