Nayu's Craft Time #291 Hot weather + craft = ?

The heatwave continues!

If you follow me on Twitter (link in the side bar -> ) you'll know I've been having a quiet week resting as I wasn't well last week. I've mostly been gaming on Dragon Quest Builders, not only because I'm obsessed with it but certain crafts don't mix well in hot weather. I've a load of cute cross stitch projects but for some reason I absolutely hate how metal needs feel when it's hot. It makes me feel like a lot of people feel when fingernails are scratched on a chalk board: 

This was a common sight when I was little.

In case not everyone knows what a chalk board is, since these days schools use whiteboards, when I was at school whiteboards didn't exist. Chalkboards were used, they were usually black or a weird green colour, and chalk was used to write on them, not whiteboard markers There's a hideous sound that can be made by dragging fingernails or other material on a chalk board which irritates everyone. 

None of this for me at the moment

So (or should it be sew?!!) no sewing for me. Equally no crochet because while I use crochet hooks with rubber grippy material on the base the top part is metal. 

I love Clover crochet hooks and Clover butter!

That leaves me with 1 knitting project which I will do in a few days, once I'm over the worst of my mega strong meds that I'm having later today. I'm scheduling a couple of posts up during that time. 

Is there any craft/other activity you can't do when the weather is rather hot? 

You can insert your favourite colour with this saying!

Nayu's Project Progress #7 Invisible project + baby blanket

I was too comfy to get up and lay this on the floor for the photo shoot.

I hope everyone's day has gone well. I've been working on the project which is not being photographed until completion, in case the recipient sees it. It's a bit frustrating as I've made quite a bit of progress on it today while I waited for my car to be serviced (about 2 hours), but it'll be worth it. 

I can and have shown you the picture of the progress on my baby blanket! (top pic) This will be a blueprint for custom blankets, which I will be able to adjust the size and also the colour to suit what you'd like. So you can make the perfect gift for a newborn in your life, or make a bigger version and keep it for yourself! The joy of blankets is that they aren't only for one category/occasion, they can be whatever you want them to be! 

Sneek peek at concepts for NCDs upcoming rebranding!

In light of NCD having a relaunch once the new branding is ready to go, I'm also hoping to make more than 1 flower coaster tonight. I intend to start watching the new Agatha Christie 3 parter on BBC 1, and don't expect to figure out who did but there's a crochet related tale to the series. 

Who done it? &  why am I watching this show?

I became very intrigued by what my family were watching one crochet session. Turned out to be Temperance and Tuppence, which I found hard to ignore (but was in the middle of anime so kind of wasn't about to switch shows since anime comes first!  Otherwise I'd never have been interested in the funny and thrilling new show which is in 3 parts...and thus I refused to start watching until all parts are out so I don't have to wait a week for the next part of the story. 

Slightly off topic but I think I have some craft themed mystery books coming up on my review list, so I will link you to the reviews when they are up. Craft is craft! Be it in a book, or using my preferred yarn and hook/needles. I'll leave you with a saying which I found today - they will pop up more and more as I'm getting a little addicted to them at the moment!

Nayu's Craft Time #50 New Shiny Things and Snowflakes Part 2!

My snowflakes come from here!

Ah, my first 2 part post! Nayu's Craft Time #50 New Shiny Things and Snowflakes Part 1 of 2! was posted yesterday; I introduced you to my new hooks and my very first snowflake. Today I'm going to explain the rest of the snowflake experiment. I wanted to show you have different sized hooks used on the same yarn produce different results, and a part of me wanted to see whether the 1.5mm hook or the 2.5mm hook is best with this particular yarn. 

1.5mm hook snowflake vs 2mm hook snowflake

My second snowflake, seen on the right, was made with the 2mm snowflake. I've decided that there isn't really much difference between them (other than a few more yarn issues). I like the pattern, although I'm tempted to change the single chain in the last row to 2 single chains, to make that space at the top of each hole more distinct. What I did next was make the snowflake using my trusty 4mm hook, which I love not only because it's purple but because it's such a versatile size. 

Ho hum. Upon starting to crochet I instantly knew this yarn was wrong for this size hook. It isn't as neat and tidy. It doesn't feel steady while using it. It annoyed me, but for the sake of experimentation I carried on. I have to say now I've used a smaller hook I may wait until I have my 3mm and redo the few motifs I've made for a shawl, since I think it will be a bit neater (if a bit smaller...) 

Current shawl starting motifs

To make myself feel better I used a thicker yarn and made a 4th snowflake (still using the Frost pattern). 

It makes a huge difference! I loved every moment of creating this orange snowflake. I wanted to make more, but my experimenting time was up. I'm glad I can make snowflakes on both a smaller and larger scale - I'm sure in the future I will join some together as a shawl/blanket, and others I'll make with the teeny tiny hook so they can be snowflake charms on blanket. 

I'm so excited about my lovely snowflake patterns! I was going to promise to make all 100 - I may still do that, but I didn't quite understand the first snowflake so I don't know if I will make them all. I'm hoping as I go through the ones I can follow I'll eventually be able to do the ones I found trickier. Practise makes nearly perfect in crochet. I'm looking forward to showing all of my experiments and attempts with you!

Here are all the Frost snowflakes!

Back to shiny things!

I've saved this point til last to justify why this part 2 features new shiny things. What is really nifty about the new hooks is the special metal cover for the 1.5mm hook, I guess to stop it being squished by a crochet book or whatever else it gets squished by. Yes it amused me taking the cap on and off a few times. It's the little things! (Vague pun intended). 

I hope you've enjoyed this 2 part post - expect more to come over the next few months!  

Snowflakes make me as happy as Elsa is here!

Nayu's Craft Time #50 New Shiny Things and Snowflakes Part 1 of 2!

This says it all!

This is my first every 2 part post - whoohoo! Thought it would be easier for you to digest than a super long post. That and it gets you coming back for another visit to see what happens next! Mwhahahaa.... 

My shiny things!

Ahem! Tuesday heralded the arrival of the smaller hooks which I've already talked about (or not - yes there are times I make posts up in my head and then don't post them).  As you can see they still have funky handles, and the close-up below reveals just how thin the 2mm (green) & 1.5mm (yellow) hook are compared to the not new 4mm (purple) hook. 

My pretty hooks!

Now I've been crocheting with a 4mm from the time I started. I haven't really needed a smaller hook since none of my projects so far were required to be a certain size. However, with my future projects most definitely needing some delicate work and the suggested  yarn for all the snowflakes I hope to make, smaller hooks were needed. 

The source of my snowflakes!

Once they arrived today I thought what better than to test them out using what I think might be 4ply cotton yarn and launch into snowflake #2 called Frost. It perhaps wasn't the wisest decision to try a teeny tiny hook out on an unknown pattern, but I went for it. 

1st ever snowflake!!!

It took a a few tries of the first row to get used to the smaller 1.5mm hook. It was a bit tricky as the stitches are teeny tiny and occasionally the yarn twisted (cue me glaring & mentally thinking 'grrr' to the hook - as a good craftswoman I rarely blame my tools-yarn isn't a tool!) 

My version and the book's.

I was happy with my first attempt, and quickly moved on to making the same snowflake with the same yarn and different hooks. You'll have to wait for part 2 link will take you there to see how why I'm as happy as young Elsa from Disney's Frozen is when she makes snow regarding my snowflakes!

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.