Happy Monday, Lovelies ( before I forget...THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your comments on the previous post. I love reading them all and only wish I had four more hands to reply to everyone! ).
I hope you are all keeping calm and sane while we wearily continue navigating our little boats of Life through the swells and troughs of 2020? It feels very much like we're battling through something, doesn't it? Last night I was lying in bed and that movie with Robert Redford popped into my mind. The one where he's solo in a sinking yacht? I was thinking about how we're all, in some way or another, finding ways to survive these unsettling times. Podcasts and Vlogs have been a lifeline for me and really stepped up to provide much-needed daily entertainment and inspiration. Here's my shortlist of favourites. Do you have much-loved Podcasts or Vlogs that you could recommend?
💙 Arne and Carlos.
Oh my hat, these two, besides talented, generous, and full of incredibly informative snippets, are unintentionally incredibly funny too!
💙 The Last Homely House.
Hosted by Kate who lives on a farm in Northumberland with her four Cats, Hens, and a Goose.
💙 Paul Cooper's, the Fall of Civilisations.
Fascinating, informative, and brilliantly detailed narrative. Highly recommended if you're into History.
💙 Eight Miles From Home.
I never miss a Vlog detailing the nomadic life of this amazing couple Jay and Sascha and their adorable little "Moana" in the flesh called Story Ember. They restore my faith in Humanity.
Routines and rituals have also helped keep me grounded. When my boys were much younger their Dad was shot and paralyzed in a botched car-jacking. As you can imagine, it was a deeply distressing time for us all. What helped most were our daily routines which, even though internally I was buckling, kept us going! Simple disciplines of waking up and immediately heading to the kitchen to boil the kettle for our morning beverages, laying the breakfast table, stirring a pot of oatmeal, feeding the Dogs and Cats, filling the washing machine with laundry, and preparing the morning lessons for my homeschooled brood. These rituals forced me to stay in the moment rather than crumble into a soggy ball of despair and fear. Over time these routines became deeply ingrained survival tools, which I'm thankful for now. I'm reminded too that there are no mistakes, only lessons.
These days, without the distraction of small children, I'm still up at 4am! I make a lovely cup of coffee and get back into bed to read the daily online newspapers on my tablet. At 5am it's snack time for the furry-brood. By 6am I am at my desk answering emails and checking for messages on social media. At 7am it's breakfast then a walk about the garden to check on "everyone". This morning I noticed that an ailing banana plant I moved a year ago into a sunnier position, has finally flowered!
My day continues in this more or less orderly fashion. In a way, repeating the same routines each day is like living and breathing a Mantra. There is calm to be found. And if you are easily amused as am I, humour in spades too.😆
Our weekend visits to Kalk Bay still satisfies in so many ways. It's a ritual that rewards the effort of getting up early on a Sunday! The bakery had just opened, the bread was still warm, the coffee excellent ( oh, the joys of consistency! ), the staff predictably jovial and welcoming. Their routines raise my routines and make me want to do better! We've been frequenting this bakery for 18 years! They have yet to disappoint. A pleasant, slow amble along the harbour wall jutting into a sparkling seascape would have been enough but then this... three large seals dropped in for a visit. They are so like Dogs!
As usual, I'm off on a tangent! Let's chat crochet. If you've purchased Part 1 of the Chrysalis Mystery Make-Along then, as we speak, you'll find Part 2 in your Ravelry Library! I am having so much fun designing this Mystery-Along so I hope you'll have fun too and that it will keep your mind away from more troubling thoughts? I'm completely second-guessing my colourway of course. I'm not feeling so blue these days, more golden orange and salmon pink! Luckily many of you are amazing colourists and I've added a few images to the Ravelry pics album. So, if anyone is stuck for a colourway do head on over HERE.
Noelene and I are running a Festive 12 Day Advent Quiz Competition over at the Workshop. There are prizes for answering simple and fun questions so if you're keen for a laugh and maybe winning a little prize, do head on over HERE.
I hope those of you Lovelies who commented on the last Blog Post and were picked by the random picks generator have received your free copy of the Chrysalis Throw Mystery-Makealong? Today, there are another 5 copies up for grabs, so don't forget to leave your Ravelry name if you comment. Good Luck! 💗
It's 9am now and that means shower and make myself presentable ( to the grocery delivery person and the fur-kids). Who else? I have barely left the house since April! 😆
Wishing you all a lovely calm week ahead! Avoid drama and demagogues, which will only make you feel worse. Stay safe, wear your mask and shine on!
