Hook Haul

I was devastated when my one and only American G6 hook snapped.  I glued it back together but it will never be the same …

Lobethal Lights Christmas 2016

Merry Christmas!

Come with me, this Christmas Eve, to Lobethal,
 a little German village in the Adelaide Hills. 

Three Little Bibbies … er … Piggies!

A quick photo post today!

Sad

Beautiful bunny feet.
(20 February 2016)

It is a very sad morning at my house.
My family and I are waking up to an empty house because darling young bunny Max had an emergency dash to the Animal hospital  overnight.

Hooks, Needles & Pins

Ravellenic Games Pin

When I think of "Needles and Pins", I think of the 60s song by The Searchers  which was a hit again in the 70s when it was recorded by Smokie.  The song was written by Sonny Bono and Jack Nitzsche and it doesn't seem to matter who records it, it always sounds great because it has a catchy 'hook'.

Isn't it funny how all three words can be used in the same sentence with different meanings?

This blog entry is about one of those words - PINS! 

Ravellenic Games Review 2016

The Ravelry Mascot, Bob, appears on the
commemorative pin.

My Ravellenic Games souvenir pin finally arrived in the post today! It was lovingly designed by Guin
(otherwise known as Octagonfudge on Ravelry) of
Perpetual Flights Studio.

Have you heard of the Ravellenic Games?  If not, you might like to find out more from one of my earlier posts (14 July 2016) which has links and an explanation of what you need to know.

While the Ravellenic Games were on, it was pretty busy but great fun.  I made faster crochet progress in two weeks than I have in two months!  Now that the rush of the Ravellenic Games is over, there is time to review and share the projects!

Lupey Loops at Maker Faire Adelaide 2016

The official 'Maker Faire ADL' postcard.

It's been almost a month since
Maker Faire Adelaide and you have been patiently waiting for news.

The official word is that Maker Faire Adelaide (#mfADL) is now the largest in the southern hemisphere!

No wonder it has taken me so long to recover!
It  was a fun and fantastic day.

At last, I am up and about again, ready to tell you about my very first crochet exhibition:

There's so much to tell, from the practicalities of participating in a large event while managing chronic illness, to setting up the exhibit, meeting people and having as much fun as possible.  This will probably take more than one blog entry so be prepared and consider yourself warned!

5000 Poppies on the Radio

Oriental Poppy
designed by Lesley Stanfield
crocheted by Jodiebodie (2015)

Today is Remembrance Day.

Last year, I collated crocheted poppy patterns on a quest to find the best. 

Today, Lynn Berry of the 5000 Poppies project was interviewed on Adelaide radio.

Get on your Broomsticks!

Warning: this is not about Hallowe'en

but

Hallowe'en is a great time to 'get a handle on'

Broomstick Crochet!

My first scarf of broomstick crochet is on the blocking board!
[August 2016]

Maker Faire ADL 2016

Do you want to learn more about tricot

 broomstick and hairpin crochet techniques?

 Would you like your general crochet questions answered?

Come along to the Adelaide Maker Faire 

on Sunday 6 November 2016 at Tonsley.

The old manufacturing site is becoming an 'innovation' precinct and the building renovations have won awards for sustainability and design.  Flinders University and TAFE SA will also be open to visitors so why not come down and have a look?

 I'll be there, ready to share my passion for crochet.  

Come along and say hello! 

I'd love to see you there!

Tricot with a Double-ended Hook (Tunisian Crochet)

A long, long time ago … in a galaxy far, far away … NO!  

That's not it!

Well, maybe it feels like it because I've had the striped tricot scarf completed for more than a year but, despite promises and a few teasing pictures, never got around to blogging about it properly … until now.

A pair of tricot hooks

Beach Days & Birthdays

Jetty sunset.

I've always loved the beach. It is one of my favourite places. Sadly, it is not always the best thing or the easiest thing for me to go down to the beach. Nevertheless, I managed to get to the beach twice: to watch sailing and see the sunset.

Art Exhibitions June‒August 2016

I've been lucky enough to visit three art exhibitions this year, two of them in one month alone!  While these do not include crochet specifically, the variety of work can serve to inspire creativity in all sorts of crafts.  If you ever feel like you are in a crochet design rut, I can highly recommend a visit to a gallery or exhibition to stimulate and rejuvenate your creative spirit.

To Help or Not To Help (Part 3): I Can Do It Myself!

People are often confused when I say "No, thank you" to their genuine offers of assistance.  While outwardly I might appear to struggle physically with a task, inwardly there are invisible benefits when I do things myself.

What Did She Say? A Skein?

Panda Machinewash 8 ply
wool crepe

She was talking about a skein of yarn but my ears were shocked to attention by a strange sound in her speech.

Footy Finals & Fatigue 2016

Crows v. Kangaroos tomorrow night!
Brodie Smith of the Crows flies over
Andrew Swallow of the Kangaroos
during 2015.
(Source: AFL Media)

This football* season has been great for the Adelaide 'Crows' Football Club. 

The team even made it to the second spot on the Premiership ladder during the year!

This means one thing: finals!

What a Busy Month!

A collage of August activities.

