Doing a bit of retro blogging today, as I am trying to catch up on several Crochet projects that I did and then gifted for Christmas. Since I didn’t want to reveal the “gift” until after the person received them, it only makes sense.

This is a rainbow festival shawl. It was completed just before Christmas, and I had the intention of giving it to someone as a Christmas gift. However, once it was done, I decided I wanted to keep it – because it is so pretty, and it makes me happy. (This is the first item I’ve ever made for myself!) I’ve worn it a few times now (different ways) and I get lots of compliments on it because of the bright cheerful nature of the shawl.

It’s made out of 3 skeins of King Cole Shine Yarn in Meadow (about 9 Euros a skein), and it sparkles because in the yarn, there is a tiny tiny filament of silver thread spun in. The yarn itself is easy to work with, and it is self-stripeing. The pattern is from a diagram that I found online – and it was in German, and to me it looked like “rainbows”. So, combined with the yarn – I think it really does look bright, festival ish, and like a bunch of Irish rainbows.

As always, if you’re wanting a custom order, I’m happy to make one of these for you in any color you desire!

Doing a bit of retro blogging today, as I am trying to catch up on several Crochet projects that I did and then gifted for Christmas. Since I didn’t want to reveal the “gift” until after the person received them, it only makes sense.

I crocheted a road trip scarf for my grandmother, back in September, as a Christmas gift. It’s made out of 2 Skeins of King Cole shine yarn, in the shade “blossom”. I think this is my new favorite yarn. Here’s how it turned out:

The pattern is free, from http://zootyowlcards.blogspot.ie/2014/06/road-trip-scarves-pattern.html and works up fast and quite easily. Note that because it was for my grandmother, I opted out of making the flowers and/or adding all the bits and bobs.

When I chatted with her after Christmas, she was surprised I had made it myself – and said it looked like something you’d buy out of an expensive boutique. 🙂 I suppose that’s the point!

A bit of retro blogging today, since I wanted to get some posts up of completed projects from around Christmas time (now that everyone’s received their gifts).

Sometimes you find great yarn on sale, and buy it with no plans on what to make. Just before Thanksgiving, I found some fabulous loose spun chunky charcoal grey wool which had little bright pink flecks in the local yarn shop which was on sale for 2 euros a skein. I liked the texture of it, and thought hey, 2 euros a skein, let’s pick up as many of those as they have. 6 skeins later and it was added into my stash. There it sat.

And then, it got cold, as usually happens in December. And I got ill. And when I’m ill, I just want a hat for my head to help keep me warm. Out of that – came my inspiration to make a hat… and that brings us forward to today’s post – a gorgeous slouchy hat.

Now what to do with the rest of the skeins? well, I think I’m going to try to make a matching poncho out of Simply Crochet issue #26. Wish me luck.