There are lots of brilliant things which I enjoy about crochet. I’ll be honest, what I really like is that it allows me do indulge in my playful side. In the last week I have been binge watching a programme on Channel 4 about the Duchess of Northumberland. She has the most amazing imagination and incredible drive. A few years ago we visited her incredible garden at Alnwick and it is the most amazing vision. The television programme charts her two year journey to create a fantasy play space for children. It is obvious from the footage that she has a mind that enjoys thinking about how children ..read more

I like the fact that there is a seasonal rhythm to our year. I like the fact that in January I dedicate weekends to full blown marmalade production. Now at the end of August the trees are heavily laden with plums and my mind turns to sticky jam making. All is pretty pink and has soft tones in that late summer light. This year has been very book focused. So much so that I have failed to share with you my latest book published in any detail. I promise I will. One book, started in the very early Spring is now finished. Things will happen in the background now and I won’t see it until Spring nex ..read more

I am being rounded up…a very clear order is being given. ‘It is time that you collected your crochet…your coffee and you need to sit in bed…so I can sit on your lap…come on…. let’s go…’ For a cat, Stanley’s communication skills are well developed. He speaks fluent human and is actually very eloquent. Well he gets what he wants. When we first brought Stanley home, my husband and I had a difference of opinion. My OH thought he was not the sharpest knife in the cutlery drawer. I, in blind loyalty refused to believe that. Unlike other family cats, Stanley will very, very rarely respond to his nam ..read more

So many people think that as yarn crafters we throw away the hooks and needles as the seasons heat up and the yarn is banished to all the normal hiding places for the short months of summer. But I love the changing seasons for my crochet. Yes I love to make snuggly blankets for chilly months. Come January I frequently make a new hat for the out-door pursuits. But then summer is just as inspiring. The good people of Stylecraft asked their Blogstars designers if they would be happy to take their either their organic cotton yarn, or Naturals Bamboo cotton yarn and make something perfect for the ..read more

For days on end I have been out very early in the morning and peered down at very unpromising flower pots. Day after day nothing seems to appear. I was getting a bit concerned. We have had a very cold spring and I have been worried that I had planted out my dahlia tubers far too early. The cold and frosty winter ‘did-for’ last year’s tubers. Even though they still had their summer soil keeping them cosy and were wrapped in newspaper, their hibernation in the garage was disastrous. Not one tuber survived. Unwrapping my precious collection was like a very soggy version of a rotten potato Christ ..read more

It has been too long my friends. Too long since I popped in here to chat about creativity and design and whatever is inspiring me. Lots of reasons. Mostly I have been completing designs and commissions. Things I can’t share. Then…a thing happened that I never imagined. Two commissions, destined for two different customers got lost in the post. A total of 6 crochet items. Just as I was about to raise my head from my secret making, I had to rewind and make all 6 things again. Speed crochet style. Well that is enough to make you want to go and sit in a corner and ignore your hook for a while. Th ..read more

There is nothing more exciting than making an item of clothing that you actually wear…and actually like…and is actually useful. The kind of thing that half way through the day you think to yourself, ‘Well I’m glad I’m wearing that: hat/scarf/mittens…I think I might make another. February is always my month for making accessories. We are post the Christmas rush and the marmalade weekends of January (see previous post). Now is the time to prepare and make cosy outdoorsy items for bracing walks and mountain views. Since our little/towering boy was a baby, we have enjoyed a February visit to th ..read more

Does it start on a Thursday night? Perhaps more frequently around 11am on Friday? The planning, the dreaming of weekend making. It is the agony of choice, decisions…decisions. The joy of mediative stitching is so physical so psychological that it needs planning. Have I got all the yarn I need to complete that scarf? What is my mood? Knitting or crochet? Shall I make that new pattern I spied on Instagram? Friday night knitting is the best. Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of projects that I SHOULD be doing. But the start of the weekend is all about kicking back and enjoying the hobby. Poor pl ..read more

Right I am just going to say it – sometimes I just like making for making. Sometimes I have no intention of making a project into a published pattern and then it just becomes such a joyful make that I can’t help sharing it with you. This is true of the Cosy Croknit blanket. Like many of my most favourite designs, the idea came following a few conversations and a little bit of necessity. I had received some Aran weight yarn in the post and I began making a few garter stitch squares to see how it behaved. There is something so tactile about aran and garter stitch knitting. So satisfying and joy ..read more

Eurgh…. don’t you just hate Janurary…?’ My friend had just popped round with a belated gift and like many friends could find no Winter light at the end of this tunnel we call January. ‘Yes I know what your mean…but honestly I think Marmalade has put a whole new perspective on this month. I can’t wait to get stuck in! The sticky performance might take up even 3 weekends!’. Suddenly our conversation brightened and orders were placed and promises of spare jars were made. Very like the Paddington films; marmalade has transformational powers. I first started experimenting with this sticky alchemy ..read more