I started making the first version of the Never Ending Blooms scarf in August 2020 after we received a shipment of the super scrumptious Cumulus Dappled from Juniper Moon Farms and knew that I needed to have a play with it! 

While trawling through Pinterest I saw a simple floral motif picture but unfortunately there was no link to a pattern or any more information.  I popped the picture into Google image search and still no joy.  I think I probably spent 3-4 hours trying to find the pattern for the motif with no luck!  

So I set about making my own version and while this one is mine, the original idea and pattern wasn't and I want to give a shout out to the person who did the original motif!

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I'm not exactly sure how and when the first idea of a snowflake came about but I think it was actually several years ago.  I think initially I was just going to make some snowflakes for Christmas Tree decorations.  As I often do, I started making with a vague concept in mind and the snowflake grew from there.  Once I had made one though, I thought they would be great not just as tree decorations but also as wall hangings and/or bunting.  

I know I keep referring to them as snowflakes but they are called Snowy Stars.  That's because the gorgeous Mr. YMC kept saying they look more like stars than snowflakes!  I think they are snowflakes, he thinks they are stars...as Snowy Stars they can be both or either!

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I planted dill (and some other herbs) in some pots at our 'Happy Place' in Portarlington and I was super pleased to see that they were thriving after we hadn't been able to tend to them over the Victorian lockdown.  Quite a few of them had gone to seed but there was a bounty of goodies to collect!

I headed down the stairs and out to the back yarn with my trusty scissors to cut some dill for Mr. YMC's cannelloni.  On the way back in I noticed that I was doing a Hansel & Gretel.....I had a fine trail of dill following me into the house and up the stairs.  

This would be fine if I needed to find my way back again but not so great otherwise!  Now, many (or most) people would take a bag or basket or plate or something else to collect their herbs but not me, I decided I needed to make something useful. 

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About 12 months ago, (time flies during a lockdown!), we were at our happy place with our niece and nephew.  We had gone for a lovely wander on the beach and the kids were busily collecting shells to bring back to the house to decorate some picture frames we had bought to keep them occupied!  We had some crocheted shopping bags to bring the shells back with the plan to wash them in the outside sink and remove most of the sand before taking them inside!  Because some of the shells were quite small we lost a couple on the way home and left a trail of sand (a bit like Hansel & Gretel) all the way home.

So it got me thinking there had to be a better way...

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I often make things using freeform crochet techniques because I love the lack of uniformity and a little bit of chaos (it says a lot about me!).

Usually though I make things like shawls, scarves and other wearables.  I have never written a pattern using this technique bur thought I would give it a go.  It meant that I needed to actually take note as I created each element of the vines.  I love the way the vines curl and creep around my glass!

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I love textured washers hand made from 100% cotton.  I have made so many of these for gifts but so far haven't kept any for myself! 

A little while ago I made a set of three textured washers out of some scrumptious Lily Sugar N Cream with the intention of keeping them, however showed someone who loved them and then......oops gone!!!  I didn't write down what I did when I made the original three textured washers.  I figured it didn't matter too much that these weren't identical as long as I used a combination of stitches that create fabulous texture.

I adore textured stitches and in particular bobbles and popcorns.  The bobble washer was born from me wanting to create washers that were not only functional but also fun!  All of three of these textured washers are fabulous for gentle exfoliation.

These are brilliant gifts and whilst we are locked down here in Melbourne its perfect timing to make some for gifts or just because you want some for yourself!

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I made this quick little floral stitch marker keeper some time ago and popped the pattern up in Yarn Me Calm Community on Facebook and on Instagram.

I thought I should share it here too! 

It can be attached to scissors, hold your stitch markers and even has a central section that can be used as a small pincushion!!!

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The wonderful Ali Allen (@ali_in_tas on Instagram) has done it again!  Ali has created this fabulous hexagonal shaped throw made up of fabulous triangle motifs using some yummy Lion Brand Big Scoop and Scheepjes Colour Crafter yarns. 

I was so excited when she first had this concept, unfortunately it was originally designed for the Scheepjes Stone washed & River washed XL packs and they are no longer being produced so this meant a rethink of both the yarn and the design.

Lucky for all of us, Ali was not only happy to do recreate her original design but she was again happy to share her pattern free on The Calming Yarn and here it is! 

Thanks Ali you are so fabulously generous and we appreciate you x

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Some time ago my Nan asked me to make her a bag to hang from her walking frame.  The bag didn't need to be large but needed to hold her mobile phone, glasses and possibly a book and needed to be accessible for her.  So I got to making something that would fit the bill and she loved it!  Nan got at least 12 months use out of that little bag before she was no longer able to use her walking frame.

These days Nan is in a wheelchair and her little bag doesn't fit on the arm of the chair and whilst she has a bag for the bag of her chair, she can't reach it!  So Nan has asked me to make a bag for her to hang from the arm of her chair so she has her mobile phone, glasses and other bits at hand.  The dimensions of the bag were a bit tricky though because it couldn't be too deep! 

The name for the Wheelie Good Bag comes from one of our amazing Yarn Me Calm Community members (thanks Melanie)!

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So often we are so busy in responding to and looking after those around us that we forget to take time for us and to make sure we are looking after our own wellbeing.

Its often hard to put ourselves first, especially when there are people around us that we feel need us.  One of the biggest issues with this is what is often called 'compassion fatigue' or what I call an 'empty cup'.

Having an empty cup means you have been so busy giving something of yourself to everyone around you that you have nothing left for yourself!

So how do you refill your cup?

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