That old fence.

Inject a little bit of spring to your wardrobe with this quick-to-crochet butterfly hairpin.
Coming from the knitting side of the fence, I’ve written this pattern with those new to crochet in mind—which means crystal clear descriptions of the stitches and techniques involved.

I use the word ‘techniques’ loosely here, as I’m kind of self-taught when it comes to crochet. I tend to just wing it even more than usual, as crochet is in one way more forgiving than knitting: the stitches are self-contained. None of this having to worry about keeping everything on the needle, no making sure you work your way around all the stitches or cover the holes made by short rows—you can just pick up stitches wherever you feel like it, weaving in ends as you go. Gotta love that.

So if you’re scared to try crochet, please don’t be. I’ve made the butterfly clip, and the cupcake toy, available as free ravelry downloads, and I will do my best to answer any questions you might have along the way.

Knitting tends to be more forgiving on the human body—it drapes and curves and stretches more readily than crochet, which is awesome for anything sturdy or with inbuilt texture and structure. I’m trying to make peace with the distinction, and use each craft to complement each other rather than compete.

On the knitting front, I’ve released my two assymetrical cabled sock patterns together as a small e-book, so if you’ve purchased one of these already please contact me for a special deal on the set.

Happy Monday!

1. willow granny square II, 2. yellow and grey necklace, 3. Yellow Door, 4. salem common, 5. Dark Friday turned sunny inside! (C365:130) [May 17, 08], 6. yellow octopus fabric, 7. yellow bicycle meditation, 8. Silver Dollar Pancakes, 9. golden geometrics

Hope your day is a sunny one. x

You’ve got red on you.

shaun of the dead

Originally uploaded by cakeyvoice

I’ve never been into Halloween (I know it’s huge in the U.S. but it’s not a tradition I grew up with at all), but found myself re-watching Shaun of the Dead on October 31st, of all days.
I actually couldn’t think of a better way to spend the evening.

Knitting-wise, the Sock Knitters’ Anonymous group on ravelry is holding their monthly Sockdown knitalong, and one of November’s pattern choices is a mystery mosaic sock designed by the very talented Star Athena.
Sign up here if you want to join in the fun!

Spring in the air

I’ve noticed bright orange cropping up in my projects lately, and I’m not sure whether it’s that springtime craving for change, life, and all things bright— but I can’t seem to get Lee’s inspired and vividly photographed ebook Game Knitting out of my head (I am obsessed with this hat!).

I really like the idea of knitting something when you’re not sure where it’s going or what the finished product will look like—something I do quite often! With this in mind, I’m considering offering the pattern for these socks (above, disguised) as a Mystery Knitalong, just for a bit of springtime fun. Would anyone be interested in joining in?

Missed you guys.

Now, I know these words aren’t always a dialogue—I am often talking to myself here, and I’m okay with that—but I missed this little blog. I think I missed the reflection, the excuse for me to think about what I’m doing and why—and the impetus to search for patterns: in my life, the food and craft I make, and the wider world.

Recent obsessions:
Salads! The weather has turned a corner here and it’s approaching that time of year when cold food is desirable for every meal. I’ve been experimenting with creating the perfect mayo-free potato salad, uncreamy pineapple coleslaw and nutty green salad with vinaigrette, which keeps me happy in the kitchen.

Slipped stitch colourwork, or ‘mosaic knitting’, is an oft-misunderstood branch of knitting, and has great potential for creating colourwork using plant-based yarns without adding a lot of extra bulk, as in Fair Isle or other stranded knitting. I am only just beginning to wrap my head around this technique, but you can expect a bit more of it to show up here.

What have you all been up to?

I’m taking a break from blogging.

I’ll still be hanging out at ravelry and flickr, so skip on over there for ninjas, cupcakes and a kitchen full of awesome.

Yellow Rose Recipes

Jalapeno corn cakes and Taco Salad TVP, from Yellow Rose Recipes by Joanna Vaught.

I love this cookbook. As soon as it arrived in the mail I sat down, flicked all the way through, and decided on two recipes I could combine for dinner that night. And I made them exactly as written. The corncakes in particular were a hit with the entire omni family, and I’m thinking about cooking them again this week.

I haven’t had a great deal of exposure to Tex-Mex food, growing up in Western Australia and all, but I have a deep love of sweetcorn, avocado and red kidney beans, especially in combination, and was very pleased to see them featured so affectionately in this cookbook. The recipes, ingredients and tone of the book are warm, practical and free of pretension—reminding me a bit of another favourite, Vegan Lunch Box. I think this book will become well-used and live on the kitchen counter full of scraps of paper and scribbles, rather than sitting sedately on the bookshelf.

Cake or death?

Basic vanilla cupcake mix from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World, subbing cherry juice for the sugar (which made the cake super spongy and moist) —with apple slices and cinnamon placed onto the batter before baking. Yum! I’m already thinking about variations.

My first attempt at creating an amigurumi version of this iconic image, and I like it!
Any clever crafters out there interested in test-crocheting one for me? I’ll take up to five commenters who express an interest.

The pattern will require familiarity with the following techniques:
—Making an adjustable ring
—Single crochet, both flat and in the round
—Using slip stitches, both to join and for decorative purposes
—Increasing and decreasing in single crochet
—Working in the back loop of stitches

The version pictured used partial skeins in three colours of Peaches ‘n’ Creme cotton worsted weight yarn with a 3.5mm hook.

Now available to download from ravelry, with thanks to the skilled and generous Amy for test-crocheting and providing awesome feedback.
Leave a comment on this post if you’re interested!

I finished something! And it’s not socks!

Pattern: Baby Belle by the lovely Cosy. I’m not usually the clucky type, but there’s something about the square neck and mod ruffles that just makes me go Awww.

Yarn: Corn ingeo/ bamboo kindly handspun by Celia in exchange for a handmade drop spindle. I had bought the spindle in a fit of enthusiasm for learning to spin yarn, but then remembered (?) I didn’t really have time for a new hobby. Celia sweetly stepped in to spin my fibre for me, and the rest is history.

Super cute, speedy little treat for any little ones in your life.
Go knit one!

a.m. socks

$5.00 ravelry download

Named for a certain singer-songwriter but with a decidedly unisex twist, these cabled socks are available in three sizes and can now be downloaded for the paltry sum of $5.00 from my ravelry store.

Knit top down with a ribbed cuff, wedge toe and reinforced stitches below the gusset. Each sock features a single bold cable running down the heel flap, & another down the instep. Left and right socks mirror each other. Pattern includes instructions for cabling without a cable needle (yay!).

NITTY GRITTY DETAILS
Gauge: 8 stitches and 10 rows = 1”/2.5cm in stockinette
Sizes: S (M, L)
Foot/ankle circumference: 7 (8, 9) inches/ 18 (20.5, 23) cm unstretched
Needles: US Size 1.5/2.5mm needles or size to get gauge
Approx. 300-400yd/275-365m fingering-weight yarn, depending on size and length of foot (I used Tikal by Wild Fire Fibres, cotton/tencel blend)

Have a great weekend!