Follow-up Friday – The “Julia” Shawl

Another shawl has been welcomed into the “maRRose”-crochet family!
Let me present to you “Julia”, fabulously soft and squishy, in a pretty pastel color (mint), and very easy to crochet.
My “Julia” inspiration came from several sources on Instagram; in fact, I shamelessly copied the shawl my sweet friend Miriam made – I soooo loved hers!
I even used the same yarn ……
A lovely free pattern, and more color inspiration can be found on the ByClaire-site.
The stitch used is very simple, but goes by a lot of different names: granite stitch, moss stitch, seed stitch, linen stitch, or woven stitch.

Since I did not want a triangle-shaped shawl, I started mine with a chain of 96, increased one stitch on both sides for 56 rows, and crocheted another 20 rows without increases. Using a 9 mm hook, and a pattern/stitch that did not need a whole lot of concentration, this shawl was done in a jiffy. The fun fringes put just the right finishing touch on this shawl: I love how it turned out, and have already used it several times!
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Love,
Marianne xx

Follow-up Friday – Shawls

It’s Friday, I have finished projects to show you, and that’s all we need for a new “Follow-up Friday”-post, isn’t it?
Come to think of it: I have a couple of other things that I’d love to share with you too, so here goes!

My finished products are two shawls, that I’ve been working on over the past few weeks. I’ve only just noticed they have two things in common: they’re both patterns from talented Maaike, and they’ve both been made using – beautiful, as always – Lana Grossa yarns. Quite the coincidence!

The first one is the burgundy shawl, knitted after Maaike’s “Omslagdoek”-pattern from her latest book, “Hollands Welgaren”.
A very easy knit – very relaxing to do – that ended up as a wonderfully soft, warm and comfy shawl, thanks to the gorgeous Lana Grossa Lala Berlin, ánd my blogging friend & colleague Janneke (who graciously gifted me the yarn).
And isn’t that maRRose-leather label from “Mez11” the perfect finishing touch?

The second one is the “Zomersjaal” from Maaike’s first book, “Puurhaken”, crocheted with my beloved Lana Grossa 3Cento. Even though the colors of this particular 3Cento are very autumnal, and the pattern’s called “summer shawl”, I think they’re a pretty good match.
I absolutely love this design, and I’ve crocheted it many times already, as the photo collage below shows.

Other projects in queue are the “Rustic Lace Square”-blanket (only two squares added since my last update), a new cushion cover, and a new “thing” (bag? cushion cover? baby blanket?).

The new cushion cover is made of crochet diamonds, that have little hearts in a different color; they are the result of some doodling away with hook and yarn :)
I’m joining my diamonds with black, and I love how this makes the colors pop!
I’m assuming the cushion will be ready for its own “ta-dah” next week.

The new “thing” simply had to be started, when I came across these 5 patterns, that came as an extra with last year’s October/November-issue of the Dutch “Simply Haken” (also published in issue 33 of “Simply Crochet”).
I had already seen wonderful examples of this Susan Kennedy-design  – for instance on Dorien’s ig-account, here and here -, and could not resist the urge to give it a try myself.
I loved the black and white, but love the splash of bright pink mixed in even more …..
And then one with all bright colors, oh yum!
Last Friday I attended another fantastic crochet party – organised by Karin and Atty, in a wonderful, and a bit eclectic venue called “Blijburg”. This fun restaurant can be found right on the outskirts of a rather new residential area in Amsterdam, “IJburg”.

“IJburg” is built following the Dutch policy of reclaiming land from the sea, and sits on the edge of the “IJsselmeer”.
Even though the weather was grey and gloomy, this morning amongst some 20 happy crocheters could not have been more colorful and bright: we all had a blast!
So much so, that I not only did not crochet one stitch, but had no time to take any pictures once the party got started either …..

Back home, I quickly prepared Saturday’s dessert, an old favorite. I promised on IG to share the recipe on the blog, so here it is (it’s in Dutch, but I’ve used Google Translate, and much to my surprise: I think this should work pretty well).
Saturday was spent with my parents – touring the area I grew up in, lunch in my hometown.
The day ended with a nice dinner date with friends at our place. Chapeau to my sweet husband for preparing a wonderful risotto&salmon meal.
Then Sunday morning I had brunch with one of my dearest friends – a belated birthday gift from her, and after so much excitement, crochet is all I could do for the rest of that Sunday – as you may well understand ;)

This weekend looks a bit less crowded, but just as fun (mother-in-law coming over for dinner tonight, attending a Jazz festival tomorrow), and I sure hope your weekend will be at least equally nice!

