The weather keeps luring us in to a false sense of security here in the UK, it'll be bitterly cold for a day or two, and then, like today, it'll be practically spring like in the sunshine.  As a compulsive wool wearer, I literally love to find any excuse to have a snood/scarf/shawl about my person, but with the changing temperature, you need to pick your woollen, neck wear carefully.

For me, an infinity scarf is the perfect accompaniment, looped over a couple of times when the cold winds blow, or loose and hanging when the sun is shining.  And you know me by now, if I can get a bit of inspiration for a make from the hedgerows of Sussex, then I will!  So when I came across Noro's Hakone from Laughing Hens it seemed the ideal culprit for a little, sloe inspired infinity scarf.

I've used Noro yarn before, and I really love the way they variegate their yarn - the colours change form one end, to the middle and then back again, none of this stripy style, repeat, it feels much more natural than that.  They're a company that's close to my heart as they believe in using natural materials rather than acrylics and chemicals, this particular blend is all wool, but they also do amazing things with silks, mohair and alpaca.

As soon as it arrived I knew it was destined to be a one skein infinity scarf, but as soon as I'd finished it, Mr.Steel pinched it to go with his tweed jacket, and I literally haven't seen it since.  They do look beautiful together though (the tweed and the scarf, not the husband!  Although I think he's alright too).  And the natural, sloe coloured tones in the Noro made it feel perfect to be named the 'One Skein Sloe Gin' scarf.

 

(The blur in this pic is actually because the texture of the wool is so soft  - you can see it in contrast to the hook, it's just lovely!)

You can find the Noro Hakon at Laughing Hen's website, and the pattern for this infinity scarf in my shop.  (And if you're feeling generous you could make it for your husband, and that is quite a big if...)

Hurrah for the final arrival of the frost!  Hurrah for the autumn and wrapping up warm!  Hurrah for massive scarves and the excuse to cover yourself in a blanket ALL day!

Yes, I do properly love autumn.  Somehow I find the colours and the crisp air extremely energising.  Summer leaves me sluggish and horribly blaaahhh, where as autumn just brings out the sparkle in everything.  It is also the perfect time to dig out the winter-wear case, find all the hats, mittens and scarves (a LOT).  Some things are old favourites and I 'll wear year after year, but trends will also change, ideas will be inspired, and sometimes you don't need much of an excuse to whip out the ole hook and get makin' somethin' new.

This year I've just wanted to feel like I'm wrapped up in a blanket all of the time, I also wanted something that felt super comforting.   Although I'm not a great one for the humble granny square, it just seemed like the perfect candidate for a super cosy, cuddly blanket scarf.  Then the stars aligned and the gorgeous Yarn Master (true story) at HobbyCraft got in touch to ask if I'd like to make a pattern using some of their wool.  Being a regular browser of their WI range I instantly knew what I wanted to do.  A blanket shawl in their chunky yarns, in grey and neon pink.  I instantly said 'yes!' and had it made in 4 hours flat.

The pattern will be totally free for you to get next week, from the HobbyCraft website.

I literally haven't taken it off (I'm in it write now, typing this, with the cat on my lap and the rain outside, it's ace), and my bestie has been coveting it so much, that I've made her one too.  So that we don't look too creepily the same - we already have the same jacket, jeans and shoes - I've made one in her favourite colours, gold & green.  You can find the pattern for this guy in my shop, he uses different yarn, hook and has a different edge, so you can pick and choose which one works best for you.

We're firmly in the grips of autumn here in the UK, and you know I tend to prefer to write seasonal posts, but today I have to make an excepetion.

One of the awesome things about designing crochet patterns, is that you often get given a brief that'll send your brain down avenues it may not have considered before.  When Now Crochet magazine got in touch, and asked for a collection of bright, bold chunky patterns, I'd tentatively proposed a big ole doiley rug, but as I was sat making it, it wasn't lighting me on fire.

For some reason, Brain then happily trotted off down a new route, and ended up at Geometric Pineapple Place.  I completely fell in love with the idea, and you know that when you love something, that other people will too.  I busily set too, and this was the finished piece, a super cool, bold, pineapple rug using ribbon tape.

For those of you that missed the chunky Now Crochet issue, I've now listed this pattern at Etsy & LoveCrochet, so you too an visit Geometric Pineapple Place!

 I know there are still three weeks to go, but now I've got my wreath all ready I can get to work on the costumes!  This is actually a deceptively simple design.  If you can work a basic increase in crochet, then you can make all the elements on here.  Add a few pompoms and a tassle and you're done!

Do you remember those cardboard candy skull decorations I made last year?  Well THIS year I thought I'd step it up a notch, and sticking with the Day of the Dead theme for Halloween, have started work on a crochet-candy-skull-pink-pom-pom garland!

When it's finished I'll put completed pics and things on here, and add any other instructions that you may need.

Here comes Halloween!

I know I said I was only going to post once a month, but such yarny beauty has fallen through my door, that I just couldn't help it!

I know I have a ridiculous amount of crochet work on.  I know I have to do my tax returns (*strangled gargle*).  I know that I haven't hoovered the house for at least a week.  But as soon as I opened this package I had to take a quick tea break amidst the woolly chaos, and have a quick play.

I feel very, very lucky that I get the opportunity to play with such beautiful yarn.  When I first started out it was DK acrylic, £1.99 all the way.  But the more I've learned, and the more opportunity I've had to experiment with different materials, the more I appreciate and value good quality yarns.  The Bad Boys in my WAK pack are merino, and they are so super soft.  We Are Knitters is also the single most stylish and badass yarn brand.  They SO know what they're doing when it comes to styling, and they certainly don't scrimp when it comes to yarn quality either.

So although I'm up to my eyes in wool and chaos, I've still had to work up a quick sketch for the Bad Boys, for a simple, fairisle capelet, that I will hopefiully get time to crochet before it gets too cold.

I started this blog as a way of charting and sharing my adventure into the unknown realms of trying to make it as a crochet professional.  It's been over 18 months since I took the plunge, and in the beginning I didn't think it could possibly work.  But it's been incredible.

My top tips if you're thinking of doing this yourself?

1. Sell the things that let other make - get the guts up to write those patterns and get them online, making things will never be worth your time!

2. Get your online presence sorted - blog/instagram/youtube you name it, get on it.

3. Don't be afraid! - approach those magazines, ask people if they want to collaborate, he worst you will hear is 'no'.

4. Things take time - it won't happen all at once, give yourself a break and let it grow on its own.

The only thing is, I now have so much work and so many commissions, I have very little time for blogging!  I will try and keep on top of it, but right now, I'm going to commit to posting once a month, in the mean time you can keep up to date with me over on instagram.

In the meantime, here's a sneaky peek of my new book, out on 20th of Septmeber ;) xxx