Last weekend, we spent an amazing day at our new friends property. They live about 10 minutes from us, down in the Obi Obi Valley. It seemed like paradise to me and reminded me a lot of my own childhood.

They're a homeschooling family as well and have 3 boys and a lovely little girl the same age as Caspian. I've never seen 1yr olds interact like these two. Sharing an apple back and forth, cuddling and sometimes leaning in for kisses! It really cracks us parents up!

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Since we were there to celebrate with their oldest son on his birthday, I thought I'd share the gift I made for him. 

I was certainly a bit worried about wether an 8yr old boy would dig a crochet beanie, even if it was a Minecraft Creeper! It was all unfounded though and I'm pleased to report it was his *favourite* gift of the day! Roman was happy to model the hat for me - he is beginning to take an interest in Minecraft as well.

x Shara

Yarn Along...

For some time now, I've been dreaming about a really simple half granny crochet scarf. I knew I wanted it to be green or brown, and so I began to search for just the right colour. 

I found this brilliant earthy green at Quince & Co and fell in love. It helped that it's called "PARSLEY"....

It took me one movie and a bit of an evening to do the whole thing, including two icords, which I attached to the top corners for ease of securing.

I've already worn it on many occasions, and always get a compliment, particularly on the colour!

2 nights ago, I started reading:

So far, so good. I'm quite obsessed with Viking women, so I'm hoping this will prove to be a good read....

x Shara

Joining in with Ginny!

www.gsheller.com

Motif a Day in May (idea from Kate at Foxslane). 1 crochet motif/block each day. 

Me Made May - a pledge to wear a homemade item of clothing or accessory every day in May!

2 daily challenges in the one month... I'm sure I'll bomb out - I usually do! 

Roman is still obsessed with penguins and he's getting quite the collection going. He adopted this giant penguin (+ one other) from the op shop this afternoon. His name is "Numbat". I'm not quite sure how they'll fit into bed together, as you can see Numbat is much larger than Roman!

x Shara

Caspian's Boots

Oh so cute! A little pair of felted boots for little baby feet! 

Please excuse the somewhat blurry photos, it is rather difficult to capture wildly kicking feet.

These crocheted up very quickly, about an hour, and then took a couple of goes through the machine to felt up nicely. 

They're still a tad large, but should fit well by the time the cold weather sets in.

As you can see by his outfit though, the temperatures did drop considerably overnight! A welcome relief from a week of hot 30's. And rain! Oh the rain was very welcome too. 

Pattern: Simple Felted Kids Slippers by Sarah Lora

Wool: Bendigo Rustic 10ply in Cinder Fleck

Mods: I added 5 rounds of HDC to each cuff to fashion them into boots.

Have a wonderful week!

x Shara

Selfish Crochet

So, my 'no crafting in January' resolution didn't work out! I lasted 4.5 days. 

Then, a lady on Instagram let me in on a delicious idea - January is #selfishknitting month! Isn't that great? 

Now I've been spending my days working on projects just for me. I'll share my knitting project another day, because I finished this hat today and wanted to show it off!

Another lady on Instagram suggested it needed a Pom Pom.

(Roman modeling for me!)

I'm so very happy with how it turned out. I found a basic tutorial on Pinterest, but added 2 more increase rounds to fit my noggin.

2 rows of single crochet to finish it off and of course a big, fluffy Pom Pom.

How about you? Any selfish projects happening at your place?

x Shara

Handmade; at the last minute...

For my Dad: A Neck Sock to use while motorbike riding in Winter. Pattern is Cowl'd and Frosty Morning, available for free on Ravelry. I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 10ply 'Slate'.

For my Mother-in-Law: Felted Nesting Bowls. Totally improvised crochet project, but it turned out really well! I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Murano.

I've been doing a bit of felting lately, can't wait to show off something I've been working on for the kids!

I've been reminded once again, that I need to get started on handmade gifts much earlier in the year, else Christmas Eve feels a little stressed!!

X Shara

Gratitude Gifts

... For Roman's wonderful Prep teachers. 

A hand rolled beeswax candle (made by Roman), and a Dentelle Scarf from me. 

3 of the loveliest ladies we could have ever hoped for, guiding Roman (and indeed, us) through his first year of school.

Mr E is currently away on long service leave, so we'll have to wait til we see him back at school in February, to give him his gift.

