Thursday, October 3, 2013

A new book and some knitting

Hello everyone, hope you are having a fantastic week. 


I received something in the mail a few days ago that I was so excited about.  My friend Sue Pinner, over at Suz Place, The 8th Gem, and The Flower Bed has written a beautiful crochet book called Granny Squares, 20 crochet projects with a vintage vibe.  I have been waiting and waiting for this book to be released here in the US.  You lovelies over in the UK have had it for several months.  I ordered mine ages ago, and have been waiting patiently for it to arrive at my door.  After several changes in the release date it is finally here. 



It is a gorgeous book with beautiful creations.  The paper is thick and wonderful, I hate a skimpy book don't you?  It is a great book for beginners and those who have had lots of experience with crochet.


Sue has done a fantastic job with her tips and directions.  Each pattern is very well written with beautiful pictures and diagrams.  I just know you will find so much inspiration in this book.  I want to drop everything I am working on and give many of the projects a try.  Sue, your book is wonderful, I am so happy for you!  Sue also has a Granny Square Pattern Club, stop by and pay her a visit and congratulate her on a fantastic book.  Can you even imagine being creative enough to publish a book?  I can't, so thank you Sue for writing this book, it is a beautiful addition to my crochet library.


Just so you don't think I have completely gone off the deep end into crochet land, there has been some knitting.   I have returned to the Bella sweater I was trying to make.  This is my fifth attempt.  I know it really should not have been that difficult for me but it was.  I have this thing about lace knitting, or rather I think lace knitting has a thing about me.  I lose count, I screw up, I make all sorts of mistakes.  The thing is I could not get this sweater out of my mind, this sweater with this yarn.  So I had another go at it and am now past the lace chart.  It isn't perfect, it isn't even close, but I met my lace demons head on and got past the worst of it.


 Can you spot the leaves in this unblocked mess?  I sure hope they look a lot more like leaves when this baby is finished.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that you will not be able to see all my mistakes.  There must be about a million of them, maybe you eyes will glaze over and see the whole sweater, rather than the mistakes along the way. 

Wish me luck to make it to the end.  Size 3 needles and very thin yarn is not my favorite way to knit.  Hopefully the end results will be worth it.

Have a great day.

32 comments:

EMMA said...

I can definitely see the leaves, but can't spot any mistakes - are you sure you've made any?
Like the look of that crochet book.

Anonymous said...

It will be lovely! Oh my ---- that's some intricate knitting!

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

I can clearly see the leaves! You are doing a great job. So very proud of you to have faced your lace demons and left them in the dust! You go girl!

I know you will finish the sweater, it's going to be so pretty....looking forward to seeing it all finished.

Oh, the book looks really nice, too.

Hugs to you sweet friend

linda said...

I'm sure your sweater will be beautiful, Meredith just like all of your work. I find it hard to knit lacy patterns now too, it used to come so easily but now I find it hard to concentrate and usually make loads of mistakes, I make myself do some now and then because it's good brain training haha. I love the look of that book, I bet it fills you with all kinds of inspiration, I'm looking forward to seeing what you make out of it. :)

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Meredith, Love the looks of that book! I can't imagine writing such a book either, but I wish I could. I have always wanted to write a book but not craft, more like fiction. Just a pipe dream.
Your sweater is beautiful, it will definitely be worth celebrating when you are done. The yarn is yummy and the leaves are awesome.
Keep up the good work!! xoRobin

Bridget said...

I wish I could "get" how to crochet - so many people have tried to show me, and it jusgt hasn't clicked. At least not yet.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has issues with lace. But your leaves look pretty, and I for one can't wait to see the finished sweater!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Meredith, I have confidence in you that this sweater will look absolutely beautiful...you definitely can see those wee leaves.. The book looks great.. Hugs Judy

Susanne Tyree said...

If there are mistakes I sure can't spot them. I made a knitted doll sweater with leaves in it months ago and I was thrilled it actually looked like it was suppose to. I also knitted up 2 sweaters years ago and they actually turned out like sweaters.....Can't wait till you can show us the finished project. I think you are one fantastic knitter. Don't beat yourself up, you do a wonderful job.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

ColourMeCrochet said...

Meredith your knitting looks lovely. Yes I can see the leaves and no I can see no mistakes. We are our own worst critics.
I'm looking forward to seeing it finished, I'm glad you pushed yourself to get past the frustrating part.
I have Sues book too and really enjoyed all her patterns in it. It really makes you wonder what one do you start first.

Take care and happy knotting :)
Sally xxx

Mrs. C said...

Hi Meredith! I have been looking at that book by Sue Pinner on Amazon for months! It's actually on my Amazon Wish List! I am so jealous of your knitting skills! I can knit but when I make mistakes it ticks me off and I find it so easy to lose my place in a pattern! I get so frustrated! I find crochet so much easier and stress free! I have my Nana's wooden case of all her knitting needles by my yarn stash in my family room. Even though I will never be the incredible knitter she was ( she didn't even look at what she was doing half the time and it was incredible, filled with patterns! ) I feel they release a great creative aura! :)

elns said...

