Serial starter

Helloooo! Freezing isn’t it?! Well if you’re in the UK it is, we had some snow today! It hasn’t settled but we’re due for more tonight.

I think with this weather I just want to crochet warm jumpers and cardigans, I’m like a magpie for a nice Aran at the moment, and constantly starting something new.

I’m still working on my spirit of life cal, I’m taking it easy, not rushing and I can quite honestly say I am enjoying every stitch, when I first bought it, it was the first time I looked at a pattern and questioned my ability to do it, I think it was the mosaic but I’ve done it and it was a hell of a lot easier than I thought

I’m really pleased with it, so much so I’ve bought the volcanic version too!! Lord knows when I’ll actually get around to starting it, I’m not on the blocks, once these are joined it’ll be back to working in rows

We had our huge scheepjes delivery last week for the next Crochet sanctuary I treated myself to these buttons, I have been hunting high and low for these buttons and couldn’t find them anywhere!

I love them! I’ll only use them for extra special people ha! I got these pegs too!

Way too cute!!

I’ve also started the Poet cardigan Little Golden Nook I love it!! I’m using WI soft and smooth tweed Aran from Hobbycraft, although I’ve got to admit the sleeves are starting to bore me a little I’m almost at the end of my first one, only the other sleeve to go and it’s done!

On Saturday night we decided to go for a walk with the dogs to New Brighton beach on the Sunday, it’s so cold here I thought I’m going to wrap up!! Can you believe I didn’t have a hat??? I don’t wear them but quickly crocheted myself one for Sunday

I love it!!!! I just used some style craft Aran I had and got this fabulous pattern from 5 little monsters and it was free!!! Less than 3 hours and I was the proud owner of a hat! Don’t you just love crochet?!

Helen shrimpton has also released a new pattern (help me!) I’ve had to buy it, I absolutely need to get some wips out of the way before I start it, it’s lovely! It’s called The lost garden I’m thinking of some fresh colours for this, duck egg blue, whites, but trying to think of another 3 colours.

I’ve finished my designs for the next crochet sanctuary! I also finished my testing for another designer, which I enjoyed doing very much. I’ve just got one large project for knit raft Hobbycraft blog I’m procrastinating with! Purely because I’m enjoying all of these patterns!

Oooooooh fab bargain yesterday!!! Facebook market place is good sometimes for yarny finds, there was a lady who had just closed her craft store not far from me, and she was selling 15 x balls of Rico creative Aran this has to be the softest Aran EVER it’s normally £3.99 a ball, I got 15 for £30!!!!! I reckon I’ll get a few sweaters/cardigans out of this!

Anyway, I’m going to work on that project I’ve been putting off tonight, unfortunately it’s not quite big enough for keeping me warm, but, I’ll feel better for putting a dent in it that’s for sure!

Happy Hooking!

Lisa xx

Happy New Year!

Happy new year everyone! I hope 2018 was a good one for you, I’ve spent some time looking back and it was a good one for me for sure. 2018 was the start of The Crochet Sanctuary which initially started as 1 weekend in February and quickly grew to 5 weekends and a crochet day, and everyone of them was fabulous, which is a real confidence boost, we also had The Water Garden CAL with Knitcraft published in spring and the Falling Leaves CAL in Autumn,

we’ve ran workshops for Amanda Blooms Little Box of Crochet grand sale and met some amazing new friends, it’s all been good on the home front too!

I’ve finished so many projects I’ve lost count! The pics are all on my Instagram account though, should I ever feel the need to look back!

Oooh and I had my very own pattern published on the Hobbycraft blog! I almost forgot about that! Hot water bottle cover

It’s been fun!

So 2019, there’s lots to look forward to, February we have our very own 1st Birthday weekend, and we are so excited! We have so many amazing things planned including a guest deigned workshop by Lottie & Albert, I’m slightly worried as I’ve turned into a bit of a fan girl 🙈 her YouTube podcast is brilliant to sit and watch whilst crocheting, you should give it a go!

We’ve then got the March crochet day, which will be almost a duplicate of what we do on the February weekend, we do still have some March crochet day places left if anyone fancies booking Click here then, we have something mega exciting happening towards the end of February, something I never thought or even dreamt that would happen! But it’s all a big secret at the moment!

Mr H turns 50 in April! And I’ve booked us a cruise for a week to celebrate, our first ever holiday since our honeymoon almost 19 years ago, scary, but exciting, then there’s the April Crochet Sanctuary oh the list goes on, how exciting!!

I’ve had a good Christmas and new year break from work, albeit 2 funerals inbetween, but I’ve managed quite a bit of crochet time!

I picked up this absolute bargain from Blacksheep wools! This is the scheepjes spirit of life CAL from 2017, and online its £47.50, in store the other day it was only £24.99!!!! I could not resist! I’ve finished part 1, but here’s a picture of it almost toward the end of part 1

I wasn’t keen on the colours together at first and had to keep checking the pattern, but I can see it’s starting to work!

I also had a brilliant bargain in Hobbycraft on Saturday some WI soft and smooth aran tweed in blue, usually £10 a ball down to £5! so decided to make myself the Eleven hand made Gorse sweater from inside crochet mag

The yarn is gorgeous just lovely to use, but, I think I’ve gone a little wrong somewhere as the arms aren’t quite lining up with each other now, I wouldn’t mind but the pattern is very simple, so clearly I’ve not been concentrating!

I’ve also treated myself to some twirls! From Hobbii they’re literally £7.80 each! For 1000 metres so at that price I thought it’d be worth a try, I’ve read some reviews which look great! These are the colours I’ve gone for

So we will see what they’re like! So, the next few weeks will be finalising designs for the February Crochet Sanctuary, I’ve also got a bit of pattern testing to do for another designer, I’m just waiting on my yarn to arrive, I’ve had a peak at the designs and they look AMAZING!

But, hey ho, back to the grindstone tomorrow, back to work, needs must!

Wishing you all a happy 2019 and thanks for taking the time to read throughout 2018!

Happy Hooking Lisa xx