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Friday 25 July 2014

Weeks 29 & 30 My Students TALENT + more

This is the lovely BP (who's quite a celebrity name dropper) who is totally hooked.  I did blog about the start of her cushion a few weeks back.  She wasn't happy with her stitching, as I had pointed out a little something to her, so she unpicked it ALL and started again.  
However, can you see the Granny Square cushion on the table?  She's made 2 cushions!! WOW


 This pot cover is made from cotton and is by one of my Shaftesbury pupils

Via email from a student of mine GW, are these fabulous "Picnic" stones


And L has been making this summer cardigan in 4 ply.  Its amazing, considering she couldn't crochet 8 weeks ago.  I was so WOWED by it that I whipped off my Serena Kaftan (from the dummy that is) and placed this piece of wonder on it instead


Back to Shaftesbury, where I teach at Sparrow UK

L made me this bookmark in DMC Petra.  It takes pride of place in my favourite Crochet Book by DK publishing & the pattern is by the one and only Claire Montgomerie!


Here's BP again, showing off her new hat.  She combined 2 patterns from my book Crochet for Beginners who want to Improve   She made the beanie hat using one pattern and then the flower from another and voila!


I have had this book for a while now and I have been meaning to make something from it from the moment I bought it.  It's terribly well written & you can see that a lot of hard work has gone into the pattern writing (there are some symbols charts - hooray) and the photography.  


Click here for the link

I really do need some "me" Crochet time to do all the projects that I want to do.  When I do get it, the question is - which keyring or charm do I make first??

Back to school & more from Shaftesbury

Another pupil made me this lovely pin cushion.  A pattern from a recent Inside Crochet magazine


And another made this lovely Elephant.  The original pattern came as part of a kit with some lovely Alpaca wool.  I suggested that she practiced first with anything chunky as she hadn't crocheted "amigurumi" style before & this is the result


I found this picture in my stash - my flowers for my bike basket! Cute? YAY!


Another pose by Elephant


This is the lampshade I made at a course at Sparrow in Shaftesbury.  It was strange being the pupil and not the teacher!


Now here's talent by The Dorset Finca


And a Mandala by another lady in the same class


The summer cardigan again but from a different angle


My Ripples Blanket - Mmmmm why is this photo here?  I'll have to come back to you on that! 


Ah! Cushion 2 is on display by BP


My left foot in a flip flop with my Triangle a day blanket laid out in the front courtyard - it's now at 200!


Have YOU got the latest copy of Let's Get Crafting Knitting and CROCHET?


Amongst many other great patterns by some FAB designers like Lynne Rowe (Comforter Blanket bottom left) and Tracey Todhunter (Hippo Pillow top left) are my Baby Booties





Aren't they just adorable?  What a fantastic gift they would make!
Buy your copy now!!

And finally

I took a 3 hour "Improvers" class on Thursday

It was a really great 3 hours of Crochet with so many different projects going on


This Tea Cosy from Inside Crochet Magazine is looking FAB!  Leaves needed to be added for that "finishing touch"

Also from Inside Crochet....


Is Ms. Clarice


Who needed help with her ruffly tail feathers

They turned out well and she looks fab

Next is Boodles Yarn and a 12mm hook!


Ah! Ms. Clarice again with crochet action


More T Shirt yarn and a 10mm hook which squeaked when the yarn was worked - D is going to get an aluminium one.


This is S with her amazing blanket WIP



And CF with her multi stripey blanket.  She's decided to crab stitch the edges & work the tail ends in at the same time


In the meantime, I have been busy working on more commissions which are currently taking up ALL of my spare time.

Back to my hook then!








Friday 11 July 2014

Weeks 26 to 28 Crochet Chillin'



Hi there, I know I didn't post last week, but I did warn you in Week 25 that I would be winding down for the summer!!

So I have!

I am only teaching on Tuesdays now - Mornings from home & in the Evenings from Sparrow UK in Shaftesbury


I was amazed to see that 2 of my pupils picked exactly the same pattern to work on but in 2 totally different colourways!



I was thrilled to learn that one pupil had translated a pattern from US to UK crochet & another had made a start on a garment using this fan stitch pattern


I played around with an "app" and make a photo globe for Crochet in June which was well like on instagram (follow me Crochet_Ali)



Have you come across this photo before? 



Or this one of a guy on the London Tube? 



I made the most of the sunshine & spent some time in the front courtyard, enjoying the sun

with my crochet hook to hand!

My jayGo tuition must have gone well last week


Just look at the fab results


The wonderful colours


and the sheer brilliance of this excellent method of joining squares


A lady called me today.  She want's to sign up for one of my workshops in September, however the thing that made me smile is what she said "Hello, is thatAli? I am a big fan of yours"  I obviously beamed.  She then went on to tell me that she's making my rainbow sweater from issue 48 of Inside Crochet magazine!!  
I beamed some more!

Here is my Triangle a Day blanket so far.

I am pleased to say


That I am up to date with 192 triangles for day 192 (today) although I have a few blanket WIP's


My great student PD came to class today and showed me her Blanket WIP


I love it!

And now for a little humour....

"I don't understand my wife's addiction"


And a little male nudity...............................


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You have been warned!








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