Sarah London runs Hip to Hook, where each month you receive two balls of yarn – colours chosen by Sarah to inspire, with suggestions of what other colours they work nicely with – and a pattern for a motif and a stitch.  This month’s motif was the rose granny.

A few hours in front of The Bill and Silent Witness on Saturday night and I had four squares and the beginnings of a stitch pattern done (and considered whether I had time to add a couple more rows to last month’s stitch sample, the ripple stitch).

This is such a sweet pattern!  I’m going to do nine squares and make a cushion.  I love the join as you go technique too.  There are plenty of ends to weave in when changing colour for every row, but I don’t mind doing that – I find it rather therapeutic and pleasing to watch the final product come together.

March’s colours were the acid yellow and mustard – this month we received fuschia and pink.  Such a terrific pink!  I’m mixing them with oddment balls that were in my stash and some new balls of acrylic from KMart and the Reject Shop.  It’s fun to play with colour.  Although I definitely prefer the feel of wool, when playing around and learning like I am with these motifs and stitch patterns, the range of colours in acrylics is terrific and affordable.  It would be lovely if I could use Rowan Cotton or Debbie Bliss Cashmerino for their beautiful colour ranges in natural fibres, but at the price?  Not likely, even with Kevin’s incentive arriving today.

Thanks Sarah!  I’m enjoying being a hip hooker – it’s the most enjoyable monthly homework I’ve ever had!