Love,
Marianne xx

Follow-up Friday – a shawl, a scarf and an ex-shawl

                        

In the process of finishing up the purple Alize cushion cover, I suddenly realized I never showed you the two projects I recently made with the Lana Grossa 3Cento.

Quite the omission, even more so given the fact that I’ve fallen in love with this fabulous yarn. The color way is beautiful (all of them), and it’s unbelievably soft – all in all an enormous pleasure to work with.
No surprise really that both wips turned out truly lovely ….. I’m wearing the blue/purple one as I type up this post; the fact that it’s light & fluffy only adds to its comfort.
After some serious pattern auditioning, the pattern I used is the “Spring Petals Scarf”, a free one to be found here – very enjoyable to crochet.

For the pretty pink 3Cento I chose the “Dromerige Sjaal” (“Dreamy Shawl”), designed by Sascha Blase, from her great book “Kant Haken”. The book is in Dutch, but has charts too, so language should not be a barrier.
You might remember me complaining about the scratchy feel of the purple scarf? Well, I did wash the one-skein-in piece of crochet with Eucalan, and that worked a treat: much better!
However, I could not lay my hands on more of the same yarn, and to be honest with you: my pleasure of continuing with this wip had experienced a severe blow as well……
I was very happy when an ig-friend, I think it was Miriam, suggested turning it into a cushion: bingo!
And now I love it again ……
The free crochet pattern can be found here; I sewed my trusted envelope, and thus removable, cushion cover in light pink to shine through the lace pattern of the crochet. I then made an envelope of the crochet part too; closed the sides by hand sewing them together.
Not able to find the right buttons, I crocheted them again – using a cotton in a softer purple (the how-to can be found in this blog post).
The side with the buttons is supposed to be the back of the cushion, but I think I actually like it better than the front.
It sure feels great to have ticked off three things of the wip-list!

Have a happy weekend!
Love,
Marianne xx

Follow-up Friday

This past week I’ve been putting the finishing touches on what I think is my very last “Follow-up Friday”-project.
It’s hard to believe I’ve actually finished those 13 neglected, half or even less than half ready works in progress, even if it took me 6 months to do this.

While doing the “Follow-up Friday”-stuff, I even worked on a lot of other projects in these months as well (I’m still easily side-tracked…….). And they too – much to my surprise – have been finished!

It all started with this blog post in July …….
So, at the beginning of this new year, a “Follow-up Friday” overview seems to be in place, and since it’s looking to be a lengthy one – you might want to sit back, relax, grab yourself a tea or coffee – here we go!

1. Crochet Mood Blanket 2014
Started in January 2014, finished at the end of September 2015 …..2. Bétaille Blanket
First little squares were crocheted in May 2014, the blanket was finally finished late August 2015.
3. Blue Socks
These blue socks were my 4th pair ever – finished in July – and I couldn’t love them more.
4. Harlequin Blanket
Along the way, I decided not to continue with this project; I did not like the yarn with which I crocheted the little diamonds. Still loving a harlequin blanket, so I’m sure I’ll make one sometime.
5. Rustic Lace Square Blanket
Oops…… another one NOT finished …..
Since I’ve decided this is going to be a big blanket/bed spread, covering our 220×240 cm lits jumeaux (twin beds), it will be my “on going” project. I’ll need 110 squares and have 28 finished and joined ones, 3 finished yet not joined squares, plus 12 hearts.
My goal is to complete it during 2016!
6. The Simply Crochet Granny Squares
This is the wip I’m almost done with; first two rows of the border have been added, and I’m sure I’ll have it ready over the weekend. It was not that I didn’t want to wrap this one up – it’s just that I couldn’t come up with whát to do with the 29 squares that were issued in the app. And then they almost all had a different size ….. Thinking back to my “Homely Blanket”, I decided the only way to go was to make them all the same size, and take it from there. A baby/crib blanket is what it’s going to be.
After much deliberation (again…) I went for black as my joining color – a rather bold choice, but I really like how it’s turning out!
7. Triangle Cushion Cover
I’m sure you know how much I adore geometric crochet, and I loved crocheting my “Candy Cushion”!
8. Summer Shawl
The Summer Shawl ended up as my “Les Tourettes Shawl”, after the little French village where I crocheted the bigger part of it. It also led to two new cushion covers, ánd a new granny square design, my “Abby”.
9. Potholders for my mom
These were a reasonably quick and fun make. I love noticing how they’re really being used too!
10. The “No-Name-Yet”-shawl
It ended up as the “Rosebud Shawl”, after the little buds in the border. Designing this border definitely made up for the boring part of crocheting the body of the shawl. It’s soft and comfy, and I love wearing it!
11. Bridal Shawl no. 1
I so like seeing the new “mrs” for whom I crocheted this shawl wear it all the time – it’s wonderful when our work is being appreciated, isn’t it?
12. Bridal Shawl no. 2
The “Love&Kisses”-shawl is one of my absolute favorites – ever! I simply love everything about it: the pattern, the lacy border, the wonderful yarn, the color, and last but not least: the fact that it was a present for a friend who got married.
13. Special Shawl no. 3
This was a very special shawl indeed, the “Moya Star Shawl”! Asked by my sweet friend Heike, to test her lovely pattern (and translate it into Dutch), using some gorgeous Moya yarn – a very enjoyable project.
Now, this “Follow-up Friday”- journey was fun…… However, I think I’ll stay away from collecting too many wips in the future, even though I know how tough this will be!