Yes, I can see the leaves! And the leaves look lovely!. I'm a sucker for gray yarn, I love the depth the yarn color has. I can't wait to see this one develop! I am with you on the small needles, small yarn, ha!

Joy said...

Lovely Meredith - full marks for courage in battling on and defying the elements that would stop you producing that lovely garment! I clearly see the leaves, but no mistakes, and this surely will be a beautiful sight to behold as it progresses.
I too have trouble keeping track on involved patterns these days and have to cover previous rows with blank paper as I progress to the next; such a nuisance!
Warm hugs,
Joy xo

Joy said...

PS I forgot to say thank you for showing and recommending that fab book - it looks wonderful! xx

Gracie Saylor said...

Me too, me too...I can see the leaves and no mistakes :)
And I think Sue's book might end up on my Amazon wish list also. Happy Day! I want to crochet a few more rows on Rosie's cocoon.
Gracie xx

Teresa Kasner said...

I just got my book from Sue, too.. and I absolutely am totally happy with it.. I want to do all the projects and in those awesome bright colors.

I think your sweater will be perfect - but I hate to see you unhappy with the work.. but you will love it when it's done, I know it.

((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Jennifer Hays said...

I've seen the book on a few blogs already and I think it looks wonderful. I think your sweater is going to be beautiful. Try to relax and enjoy the process, it's going to be great. :)

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Hi Meredith ....that book looks great! Where can I find it? Hope all is well with you! Hugs, Patti

Kris said...

I can't wait to see Sue's book. She is so good!
Yes, I spotted the leaves! Pretty, pretty!!!!
xo Kris

Betsy said...

Pretty, pretty leaves! They're beautiful and I'm sure the sweater will be gorgeous when it's done. You are so talented at everything you do.
The book looks beautiful too. I can't even imagine publishing a book.
Blessings,
Betsy

Lynne said...

Hi Meredith! I have long admired Sue's blog and work, she is a very talented lady. I bet her book is awesome.
Way to hang in there with that sweater. Your hard work is paying off- it looks really pretty so far!

gaia said...

Dear Meredith!
Your knitting looks gorgeous; I wish I could knit like that! Gaia.

Anonymous said...

Hi Meredith, I just popped over from Shari's Gum Tree Lane blog to say Hi!!! I must take a look at that crochet book but that lace sweater is what really grabbed my attention. I am so relieved to hear I am not crazy or completely inept when it comes to lace! I can't even count how many times I have started this particular shawl and ended ripping it all out only to begin again. I've finally put the monster aside with this lovely pink cashmere waiting in the background to metamorphose into this lovely lace shawl... one day!
I can't wait to see your finished sweater all blocked and gorgeous I'm sure!:D We are all way too hard on ourselves but that's a comment for another day:D
Hugs from your newest follower,
Beth P
P.S. I was browsing through some earlier posts and see you won that lovely book on shawls and scarves -I just purchased it last week! What do you think of it?

Sue Pinner said...

Hi Meredith...ah thank you so much, glad it has eventually arrived, hope you find it useful, and not too distracting lol
Thanks agin
Hugs hugs xx

Pammy Sue said...

New crochet books in the mail are always fun. I ordered a few recently and have received all but one. I think the release date is still upcoming for that one. It's by Nicki Trench, my favorite crochet designer. Anywho, your book looks like a good read with a cup of hot tea. I love Sue and her never-ending energy and creative ideas. That gray sweater is going to be gorgeous. It looks complicated to me. Remember to enjoy the process even if it's not your favorite. I always repeat that to myself when I'm making something and just start looking forward to it being done.

kathy b said...

The Crochet book is beautiful! I want to see you squares!

I see the leaves. Carry oN!

Ladybird Diaries said...

This looks a lovely book, thanks for the recommendation. Your knitting looks pretty perfect to me!
Marianne x

Lillie and Moss said...

What a nice book! I must see about adding this one to my collection. Love the new project you are working on and Yes I do see the leaves! This I am sure will come out lovely just like all the others!
Hugs, Shari

Sharron said...

All credit to you for persevering with your project. I look forward to seeing it all finished, and hope you are more than happy with the results. Your efforts should be commended xx

Olga Poltava said...

That's a nice book. I love crochet books with big colorful pictures.
When I see your knitting projects I feel like picking knitting myself too. It's been a few years since I knitted something.
Enjoy your weekend!

RURAL said...

I like Granny squares, all that work accomplished in so few stitches.

Jen

Faeryfay said...

Hang in there with the lace Mere! It looks lovely, and I can definitely see the beautiful leaves! It is going to be gorgeous when finished! That crochet book looks fabulous too!
Cheers,
Fay:)

pembrokeshire lass said...

you are always such an inspiration and I often follow you and make what you have just finished as it looks so nice...and also something that i might be able to knit....however, this time i am not even going to try. It looks far too difficult for me to even attempt ! Well done you for facing it and conquering! I can see the leaves and i think it's going to look incredible when you have it blocked. The book looks interesting as well. Joan