Nottingham Yarn Expo 2017

Hello Creatives!

As an ecologist my job takes me all over with lots of overnight stays, and the last location I was placed at was Leicestershire! The area of Leicestershire that I was based at was only 45 minutes away from my old home grounds of Nottingham, and coincidentally was also over the days of the Nottingham Yarn Expo 2017, which I 100% could not miss!!

I bought a ticket online as soon as I found out, and once I’d finished work on Saturday (11th November) morning I quickly got back to my hotel, freshened up, and was off on my way to the expo!

The venue was filled with colour, beautiful hand dyed yarns, crafts of other sorts and passion – everyone was wearing one of their own handmade items, and many took a break to continue knitting or crocheting their latest projects!

I spent close to 4 hours there, taking time to look at every stall, and squishing every ball of yarn I possibly could! (The alpaca merino mix is still my favourite)

I managed to capture a few photos at the beginning of the event, because as time went on, the more engrossed I became!!

Some people even made all their yarn from their own sheep!

I also managed to find some t-shirt yarn! Which although I didn’t buy, I now know where to get!! The yarn below is one that seriously caught my eye! I was so close to purchasing it but I just couldn’t do it as I didn’t know what project I wanted to use it for, and it was so bright and exciting, it would have to be a project to gift! (Christmas is coming around so perfect timing!) I did however then sign up to their mailing list and got a scratch card, in which I won 10% off my next online order… PERFECT!

One thing I really did notice, was that the majority of the stalls at the expo were more about knitting than crochet, and there were a crazy amount of example knit socks! I would never had said this before, but it seriously inspired me to give knitting a go – again… for the hundredth time – but this time using the magic loop technique on the laced knitting needles!

As much as I wanted to purchase one of the home dyed yarns, they did average about £15 per skein, and I seriously didn’t know if the whole sock knitting thing is something I’d stick to/enjoy! So I figured I’d pick up some needles, and a cheaper ball of yarn (that still creates a wicked pattern) and give it a shot. If I stuck to it, then I’d go online and buy buy buy!

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Here’s the yarn and the stall I purchased it from! I’m very excited to start my socks, and I’ll keep you updated on how that goes!

Here’s all my purchases from the day, and I’m impressed with myself for not buying endless amounts of wool!

P.s. that little gadget is a row counter, if you hadn’t already guessed! And it attaches to your finger – I love it!

After attending my first yarn expo, I can’t wait to have a google of more yarn or craft expos around me, i thoroughly enjoyed it!

I’ve attended to photograph the business cards of the stall in each photo and placed it below the photo, just incase you want to have a nosy at their websites! I have a few other cards that I picked up along the way that I didn’t manage to capture a photo of their stall, but if I find myself using them, I’ll definitely give you all the details!

P.p.s. I’m still buzzing from this event, is that super lame?

Until next time,

Lana xxx

And breath….

Hello Creative!

Guess what?! MY MASTERS DEGREE IS COMPLETE! That feels sooooooooo good to say! I submitted my thesis last Monday, celebrated so hard that it took me 2 days to recover, and now I’m enjoying all the guilt free sofa time!

I popped to our local Aldi (a cheap supermarket, for those who don’t live in the U.K.) as a little birdie told me that they were selling 400g balls of yarn (or packs of 4 x 100g balls) for £3.99!!! Bargain!… and picked up more than I could carry!

So far I have only tested out their baby yarn, which is super soft, and this was the outcome!

I’m in love with this little guy! I haven’t a clue what animal he’s meant to be, but I don’t care! You can’t really tell in the photos, but the cream has shiny flecks all through the wool which are surprisingly not scratchy!

I also attached (in a very strange way) my label to its booty, however, I really do want to look into the faux leather style labels as the ones I have are a nightmare to attached to crocheted items… especially chunky ones! (Suggestions very welcome!)

Below is another one of the many balls of wool I picked up (a total of 1.2kg worth!) and I can’t wait to see what patterns this candy floss coloured ball of fluff can make!