Oh, I don't like doing this...it's so impersonal but I'm issuing a blanket THANK YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH for all your comments on the previous post! Our GIVEAWAY winners have been randomly chosen so if you entered your Ravely name please check your Ravelry just in case.
As you know, I love to answer each and every comment! However, my poor typing fingers ( I have two 😆) declared a strike by first numbing the fingertips then cramping a few key hand muscles. Is this why people have Personal Assistants? I asked Roxy and Lally if they were interested in the job. They furiously wagged their tails and jumped about, basically indicating that they didn't evolve into Dogs just to work for the rest of their lives! There was also mention of upping cookie rations and an extra daily walk because did I not know they were Doggie Princess's and not us working class?
In the meantime, Miss Augusta snuggled deeply into the Chrysalis Throw yarn basket which made it impossible to begin Part 2 of our Mystery Make-Along. As we speak, it's STILL a Mystery even to me. By the by, those of you Lovelies who purchased the Prelude...you will find Part 1 in your Ravelry Library.
I don't have the heart to move her! 💓
These days I have a small team of Testers. I'm sharing a few of the "tests" completed so far and I'm sure you'll be inspired to create your own unique colourway too? It's taken me ever so long to summon up the courage to work with Testers...don't ask me why. Ok, fine, I'll tell you. 😆 It's probably something to do with losing my mother when I was five years old. She wasn't "lost" so much as died from colon cancer at twenty-four. A young girl, without her Mom, often becomes very independent, resourceful, and self-sufficient. Asking for help is not an option when you have had to rely on self-preservation instincts for most of your life. There's a lot more to it but of course, I don't want to make you all cry, right? Crochet is our fun and happy place! Back to my wonderful Testers who I cannot thank enough, truly you are all a blessing!
Rene 💓
Urooj 💓
Amy 💓
Samantha 💓
Yunita 💓
If you haven't yet joined our Mystery Make-Along and would like to then you can find Part 1 HERE. Note, the purchase price includes ALL PARTS ( image-rich + detailed videos throughout ).
Lovelies, as always I wish you a calm, safe and peaceful weekend.
May your yarn basket be ever full ( with yarn, not cats...although cats...ok, I'll see myself out now ).
HUGS,
Jen xx
PS: our GIVEAWAY today is another 5-copies of The Chrysalis Throw Mystery-Along. This is another chance to win a free copy! I'll be doing this until the Mystery Make-Along is completed. Don't forget to leave your Ravelry name if you comment. 💗
PPS: I forgot to mention that I met a handsome Prince last week while the fur-girls and I were on our daily walk in the forest. 😉
Happy Friday and Happy Weekend. I hope you are all well and staying safe?
Since our unpleasant visitation from a certain Crown Virus, a visitor that insists on overstaying it's welcome, days have begun to blend together. From what I'm reading on media platforms, it's becoming the norm to hear people say " what day is it? ". To help get me through these challenging times has been to create specific rituals for each day. Let me explain:
MONDAY: is mending day. Not only sewing on the odd button or taking up a hem but also bits and pieces of kitchenalia or garden-related paraphernalia ( fixing a fence pole, oiling the clippers, replacing a dodgy plug on the weedeater ). Also, I sort out what to keep and what to give away or repurpose. This is over and above the usual chores of the day. So that's Monday!
TUESDAY: I bake...cookies, muffins, bread...whatever! I know it's Tuesday because otherwise there are no cookies for the rest of the week to enjoy with my coffee! And that's never a good situation.
WEDNESDAY: Wash Roxy and Lally. As soon as I collect their towels they BOTH step meekly into the shower. Yep, they know there are cookie treats waiting for "good girls". Then it's a blowdry with the hairdryer. Immediately afterward, they run back into the garden to roll around in the sand and grass... and that's why I have to wash them every Wednesday.
THURSDAY: Garden Day. All. The. Things. are snipped and clipped. Leaves are swept, Roses are dead-headed and fed. If it's not too hot, I have been known to climb a ladder and clean out the gutters.
FRIDAY: Call my beloved 88yr young Aunt who lives 1000 kilometres away. This is our Friday thing. If we don't chat then it's not Friday!
SATURDAY: Mr. HooksnTales is home. I get coffee in bed! HA!
