This week is one of the strangest in our family's year. It's the week of Toby's school play which means all routines are stood on their head. From tomorrow he'll go to school from 4pm til 9pm instead of the usual 9am – 3pm and he'll take part in the annual school play each evening. It's challenging to him to say the least but last year he coped pretty well (fingers crossed for this year being the same!) and the play that the school put on is amazing especially when you consider the diverse and very severe disabilities of all the students. Everyone takes part from the youngest in the nursery at 3-4 years to the oldest at 18 - 19 years old and they all do their best according to their abilities. I'll take my tissues as usual and be prepared for the stinging hands that follow all the clapping!
I'm hoping that the sunny weather that joined us for the weekend will continue so that Toby can happily play out in the garden during the daytime and I can sit and watch him while finishing off my crochet bag – just the straps and trim to go now.
I'm pretty happy with it although it's going to need lining and my join
is very scrappy – still crochet seems to be more forgiving than knitting in that sense and it doesn't really notice (from a distance at least!)
True to form I've also kicked off another crochet project (on the basis that you can't be a proper crochet-er without having a few granny squares under your belt) I hope to add to these from this pattern and make a cushion somewhere down the line.
I'm really enjoying getting to grips with crochet but my first love will always be my knitting! Talking of which I'm off to make the most of the last quiet day of the week and finish off a bunny or two. Enjoy your week wherever you are.
little cotton rabbits 
Love your crochet! the colours are just lovely, especially the squares! It is great to be able to knit and crochet isn’t it!
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Hope all goes well for Toby. Love the bag – perhaps I should swallow my prejudice and try crochet again. I was taught to crochet by an elderly lady when I was about 13 and have made granny blankets but I always lose patience with it. I’m finding it too hot to knit in this weather, though.
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Your granny squares are great, really pretty.
and lucky you having Toby home in this lovely weather, I just know it will be miserable again by the time half term arrives.
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So pretty! But then you always do choose gorgeous colour combinations.
Hope all goes well for Toby this week – and for you! That is quite a change to the routine!
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I continue to be so impressed with your crochet–and now granny squares, too! And as Val says, you choose the loveliest color combinations.
The play sounds really amazing.
K x
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I hope your week goes well and that Toby enjoys his play, both at school and in the garden. Well done with the bag and granny squares – you seem to be getting ‘hooked’ on crochet! Far too hot to knit here today – I struggled through a few rows yesterday, but gave up.
Janet
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Your crochet bag looks lovely! (I hate joining so I just keep going in the round, not the same shape though.) Good luck with all the changes to routine and I hope Toby enjoys the play and playing in the sunshine 🙂
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Hope the week goes smoothly!
I love the idea of being a knitter who dabbles a bit in crochet. You’re struck a nice balance.
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Hope the play goes well for Toby. I love your crochet its looking gorgeous xx
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I hope everything runs smoothly for both you and Toby. It’s such a big thing to be a part of physically, mentally and emotionally….and that’s without the stars having special needs. My hat is off to his co stars and their teachers. I hope your hands don’t sting too much…but I’m sure they will! Oh and the crochet is just beautiful!
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I love your color choices. You have such talent and style. Good luck this week! 🙂
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Hope all goes well with the change of routine, I’m sure Toby will be a star in his play. 🙂
Your crochet is looking great! I’m making some crochet squares too at the minute and like you I’m trimming them in white.
Vivienne x
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What a fabulous reason to have stinging hands. May it all go smoothly and that everyone enjoys themselves.
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holy cow, that is truly an upside down week!
I kinda can’t believe that they switch the schedules that much!
break a leg, toby!
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You’ve caught onto crochet really quickly and the bag is looking great. I found it much more addictive to knitting once I started. I think it’s how the colours can be played with in so many different ways.
Hope your upside down week goes as smoothly as possible and Toby doesn’t feel too disorientated by it all.
Lisa x
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Oh, you!! See how you are? Never by halves.
I hope that the little man takes the play in stride – what’s more, I hope that he enjoys it. When I was in school, I was always bewildered, and I didn’t have the challenges he faces, bless him. Still, there is that deep human satisfaction that comes with people clapping for you – if it doesn’t scare you to death.
I like it when days are turned upside down. Shaking things up can make you see more clearly – especially the small things we tend to take for so normal, we don’t usually see them at all.
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Oh man, I’d be a blubbering mess even before I got there. If there is one thing I cannot sit through without bawling, it’s kids performing. Good luck!
