Book shop closing

For about ten years Borders bookshop in Oxford Street (near Oxford Circus) has been the place I could pop into for a quick coffee while browsing over the books I wanted to buy. Its the place I would meet friends & relations passing through London, it did not matter who arrived first as there was always books & magazines to look at while waiting.
Well today I popped there and to my horror it is closing :(
I confess the sadness of the book shop closing did go away (for a while anyway) when I noticed the 50% off all books posters, my mind spun at all the half price books that I could buy but, I am not sure how long it has been closing down as when I looked around there were only a handful of craft books left, a few cooking books that had seen better days, even the computer section was looking bare. I did manage to get one programming book and will try and have another look around next week when I am back near there. Its sad I liked that bookshop and will miss popping in there :(

Crocheted Star Flowers

This crocheted flower has a similar construction as the knitted flower (the flower in the pic above on the right) I posted last month

Yarn DK or worsted weight
I used:
Patons Linen DK (2 colours required - Colour a for petals Colour b for centre use colour combinations you like, experiment) You can experiment with with different DK or worsted weight yarns
Hook size 3.75mm (UK)/ 5/F (USA)
I used a slightly smaller hook than recommended for this yarn (which was a 4mm) to make a firmer flower

Abbreviations:
st – Stitch
sts – Stitches
dc (UK)/ sc (USA) – Double Crochet (UK)/ Single Crochet (USA)
ch – Chain
sl st - Slip Stitch
dec - Decrease

Pattern:
Petals (make 5 alike)
Using colour a
Ch 2
Row 1: 2 dc (UK)/2 sc (USA) into the 1st ch, 1 ch (2sts)
Row 2: 2 dc (UK)/2 sc (USA) into each dc(UK)/ sc(USA), 1 ch (4sts)
Row 3: 1 dc (UK)/1 sc (USA) into each dc(UK)/ sc(USA), 1 ch
Rows 4, 5 & 6: As row 3
Fasten off

Make 4 more petals (don't break yarn or fasten off on 5th petal)

Row 7:Starting with the 5th petal - 1 dc (UK)/1 sc (USA) into each dc (UK)/ sc (USA),
than 1 dc (UK)/1 sc (USA) into each dc (UK)/ sc (USA) on the 4th petal repeat 1 dc (UK)/1 sc (USA) into each dc (UK)/ sc (USA) for the 3rd, 2nd and 1st petals, 1ch (20sts)

Row 8: 1 dc (UK)/1 sc (USA) into each dc (UK)/ sc (USA), 1ch (20sts)

Row 9: (Change to yarn b) *Dec 1 dc (UK)/ dec 1 sc (USA) over next 2 dc (UK)/ 2 sc (USA)** repeat from * to ** to end (10 sts)

Row 10: 1 dc (UK)/1 sc (USA) into each dc (UK)/ sc (USA)
Row 11: *Dec 1 dc (UK)/ dec 1 sc (USA) over next 2 dc (UK)/ 2 sc (USA)** repeat from * to ** to end (5 sts), fasten off cutting yarn leaving a long length to use for sewing up.
Sew up sides.and weave in all ends.

Bee spotting

Been having a play doing some crochet animation, hehe
Bee pattern coming soon

WWKIP 2009

World Wide Knitting in Public Day 2009

This year as with with last couple of years I joined The Stitch and Bitch London Knit Crawl, but this year due to the London tubes closing down lots of services I only managed to make it to the 3rd part of the crawl.
The Jubilee Gardens in front of the London eye
It was a wonderfully sunny day with a nice cool breeze, perfect for sitting outside knitting and crocheting with lots of like minded people.

I managed to knit a few petals (to much chatting to people) before we moved on to Trafalgar Square

The breeze across the fountains brought a much need mist of water.
And I meet a Hedgehog postman (wearing a moustache for the day) that was visiting London on his travels.

been looked after by Betty also with a knitted moustache (money for the knitting and crochet patterns to make the moustaches went to Prostate UK Charity) plus it was fun seeing lots of women with their knitted and crochet moustaches.

I managed to just about finish a flower before heading home.
A good relaxing fun day :)

World Wide Knitting in Public Day

As next Saturday is World Wide Knitting in Public Day I have added a knitted pattern for a change

Knitted Blue Flowers
Yarn DK or worsted weight
I used:
Patons Linen DK in blue and yellow

Tension/ Gauge 30sts X 22 rows = 10cm(4inches) X 10cm
Size 4mm(UK)/ size 6 (USA) needles

Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
kfb = Knit into the front and back of the stitch (this is an increase)
k2tog = Knit two stitches together as one stitch
sts = stitches
st = stitch

