Iconic Women!

My mum is an iconic woman. "Why? And why is that relevant to crochet?" you might ask. She was born in Liverpool in 1946. Yes, we've come a long way with regards to equality, but even now, we still have a patriarchal society; in 1946, it was on a different level. The eldest child, born straight after the war with all the expectations of a firstborn on her shoulders. These factors may be significant enough, but she was also born with albinism—a recessive genetic condition that affects pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes. Like most people with albinism, she has always had eyesight problems. She really wanted to be a nurse, but her eyesight prevented her from pursuing that dream. However, these limitations didn’t stop her from developing one of the fiercest work ethics imaginable and having the grit and determination to be the best version of herself—something Scousers are famous for. In the last few years, she supported my dad as he developed dementia, was diagnosed with cancer, and, in autumn last year, passed away at home, knowing how loved he was.

Getting Gritty

So, one month ago, just six months after my dad died, when she fell and broke her hip, she did what she's done her whole life—she just got on with it. She dialled 111—of course, she did! Not 999 like most people would. Then she waited for the ambulance. She didn’t call anyone else because it was late, and she didn’t want to wake them. Despite being in pain, lying on the floor for hours alone, the following day she brushed off our protests. In the last month, she had surgery to have a new hip; she did the rehabilitation to get out of the hospital and back home, where she’s now living independently again and getting back to her social life of coffee mornings and lunches with friends—making full use of walking frames, a wheelchair, and a network of friends and family who she is finally learning to ask for help from.

My mum has always been like this; don’t get me wrong, her stubborn determination to do things her way can be challenging. But her grit, determination, and mindset to not let things stand in her way are some of the biggest characteristics she has instilled in me. I have, in turn, seen that strength in my daughter too. This is not a characteristic you can be told about or learn in school. It’s a living example you must see to appreciate.

Getting Creative

What has this got to do with crochet? Well, despite being registered blind and having never crocheted before, she recently allowed me to teach her. We’re still on the basics but progressing well. So, in her honour, I've written this post and can recommend a few good crochet projects based on this theme.

Firstly, check out the ‘Crochet Iconic Women’ books by Carla Mitrani. Her patterns include some of the obvious ones like Queen Elizabeth II, but there’s also the next generation of amazing women, including Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai.

If you have a special person in your life, why not find a crochet project that's just for them? Or even better: a mini version of them! You could use the ‘Crochet You’ book by Nathalie Amiel to design a bespoke character based on their own characteristics. This will be great for me to make a mini version of Mum with her white hair and red eyes. Or, how about a kit that is just named after that special someone? I can recommend the Circulo crochet kits to make Amy, Liz, or Sophia for the experienced crocheter. And not wanting to leave the knitters out, how about a Hardicraft knitting kit to make April, May, or June? If you don’t fancy making a person, just pick up your hook and get creative making something for them. And when you give your fingers a rest, read a good book that leaves you feeling immensely proud of the amazing women in this world.

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Howzat!

Easter signals the start of the cricket season, bringing to mind bucolic lazy days of relaxing in the sun with a pint of something cold, listening to the buzz of the bees and the whack of leather on willow. And these days will come at the height of summer but the reality at the start is somewhat different. My children will put on their whites and their trousers inevitably stand at half mast like a signal that the cat died, and I realise I need to go shopping. Trousers are too short, tops are too tight and shoes are too small. The weather may look inviting from behind the glass of the clubhouse but the reality is you need to have a blanket on standby and flask of tea in these early days. Which is actually a perfect opportunity to crochet or knit!

Crochet & Cricket

So, what's the link between crochet, or knitting & cricket I hear you ask... Cable knit jumpers and blankets! What a perfect opportunity. The iconic cricket jumper or sleeveless top is a timeless piece of clothing, and a treasured possession knitted with love. Crocheting a blanket requires time, and time is something you have when watching a cricket match. Crocheting a blanket also means that you needs to pile it up on your knee as your work gets bigger; again, exactly what you need in the early weeks of the season. The hardest part is deciding what pattern to do.

