44 Stanley and a Vessel

Vessel (our walls are painted a silvery grey in case you wonder what happened to the brightness in these photos) 

Yarn: Elle Cotton On Seriously Chunky in Natural, Kismet Strawberries and Cream in Charcoal Colour 8, Vinnis Nikkim in 3 different colourways

Hooksize: 6,5mm on 3 different yarns throughout

Pattern: Own, bottom of pot in single stitches, neck in treble crochet

Hello!  This is a glimpse of what I have been busy over the past few days.  I am also still working on the Amanda Perkins triangles, but need to visit Maryna, my yarn lady, for a big Vinnis shop to supplement some of the colours again. I have hooked two vessels so far and figured out a grand plan for retaining the shapes of my vessels that does not involve glue or stiffener at all - just give me another week or two and I will share the idea. Woop woop, I am excited since this idea might take my hooky passion in different directions should it turn out the way I envisage!

Spring has also sprung - these are blossoms from our plum tree.  We ave been eating pecan nuts and avocados from our trees throughout winter too.  Unfortunately the figs from last season were full of icky worms, no idea what will happen to the fruit this year.  Grrr I don't do worms!

We enjoy the urban culture offered by the different markets and precincts in Johannesburg (also known locally as Jozi, Jo'burg or the City of Gold). Last weekend we spent time at 44 Stanley, which consists out of 25 speciality boutiques, studios, cafes and rare bookshops. What a great place and space! The vibe is reminiscent of urban, industrial and historical whilst still being contemporary and cool. The buildings were once a series of industrial 1930's building, occupied by the Automobile Association and later a few hundred squatters who almost completely vandalized the buildings. I am just glad that property developers saved these buildings and left behind not only great shopping but also a foodie haven!

 Cheers! The zebra watering can (above left) is now mine!

Let's not say too much about my ooooops blogger moment - I deleted spam messages when I deleted the comments of my previous few postings by mistake :-(  Apologies of yours were one of those, I deleted more than 50 comments in one stupid moment.

Vessel in the making

Vessel:

Yarn: Vinnis Nikkim in Old Gold (lattice) and Midnight (sc) 

Hooksize:  The bottom in hook size 3,75mm and the top in hook size 5,5mm

Hello, we are still on holiday and this is another of those scheduled blogger postings! I will be doing a lot of blog visiting once back to be catching up with all the latest news on the hooking front. I owe someone a lovely parcel stuffed with yarn and another great hooker some interviewing answers - it will be reaching you soon!  Apologies, but I got into holiday mood a while before we left time ran out on me.

Today I want to share with you the awesome work of Enhabiten.  She creates in those exact shades of grey that I just absolutely love and her work reminds me of how as a student, I changed all the buttons on every piece of clothing I bought and then dipped everything in dye to get that raw look I have always liked. I felt so inspired by Enhabiten's work that I started hooking the above vessel! 

If you have any recommendations about the best way to achieve stiffness in order to hold the vessel without compromising the integrity of the yarn - please let me know. I am a newbie at stiffening household and decorative items and advice would be highly appreciated!

xxxx