Pattern:
Using blue yarn (or colour of choice)
Cast on 1 st
Row 1 (RS): kfb (2sts)
Row 2 (WS): p2
Row 3: kfb 2 times (4sts)
Row 4: p4
Row 5: kfb, k2, kfb (6sts)
Row 6: p6
Row 7: kfb, k1, kfb 2 times, k1, kfb (10sts)
Row 8: p10
Row 9: k10
Row 10: p10
Row 11: k10
Row 12: p10
Row 13: k10
Row 14: p10 Break yarn leaving a length to sew in neatly do not cast off, leave on needle ( do not knit on until row 15)

Make 4 more petals (don't break yarn off last)

With all 5 petals finished and on same needle (50sts)

Row 15: k50
Row 16 k50 Change to yellow yarn (or colour of choice)
Row 17: k50
Row 18: k2tog 25 times (25sts)
Row 19: k2tog 12 times, k1 (13sts)
Row 20: p13
Row 21: k2tog 6 times, k1 (7 sts)
Row 22: p7 cut yarn leaving a long length to use for gathering and sewing up Thread the yarn onto a needle and insert through remaining 7 stitches. Pull yarn firmly Repeat going back through all 7 stitches again (as photos below) this will make a nice firm centre. Sew up sides.and weave in all ends

Ultravox

I went to the Hammersmith Apollo on Friday night to see the Ultravox concert they are back together again. The music and atmosphere were excellent, I totally enjoyed it.

The last time I saw Ultravox it was the same venue but it had a different name "The Hammersmith Odeon". I was still at school and it was 25 years ago!!! ahhhhhh where do the years go.....

Mermaid Chart

Because so many people have emailed me about the mermaid chart and making it a pdf file, I have listened and added it to ravelry (find me there also as NezumiWorld)

Old magazine

I collect old crochet and knitting magazines 1900's-1930's I love them, they combine knit, crochet, tatting, lace & embroidery, mixing and matching techniques with beautiful results. If they could make a cover for something or decorate an item they did, my favourite is the candle shades beautiful laces but, I wonder how many went up in flames eeekk!. The magazines have become harder to get hold of in the last few years, plus the price for many is getting to high (for my income anyway).
I have been trying to find out something about these wonderful designers for many years with little luck, Emma Farnes (love her designs), Marie Antoinette Hees, Sophie T. Lacroix, Anna Valeire their work appears in some of the Novelty Art Studios magazines also. If anyone knows of any details about these designers, websites etc. please let me know.

Ginger Squirrel

I was just about to chop up this piece of ginger when a family member said "why are you chopping up a squirrel" I had not noticed the shape until then. So I photoed it to share here, what do you think of my squirrel shaped ginger?

Easy Hand Exercise for crocheters and knitters (OK everyone who owns a wool of yarn)

I get asked a lot about painful hands when crocheting and knitting, I am not an expert and would always recommend going to a doctor when in pain to see whats causing it, but I know there are lots of things you can do to help yourself
I do try to follow these suggestions as I have osteoarthritis but if something feels wrong to you stop, remember one of the main reasons for crocheters and knitters getting hand pain is over doing it, so
1. Pace yourself.
2. Sit correctly, putting a cushion in the lower back to give support if needed (OK you say pain in hands not back, but if you sit correctly it helps support your whole body i.e. hands connected to arms to shoulders to back)
3. Use a bamboo or wood hook/needle (I find wood better than bamboo, but very expensive so only buy the size needed for the project I am making), this may seem like an expensive but how many years will that hook/ needle last you and how many hours will you use it.
4.Take breaks and do a hand exercise every hour, get the blood flowing back to your fingers (there a quick exercise I do and have added below). Don't think just one more row.... there's always one more have a tea, coffee, water and stand up, even for 5 minutes.
5. Hand supports for arthritis, hand pain (like handeze support gloves) are good to use when crochet/ knitting but remember to take them off as they will weaken your hands if worn when when not needed.

Super Easy Hand exercise

Take a ball of yarn (can use the one you are working on) and squeeze tight for 10 seconds

Let go
Repeat 2 more times
Visit NezumiWorld Hand Exercise page for a count-along image

Flower Belt

I have been playing with the blue flowers pattern and made a belt (still need to find some nice buttons as fastenings) and I am working on a scarf I will add that photo of that when its finished, plus how to join the petals.

