Pretty deliveries of Tilda yarn

When shipping Tilda yarn orders all around the world, I truly enjoy making each and every envelope a pretty surprise. The shipment contents - Tilda yarn in all kinds of different color combinations - stands tall and pretty on its own and doesn't need much more than a safe plastic bag to protect the yarn from damage, a cute post card with a personal message and some business cards for the receiver. But the outside...

A bubble wrap envelope is not so sexy on its own but with help from some gorgeous Washi Tape, a My Rose Valley sticker or business card and sometimes even a crochet accessory, cute flower sticker or hand drawn doodle,  it certainly shows that this delivery is pretty not just on the inside but also on the outside. I am a girl of simplicity and think less is more so this way of pimping these envelopes takes just about the right time, effort and cost that I can afford.

I'm now running out of both Tilda yarn and Washi tape and I am looking forward to go on a shopping spree online to add some more gift wrap pretties for future deliveries. Maybe some lace ribbons or cute lace stickers will do. And of course, a large new order of Tilda yarn is to be placed to stock up my shop for spring time. This year Svarta Fåret offers a Special Edition of a handful of new colors... I will do my best to get my hands on some.  More about this later on.

Business cards and stickers ordered from Moo.
Crochet rose pattern from Apple Blossom Dream to purchase here.
Tilda yarn can be purchased in my Yarn Shop.

Kärlek
Annette

Family rules

Family rules... We try our best to stick by SOME rules in this house. I have to admit that I have never been that type of parent who knew, before having kids, what I expected or wanted out of my children. I would guess I threw myself into motherhood with only a few guidelines in my head - Love, Care, Nurture, Protect and Teach. And - yes - keep my child somewhat clean but still letting him/her get dirty at play.

I am the sort of parent who is "wingin' it" most of the time with temporary efforts on making Chores Charts, Star Charts, Responsibility Lists, Rules Lists... All handwritten lists that I have put up on the fridge through the years. Lists that no one would read or notice more than me. Lists that would be forgotten in less then a day or two as we have a tendency to quickly fall back into bad habits and the chaos that a family of 5 brings on a daily basis. I know. It is my own fault. I just don't have the energy it takes to follow through. There you have it. I'm far from perfect.

So when I saw this sign before Christmas it spoke to me in a second. It was that type of "Saw it - Loved it - Bought it" moments. It was my gift to our family, and maybe I love it more than anyone else but at least this Family Rules list is cool, fun and pretty.

I thought that maybe this sign will help me to relax a little bit more in my mothering and stop being so incredibly serious at all times (You know the: "Have you done your homework for today?",  Did you shower yet?, Have you cleaned your room this week? Pick up your socks please? Please move your school bag, shoes and jacket from the floor?, No more snacks, we are having dinner in an hour. etc...). I so wish I could lighten up a bit.

Laugh Out Loud more, Know I Am Loved, Be More Happy and Try New Things instead of being so strict to routines. Our family has always had unspoken rules and more or less we have followed them. But there are times when it feels kind of nice to be able to point at this sign and say:
"Listen. Instead of making fun of your brother/sister maybe you should help him/her. You see here? It is a part of the family rules - Help Each Other. I help you. Maybe you can help someone too."

Sounds good, right? In real life this doesn't happen very often, but I certainly don't regret this purchase. I love the Family Rules sign, I am aiming to use it like I have quoted it above and I am hoping it will subconsciously be printed into my kids brains. Call it brain washing with a good purpose. And maybe they will remember this sign and all the rules one day when they are preparing themselves to have their own children... That would be a great accomplishment. That would make me feel good. A mother can always try...


Kärlek
Annette

Breakfast in blue

Tilda yarn from bottom left:
Light yellow No 033, Creamy white No 005, Dark green No 086, Denim No 071, Bright blue No 070, Chalk blue No 562.

A zebra blue Primrose in a second hand blue and white pot, Dutch style,  decorates my table. I have my breakfast tea, with half a spoon of sugar, in a blue and white thrifted tea cup, British style... one of my most favorite cups.

Rice Crispies and milk with a handfull of fresh blueberries is served in a blue and white bowl from Åhléns in Sweden. All nicely put on a hand sewn round place mat with lace edging.

I stir my tea with a silver spoon borrowed from the man in the house... A Christmas stocking filler bought at Milk & Honey Luxuries on Etsy.

I am flicking through a Swedish book with Scandinavian/French deco ideas...My roots... Every photo feels so familiar and comfortable to me.

It is a breakfast in blue today. Blue as in the color, not the mood. The mood is rather happy in pink.
This is luxury.

NOTE:
Tilda Yarn inspired by this post:
Light yellow No 033
Creamy white No 005
Dark green No 086
Denim No 071
Bright blue No 070
Chalk blue No 562

Purchase Tilda yarn in my Yarn Shop.


Kärlek
Annette

Some cut off ends...

