Crochet Extravagance

Last week I have been rummaging through my boxes with crochet. The smaller pieces, that is. And - since I had something of a doily-and-potholder-phase - there are quite a few of those smaller pieces... Anyway... I thought I'd share some my finds here with you too. Introducing... 'Haafner - The Early Works'. ;-)

Now, this potholder has an - for me - unusual colour combination... ;-) 

Have a lovely week - craft on!

♦♦♦

PS. Still working on the pattern for the bag of my last post. Will post it later this week.

Giant Granny Square *update*

It's been a while since I last posted pictures of my Giant Granny Square.
Well, here it is! Almost ready. Last row added! Only *some* ends to sew in.
As I said before, it's a rather unusual colour palette for me. But I do like it as these colours seem to represent the Quintessential Granny Square. ;-) Oh yeah!

I used a 6 mm hook and a huge variety of yarns. (Variety in brands, thickness, structure, colours, sheen.)

What a pleasure it is, this pattern, just keep going - adding row after row...
The plan was to make a 2 x 2 meters square. But when arriving there, I thought: 'Why stop here?' ;-) So now it measures 2.5 x 2.5 meters. Love that size, truly giant!
Do you currently have any granny squares on you hooks?

Thanks for paying a visit. It's lovely to have you here.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

Back soon!

Hello, thanks for being here! Just a quick message: I promise I will be a better (well, at least a more regular) blogger frow now on - or soon anyway. ;-) Much has happened - crocheting being one of those things. However, otherwise I've got a lot of catching up to do: Visiting all your wonderful blogs is high on my priority list. See you there soon!

For now I just share this messy pile of crocheted blankets with you.
Have a good time!
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

Working on the giant granny square

The giant granny square works up very quickly.
Row after row. Still struggling a bit with the colours.
It's not that I don't like them, but there's just so much contrast... ;-)
I think I will make another giant granny in my 'own' colours.
However, first have to finish this one!

Have a nice day!
♦♦♦
PS. My hands are not as gigantic as might seem from the picture, lol.
it's only the throw that's giant. ;-)

Pattern * popcorn blanket

Hello there,

Apologies for my absence. I have been travelling through a very crochet minded country... I will post about that soon. Meanwhile I have not been answering comments and emails, but I will get back to you!

But first this: a bit later then anticipated (and promised) the written pattern of my popcorn blanket is finally ready. I tested it, and it should be okay, but please let me know if I made any mistakes.

Which makes me wonder: has any of you experiences with a computer program to write crochet patterns and charts? Like this one by Stitch Works? Or another one?

I'd like to publish more patterns and make charts for my doilies, but it's rather time consuming – and I'm not very good at drawing a neat chart I'm afraid. Love to hear from you about this.

Some notes beforehand...
– I use American terminology.
– As the first dc of each new round, I chain 2. I know 3 chains is more common as an alternative for a dc, but I think 2 ch gives a neater result.
– If the pattern calls for a 3dctog, the first 3dctog of a new round will be [chain 2 + 2 dc].
– A popcorn is made of 5 completed double crochets in 1 one stitch, they are then joined.
– It is a classic square and there exist a lot of very similar patterns. I adapted one of those for this blanket (e.g. I wanted the popcorn stitches really to pop, so I made them bigger).
– I made 20 squares for this plaid, then I ran out of yarn. Ha! I used a 5 mm hook. Each individual square measures 26x26 cm.

– For those of you who prefer a crochet chart, I'm making one for this pattern, I just need a bit more time...

The square
To begin: ch 8, close with a sl st to first sc.

Round 1
[dc3tog, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 3] 3 times, dc3tog, ch 2 dc3tog, chain 1, 1 dc (this is to close the round in the top stitch of the first 3dctog of this round. This way you begin your next round just on the right spot and you don't have to cut your yarn!)

