Ups and downs

Last week has been rather horrid, on Tuesday I had some terrible news, kind of end of era news. Lots of changes are coming my way, which to tell you the truth is very frightening as I really do not do well with change, but oddly enough I'm rather excited about this, surely change must be good. There changes that are about to happen I was thinking of making myself in about a year as I felt I'm not ready yet, but obviously fate decided that I'm and the choice was made for me. I'm trying to stay optimistic and look at the wonderful and positive things that are happening in my life, like my book, teaching workshops, planning a wedding there's just so much to be thankful for. And this week I had a wonderful phone call that put my mind at ease and it has soften the blow of last week a bit, changes are still coming but they won't be so immediate and I can take my time and choose wisely, all is good in the world once again. 

The workshop season had kicked off with a glorious bang! 

It seems like it's been nonstop go, with all the preps, teaching and now I'm even putting together autum/winter workshop program (I know! We didn't even have summer yet!), but the more I teach the more I love this job! 

I adore teaching all levels of crocheting and knitting. Love beginners as there's nothing more satisfying than showing someone new skill and watching them fall in love with the craft and get addicted as much as I am. Very often I receive emails from my past students with projects that they completed and the way they have progressed it's amazing! Really brings lots of joy to my heart. 

This season so far I had lots of advanced workshops especially finishing techniques, which are great workshops for learning how to get that professional look to your knitted garments. Next season, due to very high request, I’ll be introducing finishing techniques for crochet as well. 

I also taught some workshops on fair isle and intarsia, entrelac, introduced some lace knitting to beginners (with the most amazing view onto the Olympic Stadium) and of course the glorious bunting, which is a project we make during ‘Moving on from Learn to Crochet’ workshops. Very busy last couple of months, but so rewarding on so many levels.

 Entrelac

Look at the view!

 

I put together some lovely 2-hour classes based on techniques used in my book. One of the classes is on crocheting a purse and the other on jazzing up your crochet with embroidery. I have quite few of those workshops booked around from different stores of John Lewis to Black Sheep Wools, so please check my website for more details, click here for the workshop page of my website.

 Crochet a purse

                                                                      Jazz up your crochet


Anna x

www.moochka.co.uk

Celebrations

On Sunday we had little celebrations for Ollie’s and Brick's Birthday, and before you ask....yes we do celebrate our cats birthday and yes we are those kind of people :)  

Ollie bear is now the grand old age of 9, and he does show it, very grumpy old cat, likes things his way only or he will throw a diva fit.  

 When it comes to Bricky pickles we are not sure when his birthday is. When he was rescued the vet

estimated his age for about 8 months, so April seemed like a good time to celebrate his very first birthday and it ties in nicely with Ollie's birthday.

To celebrate I've crocheted them little mouse called Hampton (well, I made few of them, not only one, that would be cruel) .

It's a cute little fellow full of catnip in his belly. Ollie absolutely loves Hampton and can't leave him alone for a second. Brick on the other hand couldn't care less, but then Brick is only interested in tearing up paper, if we leave any paper laying around he will be on it in a shot and not stop until it’s all in pieces, but saying that he is warming to Hampton and starting to play with it a bit. 

 

It’s so amazing to see how much Brick has changed from the kitten we got. Knowing his very hard beginning in life it is so special to see him growing up and turning into this totally adorable monster, who is the cuddliest cat on the planet, but also the naughtiest.

I fear Ollie does not share my opinion, Brick is still fascinated with Ollie and follows him everywhere, Ollie however wants to be left alone to snooze constantly, preferably on a patch of sun, but for most parts they do get on wonderfully and give each other grooming sessions. 

                                                                   Ollie's diva face

I made Hampton using 4mm crochet hook and Rowan All Seasons Cotton as I wanted natural and durable fibre, perfect for very sharp kitty’s teeth. You can use any aran weight yarn, you will need about 18 meters and a bit of contrasting colour for eyes. You will also need some toy stuffing and catnip which you can buy in most stores. 

Have fun making Hampton and I know your cat will love playing with it or why not make one for kitty in need.

The pattern for

Hampton is available here: 

Moochka 

Love Knitting

Craftsy

Anna xx

My book

 

It's here, it's here it is finally heeeerrrreeee!!!! My lovely bookie wookie is here!!

It's been a year in the making, full year of anticipation, excitement, fear and every emotion possible. 

The lovely people at Search press publication approached me last year, after they saw the crochet purse kit we created at The Creative Sanctuary. They liked the crochet purse concept and after seeing some more designs the project was approved and the work on my ’20 To Make Crochet Purses’ began.

 I have hugely enjoyed the process of creating every project and writing the book. As a designer to me choosing yarns and playing with colours is always the most exciting part of starting a new project, with the purses I had added bonus of also choosing fabrics, clasps and different types of fastenings. I would sketch each design for every purse, but only when the yarns and fastenings were chosen each purse idea was finalised.

