Last Dance on the Beach Crochet Along Week 13

And onto the joining!!!!
Can you believe we are here already???!!!!
This week I'm sharing the blogpost of Esther....aka video Esther (It's All In a Nutshell). The lady with the beautiful hands and ever so soothing voice which keeps you totally calm when you want to scream swear words and stamp on your square in frustration ;-)
Esther has kept us on the straight and narrow throughout this journey and I know for sure that she has  been a lifeline to many with her clear instructions. You can read her blogpost here!
The zipper joining method isn't the easiest or the quickest joining methods. But! It gives, I think, the nicest finish. And after all the hard work we have put in while making our squares, doesn't your blanket deserve a beautiful finish?
I've used this method a few times now so am fairly proficient with the process. I can work fairly loosely so managed to join my blanket with a 4.5mm hook. My advice is to go up at least one hook size and keep checking your tension. If it looks a little tight then pull it out and use a bigger hook. Your finished blanket will thank you in the end and your squares will lie nice and flat. 

Your vertical joins will look something like this!

TOP TIP! 

When making the first vertical join you will have lots of fairly loose squares that twist very easily. To counter this I used some safety pin type stitch markers and joined the loose squares at the corners to hold them securely. (I forgot to take a photo....sorry!)

Next you do the horizontal joins and that's it! 

NB! I don't weave in my ends at this point. I find it neater to weave them into the completed border.

So here we have my Dance Around the Beach Huts blanket. I laid it out on the carpet to take a photo and boy! it's really tricky to get the lines straight!!!

That and I had to work quickly before a kitty decided to make a bed on my blanket ;-)

My muted and very sophisticated all grey blanket.

This blanket will live in my lounge. I'm about to buy a new sofa and chair and this colour way will work perfectly. I'm delighted that the single colour really makes the textures sing!

I've made this blanket with Scheepjes Merino Soft in colour 603 Michaelangelo.

And here is my Dance Around the Beach Huts blanket in it's bright bright glory!

This blanket will live in my guest bedroom....or possibly my bedroom. I haven't quite decided as yet!

Again it was made with Scheepjes Merino Soft in the following colours:

600 Malevich

632 Degas

635 Matisse

644 Duerer

645 Van Eyck

629 Botticelli

646 Miro

617 Cezanne

621 Picasso

620 Munch

UK peeps can buy the yarn from Wool Warehouse (this isn't an affiliate link....I just love this store!!!) Overseas peeps can check out the Scheepjes site here for their nearest stockists :-)

Ok so now I'm ready to make the border! The final stretch! 

I have to admit that I'll be a little sad once this journey is at an end. I have loved every minute of it!

Til next time x

Last Dance on the Beach Crochet Along Week 12

Yay! We have reached the final square!!! I think these 12 weeks have just flown by. I wonderful mix of square designs. Some more challenging than others but I have loved following everyones progress in the FaceBook groups. So it is down to beautiful and funny as hell Tammy from Canadutch to show us the final design! You can read her blog post about her square design here.

I have a confession to make here.....this is my favourite square.

I adored making this when I was pattern testing. I love the effect it gives. I struggled a bit with the gauge but that just gave me a valid excuse to make it more times ;-)

I used a 5.5mm hook (I know!!! What happened there??!!!!) with Scheepjes Merino Soft.

I love these squares :-)))

They remind me of the sand when the tide is out. Oh they do make me smile!!!

So now we have all of our squares! My Dance Around the Beach Huts squares are also all made and blocked. Just I've been too darn busy to take photos :-/

Next time we will start the joining the process. Exciting stuff!!!

Til next time x

Last Dance on the Beach Crochet Along Week 12

Yay! We have reached the final square!!! I think these 12 weeks have just flown by. I wonderful mix of square designs. Some more challenging than others but I have loved following everyones progress in the FaceBook groups. So it is down to beautiful and funny as hell Tammy from Canadutch to show us the final design! You can read her blog post about her square design here.

I have a confession to make here.....this is my favourite square.

I adored making this when I was pattern testing. I love the effect it gives. I struggled a bit with the gauge but that just gave me a valid excuse to make it more times ;-)

I used a 5.5mm hook (I know!!! What happened there??!!!!) with Scheepjes Merino Soft.

I love these squares :-)))

They remind me of the sand when the tide is out. Oh they do make me smile!!!

So now we have all of our squares! My Dance Around the Beach Huts squares are also all made and blocked. Just I've been too darn busy to take photos :-/

Next time we will start the joining the process. Exciting stuff!!!

Til next time x

Last Dance on the Beach Crochet Along Week 12

Yay! We have reached the final square!!! I think these 12 weeks have just flown by. I wonderful mix of square designs. Some more challenging than others but I have loved following everyones progress in the FaceBook groups. So it is down to beautiful and funny as hell Tammy from Canadutch to show us the final design! You can read her blog post about her square design here.