So there’s a little update on my life and my crochet projects! I have a very busy few weeks coming up, including moving house, and now that I’ve picked up the hook again I can’t imagine it will be put down any time soon! I will surely keep you updated.

Until next time,

Lana xxx

I Tried Rug Punching!

Hello Creatives!

So I've heard many names (I believe latch hooking may be one?) and seen different techniques but I've given it a go with what I have, and I have found that I love Rug Punching! I've also found it's a great way to use old scraps of yarn that are too short to crochet!

So don't go getting all excited and expect some wonderful creation, I've simply spelt out LOVE on a piece of burlap/hessian and forgotten to take photos of my progress…

Or maybe I'm saving that for another post

I used a crochet hook as I am yet to purchase a rug punching tool (which looks totally cool, in a really nerdy way)

Here we go:

I did this completely free hand, as apparently I don't own pencils anymore! However I managed to get myself some and then proceeded to add some floral decoration to the outside by drawing outlines to follow!

I haven't decided if I want to fill the background in yet as I love the way it looks currently and I may end up turning it into a wall hanging or frame it!

I'll post an update once I've decided what I'll do next… or if I can't decide and need some opinions!

Rug punching seems to be growing in popularity lately, and I want to make a stool cover/topper at some point! But unfortunately my Masters Thesis deadline is fast approaching and I have some serious writing to do – I reaaaaaally don't want to!!!

Have any of you tried it before?

Until next time,
Love Lana xxx

My First Crochet Pillowcase

Hello Creatives!

On the 2nd of July it was my 22nd birthday so George and I decided to jump on a plane to Spain to spend it with my family! I really wanted to bring a gift along with me, but had been so busy that I hadn’t been able to pick anything up, so naturally I decided to crochet something! 

I started the night before we flew off, and realised I wouldn’t be able to finish my project before we had to leave, so I decided to bring it with me!

I decided to crochet a pillowcase that matched the houses ‘theme’. 

Here was my view whilst I crocheted away on the plane:

They loved it! I’ve found that I’m not the best at joining squares together. It seems to be even whilst I do it, then once I’ve joined it all together I just don’t think it looks right!

Above is my pillow case on the sofa in our Spanish home!

Any improvements I could make? I should have taken a photo of the back, but the pillow is fully removable so that the case can be washed if needed!

Love lana xxx 

How I organise my yarn!

Hello creatives! 

So up until a week ago, my yarns were A MESS. I kept getting new baskets to put it al in, but because I’m not organised enough they’d get all tangled and I’d forget half of the stuff I owned because I couldn’t see it! I’m sure you’ve all been there…

But after managing to kill my Aloe Vera plant (mum replanted it when she visited and it DID NOT agree with its new soil) and wanting to replace it, my boyfriend and I made a little trip to IKEA – my favourite place!

We left without the aloe vera plant (whoops), with some new sofa throws, a table runner, some tongs, AND MY NEW CREATION STATION! 

I wasn’t even looking for a new way to stash my yarn, however – you can fight me about this – thanks to the BEST BOYFRIEND IN THE WORLD, I was treated (without any prompting, and he was the one that suggested it) to my wonderful new storage: 

It’s still a little messy, some colours have now been used and I’ve added few more additions to the stash (he was kind enough to point out that I was missing a ‘proper’ orange 😂) but I am ECSTATIC about it. 

The rail which normal people would use for clothes was £6.50 with each column of pockets at £4 each! – just incase there’s any of you who like it as much as I do and live in a place that’s tight for space… (but we’re moving soon, woohoo!).

I couldn’t not share this, it brings me so much joy! And I’m so glad the other half is so supportive of my messy hobby, he’s even agreed to let me have a crafts room in the new place – A WHOLE ROOM FOR CRAFTS! 

I’m currently working on a granny square blanket in different tones of grey after a bit of inspiration from Pinterest, which I will definitely be sharing with you once it looks more like a blanket and less like a hankercheif 😂

Lana xxx 

I tried C2C Crochet!

Hello creatives, 

So I’ve finally handed in my final assignment for my masters degree (minus my research project/thesis/dissertation which is due in September)! Yay! So obviously, the first thing I did was pick up my crochet hooks and see what I could try! 

