Rather embarrassing really

I needed something calming yesterday so I sorted out my material into cotton/poly-cotton/other type piles and then thought I'd start on some of the other shelves. The cross-stitch shelf has a fair amount of used patterns that I've kept, and a rather embarrassing amount of kits that I've started and haven't finished from the last 17 years! So to shame myself into finishing them (one day) I've added a new section to the side bar lists. Anyone else care to own up to half-completed, or barely started, crafts? Go on, make me feel better................please.

On a slightly better note, I found the above cross-stitch which used to hang in the living room when I lived with my Mum, which I am going to re-mount and hang in my new hallway. I also found the small embroidery which I didn't even know she had done - so this is the only example. This too will also hang in the hallway when I have mounted it properly. I'm going to use the embroidery hoops as I love to see them hanging on walls with embroidery in them.

And finally, one finished granny square blanket - yah. Although it's not very big (probably just over a metre square), it covers my legs when I'm sat on the couch, so that's big enough for me. Actually, if it were any bigger it would be very heavy as it's made from cotton rather than wool. It is lovely and soft though, so perfect for me.

Squares and Blocks

These past few evenings I've been concentrating on finishing the granny square blanket. I've managed to finish 15 blocks, each having 9 squares, then edge the blocks with an extra row of trebles. Hopefully tomorrow I shall be weaving in the lose threads from the blocks then, maybe, I'll get to start fastening them all together.

A little update

Thank you for your comments with regards my Grandad. He is still no better/worse, but he is comfortable. If there is no improvement over the next couple of days they will turn the machines off as this is what is actually keeping him going. I feel quite numb really, he is a good age (81), and he hasn't really had a good year because of his alzhiemers, the deterioration is terrible - but, he is my Grandad, and he is another piece of my Mum that is disappearing. Ummm.

Still keeping busy. I quickly made the above card for my BIL's 40th yesterday and then last night I sat and crocheted some more of the green granny blanket as it's repetitive and doesn't really need thinking about. Today took ages for me to get going but then I decided I really must get the Christmas cake started, so I wrote my list then peddled the 4 mile round trip to the shop to get the extra bits I needed. When I got back I made a start on the 2 cakes (1 is a gift), the mincemeat and the puddings. The house is going to smell gorgeous tomorrow when they are cooking.

Late night

I couldn't stay away any longer so I wound my skein into a ball and promised myself I must use the whole lot (1 ball makes 11 small squares) before I go back to the things I'm supposed to be doing. Once that was done I did a bit more on the bag - just waiting for the orange to arrive now.

Here's the WIP.

I then, with the help of JJ (our youngest), made the front of hubby's anniversary card. Just got to put the centre sheet inside now. I'll do that in the morning when he is out.

As I couldn't do anymore on the bag I thought I'd make myself the green brooch that I've been meaning to make for ages. I finished it at 12.15am - should've been in bed but I was determined to get it finished. I love green.

So far

So it doesn't get overwhelming having a huge pile of granny squares piling up, I've been putting together blocks of 9 squares when I've done them. I've done these 2 this evening and I've managed a few more squares as well.

Learning

Me, being the impatient person that I am, stitched the granny squares together yesterday without blocking them. I'm still pleased with them, but I'm now berating myself for being so impatient. I put together the 4 remaining ones (there was 5 left but one has mysteriously wandered off) and then crocheted an edge with the remaining bit of wool.

While sat with poorly babe this evening I've been using the only crochet book (hooked on crochet by Candi Jensen) I have to actually learn new stitches. This is an American book so not sure what the English names would be. The above is triple crochet (tc) - didn't really like this one.

This one is double crochet (dc)- I like this one as it looks very neat.

This one is single crochet (sc), again very neat.

And lastly, we have half double crochet (hdc). This is what I have done on the granny squares without actually realising it. Explains why they are small ;-). Anyway, off to do some more as I'm finding it very addictive and theraputic.