Beach Days & Crochet Bags.

 

The sun has finally put it’s hat on and we all have a spring in our steps!

Yesterday we decided to treat our son and venture (not too far) to one of our favourite local Norfolk beaches – Sea Palling. Nestled on the East coast between Waxham and Happisburgh (as I am not a local I *totally* had to look up the spelling…and it still looks odd), Sea Palling has a fab little array of amenities and a huge, beautiful sandy beach! Full of crabs and…claws.

For this occasion, the night before I decided to road test crocheting a textile tote bag using up a couple of small balls of upcycled cotton yarn. The pattern was a ‘crochet – as – you – go’ kind of pattern and to be honest…I was thrilled with the result! However…I had hugely underestimated the amount of textile this yarn eating bag would consume! This is very likely due to my decision to crochet the entire bag with single crochet stitches, thus making the bag super strong and hardwearing but OH SO HEAVY! My next version will be crocheted with double crochet stitches, just so I can see the difference in durability and weight.

So whilst our son was sprinting in circles around our home and we packed half the garden and house into our car, I decided my brand new one of a kind bag was just a bit too special and pretty to carry sun cream, chips and doughnuts!

Next time pretty bag, next time…

 

Jess x

 

Flynn Sofa in Midnight Black from Made.com

Upcycled Cotton Yarn in Peacock Green from Wool And The Gang and Tek Tek White and Grey

Crochet Tote Bag by Elias Frank (Etsy Shop)

 

 

 

 

MAMA STYLE.

 

 

I’ve become addicted. Addicted to these super colourful, highly eye catching and more importantly *versatile* crochet textile necklaces!

You can jazz up the plainest of every day outfits with a bright colour popping accessory. And when said accessory serves another function, a practical function (oh yes!), a function of transfixing a baby (it’s true)  whilst feeding/teething/comforting, then it is a winner!

My go to textile yarn is Tek Tek. Their yarn is 100% upcycled fashion cut off’s and it’s available in an array of eye pleasing shades, however (!) if you spy a shade you love, buy it quick because it may not be available again! Fashion can be cruel!

I tend to purchase mine from Wool Warehouse as their delivery is very speedy! Closely followed by T Shirt Yarn Shop. I discovered T Shirt Yarn Shop a month or so ago and have used their delivery twice. Both orders have been as pictured and quick! Thumbs up!

I crochet these textile necklaces using one length of yarn. This makes the necklaces reassuringly safe, as there are zero small parts to fall off (obviously never leave your little’s alone with the necklace, or let them wear them – mama treat only I’m afraid!). They are also machine washable! The mama necklace of dreams.

You can purchase your very own handmade necklace, treat a fellow mama friend or an expectant partner on my Etsy shop or via my IG page.

Oh and did I mention they are only £5! That leaves another £5 for a cheeky glass of wine 😉

Jess

x

Winter Warmers.

Our winter over in Blighty took a couple of months to mature…much to my dismay as I was *super* prepared with armfuls of gorgeous chunky crochet snoods! Finally the usual storms, freezing cold gales and never ending rain (so. much. water.) began!

This year was my first attempt at crocheting chunky adult size scarves and I had been swooning over many thick, textured yarns for most of the summer. Wishing for winter! Although I actually really dislike winter weather…no matter how cold it is outside, I am guaranteed to overheat within the first 5 minutes of a stroll. Resulting in me carrying multiple layers around all day and getting WARMER. These snoods were destined for others!

After much research and yarn touching (I know, zero self control), I choose and ordered a …reasonable amount of Lion Brand yarn. Family owned and operated, Lion Brand is America’s oldest hand knitting brand! Mr Google has informed me that they were established in 1878…10 years before Jack the Rippers reign of terror in Victorian London! There is the history lover coming out again…yes I have been on the tour! It was fab – I thoroughly recommend it!

Slightly side-tracking there…! Lets talk yarn again!

I currently order Lion Brand yarn through Warwickshire based Wool Warehouse. Their selection and customer service is tip top, plus the yarn arrives in handy sheer bags, so you can keep all of your WIP’s organised! ‘Ease Thick n Quick’ is a firm favourite as the yarn is a 20% wool / 80% acrylic mix, therefore those of us with sensitive skin will find it oh so much softer to touch & far less itchy than 100% pure wool. Colour wise, I absolutely love the shades Oatmeal, Grey Marble and Fisherman. They are natural, earthy and have a great fibrous texture.

