Just finished this blanket!

That is a very, very bad site! I have to finish the three projects I am making currently first! They have some lovely free downloads.

I crocheted a blanket this year, and my baby grandson gave it a test run, so Janowera, perhaps you could "borrow" a baby to decorate your blanket.

That is beautiful Auntieflo - and your little grandson looks perfect with it, all dressed in blue and white!

janer I too had to look up cropadile. It looks a very useful gadget to have (oh God, here I go.... where's my debit card? )
Have you ever used it to attach snap fasteners? How effective was it, if so? I've read online that they aren't as good for this function as other gadgets. I suppose it all depends on how strong your grip is.

I haven't used it a lot as I did have problems with my hands after I bought it. They are a lot better now but I do wonder if I could squeeze it often if I had a lot to do.

When thinking of buying tempting tools these day I try to remember that the average drill (the other side of the coin but a temptation to the DIYers) is used for 19 minutes in its life time. When you think of how many are used a great deal, many must never be opened.

In Germany they have sort of share shops run by volunteers where people can add their, shall we say, less used gadgets and tools and they can then be borrowed by other sharers. Wouldn't it be good to do this with craft tools. You may want to buy one if you like it but it would give you a chance to try things out or borrow for occasional use.

Auntieflo I love the use of grey, I had been thinking of trying that at some time. I made (and still have ) a blanket just like that that was used for my DCs, it was called 'the sicky blanket' because it was used as they grew older to cover them when they were ill and lying on the sofa, dozing and watching tv. They fought over who got to keep it, so I said that I would keep it here for visiting poorly GCs.

gracesgran I might give that a miss then, as my hands are a bit arthritic, I can only do things like cutting out fabric for a short time before having to take a break and do something else.

I joined a crochet group that meets in a local hotel once a week. I really taught myself buy using pinterest in the end. I bought wool from attic 24 web site, and I am on my third blanket. I really need to learn another stitch though. The ripple pattern was beyond me. Mine are stripes of wonderful colour. When I snuggle under one I am reminded of caravan holidays with my husband when I took my crochet alone. A new skill for me!

I'm quilting this and I'm using fleece instead of wadding and backing as suggested by my quilting shop. It's Avery easy pattern and has used up a pile of scrap squares and strips leftover from other projects.its off to the hospital shop I hope by Friday. Thought I would try posting as someone said it wasn't working and I'm having a break from quilting.

I've been having trouble posting so trying again.

We have a whole pile of unwanted fleeces, that is a very good idea.

I thought that was strips of ribbon at first, stansgran, which reminded me - I had been trying to think of a project for all my bits of ribbon saved from shoulders of tops. I made 20 pots of jam for our fete, and used ribbons instead of the twine I couldn't find. I reckon if I make 20 a year, and don't buy any more clothes, I should be through them all in about ten years' time.

Grey is very 'in' this year (according to the lady in the local wool shop).
I was tempted but bought a lovely shade of denim blue instead to add to my stash to knit something for DGD.

Note I said 'knit', I do keep trying to crochet but it always ends up looking like a pig's breakfast. I have now bought a book and will have to have another try.

Once you've done a row of plain crochet, you can pretty much do it in your sleep.

I am currently making a cushion cover in Tunisian crochet. It looks like woven thick fabric. You have a very long needle, make stitches in crochet all the way along a row, and cast them back off again on the way back. That's a dreadful explanation, but my mother used to get me making her rugs to stand on in the cold flag-stoned scullery, out of old cut-up tights, using the process.

Gracesgran, apologies - it was you who said you had the cropadile, not Janerowena . I must remember to check who I'm replying to in future! Thanks for the reply, though. Like janerowena, I think I'll give it a miss too as my hands are really not up to all that squeezing.
I have bought a little gadget that you place over the snap fasteners and whack with a hammer. Haven't tried it yet because I'm still waiting for the snaps to arrive.

janer so I'm not the only one who saves all those shoulder ribbons then . And all the gorgeous ribbons that come round the Lush gift boxes. Still trying to think of a way of using them up.

stansgran that is a very good idea using fleece instead of batting and backing. The quilt I made for my little granddaughter had bamboo batting and I used brushed cotton for the backing, so it would be soft and warm against the baby's skin. I was lucky enough to find a white brushed cotton single quilt cover in Dunelm Mills in the sale box for £9.99. Loads of fabric in it! I love finding bargains like that
Fleece would have been so much easier though!

I had to give up knitting because of RSI so tried my hand at crochet. I've made lots of baby blankets and I've just finished a blanket for my grand daughter age 4. She chose the wool and there is a floret on each corner, made from wool from previous blankets. She now wants a blanket big enough to cover her bed.

Trying to post a photo but so far no luck. Will keep trying.

That's interesting Falconbird that you can crochet having had to give up knitting.
I knit, but sometimes get twinges especially in my thumbs.

I will persevere with teaching myself crochet (after finishing my knitting projects!).

My hands do hurt sometimes after a lot of crocheting, but it's minimal compared to the pain in my hands and arms from knitting.

The thing is with knitting you have to hold two needles and a weight of wool but with crochet it's one needle and you can keep the work on your lap.

Yes, I find it easier too, but prefer knitting!

Pretty, falconbird.

I do only like knitting small garments.

How pretty Indinana - I wish I could crochet - maybe I should give it a try ... again...

That is lovely Falconbird

It looks lovely.
I am inspired to have another go!

I tend to knit more than crochet but I really shouldn't because knitting aggravates my carpal tunnel problem. This is far more pronounced in my left hand and wrist, so crochet is much the better option for me. I do so prefer knitting, though, for little garments
My GP said I should get a splint support for my wrist, but I said, 'I won't be able to knit with that on'. We both laughed because I'd already admitted that it was knitting that brought it on. So I just live with it, shake my hand out every couple of rows.