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Crochet Extra – June 2024
What a fabulous time we had at our sock workshop last weekend. Unfortunately the weather drove us indoors, but this just meant we got to sit amongst the yarn! I’ve seen a few completed socks that fit well! I think you all did a marvellous job.  If you missed the workshop for these socks, the pattern is now available.
June is once again a busy month – 8th June is world wide knit (& crochet) in public day. Is something planned in your area? It’s a great way to keep the craft alive and people interested. If you are on the Sunshine Coast come along to Yandina. I am teaming up with the QCWA to have a session in the QCWA Hall in the centre of Yandina. Find out all the details here.
The Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show is on the following weekend. This means that Friday 14th June is a holiday here on the Sunshine Coast – Show Day. Therefore we will be closed on that day. Orders can still be placed on line and we will ship them out on Monday 17th. I will also be at the Show in the Exhibition Hall demonstrating crocheted granny squares and to see who were the lucky recipients of our vouchers! If you are on the Sunshine Coast come along and say hello!
Do you love making beanies? Why not enter them into the Alice Springs Beanie Festival! Or venture out there to see the wonderful display they have? The Festival takes place 21st – 24th June. Find out more here.
We will also be making a beanie at our classes this month – but it’s not just any beanie. It’s the Montana Knit Look Beanie by Andriana M. It’s a fabulous technique that makes a beautiful soft beanie – I’ll certainly be wearing mine quite a bit – particularly when I’m in Melbourne for the Crochet Conference later in the month. Join us online Monday nights or in store Tuesday mornings or Wednesday evenings. Our classes have been updated until the end of September – take a look at what’s coming up here.
Speaking of the Crochet conference – are you going? It’s a great way of expanding your crochet skills, and meeting some fabulous people. I will be teaching two classes – crochet cables and waterfall crochet. Find out more here.
Lastly we have launched our Learn -A-Long for 2024 where you can Colour Your World. We are exploring many different colour techniques. Find out more here.
Until next time
Lynda
Theme—It’s All a Cover Up
As the cool weather begins to descent on us, we all begin to reach out for our cover ups. The first thing that comes to mind for me are shawls and wraps and ponchos to layer up as I go outside. I prefer these to jumpers at this time of the year, as they are lighter but also let the air circulate more so I don’t over heat. 
They are also easier to remove when it does warm up – whether it be for ourselves or the little ones in our lives – including their dolls! The wool blends – Sierra and Merino Soft, Fusion and Spritz – or the cotton blends – Stone Washed and Marble or Whirl and Whirlettes – or even acrylic – Superb 8 and Superb 4 – are all excellent yarns for a warm cover up
But covering up extends further than just ourselves – our pets often need a night time cover up as the temperatures plummet. I find that the acrylic yarns are better for these items – as they can be more durable than wool/cotton. They will generally require more frequent washing and may be clawed at and chewed!
But it’s not just the living we need to think about covering up! Tea Cosies and mug cosies are particularly useful cover ups to keep our hot drinks hot! Traditionally wool was used for these items due to its heat retaining properties. However wool blends and acrylic yarns work equally as well. Many people now prefer the acrylic yarn due to its easy washing. Of course some make tea cosies just for decoration – in which case you could use whichever yarn you like to show off the design!
If you don’t have carpeted floors – like me I have tiles – cover ups for the floor become a winter household necessity. I find that cotton is best to use for this -It’s highly durable, absorbent, easy to clean and can withstand heavy foot traffic.  The Finch 10ply cotton I find is ideal for floor mats. Wool and wool blends are also effective as they bounce back after being compressed underfoot and are also good at repelling dirt and stains. Acrylic is a good short term solution, but it usually doesn’t last long with heavy foot traffic.
Of course you can’t go pass the humble throw or knee rug to use as a cover up when lounging on the sofa, or sitting outside watching sports or just sitting out for some fresh air!
But cover ups are not just for warmth! They are also a way of decorating any room. Table runners and centres, mug mats and coasters, wall hangings are just some of the ways to cover up for decoration.
Take a look through our next section for some inspiration for cover ups for you, your family and friends and home.
I found this free pattern you may wish to try – the Ruffled Cape by Linda Kaye Smith. The cape was an on -trend winter accessory for the Northern Hemisphere!
Showtime Tea Cosies
$14.50 Inc. GSTBook of the Month
Showtime Tea Cosies
By Vicki Moodie 5 crocheted tea cosy designs all in 3 sizes to suit tea pots from 2 to 6 cups and a tea pot nest in 2 sizes – all using 8ply yarn. Each tea cosy design has instructions for 3 different sizes with each size providing a slightly different looking design to give you ideas to mix and match. See more images for photos of the designs in the book. 36 pages. Australian terminology
Tip of the Month
Using the Centre of a Ball – why and how.
I often get asked whether it is better to use a ball of yarn from it’s centre or the outside. Read on to hear what I prefer and tips for finding the centre.
