December days…

Hello lovely people! 😊

I hope this little blog post finds you well and that your December days are going to plan… here’s a little update from my crochet filled December! 💙

We’re over half way through the month already and Christmas Day is near… it’s a busy time of year for sure. I hope you’re finding moments of calm and moments for crochet.

It’s been a grey December here on the south east coast. The sun has made seldom appearances so when it has come out it’s felt particularly good. This was the sunset on Saturday…

It was very much needed and I used the sunset glow for a little outdoor photo opportunity…

So what is this on my hook? 😊 Well the highlight of my month so far has been a yarn advent calendar which I treated myself to.

It’s been put together by Jess from Hook and Cwtch who I met whilst hosting a workshop at the Crochet Sanctuary back in September.

There are 25 days of the most beautiful individually wrapped hand dyed mini skeins of gorgeous merino wool yarn.

The theme is ‘Phantasmaland’ and Jess is taking us on a wonderful journey through a fantasy land with mythical creatures and magical scenes through her beautiful colour blends. It’s truly stunning and I’m enjoying it very much…

The yarn is oh so lovely and I really wanted to crochet something special. The official project is a beautiful blanket but of course I already have lots of crocheted blankets and one on the go too. So I’ve decided to go off piste and crochet a jumper which feels like a worthy project for these luxury yarns.

And that jumper has taken over my crochet right now…😊

I’m designing the jumper as I go and the process has been glorious throughout this grey December. Opening the yarn each morning, anticipating the next colour and then getting to crochet with it is a joy!

I’m basing my jumper design loosely on the Relax Vest I designed for Inside Crochet Magazine earlier this year but it will be very different…

I’m making the jumper using the same construction and stitch pattern as the Relax Vest but the fit will be different, there will be sleeves and there are a lot more stitches too! The vest was made in an aran weight yarn using a 6mm hook whereas my jumper is being crocheted with the beautiful 4-ply yarn and a 3.5mm hook. The resulting fabric is so soft and supple with plenty of drape.

The colours have of course been chosen for me… I’m putting total trust in Jess who has dyed these gorgeous yarns.

And then there’s the winding of the mini skeins into little balls each day… that’s a therapeutic process (I don’t have a ball winder) and my mum has helped me there too…

I’m taking this project with me everywhere I go. In the car (when I’m a passenger), in the park (when it’s not raining), on the train, on the beach, but mostly it’s been in my living room each evening by the Christmas tree! It’s been a very cosy start to the Christmas season…😊

I’m writing the pattern as I go so it will be available from me very soon. I’m onto the sleeves already so it might even be finished by Christmas Day!

Onto other news and my Coastal Calm blanket is nearly finished. This is a blanket design I’ve been working on in the background for a little while now… it’s a lovely collaboration with a local yarn shop – Ida’s House in Lewes.

They have provided all the gorgeous Filcolana Peruvian Aran to make a blanket which will then be showcased in their shop…😃😍🧶

It’s a lovely collaboration and I can’t wait to share more with you!

The Christmas lights have been particularly pretty this year and here are some taken in Brighton…

I also visited London with a friend and saw some spectacular lights there. Here are a few photos…

I’m planning a blog post between Christmas and New Year with a round up of my 2024 crochet and then a look forward to 2025 too.

2025 will be a very exciting year as it marks the 10 year anniversary of Coastal Crochet and I want to make it really special with plenty of celebrations… 💙😃

In the meantime I wish each and everyone of you a peaceful and relaxing Christmas time with some happy crocheting in there too! ❤️❤️