Have a great weekend!
Love,
Marianne xx

Follow-up Friday – “Les Tourettes Shawl”

In the long list of wips that needed to be completed these past months (more here), this shawl played a significant part. The funny thing is, my “Les Tourettes Shawl” has been finished since May or June, and been worn many an occasion. With much pleasure, I might add!
While working on it, I only showed a few progress pictures on my Instagram and Facebook, which resulted in lots of lovely people asking for the pattern. Now thàt only existed in my head, so I promised to write it down, and make a tutorial (including how to join the squares).
Somehow I knew it would be wise to make a pact with myself to not show the “Les Tourettes Shawl” here, or via other social media, before the pattern writing malarkey was done.
In Dutch we have a saying:  “een stok achter de deur hebben”, and this pact was the perfect “stok achter de deur” for me.
Haha …… I just found out there’s no translation for that saying in English! It means as much as, that I did not allow myself the pleasure of showing (off) my shawl, unless I had finished both pattern and tutorial, fearing otherwise I would never get it done…….
Despite the pact, it took embarrassingly long before I could cross this wip off my list, but it’s finally done (yay!), and – just so this post won’t be too lengthy – I’ll share “Abby” and her pattern/tutorial here on the blog tomorrow!

So, what was the origin of this shawl? It started with me buying a colorful top, that I really fell in love with the minute I saw it. However, the first time I wore it, it left me with a cold neck and so I decided to crochet a shawl that would deal with that.
Trying to pick out one or two colors from my cotton stash, I realized I had all colors that were in the top ……
Not too sure whether color blocking‘s still fashionable, but I went with “all the colors” ;).
This project accompanied me when I traveled to Bétaille/Les Tourettes (hence the name) for my yoga retreat in France and I finished it rather quickly after that, really loving wearing it.
The 100% cotton proved to be the perfect choice, the top being a summery garment – I think a shawl with a more woolly look would not have been as enjoyable to wear, nor as pretty to look at …..
I’m all geared up to share granny “Abby” with you tomorrow, showing you not only how to crochet (and join) her, but also how versatile this sweet old lady can be!

Love,
Marianne xx

Follow-up Friday – The “Monsoon Stole”

As far as crochet and finishing old wips is concerned, I’m afraid there’s not all that much to show you this gorgeous Fall Follow-up Friday.

You may recall, however, I was lucky enough to have been treated to an “all-inclusive” 4-day trip to Cannes/France by my sweet brother and his husband (gifted as a birthday present, back in February), and I love to share some photos of that wonderful voyage with you.

Cannes is my brothers’ favorite holiday destination of all; over the years it has become their home away from home.
They know all the fun little shops, restaurants, cocktail bars, beaches, and cool grocery stores even (my goodness …. Grandfrais, I love you), and they made sure they took me to most of them.In between eating, drinking, shopping and going to the beach, I did get some crochet in too.
I started The Little Bee‘s “Monsoon Stole” (with leftover Alize Cotton Gold from previous projects), and am absolutely smitten with this awesome design.
So much so, that it’s already finished, ends woven in, washed and blocked – so here’s the tadah!
It’s one of those patterns that I just know I’ll be crocheting over and over again – the different stitches are simply beautiful together and the choice of yarn will make the stole look very different every time: I have a new infatuation …..