Round 2

dc3tog, *ch 2, 3 dc in ch 2 space of previous round, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 3, dc3tog in same space to make a corner, repeat from * 2 times, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 1, 1 dc (to close the round)

Round 3
dc3tog, *ch 2, 2 dc in ch 2 space of previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc of previous round, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 3, dc3tog in same space to make a corner, repeat from * 2 times, chain 2, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc of previous round, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 1, 1 dc (to close the round)

Round 4
dc3tog, *ch 2, 2 dc in ch 2 space of previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 7 dc of previous round, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 3, dc3tog in same space to make a corner, repeat from * 2 times, chain 2, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 7 dc of previous round, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 1, 1 dc (to close the round)

Round 5 This is the round where the popcorn fun starts!
dc3tog, *ch 2, 2 dc in ch 2 space of previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc of previous round, popcorn in next stitch of the previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc of previous round, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 3, dc3tog in same space to make a corner, repeat from * 2 times, chain 2, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc of previous round, popcorn, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc of previous round, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 1, 1 dc (to close the round)

Round 6
dc3tog, *ch 2, 2 dc in ch 2 space of previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc of previous round, popcorn in next st of the previous round, 3 dc in each next st of the previous round, popcorn, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc of previous round, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 3, dc3tog in same space to make a corner, repeat from * 2 times, chain 2, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc of previous round, popcorn in next st of the previous round, 3 dc in each next st of the previous round, popcorn, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc of previous round, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 1, 1 dc (to close the round)

Round 7
dc3tog, *ch 2, 2 dc in ch 2 space of previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc of previous round, popcorn in next st of the previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 3 stitches of the previous round, popcorn, 1 dc in of the next 3 next stitches of previous round, popcorn,1 dc in each of the next 5 dc of previous round, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 3, dc3tog in same space to make a corner, repeat from * 2 times, ch 2, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc of previous round, popcorn in next st of the previous round, 1 dc in each of the next 3 st of the previous round, popcorn, 1 dc in the next 3 stitches, popcorn, 1 dc in each of the next 5 st of previous round, 2 dc in ch2 space of previous round, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 1, 1 dc (to close the round)

Round 8, 9 and 10 are the same as round 7, except that you increase every round with one popcorn following the same increasing scheme as the previous rounds. Which leads to 6 popcorns on each side of your square in round 10.
Of course you could make more of less rows, according to your taste (and your amount of yarn!).

Joining the squares
I single crocheted the backs of the squares together with the same colour yarn.

The border
Borders really are the cherry - or icing, if you prefer sugar ;-) - on the cake, and I do like a big border. However, I felt that this one needed a simple border, so I restrained myself.
Using a contrasting colour I simply single crocheted one row along the squares. In each corner I made 3 sc.
The 2nd row of the border is also made of single crochets, alternating with popcorns. The pictures below shows where I made the popcorns.

In case you give it a try: I hope you like this pattern as much as I do! I'd love to see the result.

I hope to be back here soon with some delicious crochet work (not mine) and new yarn (mine!).
Thanks for dropping by & all the best.
♦♦♦

So - I hit the jackpot

The doily jackpot, that is...
I often look with surprise at the wonderful potholders and doilies
other bloggers thrift at what seems to be a weekly base. :-)

I guess The Netherlands is not the best country
for finding that kind of second hand treasures.
That - or I'm just a lousy thrifter.

















Until yesterday!
When I found these wonderful, delicate, crocheted doilies...

I bought every single one of them. And love them.
I hope you like seeing them too.

Have a wonderful day!
♦♦♦

Stacks

Hello there,
How are you doing?
Not much signs of spring yet in this part of the world.

Thought I might share some photos of some of my craftroom stacks with you.
The (only) link with spring being the colours. I know - how original...
Oh well!

Below is my (growing) stack of my latest work in progress...
The corresponding stack of pink yarn is destacking (I'm sure that's not a proper word) rapidly,
so the end result won't a be very big throw.

Wishing you a lovely day.
Stay crafty.

♦♦♦

Gelukkig nieuwjaar!

Happy New Year!
May 2013 be a happy, crafty, creative, sustainable
& an animal friendly one...

This time we didn't make any traditional oliebollen for New Year's Eve,
but a coconut & lime cream pie instead -
from Vegan Pie in the Sky.
I wrote about that wonderful book before: here.

And to be honest...
When I state something like 'we made a pie':
My task was confined to picking a recipe. ;-)

Anyway. It was the first time we had this pie,
and it didn't disappoint! At all.
Creamy it was indeed... Mmm.

So, before we ate the rest of it today,
I managed to take some pictures. (Only just!)

To end this first post of the new year:
I'm absolutely thrilled by the fact that there are a growing number of people interested in this blog. :-)
I find it terribly exciting to have visitors from all over the world.
Thank you for visiting and commenting.
It's appreciated, a lot!

I hope you had a good start of the year too.
♥

Weekend ♦ Dabbling with yarn and hangers ♦

Thanks for the sweet comments on my last post.
I appreciate the feedback!

