Nayu's Craft Time #6 A guide for when something goes wrong

Step 1) Hide yourself from the horror of failing...

Step 2) Take a break if you can. You'll get a fresh perspective when you come back to the task, and be calmer too.

Step 3) Try again with extra determination!

The quote I'm thinking of is 'If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.'  I've no clue of the quote's origin, but if you're really eager you can always Google it. 

I personally like my 3 step version which makes sense in the next paragraph. ^o^  This week I haven't done a lot of craft work because I've been ill and off work for some of it. I was in the minus category of energy levels, so it was anime, light shows & reading which saw me through it. 

I'm on the mend and this afternoon will be back to working on my 3rd attempt at figuring out how to get a paw print on my upcoming pet blanket range. I will do a more comprehensive post once I'm successful with it which will include the failed first attempts, but for now let's just say the first attempt wasn't at all right. The second attempt was nearly there, but was rather fiddly and would put me off making more than 1 of them, which defeats the point of the blankets. The current 3rd attempt so far makes sense to me, in theory should work, and has sparked off other ideas for other blankets like it. I'll let you all know when a prototype is ready to show you. 

There will be paw prints somewhere on the blanket! Picture source

Nayu's Craft Time #5 Best crochet hook ever!

Read on for why this set of Clover Amour crochet hooks is my dream buy!

I'm a firm believer in buying the highest quality craft tools that you can afford without needing to empty the entire contents of your bank account. This is particularly true to crochet. All thoughts in this post are entirely my own opinion, and are by no means set in stone or specific rules which others must follow. It's entirely personal which knitting needle/crochet hook you prefer, so try out a few before deciding which is your favourite.

Crochet hooks come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Google them and you'll come up with zillions of results. Thankfully I didn't need a zillion to find what I liked. Thanks to my background in knitting, I knew I didn't want an all metal hook. 

I run in terror from a sight like this.

 I used bamboo knitting needles because for some reason I detest the feel of metal knitting needles. The same goes for metal crochet hooks. Oddly I can cope with metal sewing needles no matter the weather - where I have used metal knitting needles in the past, knitting in summer wasn't a comfortable experience. 

I already prefer thicker than the average biro because I find it easier to write with. My pen holding technique is far from so called proper ways because I tire fast and can't write lots. It makes sense that I need a slightly thicker grip on crochet hooks.

Now, I did try this Clover plastic hook, because it claims it is designed to be perfect for your hands, comfy,  to be easier on the hands, something which is important since my hands and arms are weak. It drove me nuts within minutes. The rubber bit is only for your thumb. It's not comfy, it doesn't provide a good grip, and I shortly reached for my laptop and looked for other hooks. 

Isn't she pretty? Nabbed photo online since I was too cosy to get up & take one of my own hook - ditto previous hook.

Tada! Here's the Clover Amour 4mm size beauty that I use for all my projects. I don't benefit by mentioning Clover in any way, shape or form.  It works as good as it looks. It's a decent size to grip with my fingers, the entire handle is a rubber material, but not too hard when using for a long time. Plus it's purple, one of the coolest colours around! 

I did buy an inexpensive set of hooks in different sizes when I went through a phase of thinking about using a size of hook which is recommended for different yarn types, so that I could try the size out, then think about buying more of the Clover range of hooks. I didn't think there would be that much difference in how easy it is to crochet, but there is. It wasn't as smooth as I was used to, and I soon picked my Magnificent Purple Hook back up. Because of the work I do, for now I don't (yes, go on, gasp with shock) change my needled to suit the type of yarn I'm using. This 4mm hook works fine on everything!!! 

Pretty! Photo source.

I do suspect in time I will eventually progress to changing hook sizes more often, and yes I would quite like to try a fancy coloured wooden hook, if it's thick enough. 

For now 1 size fits all of my needs. Although this particular hook costs on average £7 including postage, it is entirely worth it for a comfortable crochet session. I'll let you know if I find superior hook, but for now this will stay firmly in my crochet bag, ready for action 24/7.

You can see my hook poking out the top, and read why this bag is so special to me.

Nayu's Craft Time #4 Blog schedule

I wish I had this weekly planner! May have to print it & use it when my current one is finished ^o^

I'm not quite yet Empress of Schedules, but I'm definitely Princess of Schedules. Life without a schedule is super scary, and thus not something I like to do. Now, while I have enjoyed making sure Nayu's Crochet Dreams has a daily post this week, and would love to continue to do so, due to my day job, my daily review blog (which has a routine of its own), and the need for scheduled down time to recharge my severely lacking in energy body, I'm only going to post 3 times a week. This does give me extra time to make things for you to buy & win! My posting days will be...

...Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays! 

