Gloire du Matin

This is one of Everlasting 's latest crochet shawls.

This is Gloire du Matin by Syl Caron, not yet available to purchase yet but I'm sure it will be soon - here.

I used two skeins of BC Garn Silkbloom extra fine lace weight bought from Loop yarn shop in London and a 4mm hook. Actually now I'm trying to link this yarn I've found that Loop no longer stock this particular one. It's a shame - it is a nice mix of 55% Merino / 45% Silk. Started 13th-ish September and finished 21st September.

Isn't it gorgeous?

I love all of Syl Caron's designs and was so pleased to have the opportunity to crochet this shawl before the general release of the pattern that I'm sure will be soon.

Summer Flies

In both senses.

First just a final few pictures of our Summer in France.

My photos don't do justice to the lovely sunsets that turned the whole sky red and the white tufa stone of the buildings a soft rose.

The strange beasties are just a memory now

And "what I did on my holiday"

It was Kate's idea to make this lovely little shawl Summer Flies by Donna Griffin and I had to copy her - even to using the same gorgeous yarn from Artisan Yarns. It is an unbelievably soft combination of Baby Camel Hair and Silk and there is a description of it and where you can buy it on their blog here. I loved the first one I made so much I had to make more.....

This is the first made exactly to the pattern although I didn't block it, preferring the slightly more rustic look.

I used 4.5mm needles and each one took me barely more than four days! All three used a total of exactly two skeins of Artisan Yarns Camel hair/Silk.

This one has a few garter stitch rows at the bottom to stop so much curling and so that I had enough yarn I had to add some Kid Silk Haze doubled and in fact I like the slightly furry bottom.

The next and last version is adapted from the final border of Alla Postelnik's "My version of Summer Flies" and I like it so much I've had to show you three photos of it. And it is my favourite.

By the way, the first, modelled, photo shows the most accurate yarn colour.

Bags and Rags

Way back in the Summer of 2010 I started making crochet motifs with the intention of making them into bags. Soon the actual construction of the motifs became an end in itself. One bag was made quickly - well, fairly quickly - finished around Christmas time I think and has already been pictured here and on Ravelry. Most of the motifs were made from Amanda Perkins' motif designs.

Actually now I've checked I see it was finished in May 2010 so I obviously started the motifs much earlier than I thought. Hmm....I'm a bit confused......

Anyway eventually I had so many motifs that I felt forced to begin putting them together. I've by no means used them all and will continue after October half term. These are the bags I've just finished.

The bag making has been interspersed with a dabble into rag rug making. It seems to me very appealing to be able to use up old clothes that no longer fit, are no longer fashionable but may have sentimental value and then to turn them into something very relaxing and therapeutic to make, possibly useful - and hopefully attractive. What do you think?

I am very lucky to know a very talented crafter who runs short rag rugging courses from time to time and I was able to join her last one. I love going on these sort of courses - it's so nice to meet other like minded people and I love the exchange of ideas.

Of course knitting has been going on but that will wait until next time.