A cross between a scarf and a cowl.

This is basically a rectangle net (made up of chains and trebles), with two corners joined together – it couldn’t get any easier.

So light, has lots of drape and can be worn long or closer to the neck.

Ravelled.

Christina and I started this project together as we were both new to knitting with dpn’s.

I will admit that it is much easier than I thought it would be. Actually, I’ll go further and say that knitting with dpn’s is far better than the magic loop method, for me anyway.

I finished these over the weekend whilst staying with my favourite family in Melbourne. It was such a treat.

I scored some fabulous vintage frocks at Camberwell market yesterday, one in particular screams 80′s disco diva – more on that later in the week.

Warmers ravelled here.

Not a whiff of crafting going on here.

For the last few weeks I have been couch bound watching all four seasons of Mad Men and have loved every single minute of it.

It is the sort of drama that requires ones full attention.

A real visual feast and I can’t recommend it enough but consider yourself warned – it is highly addictive.

The hook is my go-to after a craft hiatus, always nice to reacquaint oneself with a mindless project.

Have a great weekend x

My brother and his wife, Tara are expecting their first child in July.

The kids are out at Mum and Dad’s this weekend so I thought it wise to get cracking on the handmade gift front.

We know they are cooking up a little girl so I went with some lovely aqua and peachy pink prints.

All frabics are from Calico & Ivy, with the exception of the flea market fancy print…that has been in the scrap basket for a while.

Simple meandering lines to quilt, machine bound for durability and it’s done.

Chris & I undertook this project together.

It was great to have some encouragement because for a while there, I wondered if I would ever get it finished.

The pattern itself is actually very simple but it is repetitive and gets a little tedious.

I’m glad I persevered though, the wrap (& wool) transforms with aggressive blocking.

When Mum saw this finished she remarked how lovely it is. Quite surprising really as I think most of my yarny projects are a little too ‘handmade’ looking for Mum’s taste.

Anyway, I’m glad she likes it and am thrilled to be giving it to her.

Project notes on ravelry.

I loved knitting this and I love the finished product even more.

Knit in the smallest size (1-4) and made for my cousin’s little girl, Pia who will be 1 in May. Although it will be a little big for Pia to begin with, she should get quite a lot of wear out this.

Maddie asked me to knit her one but after wearing it for five minutes proclaimed it was “too itchy”. I find that very hard to believe, the wool is lovely and soft, it was a real pleasure to knit with.

Pattern – Squishy Love by Amanda Keeys
Wool – Gems sport weight by Louet
Buttons – Pegs from all buttons great and small

Ravelry

We are on a beach mini-break and like every beach holiday of ours, the weather is less than ideal.

Before we left, I packed a knitting project and clearly remember thinking “I really should wind another ball but I am running out of time and really one should be enough, right?

Fifteen rounds from completing the project and I have run out of yarn.

*sigh*

At the beginning of the school holidays Maddie attended a craft workshop at Art Spark and for the last few weeks has been asking when she can learn to knit.

I’m not overly convinced I am up to take on the ‘knitting teacher’ role just yet so thought we should start off with something a little simpler.

Hello latch hook.

We trotted up to our local craft supply shop and both had a crash course in how to latch hook.

Maddie is nearly six and picked it up very easily, she is already asking where we can hang it once it is finished.

The mere thought of hanging a lurid blue shaggy wool fish in the house is making me anxious but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

I picked up this vintage blanket on ebay last year.

The colours are so much brighter than my usual taste but I think it is stunning.

It is a beautiful example of tunisian crochet, something I have not yet tried. I would love to hear if any of you know how to crochet this way.

Edited to add: Thanks to some lovely readers, I have been informed that this blanket may not be Tunisian crochet after all but normal crochet, the stitch being “Afghan”.

You can find stitch information on the Afghan stitch here.