It Might Make a Good Tea Cosy...

When I'm not knitting (which is hardly ever), I sometimes sew, as detailed in this blog, and I sometimes even crochet. Now, I was taught to knit the traditional way - as a child, at my grandmother's knee - but as no one in my immediate family crocheted, I didn't learn how. Perhaps it's due to being a child in the 1970s, but I've always liked crochet, and was very excited as a much younger woman when it made a spectacular return in the early 1990s. However, I've always struggled with it. I follow how-to books when crocheting, and it really is no replacement for having someone show you how. I frequently get lost in patterns, and get very confused when increasing or decreasing, and sometimes have difficulty working out which is the right side of my work - I am used to being able to "read" my knitting easily, and staring at a piece of crochet wondering what is going wrong makes me feel very helpless!

I am slowly working my way through a basic book of crocheted patterns (Lena Maikon's Knitter's Lib) and recently tried my hand at a hat, with mixed results. I finished it, and got through the pattern, but it came out too big, and with rather obvious (and wobbly) joins at the beginning of each round. I haven't worn it.

However, in a pre-move clearout today I hesitated before putting it in a bag destined for donation. Maybe I can use it as a tea cosy....

On Wearing Shawls in Summer

The more shawls I knit, the more I realize how incredibly useful they are. Yesterday I spent the day in Baltimore, Maryland - a grittily industrial but still beautiful harbour city, full of amazing architcture and historic ships, including the famous Balitmore clippers. I took advantage of the many free offerings at the Visitor's Centre, including an afternoon walking tour of the city. Afternoons in Maryland in late June are pretty warm, and although I had a hat I wanted something to protect my shoulders and chest area as my tee shirt had a sweetheart neckline. My Really Simple Shawlette (search Ravelry for the pattern) was perfect, knitted in Noro Silk Garden Sock it kept me cool during the hot walk, and at the end of the day - no sunburn. It also drew many admiring comments from passers-by. A real success, so many thanks to the talented designer!

On wearing shawls in summer