Home Again Home Again

So glad to be back...

I did miss you all...

and want to say sorry about not letting everyone know beforehand...

Going away and posting that there would be no one

at River Cottage seemed a tad "silly"...

I don't think that needed to be advertize...if you know what I mean...

So where did I go?

well this was one spot...

Vintage Espresso
at Mermaid Beach...Queensland...

It was featured in the Spaces mook by Frankie...
It was just as lovely as the pictures in the book...

and lots of "touristy" spots in Queenland...

Beaches, Movie world, shops, and lots of markets...

It has been 10 years since we went on a family holiday
so this was pretty special for all of us...

But I did miss my crocheting and I did miss not having internet...
So this week I will be spending lots of time catching up
on whats been happening...
and hopefully some time coming up with some new things...

Oh and I want to set sometime aside for de-cluttering...
I did think about this while I was away...
I really, really need to de-clutter...

It's funny of what you think about when you are away from home...

Holidays are always lots of fun...
But they do make you realize that "home is home"...and I missed it...

New Artwork...In progress..

Crochet classes started last week

with the Granny Flats cushion...

We are taking it nice and slowly and working one square at a time...

with homework of the matching two square...

so after 3 classes the front should be finished...

We are going to have an extra class for working on the back 

and going through the instruction on crocheting the two together etc...

For class I needed to make a few extra squares to pass around

and have a look at etc...

But then...

I did get a tad carried away and ended up with a lovely long row

of

Granny Terraces..

I have bought a canvas board that is just the right size (120cm x 40 cm)

and will put a layer of wading under the crochet work...

add some sides and secure it all into place...

Oh... that is after I finish those two outlines on the door...

Just noticed that...

Hopefully I will be able to take some photo's of the lovely finished cushions from class...

Until then

Keep up the Granny Goodness...

and don't forget to pre-order your copy of Dottie Angels up coming book...

It look amazing!!!

Family Time...

There is nothing better than spending time with ones "oldest and dearest" 

crocheting in front of the fire at night...
He is making a scarf for a girl in America that he chats to online...Hmmmm...
and I am making a slouch beanie to send too..
Not really the colours I would have chosen but I do believe that it is the thought that counts...

I am not sure there would be many who could say they crochet with there son's...

But if you do...

Congrats!!!

It is just so lovely to be able to share a common interest...

A Lovely Venue...To relax and crochet...

I thought I would share some pictures of my new Venue...

Here my dears can sit, relax and take in all the Granny Goodness

they can...

All in a bright and airy room...

With lots of crocheting to inspire them...

and a combustion wood fire to keep them cozy...

My night class is fully booked and another night class will soon be organized...

There are still a few places left for the day beginners class

so if you are local and want to learn how to crochet 

please e-mail me and I can let you know the details...

I have a small supply of yarns and hooks etc

and will be stocking more products in the next week...

for anyone who runs short...

And it's also a great place to take pictures too...

Wishing it was Spring...

For us here in the southern hemisphere

it is still the middle of Winter...

I am "over" the cold...

I am "over" staying inside...

and I am "over" layers of clothes...

I just wish it was Spring...

So with the first ray of sunshine in days...
I set about adding some
Spring
to my morning...



This blanket
was made by my Mum...
Who is now on a roll...
Crocheting so fast it just amazes me...
Chevroning till her hearts content using Bendigo "Classic" wool...



This yarn is so gorgeous...
It has a crepe look to it...
which is very mid season
compared to the more tradition wool looks...

The colours are so bright...
and there are so many to choose from...
I think it will be hard to decide what colours to do next...

So for all of my dear friends who are sitting by the heater
to keep warm...
I hope these images add some brightness and warmth into your morning...

Have you been Nana-er-ing too

I know that Kabeltrui has...

I loved how her "Elmer" cushion turned out...

Fabulous colours!!!

and the back of the cushion is just as pretty...

Thank you so much Trui

for adding these to the Grandma Tutorial flickr group...

If you haven't joined the flickr group yet please pop over and join in...

I love seeing everyone's gorgeous creations and pictures...

I will be hopefully posting my finished socks...soon...

