Slouchy beanie ta da and how to😊

 

Slouchy BLO beanie - a super simple make - fancy trying it?

Ever used the BLO stitch ? (Back Loop Only) This stitch gives this hat that ribbed look with added stretch and warmth. 

Ok - if you've never tried it - here goes a (hopefully) simple explanation.

BLO stitch

Once you have set up your foundation chain, (with an additional chain to turn) work a row of single crochet along the foundation chain, chain one, turn.

Look at your row, see the V shape made in the chains? Insert your hook through the BACK of the chain, hook the yarn, pull through and work the same stitch to the end of your row, plus one for turning.  If you are still unsure of how to do it - have a look on line - just type in 'BLO crochet stitch' and there are lots of videos and photos for both left and right hand work😊

Ok, so for the hat.....

Shorter version - I cast on 50 plus 1 (finished length 24 - 26 cm)

Taller version - I cast on 55 plus 1 (finished length 28 - 30cm)

I was using up stash yarn so it does give slightly different finished lengths but with the nature of the hat - it doesn't matter!)

Notions: I used DK (double knit) for all versions

Size 4mm hook

Tapestry needle

Scissors

BLO slouchy beanie hat

FDR : Cast the foundation row, chain 1 and turn

Row 1 :Single crochet to end, chain 1 and turn

Row 2 : *BLO to end, chain 1 and turn*, repeat** until you have crocheted sufficient width to go around head - it needs to be comfortably snug as this stitch relaxes. 

Do periodically count your stitches - I forgot and somehow lost five (??!!) and had to frog back several rows (sigh)...

Tie off and stitch the long edge together.

Using a tapestry needle, run a double thread of yarn round the top end of your hat and pull tight, weaving in all ends. I have been stitching on a badge partly for fun and partly to remind me which way round the back is 😁

To wear, I pull on until it is comfortably covering my ears and forehead then tuck the back of the hat into itself to make that lovely slouch. 

I have made three so far - mostly for work - especially as the weather starts to cool, I will use them probably most days. I did have two which I 'lived' in through January til March/April,  and they certainly got rather grubby. This time I would like to have a fresh beanie for each day.

And if you are not a beanie fan, the longer version has enough length for a generous fold up to keep that pesky chilly air out of your ears 😄

Hope you give it a try and if you do - let me know (and if you find a mistake - just shout!)

One woman and her dog went to mow, went to mow a meadow!

On what must have been one of the warmest day's we've had for quite some time - I strimmed a large wildflower meadow..... raked it up... then mowed the shaggy clumps that were left .... raked that lot up too - to say I was *!|??"*% jiggered by the end of it is no exaggeration....and I was absolutely covered in grass and hay which was so tickly and scratchy it was almost unbearable!

The first thing I did when I got home was shake myself like a dog, beat my clothing like a carpet, jump in the shower and try to dissolve myself under the water - then collapse with a mug of tea (well several mugs of tea in quick succession) until Himself came home.

Of course I had a brew with him too - I think I am finally feeling human again.

Also on what has been a rather warm day - I tried on my finished BLO crochet beanie, made Himself try it on and took photos of my next one .... hello hook, I am back - have you missed me?

Jump

 This morning I had a bit of a 'leap of faith' moment.

As so many of you have mentioned - crafting or creating seems to have slipped out of our fingers and there are unfinished wips, half done sketches, uncompleted knits or waiting to be frogged items sitting shamefacedly in cupboards or in bags hoping to see the light of day.

At work we are building up towards .... (I can't believe I am even discussing this seasonal event which shall remain nameless) .... so I have been ordering ribbons, bells, dried fruit, cones and coloured twine for the many workshops we will be holding.  We will also be hosting a small festive (oh bugger that word slipped through the filter grrrr) fayre which means I have been making stuff.

Herein lies my leap of faith.  

I was unsure if I could actually make my gardening brain and hands turn back to an art-head and fingers and after a bit of hesitation and a bucket of coffee - I have been busy. 

I am hoping that this small step will be what breaks that mojo wall.

And you?

