Crochet, Cats and Chickens

It has been an interesting weekend - busy, but interesting!
A Learn to Crochet Workshop was scheduled at The Knit Studio for Sunday. As some of you know, for the past couple of years I have travelled the length and breadth of the country tutoring a wide range of knitting, crochet and sewing related subjects. So, because of this, I have a box in which I keep all my workshop samples. This means that for any given subject, I just dip into the box, check the samples, wash them if needed, block them and generally tidy them up. On Friday night I 'dipped' into the box for the crochet samples and ... horror of horrors! No sign of them! Cue a frantic search of other boxes before finally deciding I would have to quickly crochet them all again. Not easy when you consider that Saturday is a busy day at The Knit Studio with the very large and popular Knitting Group. Nevertheless I managed to do the samples I needed by early in the evening, and, by this time I had caught the crochet bug.  If some one asks me knit or crochet? I will always reply knit - but when I do get around to crocheting I remember how much I enjoy it and I wasn't quite ready to put everything away, just yet - after all, I had all my hooks, lots of odd bits of yarn and a few new books (borrowed, of course from The Knit Studio). I really like Amigurumi crochet type creatures because of their funny shapes and 'googly' eyes and because they are quick to make. By the end of Saturday night Charlie the Cat and Chloe the chicken had been born! Photos later on......

The Crochet Workshop went really well - it was a beautiful, sunny day and everyone got the hang of all the basic stitches really quickly! It was a good job I had a few 'extension tasks' up my sleeves. Not only all the basic stitches but circles, flowers and granny squares too -well done everyone!

And so to Monday, which was for me Washday Monday! You know, a warm sunny day perfect for hanging out washing - so perfect I went looking for washing! Three stripped beds later and the kitchen resembled a Chinese Laundry.

One of the many piles on the kitchen floor.

Taking advantage of the brilliant sunshine, Mittens and I spent a little time in the garden where I managed to photograph some of my recent projects.

Charlie gaurding 'his' fat ball feeder!

I nearly wrote gauarding his fat b****s

but then realised how that sounded

and I do have children reading my Blog. Hello Rellies!! :-)



Chloe, the chicken, hiding from Mittens!

Mittens ignoring Chloe.

Perhaps I will just squash it?

And - introducing Charlie the cat ....

 he is kind of cute isn't he?

(Eyes and nose temporary fittings!)

I'll just ignore this creature too!

Some finished knitting projects enjoyed the sunshine too. 

Springtime HitchHiker

Hitch Hiker again, not my usual colours, but a great Springtime Scarf.

New Knitters First Project - designed for last weeks' Learn to Knit Workshop at Create in Ilkley.

Knitted in Nidd yarn from their fantastic Ba T'at yarn range

- which is also available exclusively at The Knit Studio!

and finally - received this from a pal recently - it made me smile :-)

Phew!

What a very busy week! I think I have travelled over 1000 miles this week and it is GOOD to be home.
I have visited Create in Ilkley, Liss Wools in Liss and Kangaroo in Lewes (see side bar for links) and as always, had a great time, met some lovely ladies, chatted, tutored, crocheted and knitted.
On Friday, I took mum and dad to Eastbourne Marina where we enjoyed the last of the summer shunshine whilst enjoying the view.
My drive home today, was, for once, without incident and it took only six and a half hours. I did feel sorry for the people stuck in the huge traffic jam leaving Newcastle on the A1, that I passed in the way. Especially as I guess most of them had been taking part in The Great North Run - congratulations and well done to all participants. I always have a huge admiration for everyone who takes part in this, or any other races. Running is not, and never has been my 'thing'! Although if there was a 'yarn bargain' involved I might be persuaded. Seriously though, I have watched with interest the increasing number of runners I have seen, gradually building their stamina and fitness for this race, when driving in or around Newcastle and I salute their commitment and dedication.
Whilst staying at mum and dad's I noticed once again, how, when I stay there I seem to morph into a teenage daughter who has lost the use of her legs! Er dad, I'll have a cup of tea if you are in the kitchen, would you get me a biscuit while you're there??? Are you getting the picture? The long journey home gives me a lot of thinking time - and I shall be trying harder not to be THAT daughter next time I am there.
After reading this Blog, I realised I had forgotten to post a photograph of the only item I was lucky enough to obtain in the recent Auction. It is a beautiful patchwork quilt, in blues and creams, all hand stitched with care. It is in pride of place in The Knit Studio and looks fab - what do you think?

Knitting (at last)

Finally, here are some photos of Finished Objects - don't faint!

First up is Celestine, a 12 star dodecahedron. Knitted for Sarah's Maths teacher who left at Easter.
Knitted in Regia 4ply sock yarn - it took less than 50g - a very impressive leaving present.

Next, we have Sarah, modelling a pair of Ripple fingerless gloves. Available as a kit see link below:

Designed for Create  in Ilkley and knitted in their fantastic Ba T'at 4ply sock yarn. Aren't the colours gorgeous?

Euan, modelling Capone, a felted hat knitted in Rowan 4ply Scottish Tweed.

Hats do not suit me, but I love them, Euan is wearing this under duress! Bless....

Finishing Things

I am the worst person in the world for finishing thing off! The result is that, sometimes I am overwhelmed by the number of things that I start but not finished. (This includes non knitting related things too) So, this weekend I have dedicated some of my time to finishing off!! My ironing pile is still huge but other things have been sewn up - patterns tidied/sorted - paperwork cleared - emails still to do! and the list goes on.

A couple of weeks ago I actually attended a Workshop as a participant - not a Tutor. It was Dye Your Own Yarn and was held at the delightful http://www.createwithwool/ in Ilkley, Yorkshire.
Here is the first picture of one of four skiens of yarn I dyed myself! Isn't it gorgeous?