Letting go and new beginnings

I'm packing Tilda yarn orders. This is the biggest order yet, 240 balls!!! Someone in the Netherlands is going to be totally beside herself of happiness when this big order arrives. It is with certain sadness I'm letting go of the last few balls of my Tilda yarn stock. But knowing the receiver will have so much fun with this yarn stash is somewhat comforting. I'm letting go. To make new beginnings.

I have new plans. New directions. I'm excited and I will share with you soon. I'm just not ready yet. It is still so fresh in my mind (only about 72 hours fresh!!!) but it seems like a very exciting adventure is about to start. I'm terrified, I'm excited and I'm bubbling with enthusiasm. And no, I'm not going to write a book. No, I'm not going to design my own yarn line. And no, I'm not going to travel the world as a crochet teacher (although all of that sounds super cool too!). This is different. This is for me. For my future. For my family.

Kärlek
Annette

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Mandala play

I bought this wonderful crochet book a while ago: Mandalas to crochet by Haafner Linssen. Yesterday I decided to give one of the most simple patterns a go. I choose the granny cluster mandala and some Tilda yarn in blue and red shades. It was pure joy to make. A granny cluster mandala might look simple to make but to get it flat, I think following a pattern is essential.

Haafner has included diagrams in her book for all patterns. The written instructions are short and easy to read. As a graphic designer, I really love the layout of the book. It is clear, photos are light and sharp, it is functional and easy to read. Pure pleasure to flick through. Well done Haafner. She also has the most wonderful Instagram feed @byhaafner, pop over to see for yourself.

It rained all day yesterday and the temperature dropped quite a lot. I bundled up in knitted sweaters, Nordic Wrist Warmers and sat outside crocheting. My tea got cold too quickly, but I stayed outside for quite sometime, inspired by my mandala. I decided to made another mandala but in a different color order. The idea is to crochet them together over a pot coaster in cork. I'll show you when it is done.

Someone on Instagram commented that the colors matches the colors in my Autumn Poncho I'm making - true. The colors also matches my Nordic Wrist Warmers and many other things in my wardrobe... I think I have a weak spot for the blue and red. It speaks Scandinavian to me. Maybe that is why. I feel at home with blue and red shades. Jeans. Gingham red. It couldn't become more Scandinavian to me. :)

You can find a sweet little Scandinavian Yarn Pack with 30% off listed in my Etsy Shop if you would like to give these colors a go. I can make the Scandinavian Yarn Pack bigger if you want. Just send me a note and I'll make you a customized order. I think these colors would make a lovely little Isak's Blanket (see this post). Pattern will be released any day now.

Stay tuned. There is more to come. I'm thinking of clearing out my studio. Make a big DESTASH SALE. Fabric, trims, yarn and more. One has to restart sometimes. It feels like it is time for me to start real fresh. Out with the old and in with something new. Don't you agree that we need a little bit of that sometimes?

Happy Monday all. May your week be filled with joyful crochet!

Kärlek
Annette

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Lets celebrate the rainbow!

Photo Source

Yesterday it rained here for the first time in weeks, and the most fabulous rainbow was created.  Inspired by this natural phenomenon, I started to play around with a basket full of Tilda yarn. Someone wanted 1 ball of each color so the easiest way for me to collect them was to actually put them in a laundry basket. :)

Playing with yarn is probably one of my most favorite games. I can sit for hours. Move them around. Watching the dynamic change depending on the colors... It is quite fascinating. And putting together a range of rainbow colors is ALWAYS a delight.

Lets celebrate the rainbow!!! 

To inspire you with the fantastic range of colors that Tilda offers, I have put together a couple of Rainbow Yarn Packs:

Rainbow Yarn Pack LARGE includes 28 fabulous Tilda colors

109.20 

76.44USD
SOLD OUT

Rainbow Yarn Pack SMALL includes 15 colors of the rainbow

58.50

40.95USD

You can purchase my Rainbow Yarn Packs here:
- From me directly, just drop me an email or comment below with contact details

- Purchase through my Etsy shop. 

I only have a few of each left so be quick if you want one. 

