Crochet’d Critters

Since re-learning how to crochet at college a few years ago, I’ve started to carry odd bits of wool around, with a crochet hook or two.  It’s amazing what you can make with a few odd bits, and some time.  And time doesn’t need to be hours and hours (although it can be) – just a couple of lunch breaks or bus journeys can be long enough.

Take these ones.  Little Angels.  The first one of these was made sitting on Ferg’s sofa in the summer while he talked at me.  I had no particular plans in mind when I began this one, but I’d only taken a ball of white wool with me, so I was pretty limited - which makes it more interesting!  Since then I’ve made a few more, and sold one.  Could be a good idea to make more in time for selling next Christmas…

Then at the other end of the spectrum, there’s this one, which should be instantly recognisable to everyone.  Meet Dalek Cliff.  Made from a pattern I found on the internet (credit where it’s due - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dalek-amigurumi) and it took quite a while, but was well worth it.  I quite fancy making my own Dalek army, so there may be more of these on the way this year!

And somewhere in the middle are these ones… 

Lola the Dancer was born on the train from Hartlepool to London last year, while I was on the way to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the 360 Theatre in Kensington Palace Gardens.  The show was excellent, by the way!  But again, she’s just a few oddments of wool and a few hours where I had nothing to do. 

In the same way, Octie was born on the way BACK from London that weekend.

The latest one, however, is Yorkie.  He’s named Yorkie, because I began him in on a car trip to York last weekend.  Most of his body was done on the way to and from York, and I was quite taken with where he was going, so I finished him off that weekend instead of leaving him half done for a few weeks.

 There’s a debate ongoing about Yorkie, however.  My brother tells me that he needs a mouth, whereas I disagree, and think he’s fine just the way he is.  So far after a bit of a vote at work it’s three for and three against, and one sitting on the fence.  What does everyone else think?  Shall I leave alone, or stitch him a mouth?

Art War!

Happy New Year!

I don’t normally go in for the whole New Year’s Resolution thingie, but this year I had a few things in mind…  Not the usual lose weight (I’m happy the way I am) or go to the gym (why make a promise you won’t keep?) or cut down on chocolate (not likely!); Instead, I thought it would be a good idea to give myself some artistic motivation.  So this year I decided that I would like to aim to make something new, and share it here, every single week.

Then I was talking to Alice last night, and she’s pretty much in the same boat as me, artistically.  So she decided to declare Artistic War, and I’m perfectly happy to accept the challenge!   

And to kick it off...  this one might be cheating slightly (snigger) but here’s one I did earlier this week!

Last May, while I had visitors from Australia, I spent a week in a caravan in Northumberland showing them why I’m so in love with this beautiful country I live in.  We visited Alnwick (a must, not just for the castle, but for Barter Books!) and while we were browsing in the castle shop Chris started a conversation with an artist in residence.  Darryn is a photographer and framer, and his work is stunning (see www.wildnorthumberland.com), and he’s also a very friendly bloke who is happy to share his local knowledge.  When he asked where I was planning on taking my Aussies that week, I answered with the obvious… the Scottish border, Lindisfarne, Cragside, Bamburgh… and he advised me to take the time to check out Craster.  So that’s where we headed the very next day.

And found a ruined castle.

Well obviously, when I say "found", it's not like it was lost.  It's pretty damned big for a start, so I don't think anyone mislaid it.  And it's VERY distinctive too.  This shot doesn't really show the scale of it all that well, but if you walk through the keep, and turn to the right, and walk til you come to the wall, you're right on the sea at the top of some stunning cliffs. 

It was a beautiful hot, clear day, and this is just one of the hundreds of photos taken by the five of us who were there this day, of Dunstanburgh Castle.  Both Craster and Dunstanburgh are well worth a visit, anytime you’re travelling along the A1 in Northumberland.  The five of us fell in love with this place, and we all rate this the very best day in an amazing week.

So I’ve had the photos on my laptop for quite a while now, with the intention of doing “something” with them.  And over the Christmas break I finally got started.  In my last post, I mentioned a workshop I did with Pat Ashton-Smith, and I refused to show the finished article.  Well, I went back to that technique, and gave it another go…

These two pictures are of the same piece of work, just taken in different lighting.  Because they show up different detail on the work, I decided to post both.  The piece itself is only about 3 inches square, and is made from raw silk with embroidered detail. 

Getting the colour into the fabric is rather imprecise, but worth persevering with, as you can create whole landscapes with it, which just need a bit of stitching to make into complete pieces.  And best of all, the fabric is sturdy enough to go through the sewing machine.