By Helen

a day in the kitchen...

Yesterday I decided to be a true domestic goddess and spend the day in the kitchen. I'll post some images here very soon: just sorting out a few technical gremlins - as Si and I enter the 21st century!

 

a little treat...

Normally by mid-November Si has placed a ban on me buying books, CDs and DVDs without him knowing: this is so I don't end up buying something he has bought, or is going to buy, for my Christmas present.  To date this hasn't happened.  Now this is not because Si isn't putting thought into my Christmas present: it is simply because this year I am getting something other than a book, CD or DVD. 

So, I am free to buy myself the occasional little treat...

I am a huge Kirstie fan.  Remember how excited I got at the Yorkshire Show back in July?  Needless to say I have been watching her new show, where she is entering craft competitions at local shows, like what she was up to at the Yorkshire Show.

The TV show is great and the book is just as good.  What I love about the Kirstie's writing, is that she writes as she speaks.  The book is crammed full of ideas from baking, to things to make for the garden, to gorgeous gifts to make for friends.  There really is something in here for everyone. 

Knowing where to start is the real problem: a problem which I'll tackle in the New Year once my Christmas making has finished.

The book has just one negative:  there is no crochet...but it is a beautiful book, so Kirstie is forgiven (just).

quick crochet project...

I thought that I would share with you a really quick crochet project: one that only takes an afternoon to complete...

...a cover for a smartphone. 

I love how the double crochet is dense enough to make a thick covering, protecting the screen. 

It is worked in the round, so no need for counting stitches or rows, just keep crocheting until it is big enough for the phone.  Then add what ever embellishment you like - in my case flowers, always flowers. 

Perfect for an afternoon spent with your hook!

shopping for crochet...

I think that one of my favourite parts of crochet, aside from the excitement of starting and finishing a project, is shopping for yarn.  You find yourself in a shop surrounded by endless choice, inspiration and possibility.  You find yourself in awe of the colours and textures and your mind whirls with thoughts of the creations that you could make...

This time I was good.  I was focused.  I had projects in mind and I went and bought only for those projects.  Why the restraint- I am saving for a BIG treat at the end of the month!

Here's what I bought...

I don't want to say too much about the projects that these yarns will be worked into: as many are Christmas presents.  I'll let you know how they turn out after the presents have been given.

Happy crocheting!

crochet hats...

Last year I crocheted my friend's little girl this lovely pink hat...

It went down so well that I made her another this year...

This went down so well, I have to make another five: yes FIVE.  Not for my friend's  little girl - though I happily would: but for other people to give as Christmas presents. 

Better get crocheting..!

NB - the pattern for the hat is taken from (and modified from) the Pull-on Hat in Melody Griffiths' Crochet In No Time.

remember, remember...

The world turns to November, it is time to put the garden to bed. The jasmine has been cut within an inch of it's life, the pots have been emptied and the decaying summer plants are returning to the Earth.  Some planets are coming into their element.

One of my very favourite things is to open the curtains and see the cheerfulness of brightly coloured cyclamens early on a morning...

I love the way they are all twisted until they are ready to show themselves to the world...

The garden this time of year always looks better having winter-flowering pansies...

Now that November is here, I feel justified in getting on with my Christmas crochet projects: I can't wait any-longer...

crochet for Halloween...

I thought that I would have a go at crocheting something seasonal for Halloween.  So after a, not so quick, browse on Ravelry getting distracted by all the other lovely crochet projects that are out there - my project queue is now very very long.  I settled on a pattern for an amigurumi kitty witch by Armina Parnagian. 

This is how it turned out...

If you decide to crochet this pattern yourself, just remember that it is written using American stitches, so covert them first.  Other than that it is a really great pattern, easy to follow and quick to make!  Perfect!

Happy Halloween!

baking for Christmas...

Baking for Christmas starts early in our home.  There is a family rumour, one which I follow, that your Christmas cakes must be made before Halloween.  Now I don't think that this is because cakes made after Halloween will have ghosty and witchiness in them: I think it is so that you have sufficient time to feed your cakes before the big day.  Christmas cake makers seem to be split into two distinct camps: those that feed and those that soak.  Me, I am a feeder!

I love how the fruit mixes together: and that the cherries look like glistening red jewels...

Mixing everything together, calls for another family tradition: as the fruit is mixed with the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, ground almonds and spice - you make a wish for yourself and for those who will eat the cake.  I also follow by this tradition, no-one can have too many wishes...

Cake ready for the oven, calls for (you guessed it) more family tradition.  The cake needs to be cooked for one hour for every egg you use.  This is genius (though did make my twelve egg wedding cake a bit of an epic) and never fails - so must be followed.  The next tradition is a little more unusual, but never-the-less is followed - oh and has never caused anyone to come down with anything nasty as a result of eating the cake.  The cake tin should not be washed between cake baking: wipe with a cloth, yes, wash with water and soap out no.  The tin I use has been passed down from at least my great-grandmother, as has the cake recipe, and to my knowledge has never washed...

Following all of that you have a beautiful cake, ready for feeding, ready for eating on Christmas day with a good big wedge of cheese...

Yummmmm....

crochet cushion complete...

Do you remember the house warming gift I started to make, ages ago, for my friend who was moving into her new home?  Well it did get finished.  It has been finished for quite a while: I just haven't got round to sharing it with you yet.  So here is it...

 
I am really rather proud of it.  So proud that I had to be persuaded not to keep it for my-self: but in the interests of keeping the Good Karma Fairy happy, I did give it away.

I love the yarn,  King Cole Riot, which was left over from making a scarf.  I like the way the yarn works with the traditional granny square, giving it a more up-to-date look.

I think that I will make myself one..!

colours for inspiration...

Have I mentioned how much I love this time of year?  The cold crisp days, the sun which still gives warmth, the bright blue sky and the colours Mother Nature gives us.

Last weekend my friend and I decided to visit Thorp Perrow, so that we could look at the beautiful colours and so her little girl could see the birds and animals.

Here is a hint of what we saw...

So next time you are putting yarn together for a new crochet project, don't work too hard.  Look around you: Mother Nature has done all the hard work for us!