Back to crochet

Are you all full up after those cakes? Lordy, us too - though I have been told off for baking whilst a friend was on holiday and couldn't partake. That's what you get for running off to the sun, mate. :P There is another cake in my kitchen at the moment - the chocolate orange cake, but this time made with G&B's cherry and black cherry jam. Disgustingly good (thanks Lisa!), although not quite as...sophisticated, maybe, as the marmalade version. But ooh, those cherries. Yum.

So now I'm back to real life and buried in piles of admin for S&S - new enrolments are open so the phone's ringing off the hook and the postman eagerly awaited every day. In amongst that I've completed an earflaps hat for this lovely boy:


Not the greatest of shots of the actual hat but sweeeeeeet little boy! The hat is made from Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK in pale green, teal and ocean blue stripes, which are very spring-like and just right for this time of year. The pattern is an adaption from The Happy Hooker - I increased the size and added these tubular double crochet ties; they're a bit chunky but very soft. Tied hats are great for slung babes.

Multiple visitors means multiple requests for amigurumi, too, and here's the first of my queue completed for a very old friend. This penguin is from Tiny Yarn Animals, which is a new one for me. I quite like it - the instructions are clear and this little chap was easy to whizz up. You're supposed to stitch his wings down, but I rather like how he looks - as though he's about to jump on you for a cuddle.



Oh yes, I joined Ravelry...deary me, quite a time-sink! I've put quite a few of my projects up there now and found a few friends, too, it's certainly helpful for keeping on top of the queue that's built up recently.