My aim for 2014 is to make things more simple, less rushing and over thinking. So as part of that plan I've organised all my crafty stuff and picked up some bargain (read January sale purchases), but attractive storage for my new, more organised start.
I've had the same sewing basket for a long time, it used to belong to my sister and has a slightly iffy repair to the handle done many years ago by my granddad. I love it, especially the repair by Grandpa Joe, it's white wicker with a red stripe and a 70's red floral top. But the half price festive floral offering below from John Lewis caught my eye and now it sits in my crafting corner by the sofa.
Whilst organising myself looking at all the lovely yarn I've aquired over the past 2 or 3 years, that I can't use for my CE marked toy plans (no certificates available to show they meet the strict CE criteria), I've decided as a commuting project to use up some of my yarn stash to make a blanket.
I particularly wanted to use some Rowan Amy Butler Belle Aran yarn I'd purchased last year. It was going to be used in my ongoing ripple blanket project, but i've decided it's as finished as it's ever going to be (all that pesky end sewing in aside) so the remaining aran is crying out to be used in something new.
Crocheting on short crowded train journeys calls out for small scale projects, I Like the fancier multicoloured granny squares, but changing colour every round isn't for me.
Single colour circles suit me much more, they require very little concentration and can be bundled away quickly when you've lost track of time and reached your station.
You can make them suprisingly quickly which i like, seeing my collection of circles grow has been very satisfying.
My aim is to make something like the pattern from Susan Pinners book Granny Squares, used on the deck chair.
I haven't decided yet whether to go for a white/cream background or something else, but until I make another 120 or so circles I can put that decision off a bit longer...