Douglas!

I wonder who that is hiding on my garden seat, snuggled up to one of my yummy, crochet, cushiony cushions? Could it be......Douglas by any chance? I think it just might be. Shall we wander over and say hello?

Hi Douglas, come on, don't be shy!

There, that's better isn't it?

Now, don't be silly, of course your bum doesn't look big on my cushion, whatever gave you that idea!

And neither does your nose..you are simply gorgeous.

He was a delight to make and all hand sewn, he is a bit wibbly wobbly in places and some of my seams aren't fantastic, but ssshhh, don't tell him will you. Look at that tail, it is soo cute and my favourite part of him. I got the pattern from the Sew Hip magazine, issue 13 if anyone was wondering.

Of course, Littlest Fairy is not too impressed that he is being given away, and to a BOY at that! Can't be happening apparently, so number two has been commissioned. A trip to the charity shop in town, a pale honey coloured fleece has been paid for, washed and is ready to be cut out.

Do you want to see my other purchase...go on, you may as well, cos I am going to show it to you anyway. How pretty is this?

I handed over £1, yay! One whole pound. Got it home, opened it up and found this cutey inside...bonus!!

Perfect condition, no scuffs or marks and I can't believe that it is mine all mine. Items like this just don't appear for me normally, so it was obviously my lucky day, yipppeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dev XX

Lifted

My spirits have lifted a bit over the past days, the warm sunshine and blue skies have certainly helped. It's amazing how a bit of sunny sun can cheer you up. It has been warm enough to sit in the garden the past few afternoons and watch the birds gathering nest materials and see the gnats dancing in patches of sunlight.

No daffodils as yet, they are sat sitting, buds tightly closed, waiting. Man person planned hundreds of new bulbs last autumn, and when they do eventually open to reveal their glorious golden goodness, such a sight it will be.

My hooky blanket is coming on a treat as you can see. Originally, I had intended to use lots of different stitches for the squares as mentioned in an earlier post. However, I was having difficulty making them all the same size. The different stitch counts became too complicated. The pattern that started me off on this project was from the Art of Crochet. I really like the design, and more so from the back view as opposed to the front. So I frogged all the others out and re-worked them all the same. By the way, why do we call it "frogging" when we unravel crochet work, I have always wondered?

Of course , I have to have more than one project on the go. With that in mind, I saw this little fellow and fell in love with him straight away. He is perfect for a little boy that I know.

I ummed and aahed over my choice of fabric because, if I am honest, I rarely have anything that isn't pink! So a trip to the local charity shops was called for. I eventually settled on a wool skirt which is very soft and the right colour. I just hope it looks like the picture when it is finished. I am sewing it by hand rather than use my machine. I just prefer it.

Another little project was inspired by this lady. I can't make sense of the headband part of it unfortunately, so have just made a long chain of trebles and used a button to close. The trebles make it easy to adjust the size to fit either a child or adult. I think the red bow is a tad too big, but that is easily altered.

These are actually prototypes, but I am thinking beads and sequins might pretty them up even more. They are so easy to make and perfect for little gifts. I wish that I had seen them when I made the party bags up for Littlest Fairy's birthday. Maybe for next year instead.

I have a question that I am hoping someone can help me with, especially my American readers perhaps. I have come across a lot of patterns that call for "worsted" weight yarn. Can you tell me what the equivalent wool in the UK is please? I take it that it is thicker than our DK...or is that what it means? Then we go up to chunky, could it be that perhaps? I am a bit lost. Can someone recommend a brand that I can look at online maybe so that I can see some?

I want to thank you all for your kind comments on my last post. It means a lot to me that you have taken the time out of your day to leave me a message. Thank you.

Dev x

Life

Things are a bit of a mess at the moment. Life can be so hard sometimes and I'm tired. So I carry on crocheting my blanket, row by row, square by square, and wait........

Dev x