PIF Crochet Style

When I was reading the Blogs I follow, I noticed that Tara at Little Things was playing a Pay it Forward style of game she had found via Melissa at Mel's Daisy Patch (following on from Oodles 4Noodles and Create Bella Create). The game involves crocheting surprise gifts for 3 Followers and as I so enjoyed my recent Giveaway and I'm still in love with the crochet at the moment, I agreed to play and P-I-F too!

Here are the rules if you want to join in:-

1. I will send a surprise gift to the first three commenters on this post. The crocheted gift will be handmade by me. It will be sent sometime in the next 365 days, probably after Christmas now, as I still have some UFO's for then that take priority. It will be a surprise. We all love getting surprises in the mail right? and how nice to get a little something extra in the New Year, when all of the festivities have died away?

2. To sign up and receive a gift you must play along too. Pay it Forward on your Blog, by promising to make a surprise gift for the first three people who comment on the post.

3. You must have a Blog, that is updated, as I will Blog stalk you to find the right gift for you. Include your Blog address in your comment.

4. After commenting here, you must repost this, or something similar, to your Blog within 48 hours. If not I will chose the next person who comments, who follows these rules..... It's that simple :-)

I am looking forward to playing this fun game with my fellow bloggers and am already thinking of what I might make. Something special and handmade just for you, so I hope you will want to join in.

Oh and please go and check out the fun going on at Little Things, Mel's Daisy Patch, Oodles4Noodles and CreateBellaCreate.

Lots of Love

Arwedd xx

Breaking the Silence and Revealing All

Hi Folks, that's the longest absence I've had from my Blog since I started it and I nearly didn't make it back at all. In fact it still remains to be seen whether I do or not. A few different factors really, it started with a cold and I didn't feel like much of anything, except sleeping, then there was a week without access to a computer, and then the darkness descended!!!

I've had a really difficult struggle with some very negative thoughts, in part (I think?) caused by starting my EMDR therapy. Why is it that having waited so very long for it, now that I have started it, I am suddenly angry about how long it has taken, rather than feeling grateful? I am angry that it didn't come in time to, maybe, save my job. After the first couple of sessions of introduction and structure, came a couple of sessions of "History Taking". This consists of trying to articulate all the occasions and situations where negative thoughts and beliefs were fed to you as a child, in 45 minutes. It would take me a week to tell all of these, that's at least 168 hours, not less than one. Then re-living the traumatic incident and picking out all of the worst pictures and scenes from that in your mind and the negative thoughts that go along with them, in another 45 minutes. Gee, that was a FUN session. 

Discovering your fundamental belief about yourself is, "I am not capable", strangely doesn't seem to alter that belief in any way. Does that make me crazy? Not capable of choosing what clothes to wear, not capable of being a good mother, not capable of holding a responsible job, not capable of saving a life. Not capable of writing a Blog that anyone would really miss if it wasn't there. Yes folks, I did have a couple of mopey days, where after a couple of weeks of absence from my Blog, and not a single word from anyone, I felt like it was a confirmation of that. Thanks to Sandra and Rachel for bringing me out of that particular fug.

Hopefully, things will start to change when we get on to the "therapy" proper. I get to choose between having the lovely lady wave her fingers in front and to the sides of my eyes.

Whether to hold some little paddles, one in each hand, which alternately vibrate, at different speeds or listen to clicking noises moving from one ear to the other, or both of these together.

Or, which I think might be my favourite, and the one I'll go for, watching lights move along a bar. These can also be altered in different ways, speed, etc. I did try it and it was the one I found the easiest to concentrate on.

My negative funk, was also in part (I know) caused by a lack of friendship shown to me by folks I actually thought were 'real' friends. It seems I am able to be picked up when wanted/needed for something and put aside when not. Boy, that has the power to really sting, every time! Never mind "a sharp stratch", that one's a sucker punch to the gut!! 

So yes, it's been a struggle and I fear its not over yet.