Some cut off ends in pretty colors.
Makes me happy.
Some cut off ends of smooth cotton.
I can't throw them away.
Some yarn scraps in a pile.
Speaks to so many.
You want to touch it.
You don't want to take your eyes of it.
You want to have it.
Collect it.
In a jar maybe.
Use as stuffing.
Fill a bird feeder with scraps for spring birds to build colorful nests.
Someone said, bring them to school for the kids to craft with.
Someone else made a yarn bowl.
I just look it at it.
For now.
Feeling happy and warm inside.
Sighing out loud.
Cutting some or ends.
The pile is growing.
Only you get this.
And me.
Some cut off threads in pretty colors really are very special.

Kärlek
Annette

Crochet Edging Tutorial

Today I am sharing a tutorial on the Pants Crochet Edging I did recently on Emmy Bo's outgrown pants. I am thrilled to hear so many of you were inspired to do something like this on your own clothes as well as your children's. Some of the suggestions were:
♥ Summer dressed
♥ Jeans shorts
♥ Too short skirts
♥ Outgrown T-shirts
♥ Old coats
♥ Curtains
♥ Your own jeans
♥ Tank tops

Crochet edging on pretty much anything imaginable. What a wonderful crochet world we will live in when everyone start making their own Crochet First Aid to all those boring, outgrown clothes we have at home. Recycling in its best manner, right? So lets get started.

You will need:
♥ Crochet hook suitable to your yarn (I am using 2,5 mm/2-C US)
♥ Sport weight cotton yarn (I am using Tilda from Svarta Fåret - purchase here.)
♥ Large eye needle with a sharp tip
♥ Scissors

FOUNDATION
The foundation is the most important part and that is the Blanket Stitch around the area that will have the edging. I suggest you do this with a DOUBLE thread for a stronger base. I did it with a single thread and I am sorry to say it has already broken in a couple of places as my Emmy Bo is a wild one...

1. Double thread your sharp tip needle with a loooooong piece of yarn in your chosen colour. Make a knot at the end and start on the inside of the double seam of the pants leg. This makes for a good secure start.

2. Start your first stitch by sticking your needle through at the fold-up seam from the back to the front.

3. Now repeat another stitch from back to front (you can also do this from front to back but stay with your choice) about 3/4 inch/1 cm away working from your left to the right if you are right handed, from right to left if you are left handed.

4. When at the front, lead the needle underneath the previous stitch and pull carefully upwards until stitch is tight (not too tight!!!).

5. Repeat making stitches all the way around with approx. 3/4 inch/1cm in between.

6. When you come to the end it is time to close the row. You do this by leading your needle through the first stitch from the back...

7. ... pull through your yarn...

8. ... and tighten. 

9. Secure your stitch on the back where you started. I secured it on the inside of the double seam. Now you have your foundation.

CROCHET EDGING
Here comes the fun part. You can of course alternate your own crochet edging with different stitches to make it longer or shorter, more or less open, solid or multi colored etc.

ABBREVATIONS UK
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch  
dc - double crochet (sc - single crochet US) 
htr - half treble (hdc - half double US) 
tr - treble (dc - double crochet US) 
rep - repeat
 
Row 1: Start in any space and join color of choice. Ch1 and make 3dc (UK)/sc (US) in every space until end of row. Sl st in first ch to close row.

Row 2: Continue with same color. Ch3 (counts as first htr (UK)/hdc (US) + 1ch), skip 1 st, [htr (UK)/hdc (US) in next st - ch1, skip 1 st] rep [ ] until end of row. Sl st in 2nd ch of first 3ch to close row. Fasten off.

Row 3: Join new color in any 1ch-space. Ch2 (counts as first dc (UK)/sc (US) +  ch), skip 1 st, [1dc (UK)/sc (US) in next st - ch1, skip 1 st] rep [ ] until end of row. Sl st in first ch to close row. Fasten off.

Row 4: Join new color in any 1ch-space. [Ch4 - skip 3 sts - sl st in next st (1ch space)] rep [ ] until end of row. Sl st in first ch.

Row 5: Continue with the same color. Sl st in 4ch-space - ch4 -sl st in next 4ch-space] rep [ ] until end of row. Sl st in first st to close row.

Row 6: Continue with same color. Sl st in 4ch-space - ch1, 3 dc (UK)/ sc (US) around 4ch-space. [4dc (UK)/ sc (US) around 4ch-space] rep [ ] until end of row. Sl st in first ch to close row. Fasten off.

Row 7: Join new color in any space between 4 dc (UK)/sc (US) around 4ch-space in previous row. [Ch1, dc (UK)/sc (US) in follow 2 sts - 1 dc(UK)/sc (US) in space between the 4 dc (UK)/sc (US) around 4ch-space in previous row] rep [ ] until end of row.  

Row 8: Continue with the same color. Turn your work so that you work from the back side of your work. Make a [5tr (UK)/dc (US)-bobble, dc (UK)/sc (US) in next st - 5tr (UK)/dc (US)-bobble, dc (UK)/sc (US) in next st] rep [ ] until end of row. Sl st to close row.