X Shara

Crochet a Woolly Soaker

In order to start saving a bit more money, we've pulled out our old stash of cloth nappies. I've got a couple of waterproof covers and a couple of woolly ones. But to be fully operational, I needed a couple more.

So here's a little recipe to crochet your own cover! It's easily adjustable, less foundation chains for a smaller babe, and more for an older babe. Same goes when you get to width.

I used: 4mm hook and DK 100% wool.

To start: CH 80.

1: HDC in the 3rd CH from the hook, and in every CH to the end. CH 2. Turn.

2: HDC in the BACK LOOPS only, to the end. CH 2. Turn. 

Repeat Row 2, until desired width is reached, approx 23 rows. Break wool, sew in ends.

To make up: Fold in half so the ribbing is vertical. Using your hook and wool you can SC or slip stitch down the side about halfway. Depending on the roundness of the babies legs, you might need a smaller or larger leg opening. I tend to leave a larger leg opening than you think you'd need, so it doesn't cut into baby. You could also just sew the sides up if you wanted to. Repeat on other side. Sew in ends. 

Crochet a chain or make an I-cord twice the length of the waist circumference and weave through the soaker, using your hook, about 1.5 inches from the top.

Lanolinise your soaker and your good to go!

x Shara

This weeks crafty news...

I joined in to a washer swap on Facebook at the last minute, so only had a few days to make something. 

First I made the LEAFY WASHCLOTH but it was to small to be used in the swap! So after trying a few other knitted patterns, I decided to go with a simple crochet washcloth. EVERYDAY WASHCLOTH by Linda Permann.

I used Patons Cotton Blend 8ply in Fresh Green and Petrol (for the border)

In the middle of that, I finally decided on how to display my first ever needle felting project (they've been sitting in a drawer for close to 12 months). I crocheted over a big garden stone and then hand sewed the toadstools to it. I popped it in the little glass bowl and Voila!

Next up, I'll keep working in Leo's new hat and the last 2 gifts for Roman's teachers!

X Shara

I made a heartbreaking decision this week. After months and months of slowly working on my Mara Shawl, and with only 1.5" to go, I'm going to frog the whole thing! 

Each row I knit is not matching up with the pattern, so I improvised a bit, and thought I had fixed it. But that cycle went on and on and now it just can't be saved.

I've left it sit for a few months thinking I would try again. Now, each time I think about it I just get sad and frustrated. Not at all how I like to be with knitting.

So out it will come, and I already have plans to turn it into Milo vests for the boys.

I also cast on a Clyde Bonnet (pattern by Elizabeth Murphy) for Caspian this week, only to realise when I reached the decrease section, that I cast on the wrong size! I could have cried!! Of course it's not that big of a deal, but just felt like time wasted. 

All is not lost though... I did crochet a cover for my water bottle! Now I'll never not be able to find it.

X Shara

Spring Equinox

:: A little rainbow crochet love, to brighten up the house this Spring

:: Flowers from the garden

:: Even the Mapleton Forest gnomes are celebrating Spring today!

Hope your weather was Spring-like today! (Or maybe your enjoying the first moments of Autumn..)

X Shara

Yarn Along

This week I quickly worked up 2 end of year teacher gifts. Yes, I know the end of the school year is ages away, but I wanted to be organised. And since Roman has 3 teachers and 1 teacher aide, I knew I needed all the time I could get.

The green (crochet) scarf is for Mrs L. The pattern is Dentelle Scarf. Available for free on Ravelry. I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 8ply in Bracken.

The black cowl is for Mr E. I thought he'd find this handy as he rides a motorbike. The pattern is Cowl'd and Frosty Morning. Available on Ravelry. I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 12ply in Cinder Fleck.

There is plenty of Cinder Fleck left, so I might make another cowl for my Dad, who also rides a motorbike.

I'm still reading The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. It's only a small book, but taking me awhile as I don't get much chance to read!

X Shara

 

Ginny's Yarn Along

 

Wool in August...

:: Caspian in a Mama-made outfit. Milo Vest and Quick Change Trousers.

:: Roman wearing a Nana-knit pullover. Wool is Bendigo Luxury DK in Bracken. I love it and most importantly, so does he!

:: Still working on my Mara Shawl. Only an inch or 2 to go, but 1 row takes me around an hour to complete. Sigh. Maybe by next Winter.

:: An easy way to keep my hands busy while the babe naps on me.

X Shara