Getting ready for winter, I’ve used some beautiful aran yarn to create a scarf and cowl. The weight and texture on these is lovely – you can’t beat aran yarn for snuggling into as the weather gets cooler. The Cachina Scarf and Cowl and now available on Ravelry, LoveCrafts and in my Etsy store.

I’m delighted with my latest Tunisian crochet design, the Delaney Wrap. It is worked in Lattice Stitch, so it has a lovely drape and weight. The colours are striking, and it is finished with pompoms, because why not. Pattern is available on Ravelry, LoveCrafts and in my Etsy store.

I had acquired quite a lot of Scheepjes Cahlista (for two projects that didn’t work out), and decided to use what I had to have a go at a tapestry crochet cot blanket. This appealed to me because I find messing about on a sheet of graph paper quite relaxing. I moved to an Excel spreadsheet for the final adjustments to the pattern. Working with the aran yarn gave the blanket a lovely weight – double what you would expect because you carry a yarn in every row. The edging is not an easy thing to tame, but worth persevering with as the envelope fold hides all of the cut ends. Overall, a very satisfying project.

I finally finished the Cockleshell Wrap. I decided to call it that because the clusters remind me so much of the cockleshells that I used to find on the local beach as a child. This was a very selfish project – two whole Whirls, but a relatively simply repeating pattern. I’d been so busy lately, writing patterns for magazines with very different ‘house styles’, and I just wanted to do something for me that didn’t requrie a great deal of effort, but that would be enjoyable to make. The making was easy – as always, writing up my scrappy notes into a form that anyone could understand takes longer than you think it will. I also chose to include a chart, so the cluster placement was clear – not everyone likes to read off a chart, but alongside the written instructions it probably helps to clear up any confusion.

I’ve been juggling magazine commissions, Christmas decorations and new designs for what seems like months – it’s been such a pleasure to be handling so much yarn. Had the latest wrap blocking under the Christmas lights, which was rather lovely. I took it outside today for a little photoshoot – the colours looked fabulous against the winter foliage. I will be uploading the pattern soon – just a simple wrap with enough challenge to keep it interesting, but still a relaxing make.

Having fallen behind somewhat and not wishing to lose any brownie points my efforts are now focused on completing a number of cabochon pendants and rings for Sue.

Glad to say that the pain from the pinched nerve has greatly reduced so I am back working on new designs for bangles.

Due to the inclement weather the man cave (i.e. shed) was to0 cold to resume woodturning so instead it had a spring clean. At the same time, my indoor workstation for the jewellery was reorganised.

Unfortunately due to a pinched nerve in my neck all projects have had to be put on hold: that’s life.

Workstation

Man Cave

Free Tunisian Crochet Pattern. Looking to extend your Tunisian crochet stitches? Why not try the simple Lattice stitch to make this cowl with one ball of King Cole Riot DK. Perfect for these slightly cool spring days, the pattern is available to download as a pdf for free on our website

This week’s challenge was to turn a spare piece of copper tube left over from a plumbing job into something more aesthetic.

This is the chunkier of the two in the photograph