The book is full of gorgeous projects for all levels of crocheter, from the ones who are just starting, to the more advanced. The designs are created by simple shaping rather than difficult stitches. The emphasis is on stunning design to suite many tastes and I’m sure in this book you will find plenty of lovely projects to get your hook stuck in to. 

I made sure that all yarns, fabrics and fastenings are widely available. I wanted everyone to be able to get them. The clasps are all made by Prym and are stocked by most retailers.  I wanted to give a huge thank you to Angela at The Creative Sanctuary for providing every lovely fastening and fabric in the book and to Rowan Yarns for providing all the yummy yarns.

You will find the list of exact yarns used in every project on my website, please click here.

I have planned lots of fantastic 2-hour bite size classes based on techniques used in the book.  They will be held in lots of craft retailers such as John Lewis, The Creative Sanctuary and, just confirmed, Black Sheep Wools, More dates of classes and workshops to come, so please keep visiting the workshops page on my website as I will be updating it regularly.

The book is now available from my website, Moochka, where you can request signed copy (I know! Get me!)

And from Amazon, The Creative Sanctuary and soon from most craft retailers and book stores. 

This clutch bag is named after my amazing late Mum Lucy

Brick and I decided to get a celebratory selfie, as you can see Brick couldn’t care less. Wanted to get a selfie with Ollie as well, but he just walked away, obviously selfies are beneath him. 

Anna x

Busy, busy.....

Uuuufffff….It has been crazy busy the past few days. Between going to work, prepping and teaching workshops, knitting and crocheting design like mad trying to meet deadlines, I also have been updating my website and few patterns.

The biggest changes happened to two patterns:

‘Seaside’ shawl - Due to a very popular request; I have added a picture tutorial to the pattern, on how to join the motifs together; I think it really helps to illustrate the written instructions.

The new updated version has been uploaded and updates have been sent to all that purchased the pattern, they should be all waiting for you in your inboxes.

  

‘In Bloom’ corsage – Again, a picture tutorial added to simplify a technique used in the pattern. As before; new pattern uploaded and new updates sent. Also added a smaller version of the corsage to the pattern.

I have also been adding new tutorials to the support page on my website. I have just added picture tutorial on how to make a Magic Loop in crochet or Adjustable Ring as it's also known. There are lots of useful things on that page, such as full lists of knitting and crochet abbreviations, a few tutorials and so on, hoping to add needles and hooks conversion chart next week, check it out here.

One more thing….. The Wool Week Cowl I have designed for Wool Week Celebrations in 2012 is now available as a free download, get it here.

Anna x

 

All about crochet hooks

As a crochet tutor the question I get asked the most is: what is the right way to hold the hook? Well, there isn't one, the right way to hold a hook is the way it's most comfortable for you.  However, it's good to consider that the way you hold your hook depends on lots of factors: your muscle memory, the length of your fingers and shape of your hands. Before we explore ways of holding the hook, let’s familiarise ourselves with it first.

Point - This part of the hook is inserted into stitches, allowing it to easily slide into stitches you are working on. The point can range from very pointy to rounded.

Hook – used to hook the yarn and draw it through loops of yarn

Throat - shaped area that helps to slide stitch up onto the next part of the crochet hook

Shaft - part of the hook that the loop rests on while you are crocheting. This part of the hook determines the size of your stitches.

Thumb rest - indentation that allows you to rest your thumb on the hook.

Handle - The handle is the part of the hook that you’ll hold while crocheting

Let’s look at the two most common ways to hold a hook:

Knife Method – exactly as it sounds, you hold the crochet hook as you would hold a knife. Your hand will grip over the hook with the handle resting against the palm of your hand and your thumb, index finger and middle finger grasping the thumb rest.

Pencil Method - hold the hook as you would hold a pencil, your thumb and index griping the thumb-rest, middle finger closer to the shaft, and the handle is resting on the fleshy area above your index finger. 

I hold my hook like a knife. This is the way I have been taught by my mum as a child, when I picked up crochet hook again after years it was this way I instinctively held it. 

The way you hold your hook and yarn is completely your choice, as long as your stitches look as they should. However, if after a bit of crocheting your hands, arms or back start hurting then it is time to explore different ways. Why don't you experiment with the two different ways and see which one suit you best. 

Crochet hooks come in many different types and sizes. They are usually made out of:

Steel - come in the smallest sizes and are often used in fine thread.

Aluminium - come in broad range of sizes. Suitable for most fibres, allowing for smooth and quick crocheting.

Plastic - available in all the common sizes as well as jumbo hooks. Usually made out of hollow plastic.

Wood or Bamboo - available in all but the smallest and jumbo sizes. Lightweight and very good on your hands. Do avoid the smallest sizes with blunt points when you are working with thin yarns, as they do not pass easily through stitches.

I choose a hook depending on which fibre I want to crochet with. Fine steel hooks are perfect for crocheting fine intricate lace, like doilies and are perfect for working with fine cotton.

I always found wooden hooks perfect for working with alpaca yarns, mohair and silk,  and aluminium ones for wool, cottons and most other fibres.

Do apologise for the scratches on my hands, this is how my cats show me they love me :P

Anna x