Look What I Made! Scarves and Wrist Warmers

After finishing BG’s epic granny blanket I decided I needed a few quick projects.  BG wanted a rainbow scarf so I had a search on the internet and found the perfect pattern on The Green Dragonfly.

I used the yarn I had left over from the blanket to make BG’s. I learnt a new stitch the half treble crochet which is actually really easy. I made it slightly longer than the original pattern and started with 200 chains.

I am rather pleased with it. The colours look amazing and it took about 6 hours to make.

There is also a fingerless mitt pattern to go with them so I made those as well. Well I have made one good one and one that is far too tight so I have to do that again but they take about an hour to make.

I learnt how to do a picot edging though I am not convinced mine is right.  

I am supposed to be giving them to her for her birthday at the end of November but I may give them to her sooner.

Armed with my new crochet stitch and some Aran yarn I got at Aldi. Yes Aldi! I made OH a scarf as an anniversary gift which is soon.

I forgot to count the chains but it’s about 200 the I did 12 rows of treble crochet in Aran, 2 rows in Stylecraft Special DK Lipstick (red) and then a final 2 rows of the Aran. OH wanted a bit of colour in it.

It’s really long and he loves it!

I decided I really needed to make something for myself so yesterday I made a pair of wrist warmers. I needed something for when I am out with the pushchair but get too hot in gloves.

I made the pattern up as I went along. My fist wrist warmer was far too big so I am going to make it into a bag.

I did a starting chain of 23 and then I forgot to write not how many rows. I just kept going until it was the right length. Use safety pins to help me work out where the thumb hole should go.

I used the same Aran as before it was £7.99 for 400g so I have plenty left for other projects (family be warned scarves are coming your way) I added a few rows of Stylecraft Special DK Wisteria.  They fit just right.

I have a few birthday gifts to make and I am also going to make BG her advent this year. I have seen a simple pattern for drawstring bags so I will make 24 of them in different colours and then I need to work out how I am going to string them up.

I figure if I make every day in November for 24 days then that will give me enough time to connect them together.

Wish me luck!

Handmade Gorgeousness: Leather Satchel in Cockatoo Blue

I have been lusting over leather satchels for a few years now. I was lucky to get a mini one when I was a Cybher but have wanted a larger one.

I jumped for joy when I saw brandalley had The Leather Satchel Company bags half price. 

After some deliberation I went with this Cockatoo Blue 31cm bag and I am in love with. It brightens up the school run!

They are made by hand and you just can't beat the look of a proper leather satchel. If you can afford to invest in one do it.  

Look What I Made! Large Granny Square Blanket

Last night I finished my first big crochet project. I only learnt this summer so it is a big deal for me. My daughter demanded a blanket she could snuggle under and who I am to deny her that pleasure.

Originally I was going to make Lucy's at Attic 24 Granny Stripe blanket. I even bought the yarn pack to do it. However BG saw a blanket made up of small granny squares and wanted that. I then showed her Bunny Mummy's Large Granny Square Blanket and she was happy with that. 

I used the Stylecraft Special DK Colour Pack from Deramores which is based on Lucy's blanket. There are 17 different shades of colour. I have to say not all of them were my cup of tea and next time I will choose my own colours but as a beginner it was good to have a pack I could just use.

I used a 4.5mm hook and I did two rounds of each colours and then a border of DC with three different blues.

BG choose the order the colours went in and colours for the border. 

I am really happy with the way it turned out. Its not perfect there are some mistakes but that adds to the charm.

I started it on the 26th August and finished it in the 2nd October so it took 5 weeks which I am really impressed with.

I can't wait for BG to get home from school so she can see the finished blanket.

Now what to make next! 

Getting My Autumn On: Roasted Pumpkin Soup

We have been growing our own pumpkins this year as you know and they are finally ripening so we decided to try roasted pumpkin soup.

The Other Half (OH) and Big Girl (BG) went and picked a pumpkin.

BG and I then prepared it, which means she scooped a bit out and then got bored! I cut the pumpkin into 5 big chunks, brushed on a little olive oil and roasted for 45 minutes. I kept the skin while it roasted and it just pulled off really easy afterwards.

While it was roasting I got the soup base ready. 

I used:

2 Diced Carrots

2 Diced Sticks of Celery

Some frozen onion (I didn’t weigh it but it was probably a cup full

3 fresh bay leaves

Spring of fresh rosemary and thyme

600 ml of chicken stock though you could use vegetable.

I sweated the veg down in a little olive oil for 10 minutes and then added the herbs and stock and simmered for 30 mintues.

Once the pumpkin was roasted, I added approx. 300g to the soup and then we blended it down.  I served mine with some crispy smoked bacon pieces and added a little salt and pepper. The girls had theirs plain. BG didn’t like it but Little Miss lapped it up.

There was quite a bit of pumpkin left over so I have portioned it up and popped in the freezer. I have plans for Nigel Slater’s Pumpkin Scones and Pumpkin Gnocchi.

We still have 5 pumpkins in the garden so if you have any good recipes please share them with me.