Thursday 10 February 2011

Learning Crochet and More De-Cluttering


Well as many of you may know I didn't have any New Years Resolutions this year, instead I decided on what I wanted to learn this year, one of them was Crochet.  There are so many wonderful photos out there of peoples gorgeous Crochet creations.

So off I trotted to the local haberdashery and got my hook.  I was advised there to get a large hook but this wasn't great advice, I am now finding a 4mm metal hook that a friend Kathryn gave me much better.  I had this bright yellow wool left over from Middle Sweetpeas birthday party last year when we made pom pom chicks so I was ready and raring :-)  My friend at work taught me to chain and then I found these great videos to master some other stitches.  Kathryn who gave me the hook also gave me a great DVD which came with a magazine called 'The Art of Crochet', I have found that really useful.

So only knowing the chain and single and double crochet so far I made the two girl Sweetpeas some cuffs.


Little Sweetpea wanted a Daisy on hers, of course I made her one :-)  Now middle Sweetpea wants hers updated with a Daisy.


Oh how I love toddlers cute little chubby hands :-)


I think they look rather cute on, and little Sweetpea seems very happy with hers.     I have had to mend little Sweetpeas one already as these aren't quite as sturdy as the hairclips I make and she pulled it off rather than unhooking it from the button :-)

Now I have hit a little brick wall with Crochet as several things I have learnt which I thought were called one thing are called another on the DVD.  I think I have come across an American tutorial (on the web) and the DVD is English.   hhmm not sure what to do now.  I was off work this weekend due to little Sweetpea being sick all Saturday night, I thought it was due to her really chesty cough which she still has but I think it may have been a separate bug as her best mate was sick too.    I awoke with the most fantastic thumping headache so had to call in sick so my break time Crochet lessons weren't going to happen :-(  This weekend I hope that my work mate can teach me more crochet, although I am not sure if I will end up more confused as she is from Estonia - not sure what stitch terms they use :-)

I am still de-cluttering the house and it seems it is effecting Mr Sweetpea.  We have had this dresser holding tools in the shed since we moved here 12 years ago, we didn't want to part with it but it wasn't our style anymore.  Well Mr Sweetpea suddenly decided that is must be sanded down and bought back into the house - I must say I like it a lot now it has been sanded down and it provides us with much needed storage.  The only problem we have is that the tools that were in it are now all over the floor of the shed and the table that used to be in that corner (our season corner) has now got to find a new home in the house and I am really not sure where.


I have been ploughing through my old cassette tapes the last few weeks.  Oohh it has been fun listening to the music on them, what flash backs they bring.  We have been listening to the likes of The Cranberries, a-ha, Suede, Madness, Another Man's Poison (my hubbys mates Ska/Punk band), the Trainspotting soundtrack, Garbage just to name a few :-)


It is quite funny how the children haven't really seen tapes before so they had fun trying them out.  Also the vinyls have been listened to too.  I got a bit of a shock a while ago whilst listening to one of them and then hearing it scratch only to realise that Eldest Sweetpea was trying to change the track on it :-o  I have now trained him up on how vinyls work :-)

By the way, does anyone else feel like they are living in the series of Outnumbered?   I am sure we are all being secretly filmed for the next series lol.

21 comments:

  1. What a week you've had.

    Yes to the Outnumbered question - MrVV & I often say that however we have friends who have the right child - 2 boys & a girl and I think they are the sources of inspiration for that programme quite often!!

    I don't think my 2 have ever used vinyl - not even sure we have any left these days :( However we do have a cupboard full of cassettes - some which even get played occasionally.

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  2. Great dresser Missus.
    Yes, I think we are living the Outnumbered life here.
    I am so pleased that you understand the language of crochet. Personally, I have never been very good at languages and think I'll just steer clear of trying.
    Can't wait to see what you make next- a Granny Popcorn Stripe Flower blanket???

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  3. lol, just been watching outnumbered, really makes me chuckle! The cuffs are lovely, you have done a really good job, takes such a long time though doesn't it?

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  4. Lovely cuffs, made extra special with your trademark daisy. Sue X

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  5. very cute....i have been trying to crochet...so i will check out the videos...i am going to a knitting class on saturday on how to knit socks...very excited....

    happy to visit here today...

    kary and teddy
    xxx

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  6. That's a brilliant first time crochet project. you have done really well and they look so cute.

    I hope you get to learn some more. I only started crocheting last year and am now 'Hooked' !!!