But as I sit here and write tonight, I am in the throes of another virus, (my second in less than 2 months, my Mum would say I need a "tonic", I never really knew what that meant?), and every paroxysm of coughing is causing terrible pain in my chest, the back of my neck and across my shoulder blades. I am high on pain killers and I have no voice, so I cannot speak, yet it seems very apt that I should be here 'talking' and breaking the silence.

You probably think, I've revealed quite enough already but that wasn't quite what I was thinking of when I wrote the title. I thought I would end on a slightly more positive note with a crochet reveal. So not revealing ALL, at all in fact, phew!!

You have, probably, all forgotten this sneaky peak of a WIP, I gave you back here, at the beginning of August.

I'm afraid to say Mum, all your guesses were incorrect, not a Zebra or a Panda. A bit unfair really, as the photo obviously didn't show the colours too well - they are in fact, cream, lemon and chocolate brown.

The Finished Object is ..............................................


How long do they normally pause for on those dreaded results shows?.........................


before they tell you, which couple.......................................


is leaving this week ..............................................


IMHO, it's far too long ..........................................


to the point where you could scream at the telly .....................................


or just turn over.................................... NO, DON'T DO THAT!! I'm sorry !!! Here it is.

It is actually a car seat blanket and hat, which was a present for FrugalMummy's GD (and she truly is, very gorgeous). Hence the initial secrecy back in August. There is a little hole in the blanket for the car seat strap to go through.

Now, I'm always very honest, so I have a confession to make about the hat. I feel I'm still fairly new to the whole crochet craze, although I'm hooked. (Sorry!!) So I'm still at the stage where I just follow a pattern blindly, but I must admit to having doubts about the size of this hat all the way through. I'm not sure why I thought that the situation would improve, but I did feel it would work out alright in the end. However,......

As I don't have a newborn in the house, Alvin had to step up and model.

When the hat was a tight squeeze even on his head, I knew it was wrong. Eventually I found a willing newborn to try it on and it just perched on top of their tiny head. Uh,Uh, back to the drawing board. Undetered I started again and thought, well I'll just keep increasing for a couple more rounds, but again having no newborn to try it on, I didn't really know when to stop. In the end, I had to consult the oracle, Frugalmummy herself, surprise blown, but I'd rather GD had a gift she can use. 

After taking advice I did a decrease round which brought it in again, so the final hat ended up as a kind of beret! A slight depature from the original, but it didn't look too bad when the flower had been added. What do you think?

The tiny hat went in the present aswell, hopefully Baby's doll can wear it and I so hope the beret fits. If not I still have some more wool left!!!!!

All of it was wrapped up and given to GD at her fabulous Baby Shower and she seemed pleased with the final result.

Now to start the next project, or maybe I should finish another one or two first.

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

The Beginning and The End

This morning was really lovely. I went to my very favourite Community Cafe and joined the gorgeous FrugalMummy who came to share her wonderful Crochet skills with some knitters. It was fabulous watching the Beginning of someone learning a new skill and one which can bring such happiness.

Two lovely ladies learning a new technique and some new crochet stitches. I just know they will crack this as they seemed very determined.

These were the circles in squares FrugalMummy was teaching with a join as you go method and some Triple Trebles, a new stitch to me too. FM seems to have got a lot further with her blanket than I have with mine!!

Here are my circles, on top of another Crochet Cowl, a WIP, and I ran out of time to join my circles together. Still, it's an excuse for another session with FM, hooray!!

 There was a fair amount of knitting going in the background, aswell, so the place was a total yarn fest. Wool, all over the place.

Sadly, I got home to discover that youngest Son's rabbit, "Bigwig" had died, presumably just of old age, as we were at the vets quite recently and he got a clean bill of health. He was 6 1/2 years old, and will be sorely missed by his buddy, "Speedwell".

M, is fluctuating between bouts of sobbing and feeling upset, then playing on his Wii and seeming not to care at all. I'm not sure which is worse? We held the funeral tonight, M decided he was the "Vicar", and started with, "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today... what comes next?" Who knew he even knew that much. I blame the TV!!

