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_

Lovely colours in my toft subscription this morning!

So we had amazing weather for our week in Scotland so my thoughts of sitting cosily on the sofa and doing some crochet went out the window in favour of open water swimming and eating ice cream :-) Didn't even get it out the bag.

I think we'll have to stay in the same house the rest of my life as I don't think I could handle the stress of buying and selling @WeCanLiveLikeJackAndSally

Hello everyone! I am now embarking on making my first crochet project rather than just practice squares. It's going to be a stripy jumper.

I've also gone down a rabbit hole online about cute Christmas decorations though. Star bunting, Christmas tree Ornaments, little mice with jumpers on. Little robins! They are all so cute. Has anyone got any Christmas projects in mind?

I'm thinking about making a little advent calendar wall hanging with pockets to put chocolates in. Any recommendations? Happy to pay for an online pattern or use a free one if there are any recommendations.

Thanks again for the welcome to the thread

Thank you @BookShark and @WeCanLiveLikeJackAndSally. Grief is a funny thing isn't it.
I'm so unbelievably proud of DS2. Day 2 of college and they played uno so he had to talk to people. His teacher also found he loves Harry Potter so puts it on in the background for him.

@WeCanLiveLikeJackAndSally that yarn is beautiful. Sorry the move is so stressful. I'm almost glad I've never bought a house. Renting is stressful enough.

@tizwozliz that sounds like a perfect holiday. I love wild swimming!

@LucyLoopyLu welcome. I've got 2 different Nativity sets on the go, one for home and one for church. My mum crocheted me some "paper" chains last year.

My photo of my custom yarn has finally decided to upload. The pink is slightly stronger than I wanted, and the speckle slightly more muted. But that's a risk I took and I still love it so much. I almost hugged the lady when I collected it

I actually managed to finish something!

I’ve not done as much knitting as I would have liked, but have been successful in buying more yarn… I’m loving that yarn you posted @CrochetBug

For my next project, I’m thinking of knitting something big. It’s probably a recipe for disaster seeing as it’s taken me 4 years just to finish some fingerless mitts…but I have jumper quantities of Rowan hemp tweed (in two colours!) and it seems such a waste to not do anything with it. Off to Ravelry to find some inspiration!

@CrochetBug nativity sets sound lovely! I hadn't thought of that. I have some family members who would love those. Maybe an idea for next year; I've not tried anything sinilar yet. Love your colours on the wool, too. Absolutely lovely.

I ended up frogging about 12 rows of my jumper last night because I'd miscounted where to start my next colour stripe at the weekend and only just realised it didn't look quite right. 🤣 the colours are looking good though. I'm kind of treating it as a practice project anyway (it's only cheap acrylic) but I'd rather not have an obvious mistake so soon! I'm about a third of the way through the front panel again now. I wouldn't recommend the pattern. I chose it because there's a video tutorial to go with it, but I don't feel like the pattern on its own is that clear. I also think I've spotted a mistake in it already (although I'm not confident enough in my abilities to be sure).

Help! Made a granny square blanket in the spring as an absolute beginner in the spring but haven't picked up my hook since. I find crochet (and knitting) really hard, my fingers/hands don't go in the right places!! Now the weather is getting miserable and nights are drawing in I want to restart crochet. What would you recommend? Needs to be easy as I did struggle with the granny square, people tell me it I'd practice but honestly by fingers have a mind of their own!

@Mumtothreeandadog I find granny squares really boring. I would probably try amigurumi and I would probably pick something one of your kids might like for Christmas. I’m always more inclined to finish a project if it is going to someone. It took a while for the muscle memory to develop for me but now I can pick it up as and when I choose.

WeCanLiveLikeJackAndSally I've never tried amigurumi and I'm a bit scared!! My kids are in their 20s now so a bit past toys stage!! Although a colleague at work had not long had a baby so could make something for the baby? What would you suggest?

Hello everyone - I've been a bit absent as it's been crazy busy at work and we dropped dd off for her first term at university last weekend and it's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster tbh. We just video called her today though, and she seems really happy and chilled out. I'm so relieved!

I haven't had much time for crafting lately, but I'm plodding on with dd's bottle green cable jumper. She wears the cream one I made (for me but gave to her as it was a bit snug) quite a lot and says she's already had loads of compliments on it and when she said 'my mum made it', they said 'No way?!!' Awww!

Just catching up with posts. @CrochetBug glad to hear your ds had a good day 2. Teacher sounds great (we're all right really - well, most of us!).

