Tag Archives: podcast

WIP: Attic24’s Neat Ripple

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Last night I finally finished the last stripe on the Neat Ripple blanket. There were so many ends to weave in that I thought it would take me all day but it actually went very quickly. A few ends before I went out with Tai Chi Man to the farmers and crafters market, and the rest when I arrived home, having stocked up on fresh produce for tonight’s dinner and recharged with the most amazing raspberry matcha latte and Mexican chocolate cookie at Chai Baba.

So, just the border to go. It’s a narrow one, only three rounds I think, and I’ll probably just do it all in turquoise. And then my little teddy can have his photo shoot with his matching blankie.

Linkies: Neat Ripple know-how (border and notes)

Neat Ripple Pattern

I am so glad that this is nearly done. The Demelza blanket, (link will take you to the Ravelry project page as it’s a free Ravelry download) which I will be starting September 1st with a bunch of other Crochet-along-ers in the Colourful KALs/CALs group on Ravelry, looks quite challenging and I didn’t want other WIPs nagging me from their bag in the corner while crocheting Demelza!

Of course the Peacock Tail Bag will overlap Demelza somewhat during September.

Anyone is welcome in the Colourful group – Ravelry is free to join if you haven’t discovered its wonders already. And it’s such a friendly chatty group with frequent posts – important for a successful interesting group, I think.

One more recommendation while thinking about crochet and Ravelry…I am actually watching a podcast (and the latest episode featured a bit of free advertising for Ravelry and its features). I have tried various podcasts over and over again but find different aspects of them offputting for whatever reason, but I like this one: Crafternoon Treats. Kathryn is an experienced crocheter living in Yorkshire, England, relatively new knitter, new spinner, new dyer, and she talks about what she’s making, her adventures in playing with yarn and colour, and other stuff. She’s one of Stylecraft’s new Blogstars too. This is a group of bloggers, most but not all of whom are in the UK, who have been chosen by Stylecraft to get sneak peeks of new yarns, offer their own designs with the yarn, offer giveaways, etc. If you haven’t tried Stylecraft yet, it’s worth it – their yarn is good quality and reasonably priced. I order mine from Deramores but you can also get it internationally from Wool Warehouse in the UK.

She is on Facebook as Crafternoon Treats and Bagalong with Crafternoon Treats, and has her own group on Ravelry. The latter has not been particular active so far but I got the impression that she was thinking of making it more of a priority in future.

Well, enough waffling. It’s a beautiful day, and even though I feel like I made the most of my morning, there is still the afternoon to enjoy. Such a link-heavy post! I hope you check out some of them.

 

 

 

Happy-Go-Lacy shawl WIP

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The first two days of working on this shawl I only achieved 11 rows. Tonight I picked it up (late, as I worked until 6 then had to make dinner and clean up) and crocheted up a storm while watching Crafternoon Treats’ podcast. (That link should take you to episode 1 of her podcast on You Tube.) I have to admit, I am really nitpicky about podcasts. Lots of things can put me off and make me hit Stop, from verbal tics to bad lighting to lack of interest in the content. However Kathy has drawn me in with lovely crocheted bags, blankets and shawls, and in her latest episode she talks about her Tunisian crochet workshop, her Road Trip scarf and her crocheted socks using Heart and Sole. Good grief, I thought, we are totally on the same page!

Anyway, back to the shawl. I used up the first ball of Heart and Sole and stuck a stitch marker in, then as per the pattern I returned to the foundation chain and started working in the other direction with ball #2.

If you look carefully at the photo (sorry, I know it’s another late night shot with my iPad on the living room floor!!!) you’ll see that I have completed three rows on the second half of the shawl (near the top of the work).  My plan is to use up the second ball and then split ball #3 between the two ends. When it’s gone, I’m done.

I don’t know why, but for two days now I’ve had a really stiff neck. Woke up with it yesterday morning and thought it’d be gone by nightfall, but no, it gave me pain on the right side during the night if if moved around and I have limited movement to the right. If it persists,  I’ll have to give the chiro a call.

It’s my sister’s birthday today, and rather than spending it at home she is currently in Kathmandu with her family on holiday. They were in Delhi for a bit, 40°C every day, and I don’t envy them that!

I may not be somewhere exotic but I’m very happy being where I am. I hope you are too. Happy crafting.