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Sock Blog Hop #5 - Toe up or Cuff down socks?

Welcome to the 5th instalment for the Sock CAL 2018 Blog Hop.  If you have been following from the beginning, I should imagine that you are well on your way to choosing your sock design, yarn and have a pretty good understanding of the construction of a sock. Then comes the next question - Toe Up or Cuff Down?  Does it really matter?  Surely they all come out the same.  You are right, they do look the same and there is no discernible difference.  I have crocheted a fair number of socks over the last few years and I must admit that I have a preference - Cuff down.  To put it simply, I don't like adding a ribbed cuff at the end of the sock. I admit that I am just not very good at crocheting the ribbed cuff at the end of the pattern. I get confused and when I start to work on it I don't like how mine looks.   I prefer to work the cuff first and then work from the ankle down (I like the cuffs nice and neat).   I like to try on the sock as I go and know that I can adjust the num
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#backtoschoolsweatercal Progress Update

It's my turn again on the #backtoschoolsweatercal blog hop and this time I am following on from Sam , from Sam Simple Melody, to record my progress so far. I am happy to say that I have finished my Ava sweater from the Dora Ohrenstein's Top Down Sweater Book and I have had plenty of wear out of it already.  The fit is flattering and I am so glad that I took the time to read all of the hints and tips and obtain my true measurements so that I have a truly wearable garment. Pattern and Yarn Choice I used the recommended yarn - Berroco Folio in Bayberry and I crocheted a tension square to make sure that I was on gauge. For projects of this magnitude, I prefer to use the suggested yarn (if my purse allows) so that I can obtain the same results.  I chose to make a Large based on my bust and hip measurements and it was spot on. Getting Started and progress The yoke was the first section of the sweater to be crocheted and I found the pattern straightforward and easy to read.
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Free your mind and the rest will follow

When I have something on my mind, I sleep walk.  Whether it is something major or something insignificant, it will play on my subconscious and I will find myself out of bed either hovering over my husband (he does not appreciate this) or ushering imaginary children out of my house telling them to be quiet and not wake anyone up!  This happens to me on a regular basis and I try and clear my mind of anything that I can control.  Writing things down, telling Siri to remind me to buy ingredients - it all aids in the process of "freeing my mind". I am known for not having multiple WIPs and people can't understand why I can't have various projects spilling out of my stash.  Perhaps this is why.  In a funny way it makes me anxious to have more than one project on the go and as I have said before (in the words of the glorious Ron Swanson) "Don't half ass two things, whole ass one thing". Putting all of my energy into one project keeps me focussed and takes t
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#Backtoschoolsweatercal

This post is part of the Back to School Sweater blog hop and CAL. You can find last week's Blog post by Tamara Gooderham  here . The next stop on the blog hop will be by Helen Eccles on 9th September, who will be talking about  Yarn choice, inc. substitution, drape, cost, climate yarnsub.com including caution.  For more details of the CAL visit the Crochet Circle podcast group on Ravelry. Crochet Garments Having read Tamara's previous blog, I have to hold my hand up and say "Yes, I have enough crochet shawls." We all do.  There are so many fabulous garments to be made and we do not need to be afraid of them.  I started out with a simple stripy top from a crochet magazine - it wasn't too scary, and actually, I wear it a lot.  Crochet garments do not have to be complicated masterpieces that include every stitch combination going.  I have included below all of the crochet garments that I have made for myself, starting out with simple patterns, and getting more c
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Making Something out of Nothing

In my line of work I often catch myself saying to a child or children "stop making something out of nothing."  You know how it goes, a single flying insect in the classroom can erupt and seem like a swarm of bees has just descended to sting us all, with children jumping around and leaping onto their chairs.  There is always the child who wants to catch it and the one screaming (usually cowering in the corner) as if their life were in immediate danger. The other day, my sister and I were chatting while we were crocheting. We were discussing the fact that we were fortunate to be creative people as we could basically make something out of nothing.   As crocheters/sewers/knitters/crafters (circle all that fit) we can take a single ball of wool/fabric etc, and create garments, bags, accessories, toys and even shoes! You name it and we could probably make it.  We can make gifts for people, out of nothing, and put a smile on their faces. So remember, when you pick up your tool
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We've got a good thing going!

You know when you are on to a good thing when all you want to do is spend time making/baking/eating/doing it. Recently, Fay Dashper-Hughes from  www.knitit-hookit-craftit.com  published her pattern for the Hove Beach Bag and it ticked all of my boxes: ✅ Learning a new skill ✅ Something that I am going to actually use/wear ✅ Supporting a fellow crafter Now many of you have seen my progress on IG and know that I have made the bag and matching purse and I absolutely love it (so do you guys).  I loved making it so much, that I decided to order more yarn and make it again - and why not!  Once you find 'that' pattern, there is a feeling of accomplishment and then not wanting it to stop. The bag can be used with the O Bag system The pattern incorporates Intarsia crochet The swatch is made into a purse I used Drops Muskat 100% Cotton I have always loved making shawls and over the last year, I have ventured into making garments and pushing myself to tackle
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Procrastination for the Nation!

I've never thought of myself as a procrastinator...until now.  I have been working on a qualification linked to my job for the last 2 years because, quite simply, it doesn't hold my interest and takes the enjoyment away from my work.  Give me a ball of yarn and a crochet hook and I will whip up a shawl in a matter of days.  Give me something academic to do and I will drag my feet and find everything else to do but the task in hand. Recently, I decided to make the Chloe Cardigan from the Top Down Sweater Book and I had purchased the yarn that I thought would suit the pattern. It didn't!  I soldiered on but my heart didn't seem to be in it.  I put it to one side and other patterns started to call my name.  Because of my phobia of WIPs (I know!) I didn't want to start another project - I didn't want to continue with this one either. Don't get me wrong, I love the pattern, it's just that the weight of the yarn was too light for the project.  I started to
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