2011 - A Year in Crochet

Let’s stop for a moment and reflect.


Yes I know everyone in the blogosphere has been reflecting their backsides off this past week and you’re bored of it but I haven’t even had my chance yet have I?!

I could have written a list of things I did for the first time in 2011. I still might, it might just sneak up on you unawares, but instead I thought I would do a crochet-specific 2011 round-up.

It’s been an exciting year crochet-wise. Just look at what I managed to fit in to one year!

1. Crocheted flower cards (courtesy of a pattern from Petit Filoux although I did change it a wee bit). These were good and went down a storm with those that received them. I think I need to take some time out this year to make up a batch more so I can have them in reserve for when I suddenly remember someone’s birthday at the last minute.

2. Crocheted cushion cover. This was so long ago I’d officially forgotten about it, even though I see it every day when I pummel it back into shape after I’ve been lounging on it on my bed. I did some good stash busting this year. In fact so good that I managed to kind of get rid of everything which left me feeling all empty inside. But I know have enough left-over from the Ripply Beast to keep me going for years.

3. Amigurumi. My first foray into the world of 3D crochet. I like it. But I still have no idea what to do with them so I haven’t made any more.

4. Yarn Fairy blanket. I have waxed lyrical about this far too often. So I will stop for at least 2 minutes. ButohmygoddidyouknowIlearnedhowtoripplethisyear?

5. Jungle Ripple blanket.

6. Ripply Beast. I can confirm that Ripply Beast is now in his new home and is very happy there. His new owners are undecided whether to take him to France or leave him here but they were apparently “in awe” of my talents. (But then he is my Dad so he kind of has to say that.)

7. Blankets for Preemies UK. This included my first ever fancy pants border and my first ever granny stripe blanket. And got rid of more of my yarn that was hanging around. I need to do more of these next year, especially when I’m feeling sorry for myself. Helping others always makes you feel a little bit less of a loser I think.

8. Bunting. I wasn’t going to put this in because it was just a test run really. But I did do it so I thought it should go in there. (Also I was one photo short of making a collage of 12.) I am definitely going to make me a little bit of crocheted bunting love this year. My mantelpiece is actually crying out for it. Seriously. Sometimes at night I can hear it sobbing.

9. Cowl scarf/snood. (Pattern from I Ripple, I Dance) I saw this and immediately felt the need for one in my life. I’d been planning it for a while and have bookmarked a load of instructions but this looked nice and simple so I thought I’d give it a go. I even had the perfect yarn, some gorgeous super soft Katia Pima Cotton that was a present for my birthday (I used shade number 11 and 13 – lilac and pale blue). But I realised that I would need loads and loads and loads of it to make a big enough scarf so I used some Stylecraft Life DK in white. Isn’t it all kinds of classy? Not like me at all. I ended up using kind of ridiculous amount of yarn and mine seems to be much bigger than the original one. Not sure what I did there. Although I did only use a 4mm hook so I don’t know if that made the difference. Anyway, I finally finished it just after Christmas and it’s barely been off my neck since. I loves it.

10. Kindle cover. The last official crochet project of the year and it was made in the evening of New Year’s Eve*, with me sewing in the ends at 11.45pm. Talk about cutting it fine. I used some yarn (Pink and Blue mix) that I’ve had since Christmas 2010 that I haven’t been able to find a project for. This was perfectamundo and took me no time at all. It’s a little big actually but I was so carried away it was like I couldn’t actually stop. It was knocked up on a 4mm hook and is half treble stitches – just because I felt like mixing it up a little. I’m mental like that you see. It’s nice yarn but it is very splitty – a little warning from me to you there.


So there you have it. 10 whole things that I'd never done before that I have now. I think we can call that a success.

Does this mean I have to up my game this year as well?


*I’m not a huge New Year’s Eve fan although this year was the first time I’ve actually spent it alone. Mum went to my sister’s so I was on Fred and Lily duty. I still managed to have fun though, drank some pink fizz and danced around the living room watching Jools’ Holland’s Hootenanny. The cats were bemused.