Too Many WIPS – A Crochet Addiction

Hi Guys, My name is Charlie and I have a problem.

There, I said it. I am addicted to Yarn. I have an obsession with starting new projects. And whilst we’re at it… I also compulsively buy wool.

Photographic evidence…

Am I the only one with these problems? I don’t think so… (Or I hope not!)

Over the last month, I have made a lot of progress with ‘Love Charlie’ and I have successfully uploaded a Crochet Podcast to YouTube each week, as well as focusing on this blog. I have also published 2 free crochet patterns on Ravelry and am pattern testing for other designers. Phewww… Not only that, but I also work full time. Yes. 40 hours a week. I think I deserve a pat on the back!

lovecharliecrochet on YouTube (Please subscribe) ❤

So my problem that wasn’t that much of an issue before, is actually becoming a bit of a bother. What I don’t want is for Crochet or ‘Love Charlie’ to become stressful for me. I want to enjoy every minute of it. So I’m having to learn how to manage my time.

The problem is… I now have:- 7 current WIPS, 4 designs to write up, make, test and publish, and at least 2 new WIPS for September, never mind the 4 blankets I already have the yarn and patterns for. (<- they keep whispering to me from the stash) Having such a long to do list is off-putting and I feel as though I’m really not getting anywhere. Working on so many projects and splitting my time up into tiny fractions – never completing anything or making noticeable progress. So without further ado, and before I have to cart myself to the local Yarnaholics Anonymous (I wish there were such a thing!) I decided it was time for a WIP ban, or at least a WIP-athon for September.

Here’s where this blog post gets collaborative. A massive thank you to Laura at Gosling and Plumb for helping me write this post. Not only for providing material, but also being a great inspiration. Over the last year, I feel we have become IG friends rather than followers. Please please please go and check out her Instagram and blog.

I have been inspired by the lovely Laura over at Gosling and Plumb (who has the sweetest Instagram account). Laura’s been concentrating on a handful of unfinished projects this August… and she is absolutely smashing her target. Blanket after beautiful blanket has been finished and photographed, and I can only imagine the sense of accomplishment she must be feeling. I know I’d be proud of myself if I had so many finished objects in such a short amount of time.

Photos taken from @goslingandplumb Please go and have a look…

When I say beautiful blankets, I mean beautiful blankets. Laura has a serious eye for colour – her palettes are incredible, and I believe she mostly uses Stylecraft yarn which I adore. I messaged Laura to say that she had inspired me and I asked her what had influenced her amazing August WIP Challenge and here’s what she said…

I was inspired to start my August WiP Challenge by an Instagram post by @yarning_mama. She said that she not only hoards yarn, but also WiPs, and that she was banning herself from starting anything new in August, but would tackle some of her unfinished projects instead. That got me thinking – without even trying I thought of 6 things that were lying around waiting to be finished! So I decided to do the same, but knew that I’d be a lot more likely to actually stick to it if I made myself accountable to the good people of Instagram! 

Laura – Gosling and Plumb

I have some serious self doubt that I’ll be able to keep my hands from picking up any new projects… I am going to try my hardest (I promise) not to start anything new until I have finished a couple of WIPS that are in desperate need of completion. My only exception is… (I can make my own rules up, right?) if I have a design idea like my Blossom Coaster and just have to make it before the concept leaves my head, I may allow myself to start a new WIP…

However, I am somewhat afraid of loathing projects because I am forcing myself to finish them. I don’t want this challenge to suck the joy from crochet. Despite my worries, when I asked Laura what her thoughts about her August WIP Challenge were, I was encouraged even further. My mind is set. I’m definitely going to do this!

Despite my fears, I’ve actually quite enjoyed finishing off so many things in a relatively short space of time. It’s definitely helped having support and encouragement from our lovely crochet community on IG (and it’s so nice knowing that I’m not the only one that has trouble sticking to one project and actually getting things finished!)

Laura – Gosling and Plumb

There are five more days left of August, and I have no doubt that Laura will finish her 6th WIP on her to-do list. 6 WIPS! I doubt that I can finish so many WIPS in one month. I am dubious that I’ll even finish the four I’ve set myself to finish – although, like Laura said, making herself accountable to her Instagram followers has helped her a lot. I will post updates on my own account of how I’m getting on, so please keep encouraging me as I jog-on through this WIP-athon. Laura is right when she says we have a lovely crochet community on Instagram. I am so amazed and surprised by the amount of support I have received in the last month. I want to thank every single one of my followers and subscribers. Every comment and like widens my smile, and you guys are helping me to become who I want to be. (Soppy I know… But I’m a sucker for sentimentality)

I’m feeling pretty proud of myself for getting this far and, even though I lack motivation at times, I’m pretty sure I’m going to be able to finish the final UFO before the end of the month – hurrah!

Laura – Gosling and Plumb

Here are the four WIPs I am absolutely determined to finish!

My pile of To-Do’s!