I have a confession to make here.....this is my favourite square.

I adored making this when I was pattern testing. I love the effect it gives. I struggled a bit with the gauge but that just gave me a valid excuse to make it more times ;-)

I used a 5.5mm hook (I know!!! What happened there??!!!!) with Scheepjes Merino Soft.

I love these squares :-)))

They remind me of the sand when the tide is out. Oh they do make me smile!!!

So now we have all of our squares! My Dance Around the Beach Huts squares are also all made and blocked. Just I've been too darn busy to take photos :-/

Next time we will start the joining the process. Exciting stuff!!!

Til next time x

Last Dance on the Beach Crochet Along Week 11

Evening! Ok this post is a week late. Sorry! I've bee busy. Damn life getting in the way!!!
So this week's square has been designed by the lovely, funny and super talented Annelies from Vicarno. Her blog is a delight and crammed full of stunning designs! You can read about the inspiration for her square design here.

It's a lovely design! Bobbles made in a slightly different way. 

For this square I used a 4.5mm hook with Scheepjes Merino Soft.

I love the texture! It's a lovely rhythmic square to make that I whizzed through very quickly.

4 beautifully squishy merino soft squares!!!

So now we have only 1 square design left!

I wonder what it will be??? ;-)

Til next time x

Last Dance on the Beach Crochet Along Week 10

Week 10! Can you believe it? Are you keeping up? I'm all caught up with my 2 blankets and have the squares blocked.  I haven't had time to take photos of this weeks square in my Beach Hut colours but it's on the list for later today so I'll edit this post accordingly.
This weeks square is brought to you by the lovely and very talented Sarah of Crafts from the Cwtch. We joined forces for the Rock Those Socks MAL. Predominately a knitter, Sarah has been improving her crochet skills (although they were pretty darn fine anyways!) with this Crochet Along. What better pattern for this weeks square than one that looks like knitting!!! Also this was a stitch that Wink really loved. You can read about the inspiration for this weeks square here!

So for this weeks square I used a 5mm hook with the Scheepjes merino soft. It's a bit of a tricky stitch but fine once you get going. Once you identify the back back loop (bbl or third loop) and front front loop (ffl or third loop) it's much easier. Because I'm left handed it was a little slow going but the finished effect is lovely. 

It really does look like knitted rib when it's turned on its side!

My edges curl even after blocking but it'll be fine once joined in with the other squares!

My edges aren't perfect either but I really don't mind. I'm enjoying this crochet along so much!!!

Til next time x

Last Dance on the Beach Crochet Along Week 9

Week 9!!! Oh my! We are approaching the finish line now! This week is the turn of Dedri from LookAtWhatIMade. Dedri is the brains behind many a much loved crochet design such as Sophies Universe, Summer in Swanage, Charlotte and Lydia to name but a few!!! You can read the inspiration behind her square here. So this square looks complicated! It's not ;-) It's one of those wonderful patterns that looks a whole lot harder than it is. 

For this square I used a 4mm hook with merino soft. The trick is when you're doing the wrap around stitch don't work tightly. I would suggest doing a practice row to get the feel of the pattern. You easily pull back a row ;-)

My Dance Around the Beach Huts colour for this square is BRIGHT!!! I love it!

I love the overall effect and texture of these squares. They contrast beautiful with the other squares we've made :-)

Til next time x

Last Dance on the Beach Crochet Along Week 8

Well a little later than planned, but welcome to week 8. Firstly can I say a HUGE thank you for the response to my Heart in the Sand square. I was truly touched at all the lovely comments and loved seeing all of your squares. I will catch up on comments. Stupidly busy week at work!!!
So this week it's the turn of super talented Jellina to share her square. You can read all about the inspiration behind her square here.  If you have never stumbled across Jellina's blog before I urge you to add it to your favourites. This is one super talented (and very lovely) lady :-)

This waffle stitch is definitely up there as one of my favourites.

Once you have the hang of the pattern you can just relax and enjoy the process. Not so much counting this week ;-) I used a 4.5mm hook with my merino soft yarn.

And here it is in my Beach Huts colour scheme. This square has been blocked! It's pulled in a little on the bottom edge but that's fine. Once all the squares are joined it'll pull into shape. The main goal is to make sure the edges all are the same length. The weight of this yarn will even out any curved edges. 

