Crochet Extra – 165th Edition – May 2020

I’m getting in early… happy Mother’s Day for next weekend to all you Mums! As we begin to see some of the restrictions easing, I hope you all get a chance to get out and do something nice with your family, so they can show their appreciation for all the work you do.

Today of course is also the start of the Crochet Tournament! Good luck to all those who have entered. I am looking forward to seeing all the photos as you progress through each stage and heat. Invite friends and family to ‘spectate’ by joining the facebook group ‘Crochet Tournament 2020’ It has been a closed group up until now as the participants have been preparing, but its now open to everyone. Or follow along in Instagram with #crochettournament2020.

In February many of my supplies increased their prices. I have been able to hold off passing these along until now. You will therefore see some price increases coming through this month for many of our yarns.

During April I was trialling the online workshops with my regular workshop attendees and I think we have a formula that works – so I’m opening it up wider this month, but limiting it to 10 attendees per workshop. For May we are looking at Corner to Corner graphghans. Tuesdays 9.30am – 11.30 or Wednesdays 5.30pm – 7.30. I’m also trialing this Saturday afternoon 1.30pm to 3.30. by visiting our lesson calendar or calling us.

Until next time
Lynda

Theme—Afghans and Throws

It has never been a more perfect time to begin afghans and throws – winter is just around the corner; the scorching hot weather has passed; and we are still spending lots of time at home. We can never have too many hand-made blankets around – and if you think you do, there are many in need of blankets to help during the upcoming winter after losing everything in the fires we had during summer. And don’t forget your pets – who also enjoy snuggling.

Afghans are also great for crocheters of all levels and abilities. You can keep them simple using the one stitch – perfect for beginners; play with colour; learn new skills with sampler blankets or by using new stitches from many of the stitch directories; they can be made in rows that you can watch grow, or made portable by making squares or strips to join later. I’ve seen many beautiful colourful afghans that have been made as stash busters – using simple stitches but such an array of colour. And of course there are many Crochet-A-Longs (CAL’s) for afghans. I started doing the Complications CAL 12 months ago and I’m still going (admittedly I put it away during summer as it was too hot to do it then, and I’ve just taken it back out.)

Or you can try your hand at a graphghan – you pick the picture and the stitch and off you go. If the thought of such a big project is daunting, try baby blankets or pram blankets. You don’t need as much yarn and they can be finished a lot quicker. Peter Pan baby yarn is perfect for this and I’ve seen many a beautiful baby blanket made with the whirl cotton/acrylic blend.

The real benefit of afghans though is the ability to use any yarn to make them – while we generally associate them with winter and using acrylic or wool, the same designs in cotton can make some lovely light summer cover ups, or be perfect in the Northern part of the country in winter where it doesn’t get too cold. I have seen afghans of various sizes made from almost all the yarn we sell in store: whirls cotton/acrylic, almina cotton, Camilla batik cotton, catona cotton. Stone washed cotton/acrylic, catona denim cotton, sunkissed cotton, loyal wool, peter pan baby yarn, superb 8 acrylic.

In addition to the yarns, we have a large range of patterns available – we feature just some of these in this newsletter. Not sure where to start? Try the Tiles Granny Afghan from Red Heart

Tip of the month

Adding Borders to Afghans

Adding the finishing touches to a project – such as a blanket, dishcloth, or neckline – often involves adding a border around the edge. Your item generally looks unfinished without them. While many projects often have the border in the pattern, there are some that do not, or the instructions are not entirely clear as to where to go to create the border.

Book of the Month

Love Stitches

This great book has all the ideas to crochet for someone you love or someone in need. Create 44 projects to show how much you care. Can also be used as a charity crocheter’s ultimate resource for all types of stitching for giving. Easy and attractive patterns for children and babies, animals and the displaced are featured. Try your hand at caps for all, blankets, receiving blankets and bootees, froggy security blanket, baby jacket and hat, baby sox, bags, shawl, chemo cap, toe warmer and scarves and mittens. A section on various charities that accept crocheted items is included, making it easy for groups or individuals to connect with those who can use the items most. 64 pages US terminology

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