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Emma Mitchell

Author, designer-maker, naturalist, illustrator, mum

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Basic Crochet Stitches

June 14, 2013 By silverpebble 9 Comments

Details

When the house is, ahem, a little messy and there seems to be a list of mundane things to do that gets longer rather than shorter I find that focussing on small but pleasing details can help. Displacement activity it may be, but I found it fortifying this morning before I rushed off to strip the beds, load the washing machine and clean the bath before starting commission work.

This is my favourite spot in the house, our mysterious little window. Both the willow wreath and the marmite embroidery are mementoes of very good days.

As my crochet skills develop a little (this is a shawl – too ambitious perhaps?) I’ve realised that there’s a bit of a risk of me becoming a yarn junkie. Specifically I have developed a slight dependency on Manos del Uruguay silk blend. Oh good grief, the colours! The self-marling! This is the Europa colourway. Don’t look too closely at the tension. I think there may be a few issues.

There is cheery evidence of a recent birthday and an impending outdoor party at the Cambridge Botanic Gardens. The summery colours bely the dismal weather forecast though. We may have to rearrange and have an indoor den party under the dining room table.

My feverfew has self-seeded throughout the garden and is about to flower. I’ll get several months of simple but beautiful daisy-like clusters for popping in a vase, without having spent a penny. Joy.

I’ve been working on some simple-ish everyday pieces for my etsy shop. Tiny 19th century keys, mid century and handmade silver buttons, collections of gemstones, recycled glass & 1950s beads whose colours echo my shawl and simplest of all, a tiny garland of 1920s pearls from a broken necklace I rescued from a junkshop. I taught myself how to add a pearl to a chain almost sixteen years ago. My hands know the small movements so well and as I add each one and build up the little fringe of pearls I imagine the feeling is similar to that of a knitter who has returned to a familiar stitch, yarn and pattern.  

Edited to add: two places have just become available on my upcoming silver clay workshop, Saturday 22nd June, due to cancellations. We’ve been impressing sweet cicely and ground ivy leaves from my garden into the clay in my recent sessions – the results have been rather lovely. 
Drop me a line on emma at minniedog dot co dot uk if you’d like to come along.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Celia Hart says

    June 14, 2013 at 11:47 am

    I love the leaf prints 🙂

    Hope you get to spend time in the Botanic Garden even though the weather is a bit hit and miss.

    C xx

    Reply
  2. saffa says

    June 14, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    It is the simple things in life that make me happy too Emma 🙂 I love the 'mysterious corner' of your house with the little window, how lovely! And I'm in love with the 1920's pearl necklace you are making…is it possible to reserve items before they hit your shop shelves?! I would love to get it! I hope the weather stays sunny for your party 🙂 Safxxx

    Reply
  3. Toffeeapple says

    June 14, 2013 at 5:27 pm

    Always, everything is so beautiful in your blog. I love the Marmite embroidery – I have a small collections of (empty) jars that sit on my desk.

    The jewellry and beads etc are gorgeous too. I hope someone fills your spare places.

    Reply
  4. CJ says

    June 14, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    That shawl looks wonderful – beautiful wool and the crocheting is fantastic. The feverfew buds are lovely, they remind me of old wool covered buttons. Adore your little window as well, it's intriguing and exciting I think. Hope you have a good weekend Emma.

    Reply
  5. Caroline South says

    June 15, 2013 at 7:10 am

    Your jewellery is so beautiful, I love the little keys and buttons and the pressed silver clay pieces look gorgeous too. xx

    Reply
  6. Ali says

    June 15, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    Things are looking very good at your house!

    Reply
  7. Jewellery Online says

    June 16, 2013 at 6:35 am

    I regularly visit your blog as I often get something out of it however this is the first time I have posted any comment (I'm more of a reader than a poster) but I just had to comment on the white pendant and earrings with the leaf impressions – very nice, so natural looking. You do lovely work.

    Jewellery Online

    Reply
  8. Silver Moss Jewellery says

    June 16, 2013 at 6:44 pm

    A wonderful post of images and impressions…and you can never have too much feverfew! Wonderful plant!

    Reply
  9. Annie @ knitsofacto says

    June 19, 2013 at 8:55 am

    Your jewellery is always exquisite Emma, and I love all those tiny pearls 😀

    Reply

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