There are very few times when Google lets me down. Usually when I begin a new blog post, I put in “*** quotes” and it gives me a page of links to go through to and pick and choose the most appropriate. Today I put in ‘crochet quotes’ and it was almost bare. Like, nobody thinks of crochet beyond it just being an act of making loops. I can find quotes about painting, woodwork, even ironmongery (although they were mostly offers to quote for making a gate) but none about the meditative, relaxing, useful value of crochet. At this rate, I may need to write my own.*

An important part of winter hibernation for me is taking the time to make things. Truthfully, crafting is an all-year round thing for me, but in the long, cold, wet evenings of winter having a project to pick up and drop becomes even more valuable. I am addicted to starting new stuff, but it takes great effort to make me see something through to the end, so I need crafts that are either quick to do or where the reward is so great I can see the point. I’m too impatient for knitting, plus also there’s too great a risk of losing stitches and places in complicated patterns, but crochet…. well, crochet has me hooked. (pun intended)

My hibernation projects this year cover Big Projects that will take me some time and a couple of smaller projects to start and finish in a day or two. Where possible, I’ve put in links to patterns or resources websites. Please note any Amazon links are associate links and I will make a few pence from every purchase made through them. Every penny counts, and I spend the little money I raise that way on books to review or more resources for the website.

In no particular order, then, the projects that will be going under my hand are:

A Large Cream Crochet Blanket for my Hygge Nook: I’m using Stylecraft Special DK in only cream, and the Spice of Life Crochet A Long pattern devised by Sandra Paul of Cherry Heart blog. I’ve made the blanket big enough to cross a double bed, and it will be long enough to cover my feet by the time I’m finished. I’ve been making this for about 6 months now, but the blanket got put aside for the summer (because who wants to be crocheting with a blanket on their knee when it’s hot?) Large blankets made in one piece like this are ideal for the winter months because they act as both project and insulation. I’m about halfway up,and loving it.

Felt Fairy and Toadstool House: This is in kit form from Corinne Lapierre. I love gnomes, fairies and all sorts of Little Folk, so making this beautiful one will be a pleasant activity in February… when the light is longer, and the promise of spring creeps in.

Air Dry Clay Houses: Homes and houses are a recurring motif in my own home. I love them as boxes, tealight holders, as ornaments or just as is. I have some white air dry clay bought last year and a hankering to make my own tealight houses. Don’t ask me how: this is a project with no instructions and no clear result. Let’s call it playtime with clay, shall we? The houses below are from Dunelm Mill, so if I give up I can always buy some…

Silver Clay Jewellery: This is a craft literally lifted from Making Winter by Emma Mitchell of Silver Pebble fame. In her brilliant book (review to follow) she has instructions for making jewellery using silver clay. Foolishly, the instructions seem so clear and simple, I have been suckered into it. I’m getting the raw materials for Valentine’s Day, so expect to see this as a project being completed nearer to the end of my hibernation than the beginning. I love messing about with clay, but this just seems so fine and dainty, I worry that my giant fingers will mess it up.

A Crocheted Cafetiere Cover: We invested in a new cafetiere last year, but I haven’t made a cover for it yet. Again, this is an instruction free zone, so expect some swearing. This might actually be top of my list for the next few days, since our daily cup of coffee over Christmas got cold quicker than expected. I’ll do two layers of single crochet in bright colours or stripes and joined together with ribbons or straps to tie it around the pot. I’m thinking of using cross-stitch on the surface to decorate, a technique I learned last year with the Hygge shawl CAL by Scheepjes which I still have to finish as well… add that to my winter list!

And that’s enough projects for one woman! I’m free from pressure with them all, as well. If I finish any, all well and good, but even if I never complete one, the process of making and doing things with my hands will have the required effect. I’ll post my progress in The Hygge Nook or on Instagram hashtagged #hibernate2018

If you’d like to join in, why not draw up a few ideas for your own hibernation and share them on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #hibernate2018. You can find me on Facebook as How to Hygge The British Way, although truthfully you’ll get a better reaction and enjoy being a member of The Hygge Nook more… it really is my happy place on Social Media, and I love how members post and share. It’s like a coffee break with a world of friends. On Instagram, I’m britishhyggejem. I tend to post my quotes there, and a few pictures of everyday life.

*I found my crochet quote: thank you to Joss Whedon. Whatever. Make.

 

My books have more ideas that are good for hibernating with, and are all available from Amazon.

50 Ways to Hygge the British Way  is available in Paperback and Kindle version and so is How to Hygge Your Summer, again in Paperback and Kindle form, from Amazon.

Have Yourself a Happy Hygge Christmas was released in September 2017 and is available again in paperback and ebook version.

If you purchase through the links on this page, I get a couple of pence extra per copy, and if you’ve already read them and enjoyed them, please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.

****How to Hygge the British Way Blog isn’t monetised. I have taken the decision that I want to remain neutral and not to promote things just because. I will only ever review items that I have bought myself, or that I think will help to promote hygge in a busy life. To do this, I need support. Even just the price of a coffee adds up to a book over time, and it means I can stay independent. Would you help? Please consider clicking through to paypal.me/HyggeJem and leaving even a small amount. I’d be very grateful. Thank you.***