Category: Crochet

Re-invention of an old rug

Di Povey

  This is not a restoration, but a ‘re-invention’.  Restoration would mean the attempt to make it look like the original, but this is NOT the case here! It seems that ‘mice’ attacked this old and loved rug in Granny Squares, owned by a friend.  The conundrum of time vs the desire to honour the original item came into the conversation, so here is the result. I picked out the rodent-ravaged pieces, and using some squares from an abandoned project, inserted them into the item.  It now has a new chapter…

The cost of our time – only the well off can afford to buy Aussie made at Aussie prices.

Di Povey

Like all of us makers, I do what I do because I love it!! And that will always be the case! But every once in a while, I think about what it would actually cost to make if one were being commissioned to make it.  What if I factored in all the hours of making the components, assembling them, and of course, the cost of the materials themselves? – what sort of price should that command? Everytime I go to an arts and crafts fair in Australia where I live,…

Wave Pattern Throw Rug

Di Povey

This is my latest project,  a repeating wavy design in greens and browns, ‘Aussie’ style colours. I made a Flora de Flora for my daughter’s wedding gift, but she prefers a simpler style, so I’ve gone back to a relatively simpler style of project. I love this design and have used it a number of times in various projects, including my  hot colours stripey blanket. It is tempting to add different patterns, but I have to hold myself back to consider my daughter’s preferences.  I have however, indulged myself with…

Flora de Flora by Veronika Liachovic

Di Povey

This is my current project, now designated as an engagement gift for my daughter and her beloved. The design is by textile maestra Veronika Liachovic, an amazing textile artisan. The pattern is FREE via her website, you just have to be patient with the ads – but I believe it is totally worth it.  I am amazed and grateful that she offers it free, considering the amount of work that goes into the design creation, and then the work of translating it into accurate and readable instructions.

How to block a crochet blanket

Di Povey

‘Blocking’ most simply put,  means saturating the blanket, and then allowing it to dry in the shape you want it.  It’s amazing the difference this will make to your project.  The reason is the wetting allows the yarn to relax, allowing it to settle into the required shape as it dries. What you will need: laundry trough of nice warm water, some large bath towels to remove excess moisture, large towel or old quilt large enough to lay your blanket out single thickness for drying, tape measure, pins This is…

Blanket for Winter Baby

Di Povey

A colourful pram or bassinet blanket for a winter baby. Finished size: width 60cm, length 65cm. Worked in 8 ply acrylic, using 4mm crochet hook. Constructed of 9 x 13 cm crochet squares.       SQUARE MOTIF PATTERN 1. Colour 1, ch 5, join into ring 2. Ch 4, (1 tr, 1 ch) 11 times, sl. st. to 3rd of 4 ch, fasten off colour 1. 3. Join colour 2 in 1 ch space, 3ch 1 tr in same space, (1ch 2tr in next 1 ch space) 11 times,…

Twinnies

Di Povey

I was recently introduced to the ‘twinnie’ concept by my grand niece.  As I understand it, it is a special ‘thing’ she shares with her Mum, and something of a security back up that works when she is not with her Mum.  So, when I spent some time with her recently, and was making crochet flowers at the time, we had a conversation about these flowers, and the creative things she was doing with pretty buttons, and coloured paper and so on, that we struck up an agreement! So she…

Waterlilies

Di Povey

I am fascinated by waterlilies.  I am not sure if they are native to Australia, and in time I will walk down that meandering path with Dr Google, but in the meantime, here are some things that about them that intrigue me the way they provide shelter for pondfish, although my pond is way too small apparently, and all they do is send out lots of leaves, and never a flower! seeing them in one part of the Murray river where I walk, mad with blossoms, and providing a ‘walkway’…