Oh Baby! Crochet part two

Today I went up to Accrington with Rachael (Artyarn) as she is still teaching people how to crochet. As the stall that we sit on is right opposite Habiknit I was in there again buying a couple of balls of wool. I swear that I cannot pass a wool shop without buying something! I will show you a photo of what I bought and a couple more roses that I crocheted towards the Accrington project tomorrow but for today I will just show you some more of the photos from the Oh Baby! Crochet book. There are still a few projects that I haven't photographed so it is a book full of ideas.

The Pig Security blanket by Helen Heaverin is a sweet little toy with a little blankie fastened to the body. I know that some babies gain great comfort from snuggling next to one of these.

The Little Lamb set by Dorothy Worrell has a lot of embroidered detail on the pram blanket and the pillow. I do love the little sheep toy although I am not a toy crocheter in general.

The Baby Blocks afghan and pillow set by Glenda Winkelman is very sweet but is also similar to a pattern that I have in another book. Very delicately coloured granny squares do make a pretty afghan.

There are a couple more afghan patterns in the book that I haven't photographed but the blue Tiny Balloons and the pink Rosebuds afghan sets by Mary Ann Sipes
are very pretty especially with their matching hats and bootees.

The green Shell and Popcorn papoose set by Frances Hughes and the blue Shell stitch papoose by Sue Childress are very pretty but not something that I would make for a baby unless I was specially requested.

The Toy Cat and Toy Dog by Michele Wilcox are very sweet but I am not a lover of making toys as I always seem to get the stuffing wrong or the embroidery. I would rather crochet a garment any day.

There is also a Baby's First Book by Glenda Winkleman which I haven't photographed. It has crocheted pages but all the words and the pictures in the book are cross stitched on. I am hopeless at anything like that so it's not a pattern for me.

The pink Baby Cloche by Nancy Nehring is a small beanie that looks very much like knitted ribbing. I would imagine that it would look OK for a boy in a different colour.

There are three headbands in the book by Frances Hughes. I chose the white one as I thought that it would make a great christening headband. Sorry that the photo isn't very clear but I think that you can still see most of it. The other two headbands feature crochet flowers or crocheted bows.

The Slippers by Sue Childress remind me of Christmas. There is also a pair of Mary Jane Slippers by Frances Hughes and lacy sock trims for store bought socks by Norma Gale.

The Sweetie Pie baby doll is by Kathleen Stuart. Once again I can admire it but I won't be making it no matter how sweet it is. Mine would look like something from the Omen.

The Nursery Choo Choo by Donna Collinsworth is shown as ornamental with baby toiletries in it but I presume that a baby could play with it. Not something that I would make as I really do not like all of the fiddly bits that go with crocheting toys.

I am tired today after the last two days going here and there. I have thoroughly enjoyed my outings though. They help to stimulate my mind. When I came home I then went up to Tesco on Pearl to get a bit of shopping so I have had another busy day.

Crocheting in Accrington

Here I go again. I had typed out the whole blog and then pressed the wrong key on the keyboard and sent it all to oblivion. As Blogger auto saves I thought that all I had to do was retrieve it but it wasn't there. All that saved was the title! Anyway enough of my problems off I go again.

I have had a busy couple of days going to Accrington with Rachael and having a good old chit chat with everyone. As I didn't take any photographs if you click on my blog title it should take you to the page on Rachael's (Artyarn) blog where you can see lots of photos and descriptions including a photo of yours truly languishing in an armchair crocheting. On Saturday we went along to Haworth Art Gallery.

Yesterday I should have gone to Sylvia's to deliver the cardigans for the foster babies. The weather was atrocious but I would still have gone except that Sylvia and both babies are still full of colds so we didn't think that it was wise for me to go. I am thinking of posting them off today when I go out as I don't know if I can get there next weekend and if I do go into hospital who knows how long it will be before I get up to Sylvia's again. The babies need the cardigans as the weather has turned colder and they will be growing out of them if I don't get them there soon.

I managed to get another cardigan from the 400 gram balls of aran. I chose a pattern that was mostly plain as cables eat up the wool. I started Sirdar 3738 but when I started knitting I realized that the cable also had a lacy pattern running through it which I thought was rather girlish. I therefore changed it to just a plain 6 sts cable. I like the twisted ribs and collar as it brings just a touch to a plain cardigan.

I am still crocheting slowly on my longer jacket but as it is done all in one it seems to take ages to do a row. The pattern is looking very nice though it is just slower with all of the crocheting around the loops that is the pattern.

I bought two more plus sized patterns. I found them online for sale as second hand (or pre owned as they are now called) which were cheaper than if I had managed to find them to buy new. I prefer the Leisure Art booklet with the green cardigan on the front as it has more patterns in it that I will use as you can see from most of the photos. The other book is an American School of Needlework one and the designs are not as good in my opinion. There are a couple of pullovers that might be OK but they are photographed badly in my opinion.

