Big Wheel Keep on Turning'

Doesn't it just seems like the world is spinning faster? I'm not sure where the time goes, but it seems like every time I blink, another great chunk of my life has passed me by.

2017 is definitely a year of changes. New job, new look, new everything it seems. But it's peripheral. I'm still the same deep down. And I'm okay with that.

On a crafty note, I've changed things up a little. The Pokemon undertaking has been abandoned. There's only so much criticism I can take from a 6 year old. I think we're much better friends when we don't play Pokemon.

Instead, I have decided to take on a much larger project...drum roll please!

I am going to make a hexagon quilt.

Weihnactsfreak's  Flowers of Love	LinaFin's  Beekeeper's Quilt	Melanierice Cuteness  Hexipuffs Wall Hanging

I know right. Huge goal right there. But I've looked at different patterns, pieced together my own method and made a plan. And I think it's gonna work. I've already put a fair amount of work into it so far and I am quite determined to actually finish this one...unlike the 2 other blankets I began.

And this is a great way to get rid of my scrap yarn! I am so excited about it. So far that excitement hasn't started to wane, lets hope I can maintain it till I'm done!

A Rather Grey View

I love all things Austen. And even though the blog title reference comes from the 2005 film, not the book. The quote popped right into my head when I started writing.
Things have been a little slow on the craft front for me. Between work, uni and family, life has been beyond stressful. I haven't gotten around to photographing any of my current work, but I'll do a proper update later. I just feel like getting some of this stress off my chest.

...Searching Far and Wide

Lately, I have been going nuts over Pokemon. Again. I feel like I'm a kid again. I've set myself a goal of creating one new Pokemon each week. That way when my cousin comes over each week, there's a new edition to the group.

In a World of Pure Imagination

True to my word, I have been making Pokemon like crazy. I have at least a hand full now. I just haven't had the chance to photograph them just yet, so I'll save the images for another day.

In the mean time, I thought I'd share my latest inspiration...shorts!

Gotta Catch 'em All

Like millions of other people across the globe, I've been reliving my childhood through Pokemon Go. I absolutely used to love watching Pokemon before school in the mornings. And I remember playing my Gameboy wishing that Pokemon were real. I definitely feel one step closer with Pokemon Go.

It's allowed me to go completely Pokemon mad. I started watching the show again, got my old Gameboy out and of course, I started knitting up a storm.

Adding a Little Gleam

I was cleaning my room today when I came across 10 or so packets of sequins that I had bought on sale. I had planned a project for them but never got around to it. Story of my life it seems. But, needing a break from my current knitting project, I decided to put them to good use.

Colour My Life with the Chaos of Trouble

Freedom has never tasted so sweet.

End of Days

So it's nearly end of semester and I'm already getting ahead of myself. It's so easy to lose myself in the list I make for my holidays. I do it every time. The last few semester breaks have not gone according to plan so I'm hoping this time I'll get to achieve at least some of the things on my list.

So this magical list I keep mentioning...well pretty much whenever I see something interesting or think of something I'd like to do, it goes on my mental wait list. I basically just add it to the list to so I can get to it when I have time. It's a very long list!

The latest thing to hit my list is brioche knitting.

I've heard and seen examples of it before but I've never considered learning the technique. Until now. I've had this idea to create a two tone scarf. I've started and undone it several times because it doesn't look quite right. The issue is that I'm using two different kinds of yarn; a standard 8 ply acrylic and a feather novelty yarn.

Obsessed with the Dress

My mind is completely stuck on ruffles right now. It's all I can think about. I can't focus on my assignments because it's far too tempting to Google "how tos" on how to knit and crochet ruffles. Damn my lack of willpower.

Happy Days are Here Again

It's incredible that my thoughts have not changes over the last three months. My life is too crazy right now. Does it ever slow down? I suppose if it did, I'd be bored out of my mind.

I've been a little disappointed lately with my craft. I've wanted to do more but it's been just another stress so I haven't been able to accomplish much. I do however have some new projects lined up for family members.

The aunties are next on my list and I decided to make some nice scarves since both their birthdays fall in winter. I wanted something interesting for so I chose the Snowflake Scarf by Purl Soho and the Spiral Staircase Shawl by LizAnn Petch.

It's Astounding, Time is Fleeting

Once again I have been super busy! I just don't know where the time goes. And even though relatively, a short amount of time has passed, I feel like so much has changed for so little a period.

The Fundamental Things Apply

Well I am just a bundle of boredom lately. That is, in part, the reason for my not posting in SO long. The other part is of course the fact that I barely have time to sleep anymore, let alone use my computer for fun.

And even so, my life has become a little repetitive. Better not to repeat my grievances over and over. It gets a little dry.

Even though I am in desperate need of a "fun-tervention", I have been putting my daily commute to good use. Several of my knitting and crochet deadlines (hereinafter known as "KC deadlines") have been made! YAY!

So here is a little progress report, lets take it from the top (no pun intended):

Closing Walls and Ticking Clocks

My, my. Time really flies, doesn't it? I can't believe that this is my first post of the new year. Not that I have much to say. It has been a crazy last couple of weeks. I've barely had time for anything remotely enjoyable. That's not to say my work isn't interesting. But it has been completely consuming. And exhausting. And a little mind numbing by the end of each day.

