3KCBWDAY6- Improving My Skillset

One year ago, I took up my mom's old 4.5 mm crochet hook, some DK I had in the house, and proceeded to learn how to crochet.

Three days later , I gained muscle control over my fingers and the crochet hook.

At one stage I sat with The Happy Hooker on my lap, You Tube open in front of me, and my sister on the line from Ireland, to try and figure out how to make a DC.

Since then, I proceeded to successfully make one square.

Hot on its heels followed various simple cowls, a baby blanket, a vintage stripe blanket -gone-wrong-gone-wrap, two mug warmers, some coasters (actually testers),  two cushions for our beach house, a giant granny for my boy, flowers to mark my new suitcase, part of my aunty's to-be African Flower blanket, a Rainbow Ripple, another baby ripple still to be revealed here, some simple Christmas decorations, two winter scarves for my sisi, a flower scarf for me, some potholders, two amigurumi, a vintage brooch, a cushion for my cousin, a cushion and hearty garland for a Curly Girl, and a monster pouch for my iPhone. And a beanie. And a superlovely MyPicot scarve for me.

On holiday in Swakopmund, Namibia, April 2011, trying to figure out this DC thing

I learnt about British and American crochet language. Now, just for fun, throw Afrikaans into the mix - the terms are totally unrelated to the English counterparts. And for more fun, try Dutch, 'cause that where Afrikaans comes from, and no one can blame you if you want to throw your hands into the air and run away.

I learnt that crochet has a back and front :-D

I started blogging about my adventure, and in the process learnt so much from great ladies around the world, who are generous with their patterns and advice, not to mention inspiration.

And with online friend and fellow South African-based-in-London, Natasja King,  I started a crochet group on Facebook, that is now 1120 members strong.  What a joy that is!  At "Ons Hekel" I have seen the most beautiful ideas, met up fellow hookers and learn more every day.

So, in the next year, I Will:

1. learn to hook from a diagram
2. complete a Japanese flower scarve adapting from an existing doilie type pattern
3. learn to hook from a diagram
4. go beyond simple amigurumi
5. learn to hook from a diagram.
6. continue meeting new hookers at Ons Hekel and meet up with them where possible.

Did I mention I want to learn to hook from a diagram?

Then I'll order One Japanese Book for myself, as reward :-)

Of a Mobile Monster and Versatile Blogger

I had to get myself a new mobile phone after trusty old Nokia tragically drowned in 1 teaspoon of water.

Luckily it was time for my contract renewal, out of character, I made a huge technological leap and upgraded to an iPhone. Now, the whole prospect of dropping that screen and having it break, combined with the cost of the bloody phone (luckily luckily free on contract) had me immediately buy one of those jel/silicone type skins.

And then we went away for the weekend to a camping place on a game ranch and I wanted to walk around an take photos - but not having to hold the phone in my hand the whole time!  So I proceed to hook up a pouch, which I usually actively dislike.

I had my Rainbow Ripple with me, with the two remaining colours of wool.

Orange it was going to be.

And this is how the pouch turned into a monster:

First I hooked a rectangle roughly twice the length of the phone.
It was too narrow so I went around again, in singles.
Managed to crochet that together, decided to make ears, and not wanting to have to cut and not anywhere, had to slip right around to the front.
Stitched a smile, and back home found two eyes. Plus black wool for the sling, as in the end I didn't have enough!

Voila, one Mobile Monster! :-)

The inspiration comes from a post I saw at Crafty is cool , and I basically just used the facial expression from there. And it stirred up a new fascination for simple amigurumi, which gave me an idea that I want to ponder on ...and will report back on...

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Earlier this week I received another fun award - that of Versatile Blogger, from both Karisma @ Karisma's Kraft and Shelley @ All4meggymoo.  Thank you both so much!

So this label will be added to the right somewhere:

And here follows 7 random things about myself:

1. I've been crocheting now for almost a year, and absolutely love it.
2. I learnt (erm...still learning) to swim breaststroke this year!  Actually go for lessons every week, at my kiddies' coach.
3. Reading defines me. I'll read the back of the cereal box  if there's nothing else.  Last year I actually tried to list the books that I read, forgot quite a few times, but came up with a total of 95.
4. I've been living in my current house for 5 yrs now, which is the longest I ever lived anywhere (grew up with a dad who was transferred a lot.)
5. I have a masters degree in agriculture, majoring in agroforestry - but I'm happily in service of my husband and children now.
6. I (we) must be one of the few South Africans who chose not to stay on in Australia (the new frontier for many from here), but to return to good old Mzansi (that is some of our's pet name for RSA).
7. Our Boxer dogs have surnames. We now live with Shamila K (daughter of the majestic Maximas Jamal) and Ben-girl Twelve.  Previously there was Ounooi van Jaarsveld and Sasha Bardot.

I'll pass on this award to only 3 other bloggers (sorry for breaking the rules) - 'cause many that I would nominate have already been nominated:

1. Kate at  Fox's Lane.  She blogs about her life on their organic farm, being a mom, crocheting and sewing, cooking and their amazing 6-month caravan trip through Australia. Always interesting.
2. Tina at The Quiet Home. She's another homemaker, way up north in Scotland, battling away with her cooker, finding such joy in her handiwork and home work, and being a Godly inspiration to many of us with her posts.  
3. Ansie at Sol y sombra. This is my second nod to Ansie, a South African expat currently living in Dubai, and one of the most creative people I've encountered in Blogland. The things she comes up with!  There's no stopping that creative brain.  

Please visit their pages!  There will be something interesting, inspiring and uplifting to read about.

And here are the rules for my nominees...

1. Add the award to your blog.

2. Thank the blogger who gave it to you.

3. Mention 7 random things about yourself.

4. List the rules.

5. Award to 15 bloggers.

6. Inform each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.