My Tilda Yarn Sale continues with 30% off ALL colors of my Tilda yarn. Many of you have written me officially or in private, wondering why I'm closing up shop. Well, it is time. Being a small yarn seller is hard work. I can not compete with the bigger brands. It is a tough yarn world out there. Still, I love to put together your orders and inspire you with color combinations. The main reason is lack of time. I recently signed up for a new job and find it hard to juggle it all. So, maybe I'll tell you more about my experience of being a small yarn dealer some day. THANK YOU all for your concern, sweet words, encouragement and for just being there. You rock my world!

Happy rainbow end of the week. We all need a heap full of colors in our lives on a regular basis, don't we?

Kärlek
Annette

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Closing Shop Sale!

The time has come for some changes in my life. After being an international seller of the wonderful Swedish Tilda yarn from Svarta Fåret, I've decided to close down my shop and put my time and efforts into other things. It has been a wonderful ride and I've shipped yarn all over the world, near and far. Watching you love this yarn as much as I do has been a true pleasure and I'm very grateful that I had the opportunity to share it with so many of you.
 

Take your chance and stock up before it is too late. I have quite a few of the Maybelle Blanket Yarn Pack (free pattern) left as well as Popcorn & Lace Pillow Yarn Packs (pattern to purchase in my Etsy Shop).

I also have some of my SPECIAL EDITION BRIGHTS left for those of you who loves a real color bomb!

You can purchase from me directly and pay through PayPal or through my Etsy Shop if you prefer. I have made a special listing in the menu for Yarn Sale. Or just ask me to make a Custom Listing for you. Shipping costs are not discounted and will be added to your order.

Please see a full color chart, how to purchase and my shipping terms & conditions on my Yarn Shop page. WELCOME!

Kärlek
Annette

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Lately...

Maybelle Blanket Yarn Pack back in stock – Garden in June – Chives are cut back – Vintage Potholder Pattern here soon!

Luca Bo in hospital last year in June.

Luca Bo 12 on Friday.

Birthday balloons for Emmy Bo's 9th birthday a couple of weeks ago.

Charlie hanging out by the irises – Wearing my Nordic Shawl – A new baby blanket in the making – Planting geraniums.

Cows has now gone to the top of the mountain but my Nordic Shawl remains to be worn on a daily basis.

Maybelle Blanket Yarn Pack back in store.

...I've been very occupied just being. I have stepped away from Cyber Space a bit and leaned back in Real Life. Occasionally I've filled my Instagram feed with a snap shot of #widn (#what I'm doing now,  for those who don't do IG) of the day. Occasionally I've dropped a comment on your snippet from your day. But not that much.

I've been working on a new pattern, I'm so delighted to be able to share it with you soon. It is cute, fun, quick and simple with a little bit of a challenge. Inspired by my Grandma Eivor's potholders found in her attic and in a fully vintage style. I'll tell you more later.

I've been reflecting on last year when the big drama occurred, when we couldn't think straight, sleep, eat or do anything, sick of worry for how it would go for our Luca Bo in hospital. It seems so far away but still the fear of having to face that type of drama again is nagging in my deepest soul... This week he turns 12, my dearest baby boy.

I've celebrated Emmy Bo's 9th birthday with shaboooom and shabaaaam. We did some craft,  enjoyed a beautifully homemade cake and there were lots of giggles and laughter. I'll share it with you later as the crafts we did were lots of fun.

I've started on yet another baby blanket and I'm loving the simple effect the mix of stitches gives my solid wide stripes. It is a perfect early summer project to do in the garden, in front of the TV, in bed on a rainy day. The color theme is inspired by a Dala horse... Very neutral and Scandinavian.

I've listed some new Maybelle Blanket Yarn Kits in my Etsy Shop for you who missed out last time. I had some problems with my yarn distributor and hope to have even more yarn in stock soon.

I've been hoping for some warm weather after weeks of thunder, rain and chilly winds. You would think it is October although it is June. The chives were cut back yesterday and put in a big pot as I love the flowers so much, and the sun finally appeared and we climbed not less than 10 degrees in just one day. Summer dress and sandals on! I hope it will stay.