I think my next free crochet pattern will be the aforementioned chunky snood – slightly out of season (globally dependant) BUT you will create a colourful stash for next winter. What’s not to love?!

It would be great to hear which chunky yarn is your favourite!

(Pictured: Copper Candle Stick Holder – Berry’s and Grey )

Snoods available to purchase on my Etsy Shop

Dropping the ball…

Dropping the ball. Does it happen? Many times…over and over again!

Sometimes my life can be viewed as these three balls of yarn. Life as a mummy. Life entering my tenth career year at a Lloyd’s Brokers. Life as Elias Frank.

Crochet has provided me with a hobby that lets me unwind after a long day in front of Excel, gives me a huge excuse to pin endless ideas on Pinterest and engages our son in a world of yarn creativity. He asks for one of every product in a lovely swampy shade of green. Not to mention the shameful hit on my bank balance (thanks Wool Warehouse).

If you are lucky enough to commute on our splendid (note the sarcasm) train line between London Liverpool Street and Norwich, then yes I am that young looking blonde girl in the corner (note to self to carry ID everywhere at the age of 27 – especially for proving I am over the age of 14 when buying painkillers) with a latte and croissant hooking up a storm! Come and say hello! You may even get a free lesson!

This year you will find me gracing the inter city train service just once a fortnight. Previous to our son’s birth, I commuted daily (yawn) but I loved (and still love) London. I guess I have always worked in the fast lane; long hours, long commutes and occasionally (very) long lunches and so becoming a mummy was no different. Right?! No longer was I crawling out of bed at 5.30am to catch the train after 2am parties, but I was pulling all nighters with a baby that wasn’t capable of sleeping longer than 3 hours until the age of 16 months. 4 years later, he has kindly mastered 6 hours. I have never experienced tiredness like it! Pass the double vodka red bulls…or tabasco schnapps shots…you know who you are!

I went back to work full time when our son was 8 months old and I found it incredibly tough! I’m not going to sweeten it. Not only did I have to leave London, where I had worked solidly for the 6 years, but I had to find a *new* job in a *new* city (previously I barely saw Norwich in daylight hours) and more importantly…make *new* friends! It took months of tears and support from Chris before I finally stopped feeling the dreaded ‘working mum guilt’! Actually, the general ‘I have left my baby out of my sight for more than one second’ guilt. I felt somewhat cheated out of my old life and started to focus on convincing Chris to uproot the three off us back to my homeland – Essex. 3.5 years later and I look forward to the quiet time, hot cups of coffee and adult interaction, whilst safe in the knowledge our son is having an absolute blast at childcare! More importantly, I have grown to adore Norwich and Norfolk as whole. Our fine city is bursting with small businesses, architecture and history plus we are a blissful short drive away from absolutely stunning coast lines. I now whole heartedly trust that it is the perfect area to bring up our child.

Let’s fast forward to one evening in March 2014. Chris and I were discussing small business ideas and crochet was at the forefront of my thoughts. Inexpensive to try (one hook and one ball of vacuum packed yarn from eBay cost roughly £3) and YouTube was my ever patient, free tutor. I was yearning for a pastime to keep my thoughts busy as I was in grave danger of turning into a zombie in front of every trashy TV programme available. I still love a select few; First Dates, Eastenders…and every single sky documentary about criminals and ancient aliens…I will stop there. Elias Frank was born!

I have been fortunate to make amazing new friends through social platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Etsy. Every single one of them oozes support and talent, whether it’s for their careers, parenting or passions. I enjoy bouncing ideas with new and old friends virtually and over a coffee + delicious cake in a local café (we are spoilt for choice in Norwich – Milk and Moss on St Benedict’s Street is still one of my absolutes fave’s! Make sure you pop by). I also work condensed hours (35 hours in 4 days) so I am lucky enough to enjoy every Friday off with our son, but WOW, that day extra day before the weekend is tiring! High fives to every stay at home mummy! I can safely say I am not made that way – can I say that?!

There are no two ways about it – parenting is one huge, life long juggling act and just like these three colourful balls of yarn, balancing precariously upon one another, we can sometimes drop the ball. But we always pick it back up again. We’ve got this!

