Sunday 10 January 2016

Why I Crochet...

 
 
It's been a while since I picked up the hook. A certain someone, with four fat paws, has been keeping me too busy. Otto has seemed to take up all my time and energy, and my crochet mojo was well and truly hidden.
 
This week however, I made sure I grabbed some time for myself, found my hook, found my yarn, and found my crochet mojo again.
 
Why do I crochet? Quite simply to keep me sane. I think if I didn't have this lovely craft, I would go just a little bit around the twist! It's got considerably colder here over the last few days, better hurry up, think I'm going to be needing this blanket. I have found however, that the basket needs to be kept high up...it seems Otto is a little bit partial to crochet too!
 
 
Do you crochet?
 
 
Amanda :) xxx
 
 
 
 
Minnie on the other hand, is way past the need to roll around in a basket of yarn, thank goodness! ;) xxx

 

43 comments:

  1. Oh yes, very much so! For the same reasons as you!! Enjoy! xx

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    1. There would be a lot of mad women if it weren't for crochet! :) xxx

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  2. What a beautiful mix of colours. Unfortunately I don't crochet but I do have a small collection of blankets I've picked up over the years from charity shops.

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    1. Glad you've managed to find some Jacqui, there's some lovely blankets out there :) xxx

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  3. I do crochet and I can say for a fact that it has kept me sane, safe and alive through many dark periodes in life. I love to crochet! Glad you found your mojo again.

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    1. I'm glad you've found something that helps in times of need :) xxx

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  4. My crochet time has been severely reduced since Basil came home! He can't resist "helping". I think we have different versions of the word "help"! x

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    1. They are much worst than toddlers aren't they! Yes, differing concepts of help ;) xxx

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  5. Oh me too Amanda, me too! X lovely work x

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    1. Thank you Karen, not sure what I did before I learnt ;) xxx

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  6. Yes. but like you I have lost my mojo for a bit. You've inspired me to pick up the hook again. Bee xx

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  7. Lovely crochet. I haven't done any for a while, but I do enjoy it. You have made me think about digging out the hooks! CJ xx

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  8. I have 3 boys, the youngest of whom is 2, so I don't get to crochet often. The last time I did was before he was born when I made him a baby blanket, also a granny square. It's actually the only crochet I've ever done. It was very therapeutic. I'm usually sewing or making jam. What types of yarn do you use? I love them! The colors are delicious! This post really makes me want to make a second blanket!

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    1. It is difficult when you have young children (or puppies!), but it is so therapeutic like you said, so worth trying to squeeze it in somewhere! Thank you so much for leaving your comment Carolyn and letting me know you've stopped by :) xxx

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  9. good to see your have got the hook out again and Otto is letting you have a bit of time to yourself! I stitch to keep my sanity too, unlike you it is not that I have such a busy life more that there is nothing happening in mine!!

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    1. I'm determined to start making time for me Margaret, I need it. Life is very different with a little dog on board but I can't let it stop me doing the things I love! It doesn't matter if our lives are full to the brim, or not quite so...but we have to do the things we love! :) xxx

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  10. Crochet always makes my soul sing especially on dull gloomy rainy days! I take mine everywhere I go :)
    Happy hooking!
    Tilly x

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    1. It's great that it's so portable isn't it Tilly :) xxx

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    2. I love to crochet its such a warm thing to do which is what I like best especially if you have a blanket on the go :-) dee xx

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    3. Timing is important Delia, best not to be sewing up a blanket in the summer...did that once, almost melted! ;) xxx

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  11. It is a relaxing craft isn't it, when it goes right of course! x

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    1. Ha Ha! Exactly, that's why I stay in my comfort zone and only crochet stuff that I don't have to count or think too much about! ;) xxx

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  12. My fur baby thinks that all balls of wool are hers! My own fault really, when we brought her home I used an unwanted ball of wool to play with her - big, huge mistake - it's almost impossible to knit or crochet now without almost sitting on the wool!

