Mixed Stripe Crochet Dishcloth

At the beginning of the year I pulled out the crochet hooks, and row by row made this bright crochet dishcloth to add to my collection.

It's based off my mixed colourful crochet blanket that I made last year, and I love it! 

Crochet dishcloths are so great in the kitchen. 

This may be only a small make, but I'm counting each win as they come these days ;)

READ MORE:

Original mixed colourful crochet blanket

Crochet granny circle blanket

All things about crochet on Sophie Slim

Mandala Makings

I've been Mandala making lately, inspired by the ever-awesome Attic 24.

I'm still not happy with the circle border on the one with the navy edge, it's hard to steam block things in circles! I might give it another go.

Thanks MrMoo, for pretending that you like it when I stick crochet on the wall ;) 

(patterns found for free here)

Colourful Mixed Crochet Blanket Reveal

Be prepared to feast your eyes on a whole lot of colour and snuggly goodness, that is, my eclectic mixed crochet blanket!

She's taken me 6 months to complete but I never once felt uninspired, or lacked motivation to complete her, which often happens towards the end of my blanket making process. Instead, a lack of time, priorities and circumstances got in the way, frustrating me. But as it was a labour of love, I joyfully picked up my hook when I could and slowly worked away at her.

 

I originally pinned this blanket a year ago, and lamented on Twitter at how I wish I could create such a beautiful thing, and afford so much wool. Usually my blankets are made from acrylic, the cheaper option, and are fairly simple.

After Katie was born I needed to fill a creative gap in my life (such is what happens after birth, the greatest creation of all), and decided this was the project for it. I've wanted to expand my crochet knowledge but didn't know what kind of projects to do it on, this was perfect!

I wanted it to be for our couch, I'm building a nice little collection of homemade blankets for us to snuggle under in the cold months, and winter is always coming so there is always a need for more blankets!

I already had a blanket I preferred, one that Miriam had made that I felt was a perfect size for us tall-ies, so I used that as my base to get the chain length that I wanted. 

180 chains long, I took a guess at the multiples I would need. I'm not to good at math, and couldn't work out how many clusters I would need, so I took a guess and figured I would work it out in the following rows. (does anyone have any cheats way of doing this that they could explain to me? I should have continued math in high school... regrets!)

I used little woolies "pattern" as a guide, but soon realised she just repeated the same 2 or 3 stitches each time, and I wanted to learn moooore! I tried to order the book she was working from but couldn't buy it online from anywhere, and none of our libraries here stocked it. So I ditched her and just went with whatever mood struck. I figured out what hdc looked like in single rows, then double rows, then back and forward etc etc. (hdc is now my new favourite standard stitch) 

I also added in a tapestry dot pattern, also of little woolies. I used the term "pattern" loosely, because they're quite vague, and her patterns often miss chunks of information and detail from them. 

And then, joyfully, worked on my border, which alone took 4 balls of wool to work up. I decided on a pom pom edging, using Once Upon A Pink Moon's pom pom tutorial, which is quite fabulous I have to say! 2 pom poms in and I was a master! That and a row of turquoise, hot pink and baby pink nestled underneath in alternating rows. 

Altogether she is a big lump of colourful wool, woven and hooked into something quite dreamy-out of this world-breaking all the crochet granny rules, and I absolutely LOVE her. 

In fact, as I sit here typing, she is keeping me warm during a 100yr storm that is blowing over our way. She's already part of our family and when Camilla sees her she promptly says "Mummy crochet 'dis"

Also, incase you're interested, I steam blocked her using Attic 24's explained method (at the very bottom of her post). Out of all the blocking methods I've tried, this works the best for me. It makes my crochet so soft and flexible, and allows it to hold its shape. If you're not addicted to blocking yet, try it out!

So are you ready for the grand reveal?! My eclectic mixed crochet blanket in all of her glory?

6 months

23 balls of wool

11 different colours

4 mm hook

148cm * 146cm

 (she looks a bit wobbly in this photo, she's not that bad I should have stretched her out more, it's just she has a few womanly curves!)

Thank you so much for following along on this crochet journey with me! 

To see my other blankets:
Granny Stripe Blanket
Ripple Blanket
Granny Circle Blanket

Crochet Mixed Blanket 3 (an overdue update)

After posting a photo on Instagram of my raging Friday night recently I realised I haven't updated you in foreverrr on my crochet mixed blanket. It started all the way back here and here when I was being very casual and mysterious about the whole thing.

I'm happy to say that I've almost finished it, I'm currently working on the aqua border but need to buy about 3 more balls of wool before I can finish it. Hopefully I'll get into the city this weekend so I can get this baby finished up.

She's been such a pleasure to create. Such a happy, joyful pleasure. 

Crochet Cloth Gift

Following on from the handmade super hero capes that became Christmas presents, I also made some co-ordinating crochet dishcloths. They're bigger than ones I've made in the past and I think would be quite good for using practically. I liked them so much I plan to make more for myself.