HOW TO MAKE A BOBBLE: Instead of finishing your tr (UK)/dc (US) you only half finish your stitches and keep the loops on your hook. So, make 5 half finished tr (UK)/dc (US) in same stitch (6 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 6 loops. Tighten your stitch.  Secure with a dc (UK)/sc (US) in next st. See great video tutorial here: The Bobble Stitch.
 
9. This is how the bobble will look on the front side of your garment. Enjoy playing with crochet edgings on anything imaginable.



Kärlek
Annette 

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Happy Colourful Friday

I want to do something different and put my hook down for a bit. Maybe this pile of colorful fabric can do it for me. Time will tell... Happy Colourful Friday!

Kärlek
Annette

Valentine's Crochet Workshop

This Wednesday and Thursday I am having the doors open for DROP IN crochet at Spice Your Life in Bassins. What a great opportunity to some hooky time and joyful shopping at the same time. I couldn't have  my classes in any better place that this beautiful Gift and Home Ware shop. I will have Tilda yarn for sale on the spot as well. Come and squeeze and sigh, pick and buy...

I am looking forward to guide you through my free Sweet Heart pattern to make appliques for Valentine cards, gifts or maybe even a decorative Hearty Garland or Hearts On A String to decorate your home with.

Tonight I think I will make some Sweet Hearts here at home... I am thinking Hearts On A String for every one of my children to put on their door handles. Choosing their favorite colors... I better get going.

For more information on the Valentine's Crochet Workshop, visit my Workshop page. Hope to see you there.

Kärlek
Annette

Pants... they are too short Mama!

She has grown at least a couple of inches lately. The favorite pants were ready for the recycle bin... But I came up with another idea that became a huge success. The pants are slowly falling apart, getting holes here and there, but I think we will manage until spring time. Tutorial on How To Make A Pants Crochet Edging will follow.

Kärlek
Annette

Friends Forever

I miss being with friends I can let down my guard with.
I miss being with girls I know inside and out.
I miss being with a person who gets where I'm from and totally understands it.
I miss being with a good friend in silence just feeling comfortable without words.
I miss girly chats and giggles and plain silliness.
I miss cocktail and dancing nights in good company with the party hat on.
I miss exaggerated dramatic stories and analysis about everyone else... Just not us...
I miss coffee talks and simple shopping walks with a best friend.
I miss having that person I can call whenever in good and bad times.

It can be a lonely business leaving your roots, family and friends behind to live a life abroad with the one you love and the family you created...
It can be difficult to find that natural bond that you have with the friends from the past.
It can be challenging to let people in, once you have a family and a grown up life to lead and live...

I so miss having a simple and good friend around actually. I didn't realize until all my old girl friends came down to visit. As much as we have changed through the years, grown a part and finding each other again, we are somehow all the same when leaving all the family business and responsibilities behind becoming just us girls again. I love you all girls. Lets do it again soon. We rock the world when we are together.

Kärlek
Annette

Crochet gift wrapping

Why not use crochet applique when wrapping gifts? A Maybelle Flower and a Sweet Heart together with some lace washi tape made all the difference in the world for my friends little birthday gift. Gift wrap from IKEA. And the contents? A sweet pinky floral kitchen set from IKEA. Time to spring pimp her Cornwall Country Style kitchen. I think I will buy myself a set of these too. What is not to love about IKEA?

Kärlek
Annette

PS This is NOT a sponsored post.
PS 2 I WISH it was a sponsored post.
PS 3 But truly, I DON'T DO sponsored posts.

Nordic Shawl Give Away

Just popping in quickly this morning to let you know that Annmarie over at Annemarie's Haakblog is having a Nordic Shawl pattern Give Away. I met Annmarie at CreJJtion's Create & Date event in Amsterdam last summer and she is a very talented crochet artist who has made a number of books and patterns herself. I am honored that she has asked me to give away one of my patterns to her readers.

Pop over and take your chance to receive the pattern for free. The Give Away is open until Tuesday when the winner will be drawn.

Kärlek
Annette

Lacy crochet squares

Photos: www.knitpicks.com

For Christmas I was gifted the wonderful "Granny Square Book" by Margaret Hubert. A book I couldn't get enough of flicking the pages back and forth and wanting to try out a number of squares... The book is very well executed with diagrams and written patterns, pictures and basics for the beginner. It has all the user friendly things needed without being too much or too little. And it has a ring back which makes it easier to open a spread when working on a pattern.

I tried out some squares in delicate pastels and they came out beautiful. But still I wanted something more... So, I have designed my very own new lacy square for my special project. It starts with a popcorn flower in the middle... More will be shown when the pattern for it is written.

I am loving it and more new crochet square ideas has popped up in my head since making this particular one... I seldom crochet after patterns but when I do I realize how it opens up for new ideas when learning new shaping and stitch techniques. I would encourage any crocheter to at least every now and then just give a small block pattern a go, or a doily, just to discover something new in the art of crochet.IT helps you grow within your skills because as much as we all love the traditional granny square, we just sometimes want something... different. Step out of your comfort zone and make something lacy and challenging. I am sure you will get hooked all over again.

Kärlek
Annette