HRYC

As I've been a bit remiss in blogging about our Crochet Blanket CAL, here's Kate with the down-low. It's been so fun watching the projects grow (and thanks a million to Kate for taking this on!). - Tash

Our Sampler Square Blanket CAL is running all year – it’s only May, so it’s not too late to join in!

Pattern options for 12” squares are posted each month, focusing on different techniques. These squares are a great way to challenge your crochet skills and try out new things. If you want to start with more basic patterns, check out the February and March options; otherwise, just pick the ones you like best from any of the 21 patterns already posted.

 

Basic stitch pattern options:

   

Block Stitch Square by Ana Benson (Rachel’s version) 

Double-Framed Lace by Chris Simon (Amie’s version in Vintage DK)

 

Carré Sacha by GrannyMania (Kate’s version in Cascade 220).

 

Ready for a little more of a challenge? Try the Catalina Afghan Square by Julie Yeager to focus on clusters or the Yarn Clouds Square by Amelia Beebe to practice back-post double crochets.

 

  

Catalina square

 

Yarn Clouds square

 

All of the patterns were designed for 10ply yarn, but we have participants making squares in 8ply and 12ply as well. You can make the squares in a single colour, combine a few of your favourite colours, or use up your stash.

 

   

Bridget’s Crochet Clusters Afghan Square by Julie Yeager in a single colour of Silver Lining 8ply.

Claire’s Ribs and Lace Afghan Block by Joyce Lewis in Ashford Tekapo 12ply.

 

We’ll be aiming to join our squares together in November and December. If you’d like to make a small throw, aim for 12 squares. For a full-size afghan, you will need 24. If you just can’t stop making squares, go for 30!

 

Mel’s fabulous first six squares (in Vintage DK)

 

It’s been so exciting seeing different interpretations of the same square! Here are some participant versions of the Spring Fling 12" Square by April Moreland:

Amie's version

Bridget's version

Claire's version

 

Mel's version

 

Rachel's version

Kate's version

 

We’d love to have you join us! To participate, join here and post comments and/or photos in our Ravelry forum (full list of patterns available here). 

Only a few sleeps to go, and we are full-steam ahead for a wonderful weekend of making and doing at Handmade. The Knit Lounge will be located in the Renouf Foyer at the Michael Fowler Centre and is the place to be in between classes - here's what we'll be doing:

Crochet Blanket CAL session

11am - 1pm Saturday
Kate will be on hand to help out with any tricky stitches or curly questions relating to the Crochet Blanket CAL. 

Learn to Knit

Spin Club

Garment KAL session

Casting around in my stash this morning, I got to thinking about what to do with those special skeins of yarn. You know the ones - usually 4ply, just one precious 100g skein, hand-dyed and with some sort of sentiment attached. Most of my (small, in case you're wondering) stash is made up exactly these yarns - picked up on my travels and full of glorious, vibrant colour. 

What to do with one skein? If socks aren't your thing, or it feels as if it needs to be something a bit fancier, here's a few ideas. With the cool weather, i've gone for wraps and shawls, perfect for tucking in to winter coats.

 

Lionberry Shawl

Designed for a single skein of Madeline Tosh Dandelion, Lionberry combines lace and texture to make the most of Dandelion's vibrant hand-dyed hues.

Pebble Beach by Helen Stewart

I've loved Pebble Beach for a long time - and Helen's just re-released the pattern with 2 more sizes and a lace weight option. You may see me knitting a bright pink version of this very shortly.

Aisling by Justyna Lorkowska

Another great shawl from Justyna - with carefully balanced lace and cable edging on a simple eyelet background. Some of the Dark Harbour Yarn, gracing the Indie Shelf this month, would be absolutely stunning made up as this shawl.

 

Outline by Beata Jezek

And once you've knit all those lovely things with the lovely yarns, there's always a bit left. The Outline scarf is an interesting take on the chevron patterns around - and the perfect way to keep all those ends of balls in one useful and memory-filled project.

Handmade is upon us once more, and we are pleased to take part with running the Knit Lounge and even hosting some classes. There are all sorts of extra activities planned, but the first and most important thing is to get set up with some great class picks.

Running over two days on Queen's Birthday weekend, it's the perfect excuse to learn something new, hang out with friends, take some time for yourself and enjoy all Wellington has to offer. This year the Knit Lounge will be based at the Michael Fowler Centre, right slap-bang in the middle of the city. Wait, I was going to tell you my class picks...

Make a Fabric Lampshade

There's a lampshade in my life that is in desperate need of recovering. Head along and learn how to put beautiful fabric on a lampshade without burning the house down. This one's super popular, but the excellent people at Handmade have added an extra session. Best not miss out.

Clay Tea-Light Holders

 

I saw this class and immediately thought how great it would be to take my step-daughter along. The tea-light holders class is the chance to get your hands dirty but make something lovely and useful. 

Hexagon Quilt As You Go

 

There is something infinitely satisfying about hand-sewing. Yes, it might take a long time, but it can be meditative and therapeutic rather than tedious. And oh, the satisfaction of making something so beautiful tiny stitch by tiny stitch. 

 

Elementary Embroidery

 

Yes, yes I am all about fabric and hand stitching this year. The lovely Melissa Wastney of Tiny Happy will take you along on the journey of embroidery. Simple, lovely. Like drawing, but with needle and thread and you don't need to be some amazing artist to create beautiful projects.

 

There's plenty more where these came from - and i'll be looking at all the yarn & fibre related ones soon. Only a couple weeks to go - this year is flying by scarily fast!

When you aren't busy dyeing yarn, what do you do?

While dyeing yarn is a massive part of my life and I get withdrawls if I don't dye yarn for a couple of weeks, the majority of my time is being a Mum to two gorgeous girls (7 and 3) and all that is involved with running a household. I love taking them on adventures to the beach or into nature. Funnily enough they inspire me so much that a lot of my colourways come from things we see and do together.

What is your number one favourite part of being an indie dyer?

How did you get into knitting? Are you a process or a product knitter?

Do you have a particular fibre or fibre blend you love to dye more than any other?  

We all have colour tendencies - what's yours? Do you find this comes through in your dyeing?  

If you could go on holiday anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?

Prague and the UK. We were lucky enough to travel through Europe for five weeks before we started a family (I came home with a stowaway ;) ) Both of us fell in love with Prague, it's such an amazing city. I would also love to travel around the UK with the kids in a campervan and see where our ancestors came from.

Anything else you want to share with us?

 I just wanted to thank all my supporters, I am forever grateful for being able to do what I do and I love every minute of it. Being able to create colour everyday is a dream come true. Being able to do this while still being able to be there for my family is something I will be forever grateful for.

Thanks so much Jo!