I'm so gutted and trying hard not to let this knock me back disproportionately, but it has rather taken the shine off what was a nice day and I find I have nothing to say this evening. I only hope Bigwig will be happy with his final resting place and can pop down from Heaven to romp across the Moors at his leisure. Do animals go to Heaven? I hope so!!

Bigwig

R.I.P

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Spirals

Welcome to new Follower, Charlotte, nice to have you here. 

**Please May I? and Welsh Poppy, I still have some goodies sitting on my sideboard to send to you, if you send me your details.**
 
The next crochet project is already on the hook.

The fawn wool is 100% Alpaca and I wish you could touch it on the screen as it feels so gorgeously soft. The salmon pink is a Sublime 100% Merino wool. This is for the next September birthday present.


I was caught doing some in the palyground after school today and three Mums I see, but don't normally talk to, came over to inspect my work. One says she has bought the new "Art of Crochet" magazine that has been on so many TV adverts lately (at least in the UK). She was fascinated by the way I hold my yarn, as "that's not how it says in the magazine", but she gave it a go and found it easier. She has done her foundation chain and ripped it back a few times for practice and I felt so happy to say if she gets stuck I would try and help. Me, the beginner, becoming the teacher, that makes me laugh so hard!!

Eldest son queried whether the scarf was supposed to be so twisted, when I said yes it matched the recipient, I had a lot of explaining to do.

Unfortunately, my head is also doing spirals tonight. This is my third severe headache in the last two days, so off to dose myself up with Neurofen and Paracetamol.

Anyone else going to try the new magazine?

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Crochet Cowl

Oh boy, it took me longer to sew in all those ends than I thought it would, and I still have a couple more to do on the edge, but otherwise this project is complete. Not bad for a couple of days work and less than one ball of each colour yarn, so I have plenty left to do another.

The pattern was an old one from the Crochet with Raymond blog, here. I did 8 squares instead of 7, but I think for myself I would still rather it was looser around my neck.

My favourite colour is the Teal, so I did the edging in this. It's definitely my friend's colour, so hopefully she will like it. However, I'm now having a slight panic that she can't wear wool !?!

The edges look a little bit curled over, so I'm debating whether or not to block this?

Just thinking of another rush project for a different September birthday now, so catch you later.

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Duh, I'm just so stupid!!

My DH would say that's no surprise as he's known that since he met me, but somehow, I'm always quite surprised by the level of my stupidity. Despite the fact I always say I'm rubbish, it seems, secretly I like to think I'm fairly intelligent, but sadly no....

If you're not interested in crochet look away now and you might continue to live in the misapprehension that I have at least an average IQ.

Does anyway remember my little cry for help, right at the bottom, back here.?

What should have been just a basic old Granny Square, was defeating me, and yet I learnt these with Frugalmummy way back in April. The sides just kept pulling in and whilst it's an interesting shape, it's most definitely not square.

Well last night I was determined to tackle this, as I had a momentary panic that we are now in September and the Birthday, this project is for, is now this month. So I sat down with my crochet books and my 'practice' wool. I picked out a larger hook, 6mm rather than 5.5mm, as suggested by Lawrence and I tried again, and again......

..... and then it dawned on me.............

Both the original pattern I had used and the one I was using, from the first book I picked up, called for Double Crochet stitch, so I was doing double crochets, but bless you, all you lovely Americans, you will insist on using the "wrong" words for things......

What I was meant to be doing was Treble Crochet stitch, all along.

Duh, of course I was, I knew that, so why was I doing the wrong stitch? I DON'T know!!!

I'm surprised you lovely crochet ladies didn't spot it and just put me straight. Are you all just sniggering and whispering behind your hands, "Don't tell her, it's more funny", huh, are you?? Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get you!

This is how it should look:-

Just a bit different !!!!

and now the next square is done too!!

I'm off to finish the rest tonight, so I still have time to make the birthday card tomorrow.

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Water off a Duck's Back

Every child has a favourite toy, that goes with them everywhere and they can't do without. My advice if you're having a new baby and you'd like a particular toy to be IT, if you possibly can, buy two. The heartbreak if this particular toy gets lost or broken, is enough to make a grown man cry. The trouble is you can't quite predict which one of the numerous soft toys they are given when they are born, will become the ONE.