 (Yarn pictured: DMC – Instagram DMC Love Crochet )

Modern Crochet: Free Chunky Hat Tutorial

*Happy Friday Everyone*

When people discover my love for crochet, they often ask where I learnt the craft. At the time I thought about spending an hour or two in a local beginners class, but I later had a sudden brain wave. YouTube. A brilliant platform, where you can follow step by step tutorials to learn how to apply social media perfect eyebrows (something I lack being *very* blonde), change a wheel of your car when stuck on the side of the road (Alice this happened to you right?) and of course…crochet a granny square!

My first attempt was HILARIOUS. My simple ‘crochet square’ would have been proud to be called a triangle…and even that was a compliment. I still have the tattered remains at the bottom of a huge yarn stash, and I’m sure it will make an appearance in a blog post this coming year just for a giggle, and to also show how much you can improve a skill just by pausing and rewinding a YouTube clip 50+ times. In 30 minutes. Dedication.

Anyway, as I learnt to crochet and ultimately started Elias Frank purely from free online clips, I have decided to blog some free patterns. A kind of spread the free crochet love, so to say. As this is my first (eek) pattern, I really hope it makes sense BUT if it doesn’t, please feel free to correct me! My face will be blushing from behind the screen.

Adult Size Chunky Crochet Hat

Materials:

1 x 100g Drops Andes Chunky Yarn – Medium Grey

6.5 mm Hook

Large Eye Tapestry Needle

Spare Yarn For Bobble (this is a great stash burner, if required)

UK Stitch Terms

Chain (CH)

Treble Crochet (TR)

Slip Stitch (SS)

Pattern

1. Slip knot to start the project

2. Chain 27

3. Treble Crochet (TR) into the second stitch from the hook.

4. TR crochet into the next 25 stitches, which will bring you to the end of the chain.

5. Chain (CH) 2 and turn.

6. TR crochet into the next 25 back loops only. (This will create a ribbed effect – see image below).

 

7. Continue steps 4. and 5. until you have 24 completed rows.

8. You will now have a lovely ribbed rectangle – ready to turn into a hat!

9. Do not yarn off. Fold the rectangle in half, so that the ribbing (that you want to be visible on the outside of the hat) is on the inside and slip stitch (SS)  down the vertical length.

 

10. You will now have a tube of crochet material with openings at the top and bottom. Cut the yarn so there is roughly 20 cm in length remaining.

11. Using a tapestry needle, weave the yarn through the stitches at the top of the ribbed tube.

12. Pull the tail of yarn to close the gap neatly, secure and weave in the remaining tail (s).

13. Turn the material inside out and your chunky crochet hat is now complete! Hurrah!!

(14. Add your own flare to the hat! I went with a teeny mustard bobble!)

The above pattern (yarn and hook dependant – eg. thicker yarn/bigger hook) will make you an average size adult hat. The rectangle shape in step 8. measures 40cm x 20cm.

To crochet a children’s hat reduce the chain and number of rows.

I really hope this free tutorial will enable at least one person to have a toasty warm head  this winter.

Any questions, feel free to leave me a message.

Follow my love of crochet on Instagram: @_eliasfrank

 

(winter ready) Jess x

 

Meaning behind a name.

‘Elias Frank’ was delivered after an evening of New Years Eve festivities, 11 days overdue, on New years Day 2012.

Gas and air? Pethidine? No thanks! I highly recommend a gathering with yummy nibbles, good friends and tunes as pain relief. It worked wonders, so much so that I (and my friend) started to believe I would deliver in her beautiful bedroom, above the New Years shindig just beneath our feet! Luckily I made it to the hospital for the final hurdle…albeit interrupting the midwifes pulling their party poppers on an empty ward (sorry…baby coming through!).

Unfortunately the stork did not bring me lovely soft yarn as pictured, it was a teeny little baby boy. The best New Year gift imaginable. He has just turned 4 years old, in what feels like 4 minutes (as all parent say!) and no… his name is not Elias. Or Frank.

It took us 3 weeks to choose the ‘right’ name for him, a name to carry him through life, the first of *endless* parental responsibilities. His nickname in my bump was Galahad, a name our midwife was desperate for us to stick with.

‘Sir Galahad, the noblest and most virtuous of the knights in King Arthur’s Round Table’. Now that was a strong name. But could we do it?

We lightly called him Galahad for 3 weeks, until we finally decided on Jacob Frank Elias.

In April 2014, I began my spiralling decent into crochet and yarn addiction. A new business was born and I couldn’t think of a better name for another love in my life. Elias Frank had joined our family…and I hope it doesn’t leave anytime soon!

Jess

x