March so far

 Time to sit down and write a catch up post. Its been a busy March so far.

First up I have released the Black Panther amigurumi pattern set. Don't these look fab :)
Pattern is available now from my Etsy pattern shop (click the link )
This has been such a fun set to create. I get more confident with these designs the more I do and its all gearing up to the big one Avengers Infinity war. The films out in April and my massive pattern set to go along with it will be release soon after.
I know a lot of people have been making these patterns and really enjoying them. One lady - Kelly send me this photo on Etsy to show me all the ones she's made. Isn't this just amazing, I think she made everyone I've released. Thank you Kelly for sending me this xxx

There will be other pattern sets coming soon.
I've had a few crochet commissions for magazines and books on this month that have been taking up a lot of time but I've been trying to fit in a bit more knitting.

 We've had weeks of snow and cold weather here in York and so I decided to make myself a pair of glove. This is a free pattern on Ravelry and its really good. I used some Drops Lima that I had in my knitting stash.

I didn't have enough yarn to finish the pair but I'd memorized the cable pattern repeat so I didn't want to start a new project and risk forgetting it. Instead I used the same cable pattern and made a dog coat for the adorable George at The York Makery.

Keighley for The York Maker and Alice of Alice yarns have started a lovely yarn podcast called String Theory Link to youtube 
Go have a listen. George makes an appearance in the podcast and they asked for knitters to send in things for George to wear.

 Doesn't he look fab. I'll be tweaking this pattern and then it will be available. I'll probably upload it to Ravelery just to keep my knitting and crochet pattern separate.

 This is my little yarn hoard from my visit. This is all going to be for knitting projects.
Its lovely to have knitting as a hobby again. I love crochet but sometimes it does feel like work. Its also very nice to be able to buy yummy yarns that are just for me.

 Little fun picture of Cal in a Wool warehouse bag :)

Next up is a bit of a diversion for me. As a treat I bought myself a yarn dyeing kit. I have become a bit addicted to watching knitting podcasts and yarn dyeing videos on Youtube. I really wanted to have a go myself so I got a nice starter kit of Etsy.

The kit came with 200g of mini skeins so I had lots to play with.

 This is the first pot I dyed. My plan was that it was going to be a yellow base and the I'd add red and create patches or fire colours. As you can probably see I failed and it all turned orange. Its still very lovely.

 The next pot looked like it was going to be more successful. However I didn't keep it on the heat for long enough and most of the colour came out.

 These are the results of the first two pots.
I decided to try a different way of dyeing and hand-painted the yarns, wrapped them in clingfilm and steamed them. This worked much better. I got a lovely rainbow and a blue mix.

 This is a pic of me knitting up the rainbow skein. There were times when I had a perfect rainbow of stitches on my needle. Its was lovely. Yes, that is both my cats on my knee in the background.

 Look how lovely this knits up. I've made this into a little bag for me. It feels very special to have something made thats from a yarn I dyed.

 I've done a bit more dyeing since. I tried a self stripping, it didn't go to plan but I still love it.

 This is it knitted up. I'm making a sock but I have since found out I don't have enough dyed yarn to make a pair. I can either make just one or a pair with a really long contrasting toe. I haven't decided yet.

Cal makes a great yarn holder :)

 This was my other dyeing session. Thats the self stripping from above. I also made another rainbow and a blue based speckle. I decided to stop here until I've made these into something.

 I can't really share any of the crochet work I've been doing. This is just a tiny sneaky peek.
You may have noticed that there is a advert on the telly for a new crochet magazine called Big and little crochet. Thats what I've been working on so soon I'll do a post and show off the projects that I've contributed to this love set of books.

 Another pic of Cassi and Cal. Cassi was sat on my knee and the Cal came and sat on top of her. She wasn't very happy about it. My knee ends up being a bit of a war zone in my house.

 Some finished knitting projects now. This is the sirdar colour wheel ball band shawl. I showed one off in my last post and I enjoyed making it so much I knit another. Its very tempting to make some more of these but I think I need a new knitting challenge next.

 These are the finished gloves. Made just in time for more snow this weekend. I'm using this same cable pattern on a hat I'm making at the mo. I still can't believe I can actually do cables so its very exciting.

It seems impossible for me to take any work in progress photos without getting a cat in it. Hers another picture of Cal. She looks like shes about to get her hair cut in this photo.

Last up just a quick note on the Infinity gauntlet kits. The first lot of these sets has sold out. I've been able to get the bits together to and have listed another five kits in my etsy shop
I'm going to try and keep these in my shop for as long as I can, but I'll only every be listing them in small numbers as I don't want my house to turn into a factory.
If you want one and you see they are sold out, send me a message and I will add you to the list of pre-orders.

Thanks again to everyone who's been buying and enjoying my patterns. Your support means everything to me xxx

If you want more regular updated follow me on Instagram @lizwardcrochet


There will be another blog post before the end of March because its my birthday on the 28th and I'll be posting a free crochet pattern to celebrate.

Till then...
Happy crocheting
love
Liz xxx