Saturday 28 March 2015

Birds nests and a posh washcloth!

Spring is well and truly springing round here..blossom is bursting, sunny daffodils are beginning to bloom and the crocuses have been and gone! 
The birds are in fine voice - particularly first thing in the morning!! 
Interestingly during the solar eclipse, the blackbird's evening melody was well tuned!

One day last week I saw two seasonal methods for using short ends to provide some material for nesting birds.
As I had the equipment for one of them at my fingertips I hurriedly hooked a version and it was out waiting for the birds the next morning!


 The easy pattern, which I modified slightly (I thought the birds wouldn't mind some stitch counting anomalies!)   can be found here on the amazing String Theory Crochet blog, where a very creative mother and daughter hook an incredible mix of inspirational, colourful and quirky crochet, well worth exploring..


 A week later and the ball of strands is still there - the squirrels have not squandered it, yet!


The base yarn, a Rowan cotton acrylic mix, was given to me by a friend who works in a charity shop...she has passed on some amazing finds in the past few weeks, for which I am very grateful.



I used some more to make this posh dishcloth for my friend!  
It is hooked with Back Raised Treble from Sarah Hazell's  200 Crochet Stitches...


 and has the most amazing ridged texture..



.... finished with crab stitch.


I have been freeforming too - and creating other birthday makes, so will have plenty more to share soon!
Hope you are finding some of the joys of  Spring!

9 comments:

crazydazy said...

I love the idea of all the birds in your garden having colourful nests!
The crochet stitch on your dishcloth is almost knitlike....too nice to wash dishes with though.

String Theory Crochet said...

Hey! Thanks for the mention. I love your Bird's Nest Bag and hope your birds do too. Victoria (String Theory)

Linnhe Mara said...

Wonder if there is going to be a spate of nest envy in your neighbourhood now :)

Josie said...

Awww,what a cute idea x

linda said...

Lovely dishcloth Ali and a great idea for your scraps, I hope the birds make use of them, the birds in my garden never do. :) xx

Jacqui Galloway said...

Love the bird nesting material. They will have fun with that. Your friend will love the posh wash cloth too. You have been busy. Must be Spring!
Jacqui x

Unknown said...

I hope the birds will take advantage of your gift and enjoy some colour! : ) I really like the dishcloth, lovely texture!

Amy at love made my home said...

Your local birds will have the comfiest and best decorated nests around!! xx

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

a much better idea than me just throwing the wool on the grass to blow around in the wind