SUNDAY: is always Kalk Bay day. We head out early before 9am to our favourite deli, the iconic Olympia CafeHERE. There is a side entrance bakery to the restaurant which opens at 6am. We stock up for the week on fresh sourdough and ciabatta bread, spinach and feta filled croissants ( for the Mr ), and Mushroom and Lentil Pies for the Mrs. We order excellent coffee and walk to the harbour wall where we watch fishing boats bob on the waves and feed seagulls our crumbs. We spend some time chatting and making plans...good coffee makes you very chatty! 😆
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Of course, there's always lots of crochet and designing going on in between trying to keep track of the days. Especially when you are the very fortunate recipient of a large box of super-yummy, deliciously squishy yarn fromWECROCHET. Xmas arrived early! Honestly, Lovelies this is not a commercial plug for a Yarny company...you know I'm not into that! But up until I was contacted by WECROCHET, I'd never heard of them! I must point you to their lovely Podcasts HERE, which I have listened my way through... at the rate of knots! As you can tell, I'm not very good at plugging! Just go visit their website. It's LOVELY!! Of course, I immediately dived in and made a thing with the gorgeous City Tweed. Find out more HERE. I wish you could smell this divine yarn through your computer. Someone needs to bottle the City Tweed fragrance!
In other crochet-related news, I am working on a " secret thing " which I can't really show you right now. But soon! HOWEVER, there is one " secret thing " out of the bag! TADAAAAA, we're going to be embarking on another Hooks 'n Tales crochet Throw Mystery Make-Along adventure! I've called this one " Chrysalis ". The idea for the name came from The Dictionary of Obscure SorrowsHERE. The name for the new Throw is derived from Chrysalism: n. the obscure feeling you have when a storm is raging outside. There is thunder and lightning, you feel the air crackle with tension, rain pelts against the window panes. You enjoy the amniotic tranquility of being cosy and safe indoors.
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Today I am releasing the Prelude to the Chrysalis Throw on Ravelry HERE. This will give you a little time to decide on your own colourway and purchase yarn if need be. I also added the stitches we'll be playing with plus other maybe useful information. The Chrysalis Throw is a MYSTERY MAKE-ALONG, explored in 3-Parts: The Square ( 30cm x 30cm/12" x 12" ), The Block ( 50cm x 50cm/20" x 20"), The Throw ( 1.20m x 1.20m/ 48" x 48" ). Again, expect a romantic, vintage-feel, floral-themed, richly- textured and decorative end result. Crochet, Yarn, Florals, Texture...yummy, right? Part 1-The Square will be available on Ravelry Friday 27 November. And Monday 30 November on Lovecraft.
Of course, our GIVEAWAY today is 5 copies of The Chrysalis Throw Mystery Make -Along! Don't forget to add your Ravelry name to your comment below to stand a chance of winning a copy!
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There were a lot more things I wanted to share with you, Lovelies but who has time to read a book these days...oh, hang on, we do! 😆 Wishing you all a very calm, peaceful ( yet fun! ) Yarny weekend! I hope that all the little things will bring you much joy!
I hope you are all keeping safe and well out there? I know many of you ( myself included ) are feeling Covid fatigue, wondering when, or if, life as we knew it will ever return. It will, but just a little differently I'm sure. For one, I think my perception about being around large groups of people has forever changed. I'll always feel a little uneasy, wondering when the next tiny invisible enemy will pounce! Naturally, I already tend to be a bit germaphobic, and anxious but my down-time over the past few weeks gave me a moment to take a breath and recalibrate my position in relation to everything that has transpired.
It was a lot to take in. The enormity of this global pandemic is overwhelming and I realised it would only be at some point in the future, perhaps two or three years down the line, that we'd properly be able to integrate this experience. My conclusion for the time being: it is what it is. In the meantime, I am trying to live through this time consciously ( otherwise known as WOKE! 😆 ). Taking each day in both hands and doing the best with what I have, creating order, beauty, and joy. For me: fresh flowers, lighting candles, tidying clutter, listening to music ( not news channels ), using the good china, making healthy food, freshly painted walls, cleaning the roof gutters, skyping my kids, having fun on social media sharing funny memes and videos, zooming with a friend across the big pond, indoor air-cleansing plants, mucking around in the garden, taking many, many, many long walks in the woodlands of Cape Town. Like a mantra I chant under my breath; be grateful, be thankful, be kind. Practise makes perfect and the practice of appreciation and gratitude is ALSO so much harder to feel than to say. Especially when things spiral downwards rather than the opposite way. I happened upon this beautiful poem which moved me and made so much sense right now. Just watching Miss Augusta sleep peacefully in a sun-patch brings me a feeling of peace and contentment.
" My grandmother once gave me a tip:
In difficult times, you move forward in small steps.
Do what you have to do, but little by little.
Don't think about the future, or what may happen tomorrow.
Wash the dishes.
Remove the dust.
Write a letter.
