I finally finished it!

That bag I have been meaning to make for an absolute age.

I am very happy with it! I learned how to put in a zipper, and made a lined pocket for my mobile, and it's even got reinforcing and such so it's nice and sturdy.

I only had to rip out one section - the handle is patched and I didn't notice until after I sewed it how one directional the pattern is in small sections, so I had to do it over.

Anyway, on to the photos!

Hey... wait a minute....

So, I'm testing crochet hexagons.

I've completed the first one (after the one who's instructions I couldn't follow) - the graphic granny afghan. It looks like this..

And then I decide to start the second one - Crochet Hexagon Throw.

After I've started round 3, I look at it.

And then I go get my other one, and then compare the patterns line by line.
And, realise, that despite using different names for some of the composite stitches, they are identical. Sigh. Well, I guess I have less to test now.

I still have this one.. and I am going to look at how this one is constructed and maybe try that too..Of course, they may be identical. I shall look more closely this time..

And I'm still looking for someone who can understand this pattern - Little Hexagon motif.

Maybe I should switch to flowers for a while?

Oh and I started sewing the bag I mentioned a while ago. Which stalled briefly when I realised that the fabric was definitely directional when in small sections and thus some of the strap needed to be ripped out and restitched to match the rest of the strap. But I feel better about it now, even if no further progress was made ;-)

I can't do photos right now.

Not that I am incapable or anything, but my Big Two projects on the go/about to be got on the go are gifts for mother's day.

And you know how mothers, god bless 'em, want to be supportive and everything?

How they stay interested in what you're up to, how you're doing, so they can provide thoughtful and caring encouragement?

Well, in these days of modern fangled-communication, they read blogs.

Who'da thought!

So, since both gift reciepents to be already kinda know what they are getting, I don't want to blow the surprise more than I need to.

I am still trying out those haxagons though, so I'll be able to post the first one soon (I have about a round or so left.)

I tried the Little Hexagon pattern but couldn't follow the instructions. Any more experiences crochet divas out there wanna take a look and get back to me, please do.

I also tried a flower or two, on the look out for the perfect one of them, so I'll get back to you on that also.

Peace to all, and watch out for the zombies.

The blankie with the hexagaons.

Okay, I've been crocheting. I have a nice cotton circular coaster to replace the purple felted square on my desk.
Then I tried out granny squares. They were fun.

I borrowed a book from the library 200 stitch patterns for baby blankets. I even made one of the blocks.

And then I thought to consult with the expected owner of said blanket. (That's afghan to you Americans in the audience).

So, remember how I can be somewhat finicky? Picky even? Shush you up the back.

My daughter can also be like that from time to time.

So after extensive consultation with her we agreed on a pattern.

Hexagons in red, with sewn on white flowers.

Now this may seem easy right. Two colours, clearly defined boundaries.

But now I have to decide on which hexagon pattern I wish to use.

They vary from the open lacy and small, to the solid. The granny-squarish to the .. well, there are a few.

I narrowed the list. There is only, oh, 5 I have to try out. :)

Will post with notes. And maybe a flower or two.

uh-oh

Have discovered dangerously addictive quality of crocheted granny squares.

Small size & ease of completion = great small scale satisfaction without requiring pattern or thought.

Daughter has requested red blanket to cover herself on the couch. I complain about her extensive using of the great grandmother's (mine, so her great-great grandmother's) crocheted blanket as hiding place/random stretchy/thing to leave on the floor.

She wants her own.

Plus... I have stash yarn.

Resistance is futile.

photos later.

So... I've crossed to the dark side

And learned to crochet.

I have a brand new coaster for my coffee mug and am looking at crochet patterns. It's all down hill from here folks.

A beret, a raven and a whole bunch of ...meh.

So, I haven't blogged for a while.

I haven't really been doing terribly much - recovering from minor surgery, looking after my darling man (who's not been the best), having an absolute bust of a birthday, oh and small amounts of project stuff.

While I have been doing knitting and such, I am plagued at the moment by a general sense of meh.

I can't settle on a project (knitting or sewing or otherwise) and am just feeling pretty blah all round.

While not the self-absorbing depression of my teens/twenties, I know myself well enough to recognise it when I see it.

I also know that, in time, it'll pass. Besides, unlike my teens/twenties holing up by myself and telling the world it can screw itself really kinda isn't a possibility for a mum/grown up adult type person. So I push on.

I intend to try out a few projects over this easter long weekend and see if I can get my zing back.

But onto the craftiness....

I have ...
a finished Nevermore raven. I am really happy with the result actually. It needs to be carefully blocked (pressed? I don't know the correct verb for embroidery) and maybe framed in a cheap shadow box or something.

I also have a finished beret. I originally made this to cover up some stitches on the crown of my head, but it turns out my hair covered them just fine and it wasn't necessary. I do love the beret though.

It's knit in Sublime Yarns Cashmere Merino Silk DK yarn. Sweet Honey Beret from Interweave knits. I really liked the pattern, the texture is really open and fluffy. I strongly recommend checking out the video instructions on how to do the set up rows - the pattern instructions for those two lines had me stumped. The info is on the Ravelry page.

What next? No idea. I keep knitting about 3 -5 rows of something before deciding I don't like it.

I'm thinking I might make myself a bag. There is a small bag of my daughters that while in garish colours, would make an excellent outing bag (keys/purse/notebook etc). I might make one of them. Or.. I should knit a bunch on smoulder (that red striped cardiagn) but our DVD player is broken, so it'd be in front of the computer.

To feel so at sea on a long weekend is criminal, I tell you...