What a busy month August 2016 has been!

I'm not sure if it was a month of productivity or stupidity because there was so much going on. Some was forced upon me but much was of my own making.

Colour: a Strange and Wonderful Thing

Colour can be a strange and wonderful thing.

It was a colour adventure during the creation of the Woodland scarf.

Woodland Scarf
designed & crocheted by Jodiebodie, May 2016

Magazine Splurge

The latest batch of craft magazines arrived in my local newsagency
so I splurged!

Left to right: Better Homes & Gardens Your Knitting & Crochet Collection 2016, Interweave Crochet Summer 2016, Crochet Essentials No. 1.

This photograph (above) sums up my fortnight:

A little splurge on some magazines and finishing a rainbow scarf which you can see pinned to the blocking board. 

Silk Mohair Scarves 2016

A picture story today!
Silk mohair scarves that came off my hooks this year.


Three different design and colour combinations
for viewing pleasure
(and wearing enjoyment for those who want to buy one from Gallery M in Marion, South Australia).

Quick August Update

August is turning out to be a busy month.

Fatigue is more than a nuisance and I'm falling behind on activities in both work and play.

To Help or Not to Help (Part 2): When to Say "No Thanks!"

This is the second post about the complicated business of offering and receiving help. The reason for this topic can be found in Part 1.

To Help or Not To Help (Part 1)

This blog entry is a response to questions asked by CatDownUnder on 15 July 2016 about the complicated business of offering and accepting help. It truly can be fraught with many issues.

As I considered my own experiences and those of friends with chronic illness or disability, my reply to Cat became ever longer. The etiquette of offering and accepting help seems lost on many people. The ramifications of people's behaviour extend beyond a mere verbal exchange and go to the heart of self-identify and self-worth.

There were too many discussion points for a quick comment so I have chosen to publish the first part here, to be continued in instalments. Perhaps by the last one, we will have a better understanding of how to help each other.

Quick Crochet Fun on the Weekend

Made by Jodiebodie 2016

Looking for a quick project?

Here's a little creature 
whipped up last weekend.

The Ravellenic Games 2016

If you are a crocheter, knitter, spinner, weaver or other type of yarncrafter, you may have heard of Ravelry.  It's a free web site for crocheters and knitters, created and administered by crocheters and knitters.

Ravelry is a great place to find like-minded yarn crafters from all over the world but it is much, much more than a social network.  I highly recommend Ravelry as a powerful management tool and source of 'yarny' information, inspiration and fun too.

One day, during an Olympic year, some Ravelry members (fondly referred to as 'Ravellers') decided to establish their own (yarn)sporting event which became the "Ravellenic Games".

Out of the Crochet Comfort Zone

I am a believer that the most learning and personal growth happens when one is 'outside the comfort zone' and this year, I've been tempted to go there.

Bunny Was Here

Look at this!
(with a disgruntled expression)

There's a big hole in my lounge room throw rug.

Pop, Pop, Pop!

More crocheted and knitted poppies are popping up around Adelaide.  It's a trail of them along North Terrace, a main thoroughfare of Adelaide and the home of many South Australian cultural venues. 

Flower Power Exhibition, Adelaide 2016

After much anticipation, I was lucky enough to see Prudence Mapstone's "Flower Power" exhibition for myself, in real life, when it came to Adelaide as part of the 'Stitches & Craft Show' in May 2016.





This post is full of photos of the amazing crochet and knitting work that makes "Flower Power" so awesome.  Greetings and thanks go out to Prudence, Stephen and Cat who kindly gave me permission to take as many photos as I like and to share them here.  Enjoy!

Pattern & Rhyme Bunny Style

Max finishes off a piece of hay.

Hay!

Max loves eating hay.

He loves nibbling on all sorts of things which prompted a little rhyme and a list of bunny-themed crochet patterns.

When is Exclusive Not Exclusive?

When is 'exclusive' not 'exclusive'?

When it is a classic pattern–that's when!

Adelaide Maker Faire 2016 – Call For Makers!

Image from Adelaide Mini Maker Faire 2015 Program

The call is open for makers to participate in this year's Adelaide Maker Faire which will be held on 6 November at Tonsley, South Australia. Did you notice it has had its title changed to the upmarket "Maker Faire Adelaide 2016".  It is no longer a 'Mini' Maker Faire since the 2015 one was such a success! 

Crochet to Extend Life

Crochet is not only a fun creative activity, but also a practical skill that can save you money.

If you are interested in recycling and re-using, making do and mending, to both save money and care for the environment, you will be pleased to discover that crochet can add years of extra usefulness to household items.

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden

The Mount Lofty Botanic Garden in the Adelaide Hills is a very popular destination for South Australians, especially in autumn when the foliage changes colour. Here are more photos from a recent visit …

Nature is a great inspiration.  May these photos evoke the creative spark within.

Dotty Hand-warmers

'Getting busy' with fingerless mitts.


 

At last, a finished project to share!

When I 'got busy' earlier this month, it included crocheting some fingerless mitts for a deserving young man.

