On hold

I'm going to have to put my personal craft blog on hold for a little to devote time to helping out Nimblefingers, the needlecraft and yarn store where I teach crochet, with their social media. I'm really excited about being given the opportunity to do this! 

You can still follow me on twitter @craftyescapism or find my mainly crochet related boards on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/craftyescapism/

Or even Like Nimblefingers TX Facebook page to see what I'm posting there.

http://www.facebook.com/Nimblefingerstx

Love crochet stripes

Enjoying making this diagonal striped crochet bag adapted from a pattern in Molla Mills' Modern Crochet book. Using stash yarn and hoping I have enough!

Yay Mollie Makes

Only one crochet pattern but it's a cute one - breakfast-themed scarf and mittens by Twinkie Chan.

Bright crochet bracelets

Just love trying out different colors with these bracelets. Love ByClaire's work and have downloaded her App (in English) which has three patterns in equally gorgeous hues. Bracelets are perfect for my beginners kids' class. Pattern is here:

http://hakenenmeer.blogspot.nl/2013/06/tutorial-armbandje.html

Quiet day crocheting

Have actually got around to blocking the granny square blanket. I'm not sure I have used enough steam. We'll see when I unpin it!

Finishing off border

One of my students asked me to finish off a baby blanket for her third grandchild due this Wednesday.  It's a four row crochet ribbon border - rows 1 & 4 single crochet. Row 2 & 3 - a shell pattern of 5 dc and sc. It's rather pretty! We didnt want too big a gap for little fingers to get in!

Spot the pumpkins

Spot my crochet pumpkin garland up in the yarn store. Interest in my Friday workshop session is growing. It takes a little time!

Coozie

One of my friends wanted to crochet a coozie so made this one this evening. It's crochet in the round with double, single and half double crochet stitches. Amazingly it doesn't fall off but I think using cotton was a mistake last time. It's doesn't have enough "give". I like this!

Simply Crochet

Look what arrived in the mail from the UK. Love Simply Crochet! What a super evening read!

Pumpkin samples

My pumpkin crochet coasters and garland were very much admired and found out the yarn store Facebook post has had 502 views.

Link crochet necklace

Making these crochet chain links, from my new book Modern Crochet, is seriously addictive. This is a gift for my mum's birthday.

Regular teaching gig

Will be at Nimblefingers on Memorial Dr, Houston every Friday afternoon 1-3pm. First student wanted help putting a crochet ribbon edging on her knitted baby blanket. My photo, posted on the store's Facebook page is getting some interest.  Loved it!

Another owl

My daughter wanted an owl for her bag. Realized the pattern I posted didn't match owl one. There is evidently more than one cute crochet owl pattern on the web! My modification is single crochet black edge which makes it stand out more. I do love their silly misshapen googly eyes!

Owls rule

Made this cute owl to brighten up a dull bag. You won't believe the number of compliments I've had. People love owls and it was my school emblem.  Love a super quick decorative hooky project.

Pattern came from Love the Blue Bird blog 

http://lovethebluebird.blogspot.com/2012/02/crochet-owl-pattern.html

DD has requested a purple one for her rucksack.

Pumpkins for Fall

Teaching Friday afternoons at my local yarn store now. Making what else...pumpkin samples for the yarn store...with some of their fine yarn. It is Fall after all! 

The pumpkin coaster pattern came from Crochet by Monet's blog. The shape of the pumpkin is very pleasing to me! http://crochetbymonet.blogspot.com/2012/09/crochet-pumpkin-coasters-pattern.html

I modified the pattern to make teeny pumpkins for a garland. Used a size 4.5mm hook and omitted round 3. I also used a magic ring instead of the chain 5 to start for both pumpkins.

Yarn is the very luxurious Cascade Yarns Venezia Worsted 70% Merino Wool 30% Silk. Decadent pumpkins!

First student

My first student sent this to me - her first ever crochet baby blanket.  Its brilliant. So proud of her!