Make a soup.
You see?
You are advancing step by step.
Take a step and stop.
Rest a little.
Praise yourself.
Take another step.
Then another.
You won't notice, but your steps will grow more and more.
And the time will come when you can think about the future without crying."
- Elena Mikhalkova
One of my surprise revelations is that I am unable to " holiday ". I'm incapable of truly incorporating the concept of "holiday" into a workable situation without becoming antsy! Then I remembered ( since teenhood ) that I dreamed of doing what I love so that I would never have to work a day in my life, and that home would/should be where all of this happened. Like in the old days. My Scottish Granny had a fish and chip shop. She and my Grandfather lived upstairs and the shop was downstairs. Honestly, it does make sense, don't you think? Of course, that brings me to my latest ( and final ) cowl pattern which I have called Woodland. Homage to my beloved woodlands and the many walks I take there but also, to my little studio space, at home, which is an enormous luxury I am SO VERY grateful for.
The Woodland Cowl is a "holiday" make, haha. Also, it's Tapestry crochet in teeny sc's! Definitely not my forte if you've made any of my other patterns. But what a fun and absorbing technique! I learned quite a few tricks along the way about how to Tapestry crochet in the round which, of course, I share with you in the pattern. ALSO, it's definitely doable for an Adventurous Beginner. There are detailed video instructions throughout ( as always )...so you cannot go wrong! The things we do and learn on HOLIDAY, right? 😆 PS: I made the cowl longer in height so that it can comfortably fit over your mouth and nose ( best over a mask! ).
Our GIVEAWAY today is the Woodland Cosy Cowl. I'll be giving away 10 copies of the pattern! All you need to do is remember to add your Ravelry name if you do comment below. BUT THERE'S MORE! Three of our winners will also get a copy of Noelene's gorgeously cute Sweet Strawberry Tassel pattern!
Lovelies, as always, I wish you well, I wish you love and joy and peace!
Take care,
💓 Jen
And as usual, Roxy insists on having the last pic. 😆
Lovelies, I bet you didn't expect a Thursday blog post, right? But I had to catch the first day of October! Not like in August and September where I couldn't seem to catch up with the days. I feel very accomplished now! 😆
It's a funny thing, but we are experiencing just about the same weather here in Cape Town as in the Autumnal northern hemisphere right now. It's still blinkin' cold, there is snow on the mountain tops and the wind is blowing things about! I love it. Although only this morning I did complain to Noelene that it's "getting a bit much" and "I'm tired of feeling cold". Of course, if you don't know, Noelene lives in Western Australia and she complains that there isn't enough rain. Our dams are already 100% capacity, and that's worth a celebration! But I'm hoping the rains will veer towards Noelene's patch of crochetland soon and allow me to hang the laundry outdoors for a change.
But enough about the weather! I have been very productive ( to keep warm! ). I made another cosy cowl, because, let's face it Winter is NOT yet over from where I am sitting. I'm still making comfort food most nights. Waterblommetjie Bredie ( little water flower stew ) is an absolute down to earth traditional food here in Cape Town. It's basically a hearty stew made with meat, and the " waterblommetjies " are added in abundance. They are known as "pondweed" or more romantically, " water hawthorn ". In the past, they'd form part of a foraging expedition but these days you can buy them from vendors or in stores.
THANKFULLY, for me, there are vegetarian and vegan recipe versions.
1. Vegetarian Version of Waterblommetjie Bredie HERE.
These little cowls are quick and easy to make and I've got so much pleasure seeing all the colourways used for the Nomad Cowl and the Duchess Cowl. They work up quickly and can be upsized or downsized very easily. As always, there are video instructions, so even if you are a beginner crocheter you should be able to manage. You can find the pattern HERE!
Also ( and I am so relieved ), I finally organised a Tester Group! Hooks 'n Tales officially has proper Testers! I'm very excited about working with these wonderful crocheters and it's going to relieve a lot of the angst I experience every time I put a pattern together. Especially since I am incubating another blanket idea.
The lovely Tanya is away again to help take care of her newborn Nephew so supermodel Roxy has once again agreed to take the gig. She is a total natural at this, don't you think? She stays absolutely still and gives me side views and front views without any prompting either. What a little poser!
Our Giveaway this week is another one of Noelene's adorable Tassels! This time it's the intricate and beautiful Clematis Cottage Tassel HERE.
To stand a chance of having your name drawn from the Lucky Winners Hat, don't forget to add your Ravelry name to your comment.
I know things are still very crazy out there so I'm sending you all lots of good vibes, in buckets!