Brighton Jetty Anzac Display

During the week of Anzac Day, I went down to Brighton Beach (South Australia) to see the commemorative display of knitted and crocheted poppies. It had a very brief mention in my previous blog entry but today I can share more photos and details about the project.

The centrepiece of the display with Brighton Jetty in the background.

A busy time

When a run of good health occurs, I can't help but make the most of it by getting busy!

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden

Here's an update on recent activities:

The 'R-word'

The 'R-word'.
 

Don't even think about it!

(It's dangerous.)

AKA Amigurumi Apparel: Superhero Cape

Kwokkie Doll
wearing her cape.

"Is it a bird?"

"Is it a plane?"

It's …

… Super-Kwokkie!

  

A quick post about the superhero cape worn by 

Kwokkie Doll on Harmony Day this year.

Tricot Tableware Complete: Happy Anniversary!

Wedding View
of the Pacific Ocean

Today I wish special loved ones

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

for it was on this day three years ago that we celebrated their marriage at Dee Why beach.

Part of my gift was a set of 'breakfast placemats'
as a memento of their special day.

This blog entry features the finished items and technical details about my tricot design (Tunisian crochet) such as taming curled edges, a common issue with tricot fabric.

An introduction to this project can be found in the blog entry, "Tricot Tableware - a Special 'Tunisian' Crochet Project" (11 March 2016). Information about my choices of project, fibre and reasons for tricot are explained, along with some photos of my inspiration, Dee Why beach (New South Wales).

Autumn Updates

G'day and welcome to Lupey Loops, especially to many new visitors recently.  I appreciate very much that you take time to say hello and share your thoughts.  

I love hearing from my online friends.  You can find me on Ravelry, Google+, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest too, or email jodiebodiecrochets@gmail.com.

No new finished crochet projects to share today but an update on my week, WIP* and new bits and pieces around the blog and  garden.

Harmony Day Postcard

What did Kwokkie Doll do for Harmony Day 2016?

Today I received her postcard …

AKA Amigurumi Apparel: Harmony Day

Kwokkie Doll is ready
for Harmony Day

It's "Harmony Day" and Kwokkie Doll is ready to participate!

Tricot Tableware - a Special 'Tunisian' Crochet Project

Blissful crochet on the beach.

More beach weather this week:  34°C today with 37°C forecast across the working week. Why not continue the beach theme?  Especially after Kwokkie Doll donned her 'Bondi Bikini'!

Back in 2013, I designed a very personal and special tricot* project which had a few extra challenges and learning opportunities.

Handy Shower Gel Hanger: New Pattern!

Shower Gel Hanger
+
60 ml bottle
=
fun gift
 

Hooray! My first shower gel hanger has been revised. I sat myself down with the graph paper and properly worked out a neat join for chain mesh in the round.  The much-improved pattern (and chart) is now here for you to use!

Urban Alpacas

I live in the  metropolitan area of Adelaide, South Australia. Yes, the suburban life for me. It keeps me close to all the conveniences a busy family could want; e.g. schools, universities, shops, hospitals, public transport and entertainment. (Not to mention sealed roads and footpaths for wheelchair access.) Don't get me wrong, I love nature and the countryside, especially the coast, but at my current stage of life and family, it suits me to be a suburbanite.

One fine day in 2014, during a driving errand, I had to look twice: was that an alpaca I saw walking along the footpath??

A Secret Crochet Confession

Can you keep a secret?  If so, read on and be prepared for a shock …

AKA Amigurumi Apparel: Bondi Bikini

Kwokkie Doll
is ready for a swim.


 

Summertime in South Australia!

Our temperatures have been soaring in the high 30s (°C). That's in the 90s (°F) and above for my non-metric friends.

One of my favourite ways to cool off is to go down to
the beach at the end of the day once the sun is low and
not so sizzling.

Of course, Kwokkie Doll is all prepared.
After last month's report, she swapped her red sundress for her "Bondi Bikini"!

Sweet Summer Toddler Hat

Summer Toddler Hat
(Made by Jodiebodie, December 2015)

This is the story of a pretty sunhat made for a very special little girl.

Shower Gel Hanger

In my flurry of Christmas gift making, I decided that the shower gel container needed a holder or caddy of some sort to make it easy to reach while in the shower or bath.

AKA Amigurumi Apparel: Sundress & Dotty Daywear

 

A report by Kwokkie Doll

Hello there!

Today I want to show you a selection of clothes that Jodiebodie made for me.

"Tortle" Turtle

"Cupcake Turtle"
made by Jodiebodie
(December 2015)

This cheerful fellow is enjoying a happy life at last after waiting in a queue for years!

1 Week, 3 Projects!

The week leading up to Christmas was very busy with last-minute crocheted gifts. I surprised myself by making three items from start to finish in one week!

New Year Thoughts as We Head into 2016

Baby Max, only 9 weeks of age.

I am sitting here, reading blogs at the breakfast table while bunny sits underneath my chair nudging my feet with his nose and tugging at my pajama bottoms.  'Let's play!' Max urges as I stroke him gently with my bare feet.

Meanwhile, I am enjoying the Happy New Year wishes being disseminated across the blogosphere and wishing you a Happy New Year too!