A couple of posts ago I mentioned that one of the things I wanted to do this year was to make more time to make things 'just because'. I do find, as somone who 'makes and creates' for a living, that often (if not all the time!) making things for myself is always last on my list of things to do. Infact if I was to be honest, I don't always make things for my loved ones either and I would definitely like this year, to remedy that.
So in an effort to kick start this more relaxed approach to creating, I gifted a few craft books to myself and am itching to begin making time in the evenings, cosied up under a blanket crocheting and knitting things for my home, accessories for myself and gifts for friends and family (infact I have already started!). I am a 'Novice Knitter' (note the capitals for emphasis!) only knitting and purling to a beginners standard with no clue of increases and decreases and yarn cross overs and such like. As for crochet, which I have used in many of my accessories, I only have a rudimentary understanding of how the stitches work and much of what I do is by luck rather than understanding a pattern.
So this year I have a few things that I definitely want to make - a granny square blanket, a pair of socks, a hat and some wee homely things to perk up our rather plain, neglected and boring decor. Amongst all this is a desire to gain some balance between my work life and down time and enjoy the leisurely, relaxing process of taking my time over making things ... just because I can.
PS - the books above are, from the top to the bottom
Lacy Crochet by Chronicle Books
Luxury One Skein Wonders by Judith Durant
200 Crochet blocks for blankets, throws and afghans by Jan Eaton
(links are all to amazon.co.uk)
I have already started a crochet doily and small mat from the lacy crochet book, bought some gorgeous silk yarn on sale to make either some wrist warmers or a scarf from the luxury yarn book and planning to sort my yarn out and figure out the colours I still need to purchase in order to begin the collection of granny squares I need to make that blanket! So I am well on my way and have been loving curling up on our new sofa and just enjoying the slow rhythm of crocheting.
(Next post I will show the few art books I have also purchased to aid me in my journey back into painting!)
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