Learning to Crochet

Wow, it's been a while. Five months since I last blogged because I have had babies on the brain, as I am very excited to announce the imminent arrival of our first baby due on the 17th June. Now that I am on maternity leave and before our little one arrives is the perfect time catch up. Today it is all about crochet. This time last year I had never even held a crochet hook, but now, I have very nearly finished my first project - a baby blanket of course!

Over Christmas, while visiting my folks in Sussex, I unfortunately came down with a bad case of flu. But my mum and I turned this into a positive and we spent a whole week together practicing and practicing crochet until we got the hang of it. She dug out some old books and I introduced her to the world of YouTube. But to be honest it was one of the books she had (published around the time I was born I think) that was the best resource. The most baffling thing we found as beginners was the written pattern, it was like learning a new language.

I had been to a crochet lesson before at one of The Craft Hub pubs nights, but I think what I found invaluable was the block of time I had with mum just practicing and practicing. OK, yes I was dreaming about crochet stitches for about a week, but the techniques finally stuck.

So, I got better, January came and back to Devon I went, straight into the wool shop to start my baby blanket. I was hoping that my mum would also keep the crochet up, as I knew she found reading the patterns difficult, as did I, and I hoped she wouldn't give up without me there to work them out with her. But I needn't have worried. When she visited us in April, she handed me a little tissue wrapped gift and inside were 2 pairs of the cutest little baby booties. At first I didn't even contemplate she had made them, but when I realised I was very overwhelmed. I was extremely impressed and will treasure them always.



I haven't even attempted anything so complex as a 3D shape as yet. Well, I did have a go at a cherry brooch that I promised my mum for her birthday, but gave up! I still owe her that brooch. I am still finishing off the baby blanket I mentioned earlier. I have a few more squares to do then I might have a go at a border - any suggestions welcome!



I am so pleased I have finally got to grips with crochet and am looking forward to my next project. Below are a fab collection of crochet patterns and ready made items I have found on Folksy.com. Click on the photos to visit the shops.



One more thing, this month on the 19th there is another Craft Hub craft fair in Topsham, details on their website. I won't be attending this time as it's 2 days after my due date, but please go along, there are some fabulous stalls as always.

Twinkling Firs Craft Fair

The next Christmas Fair I will be selling my monster wares will be in Topsham Exeter. Make sure you visit us there for all your monster needs.

A menagerie of monsters

Just a quick note to say thank you to everyone who came along to the 'monster make' on Wednesday. It looked like you had a lot of fun and I certainly enjoyed it too. I was impressed by the variety of designs that we ended up with, each one had it's own little unique addition - whether it be a tail, a hat or a spiky spine. Here are just some of what was produced.

Monster Class

Just a reminder that this Wednesday 20th October I will be teaching a monster making class in the City Gate Pub in Exeter. 'Cr'after Dark' is run by The Craft Hub and costs £5 to take part. Have a drink while making your very own sock monster. I will provide everything you need to make. Visit The Craft Hub's website to find out more and let them know if you are coming as it looks like it will be busy. We will be making mini monsters! See you there.

Knitted Groto

Last weekend, Westpoint in Exeter held the Creative Stitches fair. It's a fabulous place to get your craft supplies. The Craft Hub had a great stand which showcased all the members work and they also had a scarf knitathon - they invited everyone that came to the stall to knit a row or 2 to what should be a very interesting and eclectic piece. They twisted my arm into doing one row even though I barely know how to knit. I am waiting to see the finished piece on their blog!

Personally I find these fairs a tad uninspiring and dare I say it a little twee, but I came across a little gem (actually it was a rather large gem) around the corner. It was a knitted grotto called 'Above and Below the Waves'. Undertaken by Alison Murray the project was made possible by knitted donations of 2000 knitters around the world. The project tours the UK raising money for the RNLI "Train one, save many' campaign. It took 2 years for all the knitted elements to come together and a further 5 months for the pieces to be sewn together into an amazing, very detailed beach and under water scene. Every where you looked you saw something different and quirky details. I don't know much about knitting but loved the way different stitches / techniques were used to create different textures like the jelly fish and the sea sponges. Anyway, that enough of my rambling - below are a selection of photos I took. The very last photo is a key ring I couldn't resist buying from their stand.

The Craft Hub

Made by Kate has recently become a member of Exeter based club 'The Craft Hub'. Pip and Ellen set up the club to provide a platform to showcase local artists and crafters their work. The next craft fair will on the 30th October at St Matthews Church Hall in Exeter. For more information visit The Craft Hub website. Along side the fairs they also run monthly 'Cr'after Dark' pub nights where you can take your craft of choice along while having a drink or you can take part in the class. Each month there is a different craft to learn. So far there has been crochet, knitting and felting. Next month I will be teaching everyone to make sock monsters. So if you fancy coming along it will be on the 20th October at the City Gate Pub in Exeter from 8pm. It only costs £5 to take part and I will provide everything you need to make your very own sock monster.

Below are my attempt at the felt bangles we made in the last class:

Etsy finds, September

As well as selling my monsters here you can also find another collection of them on Etsy. In fact I usually end up spending quite a lot of time at Etsy browsing some of the amazing handmade items there. So here I give a few of my favourite items I have come across in the last few weeks. Click on the photos to see more from the sellers.