Headbands and mats

The sun is out; flip flops are out, BBQ is dusted and Pimms chilling in the fridge, summer is most definitely here and I think it's going to be a good one.

I've been working on some new designs and very exciting tutorials with LoveCrochet! Really can't wait for them to be revealed! Not long to go now! 

Oh and I have also joined the world of Instagram!! If you would like to keep up with my day to day going ons and see unhealthy amount of pics of my cats then please follow me here

Also decided to design some very exciting Knit Alongs coming in autumn, I've never hosted a KAL and I really can't wait to show you the designs and hope all of you will take part. 

In the past three weeks I've released two new crochet patterns. One of them is retro inspired 'Cherry' headband and earrings. It's a really fun crochet project that I wanted to do ages ago. I wear head scarves in kinds of vintage/retro inspired styles constantly and really wanted to design one. The headband is crocheted using Rowan Handknit Cotton, which comes in amazing array of colours, totally spoiled for choice!! You can of course use any DK yarn, but cotton is the best as it keeps it shape and is so easy to wash. The Cherry earrings are very quirky and truly speak to my statement side. I adore kitsch accessories which these earring most definitely are and with few beads and they also add a bit of sparkle 

 The second pattern is 'Very Useful Mat' and that is exactly what this beauty is. The mat was first featured in Simply Homemade magazine last year, the pattern rights have now reverted back to me. The original mat was crocheted using household cotton string (medium weight), I decided to rework it using garden twine (medium, 3 ply twine), the result, I hope you agree, is rather fab. The mat can be used anywhere you like in your home. In twine as a doormat or a rug, in cotton string as a bed rug or bath mat, so many possibilities.

You can also line it, as I did with felt to give it more structure, however if you decide to do it I'm sure the mat will be a great addition to your home. 

In twine

In cotton string 

Both of the patterns are available here:

Moochka

 Lovecrochet

Craftsy

Ravelry

Anna x

Mandalas for Marinke

I've been cooped up at home for the past 3 days due to pretty bad case of food poisoning (Ah BBQ season, how I love you) I have been mopping around, being very cranky ( my partner will be the first one to agree) and generally feeling very sorry for myself. The only good thing about being forced to be at home is that I had plenty of time to catch up on all my crochet and knit news within the craft community, which I don't have time to do as often as I would like.

One of the news that I found out this week has impacted me deeply and put everything in prospective. The amazingly talented Marinke (aka Wink) from A Creative Being has sadly lost her battle with depression. It's just heartwrenching and my thoughts are with her family and friends. When I read Marinke's last blog entry I hoped with all my heat that she will be ok, but reading her sister's heart breaking message this week it was clear it wasn't so.

The crochet community has lost one of the most talented and inspiring people. She will be deeply missed. I have discovered her blog about a year ago when I came across one of her amazing mandalas, she had an amazing eye for colour which her mandalas showed off incredibly and her book Boho Crochet is truly inspirational.

The lovely Kathryn at Crochet Concupiscence Has started a fantastic project in memory of Marinke to celebrate her life, creativity and to raise awareness about depression. To contribute; crochet one or more mandalas using patterns by Marinke, write a short message why you want to contribute and post it to Kathryn. All of the crochet projects will be curated into an art show in San Francisco. Don't forget to share your creations on social media with the hashtags: #MandalasForMarinke #MandalasForWink please go to Kathryn's blog for more details and address where to post your contribution.

Here's my mandala for Marinke. It's very colourful as I wanted it to represent her, her creativity and of course raise awareness about depression.

Please all grab your hooks and yarn and let's all make a mandala for Marinke.

Anna x