What's up Buttercup?

I wanted to make a selection of cards with buttercups. But rather than just the standard cards that I've made, I was looking to do some cards with text phrases and that little bit more decor.

I had bought a small pad of decorative papers, picked up a multi pack of crepe papers and some other random bits in the last 2 weeks.  Hoping that I would find a use for it all.  Of course some always turn out to be your favourite and you tend to use them up first, with the least attractive put away and forgotten about.

These are not yet available for sale as I have to finish the range, I'm only halfway through.  Unfortunately my brain is in overdrive with ideas on what to do next.  I hope you like them and some of these are now stocked in my Etsy store. (link in the website list, bottom left of blog).

Not a Night Owl

To say I had a late night watching movies with the Mr, is not something that comes from me very often.   However that's what we did the other night and then I popped off to bed, looking for a deep sleep.  Ha, said my body, that's what you think! As it rudely awoke me 3 hours later and gave me pains that probably equal childbirth (I had a C section so have to guess).  At this point, you come to your senses really fast and grab your strongest prescription pain killers, take 2 and a muscle relaxant, then proceed with the breathing exercises and a hot water bottle attached to you.  After about 20 -30 mins all the meds kick in.

Now most people would lay back down and try to get some sleep, after all it's only 5:30 am!  But I think I was sort of in body shock, which in turn sent my brain into overdrive (again)!  I ended up with a cup of tea at my crafting desk.  Yup I think I can make cards in my sleep deprived state ~ turns out I can....... 🤒🙄😂

A set of six mini note cards with manilla envelopes. Light pink card, cerise crepe paper, pink & wine ribbon, with Owl ribbon on top.  I'm pretty certain there was more glue on my fingers than the cards.  I also put the left overs on the back using crepe hearts and the shimmer gauze ribbon.  Except one, which got a band of crepe like the front, well that was bound to happen in my zoned out state.  The only thing that surprises me, is that it was only on one! 🦉🃏🎀

Cabled beanie hats

Mum gave me a hank of handspun Scottish sheep yarn.  I had planned to felt it, but it refused to felt shrink or anything at 90 degrees.   It's not like the sheeps fleece is tropical, of course it may have been treated.  However it didn't feel like it was, it smelled of pure wool and has the course texture to boot.  It irritates my skin, so what the heck?

I had to come up with something so I worked the cable of a previous sweater, which I'm pretty sure I've done before.  Joined it with kitchener stitch, well my attempt to create the invisible join.

I then picked up and worked in the round on DPNs, decreasing every other row until I thought enough were worked.  Then decreased every row and finishing off by threading the yarn through the remaining few stitches.  It's driven my skin nuts, but was worth it.  It will make a great winter hat for someone and is available to buy in my Etsy store 

I also started a second one from a vogue knitting pattern, although I thought the instructions wrong and changed the chart order to mirror the first half.  I worked in the round, rather than one 2 needles like it asked.  I'm not a fan of seams in hats, so the less the better. 

I made a little pom pom for the top. I'm not too keen on the end result myself, but then I'm a cable fan and this isn't a cable.  I'm sure it will settle and look better after the wash.  Then I'll put it up in my Etsy store, that is if anything sells in the next few months!  I feel a little out of my depth with Etsy.

I still have some left, but not sure it will make a whole skull cap.  I do have some grey flecked yarn that I could use and put this yarn in as the design, for whatever chart I use.

My Cabled Poncho is for sale

The cabled Poncho I made in January is for sale in my Esty store here

Or if you are feeling up to the challenge of making it yourself, the pattern is now for sale on Ravelry
with Paypal Buy It Now

I've opened an Esty shop!

I've taken the plunge and opened a store on Esty.  Quite intimidating for a newbie, but I suppose it's a bit more professional than ebay and cheaper (to run listings).  It appears to be the more appropriate place to sell handmade items,  however I'm still wondering how anyone will find me amongst all those pros on there.  Here's a sample of what's available.

But hey if you don't try, you won't know, right!?  For me it's just a hobby, which hopefully,some people might like enough to buy a card (or more).   The other half is talking it up and making me break out into hot flushes......lol.

My chronic pain doesn't allow for hours of work, so it's little and not so often.  But it's something that I enjoy and provides distraction and makes me feel calm and happy.

So if you want to check it out my store is GormalCrafts and if you want to buy a few, you should message me about shipping costs, as the set up doesn't really allow for multi buy postage rates, well not fair ones as far as I can see. 

I'll be adding knitwear at a later stage, including that knitted poncho I made.

Drops 150-7 Fox Sweater

This sweater is supposed to use 3 different yarns, however it works out as an Aran weight sweater.  I was looking for a simple sweater and thought I'd give it a go with a dusky pink Aran weight yarn.  The same yarn I used for the poncho and hat.  I still have a good bit left since I bought 3 balls of it.

It's knit in the round and a little A line.  What I like about it is the simple detail and the fact that it's a brilliant fit, especially around the shoulders and neck.  I usually have to do some adjusting in that area.  But not with this pattern.

The sleeves are nice and long, something I always have a problem with when buying sweaters.  Not that I can find warm ones for the winter, since I can't wear wool.  I look like I have fleas or something with all the itching it causes.  But this contains 20% wool and is ok.  Although I did knit mum a pure wool sweater that had the yarn treated, and that didn't cause any problems.  But it didn't hold up well after washing and lost it's thick cosy feel.  Which was a huge disappointment.

So if you would like to knit this Drops 150-7 Fox Sweater have fun.  I'm off to find a tank top/vest pattern for my next project.

26-9 Pullover by Pierrot

This lightweight sweater has been sitting on my needles since September 2015!  Yep that's a long time.  Mainly thanks to my meds, because knitting on meds is not helpful - unless you like taking your work back all the time.

The pattern isn't hard, but it's charted, rather than written format.  Which is a whole new thing for me and I admit, I had to google help with Japanese knitting.

The charts were a bit confusing, but I eventually figured them out when I had a clear head.  After a year from starting, I was glad I was picking it up again with the sleeves.   I'm just finishing off the crochet edging and tucking in the loose ends.  I can say that I'm happy it's finally ready for summer - even if it is a year from when I planned!

The pattern can be found on the gosyo website here, right down at the bottom of the page, on the second last row.