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Wow that is some routine change – hope all goes well x – bag looking great, love the granny square, a lovely choice of colours. Bunny finishing sounds good!! Sun is FAB I had a very hectic end of week and weekend – Friday Quilt exhibition at the V&A in London and managed to squeeze in Grace Kelly too! – Saturday putting up a shed at work with hubby & bro in law (nightmare!) Sat night drinks with friends & a BBQ on Sunday. I can’t believe that I felt like I was going to work for a rest this morning – I don’t say that very often!!
Davina x
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I’m not sure how well my kids would handle that routine change. In fact…I’m sure I would have a hard time with that change. I hope the sun continues to shine and make for great backyard days this week.
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Everything changes when we become parents, doesn’t it. Our priorities change, and our lives are made sweeter by moments that may have gone un-appreciated before. Love your colors on your bag. The purple is underneath so it won’t show. I however like the purple and I absolutely love your granny squares. I can’t wait to see your new bunnies. Are you doing a lottery to sell them or is it first-come-first-served? I would love to purchase one.
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I can’t believe how quickly you’ve caught onto crochet, well done you! Your bag looks beautiful – I can’t wait to see it all lined & finished 🙂
Thinking of Toby this week, I hope he’s coping with the change. You have my empathy and sympathy, I hope this week isn’t too rough on you xx
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I can totally relate! I will never give up knitting, but just recently started crocheting for the first time and it’s a little addictive – those cute little squares! I love your colours you picked!
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I cannot believe how popular those squares are… I myself have been working on that same attic24 pattern… and I ran into someone at a garden show recently who also was working on them… I was shocked that a local actually knew about the attic!!!!
Beautiful work… love the bunnies. Love it all.
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I hope everything runs smoothly for you this week Julie and that the play is a success
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Hope the changes with the weekly school routine don’t cause too much of a stir. As a career I used to suppor young adults with autism, fragile X syndrome and other learning disabilities and was always pleasantly surprised at how well people coped with change when I was expecting the worst.
Your crochet looks great, trust me, I have little pieces of my attempts littered around and they’re nothing near how decent your bag and squares look.
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I love those granny squares! Although I’ve first learned how to knit, I would love to learn how to make them. Good luck with the school play and I can’t wait for more bunnies to come. It’s like they magically disappeared from your etsy shop. I was checking all day with no luck! Take care!
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Oh, I have just finished my crocheted bag, too.
I wish I knew knitting too. I love all the bunnies you do.
If you like to have a look at it you are invited!!!
Thank you from Barcelona
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Your crochet is gorgeous and I really hope Toby’s week goes well. Lucy xxx
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I do hope your week is going smoothly! That’s a huge change of routine for you all.
Love that crochet too!
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I hope all is going especially well this week! Your crochet looks fantastic!
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I hope Toby has a good week.
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WOW I’m very impressed especially since you are new to crochet. I really must try and learn someday.
Enjoy the school play.
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I have just found your lovely blog. I too am a knitter but haven’t tried crochet since I was a child. You have inspired me with your gorgeous colours! i hope that Toby’s play goes very well.
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Hmm – I think I feel inspired to get my crochet hooks out again after a spell of much missed knitting. I do wish I had two pairs of hands, if only to use one pair for knitting and the other for crocheting! I do hope your week is not too turbulent for you and your family.
Pen at Oliver Boliver x
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The colours in those granny squares are truly lovely – really summery 🙂
I hope your little one enjoys his play x
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Good luck Toby and everyone in the play, what a big thing to all achieve together. Hopefully it goes ok Julie. It must be strange for him and you all the 4-9pm.
The bag is fab! And I love granny squares like that. I aim to learn one day too 🙂
lots love to you
kat xxox
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Oh I remember that feeling, Bailey refused the first year and stood at the back of the room hiding behind his teacher. The next year he was the drummer boy in the Christmas play and I’ve never felt such huge emotion, pride and love all wrapped in a bundle of tears and cheers.
Have a wonderful day Julie and clap for me too. Oh I’ve come over all teary!
I do love the colours you are using for your granny blanket, very soft and beautiful.
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Oh wow Mrs! You are doing great! Gorgeous bag, love the colour and your granny squares are amazing! Hope all went well with the school play, must have been an exhausting week.xx
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I hope this week went well for all the family, Julie, particularly Toby!! A beautiful job on the crocheting, too. I have tried it once, and couldn’t quite get my head around it. I think I might have to stick with the handsewing for the time being… I hope you are having lots of fun with it, though, and I love the colour combinations.X
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Hello – how do I get in touch by email? I can’t seem to find a link on your blog – would you prefer to be contacted through Esty? best wishes, Vanessa
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