June is the month for reading, watching TV and working with wool. At least it is for me!
I was so happy to complete my second crochet project - a queen-sized blanket - last week. For this, I used two cones of possum-merino blend DK I found at a Woolyarns mill sale a couple of years ago - one cone in medium grey and one in a peachy-pink shade. Both had the spinning oil still on the yarn, so it was quite stiff and rustic to work with, but light and soft after washing at the end.
I worked them up with a size 4.5 crochet hook and used the Purl Soho granny square pattern to help me get started - for some reason, I just wasn't able to understand treble clusters until I read their pattern, and then something just clicked!
The design is basically a giant granny square. I kept alternating colours for each round, and worked in a square until the blanket was big enough for our bed. Then I worked some single crochet around the edge to make a simple border.
I found the clusters were very yarn-hungry and I nearly used up both cones of yarn. I think if you were to make one of these blankets with a finer or more expensive yarn, it could end up costing a lot. So I was very grateful for my possum merino stash!
To 'block' it, I washed the blanket in the laundry tub which was just big enough, in quite warm water to which I'd added a decent amount of hair shampoo.
Then it went into the washing machine on the spin cycle. I realised I'd have to block it outside because of its size. So I used a tarpaulin in the garden (had to wash it clean first which was a mission) and pinned the crochet around the edge. After a day in the warm sun and fresh air, the blanket was beautifully soft and dry. And i's been keeping us warm on our bed ever since! I'm so happy with it and can't believe how warm it is. It might be the best and most useful thing I've ever made!
I'm keen to have a good break away from crochet now, though, I must admit.
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One of my goals for the year was to read more - I do love to read, but often find that I end up spending the evening knitting, listening to music and or watching Netflix instead! Especially when it's been busy at work or I feel like I've been reading all day on a screen. I thought that if I challenged myself to read more purely for fun, and kept track of what I was reading, I made pick up a book more often.
I guess I"m halfway through the year and I think it has been working! I'm still quite a slow reader, but I've read some wonderful books so far - Ben Brown's A Fish in the Swim of the World was one I recently enjoyed. If you're interested in what else I've been reading, I've tried to remember to share each book in my Instagram 'stories', and those stories are saved as a highlight at the top of my profile page, under '2021 reads'.
I'd love to know what you're reading at the moment if you feel like sharing that in the comments?
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Finally, I thought I'd share a recently completed hat - I made this one for my brother in law N who had a birthday last month and knitted it up in Rowan Felted Tweed. This is a classic pattern - it's another from Purl Soho and you can find it for free here. I've already started one for Tom (but in black) and I think I'll cast one on for Arlo too.
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The lovely Sacha McNeil has a new site all about the handmade - it's called of small matters and I think you will like it! Sacha kindly featured me - I've offered up a beginner's embroidery tutorial and there's also a conversation we had about creativity for you to read. I also recommend the delicious caramel slice recipe from her friend (amazing chef and food writer Al Brown) that I can't wait to make myself!
Thank you as always for reading, friends. I hope this finds you very well and keeping warm and cosy wherever you are in the world.
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