I am stocking up on so many pattern books I think that I will have to start a catalogue of which patterns I like in which books as I spend half the day pattern browsing every time I want to find a pattern that I remember I have seen somewhere.

I have been told by Amazon that another baby crochet pre ordered book is on it's way. It was due at the end of October but apparently it has arrived early. My credit card has taken quite a bashing this last month. I might be going wool browsing this week again. Do I care? Nope I will pay it off eventually so I am not worried and most of the credit card bill was for my scooter and recliner which have made my life so much easier. I will pay a sizable chunk off it when I go to the village this afternoon.

I haven't heard anything from the hospital so I am hoping that no news is good news and that I passed my pre op tests. All I have to pray now is that there is a still a bed when it is my operation day. I got cancelled the day before my op last time. Please keep everything crossed for me during this coming week.

A Great Day

I have had a great day out today. I had a ride up to Accrington in Rachael's (Artyarn) new car and spent the day crocheting leaves in Accrington Market Hall whilst Rachael was teaching people how to crochet.

There was no music today and it was a bit breezy every time the automatic doors opened but as I was tucked away near a pillar in my armchair I missed most of it although poor Rachael got quite cold. If you want to look a what we are doing then keep your eyes on the Artyarn blog (link is in my favourite blog list) as Rachael can explain much better than I can what it is all about. Tomorrow we are going up to the Art Gallery in Accrington where once again I will sit in style whilst Rachael does all the hard work. Ha Ha.

I was really looking forward to the homemade lasagne from the market cafe but as the lady explained they change the homemade menu every day so that it doesn't get monotonous. Today I had homemade meat pie with mash, cauliflower and carrots. I haven't tasted pie that good since my late mother made me one. I just do not have the right touch for pastry. Cakes I can manage but pastry - no.

I also went back to the old fashioned sweet shop and this time I got Liquorice tablets, Butterscotch tablets and some Rum and Raisin fudge. No wonder that I can't slim!

I called in Habiknits and picked up a bargain of the un labelled cream flat ribbon cotton. I am not sure what it is but it looks very much like something from Sirdar. It is a bargain at 89p a ball. I bought a couple of balls of three different colours last year from he Habiknits in Bury but when I went back they didn't have any more. I was overjoyed to find 10 balls in Accrington.

The pink Sirdar Silky Look DK is another bargain from Purplelinda. It is a bit paler than anything I have made for myself but I hope that it will look OK when crocheted. I am a great fan of Silky Look and it must still be a good seller as it is still in stock some 15 yrs after I used to stock it in my wool shop. Purplelinda are selling it for half price at £1.40p a ball but there are only the discontinued colours which are this pink a very pale green and a pale turquoise.

The baby patterns jumped into my basket as did the Silky Look. I was actually only ordering another ball of King Cole Riot. It's amazing what happens when you browse!.

My friend Sue surprised me with a visit whilst I was in the market. She had read on my blog where I would be and decided to surprise me. It was lovely to see her again. We live a bit of a distance apart and Sue works shift hours so I don't get to see her often. Another friend that I made through knit club. She brought her finished pale blue version of the Doris Chan pattern September Morn jacket for me to see. I also have the pattern but as per usual, haven't got around to it yet.

Three years ago I didn't know any knitters or crocheters and I now I can list quite a few people that I know who do one or the other. It's so nice to chat craft. I value my Internet friends for chit chat as well. Who would have thought I feel that I know so many people from all corners of the world. But for the Internet we would never have a chance to exchange ideas. I know that it has given me a new lease of life. I no longer feel like the lone crocheter of Manchester!

Tonight I hope to finish of the baby jacket that I am making in aran wool. I have made this one mainly plain with just a cable up the front. i think that I will just about make it with the left over aran I had from the 400 gram that I made the other aran from. I hope to get it finished so that I can give it to the baby when I visit Sylvia on Sunday.

Hooked for Toddlers

Lots of photos today to cover up the fact that I have been out all day so nothing has been crocheted or knitted so far today. These designs are from Hooked for Toddlers by Margaret Hubert. The sizes go up to a size 2T but the chest size seem to vary from garment to garment. I haven't put all of the photos as one was on the front cover on yesterday's blog and some of the dresses were very similar.

My favourites are the white cardigan with the lilac and green trim, the colour block pullover in green, turquoise and lilac, the plain green cardigan with a blue stripe, the blue cabled pullover, the little pink sweater and the multi coloured hooded top.

The lilac and green striped dress also has a matching doll dress for a 17-19" doll. I will probably make less than half of these patterns but only because I don't have any little girls to crochet for.

My Purplelinda parcel arrived today so more photos tomorrow.I needed another ball of King Cole Riot as I have decided on different pattern and so I would not have enough for it with the wool that I have already bought. A couple of other things jumped in my basket.I can call them consolation prizes to myself.

