Grow your own yarn!

Grow your own yarn ... as an addict to all things crochet and knitting, I really like the sound of that! I've joined Ravelry group Project Apocalypse started by fellow blogger Sheila   I gather that we're all getting ready for the apocalypse with the idea that when it arrives, no-one will be making yarn, if we do it ourselves, we'll be the best dressed survivors.

The manifesto of Project Apolocalyse kicks off with "You have what you stand up in and what’s around you. You can use fibres that you can find, gather, grow, harvest, brush or shear yourself."

Sheila is a multi-talented lady, she came to my attention as a yarn spinner which is when I started following her blog, over at Stitchin' Bints, but she does lots of other things too, just take a look at her profile! Cartoonist, software engineer, knitter, cider drinker, plays in a band ... the list goes on. If I do manage to grow some usable fibres, in order to turn them into yarn I'm going to have to learn how to spin it ... (I've got a book...!) it's rather handy that the leader of the group is an expert.

Sheila has already tried some nettles and I gather she's planning to cultivate some cotton this year. I'm going to try to grow some flax to make my own linen yarn. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for Project Apocalypse ... I'm going to be ordering my seeds soon, what will you be growing, gathering, brushing or shearing to turn into yarn?

Little crochet project and hall update

I like to have a few projects on the go at a time when I'm in a manic knitting or crochet streak (crochet at the moment!) The blanket is still continuing to grow but I just finished this little tablecloth and doily for my partly redecorated hallway.

I still have to rub down and undercoat the doors and there's some filling to be done around one of the light switches, two light individual switches have been converted to a single with two switches so I'm having to build that up in layers. I'll do a photograph of the other end of the hallway when that's finished!

At the moment, finishing the hallway decoration is having to wait because we have ordered a carpet for the dining room. It's being fitted on Friday so we're all hands to the deck to get everything as finished as we can before then!

To do list:

• Rub down the door
• Undercoat door
• Gloss architrave and door
• Tiling to fireplace
• Put up curtain pelmet
• Make curtains
• Shelf over fireplace
• Wiring up new sockets
• Fix telephone socket to wall
• Buy new light fitting and get it fixed
• Touch up ceiling where masking tape to get a nice clean line has pulled some paint off
• Fix pre-made bookcases into alcoves (not arrived yet but ordered)
• Clear all the furniture out before fitter arrives

Some of these like making curtains and the shelf over the fireplace and probably some of the others are definitely not going to get done by Friday but those can be done after the carpet ... I'd better get on with the rest of the jobs I'm down for!

Crochet Lace Curtain

I am very pleased with the way this lace curtain has turned out which I made for the ensuite bathroom. It's my own pattern and made in linen purchased from LinenSpirit on Etsy

Here's a close-up of the lace. It's my own design but very easy once you get going on it. I'm going to write up the pattern and put it up as a free download on my Ravelry projects list when I get round to it.

The lace curtain is held up by using a tension rod which I purchased from an an Amazon shop called speedy. They're really easy to fit, just push and pull them to the length you require. They're only really suitable for very lightweight net curtains (or handmade lace!) This photo also shows a close-up of the heading which I also designed myself.

I really like the shadows that are cast onto the curtain when the weather is sunny outside. It's another one of those small things that can make you happy.

Here's an overall shot without the chair in the way which also shows the little fishes that I have swiming by on the wall, more little things that make me happy!

I've been doing more crochet recently than knitting which is unusual for me. I've just purchased some more yarn and am currently working on some cushions for my lounge.

I have a really colourful small blanket which I finished recently to be used as a chair throw, I've still got to block that so pictures will follow when it's done.