Good evening!
There are so many things I want to tell you that I don't quite know where to start! I'm going to have to keep it short on each subject!! Even so, you might need a nice cup of coffee and a warm lapghan to see you through this email :)
1. Hide and Seek in the Hydrangeas Shawl
I thoroughly enjoyed making this Hydrangea Shawl for Issue 107 of Inside Crochet. It is made in the Look At What I Made colourway of Our Tribe and I am so excited about how it turned out. This is only the second time I have included beads in a pattern and I am going to do it a lot more often.
2. Ubuntu
We have now finished the Ubuntu CAL 2018, with the last part (Part 12) being released on Wednesday. I am elated and deflated at the same time. This project has been part of my life for so long that I don't quite know what to do with myself! The only medicine for that is to throw myself into the next project, don't you think?
Before I do that, though, we still have the bonus patterns. These patterns are not crochet patterns but beading patterns. Surprise! We will be creating a Friendship bracelet next Wednesday, followed by a Pendant the week after. I'm very excited to try something new with you!!
I would like to thank each and every one of you who joined in, supported from the sidelines, and encouraged others to give it a go. It has been a wonderful journey :)
If you haven't heard about the Ubuntu CAL yet, you can find all the details here:
Ubuntu - The Idea Behind It
Ubuntu - The Reveal
Ubuntu - Information
Ubuntu - Special Stitches and Techniques
Please note that the pattern is available as free written-only PDFs (in MANY languages and US/UK terms) from Scheepjes. My posts do not contain the pattern, only a photo of each round and some helpful tips.
Ooh, and if you haven't seen my Rainbow Ubuntu, you can read more about it HERE.
3. Emma Blanket
I don't know if you remember the Emma Square I designed for my friend Emma. Hazel Raven has made a lovely blanket using 49 Emma Squares and she has kindly agreed to let me feature this blanket as my first post in a series celebrating the way people interpret and use my patterns.
Although it is not a complete pattern, more of a 'recipe' really, Hazel has shared instructions for how she made her blanket, should you wish to make one too. You can read all about it HERE.
4. Yarny Days
Since I sent my last newsletter, I have had quite a few fun yarny days.
There was the day I spent on the Black Sheep Wools stand at the Knitting and Stitching Show... I met so many lovely people. My favourite memory of the day was meeting Marblet (making Ubuntu) and Audrey. Just look at our smiles!!! Oh, and I also had the joy of stealing a cheeky hug from Matt from a Boy and Bunting and Carmen from New Leaf Designs (she's the cute one in the photo below with Janie Crow and me).
Then there was the afternoon I spent at Janie Crow's studio for a cosy meet and greet (more lovely people) and, of course, Yarndale and the Scheepjes Bloggers Weekend (which you can read all about HERE).
Ooh, AND there was a trip to Wool Warehouse (which you can read about HERE), where I was taught the ropes and allowed to pick some orders for people. Do you know? Now that I am listing all of the wonderful things I've been doing, I feel quite jealous of past-me. I hope future-me will have many more moments like this!!
And yes, even moments like in the photo below, where we are trying so hard to get a pretty family photo but end up getting a 'real' one instead.
AND, quite exciting, next weekend I will be doing another yarn retreat with Devon Sun Yarns. Oh, how I have missed Lyme Regis and the spot in front of the fireplace where I always plonk myself down to crochet cross-legged. Oooh, that reminds me, Daisy has some lovely Yarn calendars for sale, if you are still looking for a yarny gift for one of your friends.
5. Awards
Ok, I'm going to have to speed things up now!
I received a 'highly commended' award at the British Knitting and Crochet Awards ceremony (you can see a photo of me and my award HERE on Facebook). This was the second year I attended the ceremony, and the third time I have received an award. I can't thank you enough for making me feel like a princess for a day.
I have also been nominated in a few categories for the British Craft Awards 2019. Voting closes on the 16th of December, so there is still time to vote for your favourite yarn/shop/designer/blog.
6. Yarn 6
One of my guilty pleasures over the last 3 years has been being a part of the Scheepjes bi-yearly Bookazines. For Issue 6: Folk, I designed a Swedish Cabin Doorstop with a zillion tiny single crochet stitches and some cross stitch detail. You can read more about it HERE.
7. Little Box of Crochet book
The Floral Tea Cozy I designed for Little Box of Crochet is now available in the long-awaited book 'Little Box of Crochet: The Story So Far...'. It is a beautiful, thick book, with lots of photos to help you create the projects in it. I have to say that I LOVE the way the graphic designer included little doodles and watercolours, specific to each design in the book. You can buy the book directly from Little Box of Crochet HERE.
8. BE CAL
Last thing, I promise!
My friends Tess and Kay from Sisters in Stitch will be starting a new CAL next year. It is called 'The Butterfly Effect', with three colourways: BE Present, BE Past, and BE Future.
You can find out more about the CAL HERE.
I hope you have a wonderful week! Mr. Lawim and I are listening to nostalgic South African music and making each other cry from homesickness. Is there any greater blessing than having loved something so much that the lack of it pierces your very soul?
Dedri
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