There has been a little bit of crochet going on around here, which is a new thing for me....I'll tell you all about it in a moment as first I need to tell you who won the Crafty Giveaway from last week.........the winner is...
Sarah, at
Homemade Gorgeous! Congratulations Sarah and if you'd like to email me your address I'll send you the lucky dip crafty bag asap.
Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway - it was fun to meet so many crafty bloggers, and I'll do another giveaway soon.
Since I became involved in the blogging community a year ago I realised something was missing from my crafty life..I had knitting, sewing, quilting, patchwork, cross stitch, embroidery, drawing, painting, scrapbooking, papercrafts and cardmaking ....but no crochet!! and seeing the pleasure and enjoyment so many people derive from crochet I just had to have a try. So I ordered the Happy Hooker to read and inform me...and I asked a friend who I knew could crochet to help me start off....
...she kindly invited me round to her house for a crochet lesson in her studio, followed by a wander in her flowery and exuberant garden....
...and tea and delicious cakes with gorgeous rosy cups and saucers and a vintage embroidered tea cosy....what a delightful afternoon....
...I made my first granny square, with a lot of help... like learning which hand to actually hold the yarn in... and by the end of it I knew how to crochet at last! Over the weekend I practised some more using yarn from my knitting stash...
...now I can do a square fairly neatly so with a bit more practice I'll be ready to start my first granny blanket!! I need to order the wool and am not sure what to get or which yarn has the best colour range - feel free to advise me if you'd like to, I know many of you produce wonderful crochet and lots of your blogs have inspired me to try it..thank you all so much!
So, I'd better get a little bit of work done now and then I can hook another square in my coffee break! Thank you for visiting me here, I love reading your comments and I hope you are all having a happy week. Back soon. xxxxx
Congratulations to homemade gorgeous and of course on your own achievements on learning to crochet! That didn't take you long! What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with a friend :)
ReplyDeleteSue Xxx
You know Helen, your posts are always so gorgeous! Beautiful pictures and words, when I leave here I always feel lifted! So Thank you! And well done to Homemade Gorgeous, the lucky lady!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou will have a blanket made in no time! The squares are addictive and so quick to do...one here...one there....and before you know it....voila!!!!!!
Looking forward to seeing the end result! he he!
Gosh, I really need to pull my finger out......I have wanted to do more needle work for a while, you are a true inspiration.....just have to put the hook down first!!!!!
Have a super sunshiny day!
Love Vanessa xxx
Congrats to the winner!
ReplyDeleteLove your crochet squares they are so pretty, in gorgeous colours, well done you keep up the good work!
Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!
First of all congrats to the very lucky winner!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your crochet will be to the same high standard as all your other crafts Helen and it's certainly looking that way.
What a wonderful crochet lesson you had too with all the flowers, tea, cake and pretty china!
I'm really looking forward to seeing your blanket.
Sun is shining here this morning, hope it is with you too!
Have a great week,
Vivienne x
Congratulations to Sarah! What a lovely way to be introduced to crochet in a beautiful house and garden with tea and cake included too! I am sure you will excel in crochet as you do in your other crafts. x
ReplyDeleteWhat a heavenly environment in which to learn to crochet!
ReplyDeleteI too can imagine you being quite a natural Helen, you're so beautifully neat in all that create!
I am utterly in love with Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk - gorgeous yarn to work with and such pretty colours.
Hx
PS. Well done Sarah!
Gosh it all looks so gorgeous and lovely.
ReplyDeleteHappy hooking
Nina xxx
Greta you have finally learned crochet at last. It is very addictive and quick too. I am sure it will be gorgeous whatever you make. What a lovely place to learn as well. I am green with envy! x
ReplyDeleteYour crochet looks fab loving all the colours. Your pics are always fab - afternoon tea at your friends in her gorgeous garden how delicious xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like there'll be no stopping you now, your square looks fab (lovely colours). I had a quick go at crochet last summer but only managed a long chain! Perhaps you could send your friend over here and meanwhile I'll buy the Happy Hooker.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winner, lucky thing.
Congrats to Sarah, she'll love the lot! And is there an end to your skills ;) Helen? I have tried crocheting se-ve-ral times and just cannot get it right. But after seen your flowers&cakes I know what I have been missing in my practice ;)
ReplyDeleteHappiest Tuesday!
Yours,
Mia
I too have been dreaming of crotcheting, you are already a pro!