Lots of people doubt crochet dishcloths but don't knock them till you try them. They are the BEST at absorbing, wiping, scrubbing, washing clean and drying for more uses, forever and ever and ever!

For reals.

Like I said, I need to make more for me!

The spot cloth was made using this pattern for a tapestry style spot, which as far as online crochet patterns go is pretty rubbish. But if you're capable of figuring out a graph you'll be alright (hey, I managed to figure it out and adjust it), but if you're a beginner you might feel a little stranded.

Give it a go though, the result is pretty awesome!

Thanks for reading! Love, Sophie x

Mixed Crochet Blanket 2

learning SO much

Mixed Crochet Blanket 1

The Beginning of a Blanket

The beginnings of Katie's first birthday blanket. Milla's was 6 months too late,so I'm thinking now is a good time to make a start!

View: Millas White Granny Blanket

Colourful Fingerless Gloves

I had these planned well before Katie was born and just managed to finish them this weekend. 

Originally I had plans for a whole line of colourful fingerless gloves and mittens to sell for the winter, but I've kind of missed the winter boat now haven't I?

They were lots of fun to make, I learnt more about ribbing and increasing and decreasing and I'd still like to make a few more pairs and free-style them a little more to include some different techniques and stitches.

Lovely cosy and colourful wool, love!

READ MORE:
More creations on Sophie Slim
Crochet on Sophie Slim

Crochet Bear Hat

Lets just all stop for a moment and appreciate how freakin' cute my daughter is. Yup. I make pretty adorable babes.

Anyway, Milla HATES hats so I was reluctant to buy her any for this winter. Instead I wanted to make her one, then I would feel proud but wouldn't feel bad if she wouldn't keep it on. That was my theory anyway. Now that I think about it, if my plan didn't work I would have been heart broken. BUT. My plan worked.

I'm starting to have to be a bit more intentional with Milla, explaining to her what we're going to do when we get somewhere (say hi, share etc), the same goes with clothes and hats. "Its cold outside so when we go in the pram we need to wear our hats!"

She's coming 'round to the idea and wore this hat the whole walk to Toddlerock (breakthrough!)

She thought the ears on this hat were pretty cool. When she put it on to show her Dad she cupped her hands under her chin and pulled the cutest grin. Can't imagine what I mean? Just think cute.

Details:

• Free crochet pattern for flap hat with bear ears
• Easy peasy pattern to follow! 
• Made on chunky merino wool from my stash (thanks Rachel!) super hard to use because I couldn't see the holes, lots of stitches will be wrong but you can't tell because its so fluffy (yay!)
• Linking in with Show n Tell at Leonies
• Baaaaaa! 

Colourful Jars

Jar covers were my first inspiration to learn to crochet almost 3 years ago. 

One year later I finally learnt and made a crochet jar cover, and this week I've made three! 

It's all part of my home lovin' and nesting. I'm just trying to make this place more us, more me, and more happy.  

Speaking of homes, our little flat we rent has just gone up for sale. Would somebody please buy it and keep us on as tennants / not raise our rent again? That would be fabulous, thank you. Otherwise I might just go into early labour. Trying not to think about it. 

And here's a bonus shot of my Sophie Slim workstation. We're lucky enough to have a spare room (for the next few months anyway). This room is a collaboration of: The Sisterhood HQ, craft supplies, Mr Moos business, spare bed, spare TV, washing and drying and folding room, and anything else that needs a quick home!

READ MORE:
More creations on Sophie Slim
Linking in with Show n Tell 

Granny Circle Blanket - Complete!

In June 2012 I started creating granny circles for a blanket, destined for my baby's future big girl bed.

I planned to make 15 rows of 12 squares, big enough for a single bed, totaling 180 squares.

I started off using scrap wool but quickly discovered that I would need consistant colours and textures to keep the weight of the blanket even. Although it looks the same, some wool will be lighter than others and it can throw the whole thing out. Some circles were ending up smaller and thinner than others etc. 

Instead I used an acrylic yarn, approximately 150gms of each colour Navy blue, aqua blue, sky blue, dark purple, lilac purple, red, hot pink, baby pink, teal, yellow, lime green, along with approximately 10 balls of 100gm white.

I layed them all out randomly, no two circles exactly the same, and hung them on some yarn and stored them in my wardrobe on a hanger. I slowly got through the yarn snake, and did it in my "layed out order" so there was a nice even mix of colours (brights vs. darks etc)

Eventually it was time to start the white of the blanket and initially it was such an exciting process - to see that mass of bright colours balanced out with a simple white, imagining my daughter snuggled underneath it, I prayed for my family white I crocheted it.

Once I got to the middle it began to get tedioius; another row done and you could hardly tell. The end felt far away. 

Little did I know I was actually only 1 row away from finishing, when it was bundled up and put away at the beginning of my pregnancy with Baby Moo2. 