Today I went to the hospital for the pre op tests for my knee replacement operation. I am not holding my breath as they have found something else wrong with me now which might affect the surgery. I suppose that they will let me know about that. I was born with arrhythmia so my normal heartbeat is a bit strange at the best of times. It beats to it's own tune. Today they discovered that I also have tachycardia. My heart was beating at 104 beats per minute instead of the usual 60-80 beats of a normal person. I read on the Internet that having a too fast heartbeat isn't good for me and can cause all kinds of problems. It could be a reaction to the prescription drugs that I take or it could be something wrong with my thyroid or lymph nodes. I think I should forget about the operation and form a percussion band. I could play the bongos and keep tempo with my heart. It would have to be a fast tune though! Can anyone else play a musical instrument? My son said don't worry Mum it's just because you are too fat. Nice boy!

When I read on the Internet about tachycardia it might be an explanation of what has been happening to me over the last couple of weeks. I keep nodding off without warning whilst watching TV or crocheting. I am "gone" for about 3 or 4 minutes and then I wake up again.I have been blaming my bad sleep pattern and my sleep apnea. Funnily enough one of the symptoms of tachycardia is small periods of time when you can lose consciousness just for a minute of two. I am now wondering do I fall asleep or do I just have a moment of loss of consciousness? I will see what the hospital says about my operation before I mention this symptom to them. I don't want to give them any more ammunition than they already have.

I am looking forward to going to Accrington Market tomorrow with Rachael, I will be back in the sweetie shop for sure but not for any more Sasparilla drops. I didn't like those. I will pick out another of my childhood favourites. I hope that we get as many people interested in learning how to crochet as we did last Saturday. We had a lot of interested people including a couple of small girls. Plus I have the added thought of that home made lasagne from the Market cafe. Yum Yum. I will never be slim!

The Postman Called Again

Amazon is really catching up with my pre orders. I got another book today. Crochet it, Love it, Wear it by Drew Emborsky otherwise known as the Crochet Dude. Unfortunately Amazon decided to call him the Crochet Dud on my invoice. That's not nice of you Amazon! I have not had the time to look through it properly so the photos will follow later.

As for the Inside Crochet magazine 10 I am disappointed with this issue. The last two issues have been much better and I thought that they were improving but sadly, for me, this issue falls a little short of the mark.

As Bev said yesterday the Damson Tunic (front cover see yesterday's post) doesn't cut it for me either. I am not a lover of asymmetrical on a good day but if you look at the bust line of this tunic it is pulling dreadfully so that the pattern doesn't line up across the neckline. Sorry Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby but this pattern a miss as far as I am concerned.

The Ammonite scarf by Ellen Gormley is quite a nice scarf as far as scarves go and Inside Crochet have shown a sample of the pattern made up in 6 different yarns which is useful to see how they make up. Otherwise I can take or leave the scarf.

The Mosaic bag by Annette Patavy is quite pretty if you are into crochet bags (which I am not) so that is another pattern that I won't be using.

The Tread sweater by Charles Voth has quite a nice pattern stitch which of course doesn't show up on the photo. The sweater is made side to side including the sleeves. Another miss as I don't have a man in my life to crochet for.

The Houndstooth Coat by Melissa Horozewski is almost an exact replica of a pattern that I have from the 60's featured in McCalls Needlework and Crafts magazine. It would be quite attractive on someone slim but I don't think that it would flatter my round shape.

The Fancy Pants Soakers by Chloe Nightingale would appeal to anyone who uses cloth diapers for their child. It has the skirt attached to the pants for modesty. Most of the people that I know with baby girls don't use cloth diapers so would be unimpressed with this pattern.

The Vintage Bolero by Zoe Clements is quite pretty but one again I think that it is more suited to someone slim. I do like the choice of colours though.

The Petal Beret by Linda Perman makes me wish that I suited a beret. I saw this on Ravelry and admired it's delicate pattern. Maybe it will suit one of my nieces and I will get to make it.

The Lakota cardigan by Marlaina Bird is one that I have mixed feelings about. Perhaps if it was in a different colour as I am not a lover of brown. The jury is out on this one.

Whilst I can admire the Kingfisher Toy by June Gilbank I have to confess that crocheting (or knitting) animals or amigurumi is just not my cup of tea. I would rather be crocheting something wearable any time.

This morning I had the company of the little black she cat from the house at the bottom of my garden. She came in out of the rain, ate and settled down to sleep on the chair. I had to put her outside when I was going shopping and she met up with Oscar the next door cat. A huge screeching fight went on and eventually she ran away. Oscar then banged on he window demanding to be let in but as he can't be trusted anymore not to spray I had to ignore him.

Thanks CajunBlu for your advice on the Tunisian crochet. I seem to be keeping my sides straight which I had a lot of trouble with when I first learned how to crochet. I will be getting my Learn Tunisian book and DVD back tomorrow so I will watch that again.

Tomorrow I am going up to Accrington market. I am going with my friend Rachael (from Artyarn) who is teaching people how to crochet in the Market Hall. As we will be outside Habiknit I might also be inside Habiknit :-)