With number 1 Son it was a Winnie the Pooh his Dad bought him the day he was born without my knowledge and brought in to the hospital later that day. He couldn't even "bear" to be parted from him for a quick photo. I'm sure he would hating me putting this photo up, but still....

Wow, where have those 12 years gone?

Number 2 Son is always trying to do things bigger and better than number 1 and so he has two special 'friends'; an elephant and a duck. They've both slept in bed with him every night for years, been thrown around all day, gone out on picnics, walks, the whole nine yards. Ellie is lucky because, as long as you take his wheat bag out, he can go in the washing machine.

Ducky, unfortunately, says surface clean only. He is fraying a bit on the feet and he has beads of an indeterminate nature inside, (possibly polystyrene), as well as stuffing, and a metal bell. All this means that Ducky is looking rather worse for wear. He has now reached the point where I have insisted either he has a surface clean or he goes and finds somewhere else to live. So today was the day I started. Oh, the fuss, the sobbing, the accusations that I had ruined his fur. If you've ever heard a small child having a bath and screaming blue murder well this was worse. You would have thought I was mutilitaing a living being in the worst possible manner and how much did I manage to clean.........

.......... well can you tell me?

 Now I'm waiting for M to fall asleep and Ducky is going to get the works, a premium wash and wax service, and hopefully it'll be water off this Ducky's back.

Reaction to my difficult texts of yesterday was rubbish as expected, DH said it could have been worse, but I am very cross that he has been given the 'blame' for stuff that has happened to me. It is grossly unfair that he has been accused of having what he wanted, when all he has done is support me with what I wanted. Shame I'm not a Duck!! I'm so lucky to have him here at all, and to have his love and support. It's a pity I can't have the same level of support from others who should be providing it.

Ssshh, Can I hear M snoring?...............

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

PS. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong here? After numerous compliments on my tension when crocheting, I am having trouble on my next project. I have only used a size 4 hook before, my latest project calls for granny squares made with a 5.5mm hook, (to make them more drapey!) and I just can't get it to be square, it just pulls in at the sides. I have tried really hard to leave it loose, but I can't get it right.

What Should I do?

My First Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!

I may have over-used the exclammation mark in my title there, but I've noticed I tend to do that in lots of my Posts, however I am thrilled to be revealing my first Ta-Dah moment.

The long awaited Crochet Blanket #2 with all it's holey glory. Apologies, that I am not a very skillful or arty/creative photographer, so these photos aren't all that stylish.

It all started back here in April and it is called Blanket No 2, because it was the 2nd one I started, although it's the first one I have finished.

Just a very long strip

It was probably too big a project for my first ever crochet make, but it seems I can't do anything the easy way. It grew very slowly.

My blanket and I had some difficult moments along the way, especially regarding the holes. Can someone tell me, do I absolutely have to do turning chains at the edges?

However, we made friends again thanks to Fostermummy and the frilly edge is definitely a distraction.

This is it laid out fully on a bed, again apologies it doesn't exactly go with my colour scheme, but it is designed to suit a friends house.

I timed myself at one point and a row took me 35 mintues to complete. There are 190 rows in the blanket so that makes 111 hours of work, plus crocheting around the complete blanket 4 times, so maybe another 10 or so hours.

and so my first Ta-dah moment is complete.... and yet, now it has come to the end, I find I can't quite put my blanket away and move on. I'm missing working on it already.

There's only one solution, start another blanket, yay!!!!

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Bloggy Blanket Chain

Welcome to new Follower Rae.

Oh Boy, it was such a difficult decision as to which colour I should do my square in, to go with Mum's lovely hot pink, Nicky's gorgeous purple and Kate's sunny yellow. I went through my yarn stash, dithering over this colour and that, and eventually, nervously, decided on a zesty lime bamboo cotton. So I hope all the participants and recipient will like it.

After my first attempts at granny squares for the Bloggy Friends Bloggy Blanket, I thought I would push myself a little further and try a new square for this Blanket Chain. I found one I liked in the Encyclopedia book, and my contribution is therefore a circle in a square.

