Not your granny's doily

Well I never.



I've become a bit partial to a doily or two, since finding some in a charity shop a while back.

And then I saw this on t'internet and was inspired. A giant doily rug? Genius!



You know me by now- I do love some chunky yarn and a big hook, so I bought some lush Hoopla yarn from the lovely Stocki at Stockton Crafts and a mahooooousive 20mm (comedy) hook and got making.



Pattern from here. 
(What, I ask you, did we do before Ravelry?)



The Hoopla yarn is great fun and easy to work with (mine has some stretch to it) and as it's made from selvedges from the textile industry, eco-friendly too. It does have a few joins and isn't perfect, but that, I think, adds to its charm.



The only problem?



Ahem.
Mine is a leeeeetle bit too small. I only used about half the yarn!

Back to the drawing board, methinks with a slightly bigger doily pattern...

(...if anyone has any patterns they think would work, I'd love to know)

Have a happy, happy, happy New Year!
Xx

Woaaaaahhhh! Slow down, December.

Don't you realise that you are slipping away from me at light-speed?
I have not written Christmas cards, wrapped presents or baked Mince pies.
I have not organised things to keep the children happy over the holidays.
I have not made hand-made presents for the people I wanted to. 
I have not finished Christmas shopping.

And when did I last write a blog post or read everyone else's? 
Eons ago, it appears.



But December, I am being a little unfair, for you mark the anniversary of my beginnings.

It is a year ago that I decided I needed something to 'engage the grey matter' after giving up my beloved teaching to become a mummy.
So I learned to crochet.
Something I never really thought I'd be able to do (due to calamitous knitting attempts in the past) but learn I did.
I can't crochet anything really complicated, but I have mastered a few basics, explored a few cheats, and made stuff that people actually want to pay for, which amazes me completely.



And from those tentative beginnings a year ago, I am starting a little business selling the things I make. Nothing huge. Nothing much. Just some crochet and some little wooden blocks.


So there we are, December; I know that there are only 10 days to go and although I am panicking ever so slightly about getting it all done, I know that I will.

And most importantly, I have a wonderful Christmas with friends and family to look forward to.
And for these things, I am most glad.

Happy, happy Christmas to you all.
Xx