the leaves are falling, autumn's here... and i don't mind a single bit. :) it gives me an excuse to curl up in the sofa with a hot cup of tea, some apple cake and a knitting project. 

i'm currently working on two knitting projects:

-i'm finishing the socks i'm making for Himiko... don't you think the colours are the perfect autumn colours?

 -i'm also knitting a gift for a friend. i am loving the cables in this project!

it's been quiet on the blog, i know. but now i finally have some more time for being crafty, now that the weather is changing, we tend to stay at home more. i also had a lot of extra work-related projects going on in the last couple of weeks, but most of it is finished now... so more free time for me! hurray! :)

the last couple of weeks i've been preparing for the crochet workshop, writing down the pattern and crochet instructions, thinking about how i would teach it to newbies... i was quite nervous about it, i used to be really shy and introvert and, though it is improving a lot with getting older (and in my case, more confident), giving a workshop (talking to/teaching/working with strangers) is actually way out of my comfort zone. so it was a personal challenge for me as well!

 

last sunday was the big day, and it was great! i had 4 lovely ladies to teach, some more experienced than others...and they all mastered the basic crochet techniques at the end of the workshop, so that's one mission accomplished! i also wanted to inspire them to start some new crochet projects at home and i also think i did that. i'm not saying it was the perfect crochet workshop (lots and lots of room for improvement) but i think i did okay. :)

and, as i'm stepping out of my comfort zone anyway, i thought it might be nice to finally show the person behind the blog. i know i love seeing all of your faces. ;) so, here i am, looking a bit angry maybe, watching my "students" crochet technique closely... and thinking to myself "they are doing so good!!"

and here are also some other photos from the Maakdag. it was really an amazing, inspiring and fun event... literally buzzing with creativity and good spirits.

 

 

(all photos in this post ©Maakdag)

here are some more of the wristwarmers i made for the crochet workshop...

i already wore mine on my daily bike-ride to the trainstation, the mornings are getting cold!

a beige/neon pair and a dark blue pair with a flower. i'm having fun thinking of variations, stripes would also be possible, or a scalloped edge...

 

 

which pair do you like best? :)

i've got some great news to share with you today! some time ago, mamasha asked me if i would be interested in giving a workshop at the Maakdag Ristretto. Maakdag is a brand new event, with loads of workshops about crafts, food, beauty, even photography! i was verrrry flattered and of course i said yes! 

 

 i'm gonna give a crochet workshop for beginners. in 3 hours we're gonna make easy and quick wristwarmers! i made up a very simple pattern, that teaches the basic crochet stitches. i crocheted three pairs already (and a 4th on the way), with small variations that show the versatility of the design! 

here's the first pair!

so, if you're interested in following my workshop or another, go to www.maakdag.be and register! :)

this weekend i've been working on my granny square sampler. i haven't blogged about it for a while, but i'm currently crocheting some of the squares together and i think it's looking great so far. i love how all the squares look so different, but they work so well together. i did eliminate some of the squares i really didn't like, or that stood out too much between the other squares. all squares should be equal, right? ;) 

here are all the squares pinned down on my ironing board, ready for some blocking... 

 and here i am crocheting them together into bigger squares, wearing my comfy sunday pants. ;)

ooh, this blanket will turn out totally different from my granny square blanket, which had a color scheme and a pattern... this blanket is the complete opposite: going crazy with colors and compositions... i'm having so much fun!!