I conquered the Willow!

Yes, I did it, I managed to sort out where I was going wrong!

I started again, right from the begining, counted and re counted how may trebles I was supposed to have at the end of each round and it just went "click"

It was saying, 5ch then 1dc into 5th chain from hook. I was putting my hook into the 5th chain on the round, not the 5th from the hook!  PING

So as you can see, I finished the square!

And here is a detailed photo of my work!

And I finished off the evening with a Bright Flower Square

Doggy news

 I took her to the vets and even though the vet saw her walk, which is badly and I told her she was having trouble getting up the stairs, she said it was because the groomer had cut to close to her little bottom and it was sore, so she gave me some cream!

Well she's no better this morning - still having trouble with stairs, so I asked an online vet (cost $15) and he said that she might have slipped a disc or similar to bed rest is needed for a few days.

So that's what we will do and see if she improves, if not she's going to have to go back, but probably to a new vets!!

Not a good start to the week

Our little cocker spaniel Perdita, was a bit out of sorts this morning, off her food and walking funny, plus she was having trouble getting up one step, let alone the whole staircase to upstairs!

Perdie is on the left and Scooby is on the right

After a little while, I thought she might have pulled a muscle, so I felt her back legs gently in the hope that she would give me a sign, however I found a huge lump in her groin.

I immediately phoned the vets and have an appointment this afternoon, so I am fearing the worst.

I had a quick trip down the allotment (http://www.alithefrog.blogspot.com/) to put in my first earlies with a little help from our allotment angel, but came straight back home after as I was so worried about her.  She's settled down now with her little pig, who you can see in the middle of the bed!

Now, I have to declare that as far as my crochet is concerned, I am stumped on the Willow!!

This is the Arcadia, which was easy &

The Marigold was a joy to make

but

The Willow, which is only a level 2 pattern, has me stumped.

I have tried and tried 2 times now, getting as far as the middle flower petals, but I only end up with 3 and not 4!!  I have checked and double checked that I have the right amount of chain spaces etc. to continue, but it's not to be!

Could there be an error in the pattern?

I will give it another go and come back to you

Lots going on this week!

I am getting a bit lost on which ones I have and haven't made from the book, so that's a job for today

I started by joining another row of 9 squares, so the blanket now weighs a ton and is 9 by 10 squares!

I find it easier to do this job on floor level.  Fortunately I am lucky enough to be able to still get up from a floor sitting position without too much difficulty!

I had to buy a new wool called marble something, as the wool shop has run out of Cocoa and I only have 2 balls of that left - it's ok but it's not a 100% like from me.  I have made a few squares with this in, and I will have to dot them around

This one is called Christmas Rose and I loved putting this one together

This is Snowflake

A traditional granny incorporating the new wool

I think I have made this pattern before, but I have used different colours here

I can't remember the name of this square but I like the finished article.

I have crocheted a load more granny squares, but I didn't want to bore you with all their photo's.

It's raining again outside so the planned trip to the allotment will have to be put on hold - where's my crochet hook?

It's me, I'm back!

Hello everyone, sorry I have not posted for a few days, but I can assure you that I have been busy.

Since the weekend I have made another good start at the allotment http://www.alithefrog.blogspot.com/ and I have been crocheting too!

I did spend a lot of time joining this weekend, as I am now on to 9 squares by 9 squares so I thought I better knuckle down and get that job done.

I have also ordered another book on Crochet Flowers & I went shopping - yes I know - shock horror, I actually got in a car, got driven to Croydon and physically went into M&S to spend some of my £135 worth of vouchers!

So, I have been a busy bee.....

I am now trying to make a few "blocks" as mentioned in my last post...

However I cant' resist the round and rounds...

Or the Granny's

and Granny's are so easy to whizz up....

However sometimes you need a challenge!

Or two

Or three

and they do say that variety is the spice of life!

The Countryside.....

We took a little ride in the Countryside, we did.

We came across a large farm,

that raised little pigs!

I said "they're cute," and he agreed

'twas a lovely site we saw,

but we're not wanting, or indeed craving,

bacon sandwiches any more!!

2 weeks today.....

...Yes, it's been two weeks already, and I can't believe where the time has gone!

I have been so busy

• cooking
• cycling
• gardening
• leaf clearing
• allotment - ing (http://www.alithefrog.blogspot.com/)
• hospital appointments
• hairdressers
• food shopping
• cleaning
• dog walking &
• crocheting!!

Just to mention a few things!

Back to Crochet - I attempted a few squares last night and this is the result

I started with a simple granny square as there was something good on the T.V.

I then progressed to a difficultly level 2  This is called the Willow

This is called Patriotic and in the book it's in Red, White & Blue

Difficulty level 3

Then I decided to do a left to right square, not a round and round one (for a change)

I stupidly chose a difficulty rating of 3 which is not good to start with, but I made it to the end.

I must admit, I prefer the round and round ones, but I think I should start to make a few more

left to right ones.

The hardest crochet square yet....

The one that has pushed me to the top of my limits is the

Waterlilly

Difficulty rating 3 - yes 3!!

This one has been a challenge.

Rows 1 to 5 were fine, but adding the square to the back of the flower proved challenging.

Yes, this little flower in a square had me frustrated, confused, re reading the pattern, re reading the re read pattern, undo-ing a row, and another, re reading the pattern again and then it clicked into place!

Phew!!

I also spent alot of time joining squares yesterday (on top of digging etc. at the allotment see http://www.alithefrog.blogspot.com/) and my blanket is now 9 squares by 8 squares with another 7 ready to go!

Also, I received this FAB parcel of hearts yesterday.....

 

Which were intended for presents, but when I opened the parcel and peeled off the lovely tissue (very beautifully presented) and saw what was inside, i couldn't bear to part with them, so I have hung them around my house!

If you would like to see more beautifully made hearts, 

 go to

Crafts & Recipes from Allotment Heaven