How are you doing?

Have you managed to get some crafting done? - I hope so, because, if you are anything like me - there has been a crafting shaped hole inside of me and I need to fill that ache it is leaving.

Have a good week xxxx

memories

I  usually don't share photos of me - or if I do - it's an 'artfully' done shot without 'me' in it. However, when Eldest sent me this photograph from last year, it brought back so many memories.

It was during the lockdown - the first one, when the streets were empty and we kept behind our doors. The one that the boys came home and brought their girls and we became a bubble and the house and garden our entire world.

A time when a small and injured grey squirrel kit rescued our summer. We learnt to sew (and in my case reminded myself how to sew) and we crocheted, knitted and bonded.

It was the summer that the boys found work at a horticultural wholesalers which had managed to persuade the powers that be that their business was an essential one and should be open - well that was genius because as a nation gardening suddenly became our saviour. The boys have never worked so hard - so physically hard before loading potting soil, canes, plastic pots and the like into waiting vans ready to fill that need the nation had discovered.

This picture - of me, sitting on the floor in the sun - was a small moment in our own precious small world during a world wide event. 

Thank you Eldest for capturing that moment xxxxx

Flowery filled Fridays 🌻

 One of my favourite jobs at work is the Friday flowers - In spring I sowed several beds of cutting garden flowers and two wigwams' worth of sweetpeas. For several months now I have had the absolute pleasure of picking and tying posies, country style bunches and arranging informal bouquets for events. 

These photos are from last Friday's pick - and tomorrow - I will be doing it all again (woohoo!)

Have a lovely weekend xxx

Looking back to move forward

I opened this page on the 20th of August - it has remained blank since then. I have since re-opened it a number of times - stared at the blank 'page' and then shut down. Why? Not sure, but what I do know - that although all my stories are still waiting, the words do not go down my fingers then on to the keyboard.

A dear friend - Jane contacted me and her conversation was around a post I did last year about blogging. It jolted me - I was not following my own advice.

So, I have decided to try again - except this time - instead of long stories and adventures, I will revert back to my original way of blogging. One photo and a small bit of meandering. Here goes.....

Having lost my crochet mojo (along with my blogging one), two weekends ago whilst watching Eldest's GF quietly crochet, I suddenly felt a longing to be doing the same. 

I am presently crocheting a BLO grey slouchy for work. A mid grey colour - coz it won't show my mucky hand marks. Well not so much! I'd forgotten the simple rhythmic pleasure of crochet.

Mico-adventure

The sun has gently slipped behind the rooves of the houses across the village road, the sky's a pale peachy blue-grey with slightly darker untidy grey clouds drifting slowly across my view. The blue has been in short supply today as banks of sullen cloud have taken up most sky. Between the intermittent drizzle we have worked in the garden - lifting and thinning, dividing and pruning. There are two types of plants in my garden - those that thrive and strive for world domination and those that don't, never to be seen again. Today was the day that the thugs were brought into line. 

Beating back the foliage was a far cry from our last few days ... when we escaped on a microadventure with Zeb (the van) and Moss. No plans apart from sorting out a friendly farmer's field with stunning views and filling the van with food, boots and clothes.

I love these 'no-plan' adventures, where we just turn off the main road and see what happens. Our first day we walked around Whitbarrow and marvelled at how few folk were around. There were the few dog walkers on the lower slopes and the Dad and son team who looked like they'd planned a wild camp up on the hill. Other than that - hardly any one about. It was absolutely bliss.

I knew we were tired - accumulatively tired but what neither of us expected was how well we slept. Three nights in a row we got a full 12 hours (yes ... 12) sleep. We must have needed it. 

Moss filled her days with hunting down sticks, finding puddles, sniffing, swimming and running and like us falling asleep and sleeping well. The clear air and quiet countryside has been so healing - it seems that we all needed this break.

We visited Halecat plant nursery and I was inspired - although I garden for folk where I can plan and design their gardens, when it comes to my own - I am stumped. This year I'd decided that I would let my garden go semi-feral - let it go 'wild' for nature however I have found that this 'return to nature' is not for me - my garden has to be compatible for our local insect, bird and mammal population but it has still got to be beautiful and make my own heart sing.

