The happy hooker.

My grandmother taught me to crochet the same time as she taught me to knit. But due to a lack of patterns that I liked I have never really done anything other than the odd baby bonnet.
However when the latest Rowan magazine came out the only thing that inspired me was the Helon Dress. A major crochet project if ever I saw one. At the same time as I was humming and hahing over that, BlueADT suggested a Rowan Crochet weekend. Killing two birds with one stone was what I thought. Not to mention a night away in a hotel and dinner out with grown ups! I jumped at the chance.
Saturday morning I arrived at the Rowan mill full of excitment. It was a group of nine; and I think that most of the others crocheted regularly. We started with felted pots. A 12mm hook and chunky yarn, thrown in the washing machine. I made one there and made another yesterday but I am not sure that there won't be more. I think they would be good presents filled with goodies though I might have to keep these two. Then we crocheted a square with sequins - well some of us did, mine had a kind of triangular feel about it( I think I may need more practice before I tackle the dress!).
Then I started a ruffle scarf. In Rowan Tapestry and KidSilk Spray BlueADT became more impassioned about chocolate coloured yarn the longer we were there. So much so that I threatened to charge her a £ everytime she mentioned chocolate But, I have to say I really think my scarf looks like a Cadbury's Ripple. I have just had the most lovely restful weekend not withstanding the dreadful rendition of Bridge over Troubled Water for an 80th birthday party which was also happening in the hotel that we were staying in. I am in love with the hook and I can't wait for my next weekend at Rowan

The felted bag.

Knitted

This was my project for the weekend. I enjoyed making it as it was pretty mindless (which is what I really need at the moment) and had the distinct advantage that it used a tonn of yarn. I am really trying to down size as I almost can't get into the box room for the inordinate amount of yarn and fabric that I own. It has to be said that the fabric is the biggest culprit but the yarn is bulkier.It was very quick to make. The body of it and the handle are knit then the flap is crocheted.
Crocheted

I would have completed it on Sunday except I couldn't find my 8mm crochet hook. Once I had felted it I put it in a dye bath to even out the colour in my impatience to see what it looked like I plunged my hands into the dye bath without gloves. The result being I have grape tinged hands and nails - very attractive! I think it has turned out very pretty but too big to post as a little extra! What about felting it again I hear you cry. Well it is also very heavy as I doubled the yarn up to get the speckled effect and I fear that if it is shrunk again it will make it to stiff. So as I have still more of this yarn I am going to try again. The last one was a pattern so although I am not going to follow that again I shall use the principles just making it just a little smaller.
Felted


Dyed and Dried!