Still counting and lots to go

Hi

I am still stocktaking and trying to tidy up at the same time.

My wool rep. is calling tomorrow to see me so I think, hmmm, no I know I will be tempted to buy more. I stock Stylecraft Special Double Knitting yarn and have most colours, please contact me if you want any it is £1.70 a ball at the moment but I am afraid that the postage is £3.30 per bag.

I have been busy trying to design a craft bag,  here it is so far. I love working textures this mock up version is using up some oddments I am hoping to work it in cotton DK when I have written the pattern out on the computer.

I've had a fairly busy week this week watching my grandson getting his new belt in judo

and taking him for some new shoes, as well as still unpacking all the stock from the show at the NEC. I am almost done I think that there is only one large bag to go.

Today my friend is coming round for a crochet day and chat, I don't know which we do more of crocheting or chatting.

Don't forget that the next instalment of the Mystery CAL will be available on Friday

Good luck everyone

Ali xxx

Lots of goodies and broken tooth

Good morning,

It was lovely to meet everyone at the weekend, we had a great time, hello to all our new customers and welcome back all the lovely ladies and gentlemen we have met before.

Arrived home from the NEC yesterday feeling very tired.

We were all packed up and back to our hotel on Sunday night before 7pm Sunday which is not bad.

Sunday is a long day the show started at 9.30am and does not finish until 5pm, and then we need to dismantle the stall and try to get it all back into the car the same way that it went in, that of course never happens!!!!

That may be because lots of goodies seemed to find their way into my shopping bag.

We also went the the Photography show which proved very expensive I don't think I should have let Phil go by himself 3 times on Saturday and Sunday and with me on the Monday 

~oops~

He did say that he had saved lots of money on what he bought, so I have ordered a new sewing machine with the money he saved.

 My old one was my Mothers and has done lots of miles, I think it might be classed as vintage.

Today I am starting the stocktaking before everything is put back into the cupboards and wardrobes. I better get going I broke a tooth and need to get to the dentists as well.

Don't forget that the next instalment for the 2016 crochet along will be available on the 1st April 2016

Happy Hooking
Alison xxx

Sewing for Pleasure show at the NEC

Hi
I am really excited now ready for the Sewing for Pleasure show at the NEC.  The hardest part is over, I have everything packed into the car ready for the journey in the morning, approx 4 hours.  Then at least 5 or 6 more hours to unpack the car and set up the stand depending on how tired we get.

I can't wait to meet everyone again and to meet new people as well.  If you are coming please drop by to say hello. We are on stand D24 next to Spellbound beads.

I need to tidy up now just look at the depleted shelves of yarn in my workroom.

I will have some new patterns and show specials available at the show 

Effie is a new little elephant

She is worked in double knitting yarn for the biggest one and 

number 10 crochet cotton for the tiny one

Hope to see you soon

Ali xxx

Crochet Along News

Good Morning

We have had a really good response to the Crochet Along and hope that you are all enjoying the first instalment.

There are some photos on Ravelry on the group section, of the colours that some of you have used instead of mine I have to say that I think they are going to be lovely.

http://www.ravelry.com/groups/ali-crafts-cal-2016


I am still printing,  bagging and hoping that all the wool will fit in the car next week, for the Sewing for Pleasure show at the NEC Birmingham. I will be having some kits there ready to start with yarn and 1st instalment of pattern for £12.50..



Just to prove  to you that I am a crochet addict I look for anything crochet related wherever I happen to be.....

Not quite sure where these are from

A mat from a hotel in Majorca

Magazines in Polish from Gdansk

A beautiful window in Gdansk

I have beading books in Russian and Magazines from Spain


Its not that I am clever at all I can only read English I just love to see new and different things

Hope you are all having a lovely crochet day.....

Ali xxx

Trip to Poland

Hello

Lots to tell you about today

We have just had a lovely weekend away in Poland, we flew from Leeds/Bradford airport to Gdansk.
A super 2 hour 15 mins of crochet time, I managed to get the centre of a shawl worked.

Its a lovely city they have rebuilt a lot of the historical quayside which was destroyed in the 2nd world war, there are still lots of buildings to be replaced.

There are shops which sell amber jewellery and glass items, trips on boats down the river and lots of restaurants we liked the Elephant bar and Billys but there were more, we stayed at the Hilton which is at the end of the quayside so very handy for all the interesting places to see.

Cal News

The first instalment of the crochet along is up and ready to go on my website and Ravelry

If you have any problems there are videos on my website  or drop me a text ali.crafts@ntlworld.com

Next I have a new free flower pattern available

http://www.alicraftsdesigns.co.uk/free-patterns/

Materials Required

Oddments of Double Knitting Yarn in 2 colours

4.00 hook

1. Ch.4, work 11tr. in 4th ch. from hook, ss. to join in 3rd ch. at beg.  (12sts)
2. 3ch., 1tr. in same place as ss., 2tr. in each tr., ss. to join in 3rd ch. at beg. Fasten off.
3. Join colour 2 to any tr., 3ch., 4tr. in same place, 1dbtr. worked around the stalk of the tr. below on round 1. not round 2., * miss 1 st. on round 2. work 5tr. in next st., 1dbtr. round stalk of next st. on round 1, rep. from * to end, ss. to join in 3rd ch. at beg. Fasten off.

Abbreviations

beg.	beginning
ch.	chain
dbtr.	double treble
rep.	repeat
ss.	slip stitch
st.	stitches
tr.	treble

©Ali Crafts Designs 
February 2016

This pattern is the property of A Walker and is an original design

Please do not copy the patterns for friends, or use for teaching or post on any website on the internet, this infringes copyright laws. Thank you. You may link to my site via www.alicraftsdesigns.co.uk