"The Craft Group" plus...

"I want to learn how to crochet" said Harriet. "I have NO idea how to crochet" said Harriet. "If you run a crochet class, I'll join it" said Harriet. "I'll probably never be able to do it it" said Harriet. Well... ta da! Harriet bought the most beautiful quality cotton from Bendigo Woollen Mills . ...and succeeded in learning to crochet and made this wonderful rug for herself. Well done Harriet. (And a big Hurray!  for Kay who was so great at teaching the Beginners Crochet Class!)

A Patons pattern. Super soft yarn. 2 cosy throw rugs made by the beautuful Wendy.

Question: What is the right way to hold a crochet hook? Answer: There is no right way to hold it! That's not very helpful, I know. Kay taught our beginner crochet class and wow did we see interesting ways to hold a hook! We made some conclusions: 1) Holding a crochet hook does not feel natural at first and you need to chain, chain, chain until you get into some sort of natural hold. 2) Many people have filed away in the recesses of their mind,  a childhood memory of learning to crochet. Trying out different methods is a good idea (rather than doing what one person tells you). You will find that one way seems more possible than others and it may just be because that is how you tried it as a child. 3) If you chain chain chain, you will start to think more about the chain and yarn and less about your fingers - they will start to look after themselves. 4) Constantly relax your hand and arm muscles. If you don't consciously do this you will get aches you'd rather do wi...

Just like a good coffee is addictive... so is crochet! The crochet bug has hit us big time at The Craft Group. Kay is teaching basic BASIC beginners crochet to some ladies who are fantastic at crafts but somehow missed out on learning how to crochet. Elly is a paper craft guru but thought she'd see if she can remember how to crochet. The result... So Cute! A crocheted Mug of coffee as a pin cushion is  a great little project and of course Elly's is just perfect! It looks like a cup of coffee to me but you could add a tea bag and make a cup of tea! Click HERE for a free pattern of the above tea cup from  the amigurumi.today website.

In the past... I have been to Europe. I have been to Canada. I have seen some of Australia. But... I have never really had the desire to go to any Asian destination for more than a stop over. Then, our daughter decided she wanted to live and teach in Southern Asia. So... after 9 months of her moving there, my husband and I went for 3 weeks to visit her in the Himalayas. What a fascinating experience! We are back. She is still there.   I am very thankful for modern forms of communication. There are so many stories to tell but seeing as you are all my craft friends, I will share some crafty photos... There was folk art on every single building. A newly built apartment block was being built near our daughters place. We loved watching the men perched on the bamboo scaffolding painting all the amazing designs for weeks on end.  We went to a paper making factory.  We watched women weaving scarves. We saw hand woven yak w...

Nadia is at it again. Crocheted characters are her specialty and now she is going online to sell them. You can see her facebook page HERE . We found these at The Craft Group and we didn't even need a mobile phone to see them! ;)

Beverley S doesn't just crochet, she creates! Making-it-up-as-you-go is sometimes the most fun way to do craft. Here is the bag Bev created. So fun! You are a clever lady! Thanks for sharing your project and your skills with others!

I love love love whites and brights in crochet.  Wendy started and finished this gorgeous crocheted rug a while ago but we just haven't shown it off here yet! It's modern and it's oozing quality in both skill and in materials.  Wendy made it using quality 100% cotton. She thinks the end result is a bit heavy but I love the weight of it - very comforting. Look and be inspired... Feel inspired? Find this book and make it yourself! Thanks Wendy. Always love your work!

These cute little Christmas stockings were made by Mandy. There was no real pattern to follow so we worked it out easily enough by sharing crochet know how and made little stocking decorations until they were everywhere. Wil and Bev G made a heap! Here are some pictures and a pattern! A pentagon granny square folded in half to make a little stocking. Make them in whatever colour you like! Add some sparkle :) or a bell on the toe! Put a few sweets, a roll of mints or a roll of cold hard cash inside, hang them on the Christmas tree and you will be popular. Click "read more" below for the pattern.

Rita gave me this cute bag. She said the Winnie The Pooh meant she didn't use it.  But the bag is padded and fits my laptop in it perfectly! Bye bye Winnie The Pooh. Hello pretty crocheted flower by me! And another fun fact about my new bag... I used tapestry wool which I found on our "Swap Shop" at The Craft Group a while ago. Spare tapestry wool is hard to reuse in other tapestries and is too small in quantity to use in other crochet projects (and maybe doesn't wash well) but is perfect for crocheting flowers!

There are lots of things I LOVE about The Craft Group and one of those things is the "Show 'n Tell" we have. There's no place for holding back achievements by wrapping them in in faux humility. Creating something is to be celebrated! After a bit of a break over the holidays, so many ladies brought in home-made projects to share. Ideas galore! Janice has been busy crocheting. When granny squares were reported to be coming back in vogue, I didn't believe it. But there are some ways guaranteed to give them a modern twist and I love them! Just add white or black borders and enjoy the new version of putting Granny Squares together. Crocheting with scraps and random colours are so much fun. Here Janice covered some coffee jars. Use them to hold pencils, pot plants, a bright bunch of flowers or look up "Gift in a Jar" for a trillion ideas. (Well, maybe a few less than a trillion). ...and a colourful cushion with a crocheted centre flow...

I recently learnt this crochet stitch and I want to share it with you! It is not a real bubble or bobble stitch where you have to do clusters and other such bulky things. This is all just chains, double crochet and treble stitches. It has a nice dense finish, making it a super warm stitch to use for a rug. But it is also a soft textured stitch making it ideal for a baby to lay on. It's lack of lacy holes means no little fingers or toes will get stuck in the rug.   I use UK patterns. If you read USA patterns: my double crochet = your single crochet, my treble = your double crochet. The stitch is very simply a Double crochet then 2 trebles all in the same hole. Easy! dc tr tr That was the super simple explanation. Now I will give step by step instructions because where that little hole is and how to turn to the next row are not always obvious. Start with making a small sample square because that is a great way to understand it. I am using a size 4 hoo...

Mandy has family far and wide and one of the ways she shows her love is to make things for them! She makes especially nice crocheted gifts! Here are her Crocheted Heart Granny Squares. If you would like the pattern, I can ask Mandy to share it. Just say "Yes please!" in the comments below and I will try and get it for you!

Bev S crocheted this gorgeous pink shawl which I thought I'd show you. Very elegant! This photo is a bit dark but I wanted to show the stitch close up. Very pretty Bev!

Sometimes it is nice to be a bit impulsive. Elaine went into Morris & Sons in Sydney. (50 York St.) Her eye fell upon a lovely crochet rug and she just threw caution to the wind and bought the colours and yarn there and then. No searching for bargains in a cheaper craft store. It was time for some real quality which is sometimes such a breath of fresh air for a crafter. (Or maybe you just feel lighter because your wallet is significantly lighter!) OK, so my measly craft budget at the moment is making me jealous. I love making things from recycled materials or Op Shop finds.... but then I felt this crocheted beauty and I appreciated the sheer luxury of quality yarn. Bamboo. Super soft and flowing and warm. Nice choice Elaine.