1. Finish pattern testing for Blue Ammonite Designs. I’m not bothered about finishing the whole Cottage Garden Throw this month, I just want finish the test for Emma.
2.  Finish my Cath Kidston themed Baby Blanket so I can write up the pattern and ask for testers. (I also need to come up with a name for this beauty. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment.)
3. Tapestry Horse Blanket. I have spent way to long on this one and it’s not for myself, so I really need to prioritize this one for September. It has taken such a long time because I really need to concentrate on it and follow a chart. I can’t simply hook this one on car journeys and whilst watching TV.
4. The last one hasn’t even been started. But I am SO excited for this WIP. I am taking part in Hannah’s crochet along (thecozycottagecrochet) She is hosting a September Shawl Along. I have had this yarn for a fair few months now, and a pattern lined up for just as long. I am using Galaxy DK yarn with the Butterfly Prayer Shawl which is a free pattern on Ravelry. I am also excited because this is my first podcast CAL i’ll have ever taken part in. 🙂 Woohoo!

So, I have 5 more days of ‘freedom’? Hahaa! And then it’s time to knuckle down and Hook It! I will keep you updated on my Crochet Podcasts on YouTube and I’ll let you know how I get on. Right now though, I better hop in the shower and finish packing… I’m off on holiday!  A week in the Lake District with my better half and about 3 bags of Craft-related goodies. I will post lots of photos on my Instagram @lovecharlie.co

Have a lovely weekend!

Love Charlie. Xx

**Special thanks to Laura for helping me. I enjoyed collaborating with another crocheter and I hope there will be more opportunities in the future. Good Luck on your 6th WIP. I know you can do it!

 

Free Crochet Pattern – Square Blossom Coaster

Free Crochet Pattern – Square Blossom Coaster…

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been working on a couple of baby blankets… and whilst designing one of them, I had an idea that I just had to act on. So I went off on a tangent that paid off in the end. I managed to design two crochet coasters. (Both Blossom themed) I made a circular coaster and a square one. There’s a story behind the blossom theme, but I’m waiting until I release one of the blanket patterns to tell you about that. I’ll be writing up the pattern for both of the coasters, so here is the first… I’ll upload the circular one in the next few weeks…

I have used Scheepjes Catona and a 2.5mm crochet hook. I desperately wanted to try Scheepjes Catona as I’ve heard a lot about it online – and I’m not disappointed. Usually when crocheting with cotton, I choose Rico essentials or DMC Natura, but Scheepjes is so much more cost effective! I couldn’t believe the price difference. I just can’t get my head around why the prices are so different. There is such a lovely colour range, and the Catona colours suited this project much better than the equivalent I found in Rico Essentials Cotton. You can buy Scheepjes Catona from Black Sheep Wools in store and online…

Click here for Square Blossom Coaster Pattern…

If on the other hand, you have cotton in your stash, feel free to use it! You don’t need a lot of each colour, and you can make it in any colour-way you wish. I think it might be nice to use lilac shades instead of the pinks to give a ‘forget me not’ look rather than blossom.

Not only can you make this as a coaster using cotton, but I believe it would also make a nice lacy blanket if you made several squares and joined them together. This pattern is versatile, and apart from the colour changes (and weaving in ends) it is easy, and rather painless. If you continued using one colour per square, there would be no ends to weave in!

However, I have to confess that the ends I couldn’t crochet in as I went along, I just cut off after the knot on the underside as it’s pretty much going to stay on a sideboard/desk/table… and I don’t think it’s going to be exposed to any damage that may tease the knots loose. I would definitely have had a different attitude if I was making something more wearing such as a blanket, garment or bag.

Although this square was designed as a coaster, I’m excited at all the possibilities that this square can be made into. Blankets. Coasters. Bunting. Bags….

I look forward to seeing your creations. This pattern is on Ravelry too! If you post pictures on social media, use the hashtag #lovecharliecrochetdesigns so I can see all your lovely makes.

For daily snippets of my weird and wonderful life, follow me on Instagram.

Thanks for reading. Also, I’m now uploading Crochet Podcasts onto YouTube. Check out my channel lovecharliecrochet – I’d love for you to subscribe and leave a comment. My next video will be uploaded before Thursday and I’ll show you what I keep in my Crochet Notions Pouch.

Love Charlie, Xx

 

**This pattern has not been pattern tested by anyone other than myself. If you find any mistakes, please kindly let me know and I’ll make amendments and re-upload. Thank you! Xxx

Just stop for a moment…

How taking a break can boost your creativity!

So, last weekend it was my partner’s birthday and I arranged a surprise for her. A 1-night stay at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool. Somewhere we had both wanted to stay for a few years. She had absolutely no idea, until we practically turned into the car park (suitcase packed unknowingly in the boot of the car). After checking in with huge smiles on our faces, we got a taxi to the Albert Docks and proceeded to eat and drink merrily at Gusto’s before doing a little bit of shopping and returning to the hotel quite tipsy!