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    1. Oh no...this has given me a giggle though, I image you sat on a great pile of yarn! :) xxx

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  13. Hi Amanda, I started crochet as 'me time' as I care for my daughter. I then discovered that I could actually achieve something small in an afternoon, a motif or flower for example, with different types of yarn. I would run upstairs to show her, often she squirreled them away for her scrap booking and mentions me on her blog as her 'pet crocheter'. On the other hand there are the larger project, again great achievements. I am in the second year of my kingsize blanket, 178 rows done, 42 to go and a border. It looks stonking. Glad you are trying to get a bit of time back for you.

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    1. Wow, a king size blanket...Alison, I take off my hat off to you! Well done that's a real achievement, and not much further to go! :) xxx

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  14. As a matter of fact I don't crochet.... yet. But I've been so inspired by your beautiful granny squares that I may have to sign up for a learn-to-crochet class. I understand that it is so much faster than knitting.

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    1. That's a great plan Connie, it's a fantastic craft. I'm not a knitter, not sure I could handle two needles, one hook is tricky enough for me! ;) xxx

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  15. I quilt by day and crochet by night...sounds a bit like a super hero. The best thing about Christmas this year was having my 28 year old daughter come for 4 days and we drank tea, crocheted and talked of future plans/projects. I taught her how to crochet when she was 12 years old. She lives in the big city now and none of her friends know how to do any needle art. Such a shame for the next generation to miss the pleasure of a peaceful afternoon. (I love the photos of Otto. What a little darling.) xo Robin Elaine

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    1. What a lovely thing to share with your daughter...hope I can with my daughters one day Robin :) xxx

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  16. Hi Amanda
    I sure do crochet. And I wish I had discovered this wonderful art earlier in my life. When the kids were toddlers and babies, when I really really needed an escape to stay sane. Because just like you, I crochet to keep myself balanced. Nothing else is more soothing than picking up the hook in any stressful situation. Time stops, the world seem far away and my mind go totally blank only concentrating on one stitch at the time and the colored yarn flowing through my fingers. It is the best meditation. Thanks for sharing your beautiful squares today. And that Mr Otto, he is a naughty little chap isn't he? SO darn cute too.
    Xxx

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    1. It's the best meditation isn't it Annette...yes Otto is a tad naughty, but then he can have my sides hurting from laughter, I just wish he wasn't so quick, he makes me dizzy! ;) xxx

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  17. Lovely images of wool and crochet squares dear Amanda. Little Otto is certainly keeping you busy, thankfully beautiful Minnie is much quieter and settled. I have not crocheted anything of knitted for a while but when I do I always have some furry companion wanting to help with the yarn.
    xoxoxo ♡

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    1. My hope Dianne is that one day he won't be so interested in my yarn...however I think this is just a fantasy! ;) xxx

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  18. Loving your blog, I love all your bright coloured yarn, what yarn are you using here? I love crochet, learned to do it properly last march and haven't stopped. Currently doing 2 blankets and other bits and bobs inbetween.
    ps we got a puppy just before Christmas and she's always playing with my yarn and I have found her taking some of my blanket squares into her bed!

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    1. Hi Erica, the yarn is Deremores Studio DK, it's lovely, very easy to use and fab colours too. Otto keeps grabbing Minnie's blanket, I'd make him his own but he would just eat it! ;) xxx

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  19. Hello Amanda, my name is Miriam. I like your blog even if I have never commented. This time I smiled and thought, watching the picture with the magazine: you love my Country, I love your Country, your custom, your habits, your way of life, so I enjoy English magazines like Country Living, Period Living, Woman & Home, and so on.
    Sorry for my elementary language. Forgive me.
    Ciao,
    Miriam

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  20. Opps...sorry, I have commented the wrong post! :-((
    Miriam

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    1. Miriam, your English is brilliant, much better than my Italian ;) I would love to travel your country, I like its history, people and food. Thank you so much for commenting, Ciao :) xxx

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  21. Hi - really like your blog! where did you get your wire baskets for your crafts?

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    1. Hi Lindjemp, thank you so much for stopping by. I got the wire baskets in my studio from Rubyrockcakes, I think she's on Facebook and Instagram, the wire bookcases came from a shop near where I live, but I know they do sell them on eBay. Hope that helps :) xxx

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