For the longest time I’ve been meaning to learn to crochet. I’ve looked at courses but it always seems difficult to fit them in around family life. Anyway for some reason on Saturday the vague desire to have a little crochet in my life became a pressing need and so I turned to the internet. Ravelry is fabulous as a resource and I found tutorials, free patterns, videos and advice. On saturday evening I made a little sample strip to get me started and give me a feel for the hook but I really wanted to actually have something to show for the effort so I started on this great free pattern from Attic24.

My first ever crochet project is riddled with errors and I’ve used the wrong stitch (double instead of treble English – all that terminology is still a foreign language to me). I also wish I’d not started in that dark purple as I like the muted gentle tones of the rest of it. But all of that is outweighed by a childlike pleasure in learning something new. I’m having a lot of fun although my hands are hurting more than with knitting – I must be awakening some new muscles!

Anyway, it feels good to have made a start and this old dog is happy to be learning new tricks!

Well, as expected the bank holiday was a rather wet and windy one. There were a few sunny spells to tempt us outside but we were soon running back in again as yet another April shower swept over.

Still, it left plenty of time for knitting and I had a sudden urge to try out this wonderful free strawberry pattern.

It proved very addictive and soon I had quite a few. On some of them I kept going on the i-cord and added a leaf and flower at the other end to make bookmarks (not my idea – inspired by many of the creative adaptations over on ravelry).

I have a little bowl of knitted strawberries now sitting on the table and they’re making me smile and think of the summer to come. I hope it arrives soon!

The flower pattern is here and the adaptations that I made, yarn used etc can be found on ravelry.

Well I’ve done it again. Gone and got all over excited about new yarns and new colours and ended up in a muddle of unfinished projects.

Waiting for me to get my act together are a little batch of nautical animals, some in bright colours, and some new dutch bunnies.

All of which adds up to rather a lot of things to finish off!

I’m getting there though and will try and have a little update over on etsy soon!