But I don't want to discuss work, I'm feeling overwhelmed just thinking about it. On to bigger and brighter things! In spite of the craziness that is my life right now, I have managed to accomplish a bit in the way of my projects.

So here's a little bit of a progress report (with pictures!):

Striped Tunic

As previously mentioned, I finished one of the tunics, but I didn't get the chance to take some photos of it before I gave it away. This is the second one I've been working on though. The only difference is the stripe colour. Hopefully I'll have a chance to take some photos of this one when it's finished and blocked before I have to wrap it up.

Always Running Out of Time

It seems I've managed to create a mountain of stress for myself these holidays. At first it seemed like I had far too much free time and now I don't know how I'm going to get everything done!

I mentioned previously that I would be making each of my family members something for their birthdays. Seemed like a good idea until you factor in that;

a. I start full time work in just a few days,

b. Will be working 7 days for the next 2 months, and

c. There are 5 birthdays during January and February.

Suddenly, my projects seem more like work than recreation!

I'm powering on though. I've pretty much started everyone's projects or at least have a solid idea in my head. It's just a matter of finding the time to complete them now. And I will.

Meanwhile, this is what is currently on my plate;

Bridgette Crochet Bustier by Factorie

My sister requested that I make her this before summer is over. I hope to have it done before the end of January so she actually gets to wear it. But unfortunately, as simple as it looks, it is so time consuming! Plus...I made a mistake! And the DAYS worth of work I had completed, has to be redone. Devastation.

Bauble Break

So I've needed a break from all the baubles. I made at least a dozen, but it turns out that isn't quite enough.

I know it's just over a week till Christmas and I really need to finish them for my family, but I can't help but want to work on new projects!

Free Pattern: Crochet Christmas Bauble #5

So much for trying to get a pattern out each day. Christmas time is just not the time to be doing anything but preparing for Christmas!

I have managed to get the next bauble pattern out though. I don't think there will be too many more to come. If anything, maybe just one more. I'd like to start working on some different patterns and post them up.

Here is bauble #5

Free Pattern: Crochet Christmas Bauble #4

So I had written this awesome little intro to this post. And I HAD saved it. But for some reason, now when I access it to finish editing, it is an empty post. Since I do not think I could replicate the sheer awesomeness that was my previous intro, I leave you with this; bauble #4.

Free Pattern: Crochet Christmas Bauble #3

So here's the next of my bauble designs. The next few will probably be in a couple of days since I have to work the weekend. At christmas time, retail is the worst place to be working. But such is life. If I didn't work, I wouldn't have money to buy yarn!

Free Pattern: Crochet Christmas Bauble #2

As I'd hoped, I did find some time to write up another pattern (yay!).

I hope these are making sense. The reason I set them out in a table is so I can write little explanatory comments at each stage without disrupting the flow of the pattern. But if it's still confusing, I'm happy to draw up a couple of charts to make things more clear.

I've taken new photos too, with close ups and different angles. They should make things a little easier to understand.

Without much further ado, here is the pattern...

Free Pattern: Crochet Christmas Bauble

Here is just one of the patterns for my crochet bauble designs. I've been meaning to get it out all week! I'd like to have a "free patterns" section on the blog. It's always nice to be able to share what you've made. The first step is actually posting the patterns though! So my aim is to try post a pattern every day or two. Life is so crazy though, I hope I'll be able to keep up.

For baubles approximately of 19.5cm circumference.

Materials:

• Crochet cotton (4ply)
• 2.5mm crochet hook

Stitches used:

• Chain (ch)
• Single crochet (sc)
• Double crochet (dc)
• Double treble crochet (dtr)
• Slip stitch (slst)

Note: I use a "magic loop" to start this pattern. This tutorial from crochet-world is a great guide on how to achieve the same method I use. Also, in case it's not clear, everything inside the square brackets are to be repeated as specified outside the bracket.

	Instruction	Comments
Start	Magic loop, do not tighten all the way	The thread cover can be started without using the bauble initially
Row 1	ch, 12 sc, slst
Row 2	ch4, dtr in next sc, [ch3, 2 dtr in next two sc] repeat 5 times, ch3, slst
Row 3	slst between ch and dtr, ch4, dtr in same space, [ch5, 2 dtr between the two dtr stitches] repeat 5 times, ch5, slst
Row 4	slst between ch and dtr, ch4, dtr in same space, [ch6, 2 dtr between the two dtr stitches] repeat 5 times, ch6, slst	Once this row is completed, carefully cover the bauble with the thread cover. Tighten the magic loop around the top of the bauble.
Row 5	slst between ch and dtr, ch4, dtr in same space, [ch4, 2 dtr between the two dtr stitches] repeat 5 times, ch4, slst	Continue the remaining rows whilst stitching around the bauble.
Row 6	slst between ch and dtr, ch4, dtr in same space, [ch2, 2 dtr between the two dtr stitches] repeat 5 times, ch2, slst	As you cover more of the bauble, you may need to pull the threads tighter or gently stretch parts of the piece closer together till the stitch/row is completed.
Row 7	Slst between ch and dtr, ch3, dc in same space, [2 dc between the two dtr stitches] repeat 5 times, slst, Tie off and tuck in loose threads

I hope this pattern makes sense. I tend to write things in my own way. So if something doesn't seem quite right, don't hesitate to ask questions.