The Christmas Slowdown

So as one would expect, over Christmas, the time for blogging seems to decrease, while the inspiration to blog increases. This has definitely been the case for me, as I've been so inspired by all of the things I've seen and done over Christmas, but I've not only had no time for blogging, I've had no internet connection to do it on.

This, then, is my Christmas catch-up, and it's rather full.

Christmas was a really lovely time for my family this year. We traveled down to my grandmother's house in Victoria, and my mother's sisters brought their families as well. As lovely as that was, however, there's only so much screaming from a baby that I can handle!

My grandmother is a master knitter, crocheter and most other things in the woolen family. Most afternoons, then, were spent in her living room with five women crocheting while watching Bread on the tv.

I know that Christmas isn't really about the presents, but my parents bought me the most wonderful thing this year - a huge collection of the most beautifully coloured wool, crochet needles, sewing needles, pins and lots of other little pretty things. I had just the one crochet project when I left home, and I've come back with at least 4!



I started out with my granny squares for a baby blanket, and I'm pleased to report I'm half-way there on that one. Next came the paper-chain scarf that might head more in the direction of bunting (it depends on how I feel when it gets to scarf length), then there's the chevron cushion cover, and then the chevron arm-warmers slash fingerless gloves.

I've only been a crocheter for about a month now, so being able to spend the time with my grandma, my mother and my aunts was perfect opportunity for learning new patterns.

The paper chain scarf was a bit of a challenge, because of the working round and round in circles. It looked great in the end, but it was a lot of concentration on my behalf to get it to look that straight! Because of my lack of concentration, I'd switched projects before I'd gotten very far, so that's why it's only long enough to be modeled by a bear... Also, I've not learned to sew in my ends yet, so it still looks a tad messy.




Next came the introduction into the world of chevron patterns. This happened because my mum (see her blog - Teacups and Tiskets - here) was starting a knee rug with chevron stripes. I of course had to start it immediately, so I went with something easy - a cushion cover. I loved the colours so much that it seemed like a brilliant idea to make some arm warmers in the same style. I haven't sewn them up yet, but I'll post some pictures of them when I do. For now it's just the cushion panels wrapped around my wrist :D



I think that's pretty much it for the Christmas catch-up. I'm sure there'll be lots more to talk about as the weeks go by. I'm going to New Zealand next week, so I'll take my camera and get some more inspiration while I'm there!

I'll leave you with a few photos of what my Christmas was like :D


Dad's awesome pavlova skills

Nothing better than a tiny child who's excited by Christmas :D




Of course, while driving I had to use my Hipstamatic application to take some landscape shots!




You can be sure that you'll meet some interesting people while roadtripping. Their burgers were pretty good too.



Pru.
O.o

The Public Crochet-er

So this morning my parentals and I went out for what I will loosely label as "brunch". We had a long-winded discussion over the classifications of meals and whether one can actually go out for breakfast when one has already had toast at home. Needless to say, they had bacon and eggs while I stuck with the ol' faithful nachos.

Obviously, meal times and the rules that contain them are not the subject of this post. What I'm actually writing about here is a new experience for me, that occurred while out for this so-called "brunch".

Yes, that's right - today I become a Public Crochet-er. I, for the first time in my life, I took my crochet project to the cafe and worked on some granny squares. Ma has been on the forefront of Public Crocheting for a while now, but it's taken me a little longer to get around to it. '



I found the entire experience rather liberating, actually. I don't have any problem at all with people knowing that I crochet, but I've always felt a little weird about people watching me, in case they can do it better than me and then criticise my tension or something like that.

Today, however, I worked with a new attitude - I crochet, and I'm proud of it!!

I'm not sure how Dad felt about the entire experience. He seemed pretty happy with his book, but on the inside I'm sure he secretly wanted to join in.


So there you have it - the first of many crochet-related outings. Hopefully not the last!

Pru.
O.o

Blankets of a Tiny Nature

This is my first attempt at a crochet blanket. I'm having a world of fun figuring out tension and stitches and all that sort of junk, but it's paying off, because now I have the makings of a very cute baby blanket. I am yet to learn how to sew in the ends, but Mum promised to teach me, so I'll get it eventually!

I've got a handful of friends that are currently expecting brand new tiny little babies, and I'm sure one of them has to be a girl! I figured that I needed a project if I was seriously going to learn how to crochet, and with so many pregnant women, what better to do than make baby shower presents?

I think there's something really special about receiving something handmade for an occasion such as this, especially seeing as it's so uncommon because the shop is easier and much less time-consuming. I think I'm going to make a basket full of baby-sized projects so that I've always got something ready.

I'll put up another picture as soon as it resembles a blanket, but I was so proud of my efforts that I had to show someone!


Pru.
O.o