Onwards...

Yeah! Big celebrations here today as my final samples all passed and I got a new job. I was really pleased as this means only 3 projects and the written element to complete.
So onto the projects. I was initially very keen on the Tunisian Sunset blanket by Poppy and Bliss. It would cover the Tunisian element and the household object. Unfortunately my joining technique was not really very good...well good enough for home but not good enough for my assessors eyes!

My joining did get better and I realised where I wss going wrong however.... I had spent so long on it I could not bring myself to frog it. Hence it won't be submitted  but will find a home on the end of the spare bed. 

I also toyed with a filet crochet table runner. I'm not a lace fan as you probably know but thought a Christmassy runner would be perfect gor the lunch table. I found a lovely book with some modern designs and started. 

The pattern suggested size 10 cotton and a 1.65mm hook. Unfortunately I don't own a 1.65mm so used a 1.75mm. In books and on the web good filet always looks quite solid with trebles packed closely together. I like this look. My filet never seems to be like this, it is gappy and has a more loose look. So I've started the runner and I'm not really very happy.  

See what I mean? So it's back to the drawing board for me and if you need me I'll be here frogging the day away!

The last few?

After great feedback on the last group of samples I decided to get cracking. I had some hairpin joining, some hairpin fringe and one button to redo.
So they are completed and ready to post. To be honest I don't hold out much hope and think they all might need to be resubmitted. However I have spent an age on them so I  thought I'm better off sending them and getting some feedback.
The hairpin joins were just so fiddly... except the braided join. I liked the braid join and could imagine it on a chunky blanket or cowl. My samples were completed in a DK cotton bamboo mix so no chunky look for me!
I really didn't like the rest of the joins as I'm just not into lace. The fringe was not too tricky but I'm struggling to think of when I could use it as I'm not a fringe person either. ☺
 Oh well here is some photographic evidence.  Let me know what you think.

Crochet buttons

I got some fabulous news today, all the braids and hairpin samples I sent passed. (most with flying colours) I had also sumitted 7 crochet buttons. These had been rushed and were a last minute make so I had  not photographed them before I posted my samples off.
Crochet buttons...well I wasn't keen. I could not imagine using them and why anyone would want to make them. Well the Diploma said I needed to make them so I did.

Surprisingly for me, I actually enjoyed making them. They were a little fiddly but they didn't take long to complete. I really liked the button I made with a steel washer and some 4ply hand dyed merino.

I could actually imagine this on a garment or a lovely hand made bag. I'd actually stitch it onto my denim jacket I like it so much. 

So well done International Diploma in Crochet. .. making me try something new and changing my mind. And thanks to my lovely husband for finding the only washer we had in the tool box. I now need to go and buy some....