Blue Flowers

Springs coming and the flowers in our little garden are starting to bloom making me feel inspired to post another crochet flower pattern. :)

Blue Flower (or any colour you prefer)

Make into a brooch, add to a bag, shoes whatever takes your fancy :)
(look out for the wire crochet version of this coming to NezumiWorld soon)

Super chunky/ Bulky (USA)/ 16ply
I used Rowan Little Big Wool (very small amount used, left over from another project)

6.5mm (10 1/2 / K) hook

Abbreviations:
st – Stitch
sts – Stitches
dc (UK)/ sc (USA) – Double Crochet (UK)/ Single Crochet (USA)
ch – Chain
sl st - Slip Stitch

rnd - Round

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 6 dc (UK)/ 6 sc (USA) into 2nd ch from the hook (the 1st ch that was made), join with a sl st to top the 1st dc (UK)/ 1st sc (USA), 1 ch (you should now have 6 sts)

Rnd 2: [sl st into the back of the next dc (UK)/ sc (USA), 8 ch, sl st into the back of the same dc] repeat 6 times (you should have 6 petals)

Rnd 3: [sl st into the front loop of the dc (UK)/ sc (USA) you made the first petal in, 6 ch, sl st into the front of the same dc (UK)/ sc (USA)] repeat 6 times (you should now have 12 petals 2 rows of 6)

To finish pull thread through to back of the with your crochet hook flower. Use the ends to sew on a brooch of attach the flower to item of your choice.

Sushi Weekend

I love eating sushi, so last weekend I decided to give it a try to make my own, with my brothers help tasting everything. To be fair he did make the rice, I did the seasoning/ vinegaring and assembling part :)

Its much easier than I though, maybe not as pretty as the shop bought stuff (I will practice more) but I could put in all the ingredients I liked, yummy :)

Plus a few Christmas's ago my lovely knitting students gave me a present of some beautiful Japanese plates, its nice to get a chance to use them.

Rose Brooch

I have been making these brooches for many years in all colours, I based them on this little rose tree in my garden (the crocheted brooch and the real rose are about the same size).

This is the first time I have written the pattern out (its embeded in my brain) and as valentines is near, why not make yourself a rose brooch.

The pattern starts with a row of loops

Red Rose Brooch (or any colour rose brooch you prefer)

DK yarn/ Light worsted weight

3.75 mm (5 / F) hook
Brooch Back
Abbreviations:
st – Stitch
sts – Stitches
dc (UK)/ sc (USA) – Double Crochet (UK)/ Single Crochet (USA)
tr(UK)/ dc (USA) – Treble Crochet (UK)/ Double Crochet (USA)
ch – Chain

Row: 1
[Ch 10, 1 dc UK/(1 sc USA) into the 8th ch from the hook] X 7
(You should now have 7 loops)
[Ch 8, 1 dc UK/(1 sc USA) into the 6th ch from the hook] X 5
(You should now have 12 loops)
[Ch 6, 1 dc UK/(1 sc USA) into the 4th ch from the hook] X 4
(You should now have 16 loops)

Row 2
3 ch,
Into the 1st 4 ch loop
3 tr UK/ (3 dc USA) , 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into 2nd 4 ch loop
4 tr UK/ (4 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 4 ch loop
4 tr UK/ (4 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 4ch loop
4 tr UK/ (4 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops

Into the next 6 ch loop
5 tr UK/ (5 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 6 ch loop
6 tr UK/ (6 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 6 ch loop6

7 tr UK/ (7 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 6 ch loop
8 tr UK/ (8 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 6 ch loop
11 tr UK/ (11 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops

Into the next 8 ch loop
14 tr UK/ (14 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
13 tr UK/ (13 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
15 tr UK/ (15 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
13 tr UK/ (13 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
14 tr UK/ (14 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
15 tr UK/ (15 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops
Into the next 8 ch loop
13 tr UK/ (13 dc USA), 1 dc/ (1 sc USA) over the two ch in-between the loops

You should have something that looks like this

Starting with the larger loops twist 4 loops as in the photo
Twist the next 4 on top so you can see the 4 below
continue until it looks like a rose

Sew into the back to hold all the layers together
Sew on a brooch back and wear

EEEKKK!! Snow

Last night about 10pm I noticed the snow settling, popping my head and camera out this morning at 7am its freezing and so much snow everywhere. i have to walk to work later as the buses and tubes are not running not to far 20 minutes but eeeeekkkk I hate the cold....... and not to fond of snow. I will bring my camera along and blog the results later (if i don't fall and break camera or me)

Out 'n' About in Portobello Market

I decided to take a walk through Portobello Market at the weekend, the market is about 15 minutes walk from where I live, but I have not been there for a few years (you forget what is right on your doorstep). I found my favourite stall, its been there for years. It has wonderful vintage buttons, lots of beautiful glass and metal and just what I needed for some new (new as in projects that just needed that something to finish them, like a button and have been living in a bag for ages) projects I have been working on. The picture does not do these button justice.

I also visited a stall and got some nice trimmings, its worth a visit to the market if you are in London. There's so much to see.

Happy New Year 2009

Happy New Year 2009 to Everyone
I was going to post a list of resolutions for a New Year day post.... like post more often, health and such but as i missed the 1st January post because of this stupid head cold I think I will just see what the years brings me instead maybe have a make no plans year (if only)