Getting to the point though… Things have been quite (extremely) hectic for us over the last year. What with losing Gran, moving house, renovating a house, changing jobs, having PCOS, and an appendectomy, Katie’s Ulcerative Colitis and flare ups, her promotion and busy work life… etc. etc. So we were in desperate need for a break, despite counting down to our weeks stay-cation at the end of August.

Taking just 24 hours to concentrate on ourselves and each other was like pressing a re-set button. For Katie, she managed to stop thinking about work for a few hours, and you could see a weight lifted in her eyes. For me, it was a nice treat after spending time in Doctors waiting rooms, a hospital bed, and being trapped in the house recovering. For us, it did the world of good and I think we reminded ourselves that there is so much more to life than work and daily chores. We also remembered how much we love this city.

Everything about our afternoon in Liverpool was perfect! The sun was shining, the food was delicious and we indulged far too much, stretching our bellies to capacity, shopping and spending more money than was necessary…

I bought a small A6 journal and fountain pen from Paperchase so I have a notebook to design and write new crochet patterns in – this is working out very well so far, and it’s so small I can put it in whichever handbag/project bag I have with me. It’s so annoying when you get an idea that’s so good you don’t want to forget it but have nowhere to write it down. And in some ways, I’m an old-fashioned technophobe and prefer to write things down rather than key them into my phone.

I was so shocked by how organising just one night away as a surprise for Katie’s birthday benefited us both so much. The afternoon we got home, we were both so exhausted and (a little bit) hungover. [Blame Stanley’s Rum Bar] But the next day my mind was refreshed and I had so many pattern ideas. I finished two dish cloths (click here for free pattern) and worked on my Virus Shawl which is now finally complete, and blocking as we speak… (or read) And I also made some progress on my tapestry horse blanket. I am so motivated to carry on doing what I want to do, and there’s been so much support online. I can’t thank you all enough.

Finally, I’m going to talk about Imposter Syndrome which Emma Houghton talks about in her most recent blog post over at Blue Ammonite Designs. Imposter Syndrome, as Emma tells us, is how you feel no ‘right’ to do what you do because you may not be as experienced as you think you should be. I can really relate to this, and it got me thinking. Making the decision to follow your dreams (cheesy I know) is daunting and I find it slightly embarrassing to put my work out there for fear what people will think. Not only am I young (23… is that young?) but I also don’t even have 5 years under my belt in terms of crochet experience.  I feel as though I am throwing ideas into a vast pool of knowledge where there is always going to be someone who has done it already, and most certainly better than me. But on the other having read the advice of many successful people, a lot stick to the term ‘fake it till you make it’ so perhaps everyone feels like an imposter when they first start out. I just feel that if I don’t give it a go – I’ll never know if I could have done it, and I’d never know how far I can take it. I don’t want to deny myself the chance to succeed. So I’m going to carry on no matter how ridiculous I feel, or how scary it is. I’m writing my own path, and hopefully it’s going to lead somewhere beautiful one day.

Enough of the spiritual revelations! Hahaa…

I’ll be publishing another free crochet pattern in the next week so watch this space…

Love Charlie, Xx

 

 

Free Crochet Pattern – Trinity Stitch Dish Cloth

Hi Guys,

So initially, I wanted the first blog post on my new blog to be the release of my Amigurumi Bee pattern (See my Instagram) However, I’m still waiting for pattern testers to get back to me, and in the meantime I have designed a dish cloth using the trinity stitch, and some gorgeously soft cotton I found at Black Sheep Wools.

I bought some Vinnis Colours Nikkim 100% Cotton in Avacado and Pale Khaki with the intention of designing a dish cloth… and design a dish cloth I did 🙂 Bonus points that the colours match our kitchen! But if you haven’t got a green kitchen… there are so many other beautiful colours in this range, even some mixed ‘tie-dye’ colours.

I really hope you like this free pattern. It is a really quick make, and the stitch is lovely. There’s so much texture and prettiness (looks like several tiny flowers or little stars) and this cotton is wonderful to work with. P.s these would also make great facecloths and brilliant gifts for friends and family.

Trinity Stitch Dish Cloth – Click Trinity Stitch Dish Cloth to open PDF

**I haven’t had pattern testers test this one, so if you see any mistakes let me know and I’ll make amendments and update the PDF.

If you don’t know the trinity stitch or ‘dc3tog’ watch this tutorial by New Stitch a Day on Youtube (Don’t worry about the sc3tog as this tutorial is American. It is the same stitch I promise) Trinity Stitch Tutorial

And if you’re unsure of the Crab Stitch… check out this great tutorial by Bella Coco on Youtube – Crab Stitch Tutorial

Let me know what you think in the comments below… and follow me on Instagram to see daily edits of my weird and wonderful life ❤  (You can also see close ups of the stitch definition) If you post photos I’d love to see them. Use the hash tag #lovecharliecrochetdesigns

The pattern is also on Ravelry.

Love Charlie Xx