A New Year - and snowflakes

Happy New Year to you! I hope 2014 treats you kindly.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to do more blogging - hopefully at least once a month. We'll see how long it takes before I fall off of that wagon! If you know me on Twitter then maybe you could nag me about it come February...

I've started off the new year with two new projects - one of which I'm very excited about. In the past I've made blankets for my nephew and my youngest niece, but not for my eldest niece yet. She's looked longingly at the blankets I've made for the others at Christmas, so this year it's her turn!

I'm notoriously slow at blankets. I start off with all the enthusiasm in the world, then slow down as that enthusiasm dwindles, until in the end I stop entirely. Then several months pass, I remember I'm meant to be giving it to said child for Christmas, and then I suddenly have a big mad rush to get it finished. This time I'm starting nice and early in preparation for how apathetic I'll become. Also, there are lots of colours involved to keep me interested, so hopefully it won't be so much of a slog.

I'm making her a granny square blanket. I've not done one of these in blanket form before - only giant granny squares. I've made a start already, with 7 of the granny squares, so I'm 3% of the way there - wooo! It'll be for a double bed, so it's a pretty big challenge. I'll keep you updated on my progress (hopefully)!

1 down - only another 224 to go

I think I'd probably better sew in the ends as I go.

The other project I've started is a scarf. I currently have no idea who I'm making this for - I'm sure someone's birthday will come along and I'll realise they're perfect for it. I started out following an entirely different pattern which just wasn't working out. It was originally meant to look like this and the very lovely @UnderMeOxter was incredibly helpful in converting that picture into a pattern for me to follow. However, I just couldn't get to grips with it. I think the yarn isn't suitable for the pattern as it's not very stretchy.

A hot mess

I've found a pattern which suits the yarn far better now, and it's coming along nicely. Hopefully I'll be able to show you that soon.

I was really ill for the whole of December and laid up in bed for a lot of it. Had this horrible heavy cold which soon became a lung and ear infection. Nothing would shift it. I'd planned to make a little crochet present for a couple of friends, just to go on their Christmas tree and bought a couple of different yarns to try out. One was white with a silver thread running through it, the other glittery white. Laying about leaking juices from my every face orifice meant I had plenty of time for crochet and so this went from being a project of about 5 or 6 hanging ornaments to SIXTY! 64 if you include the 4 I made for my own Christmas tree.

I had seen a perfect pattern made by the incredibly talented and generally amazing Lucy of Attic24 for snowflakes which were quick, easy and fun to make - I'd definitely recommend it.

 

 

 

Once you've crocheted them they really need blocking in order to look properly like snowflakes. I pinned the points of them to an old towel and used spray starch as Lucy had suggested, then left them to dry. The spray starch stops them from curling up on themselves and means they hang better. I ended up going through a lot of the stuff.

 Ooooh pretty thing!

 This was a permanent fixture of my room in December

The Leaning Tower of Snowflakes

Here some of them are, having a snowflake party...

I used different sized hooks ranging between a 3mm and a 5.5mm. I reckon optimal snowflake size was made with a 3.5mm hook.

Once dried I threaded them with small ribbons or pieces of wool so that they could be hung on a tree.

My curtains don't look this 80s in real life... 

I hope

Sorry, it's hard to see the different coloured ribbons against the crazy blanket background

Then I just choose one and popped it in with the Christmas card for that person! I tried to match the choice of ribbon to the person. Here is my glamorous assistant helping me choose...

 Bosscat says green for this one

And here's another photo of them lined up ready to party, but this time with their smart ties on. I will learn to not take pictures against my crazy blanket in future so that you can actually see some of the colours.

I made it bigger - if that helps?!

And here they are in action on my tree! I only made four for myself in the end as I ran out of wool.

Little diddy Christmas tree

- I didn't notice that a pusscat had gone on a single-photo-frame-rampage when I took the photo -

If I didn't send you one then I am sorry! I got a bit confused with how many I was making as the project just seemed to grow and grow the sicker I got. 

I'm already thinking excitedly about what to make next year. I think this is a tradition I want to keep up for years to come.

Here's wishing you a healthy, happy and lucky 2014. x

EDIT:

Someone who is lovely suggested I put up the photos I people sent me on receiving their snowflakes. 

So, now it's time for our gallery. Here's some suitable music.

Sarah

D.

Zoe

Jaf

(It was also Jaf's birthday, I don't know if you might have already guessed that)

V.