Home Made

I've had a sudden burst of making things recently - much more than recently and it's definintely food for the soul. Baking, crafting, being creative and using my hands is really helping me at the moment. And I'm even trying to branch out from crochet!!

When in Wales I bought a felt sewing kit to try my hand at something new - quite pleased with the result, although I think I'd like to try making some things from scratch! I've gifted it to my Mum and it's sitting on my parents' dresser

I've started knitting! I've found a lady who does beginners' classes and have paid for a course of three lessons - after one lesson I can cast on, cast off and knit and purl. I hate purl. It's slow and slightly tedious, and crochet is definitely quicker, but am determined to persevere.

Another granny square blanket... I'm using up some stash here so it's not as neat and planned as usual, but I'm quite enjoying it - mindless crochet and no thinking, right up my street.

Finally baking again! This is a yummy yummy carrot cake recipe - see here. I would heartily recommend it - quite easy and scrumptious.

Confessions of a Novice Knitter I

So I finally finished my first knitting project! Mixed results, the fact that I finished it was fairly wondrous, but there is oh so certainly space for improvement...

For my first project I'd decided to knit a scarf, very simple (in theory): garter stitch and just one colour. I found some beautiful wool in my local wool shop, sadly I threw away the labels so no idea what it is but it's a beautiful chunky deep purple colour (my phone camera doesn't do it justice at all!)

For some reason I am having real problems with tension: when my Mum saw me knitting she was horrified! (why are you holding it like that, why are you pulling it so tight etc etc) and I've managed to drop stitches on the way without even realising it, so it's rather a wonky scarf (I've decided it has character and shall love it regardless!)

Well I'm going to attempt one for Mr Woolly next, so will try and pull it less tight, as well as try to notice if I drop stitches ;) Onwards and upwards and all that!

My crochet hearts are still progressing nicely and offer me moments of calm amid a hectic week

I am going to make them in lots of colours and make them into heart garlands as shown here

Has anyone else had projects not quite work out? Or does anyone have any tension tips?!

Helen x