(I am saving that now so it makes me do the second one)...

I can see why there is a term called "second sock syndrome"...

How true...

I was sure that I would be so amazed to finish the first that I would just whip out the hook again

and start straight away...

But no...

I pondered...

I got sidetracked...

I said to myself that I had more urgent commitments...

Like classes starting back this week...

When really I was just plain stuffed...

It drained me...

Do you get that too?

The pattern was major I will say

so I think that didn't help...

But having said that

I do really want to see a matching pair...

So... head down... yarn at the ready...

Second sock here I come...

One down...One to go...

Complicated...

Yes...

One sock down...and one more to go..

If I have enough patience that is...

I used this yarn...

From Bendigo Woollen mill...

In carnation...

I has just the right amount of stretch for socks

and is very soft...

I ordered the 8 ply which is very thick

I think it would work really well on a thick knitted sock as well..

Just don't know if I can get my shoes on with these thou...

Getting Organized...

This week it is all about getting organized...

And also about turning another year older...

(thought I would sneak that in)...

My crochet classes will start back next week...

With a new venue...

and lots of new ladies starting...

I am very excited about this...and can't wait to see how it all works out...

There are lovely baskets full of yarn- yes acrylic...

but I will be adding some wool and cotton as well..

Plenty of hooks and bits and bobs too..

Above is a gorgeous Granny Chevron Blanket

that my Mum finished this week...

Made from 100% pure wool...

Oh My! it is so lovely...

and my copy of the Japanese crochet book arrived and I have been very busy

trying out the patterns in it...

This time I tried using a new Chunky acrylic that I bought at Big W

by "Sean Sheep" brand...It was a large ball of 200 grams...

It did crochet up very nicely

but I had to change both of these patterns to accommodate the size of the ply...

The head scarf pattern is amazing and I have made several to put in the shop...

and a few for myself...

I did use Magnum "super soft" 8 ply acrylic for them and they were very easy and fast to make...

Thank you all so much for your comments on my last post...

What a great response!!!

I loved reading everyone's thoughts on the subject...

and will now hold my head up high

and say "yes it is acrylic"...

and not be shy about it...

A very big thank you goes out to:

Pearly Queen

Who sent me a lovely parcel last week full of gorgeous cottons...

I can't wait to find a project for them...

and if you are after some yarn..

Pop over to this etsy shop too:

Crochetgal

I have purchased a lot of lovely yarn from this seller and she has

a large amount of good quality yarns and fantastic customer service...

Till next post...

when I am a year older...

Keep up the Granny Goodness...

Yarn Happy...

Yarn Happy...

Oh my... I love a new pile of yarn...
It just brightens my day and makes me want to create...
more granny goodness...

On the subject...

Do you call yarn, yarn...

I have always called it wool...

up until I started to blog and realised that there is a bit of confusion when you just say wool...

maybe it is something that has been just a family thing

or maybe an Australian thing...I don't know...

Whether acrylic, wool, alpaca, bamboo or soy blend...it was all wool to me...

Random thought...

If acrylic was called something else

would it get such a bad rap?

I use a lot of acrylic because it can "hold" a design better...

Don't get me wrong....I love wool...

But some patterns do call for a firmer approach...

The lovely Granny Chevrons Blankets are made using acrylic

and look amazing...

But the minute you say they are acrylic it seems to devalue them...

If they were made from wool...

it would send the price through the roof...

Mainly due to the fact that it takes 3 balls of wool to match the same quantity of acrylic...

That and the price per ball of wool begin dearer 

puts the cost on some "Granny Goodness" 

unrealistic...

What are your thoughts...

Do you prefer to buy something made from a natural product?

Have you not purchased something in wool because the price is to high

even thou you can see that it costs that much to buy the materials and then make the item?

Is wool readily available and inexpensive where you live

or is another yarn like cotton in abundant supply?

Do you like the fact that acrylic is easy care...and you buy on the "wow" factor?

Much to ponder...

Till next post...and random thoughts...

Stay safe...

African flower hexagon...

I have seen these flowers for a very long time...

But never tried them...

After not having my "wool" fix yet...

