Crazy Colour Combos!

Hey!How is everyone doing?Still hanging in there?Crikey it's been a bit of a year!Who would have thought that a year on we are all still battling this damn pandemic!What better to give you a pick me up than choosing new yarn for a project??!!!

I love Scheepjes Metropolis yarn. The colour choice is stunning (80!!!) and there isn't a single solid in there! Every ball is ever so slightly heathered which gives lovely interest. 

The yarn itself is a 75%/25% Extra fine merino/nylon blend that is a fingering weight. Sold in 50g balls you get 200m of machine washable yarn (at 40 degrees).

I settled on these 3 colours. Yup.... a bit random!

We have Pasay which is beautiful jade green, Cota is delicate white heather with pale lilac and bringing up the rear is Bucharest, a punchy beep purple/blue colour.

All of the balls have the east start tags, which saves digging around in the centre of the ball to find the end!

You can see it peeking out from the bottom of the ball below.

I think you can really see the stunning heathered effect of the yarn below.

Personally, I think the best thing about this yarn is the smell!

It smells sheepy!!!! 🐑🐑🐑

And I just lovely a sheepy yarn!

Join me next week to see what I'm going to be making and check on the progress

Til next time x

YARN....The Macro Botanica Issue

Yo!!!! Tis me.... the absent one!Am making no promises on the regularity of posting this year. Last year taught me that things happen and keeping up sometimes becomes tricky.I'll try my besets though
I just thought I'd quickly pop in today to share the latest copy of Scheepjes YARN bookazine.I was very lucky to get my hands on one and my god! Its fabulous!!!

Every page is a visual delight.

The styling is a complete triumph.

Its jammed packed full of stunning designs that are suitable for all skill levels.

I've got a serious case of "must make everything"!!!!

LOVE these socks!

When I saw this blanket I literally swooned!!! 

I have the yarn in my stash so am sitting on my hands in an attempt not to cast it on straight away 😂

Carmen of New Leaf Designs has a beautiful, delicate shawl in this edition. I love the way it has been styled.  This might be another on the list of things to make....

And, last but not least, the lovely Jellina of Jellina Creations has designed this amazing Dandelion Clock cushion 😍I just love it! 
I think Macro Botanica may be one of my favourite issues yet!Have you got yours yet?
I've got a new project on the go.... pop back tomorrow for a peek at the yarn!
Til then x

Hope - FREE Blanket Pattern

Hello!I hope you are all well and staying safe!
Today I'm going to share the pattern for my Hope blanket.

It's very beginner friendly so perfect for all you new hookers that want to make your first blanket.
I've used Scheepjes Bamboo Soft for this project, however, you could merrily use Cotton 8, Organicon or Catona but the drape and lustre won't be the same (your yarn quantities may also differ).
YOU WILL NEED:
Scheepjes Bamboo Soft:Antique Silver (264) x 18 ballsSmoky Diamond (263) x 1 ballBlue Opal (253) x 1 ballGolden Nugget (260) x 1 ballJade Lapis (258) x 1 ballMighty Spruce (254) x 1 ball
3.5mm crochet hookScissorsNeedle to weave in endsBlocking materials
Gauge: 1 square will block to 4.5"
HOW TO:
Basic Square instructions.
Start by chaining 4 and joining with a slip stitch
Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as treble), 11 tr into ring. Join with slip stitch (12 Sts)Round 2:  Chain 3, tr in same stitch, work 2 tr into every stitch. Join with slip stitch (24 Sts)Round 3: Chain 3, tr in same stitch, tr, *2 tr in next st, tr. Repeat from * for the remainder of round. Join with slip stitch (36 sts)Round 4: Work as round 3 (54 sts)Round 5: Chain 3, tr in same stitch, tr in next 2 stitches, *2 tr in next st, tr in next 2 stitches. Repeat from * for the remainder of the round. Join with a slip stitch. (72 sts)Round 6: Chain 1 (counts as dc), dc, *3htr, 2tr, 1dtr, 2dtr in same stitch, chain 2 (corner made), 2dtr, 1dtr, 2tr, 3htr, 4dc. Repeat from * for remainder of round but ending with 2dc rather than 4dc. Join with slip stitch and fasten off. Weave in ends and block to 4.5"

Using the basic square instructions, make 60 squares in Antique Silver.Make 20 squares using Golden Nugget for the first round then change to Antique Silver for the remaining 5 roundsNext make 16 squares using Jade Lapis for the first 2 rounds then swap to Antique Silver.Using Mighty Spruce, make the first 3 rounds on the next 8 squares then swap to Antique Silver for the last 3 rounds on these squaresBlue Opal is next! Make 4 rounds using this and swap to Antique Silver for the last 2 rounds. You'll need 8 of these square. Then finally, make 5 squares using Smoky Diamond for 5 rounds then swap to the Antique Silver for the last round. 
Phew! You'll have 121 squares at the end.
Lay them out as in the photo above and start to join them. I used Antique Silver for joining and the joining method I chose was right sides together and double crochet through the back loops of each stitch. This gives a nice neat finish. For the corner spaces I worked a double crochet into these. It gives a star effect where the corners of the squares meet.
Once you've joined all of your squares, use Jade Lapis to make a border of double crochets. For the corners I worked 2dc,ch,2dc in each. 
Weave in any ends and block.

You now have a lovely blanket to enjoy!

Have fun making this! You can mix it up and choose colour palettes to suit your decor.
I'm hoping to squeeze a post in before the end of the year as I want to share some other bits and pieces I've been making (it's been a really productive year!)
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. Take care and stay safe.
Til next time x

Hope

Hi everyone!
Today I'm sharing my Hope blanket.Named because, quite simply, we all need some Hope in what has been the most extraordinary of years.
Here she is...

Made with Scheepjes Bamboo Soft yarn, I think she sits perfectly on my reading/knitting chair 😊

I've got into the habit of taking my finished projects out and about in the Northumberland countryside to get some beautiful photographs. However, we are currently in a tier 3 area which means I can't.... I'm so disappointed as I could visualise Hope in a dramatic clifftop shot....maybe next year I'll take her out and get some photos.

In the meantime I'll just have to make do with some living room pics whilst battling the rainy December light!!!!

I added a very simple border just to frame the blanket. This a non fussy affair but I love that on point square!

When I threw (yup...my blankets get some abuse!) the blanket on the floor I just loved that you could see the drape of the finished fabric! This yarn is truly gorgeous!

I think this blanket is going to get a lot of use this winter! 
Join me on Thursday when I'll share the free pattern.Til then x