Meanwhile I have been sprucing up more old cloth hangers.

Quick and easy result.

♥ 

Enjoy your weekend!

Vegan Treat of the Month ***Chocolate Hazelnut Flapjacks***

Oops, incidentally I skipped the vegan treat of the month in October.
Time to make up for that with this very easy, but very rewarding treat.
Flapjacks!

They don't look much on these pictures, I know...
However, they truly have a great texture and are delicious.
This week I made them for a friend who loves them.

Another plus: it doesn't take much time to make them,
and you can make a bunch of them in one go.
They keep good for at least a week in airtight tin,
but honestly: they probably won't last that long.
Oh, and they're not expensive!

So, what do you need? 
(makes about 30-35 flapjacks)

450 grams (16 oz) rolled (porridge) oats
300 gram (10oz) margarine
150 gram (6 oz) black molasses (or treacle)
150 gram (6 oz) brown sugar
100 gram (or to taste) fairtrade pure chocolate chunks 
100 gram (or to taste) roasted, unsalted hazelnuts, crushed/cut into half
pinch of salt

You can replace the hazelnuts and chocolate with dried dates, abricots, cashew nuts, almonds, raisins... Anything you like really!

How to make the flapjacks?
Preheat the oven at 190 degrees Celsius.
Melt the margarine, sugar and treacle in a pan, stir & be careful not to burn it.
Mix in the oats, the hazelnuts and the salt. Stir thoroughly.
Press half of the mixture into a square or rectangular tin (mine is about 30x15 cm).
Put the chocolate chunks on top, press gently into the mixture.
Then press the other half of the mixture into the tin and completely cover the chocolate. (This way the chocolate won't burn.)
Smooth over the surface with a spoon.
Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, until golden brown.
With a sharp knife: mark into portions while still warm, then leave to cool.






















♥ Best enjoyed in the company of a dear friend,
with a good fairtrade tea served in mismatched vintage cups...

A Cloud of Doilies

Memo to self: do consider crocheting less doilies.

But if it's going to work...?
Because a while ago I thrifted this crochet book
(for only one euro!).

Never judge a book by its (rather dull) cover, right?
Since it's great, it has many lovely patterns.

Some of these doilies are either patterns from this book,
or inspired by them.

Hope you like them. Have a nice day!

Super Easy DIY Garland

Okay, since this is my first DIY,
I thought I'd start with an easy one.
And trust me: this one is really easy.
And - being a blogger now - it involves washitape. *Oh, irony*

So, what you need to make this garland (or bunting? What word would you use for this?):

♦ Acrylic felt (Yes - I don't use wool felt, why? Click here, here or here. In short: It doesn't seem right to harm animals, certainly not for such a frivolous thing like a garland.)

♦ Thread

♦ Washitape

♦ Scissors, needle and pencil.

Mark the triangles on the acrylic felt and cut them,
pull the thread through the triangles, apply the tape
et voilà!

I like it because there's no sewing involved.
(Which is a craft I have to master yet -
I did buy a sewing machine, so the intention is there allright.)

Enjoy your day!

It's such a perfect day... For a sneak peek

While autumn winds are blowing,
it's nice to snuggle up inside
bake & enjoy a cupcake
or two...

Vegan of course.
The crocheted doily is a thrifted treasure.























So, I figured this might be the right setting for a little sneak peak,
of a crochet project...
Since the colours coordinate quite nicely with the cupcake
- if I may say so.






















Still searching for a nice lacy crochet border pattern for this throw.
But first: finish making all the granny squares.
Still a lot to go...

Time to crochet

Couldn't resist to make another crocheted potholder. 

I'll work out the pattern soon.
(If I can remember it...)

Ribbons

Some of these ribbons
I bought here, The Netherlands.

But most of them
are souvenirs from travelling.

Outside - Inside

Just two weeks ago we were swimming in the sea under a perfect blue sky.
(Quite unexpectedly, because we didn't have much of a summer here.)
And now, suddenly, it's autumn. Very much so.
Rain is pooring down day after day, it's cold, it's windy and, I must say:
It does have it own charm!






















So, instead of sulking about a summer that never really started,
(except for that one day)
let's embrace autumn, with it's own happiness.
Blend in some seventies styling for the ultimate autumn feeling.






















Snuggle under your handmade crochet throw, with a good book.
The cat purring next to you.






















You might even start purring yourself.
;-)























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