Weekend basket

I hope you have all had a good weekend!

My project for this weekend was to crochet this lovely Moss basket.  I had lots of aran wool from my Nan's stash and so found some that I had 2 balls of, as it was double stranded.

It was really quick and easy and made up quickly.  I made a 14" one in diameter and approximately 10" high.  It is in American so I had to get my head organised for that.  I would say that a beginner is more than capable of producing this.  You only need to know how to do single crochet, half double crochet and reverse single crochet (also known as the crab stitch - this was for the last row.  This last stitch was new to me and took me a few attempts but I think it really finishes it off well.

Although it looks a little lopsided, it isn't.  You can see the reverse single crochet along the handle in the top right photo.

Betty, the dog, thought it looked rather good and might make a good bed if only it were bigger.

Inside the basket is some of my new yarn for my next project, which is a throw for my youngest daughter's bed.

Next time you are at a loss as to what to make and you only have a couple of free days, have a go at this.  You can make it any size and it would make a lovely present to fellow crafters for storing little bits and pieces. A small one would look nice to store cosmetics or cotton wool balls.....give it a go!!

Nan's stash

A few months ago I was given a huge stash of yarn that was found at my Nan's house.  She is now 91 and can no longer knit or crochet, so my parents decided to remove it and give it to me.  They didn't bank on the amount of wool that was there though.......it filled the entire car up!!

Here is part of the stash:

So today, having given myself a day off study for being a good girl, I thought I would use some of it.  I had seen a rather nice square pattern that I thought I would give a go.  I saw it on Ravelry; the 'yarn clouds square'.  

It is my Nan's 92nd birthday in a couple of months time, so I chose colours that she likes and set to work.  It was very quick and easy once I got into the swing of it.  I used DK yarn and a size 4mm hook; in fact I used my favourite wooden hook.  Because I used DK and a smaller hook, the square measured only 8.5 " rather than the 12". 

Here is the finished square:

I'm thinking that I will make another one and buy a cushion pad and some lavender essential oil and make a lavender scented cushion for her to put on her bed.

It has been lovely being able to have a quick project after a long one with all my lounge cushions.