I needed to do someting with all my little bits of yarn...

Ok...piles of bits of yarn...

and while surfing the google images I kept seeing these 

and thought...why not...

and I can see now why everyone loves them...

They are just gorgeous!!!

and very addictive...



But one can not survive on crochet and bits of yarn alone...

I need cake and lots of it...
to keep up the stamina and concentration...Of course...

Granny Pictures...

Today I worked on some
"Granny Pictures"...

Using small canvas frames and making some visual impact...
Above is the first test one...

Need to source some more wool yet again...
I think if you are going to go to the trouble of wall art
you need to make it 100% woolly good...

I might sit down tonight and sketch some designs thou before I tackle a large piece...

? Does anyone buy there yarn wholesale...
Do you have a online store only or small business from home...
and still mange to buy wholesale...
Love to chat to you about how you go about it...or even if it is possible...

Thrifted winter...

I must say... I do enjoy winter warmer clothes...

But when it reaches a temp

that it is just too cold to go outside...

It get very annoying...

Even more bothersome is the fact that I need pants on under my new thrifty skirt
because the draft is to chilly for my granny knickers to bare..

I think I will be spending a few hours looking at pretty online stores for winter woolly tights
in a nice burgundy...

Thank you everyone for your great advice with my "yarn dilemma"
I am thinking now I might need to just buy some "thick" sock yarn...

I did find a brand that was "trekking" that was a 6ply...
Has anyone used this?
If so I would love to know what you thought...

I would love a linen -nylon so they would stay up...
and a 8 ply or DK...But I think that is asking too much...
Maybe you know of some thou...Let me know if you do...

Till next time...
Stay warm...or cool...
and safe...
With no drafts blowing in the wrong direction...

Yarn help...

I would like to thank everyone who purchased my latest Granny Flats cushion pdf

for the "giveaway" price...

and a huge thank you to all the dear friends

who have been purchasing it at the "normal" price...

Your support is so amazing...

I too have had a little splurge tonight on etsy

and purchased a copy of a Japanese crochet book...from here...

But I am in need of a bit of yarn help...

I adore these socks...

but am not sure what type of yarn is best...

and as I will only have the picture to guide me...

I was hoping that someone might know what would work...

I was thinking cotton..

But as cotton yarn is not easy to find in Australia

maybe my overseas friends have a favorite that they like to use and would suit this project...

 Or maybe you have this book and made the pattern...and know what works best...

My book will take a week or so to arrive

which will give me time to find some yarn...

so all help will be greatly appreciated...

Thanks...

oh I almost forgot..I will re-list more patterns in the morning as it is rather late here..

and know that it is always nice to purchase a pattern and get it sooner than later...

Granny Flats Giveaway...

I will be popping some cheap patterns into my etsy shop later tonight...

20cents each...as etsy tells me I can not list for $0...

You will have to have an etsy account thou...

But the price will say 20cents...so you can click on it and go to checkout etc with a small charge...

This will be my latest pattern...Granny Flats...

for a few very quick dear friends...

If you go to my shop and see that they are all gone...I am so sorry...

But I will only list 5 in total...after that they will be listed at $6 per pattern...

Thank you all...and good luck...

Stepping Up To Green...

Today I thought I would try some green...
after reading THIS...
Cardigan...a resent thrifty find...skirt a few years old, thrifty find...

and newly acquired vintage ladder...
Great for all manner of photo projects...
or just to help me step up...

Looking to find some more

thrifty goodness...

How about you?

Grandma Rosie Rings...

While cold, wet and down right freezing

here at River Cottage...

I tried really hard to not let it get me down...

Keeping myself busier than ever...

Making some very lovable

Grandma Rosie Rings...

Of course stopping at one was not an option...



and with the help of "my shadow" as a hand model (don't tell his mates)...
More where whipped up...



packaged sweetly...
and ready to be placed in the little shop...

This is the first time I have used a "hot glue gun"
and found it fairly easy...
Does anyone find that they have any problems with your "item" staying on?
I haven't seen any movement yet...
But I was wondering...
as I wouldn't like to sell a item that in the near future...
"fell off " as that would be just dodgy......
and we can't have dodgy items
that wouldn't be "Granny Good" at all...