For now I won't set a specific topic for the posts, as that can be too limiting. That & I like to surprise you ^o^ 

In case you miss the fairly big picture to the right of this post, there's still plenty of time to enter my international competition for this pretty blanket!

Nayu's Craft Time #3 My crochet kit

This is where the crochet magic happens! The basket, not the table.

Today I thought I'd show you my crochet tools. I got this basket as a present from some friends nearly 2 years ago. The cute ballerina koala which has a bell that chimes whenever I move is it from when some of my family visited other family who live in Sydney, Australia. 

I will chat about my crochet hook another time, as that information is for a full post and I'm trying to keep this brief as although I went to work today after being off sick yesterday, I'm still feeling peaky & need rest. The problem with this weekend it's time to take my extra strong pain meds which make life rather interesting until Sunday. You can find out more on this post at my other blog Nayu's Reading Corner.

The yellow ribbon which you can see in the main picture is from this!

A keepsake from my childhood

This little bag is from my childhood. I had a matching outfit which may have been a dress. I must have kept this because of how cute it is. I can't remember when I started using it for craft, but I keep my scissors, hook & sewing in needles in there, and I put any ends which I cut off in there too. I do periodically chuck them in the bin, but usually only when it's too full to use ^o^

I plan on working on my idea for pet blankets tonight, while listening to audiobooks and maybe watching some anime. 

I hope that whatever you're doing tonight you enjoy it!

Coming soon #2 Gallery

 I'm putting this blog together step by step, so something that's coming soon is the Gallery! This is where you'll see every crochet item I make. Some will be for sale, some won't as they are presents or made for some other reason. This blanket made for a young boy in my family. 

I'll include pictures of my cross stitch projects, which will never be for sale but are always pretty, like this cute owl kit which I've just started

That's all for now - see you with new projects very soon! 

I'm off to get crafting!

Nayu's Craft Time #2 Bits & bobs

I actually Googled 'anime bits & bobs' & this was one of the first items to appear. I love it! You can find it here

I know the title is a bit generic, but bits and bobs is the most accurate description of both what the post is about, as well as what I'm doing with the blog. I'm slowly adding features as I think of them, trying out new ideas & layouts, so please bear with me. This blog is in the early stage of construction, and like with all blogs will always need elements changed, but I'm well on the way to having it how I want it. 

This is my main at a glance diary as it's really small. I note down various book review events, & now I'll write down what I'll schedule in for my craft blog too! This weekend I hope to sort out my bio & about page.

Today I've pre-scheduled Thursday's and Friday's posts for you - go me! As you can see in the picture above I'm thinking about what I'll be adding next to the site. I'm planning to have a permanent image on the right which will change daily, taking you to my other blog, Nayu's Reading Corner. I want all the posts here on Nayu's Crochet Dreams to be mostly craft based, rather than have lots of linking posts about reviews & anime as they will clog it up a fair amount since I post daily there. It will be updated daily too. That is just the tip of the iceburg of what what will be added here! 

This iceburg is a penguin theme park!

I'm off to relax with cross stitch and reading, as my day off is a day to rest & relax so I vaguely have enough energy for the rest of the working week. I hope to write and crochet later on today. I'll be sure to update you on my latest projects, the ones which I can show you. Some are a secret in case the people involved look at my blog. I'd rather not spoil the surprise ^o^ 

Here's some random cuteness! Bye!

Coming Soon #1 A new range of blankets!

A colleague at work today had a brilliant idea for another range on Nayu's Crochet Dreams - pet blankets! She helps out with a cat charity, and has dogs of her own so know how useful blankets can be. My cat was a rescue cat, who was found by builders in a shed emaciated, with a broken leg and a broken pelvis. She spent months in recovery after surgery, and I know blankets were used to keep her comfy. Blankets not only provide extra warmth when it's colder, but they can be a great comfort to our four legged friends. 

Belle just happened to be near my competition blanket when I took photos of it - I couldn't have got a better pose if I'd tried! She's 7, and very funny. The blanket will be washed before sending on ^o^

I'm not revealing my full plan for the pet blankets, but I promise it is something very cool if I can figure out how to do it. I'd love to hear if there are any particular colours you would/wouldn't like for your furry friend. My cat has an attitude the size of an elephant, so much so last year she refused to sleep in her bed for over 6 months because we changed the blanket. Thankfully I know many cats and a few dogs who aren't as fussy, and with the cute idea I've got your animal will love the forthcoming blankets as much as I do! 

Now tonight was going to be spent reading, but what with having to get groceries for both me, my cat, and my birds, I'm going to settle with anime and...crochet! I may be able to finish the Desert Dewdrop Dreams blanket which you can see in the right menu -> Whoohoo!

Little beats a purr filled hug!