Shawl finished!

 Quick demonstration of the size and the drape and all photos taken by hubbie who complained bitterly all the time...
It's achieved a  huge ''wingspan'' with the extra rows and increases and is still very light but soft and toasty.

 My arms are 155 cm from hand to hand so it's a bit bigger than that at the top end?

 At the front it doesn't meet unless you drape and fold over a shawl collar effect at the neckline.
It drapes over the shoulder and then down along the side of the body.

 The shawl collar effect is also nice and could be worn with a coat?

And here are some shots of the shawl itself, solo as it were but don;t look too closely as I did make a mistake when I was adding extra rows and it's not quite symmetrical...

I ordered and extra ball of the blue blue colourway and it was very different but I think it adds a nice bit of ''weight'' to the border at the hem?

Loving those pineapples! 

 
 And the triangle parts in between too.

Last look at the pineapple in striped form, the shawl was wrapped and given to Sister for her 50 year Golden Jubilee and she's renewing her vows this coming Sunday . Such a wonderful person and a great gift to music, the church and the community.

Bank Holiday Weekend Crochet

 http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rebel-lace-cardi

A quick crocheting update, this weekend started well with a gauge swatch for the Rebel cardigan
for which I show the picture above as well as the link to the pattern on Ravelry.
I am doing the Craftsy Class with this tutor and thus did a really proper swatch and washed and dried it too!



 I am using King Cole bamboo cotton in navy, a 15 mm knitting needle and a 3.5 mm hook here.

 And here is my swatch all washed and dried , only one mistake made and that is the dc( sc) row straight after the chain row, I forgot it and picked up loops straight away.

 Alas it turned out too loose and I haven;t worked the next swatch yet, the one without the mistake and using a 12 mm needle and 3 mm hook?

 I like the swatch though and can see myself making a sleeve for a lacy shrug or summer jacket with this stitch? The weekend started really well with two irresistable new crochet magazine issues on the stand ( but not for long!) and a cheery bunch of fresh flowers.

 Now I have resisted these for a few months now, esecially Simply Crochet as the patterns were just too simple and basic, I have had the prior issue of Inside Crochet though.

 This time I had fun looking through and saw at least 3 patterns I liked in each and the pins will come in really useful too.
Last week in a lunch break I saw a fun pattern online in ravelry pages that I just HAD to try: I need to make a present for Sister who is having her jubilee soon and what better than a ( prayer) shawl?
It's a fab free pattern called I promise you pineapples:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/i-promise-you-pineapples

Now I have always wanted to do those so I just started Sunday and COULD NOT STOP!
it's a highly  addictive wonderful pattern: could not put it down as In caught up with the Honourable Woman and the Village on BBC I-player?

 I'm using DROPS DELIGHT and a 5 mm hook and had to add extra rows to make it bigger?
This is what I did Sunday ? After I'd been to Stonor Park- more of that on a later post.

 Then today I picked it up and just kept going and going.... It's even bigger now- no photo yet- and weighs over 156g. I'm using blue-mix and beige-blue mix colours.

 And although not shown I have worked all but the last row of the pineapples now, they are really easy to do!

 I have run out of wool with only 2-3 rows left to do, but I will also add an edging to the top edge for a nicer finish so have ordered some more today?

 SUCH FUN! Do have a go as the pattern is free and really well written?

Divine Devon Delights

This  will be part 1 a quick snapshot of a wonderful week in Devon...

 
We'd had a great June and July and I was already browner than I have been in years, all UK sunshine.
 
 I took along this project:| a mini granny square border as a yoke for a sleeveless tank top to wear in all the very hot weather?

 And a fabulous batch of cotton to make a picnic blanket with?

 Stonehenge from a very slowly moving car, this 'cost me an hour delay''.

 Impressive queues both directions... WOW those clouds!

 Arriving at an impressive hallway!

 AAAAAAH: THE VIEW!

 Especially also from the bedroom: an amazing view!

 And  a scary balcony built into the side of cliffs:

 Safer on the balcony outside the bedroom, you can see Paignton beach and an owl rocking chair.

 Lovely large patio and of course the sunshine was a bonus.

 As well as the view!!!!!!!

Those amazing RED cliffs of Devon.

Resin Update with actual pieces!

 So many weeks ago now I drove back the second day to Winchcombe in the brilliant sunshine!

 I was early so I stopped and took a few more photos on the way: it's so beautiful?

 We were taught how to make a resin bangle using a custom mould made by Rachel.

 This below is my bangle when I'm ''doming '' the back part after sanding it smooth?

 And I was ''doming'' my red resin discs made in the base of cupcake silicon moulds too.

 These are some fabulous inspirational discs by the tutor:very sparkly?

And these are those two red discs completed:

 With some holes drilled in to enable me to link them into a 3 disc necklace.

 The back again: so very glossy!

I also made this doughnut pendant with cut elastic bands within, to be hung from a colourful leather or suede cord and finished with fittings or moveable knotting closures to make a nice necklace

 I had a mishap with the doming resin on the back, some ran off and stuck to the front so I had to sand it all off and smooth again, but it left a dull finish, very matt. So then I had a lot of polishing to do.

 This is my red pendant, again I had a problem with doming resin leaking and spoiling the previously perfect disc, so I have sanded the worst of it away and then spent hours polishing?

And this is my BLUE version'' under the sea'' I call it and this too suffered a doming resin mishap....

 I made a very dark blue resin bangle, I really wanted a clear buttons bangle or some-such but that was too advanced and needed more time as it would be layers so we did a colour and added things....
As you can see I added'' a few sprinkles'' of pearly WHITE sequin waste but they turned very green and sank to one side, apart from being too numerous also?AAAAAAAAAAH!

 The other side had a little overflow and some silver snippets that got lost.
I did like adding the silvery paint mix though which added a cloudy swirly effect at the edges, very subtle.

 Can you see? I'm also so very happy as it's the first such bangle that has fitted me in many many years!
I have very slim tiny wrists: this 6 cm diameter is simply perfick.

 LOVE love love it as long as you can;t see that sparkly sequin side....

 Holding up to the sky to show the deep blue transparency?

 Yay! Happy with the red resin circle on my thick silver snake chain. And so very happy with the tan too!
It's been such a blissful summer thus far with many many sunny and very HOT days? And those balmy nights when you can walk after 10 pm with warm air whispering on bare shoulders?

 This Lapis is till my favourite but a little conservative and conventional?

 So this would be the ''under the sea'' one:

 Needs a turquoise top or dress as it's not navy or even royal blue.

Lookin' OKAY , yes very happy with these project items.
Can't wait to do lots more : mainly clear but it's too hot at the moment I believe AND I have an assignment to write and submit!