in the meantime ...

... its halloween ... well almost!

I just hope some trick and treaters come to take away the sweets I have brought ... ! Oh no its started raining ... better save the pumpkins from the elements ...!!

And on the crochet front I have completed 3 of the 4 samples I need to resubmit, the final square is the triple treble which I wasn't happy with so have undone it all and need to start again ... sigh ...!! The problem I am struggling with one the first attempt was the edges created by the turning chain, they are straight but within the sample its still creating big gaps ... I will have a second attempt and see what that brings I think. I am happy with the ones I have done and that included the double treble.

I have completed, and lined a little mobile phone case for my mom:

And so back to the final square ... x

The results ...

... came back quicker in the post than I ever expected, I am amazed at the speed Pauline turned around the results of my first submission. I have to say a big thank you for that, and it does mean that I can get on with things ...

I do have to resubmit four of the five samples I sent through for assessment, but it is amazing what I have learnt already from this submission.

• The foundation chain and first row ... for the first time ever in my crochet I have stopped and looked at which parts of the chain I need to pick up!
• The turning chain ... and which stitch to select in a tension sample
• The essentials of a tension sample is to "ensure all the edges are ruler straight" and how the above two techniques help to achieve this.

Paulines feedback was so positive too, I was pleased that my tension and understanding of the stitches is good, now I am aiming for that perfection!!!

The submission ...

My first five samples are ready for submission, namely double crochet, treble crochet, treble crochet with hook inserted between the stitches, double treble and a triple treble. Oh how nerve wrecking is this ... now all I need to do is wait for Paulines comments ... oh I hope its not too bad!

While I am waiting for the envelope to return in the post I have begun my Christmas pressies, yes I know its still early but if I don't start now I'll never be finished in time!! The pattern I have chosen for my friend B is from Inside Crochet Issue 21 and is ( or will be ..) the posy scarf. The scarf is made up of lots of daisies and the first one is complete.

The pattern is designed by Helda Panagary ... see her blog at http://www.heldasland.blogspot.com/ for a few more patterns and to read her adventures in crochet, knitting, cooking and life! I have designed to do this pattern in Sidar's DenimUltra in wonderful pink!!! I will post the finished article once complete!

Now to get on crocheting ... x

The Beginning ...

... of my time studying the International Diploma in Crochet. How do I feel scared, full of trepidation ... and this is despite having crocheted for years!! How can the prospect of crocheting my first five squares fill me with dread ... because I think this is the first time ever my crochet has been marked.

BUT ... I am excited, it is making me crochet squares something I have always promised myself that I will do to make me appreciate and understand the different types of stitches. Excited because of the prospects of teaching others (be warned!!) and designing my very own patterns!!

So I had better get hooking ... well I have already started three are done and I am half way through my fourth and then its onto the fifth and into the post they go!!

In the meantime my thoughts have strayed onto the history of crochet ... who came up with it, why and when ...!!

And in the meantime and simply for pleasure ...