I've been working (!!!). It is a temporary gig only for a week or two. But still, I go to work every day for a few hours. I'm only 2 days in but I can feel the difference already. I need a job, to get out of the house and meet other people professionally. When having a goal for a day I become so much more efficient and I have already accomplished a number of things that has been dragging behind on my To-Do-list lately. It is good.

Lately we have started to count down the days until school finishes. Until Nelly Bo will fly all by herself to Sweden this year, a week before the rest of us. I'm so excited for her, and a bit sad as I realize she is about to take off into the big grown up world soon... My little girl. So big and mature now. What happened?

Today I'll continue working on my Vintage Potholder Pattern and hopefully I have it ready for release later in the week. I only have one more potholder to test run... Stay tuned. I'm here, although you might not see me that much. I'm always around and about.

Kärlek
Annette

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How to make the Maybelle Baby Blanket Border & Edging

Welcome to the tutorial of How To make the Maybelle Baby Blanket Border & Edging. When I designed this blanket, I wanted it to be gender neutral and therefor I used a quite simple border and edging. I will share the border in simple instruction together with a few pictures. I have used Tilda yarn colour 507 - Chalk Beige for the base of the border with accent colours Red Berry Pink- 063, Dusty Blue - 066 and Baby Blue - 572. The final edging row is made with Tilda Cream - 005. For full information on material used, techniques etc, please visit The Maybelle Baby Blanket Pattern.

This tutorial is a part of the Maybelle Blanket Pattern and you can find the other tutorials here:
• How to make the Maybelle Flower
• How to make the Maybelle Square
• How to join the Maybelle Squares with the Join-As-You-Go technique

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
ch sp - chain space
dc -  double crochet UK (single crochet US) 
htr - half treble UK (half double crochet US) 
tr - treble UK (double crochet US)
dc2tog - double crochet 2 together UK (single crochet 2 together US)
tr2tog - treble crochet 2 together UK (double crochet 2 together US)
sl st - slip stitch
st/sts - stitch/stitches
.................................................................................................................................................................................

ROW 1:
Join colour 507 Chalk Beige on the side of a square anywhere, ch3 (counts as first tr), make a tr in every st until the square joining part.
In the join: Make 1tr in ch sp, tr2tog over the two chain spaces of the two joined squares, make 1tr in ch sp of the following square. Repeat this at every join.
In the corner: Make 2tr - ch2 - 2tr in every corner space. Finish by slip stitching into the top of your first 3ch made.

ROW 2:
Join Tilda yarn colour 063 - Red Berry Pink and ch2 (does NOT count as a st). Make a row of dc, making 1dc-ch1-1dc in every corner space. Finish by slip stitching into the top of your first dc made.

ROW 3:
Change back to Tilda yarn joining color 507 - Chalk Beige, and ch2 (counts as first htr). Make a row of htr in every st,  make 1htr-ch1-1htr in every corner space. Finish by slip stitching into the top of your first 2ch made.

ROW 4:
Repeat Row 2 with Tilda yarn colour 572 - Baby Blue.

ROW 5:
Rep Row 3 with Tilda yarn colour 507 - Chalk Beige.

ROW 6:
Repeat Row 2 with Tilda yarn colour 066 - Dusty Blue.

ROW 7:
Make a row of tr in every st with Tilda yarn colour 507 - Chalk Beige, making 1tr-ch2-1tr in every corner space. Finish by slip stitching into the top of your first 3ch made.

EDGING
Make the edging in Tilda yarn colour 005-Cream.
Row 1: Start anywhere on the side of your blanket and ch1 (does not count as a stitch), make a row of dc, making 3dc in each corner.
Row 2: The final row is made up from a repeat of following: 1dc-ch2-1dc in the same st, in next two sts dc2tog. Before and after every corner make a normal 1dc. Fasten off all ends. Wash cold and let air dry while blocking your blanket to get a perfect shape, see How to Block Your Crochet Shawl for blocking instructions.

I wish you lots of joy in making your own Maybelle Baby Blanket and please share on Instagram

#maybellebabyblanket

Looking forward to see your makes!

Kärlek
Annette

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