It's been a while since my last blog, it's a conscious effort for me at this time of year to actually take time and sit down in front of the computer. The world of technology always seems to drift by the wayside during the summer and the kids school holidays. I always keep in touch on my iphone, as amazing as it is I miss a lot and don't get to do all the thing's I wish I did on it but the simplicity it brings to my life is priceless. But, when the suns out and the days are long and there's no school bell to adhere to or clubs to prepare for or bedtime pattern we prefer to be outside in the garden growing our vegetables, fruits, walking, playing and camping as much as possible. Yep, I was built for the summer, definitely so!
I have for a while wanted to share with you one of my favourite to-date projects and that was my mother in laws birthday gift 'the amazing circle motif shawl' that Mikey from The Crochet Crowd had as his June competition in partnership with Red Heart yarns. It seemed so difficult and I umm'd and erre'd about even attempting this with my crocheting rookie status and I am always one to question my own ability but Mikey made a video tutorial and I decided to Go For IT!
I am sooooo glad I did:
This was the inspirational pic and 'how it should look' I must admit, if I could have got hold of any intime I would have purchased this yarn but I couldn't find a UK stockist and stumbled upon some 'king cole special 30% wool 70& acrylic super soft' in a self patterning, beige, orange and summer pink. YUM.
I initially brought 2 skeins but I underestimated what I would need and the 3rd became very hard to source, I had a few moments of defeat where the yarn was running incredibly low.
My first motif worked up pretty well, the yarn was super soft and lovely to work with and the ends weaved in nicely, I was on a roll - YAY!
One motif became 2 and I joined them as I went as per the tutorial, not concerning myself over the centres for now until the main motifs were finished and all joined.
Look at the wonderful yarn, I was amazed at how lovely it was to work with. I had never worked with anything other than 100% acrylic before and the wool blend really surprised me - scrummy soft. I fell in love with this yarn and I named it 'pimms' can you see the resemblance - yum :)
I worked for hours into the night on this, I was dead set on having it completed within the guidelines of the competition and be entered into the draw to possibly win some of my own Red Heart Yarn, it made me feel more confident as I started seeing other crocheters completed shawls appearing on The Crochet Crowds Facebook page and knowing although theirs was probably tons better than mine, it was a random draw so yes, amongst the thousands, I was actually in with a chance, and producing something really lovely for my MIL's birthday as I went...
But with a little faith (mainly my husband) and a LOT of searching around local shops (my husband again) I managed to source my final skein AND I dropped on some bargain Aaran blend 'Mint Choc Chip' wool to compliment my shawl wonderfully so these had to make up the centres - a nice little bodge if I do say so myself. It was obviously meant to be?
It's big, I had to stand on my bed and lay it on the floor to get it all in the picture, but it was worth it
Doesnt it look lovely? Do you like it? :)
I blocked it on my ironing board 2 rows at a time. I pinned the crinkly motifs out and gave them a little 'tisssshhhh' with my steam iron and within seconds they held their shape perfectly. It makes ALL the difference don't you think?
From this:
To THIS :) :) Hurray for the Crochet Crowd, Mikey, Kathy, Diva Dav, Red Heart yarns AND the online Video Tutorials. You MUST check them out :) :) XXXX
Finally I just have to share with you the winner and her shawl. It was one of my most favourite amongst the hundreds that were submitted and I do intend at some point to have another go in maybe the same colour inspiration as hers.
I love Mikey and Red Heart for this, although the challenges and patterns are made with Red Heart, they appreciate we all use different yarns, we walk from different lives and we all have different abilities, tastes and visions so any yarn / colour / adaptations to patterns are welcomed (but must sit within the guidelines of the challenge to be in with a chance of winning). It's all very, very cool. You learn something, produce something wonderful and maybe, just maybe, you might, one day - win some Red Heart of your own - WOW!
Happy Hookin' I will endeavour to sneak a pic of my MIL with her shawl at some point to share with you X
No comments:
Post a Comment