By hook or by crook

I was shopping recently in one of my favourite shops. You know the sort, they stock a bit of everything, something for everyone. Well, I was wandering down an aisle looking for something when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something else. You know me, I love autumn tones and when I saw this I just had to have it.

When I got it home I thought, well what do I do with it now. It is a 12 ply wool so it will obviously need a large needle. So, I got the largest crochet hook I could find and started experimenting and this is what I ended up with. The finished size is 26 cm (10 inches) square.

Now when it comes to crochet there is something you should know. I have never finished a crochet project that I have started in my life. Every 10 years or so I will see some wool, buy it, and start crocheting until I get sick of it and toss it aside. Why then did I buy this? Because it looked pretty and I was in the mood. Well now I had one square of crochet done but what could I do with it. An idea formed and I went back to the shop and bought all they had left.

As you can see, because of the nature of the wool, each square has turned out slightly differently and I am loving it. 12 ply wool and a size 10 hook makes the work very easy and it is something I can do while watching TV (time vanisher in my book). At least this way I feel as though I am accomplishing something while watching Ripper, Mr Selfridge or comedy shows with my daughter.

What are my plans for these squares you may wonder. Keep watching this space to find out.

On a final note: Thank you Nana Barton for teaching me how to crochet. I will always treasure the time we had together: you teaching my sister and I to crochet, you letting me practice on your piano because we didn't have one at home and you playing some wonderful pieces for me even though you fingers were twisted with arthritis. I will always remember that a lady, who was not related to me in any way, allowed me into her home and showed me kindness and love.

(Sorry about the quality of the photo but it is the only one we have of Nana Knuckey (left) and Nana Barton (right) )

Conservatory Gardens, Bendigo

Hello all. Here is my first post about my home town in Bendigo. The following pictures were taken by me with not the best camera in the world but they should give you an idea. The text I have borrowed from a leaflet produced by Bendigo Tourism.

The ornate conservatory building was erected in 1897 and is the last such building in existence in a public park in Victoria. Special floral displays are exhibited here throughout the year.

The cast iron fence was erected in 1878 enclosing land that was once used as a rubbish tip.

The Washington Fan Palms (Washington filifera, a native of Arizona and California) were planted in the late 1800’s.

The beds under the palms are now used to showcase the city’s spring tulip display.

The garden has retained its 19th century statuary, garden baskets and conservatory building.

As stated above, the Conservatory itself has different displays in it at different times of the year e.g. Chrysanthemums on Mothers Day. After my brother's wedding our family went there to take pictures and it was beautiful.

And so ends my first post about a Bendigo attraction. I hope you enjoyed it. Come and visit sometime.