ReplyDeleteI like the colors in your basket.
Cheerful summer colors.
Looking forward to seeing the progress
xx
julie
Congratulations Sarah on winning all the lovely goodies!
ReplyDeleteand
Congratulations Helen on your first granny square. They are highly addictive and I predict you will have a blanket done in no time at all!
Congrats to Sarah for winning and good luck to you, Helen, with the crochet. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Sarah, lucky thing!!
ReplyDeleteYour crochet is already looking fab Helen, looks like you have picked it up so quickly! Looking forward to seeing some more of your granny squares as you do them - yay we have both started our blankets!!! (mine could be a long time til it's done though, still only got 8 squares, am a very slow crochet-er! haha!) Anyway, hope you have enjoyed some of the sunshine today, thanks for the lovely comment earlier too :)
Jenny x
I'm so jealous of the winner of your give-away! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou will love crochet.. I love the color combo of your first granny square, you can't get better than pale green and pink! I can recommend using alpaca as it's soft and organic and not scratchy like a lot of wool is. I also use a LOT of cotton yarn.
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Congrats to Sarah. And to you, for picking up the crochet so quickly! What a fab place to learn it in, lovely garden, cakes... :) Enjoy your week. Abby x
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Sarah!....
ReplyDeleteHelen, I am so envious of your new skill....I bought the 'Happy Hooker' last year and I am so determined to find the time in the Summer to have a go at crochet...
Well done my friend....it looks so pretty,
Susan x
Very envious of your cracking crochet. It might spur me on to try again. But I did learn how to do Judy's magic cast (just google)on as that I could knit a cover for the ipad I have just ordered!
ReplyDeleteI went into knitting club and asked if anyone could show me and they all laughed as a little earlier another member had just asked the exact same question. And between us we sorted it, or at least she showed me how to do it, I was all fingers and thumbs. But very excited once achieved
Will need to learn how to use the ipad next.
awww Congratulations to home made gorgeous. You lucky thing i so wish i could do a crochet square. when i get over my patchwork cushion obsession i will get back to my crochet and try again ;-)) Enjoy your making your squares such pretty colors to, dee x
ReplyDeleteIt is so addictive isn't it! I can't decide whether to use acrylic or wool..I used wool last year and loved it's texture but may try acrylic this time so it is more easily washed. There are cotton blends and bamboo as well..what are you using?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the lucky giveaway winner! Well done you, acquiring a new skill, I can't wait to see what you make. I know what you mean about crochet, it seems to be everywhere at the moment and is so colourful and lovely. Thankyou so very much for your encouaging words, so very much appreciated. Have a wonderful Wednesday, love Linda x
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on learning to crochet,I only learned last year and I love it ,all other crafts have taken a back seat for now,be warned it is addictive!juliexxxx
ReplyDeleteWow! You are multi-talented. I wish I can be like you. I'm only starting to learn sewing and it's a long way to go before i venture into other skills. Just wish i have more patience. hehe...Congrats to u and your winner.
ReplyDeleteI have a tea set like that for my B&B guests! I have always wanted to crochet - I think I need a helpful friend to start me off, too!
ReplyDeletePomona x
Hi Helen,
ReplyDeleteI see we are doing exactly the same at the moment! I am working on Granny Squares as well. It's so much fun! Like you I just started. It's not going fast yet, but I hope I will get the hang of it soon.
Have fun!
Madelief
came by from bee happy blog, love your blog, so bright and fun! i too want to learn how to crochet, i wish i had a friend who knows how! your granny square is so cute! have fun on making the blanket! btw congrat on the winner!
ReplyDeleteSusan (http://tea-diary.blogspot.com)
Crochet will be a wonderful new world for you, Helen,may I just gently suggest a Clover crochet hook with comfy handle and "golden" hook, this changed my life! ...
ReplyDeleteps Bamboo hooks were also good but metal hooks made my hands sore but that's just me - enjoy choosing your colors!
Congratulations to Sarah on winning your lovely giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAnd congratultions to you Helen on learning to crochet!
It is so much fun and very addictive once you start to realise the possiblities!
What a wonderful inspiring lesson you must have had from your kind friend in such pretty surroundings.
The Happy Hooker is a great book, and there are many good books out there. Do check out Erika Knight - she is inspiring too.
Happy hooking!
Gill xx
Well done to the winner!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what wool you go for... you have picked it up really quick. Beautiful pictures as always.
Lou xxx