Zooty Owl's Crafty Blog

Colourful Crochet, Craft, Cooking, and Contemplations

Thursday 24 October 2013

Crochet Cowl and Bags

I spent about an hour writing this post and then I just ran the backspace / delete key through it!

I don't think you want to be bored by an endless account of what I have been up to for the past two-ish weeks, instead I will just show you some of the things I have made!


Crochet Necklace

The above cowl/ necklace is made up using a long string of "yarnberries" - you can find the pattern on this BLOG

I made up quite a few strings of "yarnberries" - this was the prototype for the assembly.   Still needs a bit of work.    Was thinking of using more, smaller flowers and perhaps felting them first.    Also maybe adding a few pearls or beads here and there to the strands.

We experienced a few days of sweltering heat here in JHB, resulting in me having to put aside all my larger projects.   I made up a stack of small squares which I am busy assembling into very colourful baby blankets (thankfully the past few days have been wonderfully rainy and cool!)

After a few days of epic square making I just could not face making another square (so much so that I could not even crochet up my scraps for the Yarn Indaba Yarn Bomb!).  I knotted all the same-ish colour scraps together and set about crocheting myself some project bags:


crochet bag


crochet bag



crochet bag


crochet bag

I just kept joining each new colour with a double knot - which meant that I had only four ends to work in when I was done - two for the bag and two for the shell border!   I wanted the bags to have a shabby look - love the  "uneven"  double crochet where the knots are.    Added lots and lots of flowers and leaves I had been making up from small leftover bits of yarn, using small buttons for the flower centres.

Midnight has just passed (today has just become yesterday, and tomorrow is now today!!) - off to dreamland for me!!

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Crochet Cushions: Circles in Squares and Daisy Granny Motif

The Circles in Squares and Daisy Granny Motif Crochet Cushions which I started ages ago are finally finished!!

crochet cushions

crochet cushions

Things have been pretty quiet around here - the young adults were away doing their own thing for a few days and Mr Owl and I were experiencing a bit of empty nest syndrome!    

We went lunching and brunching and breakfasting.     Wandered around the shops for a bit - treating ourselves to a bit of this and that.    Bought some "holiday" clothes - happy bright colours in cool cottons (orange, lime, hot pink, turquoise).    Found a lovely bag to match my turquoise sandals - quite chuffed about that - bought the sandals last season and have not been able to find a bag to match until now! 

Did a spot of gardening - totally in love with my garden - it just amazes me how everything just explodes with colour during October - and the fragrance is just too wonderful to describe - jasmine, lavender, yesterday-today-and-tomorrow, and of course the Roses!!     (We had a bit of rain yesterday - very welcome - but we could do with a few days of soaking showers).

spring flowers

Got my hair done and went for a pedi.   Spent a good amount of time lazing about in the bookstore.     And, of course......... started a few new projects

Stripe Crochet blanket

I used the same pastels / brights in both of these projects.      I love the surprising effect - a single row of pastel / bright double crochet against the dark grey and black really makes the colour pop

The young people are all home again - so the house is once again full and lively!!!   Really enjoying holding on to them for his last little stretch before they spread their wings and fly the nest.... (hopefully not too soon)!!

Off to make a last cuppa and then I am calling it a day!

Good night all!

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Granny Square Shawl: Grandala Square

I spotted a gorgeous granny square shawl on Pinterest - loved the colours she used - very eyecatching!

You may remember me telling you HERE about the acrylic/ wool blend yarn which I was dying to try out? -Elle Classic Wool Blend DK - thought the "Honey", "Salsa" and "Mineral" would make a pretty striking combo.


granny square scarf

I had also seen a "grandala" granny square HERE which I was also dying to try out - perfect for this granny shawl.


granny square scarf

Make 27 x 5 row granny squares.   Assemble 3 rows by 9 squares, crochet a fringe around one of the long sides and the two short sides


granny square scarf

And voila!!  A warm, soft and snuggly shawl / wrap.   Pinned with a big crochet flower.


granny square scarf