My ends are now sewn in and it is joined to the fabulous, but still rather small blanket, and it is winging it's way to Amanda in Spain.

If you'd like to join in and add a square, hop on over to Mum's blog page here, and let her know.

Hope the Air Mail is nice and quick Amanda. Looking forward to seeing what you add.

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Lessons in Life

I have always enjoyed learning. I was one of those children who actually enjoyed being at school and was apparently inquisitive from a very early age. Now I'm not saying that I was, or am, particularly bright! After all I only got 8 GCE 'O' levels, when I was predicted to get 13 and I only got 2 out of my 4 'A' levels, but I did always like learning new things.

I still feel that 40 years later I have such a lot of things to learn, and instead of a normal 'bucket' list, mine should be a list of things I need to learn before I die.

Some things are quite practical:-

* learn to Crochet - started
* learn to Cook - started
* learn to Knit
* learn to Sew
* learn to Rollerblade, etc, etc

Some things are more etheral:-

* learn to accept that I am 'good enough'
* learn to "feel the fear and do it anyway"
* learn to speak up for myself
* learn to be more like Jesus

More often than not lessons in life come from the least expected places. Yesterday I had a lovely day with the gorgeous Fostermummy, in our favourite Church/Community Cafe. We did some card making and one of our other 'jobs' was to tackle my Crochet blanket #2, that I got so disheartened with at the beginning of the week. For all of you who are dying to know the solution, here it is.

Although, Fostermummy didn't think there was a real problem with the holes, as she explained the sides will always be different from the ends, knowing that I am somewhat anally retentive she helped me to embrace the holey-ness, (is that a word? not to be confused with Holiness!). The answer..............................

.............................create more 'holes' on the edges without holes.

 Now, this seems an extremely simple solution, but it took an experienced crocheter like FM to point it out to me. I just wouldn't have thought of it! So I have been adding chain spaces all around, and my blanket now pleases me much more. I am friends with it again and looking forward to my Tada moment in the not too distant future.

It felt very much like a metaphor for my life and I learnt that life will be Ok despite the holes in it. As Fostermummy says "all you need to do is make the holes part of the pattern". 

Embracing the holey-ness, lots of love Arwedd xx

Disappointed in Devon

I had been looking forward to my first Ta-Dah Moment for well over a month. I look at other folks completed projects and their final Ta-Dahs with envy and enjoyment.

Unfortunately, I now have a total downer on Crochet Blanket Number 2, which is so nearly reaching its conclusion. I'm not sure why now, but I was totally convinced that by doing a double crochet edge all around the blanket it would a) even up the uneven edges and b) fill in the horrible gaps left by the chain 3 turning chains on each row. Sadly it doesn't appear to be doing either and I can now see that it wouldn't do. I really don't know why I thought it would. Despite several people telling me how good my tension was for my first ever foray in crocheting, the end of the blanket I have just finished, is definitely wider than the foundation chain end I started with.

I am going to have to continue with the border as I reckon I have put over 100 hours into this blanket already. However, I am not sure if my perfectionist nature will ever allow me to give this to my friend as the Christmas present it was intended to be.

One nice straight edge, one with horrible holes!!

Despite the glorious sunshine and an otherwise nice day, I am feeling somewhat despondent. The holes are bugging me!!

Yours Disappointed in Devon (Arwedd) xxx

Crochet the Day Away

Had a very quiet, reflective day yesterday, remembering my Nanna in the everyday things and trying to set aside recent comments and conversations. Apologies for being a bit morose lately, I hope I am coming up the other side of my dip, but I know I have something coming up in the next few days which is likely to set me back again, which makes me a bit fearful. 

Oddly, or maybe not so oddly, one of my sets of Bible Readings lately has been all about "Handling Criticism the Right Way". I get these by email from The UCB, called Word for Today, and it is a very short word of Scripture, and some commentary. The last one in of which was "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31, so I am trying to hold fast to this to keep the fear at bay.