Love,
Marianne xx

Moya Star Shawl

It feels like I’m cheating a bit in the “ta-dah”-department today……
You see, I finished this project some time ago already, but ….. I couldn’t share it with you until now.On the occasion of the grand opening of Claudia‘s new yarn store today, a brand new design by talented Heike/”MadewithLoops” is launched:  the “Moya Star Shawl”.
I was thrilled when Claudia and Heike asked me to play a  – small but really fun – part in all this: to be on their tester team.
Early this Summer a box with yarn arrived, not “just” some yarn, no ….. wonderful, wónderful Moya Yarn, a 100% organic yarn from South Africa (more info on the brand here, and where to buy here).
Soon enough Heike’s pattern was mailed to me as well, and I set to work in the color scheme I could pick from…. pink, of course…..The Moya yarn was such a delight to crochet with, the shawl was all I wanted to work on and it was finished in no time.
Part of my “task” was also to translate Heike’s pattern in Dutch, and that too was fun to do!

More information on the “Moya Star Shawl” and how to lay your hands on this gorgeous design and yarn, can be found on Heike’s blog.

Lots of reasons to be happy: I now own a beautiful, and oh-so-soft shawl, plus I’m one down on the fast shrinking wip-list – hurray!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Love,
Marianne xx

Follow-up Friday

Crochet-wise this week has been all about finishing two big crochet projects – and I’m pleased I’ve been able to accomplish exactly that!

One of them is the special project I mentioned last week, the one I can’t show you yet unfortunately, but the other one I most certainly can and will show you, because I’m very content with the way it turned out.
When I started the black shawl, my idea of how it was going to look was a far cry from what it looks now. Seeing the big black crochet body grow, I knew I had to adjust my plans for the border to something very different – I got a hunch, if I wouldn’t adjust, it was not going to be pretty at all.
Now that it’s done, I’m so happy I followed my gut feeling: the adjusted border looks much better than the one previously planned….. I now love my “Rosebud Shawl”!
The design I originally had in mind will materialize soon in an altered way – I can’t wait to give this a try too, so that’s good stimulation to get on with the wip list – as if I need any ;).
Talking about the wip list: I’m proud to announce I’ve already checked off 6 (six!) projects since the start of this quest, 4 of which where time-consuming ones: woohoo!
I’m also very happy to tell you our son Carter arrived home Wednesday.
He’s still in a lot of pain, but it’s so nice to be together as a family again.
Yesterday he was seen by a surgeon specialized in foot reconstruction in the AMC – the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. On Tuesday we’ll be back in the AMC and discuss the treatment plan with the medical team.

We’re confident he’s in good hands and trying to keep our spirits high for a full recovery!
On that positive note I’d like to wish you all a wonderful weekend,
love,
Marianne xx

Follow-up Friday

This is a very happy “Follow-up Friday”-post, because I’ve finished my second bridal shawl – the “Love&Kisses” shawl – and I’m so, so pleased with the way it turned out!

I have to admit: it was not an easy ride and probably the project that I’ve had to frog (1,5 to 2 hours work per occasion, grrrr …..) the most ever, but every time I look at this red beauty now, I’m glad I did – it was really worth it.
It’s also the only project I’ve finished, or even worked on, this past week and this has only partly to do with all the stuff going on re Carter’s accident: this shawl was a big undertaking in itself.
The measurements are roughly 180 x 55 cm (71 x 22 inches) and I’ve used approx. 1.000 metres of the “Colortwist”, a 100% cotton.
For those of you who want to give this lovely pattern a go, here‘s where you’ll find the link (it’s a free Redheart pattern).
The fabulous yarn I used is a made-to-order Colortwist, available from Echtstudio.

Both bridal shawls are now patiently waiting for my sweet friend (and her approval) …..
By the way, I’ve noticed a couple of people joining me in my the “let’s finish those old wip’s” quest, and I’m tickled pink about that.
Wonderful, talented crocheters that you can find here and here.
And if you’re also one of them – please leave a link in the comments; I’d love to see what you’re working on!
Thrilled to check one more wip off my list – ‘only’ 10 more to go!
Happy weekend!

Love,
Marianne xx

Treasury Tuesday

Finally summer has arrived in this part of the world and it’s making a lot op people very happy, and I’m definitely one of them!

Being able to live outside, even have dinner alfresco is such a joy. However, when the sun has set and it’s getting a little chilly in the evening, there’s surely a need for a shawl to keep neck and shoulders warm. So how about a “Treasury Tuesday” filled to the brim with crocheted summer shawls? Good idea? I thought so …..;)

I would most certainly have no objection at all to owning one of these:
Hoping for many, many balmy summer nights …..

Love,
Marianne xx