Thank you for reading, for the comments, messages and emails. Thank you for coming back. Thank you for being there!
I hope 2017 has been good to you. I wish you an even more awesome 2018! Here’s to peace, health and happiness in the new year!
Finnish Craft & Design at Tampere
The most awaited craft and design event of the year is starting tomorrow in Tampere! I had a chance to visit the Finnish Craft & Design / Suomen Kädentaidot in 2015 and I loved it (read about my visit here). This year, I will be attending it again with a blogger pass as a crafts blogger . Already, I am planning how to get the most of of my day and here are some tips for you too!
- Finnish Craft & Design (english website) or Suomen Kädentaidot (finnish website)
- In addition, there are 2 other fairs – railway modelling & dolls house fair. One ticket for all.
- The website has clear instructions for arriving at the Tampere Exhibition & Sports Centre.
- To avoid huge queues, the best option is to get your ticket online in advance.
- There will be a LOT of people, so it tends to get pretty warm inside. Dress in layers and leave your extra stuff at the coat check (€2). Trust me, it will be much easier walking around the halls.
- Remember to take a water bottle & a snack. There are restaurants & toilets. Good idea to take short breaks & be hydrated.
- Make sure you don’t miss your favourite programs by looking at the timetable (in finnish) and planning the day accordingly.
- Here is the list of exhibitors.
- I also like a map of the halls, it helps navigate my way quickly.
- Many exhibitors take cash only. So, be ready, take cash before reaching the exhibition centre – it will save you time.
I can’t wait for tomorrow! Excited to meet some lovely people & check out the shops. You can see updates from my visit on Instagram (see side bar) & follow me @crafty.spell there.
Crochet: Warm Scarf
I made a new scarf with a thick wool & alpaca blend yarn. Alpaca blends are my favourite yarn, they are so soft & warm. This scarf is very simple to make, absolutely beginner-friendly crochet!
Yarn: Drops Andes, 2 balls
Hook: 10 mm
Pattern recipe:
The scarf is made using half double crochet (HDC) . I started on one edge, increasing by 1 stitch every other row.
When I got to the centre of the scarf, I checked the width against my neck, repeated the rows a couple of times & then started decreasing 1 stitch every other row towards the other edge.
Make sure there are same number of rows on both sides of the centre of the scarf.
You can make this scarf with any yarn & hook and how big you want.
For more scarf & cowl inspiration, check out these from the blog (click picture to go to post) –
The above black poncho/cowl is also made with Drops Andes. It is also lovely to wear & my go-to accessory in winter.
Crochet: Puffy slouch hat
I came across this crochet hat pattern a few years ago. After that, I saw it pop up on Pinterest often. The pattern is super easy, puff stitch is a pleasure to work with & overall look is good! I used Red Heart yarn (first time), we don’t find it that easily here. The yarn was soft acrylic – I would prefer wool or alpaca.
Pattern: Grey Slouchie Crochet Beanie by Vickie Howell for Caron
Yarn: Red Heart
Hook: 5 mm
I didn’t make any major changes but I tried it on as I made the ribbing to make sure it fits me right.
For more ideas for crochet hats, check out the following posts (click on picture to go to pattern) –
Let me know which is your favourite! Happy Autumn!
Spring 2017
Lovely and bright spring days! I was so busy working on my craft projects, travel, visiting craft fairs in between & attending other events. So, here’s a little update of what happened in the last couple of months.
I visited the crafts fair at Messukeskus. Dollhouses have been rising in popularity as a hobby in the last few years. In fact, a friend suggested I try it out as my new hobby but as it is I am involved way too much with yarn, beads, fabric (although, combining them together to make miniatures for doll houses seems tempting) – I think first I need to finish the million WIPs I have stashed around the house! For now, I can only marvel at the doll houses from a distance. At the fair, I found some really cute ones –
Look what caught my fancy.
This light, delicate jewellery that looks like henna tattoo to the untrained eye is actually made from soya bean oil! How unique! Personally, I prefer the ear rings.
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I crocheted a few scarves, wrist warmers & a throw as gifts. I packed them in organza bags.
My first ever crochet project was using granny squares. After that, the only other project using granny squares is the throw above (lower right in pic).
Crafty Spell 