@Mumtothreeandadog maybe have a look at lovey patterns. You can often use a granny square for the base and then do some simple amigurumi on the top bit. Something where the amigurumi is round will be simplest, like a bee or bunny and it’ll be a bit fiddly doing the wings/ears.

@SparkleHard wow those are beautiful! Such an intricate pattern, no wonder it took a while! You might find a bigger project goes faster as it's less fiddly to do.

@AllProperTeaIsTheft Good luck to your DD, I've just done the same (mine is in Y2). They grow up so fast.... And Congrats on the indirect compliments!

@LucyLoopyLu I would probably never tackle any Christmas decorations as they tend to be fiddly, but someone I follow on SM recently completed a whole set of mini Christmas jumpers, as tree decorations, and they are so very cute.

@BookShark I went to those shows in the very distant past (before children so that's 20 years ago), but only to shop & browse and it was quite fun (leave your credit card at home!). At that point I was really into cross stitching and beading and I came home with lots of exciting bits & pieces so it might be right up your street. I was considering it this year for the first time again, only got as far as checking dates and trains. And I really should not be buying more yarn...

I'm still plodding along with my easy socks and have knitted the test square for my Mystery Knit Along that starts in October. Love the yarn and how it knits up. Tension ok = yet another (v.long) circular knitting needle ordered... I have many in 3.5mm, but the only one long enough has really worn points and was not good for my yarn, even just knitting plain stockinette stitch.

Thanks @GlowWine! I love the colours you put together. They work so well together 😍

I cast on the Iglo poncho for my big project. Not sure if it will look any good, but with the weather turning I’m finding the idea of effectively wearing a blanket very appealing!

I’ve also found a few half finished sock projects, so am thinking of re-starting one of those alongside my big project. I just need to work out where I was in the pattern when I lost interest...

Hey all! I'm popping by with a request for help please - I need a crochet pattern for a shape similar to this creature's head 🤔 if anyone knows where I may find one?

I've nothing to report. Haven't picked up my crochet in ages - the top I was making is in the process of being frogged, the button section is wonky & it was annoying me. Doubt anyone would have noticed but I did! And I think the chemo's started the menopause & I've been too hot on an evening to pick up my For... 🙄

I'm back - I've been thinking about my little creature some more; I think Snoopy with long ears (and all yellow) will work for the shape I want!

@lucysmam is this the right sort of shape head? Sorry to hear the chemo is having crappy side effects.

@CrochetBug yes! I think it might be better - I'll compare the patterns and see if there'll be much difference size-wise. Thankyou.

Hi … I’ve been reading and admiring your lovely work. I think I fall into the category of those who get madly ambitious for a while and then the knitting gathers dust for a few years before it’s dug out again … which is exactly what happened with my lockdown socks which I’m just about to finish. I need another project! Would love to do a blanket - probably knitting (have managed jumpers, gloves and now socks in the past but not super complicated) but am tempted to give crochet a try (have watched a few of the Coco Belle uTube videos).

Meantime, I’ve just found six balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in my knitting bag. No idea when it was bought or what for but am wondering what sort of knit it would be suitable for. Would welcome any insight from you experienced knitters! Thanks

WeCanLiveLikeJackAndSally thanks, I'll have a look

@Racingalongagain Have you tried looking for pattern inspiration on Ravelry? https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search

Use the filter on the left to search by craft (knitting) category (blanket) and by yarn or needle size. There are many additional options: free pattern only, difficulty, etc.

@GlowWine, thank you! I’d glanced at Ravelry but there’s so much choice and I didn’t look closely enough to realise I can filter by needle size or yarn … I can see where my morning is going!

HI
I need to catch up. I have just got to sew Taylor together, but am on holiday in Italy so just going to make a matching hat while i'm away.
I ordered then silver stars from etsy but they havent arrived! Hoping they come while I'm away.

Kawaiu octopus by Hooked by Robin, or Jumbo Turtle by Rose and Lily crochet. Super easy first amigurumis, just completed these as my first amugurumis after only ever doing blankets and ponchos, bags etc before. Would be a good present for the lady looking for a gift for her friend's baby. Tutorials both on YouTube. I used plushy chenille yarn and a 5mm hook.

They are very cute @FelineGood76

@FelineGood76 Oh they're so cute! If I ever venture in to crochet, I think it would be by starting to make amigurumis.

@bruffin That looks great! Hope you're having a nice holiday.