I was fired up by their planting, the colour planning and their designs, so.... I may have spent a pound or two bringing home a few plants as a catalyst to my garden revolution!

We walked miles - Moss many more.  We also just sat, breathed, watched the sky, listened to birds, listened to the wind in the trees. Played in streams, sniffed the flowers, picked raspberries and I even attempted to eat a crab-apple (cue screwed up face!😵) We sipped tea at the top of hills, alongside streams, we nibbled Sunny Street flapjacks and strawberries while we watched hundreds of butterflies feast on buddleia. And we slept.

It has been a very cathartic and healing few days - ones we would love to have had for a little longer but reality is calling and Himself is back to work tomorrow and I am on Tuesday. But until then - you'll find me in my garden!

In which we walk, talk and scoff scones.

I've taken a few days off to coincide with Himself with the plan to sleep and walk and breathe. As much as I love my job - I am tired and after working (physically working) since January - I felt it was time for a break. We've spent time tending to our own sorely neglected garden - a space which is precious to us however we've let slide. 

Today we cut ourselves some slack and went for a walk with a dear friend who guided us around some of his lovely stomping ground. 

The clouds although large and heavy just drifted overhead making for dramatic views and moments of pure brilliant sunshine making us throw off our fleeces and don hats. We even had our shadows walking with us. 

Hints of autumnal colour are definitely obvious despite my deliberate act of rebellion of 'Bring back Summer' - hey ho. We walked, we talked, Moss swam and ran and ran and ran - happy dog indeed.

Then as we returned to the village we'd started our walk, we took a small deviation and stopped at a canal side café, ordered tea and fruit scones. 

 A wonderful walk - simple pleasures (and scones!) then back home to work in our little piece of (overgrown) Eden!

Sunny Street Flapjacks

 I thought I would share a recipe with you - one inspired by a flapjack I'd had a few weeks ago and thought 'I can make that' and after a few tries and a few alterations - yes I can! 

Welcome to ....

Sunny Street Flapjacks

Pre heat oven to 180 deg c (gas mark 4 - I think!)

Line a square baking tin (20cm x 20cm-ish) with greaseproof paper

• 200gm butter
• 200gm sugar
• 150gm golden syrup
• 100gm chopped mixed nuts
• 100gm cranberries
• 100gm chopped prunes
• 375gm porridge oats

Melt the butter with sugar and syrup. Stir in the cranberries, chopped prunes and nuts, add and thoroughly mix in the porridge oats.

Press well into the lined baking tray, flattening down until evenly spread. 

Bake for round about 20 minutes or until golden brown on top.

I cut the biscuits while still warm and still in the tin.

Let them cool initially in the tin, then transfer to a baking rack (all the time beating back Himself who hovers ready to taste test whilst they are still volcanically hot!!)

They are a delicious mix of crispy (the outside) and chewy (the middle) and the sharpness of the cranberries is super tasty in the nutty oaty mix.

Hope you try them - and if you do - let me know what you think!!

#52newrecipes

The turning of the wheel

 Has anyone else felt it? That shift in the seasons. The taste in the air?

That softly scented decay drifting on the early morning breath. An earthy tang rising from the soil.

Working today down below the plant canopy with my hands busy in the garden - it felt damp and crumbly. The humus smell filled my head.

Harebells abound and tree leaves have lost their summery shade of green hinting at tones of rust.

I am not ready.

Even the cat was happy

It was one of those unexpectedly good weekends.

One full of family and mugs of tea.

Where we ate cake and flapjacks in the garden and dodged wasps.

A weekend with a houseful and a very happy dog.

The cat was rather pleased too,

which is quite something knowing her 'usual prickly purr-sonality' ...

 Although Eldest was away due to work commitments,

we kept in touch and sent him loads of photos.

The weather wasn't that brilliant,

nor are the photographs

but the memories will be :)

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Happy Monday❤❤❤❤❤❤❤