I'm currently working on a Janie Crow Persian Tiles blanket, and I found a wonderful pristine copy of Sophie's Universe Crochet-Along book in a local charity shop, which is also going on my to do list. In the past I have made a classic Granny Square flower throw from 100% Falkland Islands wool, now a precious family treasure recording our time living there.

I also made a huge chunky knitted throw (see photo) when I was deployed in 2015/16 in the Middle East; my last Operational tour before leaving the RAF. It was made over the 6 months that I was away from home, and is a record of Christmas away from my children and birthdays missed. However, it's also a reminder of my family sending me a new ball of yarn out, with a new pattern that I would knit into a square and send back. These blankets are precious and hold memories that cannot be created from simply buying a blanket.

Temperature Blankets

My Mother-in-Law currently has a temperature blanket on the go. A temperature blanket, for those that haven't discovered them yet, is a wonderful way of making a unique masterpiece recording the weather during a set period of time. Most people start on January 1st, but you could start on a birthday, or on the day a new baby joins the family to record their first year. I'm thinking of making a version based upon every cricket match I sit and watch my offspring take part in. Once you have decided what period of time you are recording, you then have to decide if you will knit or crochet, what colours will represent the temperatures, what style to go for (corner to corner, rows, diamonds), and a method to record the daily temperature (Highest, lowest, average?) If this has got you thinking then a quick search of Pinterest will give you so much inspiration of colour combinations and styles for knitters and crocheters. I would love to see yours and hear about the method you are using, either in the comments below, on Facebook or Instagram, or why not pop by at an event and tell me all about your blanket projects. I can feel another WIP creeping up on me...

Rhubarb and Crochet!

Why a day on the allotment and an afternoon of crochet are a perfect combination.

Besides crochet, my other great love is being on my allotment. Winter at the allotment brings to mind mud, rain, the cold and dark early nights which oppose the snug winter images of being indoors with a roaring fire, cosy blankets, hot chocolate and a crochet project on the go. But right about now things start to shift; the clocks have gone forward and the days are getting warmer and longer. Tiny seedlings are starting to emerge and the jobs list on the allotment is starting to get as long as my crochet WIP list! I know it’s spring when I harvest my first rhubarb, which is exactly what happened this weekend. Now my favourite recipes are needed as the fruit and veg ripens and comes in seasonal gluts. Rhubarb not only means crumble and custard but also Rhubarb Gin, Rhubarb cake and one of my all time favourites - Rhubarb Lemonade, made using the Riverford Organics recipe, they even have a very handy video.

But what is the link between Rhubarb & Crochet?

Well there are quite a few. Just like crochet, an hour on the allotment can fly by where you are so absorbed in the moment all cares and distractions completely pass you by, where the gentle background noise of humming insects and relaxing breezes in the foliage soothes even the busiest mind. Your thoughts softly meander and you focus on a repetitive action and you're in the flow. Finally, the feeling of accomplishment when you’re done is invigorating and restorative.

Crochet can literally be with you on the allotment too, a quick search of the free patterns available at websites such as Yarnspirations provide a plethora of patterns for snug beanies, warm neck cowls, toasty socks and practical fingerless gloves. Need inspiration? Why not sit back with some rhubarb gin and check out my Beanie hat video.

A Perfect Project

Back home, cleaned up and ready to relax with a crochet hook, not only did we take crochet to the allotment, but we can bring the allotment into our crochet. The perfect project to go together with a day at the allotment must be the cute fruity bag pendants by Hardicraft or the trio of cute cacti in their terracotta pots that I love selling. I don’t have a rhubarb kit yet but I do have Strawberries, Apples, Pears and cherries. Or if you’re a book person, what could be more perfect than an Amigurumi Garden?

Let me know how your outdoor spaces are coming along, what you're growing down at the allotment or your favourite crochet projects for being outdoors in spring. Why not share with me on Instagram or Facebook? or check out my collection of crochet fruit and veg just waiting for your hook or to make a perfect present for the gardener in your life.

Do what makes you happy.