Showing posts with label PUUR haken. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PUUR haken. Show all posts

Saturday, 23 August 2014

My Summer Shawl is finished and all about the South Bay Shawlette

Yesterday I finished my pretty Summer Shawl (from the book PUUR Haken)!

Well, the main part was finished thursday evening, including sewing in all the little ends. Friday I played about with adding a border in Purple. The pattern showed a border which went all the way around the 3 sides of the shawl, but I didn't like the idea.

This is what my finished Shawl looks like now:

Do the Butterfly!

Here you can see the pattern really well

Laid out flat (168 x 58 cm)

My own custom border in Purple


In fact, you could say for me this summer was the summer of shawls! 
Up to then, I had never tried to crochet a shawl before. (I made my own crochet Poncho in Primary school, but this is something else!)

Then I came across this pattern and I thought I would give it a go:
The South Bay Shawlette. (In fact, since then I started to collect their many free patterns!)

The South Bay Shawlette - this was my first attempt:
Made with Apilou Acrylic in Coral (164 x 80 cm)

Then came this:

The smallest - crocheted with a 1.5mm hook and turned into a necklace! (16 x 8 cm)

 And a Chunky version or two!

In Charcoal Chunky Merino Wool (92 x 40 cm)

In Deep Purple Chunky Merino Wool with added Border at the point and 2 little yoyos as ties (115 x 54cm)

Ok, I think I got it now, let's get serious! (The largest!)

With the most luxurious yarn: Silky Merino by Malabrigo in colour Indiecita (210 x 92 cm)

Each of the 8 balls of yarn was individually hand dyed and unique
 And one more with a different yarn - thick Cotton!

Yes, you saw this before! Here! (132 x 61 cm)

All together now!

Layering the shawls
All 7 close up
The blue one is my favourite, it feels so soft and I often shrug it on and off whenever I feel a bit cold. It lives on the back of my chair!

The two shorter chunky ones I will wear facing frontwards around my neck for the cold weather.

I also love the idea that you can use a pattern like this to make a necklace, because I love making necklaces from yarn. My upcycling idea is to use this as a piece of lace and sew it to a plain top or jumper, instantly adding new interest!

It has been fun making all of these! At the beginning of the year I decided that I wanted to learn and try out new things with my crafting, trying to push back some boundaries, and I believe that I am doing that. I also come to realize that a lot of being good at something is just practice, practice and more practice. Using one pattern and then trying it with different yarns, colours and ideas is so much fun! I know that I am not finished with this pattern, it has an easy going rhythm. If you have not tried it yet, download the free instructions and save it until you are in the mood for something new.

Do you have a favourite shawl pattern (preferably a free one), that you would like to share here?
(Please remember to link to the original site where it came from)

I hope I have given you all a bit of new inspiration here! It does not take long to make a shawl and soon you could be wearing it as the weather is getting cooler!

And hello to everyone who has recently started reading my blog, thanks for all your lovely comments, I enjoy reading them and hearing from you!

Wishing you all a relaxing weekend, and for my readers in the UK, enjoy your special Bank Holiday!

Thursday, 14 August 2014

Enjoy the little things, PUUR haken and a visit to Gent

 Hello,

Hope you are having a good week? Sorry I have been a little quiet, some days are busier than others!

I have to warn you in advance: this post involves travelling back and then again forth in time!

This was happening today: Making a pair of large Hexagon Potholders in Mint Green and White (Catania Grande) with a 6mm hook, such easy pleasure on my hands! They measure 23cm from point to point!


This morning's crochet
Yesterday I spent time out and about in Antwerp. I had started another set of potholders before I left the house and finished them off whilst riding on buses and trams! Hooray! (Here I experimented with a reversing colour scheme!)



Potholders - Pastels and Neutrals (made on 13.08.14)

Tuesday we had a day out, trying to show our English visitor another city - Gent! The weather was mostly cloudy, with some short intense showers in the afternoon and later sunshine. All in all we were lucky.


Standing in the centre of Gent

This is me! Note the red floral fabric bag (sewn over a year ago by myself and a little Neon flower Brooch I also made! Always wear something self-made!)

Gent City Centre - where Old meets New
Here you can catch a glimpse of some of the lovely old buildings, but also note the brand new trams and buses. You cannot stop progress!
And - jumping in time - this is what I was trying out this evening.

This evening's crochet
It came from this book:

New book: PUUR haken by Maaike van Koert
I first read about it on Maaike's blog which I follow. I took over a week of searching unsuccessfully in Antwerp's bookshops. Then I went to Gent - and voila! I struck lucky in the 2nd bookshop that afternoon!
I was overjoyed!

Unfortunately (for English readers) the book has only just been published - in Dutch. Hopefully they might launch an English version later?! It is aimed at beginners and more advanced crocheteers alike, with a mix of projects. It has lovely illustrations and is very appealing.

Back to Gent where we explored; taking in old buildings, cafes, shops, lovely walks by the riverside. We have been there a few times before, but I always love going back. This time I noticed an English second hand book shop along the river. Although I try to restrict my purchase of 'real' books (I read lots and lots, for which I got a kindle, luckily this saves space in our home!) Well, I wasn't really going to buy anything, was I? Just browsing! Then I had the sudden inspiration to check out the Craft section. And yes, I found this:

Rowan - The Purelife recycled collection (Knitting)


Rowan - Some lovely patterns inside this booklet


Find more details here. As you can see, the booklet had to come home with me!!! And ever since seeing these lovely pictures a tiny seed has started to grow - a longing inside me to get back to knitting again! I think I have been doing crochet solidly for the last 4-5 months!

Standing in the centre of Gent

This is me! Note the fabric bag (sewn over a year ago by myself and a little Neon flower Brooch I also made! Always wear something self-made!)

Gent City Centre - where Old meets New
Here you can catch a glimpse of some of the lovely old buildings, but also note the brand new trams and buses. You cannot stop progress!

Enjoy the little things!!!

I leave you with this little picture of the inside cover of Maaike's book and the start of my own 'little thing'!

Enjoy the little things!