Tuesday

Grannies, Packages and Pancakes

For the life of me I don't know why I get up so early in the mornings, but when there are scotch pancakes with golden syrup on the menu it doesn't seem quite so hard to emerge from hibernation.

I spent most of Sunday teaching myself how to crochet granny squares, having finally found the most fantabulous and instructive how-to series over at meetmeatmikes.  If there's one thing that's tricky to get the hang of with crochet it's making good square corners; this tutorial will transform you into a corner queen in no time at all.

 I've also been putting a package together for my dear friend Toni, who teaches English at a university in China.  We spent a whole year living there together in 2008-09, working at a school in Guangdong.  When we returned to England and she went straight off to university to do an MA,  I flitted about for a year not knowing quite what I wanted or who I was.  When Toni went back to China  I started uni again doing the same Masters in English teaching.  Now I'm getting ready to up-and-off again to East Asian waters as soon I have finished my MA, and I am sure our paths will cross again.  Watch out China!

I crocheted the string, used the tissue paper my Doctor Martins came in to wrap two cotton dresses for her, and as she is so obsessed with rabbits I gave her one of my favourite Belle & Boo postcards that I got from Paperchase a while ago.   My vintage copy of I Capture the Castle, one of my favourite books in the whole wide world, adds the finishing touch of whimsy.

4 comments:

Winnie said...

Loving the look of the package bound for China! I'm sure she'll love it. Loving the granny squares and I much prefer the background to your blog than the one before! Me likey.

Claire said...

Thanks Win ^-^

Yes, I thought this background was much better too - much more crafty and fresh and Springy. I worked out that I'm currently crocheting at a rate of one granny square per hour. That's not good... lol >-<

Cx

Winnie said...

Claire you crazy nut haha! Whatever happened with your work eh? I can imagine you stocking up on a helluva lot of wool when you start your part time job. The haberdashery at John Lewis will start to recognise you!

Lillabilly said...

Meet Me At Mikes was where I learnt to granny from too! Doesn't Pip's tute make it just so easy?? Loving your blog so far...I'm definately going to be dropping back in!