Is it safe to come out and play?

Three and a half years since the last blog post.

The world's been through tumultuous times.  

Like a turtle I retreated into my shell.

Time for Tricot (Going Potty)

When I need calming, I reach for crochet. It truly is a sanity saver.

Today I'm working on some tricot. You might know it as Tunisian crochet but Australians have been calling it tricot for decades so that's what I call it. It feels very much like a knitting process as I work it so, to my mind, 'tricot' describes the craft very well - knitting with a hook!

This is an example of honeycomb stitch. It's easy to reproduce.*

Housekeeping: in the Home and on the Blog

Mid-July.
Winter.
School holidays.
Tour de France on TV.
(Is anyone participating in the 'Tour de Fleece' activity? Not me.)

I am sitting in a house full of boxes and being subjected to paint fumes while my home is being painted inside and out for the first time since it was built 21 years ago.
Happy 21st Birthday home!

Delayed Decisions and Finished at Last!

"Wine Grapes Tea Towel Top"
designed and made by Jodiebodie.
Nov 2015–Aug 2017

This tea towel top is one of those 'secret projects' mentioned last month in "Too Soon to Tell"
(Lupey Loops blog entry, 20 August 2017).

It is my own design and it took ages to finish, mainly because of slow decision-making– agonising over the choice of pattern for the border.

Etsy Adelaide Community Market

It was a happy Saturday because I visited a market:
the Etsy Adelaide Community Market at Tonsley.

  
 

A Mum's Day Off

Wednesday is the one day in the week that has 

no appointments, no visitors, no support staff and

none of the offspring at home. 

The house is empty; no need to watch the clock. 

It is the perfect day of the week to have my 'day off' 

but I am beginning to wonder about today …

Quick Crochet Fun on the Weekend

Made by Jodiebodie 2016

Looking for a quick project?

Here's a little creature 
whipped up last weekend.

Bunny Was Here

Look at this!
(with a disgruntled expression)

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

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!

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.

More Examples of Crochet Spider Stitch

Spider stitch features in this scarf.
(Made by Jodiebodie 2014.
Pattern: Diamond-Strike Scarf by Kristen Stolzfus)

Are you familiar with the phenomenon where you buy a new car and when you go driving, you suddenly start seeing lots of cars of the same model and make where previously you had never noticed them before?

I think that is what happened to me with spider stitches!

Procrastinate Now!

Almost finished tea towel top!

The school term has finished and I'm settling into a more relaxed pace with more time to crochet but I have to ask myself, "If I want to get the crocheted projects done in time for Christmas Day, why am I getting out the sewing machine?"

A Crafter's Natural Habitat

Do you ever lose track of time when you are crafting?

Dutch Mandala #MandalasForWink #MandalasForMarinke

"Dutch Mandala"
crocheted by Jodiebodie
#MandalasForWink

These two Dutch bunnies hopped across their shelf today to discover my tribute to Dutch crochet designer and author, Marinke Slump, also known as 'Wink' from the blog A Creative Being.

Easter Greetings & More Stash-busting Mini Baskets

Happy Easter!

An awesome Easter for me and my family as we spent the evening observing the lunar eclipse.

Speedy Blankets

Need a blanket in a hurry?  

I managed to crochet a snuggly throw in less than 10 days. 

Here's how …

…But Wait…There's More!

I couldn't help myself …












… and started yet another project!

Gifts of Friendship

Recently I had a very pleasant morning with a very close friend whom I had not seen for many months; not for want of trying, but due to hectic events, immovable commitments, and new schedules which refused to allow us a time of mutual convenience to meet!

Two New Tea Towel Designs

"Blue Leafy Triangles"
(my own design)

"Bakery Trellis"
(my own design)

May I present completed 

tea towel tops 'two-by-two', 

both of my own design.

Here they are in their

 natural habitats.

Sneak Peek: Take a SIP of colour - Scarves In Progress

This month I have been crocheting silk mohair scarves and I am in love with the colours.

Here's a sneak preview of the scarves I hope to have finished by the end of March.