Friday 20 July 2007

Another wet miserable day

But I've been cheered up by a delivery from Tescos and the postman brought my latest ebay win.

Last week I was browsing the Tesco Direct site and saw a cast iron table and chairs set that I'd had my eye on, had been reduced. Twice. From £64 to £32 to £16! I ordered it straight away and it was delivered today. Now, I just hope that we have some nice weather for me to use it (along with my swing seat).

Then the postman came with my ebay win. A pyrex *Gaiety* lidded dish complete with a warming stand, still in it's original box. And it's pink, so it will match my kitchen perfectly! I love it already, and I think I will keep this one out on display instead of hidden away in a cupboard.

We didn't do any thrifting at the weekend, so I decided to learn how to crochet. My nan showed me how to make (appropriately enough) a granny square when I was a child, but I never remembered how to do it. I've been wanting to have something to do whilst I'm sitting with the family while they watch tv, and thought that it was about time I tried to learn to crochet. I'm not very good at knitting, the only stitches I know are garter stitch and, with a reminder of how to purl, stocking stitch, and I'm always either dropping stitches or somehow, adding stitches. Over the years I've tried many times, but I just can't seem to get in the groove, so maybe just having one hook instead of two needles will be easier.

I first tried learning from a book, but found it awkward to hold the yarn the way it said, and also found that there were a couple of bits that I felt weren't shown or explained very clearly, so then I had a look at the tutorials over at Crafty Daisies and found the videos were more helpful and I started to *get* it.
I've had a few goes at the various stitches, and then discovered another video tutorial on youtube that shows how to ripple, so I've had a go at that too, and it worked! So now I'm on the hunt for some nice yarn!

In other craftyness, I whipped up a new cover for my ironing board out of that thrifted curtain, so now it has a pretty pink flowery cover instead of the horrible blue abstract cover that it came with (that was also a pain to get on and off).

Now I'm planning on making a couple of cushion covers with a mix of vintage and new fabrics.

Still no photos I'm afraid, the camera charger still hasn't been found and it looks like I might have to buy a new charger. It's all hubby's fault, he was the last one to use it and he's really bad for losing things. He can pay for the new charger!

5 comments:

Angel Jem said...

The Llyn penninsula, at Nefyn. Not really that close, is it, boyo? And given the state of welsh roads, not a short journet! But if I'm ever in the South (to watch Dr Who *sigh*) I'll be in touch! But it was a nice idea!

Angel Jem said...

Please excuse the spelling mistake... journey :)

Gill said...

Wow what a bargain from Tesco. Let's hope we get some fine weather soon so you can enjoy your new garden furniture.I'm missing your photos! The Pyrex dish sounds fab, you must show us when you get the camera crisis sorted.

I haven't picked up my crochet for weeks, I might take it to my Mum's next week and try and do some more Granny squares. I'm not sure I'll ever do anything more complicated, there's so much to learn. I bought the Happy Hooker book when I started to crochet, it was very helpful.
Have a good weekend
Gill
p.s. how do you make an ironing board cover?

Gill said...

ooh forgot to say thanks for visiting!

MollyKnits said...

I learned to crochet from my grandmother too. I believe she taught me to knit in a dream. It is a LOONG story.