I’ve spent years being inspired by other bloggers’ work. It became something I really wanted to do, too. It looked like lots of fun, and it looked like a good way to keep on track of what I was doing creatively.
I was lazy and procrastinatey and used several excellent excuses as to why I hadn’t just done it. I’m still so new to craft blogging, but if I had started when I first had the notion, then I would have been being bloggy for six or seven years by now!
I’ve spent much time taking pictures of crafty projects, and each time I’ve thought that maybe they would end up as a blog post. So, I’m going to put up some pictures of work that was done in the six months prior to hitting Publish for the first time.
I went through a mandala phase. These two are both Made in K Town using Rico Creative Cotton. Cheap cotton, very splitty, lovely colours. This has led me towards doilies, which I still need to make more of. Soon.
I made my eldest boy an Attic 24 Ripple for his bed. It’s Stylecraft Special. Everyone loves a bit of Stylecraft rippling.
The boy chose the colours. So off I went. It was reasonably speedy once the first few rows were out of the way. A repeating colour pattern was a weeny bit boring though. Next time, it’s random colours, like it’s supposed to be.
I made teeny niece the mini version for her dolly. I didn’t use the same pattern. This version has more ripples so it looks better scaled down. It’s actually adapted from a cushion cover pattern from Cute and Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench. When I say “adapted” I mean “added a few more rows”. The edging, I think, is the one that was on the Granny Stripe made by Lucy at Attic 24.
This grey and chartreuse granny blanket was a special request for a baby blanket. My sister-in-law chose the colours. It’s Stylecraft alpaca DK. The blocks were from 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton. Don’t go thinking that all the blocks end with the same stitch count, though. They really don’t. Hmm. I really liked how this one turned out, but I only blocked the edge (which is from Edie Eckman’s Crochet Borders book) and not the individual squares. Next time, I will try super hard to block stuff.
One of the quickest little blankets ever. It was so much fun. The squares were done in a few days, and it was the first time I used a continuous-join-as you-go. This was for a baby girl born in early spring. I’d make one of these again for sure. It was inspired by a picture I saw on Pinterest and it led me to Katie’s Kitchen.
There are six handmade things in the picture above. Six! I am responsible for five of them, but the cream knitted blanket is a mother-in-law job. Three blankets, two cushions and a dolly. Huzzah.
Sewing has been worked on, too. I’m better than I was, but there is definitely room for improvement, too. Having said that, the cherry blossom needlecase is one of my favourite felty sewn things I’ve done.
And a Mermaid’s purse! Well, another needlecase… She was lovely to make. After Christmas, I plan on making more of these sorts of things and giving them a go on Etsy. I’m not entirely sure what the demand is for needlecases and such, I guess I’ll find out. I will obviously shout very loudly on here if these sorts of things head towards my Etsy shop.
Phew, I feel a bit better now. I’m off to have yesterday’s leftovers for lunch, which thankfully, taste better than the experience that I had in the kitchen.
Lots of beautiful work here – that mermaid is super cute 😀
Thanks. I think I made more stuff then than I have in the last six months!
Some lovely makes, I’m glad you decided to join us 🙂
Thank you. Me too! It really is good fun.
There’s so much great inspiration in blogland. Attic24 was my first discovery and still my favourite. I’m on my second Attic24 blanket now, I’m yet to attempt a ripple. Your creations are lovely 🙂
Thank you. I’m an Attic 24 fan, I can’t remember how I found her now but her blog has been hugely helpful.
I can so relate to this! I found attic24 about 5 years ago now and was very inspired to start blogging. Only started in January this year, better late than never. Lovely blankets, one day I hope to make some as gorgeous xx
Glad it’s not just me! Thank you!
Nice blanket 😉
Thank you for the inspiration!! 🙂
I love your creations! I understand about wanting to share things and just never doing it. That’s kind of why I made my most recent blog, Unigurumi (thanks for following, by the way!)
Hoping to start sharing things that I’ve done over the years. Been a crafter since I was little and also went through a selfish “I don’t want to share with the world right now” phase, haha!
Love your work! It’s very nice!
Thank you! I don’t think I’ve got many pictures from any really early makes, which is probably a good thing. It really helps to see how skills progress though. My amigurumi things from just 3 or 4 years ago are terrible!! Well, anything I crafted wouldn’t have been that great and I’ve still got loads to learn. Thanks
again! 🙂
I understand that. I still don’t think my stuff looks that great but I know most is definitely an improvement compared to the beginning! I’ve seen some people remake some of their first dolls with their progression and take pictures comparing the two; old and new. I’m thinking of trying that and hopefully the new ones look better
I would love to do that! It’s never ocurred to me to do it but I’m sure there would be a difference. Whilst I know I must have improved just by keeping at it, it can be hard to see it sometimes. It’s all fun, whatever happens.
Love the mandalas and the beautiful baby blanket! I’m making a baby blanket at the moment but wasn’t planning to block it – will definitely consider it if it makes a big difference.
Thank you! I don’t block things if I can help it! Usually only if it’ll make a significant difference. And I often use acrylic, which doesn’t block well.
Ok that’s good to know as I’m also using acrylic.