However, I spent yesterday trying to restore my equilibrium with a spot of Crochet. I sat with my Beginners book and a scrappy ball of blue wool and tried to teach myself a few different things.

First I had a go at some half treble crochet stitches and then some popcorn stitches.

Then I thought I would try some Filet work. I know it doesn't look so good in this wool, but it was just a tester.

After that I had a go at doing a scallopy (?) edging.

and finally I went for broke and tried out a motif.

I think there is a mistake in it as I felt I had to fudge one of the joins, but I can't see now myself, so hopefully if I was doing this for real no-one would notice. This was my first attempt at following a chart and I must say I actually found it more difficult than following the gobbledegook abbreviations. I never thought that would be the case, strange!

Today I really must finish some more cards for the Church Jubilee Fair tomorrow, make a birthday card for my Mum, and get the Sons washing done to go away to their Grandparents for half term. So I might be back later to let you know how I got on.

Have a good day.

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Stepping out on My Own

Well I had a go at making the same Lemon Drizzle Cake today that I made with the lovely Frugal Queen yesterday.

8oz Eggs, 8oz, flour, 8oz sugar and 8oz butter, plus the rind of two lemons, with lemon curd filling. It's definitely not as light and fluffy as yesterday's cake and the two halves are much flatter. Don't get me wrong, it's going down better than anything I have made so far, but it's not as good somehow. I did follow the steps exactly, so I am confused as to why.

I also bought two 22cm metal pie tins for £1.99 each today, ready for the Chicken & Chorizo pies. Just waiting on next week's shopping to arrive for those ingredients. I didn't think that was too costly.

I had a lovely morning helping to teach at Sunday School earlier today. We were learning about Daniel and the lions with 5 to 9 yr olds, mine included. The kids are fabulous and they come out with the most amazing things. It is slightly frustrating that your own child seems to want to mess about and show off when you are leading though. I'm sure he's not like that during someone else's month.

Update on the Crochet Blankets - work on Crochet Blanket 1 (the colourful squares), has stopped while I try and get Crochet Blanket 2 to look like I have done anything on it at all. It has gone from a very thin long strip to a marginally wider long strip. It feels like it is taking forever to make any progress and I think maybe I should not have gone so wide for my first/2nd project. I am currently contemplating making the width, the length instead. I am slightly concerned about the edges as they are not very even, so I think I will have to learn how to do some proper edging before I can finish it off. What do you think?

Weather forecast for tomorrow, "Rain clearing away allowing a few bright spells in the morning, but soon becoming cloudy with showers, often heavy and maybe thundery in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C". So much for doing something special for the Bank Holiday! We were hoping to go for a bike ride or moor walking, but it is likely to be pretty miserable around here. Shame!

What have you got planned for your extra day off?

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Saturday Creations

The morning started in the most mundane of ways with a couple of hours spent at this contraption!

What does your ironing spot look like? (Please don't look at the state of my ironing board cover, I really need a new one!) However, once that and a couple of other chores were done, the creativity could start. 

Today's activities included work on Crochet Blanket No. 1. At the moment all I have is lots of squares!

The beautiful colours in these squares are all from one yarn and I'm loving the combinations. I just hope that Fostermummy will be able to give me a couple more lessons when I need to learn how to put these altogether.

Next on the Programme was some work on Crochet Blanket No. 2 project. With this one, all I have so far is a very long thin strip.

However, I also love this ecru and cream colour, for totally different reasons.

Later in the afternoon was the next attempt at finding biscuits all three boys like - Vanilla Cookies.

No. 2 Son cut them all out, so we have stars, hearts and teddy bears. What do you think? They are not finished yet as they will be dipped in chocolate by tomorrow - Cadbury's Dairy Milk, what else?

Then a couple more cards made :-

And for tea, my last creation of the day, was Fish Pie:-

I made two, not exactly bulk cooking but certainly a small step in Frugal Queen's direction which is something new to me, so I was quite pleased with myself. I only photographed one, but the other has gone in the fridge for tomorrow's tea.

Tell me which of my creations do you like the best? and what's your latest creation?

Lots of Love Arwedd xx