Month: February 2023

Bagging a CAL!

On By agrarianartisanLeave a comment

In my last post I mentioned that I was working on a bag which may become a CAL. The bag is finished!

The bag is based on the Spring Lifter using a different motif but also has an extra 2 motifs and a single handle. It makes the bag feel roomier and by making a shorter handle I can throw it over my shoulder and feel like the contents of the bag are secure because I’m hugging them close. It feels like a beach bag so I named it Beach Blues Bag.

It is March next week, and that means it is International Crochet Month so a great month for a CAL. And I decided Beach Blues Bag is a great bag for a CAL for spring, when plans for summer beach holidays are at a peak! So I’m starting the CAL next week and it will be published over 3 weeks here on the blog and free, although I will also publish a paid for pattern after the CAL. I will publish each part on a Saturday – the first will be on Saturday 4th March.

If you want to join in you need to know the materials required so you can be ready with your hook for next Saturday.

The bag was made in 4ply/fingering weight cotton yarn but can be made in any yarn weight provided you use a suitable hook size.

This is what I used:

Scheepjes Cotton 8, 50g/170m/186yds per ball.  I used 6 colours, 1 ball each of:

White (502), Bright Blue (563), Light Turquoise (622), Grey Blue (652), Light Grey (700) and Jeans Blue (711)

3mm crochet hook (US D/3)

2 lockable stitch markers

Yarn needle

Start gathering your equipment and I’ll post Part 1 next week.

Meanwhile, I have started a discussion on my Ravelry forum here, if you want to join in this CAL please join in the discussion too.

I’d love to see what you make.

Happy crocheting xx

I’m still here!

On By agrarianartisan3 Comments

I’m so sorry that I have been quiet for the last 10 months, I’m still here but I haven’t had much to say!

Like many people, I’ve had plenty of time for reflection in the last few years. I’ve analysed my design work and realised that, even though I love it, I had become a slave to it. I spent too many hours making items I designed, writing patterns, drawing charts, organising testers and tech editors, and then publishing, promoting and, the most time-consuming, running CALs. I decided the best thing I could do for me is to slow right down and that is exactly what I have done. I confess I like it!

So designs have been minimal and I haven’t even got round to publishing them yet. But I have spent time decluttering and organising. I’ve also used my making time to make things for me, in particular socks which have become one of my easy makes. These are mainly knitted but I have spent time trying to find a great crochet sock – my favourite so far is Riley and Saunders by Joanne Scrace, written for both DK and 4ply yarn in a wide range of sizes.

Over the years, I’ve built a lot of personal stash and, as you will know from previous posts, I have tried to reduce this and did a good job for a while but I need to be more rigorous. So I’ve sorted some stash to sell (this was a hard decision!) and started to advertise it (slowly). So far I’ve advertised only on a facebook group but I may spread further. I’ve also realised that my WIPs have got out of hand so they are having some well deserved love. I’ve pulled out a Cloud Line Wrap that I started last May using some luxury stash yarn and I’m halfway through.

I’m using 4ply yarn in 4 colours and a 4mm hook. I haven’t decided how much of a fringe I want so I’m leaving some lengthy ends. I will do 19 or 20 repeats of the 4 colours using up virtually all the yarn.

I’m keeping some of my precious stash for my own use. I have 6 skeins allocated for more socks and 9 skeins in blues and greens which I may turn into an easy and, hopefully, quick blanket. This may turn into a CAL so watch this space.

Something that will be a CAL is a bag. This will be in blues and greys and will be very similar to the Spring Lifter. This may well emerge later this month 🙂

So I’ve just committed myself to a CAL and there’ll be another blog post soon.

In the meantime, happy crocheting xxx