So after seeing so many people on Instagram doing corner to corner, or C2C, I was just too tempted!!! 

Here’s how it’s going so far – I love it! I think this may turn into a blanket for a baby cousin that is on the way, or if I’m patient enough, one for my mama!

I can’t wait to start trying to change colours and add patterns into it! Have you done c2c before? Any recommendations? 

Lana xxx

I Tried Tunisian Crochet!

Hello, Creatives!

So I’ve recently given Tunisian Crochet a go, and I absolutely love it! I’m currently doing it on regular crochet hooks, but my Tunisian Crochet hooks are on their way in the post! I love how similar it looks to knitting, but isn’t! 

Here’s theee different stitches I’ve managed so far (I can’t for the life of me remember the names of them): 

Is it just me or does Tunisian Crochet work a lot quicker than other forms? I’d love to make a blanket or a cardigan out of Tunisian Crochet! 

Have any of you tried it? And tips, advice or fun things to make with it?

I’m horribly sick with the flu currently, bundled up on the sofa with a toilet roll and constant hot drinks! But Crochet is keeping me going haha! 

Love, Lana xxx 

My first commissioned piece!

Hello creatives,

So recently I was asked if I could help out with a birthday present. They said they looked everywhere for a nice toy camel but couldn’t find anything nice or cheap enough to give as a birthday present, so they approached me! ME! 

Now as you may have seen, I have only ever made a teddy bear (and a rabbit, which was pretty much a bear with long ears) soft toy, so a camel was something completely new! Oh – and they requested a 2 humped camel!

I dove straight in, googled photos of camels and wondered how on earth I was going to start. I began with single crochet (US Terms) and realised it would take too long and was turning out a lot smaller than I’d hoped, so started over with double crochet. 

Here he is in all his glory after 3 evenings of creating:

What do you think? I managed to write the pattern out for his legs but failed to get the body or head, oops! 

I’m quite impressed with myself and the girl who received it was pretty chuffed also! Bit of pocket money for something I enjoy makes me so happy!

Love, Lana xx

And I’m off!

Sooo I really wanted to put up another update post before today, but typical me left it last minute, and now I’m finding myself in the queue to board my flight to Spain attempting to get my post up!

Silly silly me…

Well here’s a mini update, as I’ll put a proper one when I next get internet connection!

Mittens = COMPLETE AND GIFTED! Oh boy am I proud of myself for finishing the second mitten!

Chinky ribbed beanie = COMPLETE

Excuse the wonky photo! I also hadn’t previously mentioned I was making this as I didn’t think I’d be making anymore hats till next winter!

Right I must go as I’m boarding my plane woohoo! Update you again soon!

Lana xxx

It can’t just be me..?

Hello Creatives!

So I just neeeeed to vent on my situation with my crochet projects! 

First of all, I am a completely impatient person with ADHD.. 

So, when it comes to crocheted items that come in a pair, I am so excited to get one done (I’m currently half way through mittens!) and will complete it within the shortest time possible, but when it comes to the second one, I have ZERO motivation to start it, but REALLY want to complete the set! 

Here’s a few photos of my mitten process (just the one, because I can’t motivate myself to start the second):

My partners mum is coming to stay with us on Saturday so I am using that as motivation to complete them to give to her as a present! 

I’m that person that is constantly thinking of ways to improve the project I’m currently working on, or thinking of new projects to start, so as soon as I’ve woven in the ends and completed a project (or in this case, one mitten) I’m ready to start something new (aka not another mitten…) 😂. 

So although it has passed 9pm, I am going to try my best to continue watching The Killing on Netflix and start the second mitten! 

On another note, im definitely going to need a larger wool basket, or at least a separate basket for completed/semi-completed (ADHD got the better of me) projects! 

Please tell me this happens to you too? Whether it be crochet or something else?

Lana xxx 

P.s. If you read my previous post, George is well again and this set of norovirus didn’t stick around for long, thank goodness! That also meant that we were able to go keep our Valentine’s Day dinner booking and it was delicious!