A couple of weeks ago, I started on a new yarny project. I haven't really done much crocheting for a couple of years. When I had a move round in my Den a while back, I looked at my yarn stash and wondered if it was taking up wasted space. However, the onset of Wintery weather and the desire to hunker down with something easy to craft in front of the fire of an evening, proved too hard to resist. I'd recently completed a granny ripple blanket which I'd loved doing, so so easy, so I decided to start another but with a different theme. I collected lots of green, red and cream yarns and at Stag and Bow one Crafty Wednesday, off I set. My first Christmas crochet blanket.
Inspired by three different images on Pinterest, I eventually decided on something a little different from a straight forward ripple, incorporating some granny squares in the middle. I'm hoping the blanket will look a little like a Fair Isle design. It's much wider than I intended so each stripe is taking some time. I think it's one I'll be continuing next Christmas! I took along a Victoria Sponge to keep me (and my fellow crafters) fuelled.
This was it (picture below) last Wednesday. I've now started working on the other side of the central grannies but I get quite bored with the cream to be honest, so I have a break and do something else for a short while, before feeling the pull to return when my mind needs something it almost doesn't have to think about.
Yummy! I feel like I've almost moved into Stag and Bow this week (I was also there for a workshop on Saturday), as we popped in for Friday Night Social, too. This year, I had the brain wave that rather than churning out cash on yet another Lego Star Wars advent calendar (when there must be three in the loft), I would make my own advent calendar instead. Trouble is, by Friday night, I hadn't even started on it! So, armed with the most rudimentary materials, I drew some basic stocking shapes and started to cut them out in felt.
I was busy all day on Saturday so I had to forego my Sunday morning slumber listening to String of Pearls in bed, and hit the Den running.
It was a pretty simple matter to assemble the 24 stockings. I put on some Christmas music to get me in the spirit, whilst batting the munchkin out of my Den with the other hand! Before long, I had a nice little production line going.
I headed off downstairs with the basket of goodies I'd been collecting, with which to fill the stockings.
I decided the hall would be the best place to hang my garland as it needed quite a bit of wall space.
It was amusing to try to fit the goodies I'd bought into the different sized stockings. I've got pens, puzzles, stickers, Lego mini figures and of course, some choccies and sweets.
Ta dah!!!
I decided on a little improvement and hung some jingly bells from the main cord, so that if a little pesky person should try to peek, I'll know all about it!
The Munchkin was very excited to open Day 1 after his roast dinner.
Mid-week, I fancied a bit of felty action. I had a look through my vintage Christmas cards for inspiration and gathered my festive crafty bits 'n' bobs together.
Jacky Ginge decided he wanted to help me. Despite beig a rather geriatric sixteen years of age, he's perfected a flying leap from the armchair in my Den up onto my cutting table, where he immediately settles himself right in the midle of everything, as cats do!
Well, he must have been very helpful as I managed to create a cute little felt posy based on an original '40s pattern but using jewel-bright Christmassy colours. The finishing touch was to mount it on a lovely vintage Christmas card.
I'm looking forward to wearing mine on my 1940's coat, for Christmas and beyond.
They are, of course, waiting patiently in my Etsy shop should you fancy one or know someone who might.
I'll soon be back with a report from the weekend's fabulous Selvedge Fair. Good luck with that Christmas Shopping in the meantime! Xxx
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