It's Crochet, Knit & Natter 10: New Year, New Yarn, New Thread!

[QuantumWeatherButterfly]

Time for a new thread for all the lovely yarn crafters!

Old thread here: http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/artsandcrafts/4557189-its-crochet-knit-natter-9-so-many-projects-so-little-time-oh-well-i-almost-made-it-rhymee_

Here's Sophie so far

@CrochetBug yes, I did wonder if it was a case of just assuming you would turn. But in that case I can't work our why the body instructions are different. Hey ho - it looks pretty whatever!

Oh, I LOVE Sophie's Universe. It's sorely testing my No Blankets rule. Can I ask how you are managing the yarn? I have no idea how to decide what colours to use or how much yarn to order for it. I think it would really stretch me, but I bet I would learn absolutely loads.

I spent ages dithering over yarn colours, but in the end went for one of the packs (the scheepjes cotton 8 one)
The website for the pattern tells you how many balls you need of each colour so if you decided which colours to use you could work it out. I was just too lazy

Thanks for taking the trouble @SpinMeRightRoundBabyRightRound . Hopefully, I shall have some time this weekend.

Oh, I got so excited about Sophie's Universe I totally forgot to say - @CrochetBug I have an acquaintance with a child that suffers from EBSA, we're not close but I can still see at least a bit of how extremely difficult it is. Well done to you, and to your son, to be in a position to sit his GCSEs xx

I second that. Well done @CrochetBug .

Thanks again @SpinMeRightRoundBabyRightRound . I'm on my way. I just needed something mindless to knit during exam season and I hate those 'spines' up the back. I find the spines and the exams so stressful!

Sympathies @CrochetBug - it must be really tough for your ds (and you). It's great that he's managing to go in for some exams though! And fab that you're getting some bonus crocheting time

I've got so little time for crafting atm. Still - it's half term next week, then 7 more weeks and I'll have the summer holidays to do loads!

That is incredibly pretty @CrochetBug Good for your DS getting in for the exams. Fingers crossed all goes well for him. I didn’t realise English lang had a spoken bit nowadays, I loved writing essays but I would have hated a spoken bit!

No problems @MerylSqueak hope it works for you!

I’ve got a repeat, maybe two more until I get to the sleeve division of my jumper and I should have enough wool, I’ve started on a second ball and I have another 2 and a bit after I’ve used it up 🥳

Thanks everyone. I'm in awe of how strong he's been!
I just checked his timetable and he has been entered for English language! There was a "speaking and listening" element when I was at school @SpinMeRightRoundBabyRightRound, but it was done in class as a debate iirc. This was meant to be a 1:1 session with a teacher and he just couldn't do it. She even offered to do it on the phone/ make a video to send in but that was a no too.

I'd honestly rather parent multiple babies/pre-schoolers than 2 teens!

Teens are definitely emotionally harder.

Hello!
I'm new and trying a few projects.
Here to chat and learn 🙂

Hi @Rollerbird ! What kind of projects are you trying? Are you a knitter or a crocheter? Or both?

I've been seriously neglecting my knitting and spinning this last week, and can't remember the last time I held a crochet hook! Snowed under with marking, unfortunately!

Currently trying some charles and camilla dolls (bit overdue). Considering some new needles as my 2.75mm bamboo are bending. (recommendations?)
Still messy and drop some stitches sometimes. Doing crochet and knitting. Basic stuff and have done a crochet blanket and scarves etc! No adult clothes yet. Most recent stuff shown.

Wow - fab jumper and lovely crowns! I like Knitpro Zing needles. Bamboo needles are nice, but they do bend a bit!

Please hit me some suggestions for really, super easy crochet pattern/project. I bought a pattern that was tagged easy and someone who crochet postbox toppers said it was way too hard for a beginner! She suggested a star blanket on Bella Coco, but I am struggling with that, all it is trebles and chains. I find crocheting really hard but trying to persevere. A lot of videos are too fast for me even slowed down plus a lot of them only show you the first few stitches and tell you to carry on, but I have to rewind to watch the stitch again and then forget where I am. Maybe a pattern with photos???? HELP

Well I have a crochet basket pattern that I love. It's a bit weird, because you make it with a really big crochet hook amd 4-5 strands of yarn held together, but it's very simple! Hang on - I'll find a link...

Here is a link to the pattern, and also here's a photo of one of the two I've made.

That basket is on my list to do, @Fairislefandango - I've been collecting scraps and balls I don't really like to make it with. I might do that next, after the Maria top.

@Mumtothreeandadog I like to make coffee cup holders when I want something simple. They are so useful!

Something like this: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/coffee-cup-cozy

I also made this ear warmer: yarnandchai.com/simple-twisted-earwarmer/

Not seasonal, but it would come in later in the year.

Or, if you were feeling brave, maybe a hexagon cardigan? Here's a kids version, but there are plenty of adult one too:

I made a blanket just with simple crochet and big fat yarn (no pattern)

I love that basket @Fairislefandango
Definitely going on my list!

One thing I would say about the blanket is that it's a bit tough on the hands. If you want it to stand up, you need to crochet it pretty tightly!

One thought though. How do you stop all the different yarns from tangling into a big knot?

I don't know really, they just didn't! You don't need to keep the strands apart like you would in fairisle knitting or in any colourwork where you would be swapping between colours, so it doesn't matter if the strands wind round each other a bit!

And breathe... It's half term and I've already had two nice early-morning knitting sessions! Nearly time to cast off for the sleeve holes on dd's jumper.