More Crafting Projects and Summery Garden Stuff.

Crochet, Sewing and Gardening, Oh My

Okay, I think little crochet brooches are the only finished crafty thing this week. But there are more crafting projects on the go.

The crochet pattern for the raccoon is from issue 33 of Simply Crochet magazine. I made the fox so that he had a friend. It’s the same pattern, just different colours. The raccoon pattern is designed by Becky Garratt. I looked at her blog, and I like it very much.

More Crochet on the Horizon

This new wool, Drops Karisma, is for a granny square blanket that has been “commissioned” (my sister-in-law has asked me to make it).  The colour inspiration comes from painted tiles from her Victorian fireplace. I’m assuming that once the blanket is finished, it will drape beautifully somewhere beside the fire on a cold winter’s day. I have made a tentative start to making some granny squares, but the pattern I’ve chosen might need tweaking.

Last week I started the Petal Patch crochet blanket. I found the granny square pattern on Betsy Makes, and it makes a change from the standard granny without going crazy. I really like it. I have pretty much pilfered the colour scheme from Attic 24’s Harmony blanket.

Crochet Blanket Choices

I can’t decide whether to complete this blanket first, or put it aside whilst I concentrate on the fireplace blanket. I know what I should do, but I also know what I want to do. Actually, they will both be fun to make, so I guess it doesn’t really matter.

This Petal Patch blanket will take at least a few weeks more, though, as I want about 100 squares, and so far, I think I only have 25. I haven’t been working as fast as usual either. This is because of a hurty wrist and a yarn-tangling toddler.

Sewing Too

I bought this poly cotton floral fabric in May, I think. It isn’t posh quality, but it was less than £3 a metre, so I don’t care.

I made a bag out of it first, and this week I hope to sew a summer skirt. If, once finished, it looks good, I will post some pictures. I should probably take a picture of the handmade bag, too. I have found what looks to be a good free sewing pattern for the skirt.

Other Handmade Crafting

This isn’t my hand; it belongs to my blanket-wanting sister-in-law. She is into embroidery, and when she visited last Friday, she whipped it out whilst me and some other fab people crocheted. I wanted to share it simply because I like it!

Obligatory Garden Snaps

Moving on from the crafting projects, I am reminded that the garden is thirsty. These Anagallis are my new favourite flower. For about five years, it was a Salvia, which I think is called Cambridge Blue, but my Mum gave me some Anagallis seedlings after I spotted it in her garden last summer. These guys look like they need a drink; they are a bit hot.

Both the Salvia and the Anagallis are here. I expect the Salvia is feeling a bit miffed now. I love all blue flowers equally. Just some more equally than others.

Down at the bottom of the garden, the Crocosmia is just beginning to flower. It was here when we moved in. I don’t mind it too much, so it has been allowed to stay. This picture doesn’t show the Lavatera that has come up behind it but it does show the Salvia, which looks so much better in real life.

I went upstairs and took a picture. Everything is looking quite nice from this angle! Hopefully, I will get the sewing machine out tonight. I’d like to make a start on that skirt.