Summer was beginning, morning sickness thrived and I felt like crochet was the last thing on my mind. 

In February 2013 I picked it up again, realising we wanted to move our daughter into her own bed some time in the next few months before the newest baby was born and I needed the blanket for it. Because I'm sentimental like that. And I dont miss a deadline. 

I quickly finished off the last row and a half, giggling with glee that that is all that was needed to complete it and spent a week working on the border.

A recent post by Attic24 for her patchwork blanket inspired me to do a thick border around the blanket, something I hadn't given much thought to but after seeing her photos of her blankets with great big borders and understanding how they 'complete' the blanket I was inspired. My blankets will always have borders now!

I interpreted her photos of a recent border she had made up and trialled it out on my own, I love how the little spots of pink break through the white.

And here she is, in all of her nine month, colourful glory!! 

Millas white Granny-Circle blanket!

She was supposed to be for a single bed, but as we haven't set Millas bed up yet I took these photos on our double. As you can see, its rather large! 

THE DETAILS:
Time Taken: 9 Months
Yarn Used: 8ply, acrylic yarn.
12 balls of 100gm colours, 10 balls of 100gm white (with plenty left over)
Granny Circle pattern used: Grandma All-Square tutorial
Border Inspiration: Attic24 Granny Patch Blanket
How to stop your borders from ruffling: How to Make a Flat Border for a Granny Square Blanket
More Crochet Inspiration: Sophie Slim Crochet Pinterest Board

Thanks for stopping by and sharing these journeys with me! Blogging is so good like that! 

Crochet Baby Wipes

emerald green and lemon baby crochet wipes

I just whipped up these during nap time today. I keep thinking that I want to make them but always found an excuse not to. Today, the vacuuming  dishes, laundry, lunches, and everything else had been done so I decided to push aside the mummy guilt and spend some time crocheting.

Inspired by the love of my crochet dishcloth I had in mind to make mini sized ones for the purpose of wiping Milla down after her meals. I find the store bought face flannels are rather flimsy and don't do a very good job. Hopefully these will manage to wipe off the dried Weetbix that seems permanently attached to cheeks around here!

I'm hoping to get stuck into my sewing room in the next few weeks. I have loved making useful and personal touches for our home this last month and am getting rather addicted to it! I have a huge list of things I would love to do before the baby arrives and must get onto it!

Speaking of which, thank you so much for all of your kind comments and for joining in on our excitement! Love xx


THE DETAILS:
Baby Crochet Wipes - 20 chain stitches across, with 15 rows of half-double-crochet stitch, and a border of single crochet around the outside :) Emerald green and lemon

Joining in Show & Tell at Leonies place.

"Cool" Crochet Doily

After our first year of marriage MrMoo and I attended a one day marriage / family life workshop with some dear friends of ours. The course covered many areas of relationships, each came with its own discussions to have as a couple, goals to set, things to correct and praise to give. 

We loved the course and have since done one on parenting under 5's. We love doing things together than can build up our family and give us helpful positive advice, along with getting on the same page.

From that marriage course one of the main goals I remember setting is that I wanted to turn our bedroom into a place we want to be. A sanctuary, haven type place that we could relax and find comfort in.

Confession:: I'm not a naturally tidy person, I have to put a lot of energy into keeping our home clean and tidy for MrMoo (he loves a tidy home). As a result, our bedroom is often neglected because we don't have any visitors there. I focus on keeping the living areas, kitchen and bathrooms clean instead. 

For the last 3 years since the course I have been slowly working to change that. We have bought new duvet sets, sheets, last year I finally put some photos on the wall in our bedroom and a string of bunting. 

More recently we finally got two matching bedside tables and lamps, and have just crocheted some bright (yet deep) green cotton doilies to go on top. 

I was so ridiculously proud of myself. Often its the small things that make a difference to an atmosphere. The tiny touches that turn $15 Warehouse shelves into something that feels personal and comfortable next to our beds.

For a week after making them I would say "Good night, I'm just going to put my glass of water on my doily"

"Cool" Mr Moo would reply sarcastically.

I got the impression that he wasn't as fond of my doily as I was (crazy!) so when I apprehensively asked him if I could make a matching one for his side I was surprised and thrilled when he said yes, but requested a square one instead.

I CAN DO SQUARE! 

As for the bedroom, we're getting there. I plan to give our room a lot of love an attention over the next few months as we prepare for a baby moon.

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 THE DETAILS:

I found my circle doily pattern from Pinterest.  Hers is a lot more flatter (stretched out, chrisper etc) than mine. I did try "blocking" for the first time. Is that the effect it is supposed to achieve or has the original maker done something different? Would love to hear your thoughts on how I could achieve that look too!

Follow my Sophie Slim Pinterest boards and see other crochet inspiration!

Linking in with crafty Show & Tell 

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MORE:
Did you see the crochet owl purse I made last week? If you would like to purchase one let me know!