I hope you week is a bit warmer and brighter...and not a bit dodgy at all...

Something Special...

Today would have been my Grandma's Birthday...

 I don't need to say much on how

I am feeling...

(If you read my blog you will know how much she meant to me...)

 But...if you want to read more...

my sweet little sister has sumed it up

on her blog post

HERE...

Thanks Sis...

You have me blushing too...

My Grandma and my Grandfather...

when they were young...

Grandma Rosie Pin...

I have made some

Grandma Rosie Pins

to add to the "little shop"

as it's the June long weekend here in Australia...

The forecast is for rain...

Which is such a shame

I really love the weather to be nice over a 3 day break...

I suppose the bonus for me is that it gives me more time
with the hook and yarn...

You can find the "Rose" pattern
HERE...

If you have a long weekend
I do hope it is sunny were you live...

Grandma's English Cushion... the second...

The last three days I have manged to make

another

Grandma's English cushion...

This time I did the back in Burgundy/red...

and added little crown buttons...



I wanted to enter it in wool divisions Ravelry comp
But so far I can't quiet workout how to upload an image into the comp's page...
Hopefully I can work it out soon...



A am sure there is a few very clever ladies out there who know how it is done...
so please fill me in...

There's wool as a prize...
Yes wool...
I love wool...
Do you...
If you do and have a ravelry account pop over and enter the comp too...

The link is here...Wool Division Comp...

Granny Square and some winter warmth...

This week we are making the

Granny Square

in class...

I thought I would share the pattern with you

as it has the colour changes for each row included...

It is a tad "long winded"

but for beginners I think that is important...

You can click on the image which will send you over to Flickr

where you can then click on all sizes and print one off...If you like...

Today was a thrifting day...
The sought of day when you just hope that something lay in store
waiting patiently for you to "find"...



and there it was...
with many a coat with dusty moth balls...

A perfectly comfy
minty jacket...
"minus the moths"

Fitting me just lovely I left with a smile and some winter warmth...

So upon arriving home a quick tumble and dry
my coat was firmly on my shoulders...

Time for tea...

and a quick flick through Frankie...



I hope you week is much warmer than here...

The bonus is I get the have the fire going all day...
Toasty!!!

It's a Keeper...

Last weeks thrifting 

was just perfect...

I managed to find the most comfy cardigan

in a soft mint colour that matches 

my top that I thrifted last year...

Adding my now "it's a keeper" scarf

And it's a great outfit for a cool winters day...

or afternoon...

Trying to "re-invent" the hair...

after watching THIS tutorial...

How cute is this girls hair...

Into Blue...

I started this scarf by doing a simple flower...

From my Chunky Flower Tutorial...

And just kept adding them...

I think it is turning out to be a very nice pattern...

I am really unsure if I will put this into the shop to sell it

or keep it for myself...

I am very into blue...

It could be a "keeper"...

Chevron Granny Blanket Pattern

Thank you to all the lovelies who have e-mailed me 

and received this pattern as a pdf...

I have now worked out how to upload this to flickr

so everyone can enjoy and print off there own

without the worry of e-mailing me...

Not that e-mailing me is a worry...

But you know what I mean...

So please click on the picture below

and it will send you off to flickr where you can click on all sizes

and have a copy to keep...

P.S...classes were wonderful last night

with many of my ladies finishing there very own Nana Square...

We are starting the Granny Square next week...

and the all worrying changing colours as you go...

I am sure they will all be fine at it thou...

Nana Square Tutorial...

I am teaching my class this week

the Nana Square...

as I think it was a easy one to start beginners on...

After drawing the diagram and writing out the instruction

I thought I would share it all with you...

You will need to click on the images

and it will hopefully send you to flickr where you can

go to all sizes and print off one that you will be able to read...

I have never written and uploaded instructions like this before so I am unsure 

if it will all work...

Cross fingers...

and happy crocheting...

p.s....I almost forgot...
It is written in English crochet terms...
So for American terms...change all dc to sc
and all tr to dc...