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  7. Cute crochet! I haven't done any crochet since I was little...not sure if I'd remember how.

    Cassettes...I think we have a box full of them in our garden shed, and even some of the same titles that you have! My record player no longer works...such a shame as my vinyl collection is huge!

    I haven't heard of Outnumbered...is it on TV?

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  8. Well done on the crochet, it looks fab, and you're making things already. I remember my grandma teaching me some crochet stitches when I was little, but I can't remember them now, knitting is more my thing. The dresser looks fab, fancy consigning it to the shed.

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  9. Your dresser looks fantanstic, what a little gem.
    Can't wait to see what you display on it :)

    Well done with the crochet, I started with a 4mm needle and have not ventured onto any other size. Have you taken a look at the Purlbee website/blog?
    Yes, I love Outnumbered and I actually feel like they 'stole' the first 10 years of our family life to make it! I love it so much I have it on dvd. Have a good weekend xx

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  10. oh so much to comment on! Dresser looks good. Love the daisy cuffs. beautiful! Well done on de-clutter. Always a good feeling. I had the biggest crush on Morten Harket from Aha. In fact, after seeing him on Eurovision a few years ago, I think I still do!
    Sorry to hear of your poorly bugs. Here's hoping spring is just round the corner.
    We hadn't seen Outnumbered until a few people commented on it & how they thought the middle boy reminded them of our middle boy. It really is funny isn't it! And so very true. I heard that they don't give the kids scripts, just guidelines. Which is why you sometimes see Hugh Dennis trying not to laugh, and the kids don't sound to rehearsed.
    Enjoy the crochet. Just wait till you start on the granny squares and triangles. Addictive? Oh yes. Bunting & blankets here you come!
    Jacs x

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  11. Funnily enough, we watched Outnumbered last night! I love the little girl in it!

    Your crochet wristbands are lovely and such a pretty daffodil colour.

    If you Google a crochet phrase you're not sure about, there are invariably several You Tube videos which will help.

    Ah the Cranberries, they were one of my faves.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Hx

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  12. helloooo x im very basic at crochet, my twin and mother and when my nan was alive would sit and make pretty crocheted flowers...id love to attempt a blanket one day...there are many things one day i'll try. love the colour of your wrist bands x love that dresser...i sooo dream of a dresser- keep looking in my local seconds ware house in hope hehehe.
    i still have my tapes as being an 80's kid.
    mainly songs recorded of radio 1's top of the pops sunday show! hehehehe x
    'out numbered'- fantastic!...;0)x best wishes x

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  13. Cute cuffs, bet the girls are thrilled with them! I attempted a start on crochet a while back and have already forgotten everything so will need to start again, ho-hum. I think it'll be worth it in the end though as I agree, there's some lovely things to make once you've mastered it. Great dresser :)

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  14. Gorgeors cuff - and made even more gorgeous by the beautiful cutie modelling it!

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  15. I love outnumbered, such a funny programme!
    The crochet cuffs look great, I bought the book "The Happy Hooker" and it's been great at teaching me different stiches, I just need to practice more! I didn't even think that kids nowadays wouldn't have seen tapes, it doesn't seem that long ago since we were using them! :) x

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  16. you're doing really well with the crochet, you'll have it mastered in no time :) and eeek at me appearing on your blog again, I will get a reputation! Thank you for the lovely cookies, and the colour assistance, I am planning retro and autumn leaf hairclips! Have a lovley weekend xx

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  17. I just love those cuffs. I also wanted to "learn" this year and I have started with embroidery and so far finished one project. I love to de-clutter and do it quite often. I always feel gretpat afterwards.

    I have watched "outnumbered" and wanted to kill the family by the end. Don't watch it anymore, drove me mad.

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  18. Another lovely glimpse into your family life. I too struggle with crochet terms. What is a double, a treble,a half treble etc. I just make it up as i go along!

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  19. The daisy cuff is so gorgeous, especially on little sweetpea - I love that picture! We watch and re watch Outnumbered here - it always makes us laugh! Your dresser is lovely - I have a similar one and painted it white! Have a great weekend. Helen x

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  20. Happy Valentines Day to My Lovely Bloggy Sweetheart! Love Annie ♥*:•.♥

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  21. Hi just found your lovely blog - I learned to crochet with the help of The Happy Hooker Book by Debbie Stoller you should be able to get it from the library. I had tried many times before without success and this book 'did it for me'. Happy hooking.

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