Starting to find treatment

My last post shamed me and so I've finished the most recent Russian joined ball of scraps on the big "granny square" blanket. And I've finished Emma's mitts.

Emma saw my hand-dyed handwarmers at Christmas and said that she liked them. However, she has a horse, and so I figured machine washable would make more sense. She also likes Smarties, and the colour of this yarn is like a whole pile of them, so I trust that will add to their appeal.

Just need to post them to Kernow, now, and we're done.

Feeling better already!

Help me doctor, it's a bad case of "finishitis"

What is it about New Year turns my brain into some kind of butterfly?





Some of the magazine editors have sent through their themes for future issues, so that's got the grey cells whirring and designs have been popping up left, right and centre.





I am a truly appalling artist, so when submitting an idea to an editor, I put together a sketch (which is little more than a schematic, to be honest), and a photograph of a stitch sample, so that the poor recipient can have some vague idea what I'm trying to show them.





So, at the moment, I'm all over the place with part finished samples, as well as the things that I'm was already working on.





Part of the problem is that I have this panic that if I don't "get in quick" with an idea, someone will beat me to it. This has happened to me in the last week, so the anxiety isn't entirely unfounded.





But a collection of part finished samples is definitely not going to get accepted, so I need to pull my finger out, and finish at least some of the following:

This little collection contains:

• Part finished scrap "blankie" and the next ball of scraps (the round grey boucle)
• A pair of handwarmers for my nephew's girlfriend (the pink/variegated)
• A sample for a crochet idea (the white)
• A sample for a knit idea (the turquoise)
• A sleeveless sweater for me in "Reflections" (the other grey/black/white yarn)
• An experiment using "jelly"yarn (possibly for a mag, but as it's such an unfamiliar yarn, I thought I'd better make the thing first).

And, on top of this, I've got another idea for something crocheted in cotton, but one thing at a time, methinks.

Must get one and finish one of these, at least.

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades

Mind your eyes, chaps!

This is the latest published pattern, a charming little crochet number for Inside Crochet.

My colour suggestions were purple and gold, but other colours were suggested and as I have no idea what photographs well or is in fashion, I am more than happy to go along with the editor's suggestions.

In this case, the colours as viewed on internet sites did not do the yarn full justice and so these were a little on the bright side when they arrived. To be honest, I think it works, but only just.

I notice that in the mag they suggest classic Chanel type colours, such as navy and cream. Yep - that would work too.

I also made the thing too big - allowing far too much ease. It's not a situation that will recur, although my personal items will still be big enough to swim in!

Of course, the main thing about this design, was the texture, not the colour or shape. I wanted to recreate knitted leaves/buds in crochet and I'm pleased with the result.

Put your shades on and enjoy.