I'll definitely be using this stitch again. I adore the textural finish and love the squishy feel of the finished squares!
The blanket is really taking shape now with lots of lovely textures.  Only 4 more square designs to make... I wonder who will be next!!!! ;-)
Til next time x

Last Dance on the Beach Crochet Along Week 7

Good morning!
So this week I have the pleasure of sharing my square with you all.
Let me share my inspiration for this square.... I am very lucky to live very close to some beautiful beaches. The coastline in Northumberland is stunning. I've lived next to the coast all of my life and I never take it for granted.  It's where I head when life gets difficult. I find solace in sitting and watching the sea...the waves crashing on the beach and the ever changing skies. Somehow breathing in that fresh sea air and and hearing the noise of the sea gives me comfort. It was where I headed when I heard the news that Wink had died. As if the sea could make it all better....it didn't. But I still found some comfort in that familiar noise.
Whenever I visit the beach I automatically draw a heart in the sand. I've done it for as long as I can remember. I don't know why. I just do it. 
And it would seem I'm not alone.... I found all of these images online of hearts drawn in the sand!

A heart shape was just the perfect choice for my square.  My overriding memory of Wink is that she was a lady with a very big and beautiful heart.  She loved to share her skills and knowledge.  She was always happy to help.  She was one of life's givers.  A rarity. She had a huge following on social media and was extremely talented.  Most people I know that crochet have made something designed by Wink.  I look at my "Wink" Mandala and smile :-)  I still struggle to accept she isn't around.  It'll take time....

For my square I have used a size 5mm hook with merino soft. Because it is double crochet, it's a much smaller stitch with less stretch. You need to pay extra attention to your gauge for this square! Oh and it'll curl! Even once blocked you may still get a little curling of corners. Once joined to the other squares it'll be fine. Please don't miss out the blocking process. It really will make a difference. 

The chart provided with the pattern tells you where to decrease on those dreaded border stitches ;-)

Take a little time to write it down....it'll save time in the long run. 

You can see my square in my Dancing Around the Beach Huts colour scheme along with the grey merino I'm also making a blanket in. Making both blankets is keeping me very busy!!!

I love the drape on the blocked squares!
I really hope you enjoy making this square and can't wait to see heart squares popping up in my Facebook feed!

Last Dance on the Beach Crochet Along Week 6

Hi Folks! Eeeks! I'm really late with this post....sorry!  Big inspection at work last week (how inconvenient!) and kitchen makeover has just sucked away any spare time I have had.  My cushion update will just have to wait a little longer. 
So this week has been brought to you by the gorgeous Carmen from Crafty Queens. You can read her blog post about making her square here.

Now before this CAL I had never tried c2c. I'm hooked! What a lovely relaxing to make :-)

No frantic counting and checking stitches....just a lovely rhythmic square. Perfect for watching TV and letting your mind go off on a tangent!

I love the subtle texture of this pattern.

My squares are starting to look fabulous when placed together....I must find time to take a photo of them all together. The subtle sheen of the Merino Soft really makes the texture sing.
I'm all caught up on my Dance Around the Beach Huts squares. Well they are made but only half have been blocked! I think I need to find the time to squeeze in a photo taking session pretty darn quickly!
Other stuff......
Today in the UK it is a Bank Holiday so no work for me! However I will be spending my time decorating the kitchen..... It hasn't been decorated for 12 years (oh the shame....) and it's desperate! I have spent every spare minute over the last 2 weeks doing the dreaded prep and cleaning and today is painting day! I'm a little nervous as I've chosen a fairly dark colour for a north facing kitchen!
It's a Fired Earth paint called Blue Grass.

I painted the hallway with it and fell in love! It's very warm in real life. And while I was doing some online browsing for a new kitchen bin....

This just accidentally fell into my basket!!!! BAD MARIA!!!!
Til next time x

Last Dance on the Beach Crochet-Along Week 5

Yes! I Know!!! Week 5 already! I really do hope you are all enjoying this journey as much as I am. It's been wonderful seeing how you are all progressing. Love seeing everyones squares.
So. Week 5. This time it's Nerissa who is sharing her square design.  You can read all about her square and her recent struggles here. I love that she felt able to share her awful experiences. Sometimes I don't think we talk enough.  We bottle things up.
Oh and I just love her square!

Footprints in the sand. Like that poem that always makes me cry!

I didn't have the easiest time mastering this square when I was pattern testing. 

I feared that my seagulls feet were so deformed he would never walk again ;-)

Mind you, I was working blind without even a photo!

But once I got hold of a photo I quickly worked out the placement for the toes and my seagull was able was able to walk once more!!!

I used a 4mm hook for my square and the gauge was pretty much spot on.

Once I had mastered the seagull stitch I was flying ;-) and quickly worked up my squares. 

I love how the merino soft with it's gentle sheen really makes all the stitches pop!

I have a little confession to make....I've been racing ahead making squares in the silver grey merino and they're all finished now! I have 8 more squares to block and then I'm ready to start joining :-)

I'm still playing catch up with my Dance Around the Beach Huts squares but am *nearly* up to date and hope to have progress pics to share soon!

Will share some Velvet cushion progress photos next time. 

Til then x